Chapter 91 "Mother, how about I take the exam to become a female official?"...
Lu Zhaoying shook her head. "It is only natural for a daughter-in-law to serve her mother-in-law. Besides, this is not a big deal for her."
Zhao Xian bit her lip and couldn't help but ask, "What did your mother teach you before you got married?"
“Rules for women, precepts for women,” Lu Zhaoying said casually, her face showing no resentment, but rather a smug, ingratiating expression.
Zhao Xian opened her mouth, she remembered that Madam Lu loved her daughter very much, how could she teach her these things?
"Yingying, look, you've already married into the Jiang family. As your mother-in-law, do you listen to what I say?"
Lu Zhaoying nodded repeatedly, "My mother told me before I got married that I should listen to my mother-in-law in everything when I got to the Jiang family."
The Lu family had done the Jiang family a great favor. Before Lu Zhaoying got married, her mother gave her many instructions, especially after she married Jiang Heng. During the time she went with Jiang Heng to see her parents off, her parents repeatedly told her to be filial to her father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Zhao Xian nodded and began to rummage through the accounts: "Then why didn't you listen when I told you that you didn't have to come to pay your respects every morning and evening, and that you didn't have to serve me every meal?"
Lu Zhaoying opened her mouth, but met Zhao Xian's calm and emotionless eyes. The girl panicked for a moment, "Mother, don't be angry. Your daughter-in-law just wants to serve you."
Zhao Xian raised her hand again, gesturing for her to sit down, and said, "I'm not angry, and I understand that you mean well, but is it possible that I don't want to get up early?"
During the year she lost her memory, she was initially busy watching the female protagonist in the angst novels during her postpartum period. The most important thing for a new mother is to rest, and no one gets up early in the morning to pay their respects, so she had the most free time.
After Li Lianniang finished her postpartum confinement, Zhao Xian began to entrust her with the household affairs.
When Li Lianniang came to Haitang Residence to handle the general affairs she didn't understand, it was usually around nine or ten o'clock in the morning after she had met with the servants.
But Lu Zhaoying arrived too early.
Zhao Xian was a little worried. She wasn't a corporate slave anymore and didn't have to go to work. She didn't have to get up at seven o'clock to clock in. Besides, even corporate slaves didn't start work that early.
Lu Zhaoying opened her mouth, "...Daughter-in-law understands."
Zhao Xian didn't want to be so direct, but the female lead in this sweet romance novel was stubborn and wouldn't listen to her previous attempts to beat around the bush, so she had no choice but to say this. She raised her hand again and said, "Sit down and have breakfast together."
Zhao Xian had made up her mind. If things didn't work out after three attempts, she would have to find another way to force her.
This time, Lu Zhaoying obediently sat down and had breakfast with Zhao Xian.
As Lu Zhaoying was leaving, Zhao Xian reminded her, "Remember, try not to come tomorrow if you can avoid it. If you can't resist coming, don't come so early."
Lu Zhaoying: "..."
"Why do you look so worried, Miss? Did Madam scold you?" The maid who accompanied her in her dowry asked quietly behind closed doors when she saw that Lu Zhaoying was not saying much.
Lu Zhaoying shook her head, "No, my mother-in-law is very well."
Lu Zhaoying felt it was a bit unreal. Her sister-in-law was her mother's niece. After marrying into the Lu family, she served her parents-in-law morning and evening. Why did her mother-in-law dislike her serving her?
The next day, Lu Zhaoying woke up very early as usual, but this time she did not rush to Haitang Residence to pay her respects with her maid.
The maids were getting anxious. "Miss, aren't you going to pay your respects today?"
Lu Zhaoying glanced at the sky outside and said, "Let's talk after we've had breakfast."
She had been visiting her mother-in-law morning and evening for several days in a row, but hadn't run into her sister-in-law. It seemed she should get to know her sister-in-law first.
--
After the conversation was over, Lu Zhaoying no longer came to pay her respects very early.
Zhao Xian knew that she had gone to Li Lianniang's place several times. Although she did not come to pay her respects very early, she did not miss the morning and evening greetings, but she always made sure to do so after Zhao Xian had eaten breakfast and dinner.
The young girl was not very old. After Lord Lu was demoted and left Jin'an, she got married and moved to a new place. Perhaps she was not yet familiar with the new environment and was a little reserved.
Zhao Xian didn't say anything more, planning to talk about it again after the child had settled into the Jiang family.
However, Zhao Xian felt that she was still a bit idle, so she discussed it with Li Lianniang and said, "Just like you did with Tingyue before, let her work by your side. You are pregnant now and your energy is not as good as before, so you don't need to worry about everything. You know the people and things in the mansion, so let her handle some of the tasks. You can just check on her from time to time."
Cui Tingyue is different from Lu Zhaoying. The former's father and brothers were both busy and there were no female relatives in the family to teach her, so she needed to be taught by hand.
The latter, Madam Lu must have taught her daughter how to manage the household. Pushing Lu Zhaoying over there was also to keep her busy, so that she would be less reserved and get to know the Jiang family as soon as possible.
Li Lianniang nodded, "Then once my sister-in-law is familiar with the situation, will we share some responsibilities with her, just like we did with Tingyue before?"
Zhao Xian shook her head, "No need, she can assist you."
The reason why Cui Tingyue was put in charge of the embroidery workshop was because she herself loved embroidery and had also come up with many patterns with the embroiderers.
Zhao Xian planned to allocate a cloth shop and an embroidery workshop to her as part of her dowry when she got married, which is why she allowed her to manage the embroidery workshop on her own, as a way to help her get used to it in advance.
After telling Li Lianniang about Lu Zhaoying, Zhao Xian had someone send a token to the palace.
It's been almost a month since Cui Tingyue entered the palace. We should have gone to pick her up much earlier, but it was delayed for a few days because the second son and his wife came back.
Zhao Xian had a good reason for going to pick them up: both she and Jiang Wei were born in August, and Jiang Wei was going to have a big banquet for his coming-of-age ceremony. There was no reason for Cui Tingyue, as his adopted daughter and adopted sister, not to celebrate their birthdays at home.
The next day, at the Empress's Palace.
Zhao Xian did not see Cui Tingyue at the Empress's place, but instead chatted with the Empress. After drinking a cup of tea, Cui Tingyue and Lin Nianzang appeared together.
The two chatted and laughed, and seemed to get along quite well.
At first glance, Zhao Xian almost didn't recognize her. Cui Tingyue looked quite different from when she was at the Jiang family's house, perhaps due to her clothing and headdress.
When they were at the Jiang family home, they dressed in simple clothes due to the mourning period, and even their headdresses and accessories were relatively simple.
There is a big difference between a simple appearance and formal attire. For example, at this moment, Cui Tingyue wore a blue phoenix hairpin and a coral beaded necklace with eight treasures on her chest. She looked radiant and exuded a noble air that was different from the ordinary.
Looking the person up and down, Zhao Xian couldn't help but sigh, "The Empress is really good at raising children."
Upon seeing Zhao Xian, Cui Tingyue's eyes lit up for a moment, but quickly concealed themselves, as if they were not there.
She and Lin Nianzang greeted the Empress and paid their respects. After the Empress told them to rise, she turned and walked a few steps to Zhao Xian's side, calling out to her, "Mother, you've arrived."
Although she exuded an air of nobility, Zhao Xian could clearly sense that she had become more reserved, completely unlike the relaxed person she would be at home.
Lin Nianzang followed Cui Tingyue's figure and smiled at Zhao Xian, saying, "Sister Cui was just saying yesterday that Madam Jiang said she missed home, and today Madam Jiang has come to the palace. This is what they mean by mother and daughter being of one heart. It's truly enviable."
Hearing her say this, the Empress looked at Cui Tingyue and said with a hint of apology, "This was my oversight. The embroidery of the Hundred Blessings Noodles was already finished, and I like Tingyue very much, so I thought I would stay for a couple more days to talk. Before I knew it, more than a month had passed, and I had made Madam Jiang worry."
Upon hearing the Empress's words, Cui Tingyue quickly replied, "Tingyue is willing to accompany Your Majesty, but Mother's birthday is approaching. I only discussed this matter with Xiyu yesterday, and we were thinking about preparing a birthday gift for Mother. Sister Lin must have misheard me."
Zhao Xian glanced at Lin Nianzang. She had thought the two had a good relationship, but now it seemed she had been overthinking it.
Lin Nianzang casually remarked that Cui Tingyue was homesick. Cui Tingyue had been summoned to the palace by the Empress and had stayed for so long, so this remark was bound to displease the Empress.
But Zhao Xian wasn't too surprised by Cui Tingyue's counterattack. The villainous female supporting character in the book pretended to be weak, but she wasn't actually soft-hearted.
"So that's how it is." Lin Nianzang twirled the embroidered handkerchief between her fingers. "Sister Cui is so enviable, she even has her mother who remembers to come and pick her up."
Instead of apologizing, they continued to steer the conversation towards Zhao Xian.
After she spoke, the hall fell silent for a moment.
Zhao Xian did not disappoint her, and said understandingly, "I just came to pick up my daughter from the palace, and it's on the way, so I'll give Miss Lin a ride. After all, Lord Lin is a man, and it's inconvenient for him to come to the inner palace."
Lin Nianzang choked, tightening her grip on the handkerchief slightly. "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Jiang, but it's not necessary."
Zhao Xian smiled, and since she didn't want to, she didn't bring it up again.
As for Lin Nianzang's words, Zhao Xian didn't understand what she was trying to say. Was she saying that she had no mother? That she had become a pitiful little thing?
Or was he subtly mentioning Princess Rongyang, hoping to make Zhao Xian feel guilty?
What a joke, Princess Rongyang's death had nothing to do with her.
Moreover, it's uncertain whether Princess Rongyang is dead or not. The initial message only stated that the real culprit was dead, but who knows if it was Princess Rongyang?
But then Princess Rongyang disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead. The Lin family didn't react at all, not daring to utter a single word.
Although Lin Nianzang changed into simpler clothes, she did not make it public that she was observing mourning. She also frequently attended tea parties and flower banquets, showing no signs of mourning.
Everyone just thought that Princess Rongyang was dead, because it was a royal secret and the news was kept hidden.
Zhao Xian suddenly realized, was Princess Rongyang really dead?
If she were alive, she would be punished by King Yu, so she could not show herself. But if she were alive, where would she hide?
Lin Nianzang felt that Zhao Xian's gaze was very probing, which made her feel uncomfortable. She looked away unnaturally and said to the Empress, "Now that I have brought Sister Cui back, it is time for me to go back and serve my late grandmother. I will take my leave."
Watching Lin Nianzang leave the palace, Zhao Xian also took her leave.
While packing her luggage, she discovered that what Cui Tingyue had brought with her when she entered the palace was just a small bundle, but she left the palace in a whole cart.
All of it was a reward they received.
After leaving the palace, Zhao Xian asked, "Has Lin's sixth daughter been in the palace all this time?"
Cui Tingyue: "Not really, she occasionally stays in the Empress Dowager's palace for a few days."
Zhao Xian glanced at Cui Tingyue and finally asked, "Did you see Han Mu during your time in the palace?"
Cui Tingyue shook her head: "No, but I have met the Sixth Prince and the Sixth Prince's Consort. They often come to the palace to pay their respects to the Empress."
Zhao Xian told her the news she had heard at a banquet after she entered the palace, "...It's probably going to be hard for you to find a husband in Jin'an, keep that in mind."
Cui Tingyue's face paled for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "Mother, how about I take the exam to become a female official?"
Because she was embroidering auspicious face masks for the Empress, she had a lot of contact with the embroiderers and female officials in charge of the work.
Zhao Xian thought for a moment and said, "Is this path going to be difficult? Are you sure?"
Cui Tingyue looked at Zhao Xian, "Mother doesn't seem surprised?"
Zhao Xian shook her head, her voice soft, "No, I'm surprised, but... if you really want to take this path, I support you."
She was narrow-minded before.
In ancient times, women who did not marry faced many criticisms, but if they entered the palace and became female officials, the situation was quite different.
Didn't Granny He never marry in her entire life?
Zhao Xian thought for a moment, then decided to ask Jiang Liangxu about it. "After we get back, I'll discuss it with your godfather to see if we can send you to the palace."
I don't know if the Empress will agree to this. I need to think of a good excuse so that the Empress won't dislike Cui Tingyue.
Cui Tingyue hugged Zhao Xian's arm and gently rested her head on her shoulder, "Mother, you are so kind."
Upon returning to the Jiang family, Cui Tingyue began distributing the rewards she had received. Since the items were all for women, only the female members of the family received them, including the youngest, Jiang Shuxiu.
Before Lu Zhaoying married into the Jiang family, she had met Cui Tingyue a few times, and the two were not complete strangers.
Starting the next day, the three of them seemed to have made a pact to come to Haitang Residence to discuss things, chattering away and making quite a scene.
Zhao Xian and Jiang Wei both had birthdays in August. Zhao Xian's birthday celebration was not a big deal and did not require much effort. Her family was small, so preparing a small feast was not a problem.
When Jiang Wei came of age, things were different. Even though Li Lianniang was in charge of the household, Zhao Xian was also watching over the matter. She was especially cautious about inviting people to attend the ceremony. She also had to discuss with Jiang Liangxu. Some distinguished guests required her and Jiang Liangxu to personally deliver invitations to show respect.
Aside from daily chores, Zhao Xian also had to practice archery, so August wasn't exactly a quiet month.
Zhao Xian's birthday falls just one day after the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the household, servants receive an extra month's salary on the birthday of each master as a way to bring good luck. This practice continues on other holidays as well. Therefore, the servants quite like the Mid-Autumn Festival because they receive double the reward money every year.
Haitangju Kitchen
Jiang Liangxu ladled out the cooked longevity noodles. "The longevity noodles are ready. Please try them, my wife. See if my cooking skills have deteriorated."
There was no one else in the small kitchen. Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and even the servants had a lively time. No one was sent to serve them early in the morning.
Zhao Xian used a handkerchief to wipe the flour off his face. "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Jiang."
The two sat down at the table in the small kitchen to eat noodles.
"Are you really not going to the manor to practice riding and archery? I can accompany you for two days; there's plenty of time."
Zhao Xian shook her head, "Riding and archery are tiring, how can you have time to pick up a brush and paint? You'll be busy today, you have to paint several 'Fu' characters."
Last night, Jiang Liangxu discussed with Zhao Xian how to celebrate her birthday.
He was not at home last year for Zhao Xian's birthday. This year, he specially set aside his day off to come out and accompany her. However, Zhao Xian did not want to leave the mansion. Instead, she asked him to paint a picture for her.
When they first got married, Zhao Xian liked to have Jiang Liangxu paint her portraits whenever they had free time, saying that they could keep them as a memento, just like photographs.
Later, after he passed the imperial examination, he was too busy to paint her portraits in a year, and sometimes he didn't even have time for a year or two.
Jiang Liangxu thought for a moment, realizing he owed her too much, and nodded: "Alright, today is Madam's birthday, I'll do as Madam says."
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Author's note: It's all over, it's back.
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