Chapter 243: Cold-Hearted Nature
Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu entered Xu Minghui’s room and immediately smelled a strong medicinal scent.
“Meimei.”
Xu Shi was propped up in bed, her complexion pale and her expression gloomy. “Dajie.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Much better. But… I’m afraid I still need to stay in bed.”
“Don’t dwell on it too much at this time. Nothing is more important than your son!”
“Yes. Is it lively outside?”
“It’s alright. I saw the little girl that Wang Shi gave birth to! It’s strange: Qi Hua and Xiao Mao both didn’t take after Concubine Xiu Yun. But this girl, with her small eyes and flat nose… she’s not as beautiful as our Bao’er!”
Xu Shi agreed. “I saw her last time when she hadn’t opened her eyes yet. She indeed looked ordinary. Did you see Bao’er?”
“I did… she just called out to me once. She was happily playing with Cui family’s Yuanyuan! This little ungrateful thing…” Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu said with a dissatisfied look.
“Dajie!” Xu Minghui was unwilling to hear anyone speak ill of Bao’er.
“Hmph… Your mother-in-law just nodded at me. County Princess Huiyi acted like she didn’t know me… what’s there to be arrogant about?” After venting her anger for a while, she asked, “When is the doctor coming again?”
“Five days later.”
“Ai! This… could it be someone harmed you?” Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu glanced around mysteriously and leaned closer to ask.
Xu Shi shook her head. “I was just angry! It doesn’t seem like someone did anything.”
“I was also angry when I was pregnant with your nephew, why wasn’t I like you!? Could it be your mother-in-law, seeing you making a fuss, decided to teach you a lesson?”
“She would like to! But she can’t get her hands on me! I manage the household, and the courtyard is filled with my people. How could she succeed! What are you thinking!?”
“Then who else!?” Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu popped a piece of pastry into her mouth.
“Who else could it be? Third Madam just returned. Old Madam dotes on me, and she’s looking forward to me giving birth to a grandson! She’s sent over several batches of bird’s nest already, and everything was checked, nothing wrong.”
“So now, is Third Madam managing the household?”
“Yes…”
“Today, she handled everything quite thoughtfully!” Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu stirred up trouble again.
Xu Minghui became a little agitated. “I know! But… this time I’m really scared. My son is more important!” She touched her belly, convincing herself.
“Did the doctor say it’s a son?” Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu’s eyes sparkled.
“I think so! The doctor said it’s still early, we’ll know for sure after some time!”
Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu took a sip of tea. “This tea is exceptionally good! Is there any more, wrap some up for me…”
Xu Minghui felt annoyed again. Why is she so petty!? But she didn’t have the energy to argue, so she gave her maid a look.
“That Zhu Shi, I see she’s quite formidable. You should get along well with her, and encourage her to deal with that bitch from the Wen family!”
Xu Shi snorted. “She looks down on everyone, she’s no good bird either!”
“How are things with your husband?”
“How else could it be? I’ve been making a fuss, but it’s all to stand up for him! No matter what, he won’t be ungrateful!”
“That’s right! Aiyo, Meimei, this jade bracelet looks quite rare…”
โฟโฟโฟ
Madam Qi was holding Wen Yu’s hand, introducing her to the surrounding people.
Wen Yu was meticulously sorting out the relationships, smiling and saying a few words to everyone, regardless of their status.
Eldest Sister-in-Law Xu, wearing the bracelet she just wheedled from Xu Minghui, watched as Wen Yu accompanied her mother-in-law, deftly handling the social interactions.
She sighed inwardly: Her own Meimei might really lose to this girl.
Madam Qi told County Princess Huiyi about Wen Yu’s performance that morning, and the Princess went back and told her sister-in-law.
Eldest Madam Cui snorted. “This girl is too much to my liking!” She turned and instructed her maid, “Go to the front and tell Cui Feng to find Qi Xiao and tell him this! Don’t be muddle-headed your whole life!”
Madam Zhang didn’t come that day. After the banquet, Wen Yu thought: It’s better to tell the Zhang family about Princess Hui Duan’s matter herself.
So she sent an invitation to Madam Zhang.
When Madam Zhang arrived, Wen Yu and Zhang Moqing went to the second gate to receive her.
Seeing the beaming Zhang Jinqing, both Wen Yu and Zhang Moqing exclaimed, “Look at you, you’ve grown into such a beautiful young lady!”
Zhang Jinqing often went to the shop to help out. She was busy with work and had a lot of physical activity, so she grew taller. She was also dressed more elegantly, exuding a capable aura.
Hearing their compliments, she giggled foolishly with delight.
Madam Zhang just shook her head…
The group first went to see Tan Shi.
Tan Shi had sent her personal maid to meet them halfway, accompanying them inside with a smile on her face.
โฟโฟโฟ
Both sides were exceptionally polite after meeting.
This time, Tan Shi didn’t beat around the bush but properly entertained them.
“To be frank, Madam Zhang, Moqing is my favorite granddaughter-in-law! These few of mine, the eldest’s wife is too critical, always needing me to speak my mind. The second’s wife is too quiet. The third’s wife is too arrogant. As for Wen Yu…”
She pointed at Wen Yu. “She’s good in every aspect, but she’s too beautiful, making her seem delicate. Talking to her, I’m always afraid of saying something inappropriate… Only Moqing is the most steady. She gets along well with Xiao Si too, saving me a lot of worry!”
Madam Zhang was delighted, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Madam, you’re so humorous!”
“I’m serious! She gets along well with everyone in the family! She has a gentle nature and her own opinions! She’s truly a good girl!”
Zhang Moqing blushed from the praise.
Wen Yu smiled and nodded, saying nothing.
Tan Shi also extravagantly praised Zhang Jinqing and gave her gifts that were perfectly to her liking.
Young Zhang Jinqing was overjoyed, her heart filled with good feelings for Tan Shi.
At this time, Third Madam entered with Zhu Shi, and both sides were introduced.
Liu Shi was also adept at social interactions, engaging in a pleasant conversation with Madam Zhang. Only Zhu Shi smiled faintly and sat aside, radiating a formidable aura!
After chatting for a while, Tan Shi left a very good impression on Madam Zhang.
When they came out, she even said to Wen Yu and Zhang Moqing, “This Old Madam, at a glance, seems like someone who’s easy to get along with. It’s a blessing for both of you!”
Wen Yu looked at Zhang Moqing with some helplessness.
Zhang Moqing, being mischievous, nodded seriously. “You’re right!”
Wen Yu felt annoyed. “Fourth Sister-in-law, I have something private to discuss with Aunt Zhang, please excuse yourself with Jinqing for a moment!”
Zhang Moqing laughed heartily and took Zhang Jinqing to the garden to watch birds.
“What is it, so mysterious!?” Madam Zhang asked after strolling around Wen Yu’s courtyard.
“I heard something from Grandmother. I thought I should tell you first.”
“Go ahead.”
“Grandmother said that my Second Uncle has been quite close to Princess Hui Duan, even discussing marriage.”
Madam Zhang didn’t understand for a moment…
“Second Uncle wants to divorce and remarry.”
Madam Zhang’s reaction was unexpected to Wen Yu…
She wasn’t angry or upset, but instead pondered for a while before saying, “I do know a thing or two about Hui Duan. To put it nicely, she’s a woman of passion, to put it bluntly, she’s too willful. Back then, she married beneath her, choosing her own husband.
At that time, her husband wasn’t even a Jinshi. His family was just ordinary gentry, similar to Jinqing’s father. You can imagine the disparity. But she had her heart set on him, and wouldn’t listen to anyone. Even the elders in her family couldn’t do anything about it.
However, her husband was brilliant and talented! Even now, when your Uncle Zhang talks about him, he still sighs with admiration! I was quite surprised that she didn’t remarry all these years. But I never thought it would be this kind of situation…” Madam Zhang finally frowned.
“Aunt Zhang, although I’m a junior, I have to say: My Second Uncle sometimes really behaves inappropriately. There have always been unpleasant rumors about him at home.”
“Your two uncles and I have heard plenty!”
“But Second Uncle is also quite talented, he’s good at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting! Maybe it’s just…”
Madam Zhang smiled wryly. “And he still wants to divorce… He has several children, almost grandchildren. How will he explain to the Wu family? Will it sound good when it gets out? What is he thinking!?”
“Grandmother was very surprised, right? Maybe, she can’t control Second Uncle either.”
“Hmph!” Madam Zhang’s face darkened. “She shouldn’t think this is a good thing! The Princess is extremely picky, she’s just mellowed with age, live with her long enough and you’ll know how difficult she is! She’s not Wu Shi! Besides, she also has that good-for-nothing son!?”
Wen Yu lowered her eyes, secretly laughing in her heart: This is great!
“All these years, I’ve been close to her. To be honest, I admire her temperament! We women are bound by too many restrictions… She can be herself to a large extent, how can that not be enviable! But this time…”
Wen Yu asked softly, “Then what do you think we should do?”
Madam Zhang’s face turned cold. “If she comes to me, I’ll tell her what I know about Wen Feng, whether she believes it or not is up to her. But if she doesn’t come, I’ll pretend I don’t know. At her age and with her experience, she should know what to do. Even if others speak for her good, she may not listen… and it might even turn into animosity!”
“That day, Grandmother said she wanted to ask you for advice!”
“Isn’t Wen Feng quite opinionated? What else is there to say…”
“Please don’t be angry…”
“Ah Yu! Although the Wen and Zhang families have a good relationship… I’m not stupid, some things about the Wen family reveal a cold-hearted nature. But, no one is perfect… The Zhang family always practices strictness with oneself and leniency with others… You’re a good child, since you’re married and away from the Wen family, live your own life well, don’t look back.”
Wen Yu’s eyes reddened. “Aunt, Uncle, Jiangqing Ge, Jinqing, Moqing. Ah Yu is very fortunate to have met you.”
“Aunt is also happy to have met you…” Madam Zhang sighed. Jiangqing is good in every way now, except he doesn’t mention marriage!
Give him some more time, if not, she really needs Yu’er to talk to him!
