Because of the old lady's sudden hesitation, the issue of my aunt's residence was left unresolved.
This matter was not a big deal for Meimei. There were plenty of good places to live in the Hou Mansion. A married woman who came back to live in her parents' home could live anywhere she wanted. She brought her son-in-law back, right? She could live in Wenhua Courtyard. If Xu Xiaojuan was a likable lady, she would have arranged it. The marriage of Lao Liu had not yet been decided. It was too early. Besides, there were other courtyards in the inner courtyard that were better than Wenhua Courtyard. Lao Liu could choose any one of them as his new home. But Xu Xiaojuan was too unlovable. She didn't want to see this lady, so she made up a lie. Lao Liu was also smart and clever. He said what she meant. The truth and lies could not be ignored. You, old lady, can arrange it. If you love your granddaughter and force her family to live in Wenhua Courtyard, it would be bullying Lao Liu. Although he was a concubine's son, he was a male in the Xu Mansion. He also passed the imperial examination and had a reputation. Do you dare to look down on him? If you don't live in Wenhua Courtyard, and let Xu Xiaojuan and her husband live in any courtyard of the inner courtyard, will you still care about the three unmarried girls of the Xu family? It's about chastity and reputation, unless they don't have to get married in the future! Living in Jingyuan is actually very good, it's in a secluded corner, quiet and peaceful, just right for studying, Mr. Li doesn't have to go through the inner courtyard to go in and out, and Auntie can accompany her husband to study, and go to the inner courtyard to greet him in the morning and evening. I will support you for two years with good food, drink and clothes, and at least you can pass the imperial examination and go wherever you want. People who hate each other will only add troubles when they meet.
When Xu Xiaojuan heard about this, she was furious: How could they arrange for her family to live in a remote and deserted courtyard? Not to mention that it was an unlucky place for concubines who made mistakes, but she let her husband who was about to take the imperial examination use the back door all day long. Wasn't that deliberately implying that he was unlucky and had no future? Throwing off her dignity, Xu Xiaojuan ran directly to Ziyun Hall and scolded Meimei:
"You were originally just a daughter of a low-class family. How dare you look down on me after you married into the Xu family? I am the eldest daughter of the Hou family. I was born and raised here. My parents have loved and cared for me since I was a child. They have never looked down on me because I am a girl? My father loved me more deeply, even more than my brothers... Where were you at that time, who were you? This family is my home first. You have only been here for two years. Grandmother and mother are still sitting in the hall. You are so domineering and treat a married girl like this. Do you feel guilty? Your brother dotes on you, and you are a royal family, so what? I am not afraid of you - go out and let the people in the city comment on you. Is it reasonable for you to do this? If you return to your mother's home, and your sister-in-law treats you like this, will you feel disappointed?"
Meimei was sitting in Ziyun Hall listening to the butler's reply, writing and drawing on paper with a brush in her hand, when suddenly Xu Xiaojuan came in without any notice, pointed at her and scolded her like a machine gun while crying. Meimei was stunned. How could a daughter of the Hou family have such a cultivated demeanor? She was really sorry for the old Hou who loved her like his life, and also for Madam Zheng who gave birth to her, raised her, and hoped that she would become a phoenix.
Outside Ziyun Hall, under the shade of the small banyan tree, the wet nurse Zheng Mama, who had been chasing Xu Xiaojuan, and the two older maids Shuixiang and Yuexiang were at a loss and panicked. They saw figures swaying at the gate of the courtyard, and Mama He led Chunyue in hurriedly. Mama Zheng quickly approached them, pointed at Ziyun Hall, and whispered to Mama He:
"I can't hold her back. My auntie... is in!"
When Mother He listened to Xu Xiaojuan's scolding, she couldn't help but get angry and pointed at Mother Zheng and scolded:
"Useless thing, I was blind to let you nurse the eldest lady! I can't stop her if I can't persuade her? Now it's all over, isn't it a joke? Which young lady comes back to her parents' home to quarrel with her sister-in-law as if seeking revenge? This is the Xuhou Mansion, a century-old prestigious family and a wealthy family! Even if the old lady dotes on her, I'm afraid she will be furious! The young lady was originally good to the eldest lady. On the surface, she didn't say anything and always went along with Qiuhua Courtyard in everything. The Marquis was filial, but he had to go out and run around after all. How could he be as attentive as the young lady at home? The young lady was meticulous and could care about the eldest lady's heart better than the eldest lady... If you want the eldest lady to recuperate and get better quickly, what the eldest lady should do now is to curry favor with the young lady. She has been married for many years, but she is still so ignorant. She makes a fuss over a little thing. What does she want to do? After losing power in her husband's family, it's good enough to have a place to support herself when she returns to her parents' home! Don't be ungrateful and annoy the young lady and implicate the eldest lady. I think nothing will happen to you!"
After saying this, Mother He took Chunyue away in anger. She had originally wanted to come to persuade her aunt, but now it was useless. She was too embarrassed to go in. She didn't want to see things turn out like this. Mother He sighed: How could such a smart and strong-willed wife give birth to such a daughter
In Ziyun Hall, all the maids were stunned. Seeing that the young lady just lowered her head and wrote silently, they thought that she was frightened by the eldest aunt. Immediately, several maids came forward to persuade Xu Xiaojuan, but Xu Xiaojuan scolded them:
"Back off! Who are you? How dare you talk to me?"
Meimei put down the brush, took the round fan from Cuixi, and waved it, saying leisurely: "Let the eldest aunt know: they are nothing, they are the stewards of the Xu Mansion. Because they are older than us, the young and old men and women in the Xu Mansion have to respect them as mothers. The eldest aunt's surname is Li now, and she should be more respectful to them when she returns to her parents' home. Not to mention anything else, the food, drinks and clothes that the eldest aunt eats, uses and wears on weekdays have to be brought by them!"
"What nonsense!"
Xu Xiaojuan snorted contemptuously: "A slave is a slave, and a master is a master. What's the point of talking about seniority and age? I enjoy the inheritance left by my ancestors. What does it have to do with them? If these slaves don't serve their masters, they will have no way to survive!"
Meimei's face darkened, and she didn't want to pretend to be calm and elegant. It was getting late, and if she didn't hurry up, she would delay the time. She had other things to do in the afternoon. She glanced at Cuixi and Cuisi, and thought, forget it, these two are not as good at talking as Cuilian. She looked at the maids, and saw that Aunt Lin was looking at her eagerly, so she said to Aunt Lin:
"Is this how you manage the inner courtyard? How will you deal with people who enter the Purple Cloud Hall without notifying you when you are working?"
Mrs. Lin's eyes lit up and she became more energetic: "Persuade him. If he doesn't listen, beat him out with a stick!"
Xu Xiaojuan was so angry that she was shaking all over: "You! How dare you!"
Meimei looked at Xu Xiaojuan coldly: "Today, I will not bother with you because you are Xu Junying's sister and Heng'er's aunt. If you dare to be instigated by others and insult me again, I will not just kick you out next time! I let your family live in the quiet courtyard just as a suggestion, it is up to you whether to live there or not! Since the old lady decided to keep you, you can live wherever you want! Now, listen to what Mother Lin has to say, and then get out!"
Xu Xiaojuan almost fainted: "What did you say? How could you be so rude..."
She rushed forward, and Mrs. Lin waved her hand. Two sturdy maids came forward, grabbed Xu Xiaojuan on the left and right, and dragged her out: "Aunt, please stop making trouble. The young lady is tired enough taking care of the house affairs. Don't make it difficult for the young lady!"
Xu Xiaojuan struggled desperately, but she was no match for the middle-aged maid who was as strong as an ox. She was dragged out in a few seconds.
The maids in Ziyun Hall continued to talk, and the slightly hoarse voice of Mama Lin came from the corridor outside the hall: "It is true that the eldest aunt is the eldest daughter of the Hou Mansion. No matter how much the old master and the lady love her, that was in the past! In the Hou Mansion today, the old lady is old and the lady is sick. The master is in charge of the outside affairs, and the young lady is in charge of the inside affairs. All matters in the inner house are decided by the young lady. This is the most reasonable! The eldest aunt is also a mother, with both sons and daughters. Imagine that when Xu'er gets married in the future, won't the daughter-in-law be in charge of the family and manage the affairs, but let the daughter come back and argue with the daughter-in-law? The young lady is unwilling to argue with the eldest aunt, because the young lady is virtuous and kind. When did the eldest aunt hear that the Qin family is a low-born and poor family? The young lady's ancestors were important officials in the court, and the deceased old man of the relative also had an official position. Who is the top scholar selected by the emperor in this year's special examination? Listen carefully, eldest aunt: that is the master and the young master of the Qin family. "My dear elder brother, my dear uncle of Heng'er! When the emperor gave the Qionglin Banquet and the champion scholar paraded through the streets in red to show off his official position, our Hou Ye was just accompanying him from the side! That kind of glory and splendor, not to mention my aunt, no one of a little age in the capital has ever seen it, do you know why? My uncle-in-law is the champion scholar who has won three prizes in the imperial examination. He is the descendant of the literary star. There is only one in several dynasties. Which emperor would treat him like a treasure? My aunt, please don't believe everything you hear and say such meaningless words. Even if the young lady protects you, if those gossipers spread it out and offend the champion scholar, my aunt will not be able to bear the consequences! If the young lady is willing to make plans for my aunt, isn't Jingyuan the best place to study? My aunt can go and see for herself. What a nice courtyard, tidy and clean, like a small courtyard with a private entrance, quiet and peaceful. I guarantee that my son-in-law will study well and pass the imperial examination in the future!"
Meimei didn't know how painful it must have been for Xu Xiaojuan to be forced to listen to everything that Mother Lin said. Anyway, she only listened to it occasionally and felt overwhelmed. Was it necessary for this nagging Mother Lin to say so much
Xu Junying was already speechless having a grandmother like that, and now a sister like this jumped out. She was about to collapse!
Get married, get married. I have heard that you are not marrying a person, but a family, a big clan!
What a mess it is! If I could go back on my word, I would really like to continue resisting. Xu Junying, please take me to work outside. It's really a headache to live in this mansion!
Xu Xiaojuan was kicked out of Ziyun Hall. She was filled with shame and anger. She ignored the advice of her wet nurse and maids, and cried all the way to Jinhua Hall to find the old lady.
The home she used to live in has changed. Her mother is sick in bed, her brother is busy outside all day, and her sister-in-law is just as the old lady said, shallow, powerful, unreasonable and intolerant. Only the old lady still loves her. The old lady lives in Jinhua Hall safely, which makes her feel like she is home. (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)