Chapter 75: New Year’s (Part 3)

Rulan looked at Meinang anxiously, “What should we do about this?”

Meinang replied, “Don’t worry. She started it. If she dares to make a scene in front of the matriarch, I’ll handle it.”

She patted Rulan’s hand and instructed Fang Shi, “You two go after her. Speak gently, even curse me if you must. It’s fine. Go, go. After all, she’s the proper daughter in law. If you don’t follow her and just stay here, she might scold you tomorrow and make you pay for it.”

Rulan hesitated as if she wanted to say something else, but Meinang gently pushed her and Fang Shi forward, “I’m not muddle-headed. I know exactly what’s what. I won’t create distance between us because of her. Now, go on.”

After they left, only Gan Shi remained by Meinang’s side, while Madam Wang and Cui Lan stood just outside the hall. Meinang said to Gan Shi, “I’ve endured enough from them over the years, and today, I couldn’t hold it in. If Second Madam makes a scene, so be it. If they ask you anything, just tell them the truth.”

Gan Shi lowered her head and replied, “You can rest assured, Madam. My husband and I have always respected the teachings you’ve given us that Master is the pillar of our family, and he’s our closest brother. I stand by you, Madam.”

Meinang fell silent, thinking that while the Xu family appeared harmonious on the surface, hidden divisions were already in place. Aunt Lin had taught her son to stay loyal to his elder brother, Xu Jun Ying. Apart from being Xu Jun Ying’s biological mother’s maid, she had a simple and straightforward way of thinking. Perhaps Second Madam’s words about being the “real sister in law” weren’t wrong. Relationships, even family ties, could grow distant over time. The longest-lasting bonds were usually between parents, children, and siblings. Spousal relationships were different, and some friendships even exceeded familial ties.

People are peculiar creatures, Meinang reflected, they can be displeased with their family members yet willing to sacrifice anything for a friend.

Meinang and Gan Shi parted ways, each returning to their quarters to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s ancestral rites. After washing, bathing, and dressing, Meinang settled into bed. She could still hear Wang Mama’s nagging words, which, though annoying, she tolerated. Wang Mama hadn’t been like this before, but ever since returning from a visit to her own family and receiving guidance from Lady Qin, she had become bolder in reprimanding Meinang. Meinang figured she was determined and wouldn’t back down easily. She decided to ignore it and let herself drift off to sleep.

Before dawn the next day, she went to the ancestral hall for a grand ceremony. Meinang soon received news that Second Madam had fallen ill and that her husband’s younger brother’s wife was also bedridden and unable to attend.

Quietly, Meinang asked Cui Lan, “Are there any men missing from the Second Branch?”

Cui Lan replied, “All the men are present.”

Meinang nodded, “You may go.”

The men hadn’t caused a stir, which meant the matriarch and Xu Jun Ying wouldn’t hold anything against her. However, she was wrong. The Xu family elders had simply let it go due to the New Year’s celebration, but by the second day of the new year, as she was just waking up, Mama Ji, who served the matriarch, came to her quarters and asked her to serve the matriarch breakfast in the Jinhua Hall.

Feeling uneasy, Meinang thought to herself, “Usually, I go to greet her, but it’s rare for Mama Ji to personally fetch me.” However, she had mentally prepared herself, and it was good that she had sent Cui Lan and Wang Mama to investigate after her argument with Second Madam. “Let’s see what comes my way,” she resolved.

In Jinhua Hall, there were no men present, which allowed Meinang to breathe a sigh of relief. The matriarch sat at the head of the room, and Madam Zheng sat below her. There were no other daughters in law or girls present. Yet Zhuang Yu Lan, with a fair and delicate face, sat there with a faint look of disdain as she glanced at Meinang. *That little fox”, Meinang thought to herself, cursing internally in Cui Lan’s tone. Zhuang Yu Lan had never shown her any respect, and the matriarch, as usual, allowed her behavior. She hadn’t even bothered to stand up, let alone offer Meinang a seat, nor did the matriarch correct her.

Trying to contain her anger, Meinang gave the matriarch and Madam Zheng a slightly casual greeting, prompting the matriarch to tap the low table and reprimand her.

“Look at the trouble you’ve caused! Jing Yu’s health is fragile, yet you insisted she run around, making her faint from exhaustion. I know you’ve had it hard, but as the eldest daughter in law, you must take on more responsibilities. When your aunt in law spoke to you, why did you shout and bring up unrelated matters, even mentioning her family ancestors? Have you forgotten your manners? Do you want the world to gossip about our Hou family? Hou Ye is your husband, and even if you can’t bear him children to extend the family line, you shouldn’t make him lose face. Now, you’ve angered Second Madam to the point of illness, and Jing Yu’s bedridden from your antics. Your mother in law is here, tell me how you plan to handle this!”

Meinang kept her head down in silence. Madam Zheng looked at her and said calmly, “It’s the new year, and you’ve angered the matriarch. Kneel.”

Rui Xue brought a cushion and placed it in front of Meinang. She bit her lip and knelt down.

Madam Zheng continued, “Haven’t I taught you enough? You’ve been running around for days, tiring yourself out. Couldn’t you just find a quiet corner to rest? Instead, you ran into your aunt, who has been upset for days. You know she’s anxious about Jing Yu’s condition. Do you think I don’t care about you? You’re fragile yourself and have barely managed these days. If you collapsed, who would I turn to? Remember the matriarch’s words, no matter how filial and virtuous you are, one offense toward an elder, even if unintended, will mark you as unfilial. You’re a titled lady by royal decree, the eldest daughter in law of the Xu family, and Heng Ge’er’s mother. You have honor and duties to uphold. Yesterday, who was with you? Was it Gan Shi? She’s too simple-minded to know to restrain you. I have some supplements that Jun Ying recently sent, take two portions, and bring Gan Shi along to kneel and apologize to your aunt in law. Never show her disrespect again. Go see Jing Yu too, I heard there was a quarrel between Jun Lang and her last night…”

Still kneeling, Meinang felt a bit relieved Madam Zheng’s words showed that she was on her side. That was good; as long as she could still manage the household, she’d find a way within the next two or three months.

The matriarch’s sharp gaze flickered between Madam Zheng and Meinang. Finally, she said, “Rise. Do as your mother in law says and apologize sincerely to your aunt in law.”

Meinang kowtowed respectfully before standing up. With a lowered gaze, she replied, “I was wrong and won’t repeat my mistake.”

The matriarch scolded, “There won’t be a next time! If there is, it’ll be addressed in the ancestral hall. Now go and apologize to your aunt in law. If she’s still upset, you’ll have to go repeatedly until she forgives you.”

Meinang reluctantly agreed, cursing internally. “The old matriarch has fully sided with Second Madam. Going to her place multiple times she must want to exhaust me!”

As expected, Second Madam refused to see Meinang and wouldn’t let her even enter her chambers. Instead of feeling angered, Meinang found it amusing. “Ridiculous,” she thought. “Why should I care about such an elder?” She stood in the courtyard, observing Second Madam’s “Feng Hua Courtyard,” puzzled over how such an ordinary courtyard could deserve such a grand name.

A gnarled pear tree branch, budding with a few white flowers, caught her eye. After making sure it was blossoms rather than leftover snow, she asked, “Isn’t Miss Xiang Rui living in that small side yard? How is she? And how’s the little boy?”

Nanny Zhao smiled and replied, “Thank you, Madam, for remembering. Xiang Rui and Young Master Wei are both thriving and healthy.”

“That’s good,” Meinang replied with a sly smile. “Second Master is truly blessed. Xiang Rui just had Young Master Wei, and now Miss Xiang Xue is expecting. They say good things come in pairs. I’m sure she’ll have another son. Second Master will be overjoyed.”

Nanny Zhao was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

Meinang smiled, “If Second Madam’s still asleep, I’ll come again tomorrow. Now, I’ll go check on Young Madam.” And without caring about the shocked expression on Nanny Zhao’s face,