Chapter 78: Apologizing

The next morning, Meinang was still asleep when Wang Mama hurriedly woke her up, “Grandmother, wake up, Lord Hou is urging you.”

Meinang rubbed her eyes and asked, “What does he want me for? What time is it?”

“I didn’t check the time, but the sky outside is just getting light. Cui Xi, quickly come here. Cui Si, did you place the warm water in the inner room? Hurry up and attend to her.”

Meinang stretched lazily and groaned, “What a joke! The sky is barely bright, and you want me to get up? I didn’t sleep until late last night. What a nightmare!”

“My lady, today Lord Hou wants you to accompany him to apologize to the Second Madam.”

“Apologize?” Meinang froze, glanced at Wang Mama, then at Cui Xi. Finally, reality dawned on her, and she wailed, “Buddha! God! Divine Mother, I want to go home!”

Wang Mama quickly covered her mouth and signaled to Cui Jian, “Quick, bring her robe, don’t let her catch a cold.”

Cui Xi and Cui Jian each supported Meinang to help her put on her outer robe, and they headed for the inner room.

Wang Mama sighed and looked back at the door curtain. Lord Hou was standing outside the corridor, unwilling to come in and sit. He had already told them to hurry, as he had to go out to make New Year’s greetings. He had no time to wait for them.

With the help of the maidservants, Mei Niang quickly completed her washing and dressing, and she stepped out, looking neat and composed, to meet Xu Jun Ying.

Now that she knew the truth, seeing Xu Jun Ying again, she realized his face was filled with grievance, and she couldn’t help but feel some remorse. “Sigh, let’s understand each other. It’s not easy for me either. Who would want to replace someone? Becoming Qin Meinang was really tragic.”

She sincerely bowed to Xu Jun Ying and said softly, “Lord Hou, Meinang made you wait, I apologize.”

Xu Jun Ying only glanced at her and said, “Let’s go.”

He stepped down the stairs, still as indifferent as usual. Meinang didn’t dare show any signs of resentment this time.

Even if he secretly killed Qin Meinang and her child, she had no right to say anything.

She obediently followed behind him, no longer daring to walk beside him. She decided to be more humble, as there was no reason to show off her position as the wife of Lord Hou in front of others.

She wanted to tell Xu Jun Ying that there was no need to show so much respect to the Second Madam. Someone like her wouldn’t appreciate it, and she didn’t even consider Xu Jun Ying her own. But she thought about how Xu Jun Ying valued family and relationships, and how he was filial and respectful to elders. If she said such a thing, he would surely scold her, and it would only increase his dislike for her. So, she decided against it.

Before reaching Feng Hua Courtyard, they saw Xu Jun Lang and Xu Jun Yao waiting for them. It seemed Xu Jun Ying wasn’t foolish, he went early to Feng Hua Courtyard to pay his respects, bringing Meinang along to apologize. He waited for everyone to wake up and open their doors, but he didn’t have the patience to wait for anyone else. After leaving the old lady’s room the previous night, he had sent word out, and when the second master, Zheng Xi Ping, heard, he had to leave Yan Yi Yiang’s room at midnight and head back to Feng Hua Courtyard. Early in the morning, he and the Second Madame had gotten out of bed to wait for Lord Hou and his wife.

Meanwhile, the Second Master scolded the Second Madam:

“What a stupid woman! Why can’t you ever understand? I told you to be patient, and you kept causing trouble. You wouldn’t relent. Now look, after meeting with Mei Niang yesterday, you should have just let it go. But now, to save face, you’re forcing Jun Ying to kneel down for you. Is this what you wanted?”

The Second Madame didn’t dare respond, quietly listening to him scold her, and after a while, she muttered, “Who would have thought Jun Ying would take these women’s matters so seriously?”

The Second Master glared at her, saying, “Jun Ying is a general, not a fool. He understands the matters of this family. He follows my elder brother, values loyalty and righteousness. Keep that sharp tongue of yours in check, or I’ll make you regret it. Don’t you dare speak a word that could harm the peace between them!”

The Second Madam shrank back under his cold gaze and stopped talking.

With Xu Jun Ying, Xu Jun Lang, and Xu Jun Yao accompanying him, they entered Feng Hua Courtyard. Meinang followed behind them. Ning Rulan had been waiting in the yard. Meinang smiled and took her hand, following the men, while the maid announced, “Lord, Lady, Second Master, and Second Madam have arrived.”

The family members entered the main room in order, with the Second Master and Second Madam staying seated at the top, not rising to greet their relatives. After the younger generation paid their respects, the Second Master laughed and said, “It’s the third day of the New Year. I should give you all red envelopes, but now you’re all grown up and have families of your own. Jun Ying and Jun Lang are fathers now, so I suppose you no longer need mine.”

Xu Jun Ying replied, “Uncle, you’re joking. Today, I’m not here to receive red envelopes. Mei Niang caused some trouble…”

The Second Master glanced at the Second Madam, who quickly stood up and waved her hand with a smile, saying, “Oh, come on, child, what trouble could there be? I had a little wine the other night and said a few words to Meinang. We were just talking privately. Who passed it around? There’s nothing wrong. Come, Meinang, sit here. Yesterday, when you came, I was dizzy and fell asleep. Zhao Mama didn’t even call me. You brought those sweet persimmons, and I tasted one. It was really good.”

Meinang obediently said, “Aunt, I’m glad you like them. I’ll bring some next time as a gift.”

The Second Madam smiled and said, “Good, good, you and Jun Ying are the same very respectful to elders.”

Xu Jun Ying then looked at Meinang and said, “Aunt is kind and generous, but that doesn’t mean you can get away with this. You’ve been in the Xu household for quite a while and should understand the rules here. You’ve offended your elder. You should know what to do.”

Meinang thought to herself, Don’t be so naive, brother. They’re giving you an out, and you’re rushing to kneel? Unbelievable.

Reluctantly, she helped the Second Madam to her seat, then returned to Xu Jun Ying’s side. Xu Jun Ying said, “Meinang doesn’t understand the rules and offended Aunt. I cannot let her disrespect her elders. Today, I’ve brought her to apologize. If it happens again, I’ll handle it according to the family rules, and Aunt can punish her as you see fit. I won’t say a word.”

He gave Meinang a glance and was about to kneel, but Meinang noticed that Xu Jun Lang and Xu Jun Yao had moved to stop him, realizing it was not going to happen. Still, she feigned kneeling. The Second Madam signaled Ning Rulan to help her, and Meinang paused her actions.

After some back and forth, Xu Xi Ping gave his orders. Xu Jun Ying himself didn’t kneel, but insisted Meinang apologize. Finally, Meinang kneeled and bowed to the Second Madame. The Second Madam quickly smiled and helped her up. Meinang, though dissatisfied, didn’t dare show any discontent. She kept a gentle and obedient expression, leaning on the Second Madam’s side.

Xu Xi Ping laughed and ordered breakfast. The family ate together cheerfully.

After breakfast, they drank tea while the steward delivered several invitations for New Year’s feasts. Xu Xi Ping made the arrangements. Xu Jun Ying and Xu Jun Lang would attend two feasts, while he took Xu Jun Qiao to two others. The remaining families would be visited by Xu Jun Yao and Xu Jun Ting. Xu Jun Xuan, busy with his studies, was excused from the New Year visits.

The men left, and Meinang and Ning Rulan took their leave of the Second Madam to head to Zi Yun Hall to manage the household affairs. The Second Madame was eager for them to go, avoiding any further awkwardness. She pretended to be very cordial as she sent them off, reminding Rulan to assist the elder wife. Once they were gone, she sighed in relief, turning to look for her grandson, Wei’er.

As Meinang and Ning Rulan walked along the stone path in the garden, Meinang, lost in thought about the past relationships between Qin Mei Niang, Xu Jun Jie, and Xu Jun Ying, appeared troubled. Ning Rulan, thinking she was upset about the earlier events, quietly comforted her. Unknowingly, they reached Zi Yun Hall. Meinang looked at the maidservants waiting outside and sighed inwardly, What right did she have to manage the inner affairs of the Hou family?

Before, she had argued to be in charge, thinking of her status. Now, she felt like an outsider.