Chapter 74: New Year Celebration (Part 2)

Bai Jing Yu remembered that Sister Lian had caught a cold yesterday, so he didn’t bring her along today, leaving Xiang Xue and the wet nurse to watch over her. Seeing Meinang engrossed in taking care of the children, Bai Jing Yu lost his appetite and, without much explanation, stood up and said, “Take your time,” before hastily leaving.

As Meinang continued eating, she glanced at Bai Jing Yu, giving a slight nod. Rulan, Madam Gan, and Madam Fang quickly got up to see him off, but seeing him leave in such a hurry, they stopped and returned to their seats, glancing around from time to time to check on the guests. They had to wait until everyone had finished eating and left before they, as daughters in law, could relax.

In large families, even if you’re usually waited upon by servants and don’t need to lift a finger, during the New Year, when the family elders gather, daughters in law are expected to personally attend to their duties. This was a rule everyone followed, from the matriarch down to the ladies of the house.

Bai Jing Yu, along with Nanny Huang and maids Xiang Yun and Xiang Lian, walked down the hallway. Suddenly, he stopped and instructed Xiang Lian, “Go find someone close to Master and tell them to look after him. Don’t let him drink too much. If he can slip away, he should come home early. Sister is feeling unwell from the cold.”

Xiang Lian quickly returned and reported, “Master has already left.”

Bai Jing Yu asked, “Are you sure? It’s only been a few rounds of drinks, and he’s already gone?”

“I checked with Bai Zhan, who attends to the eldest master. He confirmed that the second master left with his men.”

Bai Jing Yu thought for a moment. “On New Year’s Eve, with everyone still at the banquet, what urgent matter could he possibly have? Never mind, let’s head back.”

When they returned to Hui Fang Courtyard, the door was ajar. Xiang Lian pushed it open, and a servant woman rushed over, almost tripping in her haste upon seeing Bai Jing Yu. She bowed and said, “You’re back. I went to stoke the fire in the kitchen and left the door unlatched…”

Nanny Huang scolded, “Why are you alone here? Where are the others? The courtyard isn’t even lit are you trying to trip the mistress?”

Bai Jing Yu ignored the woman and walked straight to the main room. The servant followed closely, whispering, “Master returned and brought some food and drink, letting the others go eat in the side room. He and Xiang Xue…”

Bai Jing Yu’s eyes widened. “Where is Sister?”

The servant lowered her head and replied, “Xiang Xue put Sister to sleep early, and the wet nurse is watching her in the main room.”

With tears streaming down her face, Bai Jing Yu, trembling with anger, shoved Nanny Huang aside and rushed to the small side room where Xiang Xue lived. She paused at the door, noticing a faint glow through the paper-paned window, and heard Xu Jun Lang’s joyful laughter, his voice warm and tender, each word like a sharp knife stabbing her heart:

“Silly girl, if I hadn’t come here regularly these past days, would you have kept this from me forever? It’s been two months already, how much longer do you think you could hide it? This child is my flesh and blood, and I will cherish it and protect it from harm. Look at Xiang Rui, after she gave birth to Wei, she was promoted to concubine. With your gentle and patient nature, the kind that silently endures and never complains, you are most dear to me… Whether this child is a boy or a girl, I won’t treat you poorly. Don’t worry about the mistress, leave her to me.”

Xiang Xue sighed in satisfaction, saying gently, “If Master treats me like this, I would gladly die for him.”

Bai Jing Yu’s entire body shook with rage. She burst into the room, unable to stop herself from colliding headfirst with the opposite wall. She clutched her forehead, glancing at the two people on the bed Xu Jun Lang, in his blue robe, embracing Xiang Xue, dressed in light green, his hand resting tenderly on her belly, just as he had done when she was carrying Mei Lian.

Letting out a loud cry, Bai Jing Yu lunged at Xiang Xue, her nails aimed at her face.

Xu Jun Lang, already startled by Bai Jing Yu’s sudden appearance, quickly moved to intercept her, calling out, “Jing Yu, let me explain.”

Bai Jing Yu, in her fury, struggled with unexpected strength. Xu Jun Lang had to stand up to hold her steady, but Bai Jing Yu kicked out, landing a blow on Xiang Xue’s side. Xiang Xue cried out, protecting her belly, and Xu Jun Lang, both angry and worried, shoved Bai Jing Yu aside. Bai Jing Yu, already feeling faint, hit her head on the wall again, and this time, she collapsed, closing her eyes.

Xiang Yun and Xiang Lian rushed over, kneeling beside her, wailing. Xu Jun Lang pushed them aside, lifting Bai Jing Yu into his arms and glaring at Nanny Huang, demanding, “How did this happen? The mistress was supposed to be watching over the New Year’s banquet. How could she come back unannounced? Useless servants!”

Turning back to Xiang Xue, he said, “Stay in the room and don’t go anywhere. I’ll take care of things.” He carried Bai Jing Yu out, warning Xiang Yun, Xiang Lian, and Nanny Huang, “This ends here. Don’t speak of it. If Madam asks, just say she was feeling unwell, fainted after a walk, and is resting.”

Back in the main hall, the New Year’s banquet had finally concluded, and the family guests were seeing each other off. Meinang cast a covert glance at Heng Ge’er, who began to cry upon seeing her, making Zheng Madame hastily apologize to the matriarch, explaining that Heng Ge’er was sleepy and taking him back to rest. Madam Gui also mentioned that Eldest Sister was unwell, so she had to check on her and care for Wei’er. This showed her even more eagerness than Zheng Madam.

After a while, the matriarch finished talking to the elders, feeling tired and excusing everyone. She departed with her granddaughter Zhuang Yu Lan and the young ladies. Meinang escorted them out, watching them pass down the corridor before finally returning and sitting down to chat with Rulan, Madam Gui, and Madam Fang.

Just as they were chatting and laughing, Madam Gui stormed in, sternly pointing her finger at Meinang.

“How heartless can you be! Can’t you show a little sympathy and respect among sisters in law? Jing Yu just recovered, not even fully, yet she managed to make an appearance at the banquet. Now, she’s fainted back in her room, and her daughter is feverish and crying non-stop. Are you pleased with yourself?”

Meinang, stunned by this sudden accusation, looked at Rulan for support, who, along with Madam Gan and Madam Fang, looked equally bewildered.

In the past, the gentle, timid Qin Meinang would have only lowered her head, shed a few tears, and meekly apologized. But the Meinang now felt no need to back down. Today, she was the eldest daughter in law and the wife of the respected Marquis.

Taking a deep breath, Meinang met Madam Gui’s eyes coldly and said, “Is this how Second Madam usually instructs her daughters in law? And who, exactly, is the legitimate sister in law? Has everyone heard clearly? Second Madam just said so herself. Does this mean Xu Jun Ying and Xu Jun Lang aren’t legitimate brothers? I’m hearing this for the first time. It’s a pity the Matriarch, Second Master, and the gentlemen aren’t here. Would you be willing to let me ask Second Master about this?”

Madam Gui, her face turning red and white with fury, retorted, “How dare you speak to your elders this way! If you had little manners growing up, at least learn some now. Even after giving birth, you remain incorrigible!”

Meinang took a step closer, staring down Madam Gui. “Am I not the legitimate sister in law? But you’re my elder? Since when? What have you taught me, Second Madam? To belittle and look down on people? If the Matriarch, Second Master, and the others were here, would you have dared to say those things?”

Stunned, Madam Gui could only stammer, “You…you…you!” Her hand shook so violently that she could barely point at Meinang, who had seized the moment to stand up for herself after years of quietly enduring mistreatment.

Rulan, unwilling to see her mother lose face, tried to intervene, but Meinang stood her ground. “Let everyone hear, what’s there to hide? I’m not afraid of the truth. Anyone with complaints can come forward. I have time tonight. Tomorrow begins a new year, a fresh start, and what happened tonight stays in tonight.”

Madam Gui’s personal maid whispered something in her ear. Letting out a huff, Madam Gui left, but not without one last look over her shoulder, saying, “I am a rightful daughter of my family, with no need to defend it. I will not be disrespected.”

After she departed, Rulan relaxed, letting out a sigh. Madam Fang reassured Meinang that, having spoken out tonight, she had made her stance clear. Meinang merely nodded, as everyone finally left, dispersing into the cold New Year’s Eve night, each harboring their own thoughts.