Chapter 1114, The Tenderness of Prince Xiao (Twenty-six)
As the New Year approaches, the entire capital is immersed in joy.
Because they had no roots or connections in Beijing, compared to other families who constantly visited relatives and friends, the Wang family was a bit deserted. No one invited them to be guests, and no one visited them.
Mr. Wang and his two sons were fine as they could go out every day and were not bored, but the women in the family were a little bored.
Especially the mother and daughter of the Wang family are still dreaming of climbing up the social ladder. If they don’t go out to socialize, how can they make friends with the ladies of high-class families and how can they show their own excellence?
In the past two days, Miss Wang Er has been in a bad mood. When she looks at Miss Wang Da, her nose is not a nose and her eyes are not eyes.
Miss Wang was very angry at her younger sister's attitude. When Miss Wang squinted at her again, she asked with a sullen face, "Second sister, how did I offend you?"
Miss Wang Er had been holding it in for two days and couldn't hold it in any longer. When Miss Wang Da asked, she immediately expressed her dissatisfaction: "The last time we went to the Yan family, if it wasn't for the eldest sister who stopped Ye Yueying from going, the Yan family wouldn't have been angry with us."
"With the Yan family's introduction, we might have already made friends with the women from other families, and we wouldn't have to stay at home and worry like we do now."
"I heard from my eldest brother that because Princess Weiyuan returned to the capital, the Yan family held several banquets, and many noble princesses and wives of high-ranking officials attended."
Miss Wang's face turned ugly, and she sneered, "Second sister, you're really good at shirking responsibility. Was it my idea to not let Ye Yueying go?"
Miss Wang retorted, "Originally, my mother and I didn't mean that. If it weren't for you, big sister, bringing it up, how could we have thought of not letting Ye Yueying go?"
Miss Wang was so angry that she saw that Mrs. Wang did not stop her sister, which showed that she also thought the same thing. She felt so aggrieved that her eyes turned red.
If her mother and sister had not agreed, she would not have been able to stop Ye Yueying alone. Now, all the mistakes were blamed on her.
Miss Wang Er couldn't stand Miss Wang's tendency to cry at the slightest provocation: "Big sister, you're becoming even more tearful now. I just said a few words casually, why are you so upset? It's as if I've bullied you."
Hearing this, Miss Wang became even angrier: "You..."
Mrs. Wang saw that her two daughters were arguing so much that she had to speak up to stop them: "Alright, both of you, just shut up. I'm not annoying enough, am I?"
In Youzhou, the Wang family has never been so deserted during the Chinese New Year.
At the end of every year, officials' wives and local gentry would come to visit her every day with New Year gifts. Although it was tiring, she was also really happy and she enjoyed being flattered by others.
But when she came to the capital, not only could she not curry favor with others, but she, the wife of a Tongzhi, was reduced to staying at home doing nothing.
The gap between the past and the present had already made her feel very uncomfortable. A few days ago, because of Ye Yueying's matter, she was scolded by the master in front of his children, which made her feel even more upset.
Now the two daughters are still making trouble. It is really not considerate or caring at all.
Miss Wang curled her lips and said, "Mother, aren't I worried about the family and my elder sister? If we can integrate into the circle of women in the capital, not only will father not have to worry, but my elder sister will also have a good future."
Miss Wang sneered, "Second sister is becoming more and more talkative now. Are you doing this for others? I think you are worried about your own marriage, right?"
Miss Wang Er didn't deny it and said confidently, "Yes, I am worried about my own marriage, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about my family and you, big sister."
Without waiting for Miss Wang to speak, she continued, "Big sister, next July is your wedding date with the Second Young Master Qi. If you don't hurry up, you might really have to marry back to Youzhou."
These words left Miss Wang speechless.
When Miss Wang Er saw this, she raised her eyebrows proudly.
Madam Wang glared at her little daughter, signaling her to be quiet. After a moment's silence, she spoke to herself, "It seems the Ye family doesn't have much respect with the Yan family. If the Yan family really has a history with the Ye family, then since Ye Yueying didn't go last time, they should have extended invitations to the next few banquets."
Miss Wang nodded in agreement: "Isn't it? We waited so long in vain. Mother, you also gave Ye Yueying a lot of good things."
He said this with a mocking look on his face.
"And that young prince Xiao, I thought Ye Yueying was so capable that she could really hook up with the prince, but look at these days, has that noble young prince paid any attention to her?"
"I think the young prince is just playing with Ye Yueying. He must have seen so many gentle and virtuous ladies that when he suddenly saw the icy-faced Ye Yueying, his eyes lit up."
"When the young prince returns to the palace and calms down, his mind will naturally clear up. It's better for the girl he marries to be warm-hearted. Who can stand dealing with a cold-hearted ice cube all day long?"
Madam Wang shook her head and said, "I actually hope that Prince Xiao really has his eyes on Ye Yueying. If Ye Yueying really enters the palace as a concubine, it will pave the way for your father and two brothers. Even you two can benefit from it."
Upon hearing this, Miss Wang Da and Miss Wang Er fell silent. They knew that Mrs. Wang was right, but when they thought that Ye Yueying was able to marry such an outstanding person as Prince Xiao, they couldn't help but feel jealous.
That evening, Master Wang returned with his two sons, all smiling.
Mrs. Wang and her two daughters were very happy to learn that the father and his two sons had met Mr. Qian, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works, and his son in the teahouse today.
Miss Wang smiled and said, "I knew that with the talents of my father and two brothers, even without Ye Yueying and the Ye family, our family would still be able to gain a foothold in the capital."
Mr. Wang was very pleased to hear this. He smiled and praised Miss Wang Er: "By the way, the Qian family is going to have a party tomorrow. They sent me an invitation. Let's go to the Qian family to listen to the opera together tomorrow."
Mrs. Wang, her mother and daughter were all very happy to be able to go out and visit friends.
This time, Madam Wang did not make a decision on her own, but asked Master Wang directly: "Do you want to take Yueying with you?"
Hearing this, Master Wang fell silent.
Last time, his niece didn't give him any face in front of Prince Xiao and Master Wu, which made him feel heartbroken when he thought about it.
Humph, this niece thinks that she has climbed up the social ladder and no longer needs the Wang family.
Unfortunately, she seemed to think too highly of herself. The young Prince Xiao didn't seem to take her seriously. Otherwise, why didn't the Yan family invite her to any of their banquets during this period?
That's right, what is the background of Prince Xiao, and what is the background of his niece? Even if my brother-in-law is still alive, the Ye family's family background is not enough to reach the prince's palace.
Although he felt a little regretful that he could not establish a relationship with the Wang Mansion, his niece's attitude made him feel disheartened. A niece who was not on the Wang family's side would not be of any benefit to the Wang family no matter how well she married. So, it would be better for him to decide her engagement, which would also help the Wang family a little.
"Yueying has an unpleasant personality, so I won't bring her with me, to avoid offending you."
When Mrs. Wang heard this, the corners of her mouth immediately curled up.
Young Master Wang frowned. His father didn't notice, but he understood that the reason why Lord Qian took the initiative to greet them today was because his father mentioned the visit of Prince Xiao.
Do you want to bring your cousin along?
Looking at his mother and two sisters who were happily talking about what to wear for tomorrow, Mr. Wang thought for a moment and finally chose to remain silent.
It seems that it doesn’t matter whether my cousin goes to the Qian family to listen to the opera or not. In this case, let’s make my father, mother and sisters happy.
The son and daughter-in-law once again left Ye Yueying to attend the banquet. Old Madam Wang was so angry that she trembled all over and kept slapping the couch with her hands: "How could I give birth to such a heartless and ungrateful son!"
Ye Yueying persuaded the old lady for a long time before she finally stopped.
After the old lady rested, Ye Yueying left the house, looked at the empty sky, and let out a long sigh.
Since ancient times, favors have been the hardest to repay. Because of the Wang family's kindness in taking her in, no matter how much property the Wang family had embezzled from the Ye family over the years, no matter how badly they treated her, she accepted it all.
She had no burden in her heart towards her uncle's family, with whom she had no feelings. When he left the Wang family one day, she would not have to worry about the future, no matter whether it was good or bad, and she would be happy and relaxed.
It’s pretty good now, no one owes anything to anyone!
At this moment, the steward suddenly hurried into the courtyard. Seeing Ye Yueying, his eyes suddenly lit up. "My cousin, there are two maids at the door. They say they are from the Third Madam of the Yan family and are here to bring us New Year gifts. Please inform the old lady quickly. She is not at home and will have to trouble her to meet the guests."
Yan family!
Ye Yueying couldn't help but tighten the jade pendant around her waist and quickly walked into the house.
The old lady in the room had heard the steward's words long ago and had already stood up to put on her clothes. As she put on her clothes, she said, "Yingying, don't keep us waiting. Go and greet them."
Ye Yueying stood still, thought for a moment and said, "Grandma, she's just the matron, there's no need for me to go and greet her in person."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wang slapped her head hurriedly: "Oh, look at me, I'm really getting confused. Although the Wang family is not as good as the Yan family, it really shouldn't be allowed to let a young lady like you go to greet a servant."
You can be warm and welcoming when entertaining guests, but you can't be too condescending, otherwise you will definitely be looked down upon.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Wang asked the nanny beside her to go with the steward to welcome the guests.
By the time the steward brought the Yan family's servants over, Mrs. Wang was already sitting upright in the living room, and Ye Yueying was standing beside her in an orderly manner.
Walking in front was Zhou Jingwan's housekeeper, Yan Liu, and following beside her was Guyu, who was standing next to Daohua.
"Your servant Yan Liu pays respects to the old lady and Miss Ye."
Guyu followed the other maids in bowing without introducing herself.
The main reason she came along this time was to check on Miss Ye on behalf of the princess.
Madam Wang quickly asked everyone to stand up, then pulled Ye Yueying over and introduced her, "This is my niece. Everyone in the family went to the Qian family to watch an opera today, but she insisted on staying home to take care of me."
Yan Liu immediately praised: "Miss Ye is truly filial. The old lady is blessed."
Just as Yan Liu and Old Madam Wang were greeting each other, Guyu began to look at Ye Yueying calmly.
Although the prince and princess had already announced that the marriage of the young prince and his two siblings would be based on their preferences, this did not mean that the prince and princess had no control over anything.
After learning that the young prince had taken a fancy to Miss Ye, the prince immediately sent people to find out everything about the Wang and Ye families.
This time he came to the Wang family under the pretext of Mr. Yan San taking care of his old friend's orphan, but in reality it was the princess's intention, and her purpose was to see Miss Ye.
Guyu silently observed Ye Yueying beside Madam Wang. Hmm. She was elegant and beautiful, graceful and elegant, and she gave off a faint sense of coldness, which made her look even more aloof and extraordinary. At first glance, she was very different from the ordinary ladies you see.
No wonder the young prince was attracted to her. The most eye-catching thing about Miss Ye was not her appearance, but her cold and arrogant temperament that was like the snow lotus of Tianshan Mountain.
Ye Yueying noticed Guyu's gaze and looked at her silently a few times. She could tell at a glance that her demeanor was different from that of an ordinary servant.
This is not an ordinary nanny. The aura of an ordinary nanny would not be so strong!
Although the servants who came this time were led by Matron Liu who was talking to my grandmother, in fact, Matron Liu kept looking at this matron from time to time.
Ye Yueying had a vague guess about this person's identity, but she didn't feel nervous or helpless because of it.
Before the incident happened to the Ye family, the female relatives who came in and out of the Ye family were all family members of the highest officials in Liaodong. She was held by her mother and received various female relatives when she was still in her infancy.
Because she was her father's only child, she was raised as a boy since she was young. Not only did she learn to read and reason like boys, but her family also did not avoid her when it came to the various social customs and practices in the world.
Even though the other party was a servant in the palace, she didn't feel much emotional.
Just thinking about the fact that Prince Weiyuan and Princess Weiyuan had returned to Beijing not long ago, Ye Yueying's expression became a little vague. She tugged at the jade pendant around her waist and thought about Xiao Moxi.
Did he tell the prince and princess something, which is why they returned to the capital?
Yan Liu and Mrs. Wang chatted for two cups of tea. After giving out the New Year gifts, they stood up and prepared to leave.
Before leaving, Guyu spoke, looking at Ye Yueying with a smile: "Miss Ye has just arrived in Beijing, you should attend more gatherings of young ladies. My daughter is holding a lantern festival in the mansion on the sixth day of the New Year. When the invitation is sent, Miss Ye must come."
Yan Liu smiled and took over the conversation, looking at Madam Wang: "That's right, it's time for the young lady to go out for a walk at her age. My great-grandmother and old lady were very sorry that we couldn't meet Miss Ye last time."
Madam Wang smiled and quickly agreed: "I will definitely urge her to go."
Ye Yueying sent the two of them to the gate of the courtyard, watched the maid escort them out the door, and then turned back to the house.
In the room, Old Madam Wang was looking through the New Year gifts sent by the Yan family: "They are indeed a wealthy family. The New Year gifts are more valuable than those from other families." After saying this, she paused and looked at Ye Yueying.
"The Yan family sent us New Year gifts, so we should return the favor. Yingying, quickly draw up a list. If we get money from me, we also have to return a gift. We can't let people think that our family is rude."
Ye Yueying shook her head: "Grandma, how could I take your private money? I have the money here, don't worry about it, I will take care of it."
The Ye family's apparent assets were taken over by the Wang family, but all the portable silver bills were in Ye Yueying's hands.
Therefore, Ye Yueying is not short of money.
Mrs. Wang also knew about this, so she didn't say much.
Of the Yan family's New Year gifts, Mrs. Wang kept the food that was difficult to preserve, and had Xuehua send the rest to Ye Yueying's room.
"Your aunt is a short-sighted person who can't stand nice things. Since you're the one returning the gifts, you should keep these things."
Two updates at the same time!
(End of this chapter)
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