Volume 1, Chapter 30: Sister-in-law, It’s Me

From a young age, having frequented the princess’s residence and played closely with the two county princesses, Xie Mingyue was quite familiar with the temperament of the Eldest Princess. She had already guessed the possible topics the Eldest Princess might bring up at this banquet, but she still needed to verify the details from previous years for confirmation.

Moreover...

Xie Mingyue’s lips twitched into an ambiguous smile.

“Aunt, I might have some guesses, but for ten years I have been recuperating, and with the two county princesses absent from the capital, the Eldest Princess’s mind is no longer something I can fathom.”

She chose her words carefully, fully aware that the people from the Western Garden were like bloodsucking leeches, and she was unwilling to reveal everything.

Mrs. Jin had not expected Xie Mingyue to accomplish anything significant anyway.

It was Lady Luo who spoke up: “What have you guessed? Tell us; it’s better than us groping blindly.”

Xie Mingyue smiled faintly. “The Eldest Princess was deeply attached to her consort. Since his passing, she likely no longer seeks frivolous pleasures. Besides, the princess is not skilled in chess or music, so what remains are painting and calligraphy.”

“Even with painting and calligraphy, it’s hard to guess. If the Eldest Princess hints at our servants, which servant in the household understands these arts?” Mrs. Jin’s expression turned troubled.

She herself had limited knowledge, let alone the servants, many of whom were illiterate.

“Mingyue, your guess is as good as none,” Mrs. Jin said.

Xie Mingyue’s expression gradually grew cold.

Fortunately, she had withheld some of her thoughts. In truth, she had already deduced that the Eldest Princess was highly likely to choose a painting of a particular theme. But since Mrs. Jin looked down on her so much, why should she go out of her way?

“If you’re not interested in hearing more, sister-in-law, you may go back first.”

Lady Luo pursed her lips and gave Mrs. Jin a cold glance.

What kind of daughter-in-law did the second son’s family have? After all these years, she never spoke a kind word.

“I do want to listen, sister-in-law. It’s just that I’m a bit anxious. Ah, my mouth...” Mrs. Jin quickly slapped her own cheek when she saw Lady Luo defending Xie Mingyue.

The household was truly changing. When did Lady Luo and the main branch begin to stand together?

Xie Mingyue chuckled lightly. “Yes, the daughter-in-law is incapable, so this is all I could guess. But since this is the Spring Flower Banquet, it must be related to the flowers and scenery of spring. Mother should have instructed the servants to learn some simple things these days. The Eldest Princess won’t ask any profound questions intentionally.”

Lady Luo nodded. “Right. Being prepared is better than not.”

Mrs. Jin secretly curled her lips.

The servants barely had time to work properly, yet they were supposed to learn painting and calligraphy? Xie Mingyue must have too much time on her hands.

“There’s also the matter of new attire,” Lady Luo resumed. “The ancestral hall caught fire, and repairs are costly. Moreover, Wanqing has been using the household funds to buy things for everyone, which is improper. From now on, you must find your own means. The household funds can only be used for household matters.”

She knew that Mrs. Jin, Lady Ma, and the others had come today to discuss attire, but the household funds were tight, all spent by Xie Wanqing on grand expenses. Where else could they get money?

Lady Luo’s tone was blunt, and Mrs. Jin’s smile stiffened. “Sister-in-law, in previous years the household always covered these expenses.”

Did that mean they had to pay out of their own pockets now?

Lady Luo shot her a look. “What? You can’t even afford attire? You’ve always received your share each year.”

Mrs. Jin wanted to argue, but Lady Ma quietly tugged her sleeve.

After leaving Lady Luo’s room, Lady Ma whispered, “I heard the household almost couldn’t pay the regular silver recently. Sister-in-law must be tight on funds now. Don’t mention this.”

Mrs. Jin was frustrated. “Tight on funds? Haven’t you seen she has the dowry? She is the eldest daughter-in-law and housekeeper. Why exclude us? Does she think we’re useless?”

“It’s always been like this. But as soon as she took over the housekeeper’s role, everything changed!”

She returned to the courtyard, sulking.

After a while, a servant brought Red Glow, a maid from Xie Wanqing’s residence.

“Third Madam, this was sent by our Second Madam.”

Red Glow presented a box, and Mrs. Jin opened it to find a set of dazzling golden hair ornaments.

Her heart pounded, but she feigned calm: “Wanqing has good news. I, as an elder, haven’t had time to see her yet, but she’s thoughtful to send these.”

Red Glow smiled softly. “If Third Madam has time, please visit my lady. She was wronged and feels very upset.”

Having gained such a set of ornaments, Mrs. Jin was naturally willing to move.

“All right, I’ll go now.”

She reached the courtyard gate when Qi Haosong hurried over.

“Why are you in such a rush?” Mrs. Jin scolded him. “Song’er, you’re destined to be a great official. Behave properly.”

Qi Haosong caught his breath. “Mother, if you’re going to visit Second Sister-in-law, may I come too?”

“What would that look like?” Mrs. Jin’s eyes widened. “Son, Second Sister-in-law used to care for you because you were young. Now that you’re grown, you can’t treat her the same way. You have to show some restraint.”

Qi Haosong lowered his gaze, feeling restless.

Why did everyone expect him to hold back?

When Xie Wanqing entered the household, he was still little. Whatever good food or fun there was, she was always attentive to him.

To him, Second Sister-in-law was like a sister.

What was there to be restrained about with a sister?

“In any case, be obedient and study quietly indoors.”

Mrs. Jin’s mind was still on the hair ornaments, so she left hastily without paying much attention to her son.

Qi Haosong grabbed a maid. “Tell me, how was Second Sister-in-law wronged?”

Startled by his dark expression, the maid recounted the events of the day.

When he heard that Qi Xiuyu had been hit with a board, a strange sense of satisfaction rose in Qi Haosong’s heart.

Now, his second brother couldn’t bother Second Sister-in-law anymore.

A secret thought flashed through his mind without his awareness.

“That despicable Xie Mingyue dared to make Second Sister-in-law suffer such a great injustice!”

Qi Haosong was furious to the point of madness.

In the prime of his youth and impetuousness, he paced the courtyard twice, then slammed his fist on a tree trunk, frightening the attendant boy.

“Third Master, what are you doing?”

Coming to his senses, Qi Haosong saw the servant Lady Jin had assigned to him and felt even more vexed.

“Stay obediently in the courtyard. I’ll go for a walk myself.”

With that, he dashed out and disappeared beyond the gate.

*

In the Cuoyi Courtyard, Xie Wanqing wiped tears as Lady Jin came to visit.

“This matter is entirely my fault for not disciplining the servants well. Even if Father-in-law is angry, it is because I erred.”

Lady Jin looked at Xie Wanqing’s tear-streaked face with pity.

“You are such a good daughter-in-law. As for my eldest sister-in-law... sigh!”

She thought of Lady Luo’s warmth toward Xie Mingyue and couldn’t help but slap her thigh.

“Wanqing, it’s not like Second Sister-in-law said. You’ve managed the household for so many years. How could Xie Mingyue come to pluck the peaches once you recovered? Although the housekeeper role is in your eldest sister-in-law’s hands now, you still have to fight for it. Not to mention, now that you have a child, there will be many expenses.”

She still missed how generous Xie Wanqing was as housekeeper. Unlike now, under Lady Luo’s management, the meat dishes on the table had become fewer each day.

Xie Wanqing wiped her tears to mask the chill in her eyes.

She knew all too well the expenses ahead. This time, she had nearly emptied more than half her dowry to fill the household fund’s deficit and even gave gifts to win favor with the Western Garden families. She was left with almost no money.

Moreover, Qi Xiuyu’s official position was not yet established, and his stipend was meager. Without managing the household, their branch would have to rely on Lady Luo to survive.

And Lady Luo was clearly displeased with her now, her heart entirely siding with the main branch!

Thinking this, Xie Wanqing clenched her fingers tightly and bit her lip with a forced smile.

“Aunt is right. It’s just that... mother probably no longer trusts me.”

At the thought of those golden ornaments, Lady Jin’s heart warmed.

“It’s okay. Aunt will speak for you. You must also strive. For this Spring Flower Banquet, I don’t think Xie Mingyue wants to take charge. Your mother will be busy handling everything alone.”

Recalling Xie Mingyue’s slippery demeanor today, she grasped Xie Wanqing’s hand.

“Don’t worry. Even if you can’t regain it all at once, we can at least claim a part.”

Xie Wanqing pursed her lips. “You’re the best, Aunt.”

After sending Lady Jin off to muster support, she prepared to lie down and rest when a noise came from the window in the shadowed corner of the room.

“Who’s there?” she startled.

Qi Haosong quickly climbed in through the window, his face pure and smiling.

“Sister-in-law, it’s me.”