Chapter 19 The husband comes to fetch his wife back to Yunzhu Garden
"Mother, what happened?"
Only after the carriage left the Princess's residence did Li Lianniang speak up.
She wasn't stupid. Zhao Xian had changed her clothes and was suddenly leaving, so something must have happened.
Zhao Xian recounted how Lu Zhaoying fell into the water and how she destroyed the imperial peony in an attempt to save her.
Li Lianniang asked in confusion, "Aren't the peonies bestowed by the emperor displayed in the flower hall? How come they're on the steps?"
Zhao Xian chuckled and said, "What else could it be? Someone tampered with it."
However, Lu Zhaoying falling into the water today is too strange.
While changing clothes, Zhao Xian asked Lu Zhaoying, who didn't know who pushed her. She only remembered that the girls in the waterside pavilion suddenly started to jeer, and since she was standing on the edge, she was pushed down like that.
It sounded like an accident, but instead of a swimming woman coming to the rescue, three men jumped into the water. This seemed very strange, as if it had been deliberately arranged.
Zhao Xian was in a hurry to leave. Firstly, she didn't want to get entangled with Princess Rongyang any longer; secondly, she was worried about Li Lianniang, who was also the female lead.
If you know the plot, you can take precautions in advance. But the problem is that if you don't know the plot, something might suddenly happen, and it's impossible to guard against it.
Li Lianniang had heard some stories about the feud between her mother-in-law and Princess Rongyang, but she didn't know much about it.
She asked with some concern, "Mother, have you decided what to give as compensation to the Princess?"
Zhao Xian replied calmly, "No."
She said it casually, but Princess Rongyang wouldn't let it go. The Princess was her aunt, and she was biased towards Princess Rongyang.
Zhao Xian absolutely could not agree to save the peony. It would be good if it could be saved, but what if it couldn't?
The peony was ruined beyond recognition, and Princess Rongyang would definitely be keeping a close eye on her. Therefore, she was only thinking of another way to resolve the matter.
Fortunately, she didn't specify what the item was as compensation, which gave her time to figure it out.
When Li Lianniang heard the word "no", she was completely stunned.
"What if the eldest princess comes to urge us?"
"Then say it's still in the planning stages. Surprises always come slowly; slow and steady wins the race."
Is it still possible to do this?
Li Lianniang looked like she had learned a lesson.
Back at the Jiang family home.
Zhao Xian plans to write down the plot of the book.
If we had known about this kind of thing beforehand, we might have been able to handle it and wouldn't have been caught off guard.
However, after picking up her pen, she couldn't write a single word for a long time when it came to the plot of a sweet romance novel.
However, when I think about tragic storylines, my inspiration flows freely.
This is probably because she not only read the original novel, but also reviewed the script when acting with her own artists.
But when it comes to the plots of sweet romance novels, the only parts she can remember are the scenes between the female protagonist and the original owner after the female protagonist marries into the Jiang family, and not many.
The mother-in-law in the story isn't mean; on the contrary, she gets along well with the female lead in the sweet romance novel. However, this kind of scene is boring and doesn't advance the plot, so she has very little screen time.
Furthermore, sweet romance novels themselves don't have much of a plot; they're almost entirely about the interactions and entanglements between the male and female leads, and it's all just sweetness.
Looking at the contrast between the tragic and sweet stories, the mother-in-law's role is strikingly different.
Zhao Xian couldn't help but sigh, "Did the author really not consider that using the same mother-in-law in two books wouldn't cause her to have a split personality?"
Comparing the mother-in-law characters in the two books, they are practically two extremes.
After writing furiously all night, Zhao Xian felt dizzy, had a stuffy nose, and felt weak in her limbs the next day.
When a servant came to report that Madam Lu had come to thank her for saving her daughter, Zhao Xian was unable to go to see her.
Fortunately, the management of the household has been handed over to Li Lianniang, so there is someone in charge of the household.
In the main hall.
Li Lianniang greeted Madam Lu, saying, "I am truly sorry, but my mother-in-law has caught a cold and is unable to receive guests. Please forgive her."
Madam Lu looked worried: "Madam Jiang caught a cold to save my third daughter. We are truly grateful to Madam Jiang this time. I hope you will not find this small gift too offensive."
Yesterday, she was told by servants from the Princess's residence that she did not know the reason or details when her daughter fell into the water.
It was only on the way back that I learned from Lu Zhaoying that the situation was dangerous.
If it weren't for Madam Jiang, Yingying's innocence would probably have been ruined.
To be honest, she came to visit today for two reasons: first, to express her gratitude; and second, to inquire about the marriage arrangements for the children of both families.
As it turned out, Madam Jiang fell ill, so it became difficult to bring up the matter.
Madam Lu did not stay long; she presented a thank-you gift and then took her leave.
Haitang Residence.
"Mother, Madam Lu sent over a lot of things. Here is the list. Please take a look." Li Lianniang handed over the list of thank-you gifts sent by Madam Lu.
This thank-you gift was incredibly generous; it consisted of three large boxes.
Li Lianniang suddenly remembered something, "By the way, Mother, Madam Lu didn't see you, but I feel like she has something to say to you."
Achoo!
On the bed, Zhao Xian suddenly sneezed, her nose running, and her head was spinning.
She only wanted to leave the Princess's residence yesterday, using the excuse that she was afraid of catching a cold, but she actually caught one.
As for Li Lianniang's words, Zhao Xian listened but couldn't think of anything to say. Besides, she was ill and couldn't see Madam Lu. Since she didn't say anything, it probably wasn't a big deal.
Peony brought the decocted medicine into the room, and Li Lianniang took it and was about to serve her mother-in-law the medicine.
"Achoo~ Achoo~" Zhao Xian suddenly sneezed uncontrollably several times, covering her mouth and nose and said to Li Lianniang, "You should stay away from me, or I'll catch your disease."
Li Lianniang was a little confused and touched. She looked at the medicine bowl in her hand and said, "No, it's alright. Your daughter-in-law is serving you medicine."
Zhao Xian reached out and snatched the medicine bowl: "I'm not a three-year-old child who needs to be fed medicine."
He waved his hand at Li Lianniang repeatedly and said, "Alright, you go and get busy. Be careful with the affairs of the manor. If you don't understand something, ask Granny He. Don't come to pay your respects these next few days. Since you've been in contact with me today, don't go near Xiu'er. She's young and can't handle this."
Li Lianniang opened and closed her lips, wanting to say something. After all, it was a matter of course for a daughter-in-law to serve her mother-in-law, but in her mother-in-law's mouth, it seemed that this matter was not important at all.
Moreover, she felt that her mother-in-law's words made a lot of sense. Although she felt that something was not quite right, Li Lianniang could not argue with her mother-in-law. After struggling for a long time, she finally got up and left.
As soon as the person left, Zhao Xian put down the medicine bowl.
Peony was suppressing a laugh. It wasn't that the madam didn't want the young mistress to serve her; she was just afraid of taking medicine.
The lady once said that taking medicine sip by sip was comparable to torture.
"Madam, please drink your medicine. It won't be as effective if it gets cold. I'll bring you some candied fruit."
Zhao Xian glanced at the medicine bowl several times; in ancient times, a cold could be fatal.
With a determined heart, even though her nose was congested, she still clenched her fist tightly, picked up the bowl of medicine, and gulped it down.
"Ugh... water, water."
While gagging, Zhao Xian missed the sweet-smelling cold medicine granules.
She's someone who gets nauseous even from drinking powdered medicine, so she finds it even harder to accept traditional Chinese medicine.
Peony quickly served the water and candied fruit that she had prepared beforehand.
Zhao Xian's illness lasted for five or six days before she recovered. In the last two days, her condition improved, and she refused to take the medicine, but was still forced to drink quite a lot of it.
After she fully recovered from her illness, the person she missed most was Jiang Shuxiu.
After all, she's watched over and held her since she was born, and she's missed her terribly after not seeing her for several days.
Zhao Xian covered her mouth with a handkerchief, still worried about catching the disease from the child, while teasing Jiang Shuxiu with her other hand: "Our Xiu'er is so good, she won't force her grandmother to drink medicine."
Li Lianniang flipped through the account books, listening to her mother-in-law instructing her.
Cui Tingyue covered her mouth and laughed. It was only when they saw Zhao Xian sick that they realized she had such a cute side. She said that she wasn't a child and didn't need to be served medicine, but she turned around and tried to throw it away.
"Madam, the eldest son has returned."
Not long after the servant relayed the message, Jiang Wei entered the room.
He returned home several days later than originally planned.
Upon entering the room, Jiang Wei immediately performed a deep bow to greet his mother: "Your son inquires after your well-being. Is your mother at home well and healthy?"
Zhao Xianxu helped Jiang Wei up, and when he stood up, she said, "He's fine. He just caught a cold a few days ago, but fortunately, Lianniang and Tingyue were there to take care of him, and he's all better now."
“Xiu’er, look, your father is back.”
Jiang Shuxiu, still in her swaddling clothes, immediately closed her eyes, refusing to look. She held a grudge and wouldn't look at her unlucky father.
Upon seeing Jiang Wei, Zhao Xian recalled the answer she had demanded of him.
"I'm just recovering from a serious illness and shouldn't stay with the child any longer. Take him away." He told Li Lianniang to take the child away and send the others away.
Li Lianniang could tell that her mother-in-law and husband had something to say, so she didn't say anything more, picked up Xiujie'er, and left with the servants.
Cui Tingyue clenched her handkerchief tightly. Her adoptive mother hadn't let her leave, and she didn't know whether she should go or stay.
Zhao Xian glanced at the two of them and said, "Sit down."
"Well, have you made up your mind?" she asked, looking at Jiang Wei.
Jiang Wei frowned slightly, glanced at Cui Tingyue, and said expressionlessly, "Of course, it's best if we're siblings, but this matter also depends on Tingyue's opinion."
“Tingyue is more decisive than you. The day you left, Tingyue came to pay her respects to me. She never missed a morning or evening greeting. She is more considerate to me than any of you biological children.”
Concubines were bought and sold, and were not entitled to call their mothers-in-law or mothers; they could only be addressed as "Madam."
Fortunately, Cui Tingyue is a sensible person.
Zhao Xian was not surprised by Jiang Wei's answer; it was just that he had to say it to Cui Tingyue in person.
If he agrees to let Cui Tingyue become his concubine, then he really has something wrong with his brain.
"You've been busy for so many days, I'm afraid you haven't had a good rest. Go back to Yunzhu Garden and get some rest." Having received the answer, Zhao Xian sent the person away.
Jiang Wei couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong, but he just felt something was off.
Without saying much, he got up and took his leave.
Only Zhao Xian and Cui Tingyue remained in the room. Zhao Xian looked at her seriously and said, "When you came to pay your respects that day, if you had called me 'Madam,' I wouldn't have asked him a single question today. Instead, I would have given him a contract of servitude and made him come to you to sign and seal it."
Cui Tingyue's rosy cheeks instantly lost all color, turning deathly pale.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.
Zhao Xian patted the back of her hand, her voice softening: "Mother didn't mean to scare you with these words, but I'm glad you're clear-headed and intelligent. A person's life isn't just about revolving around a man. In the future, when you marry as a young lady of the Jiang family and go to another family, I want you to understand that it's the most foolish thing to put your hopes on others. Only when you have the confidence to make your own decisions will others not dare to look down on you."
Living under someone else's roof, even with the title of Jiang Wei's benefactor's daughter, she probably wouldn't feel at ease staying in the Jiang family.
Zhao Xian was certain that Cui Tingyue's previous days were not nearly as comfortable as these past few days with Steward Li Lianniang.
Regardless of her status, in the eyes of the servants, she was just a weak woman who relied on the eldest son and had nowhere to go.
The servants are respected, but not much, and it is only superficial.
But things were different when she was in charge of the household under Li Lianniang's leadership. As the adopted daughter of the Jiang family, she viewed people from the perspective of a master.
What true respect is will become clear at this moment.
Cui Tingyue was about to kneel down when Zhao Xian stopped her, saying, "What are you doing? Get up."
Cui Tingyue's eyes were already filled with tears: "Tingyue thanks Mother for her teachings, and also thanks Mother for giving Tingyue this opportunity."
After her father and brother got into trouble, her wet nurse, who had taken care of her since childhood, wanted her to marry her son, and even her uncles in the clan, who had once been kind to her, changed their tune.
If Jiang Wei hadn't arrived in time, she probably would have lost her innocence.
She felt grateful to Brother Jiang, but also had mixed feelings.
But the moment she saw Madam Jiang, she knew that Madam Jiang did not like her, and since she was still in mourning, she suppressed all her emotions.
Although her mother died early, her father and brothers doted on her just as much, and they tried their best to teach her to distinguish right from wrong and to respect and love herself.
She had considered starting her own household; with her father and brothers both dead, the Cui family bloodline could not be severed.
But she couldn't leave the Jiang family; she had no way to protect herself.
But if she were to cling to the debt of gratitude, she would feel uneasy, as she would feel guilty towards her father and brothers.
Fortunately, her adoptive mother gave her a choice.
When a beautiful woman sheds tears, those who weep feel pity for her.
Zhao Xian embraced him, patted his back gently, and comforted him, "Alright, don't cry. You'll stay by my side for Xiu'er's full moon celebration."
Cui Tingyue knew that her adoptive mother wanted her to appear in front of everyone and confirm her status as the adopted daughter of the Jiang family.
Her voice choked slightly as she said, "Tingyue will listen to her mother."
Yunzhu Garden.
Jiang Wei hadn't had a good rest during his trip away from home, and he slept until the afternoon.
When they got up, they couldn't find Li Lianniang. They asked the servants and learned that since Li Lianniang took over the household, she had been busy all the time except when she came back to rest at noon and in the evening.
The maidservant then added, "However, the young mistress has been so busy these past few days that she hasn't been able to return to Yunzhu Garden for her afternoon nap."
Jiang Wei didn't pay much attention at first, so he went to see his daughter first. It had been quite a while since he had seen her, and she cried as soon as she saw him. She wouldn't even reach out to hug him, she would just cry whenever she saw him.
As evening approached, Jiang Wei ate his dinner alone and read for a while until night fell and the lamplight flickered on the window.
But Li Lianniang was nowhere to be seen. Jiang Wei put down his book, frowned, and asked, "Where is the young mistress? Why hasn't she returned yet?"
The servant shook his head, not knowing. Only after asking around did they learn that Li Lianniang was with Cui Tingyue.
Jiang Wei frowned slightly. What was Lian Niang doing in Zhu Qin Garden? When did their relationship become so good?
After much deliberation, he finally couldn't resist and went to Zhuqin Garden.
As he approached, he remembered what his mother had said before, stopped at the door, and said to the old woman guarding the door, "Go and tell her I've arrived."
The servants relayed the message, but no one came to invite him in. Instead, Li Lianniang came out with a look of reluctance on her face.
"Why did you come, my husband? Didn't you get much rest?"
Upon hearing this seemingly uncaring remark, Jiang Wei frowned and clenched his fist: "I have come to fetch my wife back to Yunzhu Garden."
A note from the author:
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I wrote a chapter yesterday, but deleted it all when I got home that night. It looked weird to me, so I rewrote it and spent a long time revising it.
I will try my best to update regularly at midnight, and you are welcome to read it at any time during the day.
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