residence
Meimei usually went to Jinhua Hall to pay her respects early in the morning. If the old lady hadn't gotten up yet, she didn't have to wait. She would just bow in front of the bedroom door, say goodbye to Mother Ji, and leave. Because she still had to go to Ziyun Hall to take care of business, she would just ask Gan to represent the eldest granddaughter-in-law to wait for the old lady to get up and symbolically help her wash.
After returning to the Hou Mansion for nearly a month, she didn't have to go to the palace to accompany the waitress for dinner, because the second master often came. With the second master in front of the old lady, the grandchildren and their wives were not important. They could come or not, which saved Meimei from a lot of embarrassment. She and the old lady were like fire and water. How could she swallow the food in Jinhua Hall? If she didn't eat a bite or two, she didn't know what she would say. Fortunately, there was the second master. The second master didn't like the old lady to eat together at a big table. He liked quietness. When he went to Jinhua Hall, he said to the nephews and daughters-in-law who came to pay their respects: "You go by yourselves!"
In a word, it was as if he had some secret to tell the old lady, so his nephews and daughters-in-law refused to stay any longer, and the old lady did not invite them to eat. Not only did Meimei not eat with her at Jinhua Hall, but even the other grandchildren's daughters-in-law rarely stayed for dinner.
Meimei thought it would be great if everything were like this. Before, the second master rarely came to have a meal with his mother for ten days or half a month. Now it’s a big change. This turn is really great!
After paying her respects at the door for the umpteenth time, Meimei was suddenly told one day that the old lady would serve dinner in the evening and asked her to come on time for dinner.
Meimei was stunned for a moment, having a premonition that something was going to happen. She felt a little uneasy the whole day. It would be a lie to say that she was not afraid. When the old woman became fierce, she looked like a wolf. She had no choice but to pretend to be strong and endure it.
You have to go to Jinhua Hall early to have dinner. Meimei specially invited three girls to go together. When they arrived at Jinhua Hall, they saw Bai Jingyu, Ning Rulan, Fang and Xu Junlang's brothers were all there. The second master was sitting on the couch chatting with the old lady. The second wife didn't come because she said she had to take care of the eldest sister and Wei'er.
Meimei led the three girls up to pay their respects to the old lady. The old lady glanced at her and nodded to the girls, saying:
"Sit down, there are some new candy melon seeds on the table, have some!"
Meimei naturally followed the other girls to one side. The sisters-in-law greeted each other and sat down to eat melon seeds, chat and laugh.
When dinner was served, they did as usual. Bai Jingyu knew that Meimei and the old lady didn't get along, so he went to the upper table to serve the dishes. Meimei sat at the lower table, with Gan and Fang helping out. After the meal, nothing happened.
After dinner, the old lady put down her teacup, looked at Meimei, and said in a sullen voice, "The girls of the Xu family have always been spoiled. After they get married and return home, they are loved and pampered by their aunts! Xiaojuan is Junying's biological sister, the eldest daughter that the old marquis loves the most. She came home to live and take care of the sick eldest wife. How can you speak coldly to her at any time, or just ignore her? It makes her have no place to complain when she is in trouble or has grievances! What kind of eldest sister-in-law are you!"
Meimei was confused by the sudden scolding. Seeing that Xu Xiaojuan was not at home tonight, the old lady brought up this aunt without any face-to-face testimony. Wasn't she trying to find trouble with her on purpose
Just as he was thinking about how to respond, the second master cleared his throat and said, "It's been two months since Xiaojuan returned to the Hou Mansion, right? This child, she doesn't say anything when she has something to say. Who is the worm in her stomach? Junying's wife is busy taking care of the affairs of the mansion every day, and she also has to take care of Heng'er. It's her duty to help her sister-in-law take care of the eldest wife. That's also her filial piety... Mother is overdoing it by blaming Junying's wife like this!"
The old lady glared at her youngest son and said, "It's just a small matter in the inner house, you men don't need to care about it!"
"Mother, this matter of Xiaojuan is not a small matter. We are a family of three. After all, my niece and son-in-law are moving in together. Junying is not at home, and my wife is the head of the family. We have to ask the fourth and sixth brothers before we can make a decision!"
The old lady looked at Xu Junting and Xu Junxuan. The two brothers had confused expressions. The old lady thought for a moment and said:
"Well, since you brothers and sisters are all here today, I will tell you this: the eldest uncle and aunt of the Li family came back to the mansion this time, one is to visit relatives and mother, and the other is that uncle Li took off his mourning clothes for his grandfather and prepared to go to Beijing to study for the exam. The eldest aunt wanted to spend money to buy another courtyard to live in, but I stopped her. Doesn't our Xu Mansion have a house? How can we turn away our own flesh and blood and let people laugh at us? Besides, although they are the eldest son and grandson, they have many brothers. How much money can their parents take out? If they are so extravagant, buying this and that, I am afraid they will have no money left when the exam comes. I am the one who decides to keep them in the Hou Mansion. Fourth and sixth brothers, do you have anything to say?"
Xu Junting and Xu Junxuan exchanged glances. Xu Junxuan looked at Meimei and replied, "Eldest sister has been back home for a long time. She works hard every day to take care of mother. Only then can we go out to work without worry. We naturally remember your kindness. However, the household is managed by the eldest sister-in-law. Even if the eldest brother is at home, he has to ask the eldest sister-in-law before making a decision. This is the rule. The eldest sister-in-law has always been fair and there is nothing wrong with it!"
The old lady snorted and looked at Meimei: "I have already made the decision and agreed to this matter. Do you think there is anything wrong with the eldest aunt returning to live in the mansion?"
Meimei's eyes were calm, and she didn't avoid her deliberately. "The old lady is the elder of the family, she loves her granddaughter, and what she said is reasonable. The grandchildren will obey. This should be what the fourth and sixth uncles meant. The eldest aunt never told me that she wanted to come home to live. I only found out today that the old lady agreed. Since this is the case, there is nothing to say. My sisters can't do without her. You are welcome to come back anytime! But there is one thing: the old lady attaches great importance to rules. Some rules really have to be followed. For example, in the inner courtyard of the deep house, there are still unmarried girls in the family. It may be nothing for relatives and female relatives to stay. But Master Li is a young man with a title of Juren. Will he live in the inner courtyard with the eldest aunt? Every day, the daughters-in-law and girls walk around. Should I avoid suspicion?"
I felt sick and angry when I heard about this. Xu Xiaojuan was really a piece of shit, so stupid! Would she die if she told the housekeeper's sister-in-law in front of the wife? She ran to the old lady and held a serious review meeting to discuss and approve it, as if she was so intolerant that she would even bully a married girl.
Come on, let's argue. There are so many good courtyards in the Marquis's Mansion, but we won't let you live there. We have to find a place that is worthy of you.
The second master nodded repeatedly: "Junying's wife is right, but mother forgot that outsiders cannot live in the inner courtyard! If Mr. Li is unwilling to live in the outer study alone, there are several other courtyards in the Hou Mansion, let them live there!"
"Nonsense! I came all the way back to my mother's house just to be with my family, so why did you separate them and let them live in the outer courtyard?"
The old lady took a sip of tea and said, "There are still three girls in our family who are not married yet. How could I forget this rule? But you are confused. There are several courtyards in the inner courtyard of the Hou Mansion with corner gates, which lead directly to the outer courtyard, such as the East Courtyard of Qinghua Courtyard and the Wenhua Courtyard further away. They have the same layout as Qinghua Courtyard, but are slightly blocked. They are also warm in winter and cool in summer, and very refreshing. The eldest aunt's family can live in Wenhua Courtyard. Uncle Li can go out from the corner gate every day and go straight to the main gate without having to go into the inner courtyard. In this way, their family does not have to live outside and does not have to separate. The eldest uncle can concentrate on studying, and the eldest aunt can easily go to the inner courtyard. Isn't it good?"
Meimei looked at the old lady and smiled gently: "The old lady is really not confused! But Mr. Hou was away on business and didn't have time to tell the old lady - Wenhua Courtyard has a different use now!"
The old lady stared at her: "What use is it, don't I know?"
"Yes, the old lady should know about this as well. This matter is extremely serious and the whole family should know about it!"
Meimei leisurely examined her nails. After taking care of them for so long, they were finally healed. They were moist, pink and tender. She almost suspected that they were her hands in her previous life. Why did they look more and more alike? She never painted her nails with nail polish. They were naturally beautiful, making the girls around her jealous.
Xu Xiaomin came over: "Sister-in-law, what's the big deal? Tell me quickly, I want to know!"
Meimei looked at Xu Junxuan and smiled. Xu Junxuan's eyelashes twitched and he lowered his eyes.
"The Sixth Master of our mansion has passed the imperial examination, and it's time to discuss marriage. Lord Hou specially renovated Wenhua Courtyard and used it as a new house. He will marry the Sixth Master this year! Grandchildren are like flesh and blood, and the old lady loves them very much. But speaking of it, the eldest aunt has at least started a family, so it's not good to compete with my brother for the new house, right?"
The old lady was stunned for a moment, then said awkwardly, "I forgot that it's time for the sixth son to get married!"
Meimei snorted inwardly: I bet this old woman hasn't forgotten that Laoliu is already 21 years old, and it was he who made up his mind to pass the imperial examination based on his ability, and then start a family. Her traditional old mind just thinks that Laoliu is a bastard's son and cannot live in a good courtyard like Wenhuayuan.
However, Xu Junying did not make such arrangements. He seemed to be quite tolerant towards others except for forcing Meimei. He would not force Laoliu to get married. Meimei was just talking nonsense because she didn't want to give Wenhuayuan to Xu Xiaojuan.
The old lady looked at Xu Junxuan and asked, "Did your elder brother point out that girl from a good family for you?"
Xu Junxuan suddenly had an idea and answered, "No. But my eldest brother mentioned that my grandson is old enough to get married!"
The old lady nodded and said, "You have achieved fame and success, so it's time to make plans for you. Okay! Grandmother will remember this and look for a good wife for you!"
Xu Junxuan lowered his head: "Thank you for your concern, Grandma. I'm sorry for making you worry!"
"So which yard will the eldest aunt live in?"
The old lady looked at Meimei and said, "You arrange it!"
Meimei smiled and said, "The old lady was right to let Li Guye and the eldest aunt live in the mansion. There are plenty of houses in the mansion, and the sixth master who just passed the imperial examination can help teach Li Guye. As for where to live? We need to keep the eldest aunt in the inner courtyard, and let the family be together. We also need a courtyard with a corner gate. I think the quiet courtyard in the backyard is the best!"
The second master was stunned: "Jingyuan? The corner door of Jingyuan leads to the back door. Doesn't Mr. Li have to go in and out of the back door every day?"
Meimei said seriously, "The back door is great. It's a short walk to West Street. If he doesn't like it, he can go back along the alley and come out from the side door. There are private alleys all around the mansion, and there are guards patrolling. There is no other way. Other courtyards must pass through the inner courtyard. It is absolutely inappropriate for the son-in-law to live there, unless they are willing to live in the outer house!"
The old lady panted slightly. Jingyuan, she actually didn't want to mention Jingyuan. Mentioning Jingyuan would remind her of the past. The concubine who was supported by a maid was not very beautiful, and the son she gave birth to was as thin as a cat. However, the old man loved her very much and held him in his arms and coaxed him all day long. However, the eldest son born to the wife was so chubby that he didn't even look at him twice. She was really angry...
Qin was simply her nemesis. Over the years, few people mentioned Jingyuan in front of her. Qin had only been married to Xu's mansion for two years, but she mentioned it twice. The first time, she wanted to move in as an abandoned woman, but she endured it, but she didn't move in again. The second time, she wanted Xu Xiaojuan, who stayed in the mansion, to live there. If Xu Xiaojuan moved in, wouldn't someone whisper the word Jingyuan in her ears every day? (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)