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In the afternoon, Chu Zhen secretly had her maid send a letter to Second Madam Li, complaining about being constantly disciplined by Mama Qian. Whether it was copying “The Admonitions for Women,” practicing posture and walking, it was all unbearable. Things were even worse in Anrong Hall where Third Madam didn’t bother to talk much with her, just showing her how to manage the household and interact with the servants, not even allowing her to sit down…
Second Madam Li, upon hearing this, felt heartbroken. She didn’t dare to provoke Third Madam and couldn’t even bring herself to plead with her. Instead, she went to Chu Zhen’s courtyard to argue with Mama Qian.
Mama Qian, who used to be a palace maid at the Ning Palace, coldly told Second Madam Li, “It was Princess Changhua who instructed me to teach the Second Miss manners. If Second Madam disagrees, go and speak to our princess.”
Addressing Chu Zhen, Mama Qian said, “Second Miss, don’t follow those who don’t know better. The princess is teaching you manners for your own good, to ensure a promising future for you. A while back, a marquis’s wife came to discuss having me teach her daughter, but the princess hasn’t agreed yet.”
Second Madam Li fumed, “Where in the world is there such reasoning? A mother can’t manage her own daughter, but a distant aunt from another branch dares to meddle with her niece.”
Mama Qian replied, “If Second Madam is dissatisfied, go and reason with our princess. I only follow our princess’s orders.” With that, she escorted Second Madam Li out.
Still hesitant to confront Princess Changhua, Second Madam Li knew of her volatile temper, capable of not only scolding but also using a whip when angered. Although she wouldn’t whip her as her sister-in-law, being scolded was still embarrassing.
She had to seek reason with the old Marquis in the front yard. Coincidentally, today Third Master Chu was off duty, so he persuaded Second Madam Li back to the courtyard, reasoning with her for a while. He mentioned how it was good that Third Madam was willing to look after her niece, possibly even arranging a good marriage for her in the future, securing a promising future for her. Most importantly, Third Madam was insistent on managing things, and who could withstand her?
Second Madam Li’s biggest worry was Chu Zhen’s marriage. Families she approved of didn’t favor her daughter, and those who favored her daughter didn’t meet her standards. If Princess Changhua agreed, she could indeed secure a good match for her daughter. Lastly, there was the matter of Princess Changhua’s authority, where no one could intervene. Second Madam Li had to grit her teeth and endure.
In Anrong Hall, Chu Hua seized the opportunity to hint to Chen Feng to invite the newly appointed decree lady for a gathering.
Chen Feng then took out fifty taels of private silver, arranged four banquet tables – two for the masters and two for the respectable servants. In the evening, the second mistress was also invited to Anrong Hall for drinks.
During the meal, the seating arrangement was different from before. Instead of being seated together, Second Madam Li was placed next to Chu Zhen, followed by Young Madam Song, Chu Lin, and Chu Bi. This time, Chu Zhen was placed directly between Chu Hua and Chen Feng. Chu Zhen, with reddened eyes, wanted to act coquettish towards Second Madam Li, but a raised eyebrow from Third Madam made her quickly sit up straight, leaving Second Madam Li with red face and silent.
Chen Feng found Third Madam Chu’s sternness amusing. She thought to herself that while using such extreme measures was most effective in dealing with Second Madam Li and her daughter, Third Madam’s methods were indeed firm. Luckily, her intentions were noble, and she harbored goodwill towards her in-laws, otherwise, chaos would have ensued.
Third Madam Chu was someone who clearly distinguished between love and dislike. She would never pretend to like someone she didn’t, and her eyes would light up when she favored someone. Her relationship with her husband Chu Guangkai was enviable, devoid of gender or status disparities, filled with banter, teasing, and jesting that, although not overly sweet, emitted a palpable sense of affection.
In contrast, Marquis Chu and Princess Rong Zhao, despite Princess Rong Zhao’s affectionate calls of “Chu Lang”, Marquis Chu always maintained a distant expression, evident to others that their relationship was not harmonious.
In the first half of Third Madam Chu’s life, aside from her regret of not having a beautiful daughter, she was content.
Just then, Third Madam Chu raised her glass and loudly congratulated the other table, “Congratulations, Husband, on your nephew’s wife becoming the decree lady. This is a joyous occasion for our family.”
Everyone was in good spirits today, so they didn’t even put up a screen between the two tables.
Upon hearing this, Third Master Chu also raised his glass with a hearty laugh, “Shared joy, shared joy.”
They both then drank from their glasses.
At times, their affection for each other left people speechless. If there were congratulations to be given, they should have been directed to Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng, the rightful hosts. Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan exchanged a knowing smile.
Second Madam Li, displeased with Third Madam, felt even more uncomfortable witnessing the affection between the couple. She felt helpless but also noticed the subtle interactions between Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng.
She muttered under her breath, “Lingxuan’s wife, if you want to be affectionate with your man, do it in the privacy of your own chambers. Acting intimate in public with a man is not dignified and could set a bad example for your younger siblings. No wonder Princess Rong Zhao accused you of seducing…”
Her voice was hushed, only audible to Chen Feng on her left and Young Madam Song on her right. She deemed Chen Feng’s recent behavior shameless, considering her a country bumpkin who could only endure her scolding.
Enraged, Chen Feng felt that she was being bullied because she was perceived as weak. Third Madam had already trampled on her, and while she couldn’t speak up against her, she wouldn’t tolerate her mistreatment.
Raising her eyebrows in anger, Chen Feng retorted, “Second Aunt-in-law, I’ve always respected you as an elder, but where have you shown any elder-like behavior? Repeat what you just said to the elders here and see if it’s my lack of respect as a junior or your disrespect for your senior.”
Chen Feng’s voice resonated, catching the attention of the men’s table, prompting them to look in their direction.
“What’s going on?” asked the old Marquis.
Chu Lingxuan also stood up and approached, inquiring, “What’s happening, Feng?”
Chen Feng stood up, tears welling in his eyes, “Outside, I faced bullying without recourse, but even at home, the elders humiliate me, speaking of me in such a degrading manner…”
Second Madam Li blushed, hurriedly explaining, “I was merely disciplining her. Your temper is truly too much. As an elder, what’s wrong with correcting a junior?”
Third Madam Chu coldly snorted, “You with your muddled thinking, dare to lecture others?” She then turned to Young Madam Song and asked, “What about you? What did your mother-in-law just say about Lingxuan’s wife to make her feel so wronged?”
Young Madam Song, too scared to speak, blushed and stammered, “I, I didn’t hear clearly.”
Second Master Chu glared at Li Shi, scolding her, “Ignorant fool,” before getting up and leaving.
Unable to reprimand his daughter-in-law, Old Marquis expressed to Chen Feng, “Lingxuan’s wife, Grandfather knows you’ve been wronged. Second daughter-in-law lacks clarity, don’t stoop to her level. Ah, the hearts of the family are scattered, can’t even have a peaceful meal. I wish I were dead, once I’m gone, you’ll all separate and find peace.” With that, he too got up and left.
Chu Guangkai quickly rose to assist the elderly master, guiding him out while trying to console him.
Chen Feng thought to herself, if the old Marquis were to shout, “Second son, divorce that foolish woman!” or if the second master were to say, “Foolish woman, I’ll divorce you.”
Would Second Madam Li dare to act as she did then?