Chapter 110: Peace of Mind

Xu Jun Ying’s intentions were actually quite simple he just wanted to show Zhuang Yu Lan and Zheng Mei Yu who the person standing by his side truly was, who had the right to receive his care and attention.

He could easily tell that Meinang was making playful remarks to provoke the two cousins, but he wasn’t concerned, he was used to it, as though watching children at play. Zhuang Yu Lan and Zheng Mei Yu’s reactions, however, left him feeling helpless. Zhuang Yu Lan’s gaze shifted from aggressive to jealous and resentful, which made Zheng Mei Yu hide behind him and naturally hold onto his sleeve. Zhuang Yu Lan saw this and, feeling anxious, hurried over, staying close to him. Both cousins were now right next to him, while Meinang kept a slight distance.

He didn’t like this feeling. Zheng Mei Yu was acceptable, but he didn’t understand why the old lady had taught Zhuang Yu Lan in this way. Childhood friendships aside, since he had agreed to let the elders handle the marriage arrangements, she should avoid acting so openly possessive. In his impression, Cousin Lan had always been gentle, modest, and elegant the image of a refined young lady. But now, her restlessness was unlike her usual demeanor.

As his cousin and childhood companion, she had grown up in the manor, so there was no need for discussion about her place. However, she shouldn’t be so eager to stand out, acting as if she were the mistress already. With her in the Jinhua Hall, Meinang constantly found reasons to avoid household duties, claiming they were exhausting and suggesting Cousin Lan should help more. Xu Jun Ying and Zhuang Yulan had known each other since childhood, often eating together and taking care of each other. Yet, ever since marriage discussions began, he felt less comfortable with her serving him during meals. Instead, he preferred watching Meinang standing behind everyone, serving soup and dishes, encouraging some to eat more and coaxing others with her lively expressions. Sometimes, her annoyance at the duties even showed on her face, which he found amusing.

When he noticed she only pretended to eat at Jinhua Hall, eating no more than a few bites to keep up appearances, he felt slightly guilty. Leftovers were hard to swallow, and Xu’s household tradition had always required daughters-in-law to serve the elders and younger siblings before sitting down themselves.

The senior wives had followed this rule, and even the old lady herself had served the ancestors. But Meinang, cunning as she was, tried to avoid it whenever she could without the slightest guilt. Xu Jun Ying repeatedly instructed her to go to Jinhua Hall after a conversation he had with the old lady, who had expressed her dissatisfaction with Meinang’s lack of manners, saying, “Give her time, after all, she comes from a humble family and hasn’t seen much of the world. Marrying into our family and adapting as she has is already quite impressive… In the end, it’s better to have been taught from a young age. Look at Lan’er so virtuous and graceful. Such qualities can’t be acquired overnight. She’ll hold up the family’s reputation, and while Meinang may have looks, Lan’er has that, too. Plus, her character and upbringing far surpass Meinang’s. Though they’ll both be in the family, Lan’er must take the lead.”

Originally, Xu Jun Ying had planned to settle Meinang in another courtyard, marry a wife, have children, and leave the household matters to his future wife. But these days, he changed his mind and decided to keep Meinang. Since she had come back from the dead, unwilling to let him go, he thought they’d be bound together to see what kind of fate this would be.

As the eldest son, it was his duty to marry, take concubines, and have children, but he wanted Meinang by his side. She was like fresh air, filling his living space with a unique vitality. He only had to look at her to feel at ease, breathing in her presence silently. If she was so capable, he’d have her continue managing the household, with her around, life could change in any way it pleased, but without her, nothing would need to change.

So he required Meinang to frequently visit Jinhua Hall to show respect as the eldest grandson’s wife. He also began subtly supporting her in front of others, making it clear to the old lady and the entire household that, even if he married Zhuang Yu Lan, Meinang would remain the head of the Qing Hua Courtyard.

Xu Jun Ying’s considerate care for Meinang provoked both Zhuang Yu Lan and Zheng Mei Yu. Fortunately, Meinang couldn’t bear it herself and quickly stepped down the stairs, or else she might have been “killed” by the two cousins’ jealous glances.

Successfully driving a wedge between these two allies, watching them turn against each other was quite satisfying for Meinang. However, Xu Jun Ying’s meddling bored her, he had no reason to interfere, and now everything had reverted to how it was, she was still their common enemy. Zheng Mei Yu followed Xu Jun Ying closely down the steps, while Zhuang Yu Lan watched them disappear into the evening, her face darkening as she turned and went back inside.

Xu Xi Ping and Xu Jun Qiao were bidding farewell to the old lady. After they left the room, Zhuang Yu Lan nestled up beside the old lady, pouting with a look of displeasure.

Mama Ji glanced at her and, smiling, said to the old lady, “It seems Miss Lan has something on her mind.”

The old lady tapped Zhuang Yu Lan’s forehead lightly with her finger, chuckling. “Why wouldn’t she? Her dowry is slowly coming together, and there’s still so much embroidery work that she must do herself. She hasn’t even finished half of it. Today, she even called in her cousin Yu to help how much did you accomplish?”

Zhuang Yu Lan wriggled awkwardly and shook her head. “Not much, really. Cousin Yu kept needing to go to the quiet room, and it left me unable to focus.”

Mama Ji added, “I heard from her maid Ru’er that Miss Yu had an upset stomach from eating too many walnuts last night and then drinking cold water. Walnuts are oily, and the cold water just made it worse. No wonder she’s unwell!”

Hearing “walnuts” triggered Zhuang Yu Lan’s annoyance. Memories of eating walnuts with her cousin Xu Jun Ying under the shade of trees as children came to mind. He’d always cracked open each walnut, peeling it carefully to avoid hurting her hands and handed her each nut with a smile, saying, “Here you go, Lan’er. Cousin will get you another one.”

She had eaten one piece and then held another out to him, saying, “These walnuts are so good. You should have some, too.”

He would eat the piece from her hand, praising her, “You’re so thoughtful, Lan’er.”

And now, who was Zheng Mei Yu to demand the same attention from him?

Mama Ji noticed Zhuang Yu Lan’s upset expression as she lingered by the old lady, seeming to have something to say. She then instructed Rui Xue and Rui Yu to prepare hot water for the old lady’s evening wash. After setting a plate of candied dates on the side table, she said, “Please, enjoy the fruit, old lady and young lady. I’ll go to the back yard and check on Lin Po Zi’s work.”

After Mama Ji and the maids left, only the old lady and Zhuang Yu Lan remained, sitting together on the couch.

The old lady picked up a candied date and offered it to Zhuang Yu Lan, who replied, “I don’t want it, I don’t feel like eating.”

The old lady looked at her and, eating the date herself, said, “Haven’t you been fine these days? You don’t even need the medicine anymore. The doctor said that once spring is over, your illness will naturally disappear. When you’re married and have children, your health will improve, and you’ll finally get rid of this weakness.”

With her head down, Zhuang Yu Lan mumbled, “It’s already almost March, yet the Empress Dowager hasn’t summoned you to the palace… I can see that my cousin Xu Jun Ying treats Meinang differently than Rui Zhu says. They… they seem very close.”

The old lady, eating another candied date, chuckled, “So that’s what’s bothering you. Don’t worry, dear. Your cousin has matured and experienced a lot in the court, so he understands the difficulties of having a wife from a less influential family. Haven’t you heard from the steward? There have been several invitations to events for the lady of the house, yet your cousin keeps these from Meinang. He’s keeping her from showing herself, as she has no noble background. During the Lantern Festival, she went to the palace, but it’s clear she didn’t even get to meet the Empress or the consorts.

“You’re different, though. Once you’re married, you’ll have the Empress Dowager guiding you in the palace, introducing you to noble circles. Your cousin and the Emperor have been close since childhood. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet the Empress. You’ll get along well with her, she lost her mother when she was six or seven and spent years raised by her grandmother in Jiang Ning… You two will have plenty in common. When you have children, too, there’ll be no need to worry. Don’t be deceived by how well Meinang seems to be doing. She was ill for a month and even died briefly. That’s bound to leave lasting effects. Rui Zhu says your cousin visits her room very rarely, and when I asked him myself, he admitted that doctors advised against conceiving due to her weak health.

“You’ll have my support and the help of the best physicians. If you have a son, that would be wonderful! Lan’er, I’m getting older, and since your uncle’s troubles in court, our family has suffered. Your cousins are all brilliant, they need to stand out someday. So, dear, you must look out for the family when you marry Xu Jun Ying.”

Zhuang Yu Lan nodded and said, “Don’t worry, Grand-Aunt. I understand. But this matter has dragged on for so long. Without a final word from the Empress Dowager, I feel unsettled.”

“Silly girl, don’t let anyone see you so anxious,” the old lady chided. “Your cousin has never gone back on his word. Just wait patiently, you’ll be a bride by March.”

Hearing this reassured Zhuang Yu Lan. She looked at her grandmother and shyly smiled, picking up a candied date and tasting its sweet, fragrant flavor her favorite.

Meanwhile, Xu Jun Ying, accompanied by the two women, walked silently towards Qui Hua Courtyard. He rarely spoke when walking with Meinang, each lost in their own thoughts. Now, with Zheng Mei Yu in between, they spoke even less. Meinang walked unusually fast, keeping several steps ahead until she reached the courtyard entrance. There, she finally turned to wait for them to catch up so they could enter together.