Chapter 163 Embrace
It was impossible for Mei Niang to keep bowing, so when she saw that the old lady didn't say anything, she walked aside and stood there, watching the grandparents and grandchildren eat breakfast slowly. She counted in her mind, and when she reached a hundred and the old lady ignored her again, she turned and left.
Of course, the maids in the room knew that the old lady was deliberately ignoring the eldest grandmother. In front of the servants, the old lady rarely did such things. In the past, she might have some complaints about the first and second wives, but she would not ignore them or even let them sit down. She was always kind and gentle to her grandchildren and daughters-in-law. Now this situation reminded people of the scene when the eldest grandmother came to Jinhua Hall to pay homage to the ancestors for the first time after her marriage. At that time, in the hall, the old lady's face was as if covered with a layer of frost. She also looked at the eldest grandmother kneeling on the ground indifferently, and was in no hurry to let her get up. She said to the eldest grandmother sitting on the left and right. The first and second wives said a few words, and then asked the granddaughters-in-law nearby about the great-grandson and great-granddaughter, and then signaled to Mother Ji, who started calling. At that time, the grandmother was either too nervous or didn't know the rules of the rich and powerful family. She didn't listen to Mother Ji's words and knelt there like a wooden man without moving. Mother Ji had to let Ruizhu go forward to help her up. After that, the maids and servants laughed at her privately: After all, she is not a lady from a wealthy family, and she is really not presentable. She just came to see her own elders, but she was so scared that she was shaking all over, and her clothes were soaked with sweat...
Things are different now. The eldest grandmother has made it, and has given birth to a great-grandson, Heng'er. She is also in charge of the household affairs of the Hou Mansion. She has finally gained confidence. Looking at her pair of cold and dazzling starry eyes, even Miss Zhuang couldn't help but lower her head when she glanced at her. It seems as if she is the one who is most supported by the old lady.
Mother Ji saw that Mei Niang stepped aside without the old lady saying anything, and she did not rush to say sweet words to the old lady as she did in the past. Instead, she frowned slightly and felt uneasy. She knew the purpose of the old lady's doing this today. She was trying to blame the eldest lady for not coming to Jinhua Hall to ask about her well-being recently, and for not handing over the rewards she got from the palace two days ago to the old lady, but she took the initiative to swallow the good ones for herself and gave out the rest. She was becoming more and more outrageous and did not take the old lady seriously at all.
The two people who came to the palace yesterday, relaying the words of the empress dowager, strengthened the old lady's determination to discipline the eldest grandmother. She originally thought that even if the eldest grandmother was not convinced, she could not be stronger than the old lady. In the Xu Mansion, how could the younger generation dare to disobey the elders? The eldest grandmother was charged with disrespect and disrespect. As long as she was docile and gentle, and did not contradict or make noise, the old lady might have some sympathy for her, and wait for the empress dowager's decree to come down, and give her more benefits. But the eldest grandmother was like this, how could she be willing to obey discipline? I'm afraid that a dispute is inevitable, and it might be the eldest grandmother who will be angry. The old lady is old and can't afford to be tossed around. It's better to listen to Zhuang Yulan's words and go directly to the palace to see the empress dowager, pick a few important crimes to accuse her, and then divorce her. There is no need to waste that energy and have a verbal battle with her in person.
When Mei Niang was about to count to one hundred, Mother Ji leaned over and reported softly: "Grandma, the eldest grandmother has been here for a while. If there is nothing else to tell her, let her go back. She still has things to do!"
Old Madam Xu put down her chopsticks, picked up the spoon and slowly stirred the soup in the small bowl. She didn't look at Mei Niang, but spoke to her:
"It seems that you have already had breakfast. I won't let you have breakfast here. What can I do for you?"
Mei Niang looked at the old lady, her tone even colder than hers: "I came here after breakfast today, just like in the past! I came to Jinhua Hall just to greet the old ancestor. If you are willing, I will serve you for a while, otherwise forget it - you have many people around you who can do your bidding, I am just here to show my support, I can't actually do anything, and I can't do anything well!"
When the old lady heard her talking like this, she looked over and said, "You said you were not feeling well when you came back from the palace. Isn't that fine? You even carried Heng'er back to your parents' home yesterday. You should consider who can handle the rewards given by the emperor! Your wife is ill, but I am fine and can make the decision for her. Otherwise, the second wife is here. As a young daughter-in-law, you should at least tell your elders where you are going. You left without saying anything. What kind of family rules is this?"
Mei Niang smiled and said, "Which family's rule are you talking about? I now live in the Xu Mansion and have the surname Xu. If you say it's the Qin family's rule, outsiders will definitely not believe it! The rules of the Xu Mansion are good. Cousins are as close as family, and they plan to move into a new house before they become husband and wife. Who went to Qinghua Courtyard yesterday? There are a lot of good things in the upper room, right? The rewards given by the emperor include the dragon-patterned pardon book, which is listed and distributed at the same time, indicating that it is specifically for me. I can keep it or give it as a gift, as I wish! You guessed it right. Several of the imperial gifts are still locked in the house. The good and expensive ones have been moved back to my mother's house! The accessories in all the warehouses in the mansion are "The key, some unchecked account books, many important contract documents... are all in the room. Don't rush. You have to hand them over. What is destined to be yours will not run away. What is not destined to be yours cannot be snatched away. If you mess things up because of your impatience, it will be a pity! If one or two things are missing from the upper room of Tsinghua Courtyard, I will report to the authorities. There are military documents in the study of the Marquis. If any secrets are leaked, not only will the people who enter the study die, but the Marquis will also be implicated. At that time, it is unknown whether he will be stripped of his title or punished. I am afraid that the Xu Mansion will not be well!"
The old lady couldn't swallow a mouthful of soup and choked. She coughed and her face turned red. Zhuang Yulan's already pale face suddenly turned bluish-white, almost the color of a dead person.
Fang, Mother Ji, Ruixue and Ruiyu all came over to take care of the old lady. Xu Xiaowan and Xu Xiaomin looked at Mei Niang in surprise, as if they didn't know her. The old lady pointed at Mei Niang and coughed and panted:
"You... In the history of the Xu family, there has never been a daughter-in-law like you... Not only are you unfilial, but you are also so vicious that you dare to curse my Xu Mansion!"
Mei Niang said calmly, "Is it unfilial? It means I don't respect the elders. I wonder if the old lady knows how to pity the younger generation? I married into the Xu family and suffered a lot from your family. I believe you know it! You dislike my humble background. I also tell you clearly that I don't care about your Hou Mansion! Before I got married, my wish was to find a gentle, knowledgeable and talented husband. I didn't fancy your Xu Hou, a warrior, rude and dull, who can only wield swords and can't read a few words. If he hadn't been so sentimental and forced to marry me and asked the emperor to grant the marriage, who would want to marry into your dilapidated Xu Mansion? It's cold and lonely, miserable, and I dare not leave the yard at night. I have visited the mansions of the rich and powerful in Beijing, and the Xu Mansion is the shabbyst!"
After hearing these words, everyone in the room was stunned. The Xu family had been prosperous for generations. They were well-known noble families in the capital. Their mansion was spacious and luxurious. How could it be dilapidated and deserted? It was true that Xu Junying was a military officer. The son of an aristocratic family had received the best education since childhood. His appearance and temperament were outstanding. However, in Qin Meiniang's eyes, he was just a rude and dull warrior! Did this grandmother take the wrong medicine today? Saying such words was really infuriating!
Old Mrs. Xu was trembling all over, her chest heaving, and her face turning from white to red, and from red to purple. Mother Ji and Ruixue kept soothing her chest. It took her a while before she let out a breath. When Zhuang Yulan heard how Mei Niang had treated Xu Junying, she was furious and resentful, but she didn't know how to argue with Mei Niang. She just cried like a pear blossom in the rain, her voice choking, and she almost vomited out the breakfast she had just eaten.
Xu Xiaomin and Xu Xiaorong stared at Mei Niang, not understanding why she had become so hateful today. It would have been fine if she had just said bad things about the Xu family, but she also slandered their eldest brother, who was her husband. Was she crazy?
Fang approached Mei Niang cautiously and advised, "Sister-in-law, please stop talking. If you really make the old lady sick, you will be guilty... You should apologize and ask for forgiveness!"
Mei Niang glanced at her and said, "Why do you have to apologize? You can only beg for mercy after you've caused trouble. I'm not sitting around waiting!"
Fang lowered her head and dared not say anything more. When Mei Niang had just married into the family, she also followed Bai Jingyu in looking down on Mei Niang, and was often disrespectful in her words and actions. After Mei Niang recovered from her illness, he did not do anything to her and always treated her in a friendly manner. She had already noticed the difference of this eldest sister-in-law when Mei Niang had refuted the Second Wife and she was even more superior than Bai Jingyu. Therefore, she behaved more humble in front of Mei Niang, but she did not dare to take the initiative to mention the past, and was unwilling to offend Mei Niang easily.
Mei Niang was tired of standing. She looked around and saw that there was no place to sit nearby, so she walked to the round table where they had breakfast and sat down. The old lady came to her senses and stared at her in shock and anger, as if she were a monster:
"You, just go away! Don't come to Jinhua Hall again. I can't stand your disobedience and unfilial behavior!"
"The old lady has charged me with such a serious crime. How are you going to deal with me?"
Mei Niang picked up a jade bowl in front of Xu Xiaomin, held it in her hand and slowly turned it around to admire it. This jade bowl was carved from top-grade jadeite. It was so exquisite, with a color ranging from deep to light emerald green, and the whole body was lustrous and almost transparent. Mei Niang couldn't let it go. She had eaten so many leftovers at Jinhua Hall, but had never seen such a beautiful jade bowl.
Baba came to pay respects and greet, but the old lady was so unwelcoming. After receiving Bai Jingyu's notice, Mei Niang was not surprised or surprised. The old lady had listed enough of herself in front of the Queen Mother, right? To attract the Queen Mother's attention, it seemed that the imperial decree would come down in the next two days. According to the agreement with Xu Junying, she, as the original wife, had to arrange the wedding for him. She was willing to do so. After all, she had never seen an ancient wedding. It must be very lively and festive. It would be nice to see it. But the posture of the old lady and Zhuang Yulan seemed to not welcome her to participate in the wedding. The old lady also changed her usual behavior. She ignored her at first, and then made a big fuss about her crimes. It seemed that the Queen Mother gave Zhuang Yulan a lot of support. Maybe while granting the marriage, she would allow Xu Junying to divorce his original wife. If so, it would be great. Even if the old lady made trouble, she would take it and jointly create conditions and reasons. If she divorced his wife, she would divorce her. As long as she could leave, she didn't mind in what way.
Old Mrs. Xu was furious and was about to yell, but when she saw Mei Niang casually looking left and right at the jade bowl, her eyes flashed and she held back from saying anything.
Xu Xiaomin stood up in a panic, took the jade bowl away with both hands like catching a chicken, and put it back on the table. Zhuang Yulan's eyes showed disappointment. Xu Xiaomin breathed a sigh of relief and said to Mei Niang:
"These were given to our ancestor by the Empress Dowager. There are only eight of them. Our ancestor was always reluctant to use them. If they were accidentally broken, it would be a great sin!"
Mei Niang smiled: "How about being disobedient and unfilial? What's the big deal about breaking a bowl? At worst, we can be punished together!"
The old lady snorted coldly: "I'm afraid you can't bear it!"
Mei Niang looked the old lady in the face: "Doctors are not subject to punishment. I am an imperial decree. I really cannot bear punishments such as beatings and scoldings. You can't do that either. But there is one thing I can bear - do whatever you want in your heart. Don't worry, I am willing to do it. I have no grievances at all!"
After saying that, she stood up, smiled at the two sisters-in-law who were looking at her blankly, turned around and walked out without looking around.
Cui Xi stood at the door and winked at her, but she didn't see it. No one opened the door curtain. She reached out and opened a gap, then slipped out. She felt that her posture was agile and light, and she had a bit of momentum. She never expected that there was someone standing at the door. He didn't dodge or evade, but let her bump into his arms, and then opened his arms and hugged her tightly!
Suddenly she fell into a warm embrace, totally confused about the situation, and was controlled by someone. Mei Niang was terrified and instinctively struggled to save herself, but it was no use. The man was too strong and agile, as if he had several hands. No matter how she moved, she could not break free. She just clung to him. He lowered his head and stroked her hair with the side of his face. She heard his breathing and smelled a familiar fresh breath. She couldn't help but clench her teeth. Her arms were controlled by him, but her fingers could still move. She wanted to pinch him hard to vent her anger, but the muscles on his waist were also hard and she couldn't hold on. Mei Niang was so anxious that she wanted to shout names and curse, but Xu Junying said in her ear:
"Don't make any noise! I'm not going in. I'll just take you away!"
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