Chapter 85: Bringing Her Back

After breakfast, Bao Ju organized and packed up the official documents brought back the day before, which Lord Hou had been too inebriated to read. He locked them in a box and handed it to an attendant to carry. A small group of people waited by the corridor leading to the eastern courtyard’s side gate for Xu Jun Ying. He had briefly returned to his room to retrieve something and, upon stepping out, instructed the attendants:

“Head out through the side gate and wait by the main entrance. I’ll be there shortly.”

He gestured for Bao Ju to carry the document box and followed him towards the main hall of the Tsinghua Courtyard. The day was already bright, later than usual, marking the first time Xu Jun Ying had been delayed. Even though there was no court meeting, he was headed to the office and was never one to be late his punctuality was a known habit.

As he passed through the moon gate, Xu Jun Ying glanced at the main hall. It was quiet, with only a few servants bustling around. Wasn’t Meinang awake yet? Why didn’t he see her personal maid and Madam Wang?

A young maid, Orange, emerged from a path flanked by wintergreens. Seeing Xu Jun Ying, she quickly bowed. Xu Jun Ying asked, “Is your mistress up yet?”

Orange replied, “In response to Lord Hou, she rose before dawn and has gone to the Qui Hua Courtyard to pay her respects to the matron.”

Xu Jun Ying pressed his lips together, his face turning cool and detached. He nodded, signaling Orange to leave. But just as she took a few steps, he called her back, hesitated, and handed her a small embroidered box.

“These are pills from the palace for dizziness. Give them to your mistress, she’s to take one when the symptoms strike. And tell her to stop using minor illnesses as an excuse. It’s one thing to neglect duties, but ignoring the matron entirely? That’s a failure of decorum.”

Orange accepted the box with both hands and, bowing, replied, “I’ll give the pills to Mistress and convey Lord Hou’s message as soon as she returns.”

Xu Jun Ying said nothing further, leaving the Tsinghua Courtyard with Bao Ju. He felt somewhat uncomfortable. Thinking that she might be dizzy and unable to rise early, he had waited until this hour to bring her the precious medicine prepared by the Imperial Doctor specifically for the Empress Dowager. It was rare and hard to obtain, something he originally requested for the matron, but since Meinang had taken the trouble to look after him recently, he intended to reciprocate. However, she’d risen before dawn and left, was her dizziness cured so quickly? Now she was with Heng Ge’er and paying respects to Madam Zheng forming what seemed like a real family.

The Qui Hua Courtyard was bustling. Meinang, cradling her son Heng Ge’er, was amusing him with the birds in the cage. They moved inside, where she seated him on a warm couch. Waiting for breakfast, she played hand games with him, sang nursery rhymes, and encouraged him in simple exercises. Heng Ge’er, delighted, laughed and was eager to play. When breakfast arrived, Meinang fed him herself. The child had a great appetite, and, in his mother’s arms, he ate happily and quickly, finishing a bowl of porridge. When Meinang gave him the last spoonful, he opened his mouth, waiting for more, making everyone around laugh. She wiped his mouth and kissed his chubby little cheek.

Seeing his round belly, she teased, “That’s enough for now. When you’re hungry, you can have more, all right?”

As if understanding, Heng Ge’er nodded with his bright eyes, so endearing that Meinang could hardly let him go. But Madam Zheng soon awoke and sent for Meinang. Reluctantly, she handed Heng Ge’er to the nursemaid, but the boy clung to her neck, not wanting to let go, waving his hand to shoo the nurse away. Helpless, Meinang carried him to Madam Zheng’s quarters, where the matron tried to comfort him and called for another maid to take him away. After a bout of crying, they eventually separated, though Meinang felt her resentment toward Madam Zheng deepen.

Madam Zheng looked at her, somewhat displeased. “I mentioned before that we’d bring Mei Yu back after the Lantern Festival. Did you forget? Or were you planning to wait until the month is over?”

Meinang lowered her eyes and replied, “I didn’t dare forget, Mother. I thought you would visit Uncle after the New Year and bring Cousin Mei Yu back at that time.”

Madam Zheng responded, “I’m constantly with Heng Ge’er. He’s too young and fragile to handle the cold weather, and I can’t bring him back and forth, nor do I have the time. I’m older now and no longer handle family affairs. You are in your prime, managing the household for us. Heng Ge’er and I both rely on you. Be mindful of your duties, don’t wait for me to remind you. You need to take care of your mother in law and son so that I can enjoy my later years in peace.”

Meinang’s inner thoughts raged: “As if I asked you to care for Heng Ge’er! Give him back, and you can keep your own twisted family games.” She suppressed the urge to argue and simply replied, “I understand, Mother. I’ll arrange to bring Cousin Mei Yu back in the next couple of days.”

Madam Zheng’s expression softened slightly. “Take Nanny He along. She’s been to the estate eighty miles north often. Since I won’t be going, we don’t need to send too many gifts, keep it simple this time.”

Meinang responded, “It’s still the New Year season, it wouldn’t be appropriate to come empty-handed. I’ll go with Nanny He to the storehouse and pick out some fine gifts.”

Madam Zheng acknowledged with a nod and then added, “You’re clever and capable, better than Jing Yu from the second house. The second wife has never measured up to me. Jing Yu comes from a superior background, and though she’s fierce and stubborn, what good has it done her, married to the second house? Unlike her, I treat you well. I’m not a stingy mother in law. If Lord Hou takes another wife, rest assured the Dowager mentioned it, but her years are numbered. I still control the family, and no one can challenge your authority in the household. Even if Lord Hou cares for a new wife, he must uphold filial duty. And with the Dowager gone, any side wife he takes will be secondary to you. You must hold on patiently once Heng Ge’er grows up, you’ll have everything.”

Though Meinang outwardly agreed, her thoughts were different. She thought, “The sooner I leave this place, the better. Heng Ge’er will come with me. The Dowager, with her scheming ways, might pretend kindness, but she’s just waiting for a chance to replace me with a relative. And Zheng Mei Yu? If I leave Heng Ge’er here, these women will destroy him.”

On the 22nd day of the New Year, three carriages arrived from the outskirts, pulling into the Xu residence. Rather than going through the side gate, they stopped at the main entrance, where four attendants stood in a row. One of them ran down to inquire and, upon learning that it was Miss Mei Yu from the Zheng family, waved them towards the side gate.

Entering through the side gate was indeed easier; they could drive directly to the inner courtyard. Inside the carriage, Miss Zheng Mei Yu ran her hand over her forehead and smiled at the older servant, Nanny He, seated next to her.

In her mind, though, anger and hatred brewed. Once back in the Xu household, her plan was clear regain Xu Jun Ying’s trust and confront Qin Meinang.