Chapter 15: A heartbreakingly adorable heroine in a tragic novel...
"What do you mean by that, Mother? You and Father always taught us that we should keep our word."
Zhao Xian outwardly showed displeasure, but inwardly she was secretly pleased. It was much easier for her to guide the conversation with Jiang Wei than with Jiang Heng. "Do you really have to ask so clearly? I don't think you two are siblings. I don't want to be criticized and ridiculed behind my back when things come to light."
"What secret has come to light? Is that how your mother feels about her son?"
Zhao Xian wanted to roll her eyes: "Then do something to stop me from overthinking?"
Upon hearing the mention of Cui Tingyue, Jiang Wei's previous humble and apologetic demeanor vanished, replaced by a righteous indignation: "The keepsake that our benefactor gave Tingyue is lost. It was very important to her. I also promised our benefactor that I would take good care of Tingyue. Mother, are you teaching your son to be a person who breaks his word?"
Hey, did you just throw the problem at her? You bastard.
Zhao Xian's composure vanished, replaced by a sharper expression and a change in tone: "Are the servants in this manor just freeloaders? You had to send the eldest young master to search for them yourself, while I, the mistress of the house, only learned about the situation from others. What, as your mother, am I not worthy to know anything about your decisions?"
Thinking back to when Li Lianniang gave birth, Chi Lan even came to ask for a match; it's truly a case of no harm without comparison.
As she spoke, Zhao Xian held up two fingers: "This is the second time you've casually sent Xiu'er away. If this had happened outside the manor, I don't even want to think about the consequences."
Seeing that the mother and son were speaking more and more sternly, Li Lianniang wanted to speak up to stop them, but after hearing her mother-in-law's words, she shut her mouth and her eyes reddened slightly.
She got up, picked up Xiu'er, and left the house. She couldn't refute her mother-in-law's words, nor could she speak up for her husband.
He simply took the child and left, preventing Xiu'er from hearing those negative things about her father, thus saving Jiang Wei's face.
Jiang Shuxiu: "??"
Xiu'er was listening intently; she couldn't let Cui Tingyue become her father's concubine.
Unfortunately, she couldn't speak.
Just as I was worrying, I was suddenly taken away.
Upon closer inspection, she realized the person holding her was her mother, and she couldn't cry yet.
Zhao Xian watched as Li Lianniang left with the child, but did not stop her. She said to Jiang Wei, "If you want to take a concubine, do it sooner rather than later. Don't use the excuse of being in mourning to do all sorts of ambiguous things, while you righteously proclaim that you are innocent."
Zhao Xian paused, then said with a tone of admonition, "Don't ruin her reputation, and don't ruin the Jiang family's reputation either."
Li Lianniang had only been married into the Jiang family for a little over a year. She had a childhood friendship with Jiang Wei and had feelings for him. Even in the book, it was only after Jiang Wei had tormented her for nearly ten years that she brought up the idea of divorce.
After much thought, Zhao Xian realized that she could only try to pressure Jiang Wei by working on Cui Tingyue's side, forcing him to see himself clearly and to correct his attitude.
"Now that I've said this much, you decide what to do and come back to me. Do you want her to be your concubine or the adopted daughter of the Jiang family?"
She relies on you for everything, and I will never say another word about it, because that is a private matter in your main house and backyard. It is your and Lianniang's responsibility to not be able to control her.
The latter, then you and she need to clarify who is in charge of the Jiang family, and who you should consult when matters arise.
After talking for a long time, Zhao Xian felt a little thirsty, so she picked up her teacup and drank some tea to moisten her throat.
Jiang Wei's face was cold and serious as he said, "Mother, I have already written to Father, and the matter of taking Tingyue as my goddaughter remains unchanged."
Zhao Xian put down her teacup: "Don't rush to conclusions. If this matter is truly settled, then you are not allowed to step into Zhuqin Garden in the future. I will handle Tingyue's affairs entirely, and you are not allowed to interfere."
Seeing Jiang Wei's frowning and dissatisfied expression, Zhao Xian continued, "If you were to bring your cousins to the manor, would you barge directly into their bedrooms?"
Jiang Wei clenched his fists instinctively, his body trembling uncontrollably. His gentlemanly demeanor, self-discipline, and adherence to propriety crumbled at that moment.
He left Haitang Residence with a pale face in the end.
Granny He looked reluctant: "Madam, aren't these words a bit too harsh?"
Zhao Xian held her teacup. Which of these words was too harsh? They were just stating the facts.
Instead of answering Granny He, she instructed, "Find two clever maids to pass these words on to Miss Cui."
After speaking, Zhao Xian was momentarily lost in thought. She had just been so clever, but then she wondered, was this her idea or the original owner's idea?
She's just an ordinary office worker, aware of her own limitations, and these words don't seem like something she would say.
Yingchun entered the inner room and reported, "Madam, the eldest young mistress has taken Xiu'er back, saying that she will come to pay her respects to you again tomorrow."
Zhao Xian nodded. She had spoken quite loudly, and Li Lianniang had heard her when she left.
If it's difficult for one person to make a decision, then three people should make the decision together and then compare the results.
Granny He glanced outside and said, "Madam, hasn't the eldest young mistress been adamant about not agreeing to the eldest young master taking a concubine? Even if you force the eldest young master to make a decision, if the eldest young mistress still refuses to agree, this matter can't be accomplished."
Zhao Xian was naturally aware of this, and at the same time understood that it was all Jiang Wei's fault.
The book has been filled with torture for the sake of torture for so many years, but he has always insisted that he did not take a concubine. Instead, he fooled Li Lianniang into becoming a shrew with a bad reputation.
That's why she asked all three of them to give her an answer.
"Choose a clever maid to deliver the message so that it travels naturally."
At this time, Cui Tingyue had not yet finished observing the mourning period, and she had not had much contact with Jiang Wei.
The choice is up to her.
--
Before Jiang Wei could make a move, Cui Tingyue came to pay her respects to Zhao Xian.
Cui Tingyue knelt down in front of Zhao Xian as soon as she arrived. Her voice was still a little weak, but she spoke clearly and coherently: "Tingyue greets Mother and wishes her good health and longevity. Please forgive Tingyue for her belated greeting. Tingyue is in mourning and it is not appropriate for her to interrupt a joyous occasion, so she dared not go to Yunzhu Garden for long."
Hearing her words, Zhao Xian raised an eyebrow.
Her explanation is quite reasonable.
Before Zhao Xian could speak, Cui Tingyue continued, "Tingyue came today mainly to ask Mother for forgiveness. Tingyue's mother passed away early and was unable to teach Tingyue many rules. Tingyue should not have been willful and delayed her elder brother's work. I beg Mother to punish and guide her."
As he spoke, he placed his hands together in front of his forehead and bowed down.
"Quickly help her up." Zhao Xian felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. Would this grand gesture shorten her lifespan?
Granny He and Peony hurriedly stepped forward, helping Cui Tingyue to her feet, one on each side, while Yingchun brought over a stool.
Cui Tingyue looked quite haggard, with a delicate, frail appearance, and her eyes were still a little swollen.
I heard from the servants that she returned to Zhuqin Garden and spent every day in tears, feeling very sad.
Zhao Xian reasonably suspected that the belongings were not placed there by Cui Tingyue, otherwise she would be too good at pretending and could have kept it up for so long.
"You silly child, when did I ever say I was angry with you?"
Cui Tingyue spoke with more determination than before: "Mother is magnanimous, but Tingyue must not act willfully anymore."
Zhao Xian was satisfied with Cui Tingyue's pragmatism. Wouldn't it be better to be a daughter of an official than a concubine? Even a fool would know which choice to make.
The servants began setting out the food. Zhao Xian didn't want to discuss right and wrong with Cui Tingyue; she just wanted an attitude, and that was enough.
Have you had breakfast?
"No, Tingyue served her mother meals."
"Sit down and eat together, we're family, don't be shy."
Cui Tingyue shook her head and said, "Serving my mother is my duty. Before, because I was in mourning, it was inconvenient for me to attend the happy occasion. Now I must make up for it, otherwise I will feel uneasy."
Zhao Xian was speechless. She realized that Jiang Wei was the least talkative person in the family.
"You're not in good health either, so don't stand on ceremony, please sit down."
Cui Tingyue shook her head. "Mother is kind and loving. Meeting you is my blessing. Please allow me to learn how to serve you. Please teach me if I am wrong."
Zhao Xian hadn't expected that Cui Tingyue, who looked so gentle and weak, was actually so stubborn. After a few words of arguing, she gave in. It was early in the morning, and Zhao Xian was rather lazy, so she let her be.
When Li Lianniang brought Xiujie'er, Zhao Xian was having Cui Tingyue copy books, since there were already some in the room.
Her father's belongings were lost, and she needed to do something to distract herself from her current state.
He wondered if Jiang Wei had found any of his belongings in his study.
"Mother, your daughter-in-law and Xiu'er have come to pay their respects."
"Quick, let me see our Xiu-jie. I miss her terribly if I don't see her for a moment. Are we playing the 'guess the purse' game again today?"
Thinking of the little things Zhao Xian had told her to store for Xiu'er, Li Lianniang smiled and said, "Mother, she's still so young, how could she guess? You were the one who sent them all."
Zhao Xian didn't explain, but hugged Xiu'er and secretly winked.
Seeing that Cui Tingyue was also there, Li Lianniang was slightly taken aback. "Miss Cui is here too."
Cui Tingyue put down her pen and greeted Li Lianniang with a courtesy befitting a senior: "Sister-in-law."
"Lianniang, come here, I have something to say to you." Zhao Xian looked at the two of them; their good looks were truly pleasing to the eye.
Li Lianniang, not understanding what was going on, followed Zhao Xian into the inner room. Before Zhao Xian could speak, she spoke first: "Mother, I agree to my husband taking Miss Cui as a concubine."
Li Lianniang thought a lot. Jiang Wei's promise to her as a child that he would be with her for life was just a child's words. How could she keep holding onto it?
She also realized that even if it wasn't Cui Tingyue, it would be someone else. How could she be worthy of the love stories in the novels?
It would be better to be a magnanimous legal wife. It seems that after she married into the family, she repeatedly refused the concubines that her mother-in-law had prepared for her husband, which angered her mother-in-law.
These days have made Li Lianniang realize who she should be trying to please the most.
"ah?"
Li Lianniang's words dealt Zhao Xian a heavy blow, completely exceeding her expectations of Li Lianniang's answer.
The words I was about to say were swallowed back down.
"Lianniang, have you misunderstood something?"
Although she was waiting for the answers from the three people, Li Lianniang's answer surprised her the most, as she had thought she was the silent type.
Li Lianniang shook her head: "No, my husband will take a concubine sooner or later. Miss Cui comes from a respectable family and has been kind to my husband. She is the best choice."
Although Li Lianniang said those words, her eyes were almost breaking.
Zhao Xian quickly interjected, "Stop your wild thoughts. Tingyue has no intention of becoming a concubine."
Ultimately, the matter boils down to Jiang Wei; it was his attitude that influenced the two girls.
"I didn't call you here to talk about this. I plan to gradually hand over the affairs of the household to you, and you will be in charge of managing the household from now on."
Li Lianniang was actually somewhat prepared, since her mother-in-law had been teaching her how to manage the household these days, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon: "Mother, how can this be? I... I still have many things I don't know how to do."
"If you don't know how, you can learn. As the eldest daughter-in-law, you will be in charge of managing the household in the future. Don't worry, I will have Granny He assist you. If you don't understand something, ask her. If you are unsure, come to me."
Zhao Xian reassured her, then said, "However, there is one more thing I need to trouble you with."
“Mother, please speak.”
"It's true that you've taken Miss Cui as your goddaughter. When your father-in-law comes back, we'll have a big celebration. If you're in charge of the household, take her with you and let her help you out."
The two characters in the book didn't interact much, but they both shared the same trait: Jiang Wei. She wanted to see if putting them together and resolving any conflicts promptly would still result in the same kind of tragic storylines found in the book.
Li Lianniang didn't understand her mother-in-law's intentions, but she was used to obeying, so she nodded and replied, "Yes."
That "yes" was soft and gentle.
She's so obedient; why doesn't she ask more questions about the reasons?
Zhao Xian saw the doubt and slight resistance in Li Lianniang's eyes, but she agreed without asking any questions.
Throughout the book, even knowing full well the difficulties she would face when confronting her mother-in-law alone, she never said 'no' to Jiang Wei.
She silently endured being scolded for not being able to control her man.
The act of retaliating only begins after one has accumulated enough disappointment and left, at which point one begins to learn to refuse.
Zhao Xian hesitated for a moment but couldn't hold back her words: "If you don't want to, you need to learn to refuse."
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