Chapter 317: Chapter 317: The Cui Family’s Consistency Over Ten Years, Here to Reassure Me
"Great-grandmother, the Nan Tai Madam whom you despise the most, was so infuriated by Sister Shen that she couldn’t even speak clearly."
Cui Rong specifically made a trip to the main courtyard, in front of Dowager Cui, she generously praised Shen Hua.
"I beat up Nanzhi, and Nan Tai Madam couldn’t gain half a favor. Usually, in front of you, she puts on such airs, but facing someone formidable, she also tucks her tail and behaves."
Dowager Cui was surprised, she even stopped drinking tea, and rarely pulled Cui Rong beside her to inquire about the details carefully.
Cui Rong, young in age, yet her ability to describe was remarkably good. She articulated, "She yelled once, and Sister Shen stood beside me chuckling and retorting. Later, when she couldn’t hold up, she scolded Sister Shen for not being like the young noble ladies from Shengjing, lacking upbringing and just being aggressively domineering."
"Would Sister Shen still give her a good face?"
Dowager Cui frowned, but soon her expression relaxed again, because Cui Rong, mimicking that damned infuriating tone of Shen Hua, spoke again.
— I’ve had a hard life, there’s no need to curry your favor.
— It’s exactly because those noble ladies often smiled at you, you got spoiled and full of complaints.
"Soon after, she ran off in a hurry, afraid that staying another 15 minutes would make her die from rage."
Dowager Cui: ...
She struggled to digest these words.
Needless to think, Nan Tai Madam must be furious to death!
Dowager Cui laughed then, an unprecedented heartiness. Even much regret that she hadn’t gone out this time.
Good! Really good!
Just then, Cui Yun came to pay respects.
Her smile deepened uncontrollably: "Did your grandfather mention tomorrow’s event of sending your sister-in-law?"
"He did."
"Well, in my opinion, why not take Miss Shen with you tomorrow, let the in-laws see our Cui family’s harmony, and the sisters-in-law are even better. The bride you chose has a good temperament, Marquis Yangling Mansion won’t have disputes. How it was before, it will be in the future, also to comfort him."
Cui Yun replied: "Yes."
During these days, the backlog of documents in the Ministry of Justice that Ji Qing gathered were placed in the study, and he needed to make time again tomorrow. Throughout the night, he was so busy that he couldn’t close his eyes, but he did not forget to instruct Ji Xin to pass the message about going out with Shen Hua tomorrow.
Early the next day, as dawn broke, he finally put down his brush, drank another cup of strong tea, closed his eyes, and rubbed his aching temples.
Also, on this day, Xie Xun sent someone over early. This wasn’t an ordinary maid, skilled in martial arts and could pass messages to Cui Yun in time when he was indisposed.
This person was requested by Ji Teng after sending a letter to him.
Unbeknownst to Ji Teng, after reading the letter, he raised an eyebrow. Then handed it over to Uncle Zhou behind him: "Handle it."
Uncle Zhou, after a glance, first hesitated, then became silent.
"Sir, are you really planning to intervene? If later Heir Xie gets the beauty, Marquis Cui might hold a grudge against you."
Ji Teng played with the brush pen in his hand, spinning it quickly.
"He, right now, could not be more wary of me."
"The vigilance indeed has become quite hefty."
He concealed the emotions in his eyes: "Why should we turn away the chance Xie Xun brought to our door?"
The man stood up, facing a jade statue of Taiching, and lit a stick of incense.
"I always have to favor one side."
"Choose a clever one to send for dedicated service, Uncle Zhou should know how to instruct her."
The person sent by Xie Xun, of course, Shen Hua retained.
The maid followed behind Yicui, and knelt down deeply toward Shen Hua. She started smiling, her mouth revealing two dimples.
"Xiaoqi greets Madam."
Shen Hua propped her chin: "You are ranked seventh at home."
No, ranked seventh in preparing poisons in Ji Teng’s service.
"What Madam said is right."
"Then your parents surely share a loving relationship."
Different from Shen Hua, Yicui’s expression was solemn; she truly did not understand why Madam had ceased to be wary of Heir Xie after coming back this time.
She was prudent in her actions, inevitably preaching a bit: "Since you’ve been left behind, do not harbor any second thoughts. If your service is improper, Madam herself can also send you away. Understand?"
"Yes."
Nanny Cheng also said, "Remember this, here in our place, Madam is the rule."
Ningzhu thought for a moment: "That’s how it is, I’ll take some time to show you around the East Courtyard to familiarize yourself."
Yingwu felt that she had to continue.
Her expression was impassive as she spoke with a chill tone, "The gold and silver jewelry that Madam threw away, they are all mine."
Shen Hua: ...This hopeless one.
————
The Qiao Family resides outside the city. After hurrying along the way, they finally arrived around noon.
Mr. Qiao had already received the message and specially dressed in his finest clothes, cleaning up the courtyard meticulously. He even washed the neighbor’s pig overnight, fearing it might bother his precious granddaughter.
Upon seeing them, he quickly greeted Cui Yun.
"Quick, come inside the house."
"Second Young Master, this time you must stay for a meal. I specially bought some wine, waiting to have a few drinks with you."
Cui Yun seldom drank, but he always made a point to join in whenever he came over.
"Of course."
The courtyard was small, but it had everything necessary.
After exhanging pleasantries, Mr. Qiao personally poured a glass of sweet water for Shen Hua.
"This is wild honey I harvested from the mountains, would Madam like to taste it?"
Shen Hua promptly received it with both hands. She was quirky in her actions, but anomalously courteous and well-mannered towards genuinely kind people in her village.
Noble lady did not even bother picking out objections in the teacup.
She took a sip and her eyes slightly brightened.
Truly sweet.
After everyone was attended to, Mr. Qiao then entered the kitchen, Qiao Si quickly followed to help out.
As Mr. Qiao prepared a rabbit, seeing Qiao Si radiant and proper, he inquired, "That noble lady is quite remarkable, when will she and Second Young Master get married?"
Qiao Si was somewhat surprised, "I haven’t mentioned it to Daddy yet, how did you know about Miss Shen and Second Uncle’s matter?"
"How can you not recognize it as a family? The way he looks at that noble lady, exactly how your husband looked at you back then, couldn’t I tell?"
Speaking, he lowered his eyes, "Ah Si, do you know why Second Young Master brought her here?"
Without waiting for Qiao Si’s response, he continued.
"When you had just given birth to Rong, I especially met with Old Master Cui."
"Back then, I intended to take you away, regardless of everything else, even with Rong, what father doesn’t love his daughter? You’re still young, at the bloom of your life; having no man in the house, what good are riches and honor?"
"Cui family is vast, and Rong is a noble lady, the primary family’s pride has declined. Those noble ladies in Shengjing, how many are easy to get along with? In the future, if Second Young Master marries, influenced by pillow talk, who knows what your days would be like? I understand more than anyone how long this lifetime is, yet I can only endure endlessly. How can I stand to see you live a widow forever?"
He was impulsive, even without knowing whether the Cui family would be willing to let her go, but, he was willing to try.
"Cui family’s consistent visits over the years have put my mind at ease."
"Villagers judge people by their eyes, that noble lady’s eyes are very clear."
"Don’t blame your father for meddling too much."
Qiao Si was taken aback, actually not anticipating it to be this way.