After the maid left, Wu Guniang watched Wu Furen stand up to tidy her clothes, then stood up and said, “Mom, the matter concerning San Sao was already handled improperly by our family. Please don’t make things difficult for that Zhao family’s daughter-in-law. The social circle in the capital is so small, and the Zhao family has many relatives and old friends. Nǚ’ér… Nǚ’ér still has to live in my husband’s house.”

“I understand, you just stay calm.” Wu Furen comforted her daughter, then went to the Flower Hall to see Xu Nian’an.

She had never met Xu Nian’an before, but she had heard of this Xu Family’s girl who married into the Jing Guogong Residence. She knew that her in-law Yin Furen’s legitimate son, Zhao Huanxi, although not well-regarded outside, was after all the eldest legitimate grandson of Jing Guogong Residence, a very prestigious identity. With the Xu Family’s background, if it wasn’t for Guogong Yé’s approval, they would not be related in any way.

And it was precisely because Zhao Huanxi married such a mismatched woman that the Zhao Family’s First Branch was completely looked down upon. Even she was mocked by her sisters-in-law, both openly and behind her back.

Thinking about these things, she became even more puzzled. Putting herself in Yin Furen’s shoes, if her legitimate son had married into a family of a status lower than the shu son’s wife, how shameful would that be? Even if she didn’t confine her at home, she would never easily let her out to meet people. How could Yin Furen allow her to go out alone to visit Yin Furen’s in-laws?

With these doubts in mind, she entered the Flower Hall.

Upon hearing the maid outside the Flower Hall door greeting Wu Furen, Xu Nian’an stood up and politely greeted her.

Wu Furen suppressed her surprise and discreetly sized up Xu Nian’an.

Before this, she had only heard that this Xu Shi had lost her father at an early age, her mother was weak, and her younger siblings were still young. To support her family, she had delayed marriage until she was eighteen. Wu Furen had expected to see a woman who had weathered hardships and aged prematurely, but Xu Nian’an was surprisingly beautiful, with a graceful figure. She smiled effortlessly, and her manners were dignified and generous. Compared to any other young lady from a prestigious family, Xu Nian’an was no less impressive.

Wu Furen marvelled inwardly, quickly smiled, offered her seat, and instructed the maid to serve tea.

After both were seated, Wu Furen glanced at Nanny Xian standing behind Xu Nian’an and began to chat with Xu Nian’an: “Is your Pomu’s health good?”

Xu Nian’an slightly bowed, “Pomu is in good health, thanking Furen for the concern. This morning, when she heard that my Si Gu Jie was unwell, Pomu was somewhat worried and wanted to come in person. However, considering your affection for my Si Gu Jie, she felt that coming personally for such a trivial matter would seem like she doesn’t trust you, so she asked me to come on her behalf to visit Si Gu Jie. One hopes Furen can forgive Wanbei’s impudence.”

Wu Furen sighed and said, “Qing Jiamu is truly generous and accommodating, which makes me feel ashamed. Speaking of which, it’s because my family did not take good care of Jiaxian.”

“Furen, please don’t blame yourself. Pomu understands everything. My Si Gu Jie is your legitimate daughter-in-law, carrying the blood of the Wu Family in her belly. Whether it’s you, or Si Jiefu, or the family’s Lao Zumu, no one would intentionally harm her, right? If there have been any shortcomings, it must have been the fault of the servants. If the servants dare to neglect the needs of a pregnant lady, it’s because you are too lenient and kind-hearted. Pomu understands this,” Xu Nian’an said with a slight smile.

Wu Furen’s face reddened with embarrassment, feeling bitter in her heart. In reality, she didn’t like the concubine who had entered the mansion pregnant either. However, with Lao Taitai protecting her, she couldn’t go against Lao Taitai.

She had just thought to speak when unexpectedly a maid came in to report that Nanny Liu, who was by Lao Taitai’s side, had arrived and requested Xu Nian’an to go over for a chat.

Wu Furen felt a growing disgust in her heart. While she understood that Lao Taitai was doing all this for her son, Wu Cheng, it didn’t mean she should overlook what was right and wrong. Even if the concubine gave birth to a son, he would only be a shu son. Offending the Jing Guogong Residence for this was truly inappropriate.

Before Wu Furen could find an excuse to decline, Xu Nian’an stood up and said, “Furen, this is Wanbei’s first-time visitor to the mansion, it’s only proper to pay respects to Lao Furen. One would need to trouble Furen to show the way.”

With Xu Nian’an saying this, what else could Wu Furen say? She could only force a smile and lead Xu Nian’an to Lao Taitai’s courtyard.

The Wu Family’s Lao Taitai was just turning seventy this year, with her birthday at the end of the year. At such an old age, her hair was naturally completely white, but she looked spirited, no wonder she still had the energy to fuss over her grandson’s concubine.

When Xu Nian’an arrived, Lao Taitai was reclining on a reclining chair, with only a few maidservants in the room.

When Wu Furen and Xu Nian’an arrived, she sat up. After Xu Nian’an paid her respects, she said in a loud voice, “I heard that it’s Qing Jiamu’s legitimate daughter-in-law. Lao Pozi’s eyesight is not very good. Child, you come closer, let Lao Pozi have a good look at you.”

Xu Nian’an walked over with a smile and sat down beside Lao Taitai.

Lao Taitai took Xu Nian’an’s hand, examined her closely, and praised, “Aiya, what a lively child. Qing Jiamu is so fortunate ah.” As she spoke, she turned to look at Wu Furen.

Wu Furen smiled and replied, “Erxi said the same thing.”

Lao Taitai held Xu Nian’an’s hand affectionately and asked, “Child, did you come because of your Si Gu Jie’s matter? What happened last night was purely accidental. Zheng Shi is just a concubine, how would she dare to harm the legitimate wife? It was just a moment of greed and the carelessness of the maidservants by her side, leading to the incident. Jiaxian, that child has always been sensible, and I greatly appreciate it. It’s just that the lowly servants easily made a fuss out of nothing, causing Qing Jiamu to worry.”

While speaking, Lao Taitai glanced coldly at Nanny Xian, who had followed Xu Nian’an over. Nanny Xian was furious but remained silent, constrained by etiquette.

Using the hand that was not held by Lao Taitai, Xu Nian’an gently pressed on the back of the Lao Taitai’s hand, smiling politely and saying, “Lao Zumu, there’s no need to worry. Us women can easily understand such trivial matters.”

Wu Furen’s smile stiffened at these words. That’s right, if this matter spread, which woman living in the backyard wouldn’t understand what had happened? It was truly embarrassing. Thinking this way, she became even more disgusted with that concubine who made no sense.

Xu Nian’an said with a shy smile, “Let me tell you something funny. Today, our family’s Sanlang heard about Si Gu Jie’s situation and immediately jumped up, shouting, ‘Is Si Jiefu intentionally bullying my Si Jiejie?’ I said: How could that be? Si Jiefu is someone who wants to take the Imperial Examination and become an official. How could he, who has not even started his career, be labelled as favouring a concubine over his wife? Only someone very foolish could do such a thing, right?”

With just one sentence, both Wu Furen and Lao Taitai’s expressions changed.

At this moment, Lao Taitai’s face also lost its kindness, her grip loosened, and she looked Xu Nian’an up and down sharply.

“You’re right, there’s definitely no such thing,” Wu Furen said, forcing a smile as she clutched her handkerchief.

Lao Taitai, however, said, “Which family doesn’t have conflicts between wives and concubines? If there are conflicts but the concubine is not dealt with, it’s favouring the concubine over the wife. To be blunt, isn’t Qing Jiagong the earlier one to be in this situation?”

Nanny Xian looked at Lao Taitai in disbelief, wishing she could go up and slap her. She also worried that Xu Nian’an would be suppressed by her, as how could a daughter-in-law speak ill of her father-in-law?

Xu Nian’an, however, remained gentle and said, “Children should not criticize their parents, let alone me, a daughter-in-law, criticizing one’s father-in-law. It’s just that my Pomu’s expectations for Si Jiefu are definitely not based on my Gongdiē’s example. If they were, why wouldn’t she marry my sister to a noble family (like their Guogong household)? If Lao Zumu’s expectations for Si Gu Jie are like my Gongdiē’s, then I can only go back and report truthfully.”

Lao Taitai fell silent.

In short, if Zhao Mingkun had the final say, she wouldn’t dare to go along with her grandson’s wishes regarding the issue of wives and concubines. But when a man is not capable, the women in his family will inevitably suffer.

“Then what Qing Jiamu means is…” Lao Taitai stopped pretending and directly asked Xu Nian’an about her purpose.

Xu Nian’an smiled warmly and said, “Pomu knows that everyone in the family, from zzLao Zumu** to Si Jiefu, has always been very kind to my Si Jiejie, and she is very grateful for that. The reason for this incident, as Lao Zumu said, was simply due to the carelessness of the maidservant on Zheng Yiniang’s side. However, both Zheng Yiniang and Si Gujie are pregnant, so keeping such a careless maid around is always a hidden danger. One wonders if Lao Zumu could transfer her out of the back courtyard for now?”

Wu Lao Taitai felt relieved when she heard that the Zhao Family only wanted to deal with the maidservant on Zheng Man’er’s side, and she agreed on the spot.

After thanking Wu Lao Taitai, Xu Nian’an expressed her intention to visit Zhao Jiaxian. Wu Lao Taitai asked Nanny Xian to take her there.

“Deal with that maidservant,” As soon as Xu Nian’an left, Wu Lao Taitai’s expression relaxed as she instructed.

Wu Furen agreed, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “Motuer, just now in my room, Quan’er cried and complained that her Da Sao from her husband’s family wanted to send a concubine to her husband because of our recent affairs. She said that since our family treats concubines well, they will be able to get along harmoniously. I was thinking, should we also discipline Zheng Yiniang a bit? Teach her to recognize her status and not cause trouble repeatedly.”

Wu Lao Taitai, feeling frustrated after being indirectly attacked by a younger relative, leading to a loss of face, became impatient and said, “If you want to discipline her, go ahead, but don’t harm the child in her belly. Am I really so concerned about a concubine? I’m concerned about your son, about the flesh and blood of our Wu family!”

Wu Furen agreed and left Lao Taitai‘s courtyard. She then turned serious, instructing the maidservants and old women to go to Zheng Man’er’s courtyard.

Since Lao Taitai had relented, Wu Furen wanted to quickly handle the matter while Wu Cheng was not at home.

Zhao Jiaxian received a message from her maidservant early in the morning, informing her that Xu Nian’an had arrived instead of Yin Furen, causing her some disappointment. However, considering her own situation and the fact that her newly married sister-in-law had made a special trip, she felt somewhat ashamed.

When Xu Nian’an entered the room, she saw Zhao Jiaxian, pale and haggard, with a faint blush on her cheeks. Zhao Jiaxian was sitting on the bed, looking at Xu Nian’an with her eyes half embarrassed and half grateful.

After exchanging greetings, Xu Nian’an sat down on a stool near the bed, and Zhao Jiaxian, feeling embarrassed, apologized, “It’s all my fault for being useless and making Mother and Di Mei worry.”

⟡ Aewoo’s Ramble ⟡

From the “snippet” at the top of this chapter, Xu Duidui here means:

怼 (Duì): A popular internet slang term. While it literally means “to resent” or “to oppose,” in modern usage it refers to roasting, retorting, rebuking, or calling someone out with sharp wit.

怼怼 (Duìduì): Doubling the word turns it into a playful or affectionate nickname. “Duidui” characterizes the person as someone who is constantly roasting others—a “professional contrarian,” so to speak.