In the afternoon, after finishing her tasks outside, Xu Nian’an had just returned home when Zhichun hurriedly greeted her, saying, “Xiaojie, Bojue Furen is here. She’s in Furen’s room persuading Furen to move back to the Count Residence before your wedding. Furen felt awkward to refuse and has already agreed. Nanny Zhang asked nubi to wait here for you, and wants you to go to Furen’s room as soon as you return.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian’an didn’t say a word and immediately turned around, heading towards Zheng Furen’s courtyard.

As Xu Nian’an arrived at Zheng Furen’s courtyard, before she even entered the room, she heard bursts of women’s laughter emanating from inside—piercing, insincere, and nauseating.

“Da Xiaojie has arrived,” Zhichun said as she lifted the curtain.

As Xu Nian’an entered the room and raised her head, she found two women on the bed looking at her simultaneously.

One of them was her Da Bomu, the current wife of Count Zhongyi, Dong Shi, adorned in gold and silver, with a figure as round as pearls and smooth as jade, carrying an air of luxury and indulgence.

The other woman was her mother, her hair already graying, with no silver hairpin adorning her bun. She appeared frail, with a gaunt and pale complexion, showing a hint of illness and weakness.

The contrast between them was so stark that it’s almost tragic.

Xu Nian’an maintained a composed and natural demeanor as she respectfully greeted the two women. Zheng Furen looked at her with affection and tenderness, saying, “You’re back…”

With her voice barely audible, she was immediately overshadowed by Dong Shi’s booming voice. “Look, Dimei, what did I say? Our Nian Ji’er is truly blessed. Just look at her appearance, her demeanor. She’s no less impressive than the young ladies in the Duke and Marquis houses.” After speaking, she extended her chubby hand, beckoning Xu Nian’an to come closer to her side.

Zheng Furen was interrupted by Dong Shi and could only instruct Zhixia, who was waiting by the bed, to serve tea to Xu Nian’an in a low voice.

With a smile on her face, Xu Nian’an walked towards the two women, bypassing Dong Shi, who was seated on a round stool in front of the bed, and sat on the edge of the bed, gently holding Zheng Furen’s hand. She asked in a gentle tone, “What are Mom and Bomu discussing about? Sounds so happy.”

Dong Shi’s outstretched hand fell emptily, revealing a hint of embarrassment, but she quickly changed her demeanor. With a smiling expression, she explained to Xu Nian’an, “It’s like this, with your wedding approaching, your Bofu is concerned that the young and sick ones of the family won’t be properly taken care of once you’re married. So, he asked me to come and discuss with your mother about moving back to the Count Residence. After all, we’re all family, and it would be easier to take care of everyone that way.” After speaking, she observed Xu Nian’an’s reaction closely.

Xu Nian’an remained composed and simply asked Zheng Furen, “Has Mom agreed?”

Zheng Furen’s gaze seemed evasive as she responded, “Your Da Bofu and Da Bomu mean well, and it’s true that we’ll be short-handed at home once you’re married. If I don’t agree, wouldn’t it be ungrateful of me?”

While Dong Shi’s smile grew even broader, about to speak, Xu Nian’an preempted her and reproached Zheng Furen, saying, “Mom, how could you be so confused! Da Bofu and Da Bomu mean well, but when we separated from the main household (from his father’s family; the count household), Father had just passed away, you were seriously ill, and I was only thirteen years old. At that time, we didn’t receive any care from Da Bofu and Da Bomu. Now, I am marrying up, Didi has already passed the Tongshi exam with a promising official career in sight. Qi’an and Hui’an are also growing up and can help manage household affairs. To move back into the Count Residence now to receive Da Bofu and Da Bomu’s ‘care’—those who know the truth will say our two families are kin and close, but those who don’t will surely say Da Bofu and Da Bomu are snobs who ‘fawn on the high and trample on the low’. They will say that when our family was at its lowest, they washed their hands of us, but seeing our family’s prospects of revival, they are now rushing to curry favor. Isn’t that just a shameless display!”

分府 (fēn fǔ): Literally "dividing the residence." This refers to the formal separation of an extended family into independent households, often involving the division of property and finances.
童试 (tóng shì): The entry-level civil service examination in imperial China. Passing this was the first step toward becoming an official.

Her words made Dong Shi and her accompanying maidservants’ faces turn as red as pig liver, while Nanny Zhang, Zhichun, Zhixia, and others who were attending to Zheng Furen stifled their laughter so hard that their facial features twisted.

Zheng Furen had never been good at arguing with words, and Xu Nian’an’s reasoning was solid and well-founded. She couldn’t refute a single word. The only thing she could possibly point out was Xu Nian’an’s lack of respect towards her Da Bomu, Dong Shi. However, Xu Nian’an was merely expressing her “grievances” towards her mother. Every word she said was in consideration of the reputation of her Da Bofu and Da Bomu*&. So, where was the disrespect towards Dong **Shi?

Xu Nian’an had always been obedient and gentle in front of Zheng Furen. This was the first time Zheng Furen truly witnessed her eldest daughter’s verbal prowess. Indeed, her words were like a hidden dragon springing from under her tongue, capable of striking without drawing blood. For a moment, Zheng Furen couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.

With Zheng Furen remaining silent, there was no one to provide Dong Shi with an escape route. Feeling extremely embarrassed and angry, Dong Shi retorted, “Is Nian Ji’er insinuating something with your words? Just because your father is no longer here, does that mean Bofu is no longer your Bofu, and Bomu is no longer worthy of respect?”

Before the separation of the households, as the eldest legitimate daughter-in-law, Dong Shi was in charge of managing the household affairs in the Count Residence, so she held considerable authority in front of younger daughters-in-law like Zheng Furen. Now, as Dong Shi became angry, Zheng Furen, accustomed to such situations, felt a sense of urgency and was prepared to apologize on behalf of Xu Nian’an to placate her.

With one hand gently holding her mother, Xu Nian’an respectfully addressed Dong Shi, saying, “Perhaps Nian’an’s words were inappropriate, causing misunderstanding for Da Bomu. Nian’an has no intention of blaming Da Bofu and Da Bomu. After all, one stroke of the pen cannot write two separate ‘Xu’s. Even though our households have separated, as long as the bonds of blood and family remain, we are ultimately one family.”

Dong Shi’s expression eased slightly, about to speak, but she was interrupted by Xu Nian’an again, saying, “However, Da Bomu&*, after **Zumu passed away, each branch of our family clearly separated and divided our assets and properties. Now, if Da Bofu wants us to move back to the Count Residence, will it be just a matter of physical relocation, with each branch still managing their own affairs separately, or will our accounts be merged into one family again?”

Dong Shi looked at Xu Nian’an with affection and said, “As long as you move back, that’s all that matters. We will still keep our accounts separate. Bomu knows that it hasn’t been easy for you to manage this household at such a young age, so One won’t covet what belongs to you. After moving back, expenses for food, clothing, and servants’ wages will be covered by the household, while other expenses will be managed separately by each branch.”

“Nian’an understands Da Bomu’s intentions clearly, and One knows that Da Bofu and Da Bomu have genuine love for us. However, this matter still cannot be agreed upon,” Xu Nian’an said firmly.

Dong Shi’s expression turned unpleasant once again. She already said that expenses for food, clothing, and servants’ wages will be covered by the household. Even though there are over twenty mouths to feed among the four branches, the accumulated expenses over the months and years are not insignificant. Still, you’re not satisfied with this arrangement?

Dong Shi suppressed her impatience and asked, “Why not?”

Zheng Furen also looked at Xu Nian’an, awaiting her response.

Xu Nian’an explained, “After the separation of our households, if we were to move back together, outsiders would naturally assume that it’s due to Da Bofu’s brotherly kindness, taking care of my widowed mother and siblings after my father’s passing. However, San Di and Wu Mei are still unmarried, and since the Count Residence is under Da Bomu management, when matchmakers come knocking, they will naturally approach you. What will we do then? We can’t possibly have someone constantly monitoring and intervening. If someone approaches Bomu for matchmaking on behalf of my siblings, do we go up and explain that although we live together, we are still separate households, and thus, it’s still two families?”

Dong Shi shamelessly replied, “It’s already troublesome and exhausting to look for matches for one’s own children. Dimei is frail, so as Bomu, it’s only natural that I take on this responsibility on their behalf. It’s not excessive, right?”

“If Da Bomu is willing, of course, can take on this responsibility. However, if you are going to look for matches on behalf of my siblings, then when it comes to arranging the betrothal and preparing dowries, will Da Bomu also take on that responsibility? Earlier, you said that only the expenses for food, clothing, and basic needs would be covered by the household, and everything else would be managed separately. Now, if you’re going to take on the responsibility of finding matches for my siblings, it seems like you’re doing a favor for yourself, paving the way for your own interests, and reaping the benefits, while we still have to provide the money ourselves. This seems…”

“Such shamelessness!” Accompanied by a clear and steady male voice, a slender and handsome young man lifted the curtain and walked in.

Zheng Furen was both surprised and delighted to see him. “Xiu Ge’er! You’re back!” Heaven knows, watching her eldest daughter and sister-in-law engage in such tense exchanges, she wished she could hide under the bed.

“Who’s being shameless, Xiu Ge’er? Even scholars who take the imperial exams behave disrespectfully towards their elders like this?” Seeing how agitated Dong Shi was, a pozi who came with her retorted.

婆子 - older (middle-aged) woman servant

Xu Moxiu first respectfully greeted Dong Shi as a junior, saying, “Greetings, Da Bomu.” Then, he straightened up and gave a cold glance at the servant. “I didn’t mention anyone by name. Why are you so eager to take on this title for your mistress? Do you think she’s shameless?”

The pozi was left speechless.

At this moment, Xu Nian’an interjected, “Da Bomu, even a servant by your side dares to insult and slander my brother so casually. Can I trust my mother and siblings to move into the Count Residence and be ‘taken care of’ by Da Bofu*, and **Da Bomu?”

Dong Shi stood up abruptly, her face alternating between pale and flushed, pointing at Zheng Furen on the bed. “Dimei, my husband and I kindly wanted to take care of you as widowed mother and orphans, but if you don’t appreciate it, that’s fine. But to let these two children insult me like this! I understand now. Nian Ji’er thinks she’s climbed up to a high branch and doesn’t need her own family anymore! Do you think the union of our families was just a joke? Without the support of our Count of Zhongyi Residence, I doubt you’ll have a good life after marrying there!”

Xu Moxiu’s tone was not disrespectful in the slightest; in fact, it even carried a hint of concern as he said, “With so many Tang cousins relying on the Count of Zhongyi Residence, is it really stable enough for my sister to rely on now? If it collapses, who will be held accountable?”

Despite Xu Nian’an’s anger, she could barely contain her laughter upon hearing the last sentence.

Dong **Shi&& left with a stern expression, followed by a group of her maidservants.

“Da Sao, Da Sao, the children don’t understand. Don’t argue with them… Zhichun, please escort Da Sao out properly,” Zheng Furen called out anxiously from her bed.

Xu Nian’an gently nudged Xu Moxiu’s arm and whispered, “Rascal!”

Facing his own elder sister, Xu Moxiu softened his demeanor, putting away the air of maturity and eccentricity he had just displayed, and smiled gently yet smugly.

Zheng Furen withdrew her gaze and stared at her own children in front of her.

The Xu Family’s siblings looked at each other, each holding one of her hands and calling out in unison, “Mom~”

Just one word “Mom” softened Zheng Furen’s heart.

She sighed and said, “I know that Da Bomu doesn’t truly want to take care of us, but after what happened in Jing Guogong Residence, I couldn’t help but think…” She looked at Xu Nian’an with concern. “Marrying out from the Count Residence might give you some confidence, make the people at the Jing Guogong residence regard you more highly.”

“Mom, even if I marry out from the Count Residence, people will still know that I am just a niece of Count Zhongyi. It won’t change much except perhaps allowing the Count Residence to use this marital relationship more conveniently. Besides, where do I still need someone else to boost my confidence? I’m already full of confidence on my own!” Xu Nian’an tried to cheer Zheng Furen up.

But Zheng Furen did not respond as she had hoped, to smile warmly. She scolded one again with a remark: “You child.”

As the wedding date approached, Zheng Furen became increasingly uneasy. She married Xu Nian’an’s father, Xu Bingjun, with her status as the legitimate daughter of a Duchayuan officer, while Xu Bingjun was not the Shizi, nor had he yet attained the rank of Wujing Boshi of the Imperial Academy. His character was honest and kind, but he was not highly valued by his parents. Despite this, she endured many hardships from her mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and the cunning servants in the household. Fortunately, her husband was respectful and considerate towards her, which made their life bearable.

督察院(Duchayuan) was an institution in Imperial China responsible for supervising local officials' conduct and administration. It monitored governance, investigated corruption, and ensured officials' compliance with imperial policies.

五经 (Wǔjīng) is The Five Classics, which were the core texts of Confucianism that every scholar had to master: Classic of Poetry (诗经), Book of Documents (尚书), Book of Rites (礼记), Book of Changes (易经), Spring and Autumn Annals (春秋).
While 博士 (Bóshì), in modern Chinese, means a "PhD" or "Doctor." Historically, it referred to a Court Academician or an erudite scholar who served as a teacher and consultant to the state.
So, a Wǔjīng Bóshì was an official post within the Imperial Academy (Guózǐjiàn). Their primary duty was to teach these classics to the students—the future bureaucrats of the empire.

Looking at Nian’an again, her father passed away early, her only younger brother is still underage, and her maternal family has long since declined. If she also offends her paternal family, the Count Zhongyi Residence, then if anything happens to her in the future, who will support her? Not to mention that she hasn’t even married yet, but her husband already has someone else in his heart.

Although Guogong Yé has been relatively kind to the Xu Family out of respect for Xu Father, and he should be able to look after Nian’an after she marries into his family, the tactics of scheming and bullying in the inner courtyard are often subtle and insidious. With Nian’an’s personality, she wouldn’t frequently ask Guogong Yé to intervene for her, after all, the Guogong household is complex, and there are many layers between a grandfather and a granddaughter-in-law.

Zheng Furen couldn’t help but worry more and more. These past few days, she hadn’t been able to sleep well at night, even dreaming that Xu Nian’an was being tormented by her mother-in-law, husband, and sisters-in-law at the Guogong Residence, waking up in distress. Sometimes, she even couldn’t help but resent her deceased husband for agreeing to Guogong Yé’s proposal. What good was it to agree to a marriage alliance when he was gone? Promising only to end up dead, leaving her daughter to fend for herself like throwing her into a fire pit.

“But still Da Bofu and Da Bomu are your elders. You shouldn’t have offended them like just now. If we maintain a good relationship, in case our family needs help in the future, they won’t turn a blind eye, considering your father’s relationship with them. Nian’an, later you should pick some gifts and take your brother to the Count Residence to apologize to your Da Bofu and Da Bomu. We weren’t close to begin with, don’t let this small matter create a feud.” Zheng Furen said.