Chapter 109: Taking Care

Xu Jun Ying said, “The Qing Hua Courtyard will remain as it is; no one will be moving in.”

“How can that be? The new”

Before Meinang could finish, Xu Jun Ying interrupted her. “I already told you. There are plenty of other courtyards nearby; they can live anywhere. When you go to update the Old Lady and Madam, anything related to Qing Hua Courtyard, you’d best notify me first… Enough said. If you don’t need to change, let’s head to Jinhua Hall. You should already be there to serve.”

Serve, serve—only your family’s Old Lady is that precious! I’ve been running around all day, I’m exhausted too. These thoughts, of course, she couldn’t voice. Lowering her head, Meinang muttered, “I was waiting here for you, wasn’t I? Otherwise, I’d have gone over earlier.”

It sounded like a good excuse, and it worked. Xu Jun Ying said no more, stood, and led the way out. Behind him, Meinang patted Cui Jian’s shoulder, who looked relieved but had a stiff, tense face that could hardly smile.

It was already dusk. Old Lady Xu was still waiting for Xu Jun Ying. After he and Meinang entered and paid respects, they noticed that Second Master Xu Xi Ping was also present, so they greeted him as well. While Xu Xi Ping and Xu Jun Ying talked, Meinang chatted and laughed a bit with her sisters-in-law. Dinner arrived, and the dishes were set out. Ning Rulan didn’t attend, but Bai Jing Yu had been summoned by the Old Lady. She seemed slightly tense, but still smiled gracefully. She assisted the Old Lady, while Meinang took care of her sisters in law.

Xu Jun Ying watched as Meinang served a bowl of soup to Sixth Brother, Xu Jun Xuan, who smiled at her as he accepted it. They chatted cheerfully, and their sisters in law listened with delight.

During the day, Zheng Mei Yu had visited Zhuang Yu Lan and stayed for dinner. While Zhuang Yu Lan was serving dishes for the Old Lady, she poured soup for Xu Jun Ying. As he drank, he thought to himself, Meinang and Old Six always have something to talk about. Could it be about Qin Bo Qing that keeps them so entertained?

He had previously heard from Sixth Brother that Meinang often asked him about Qin Bo Qing. Both Qin Bo Qing and Old Six were preparing for exams and often attended literary gatherings together. Qin would ask Old Six about Meinang and Heng Ge’er, while Meinang sought updates on Qin Bo Qing. Xu Jun Ying didn’t realize that Meinang chatted with Xu Jun Xuan about more than just Qin Bo Qing, she used him as a source to learn about the tastes, preferences, and trends of the young noblemen in the capital.

The Old Lady had half a bowl of soup before she allowed Meinang and Bai Jing Yu to sit and eat. Meinang noticed that Xu Jun Lang sat beside his father tonight, with Xu Jun Qiao below them. Bai Jing Yu and Meinang moved to the seat beside Xu Xiao Rong, who quietly said, “Sister in law, please sit.”

Meinang looked at her closely. Bai Jing Yu’s face was delicately made up, masking any traces of bruises. She wore a splendid begonia-red embroidered jacket, a pearl-embellished shawl, and bright, luxurious jewelry, yet her usual commanding aura had softened into modest compliance. Though she had her own pride, Meinang noted that Bai Jing Yu’s strength lay in her resilience. She would never degrade herself by clinging to or competing for a man. However, she had one weakness, she loved a man whole heartedly, making herself vulnerable to his whims.

Meinang’s eyes turned cold as she glanced at Xu Jun Lang. Perhaps Bai Jing Yu was captivated by his refined and gentle appearance. Handsome as he was, he was also a philanderer, unworthy of the devotion he was receiving.

Xu Xiao Rong shifted, and Rui Xue placed another embroidered stool beside her. Meinang said to Bai Jing Yu, “Sit with me, have some hot soup, I’m starving.”

Bai Jing Yu handed her a bowl of soup, saying, “Then eat quickly, don’t let yourself go hungry.”

Meinang thanked her, then invited her to sit down, casually switching a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots with the red-braised rabbit meat in front of Xu Jun Xuan. She quietly told Bai Jing Yu, “This is tasty and goes well with rice, give it a try.”

Bai Jing Yu was surprised, then couldn’t help but smile, eating with Meinang and Xu Xiao Rong while they discussed the flavors of the dishes.

After dinner, Xu Xi Ping stayed to talk with the Old Lady, and the younger family members sat decorously nearby, though their minds were elsewhere. Zhuang Yu Lan and Zheng Mei Yu twisted their handkerchiefs nervously, Bai Jing Yu sat still, and Meinang, surrounded by the three young girls, grew restless, occasionally glancing at Xu Jun Ying. He, however, remained unfazed, ignoring her glances.

Thinking that tonight would end without her tending to her sick son, Heng Ge’er, she grew weary and stifled a yawn under her sleeve. This soon spread to Xu Xiao wan and Xu Xiao Min, who followed suit, yawning as well. Xu Jun Xuan noticed and smiled.

“It’s a bit damp outside from the drizzle today,” he said. “Let me escort my sisters home early.”

The Old Lady nodded. “Go on, then. You also need to study, don’t stay up too late.”

Xu Jun Xuan rose and saluted, bidding farewell to the Old Lady and the others, then led his sisters out. Meinang followed them to the door, wanting to stretch her legs after sitting for so long.

Unexpectedly, Xu Jun Ying also stood up and said to the Old Lady, “Heng Ge’er recently caught a cold. Madam has been looking after him tirelessly, so I’ll accompany her to see him.”

The Old Lady quickly waved them off. “Oh, someone mentioned this to me earlier, I forgot! Poor child, he’s always so strong. You two should look after him well. Bring him to see me when he’s better, it’s been too long since I’ve seen that lovely, well-behaved boy.”

Not only did she allow Xu Jun Ying and Meinang to leave quickly, but she also dismissed Xu Jun Lang and Bai Jing Yu, advising them to take care of their children as spring colds were common.

After they paid their respects and bid their siblings farewell, Meinang turned and playfully told Zheng Mei Yu, “Cousin, you were cracking walnuts with Brother Jun Ying last night, and I didn’t get any! Save me some this time, so I can finally try them.”

Zhuang Yu Lan’s pupils contracted at Meinang’s words. She was outraged, as Zheng Mei Yu knew Zhuang Yu Lan had planned to be the new wife and yet seemed to be getting close to Xu Jun Ying behind her back.

Zheng Mei Yu hid behind Xu Jun Ying, fuming silently. Her stomach had bothered her since last night, thanks to Meinang’s advice to drink extra cold water after eating so many walnuts. It left her with a miserable day, made worse by having to keep up appearances in the hall.

To Meinang’s surprise, Xu Jun Ying took a cloak from Cui Si and draped it over her shoulders, reminding her of the night he had offered her his cloak. Although it was likely for the sake of appearances again, Meinang couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. Being the “first wife,” watching her husband care for his mistresses left her with a cold shiver.