Chapter 5, Husband

Xie Song's complexion was not very good. Aunt Ning gently patted Xie Song's hand with her delicate, jade-like hand and gave him a knowing glance. Xie Song's expression softened slightly. Aunt Ning smiled and said, "Miss, please take a seat. The young master was thinking that it has been quite a few days since we had a meal together. Let us dine together and have a chat."

At noon during lunch, I noticed that the peach blossoms in the vase provided by my grandmother were no longer fresh, so I thought about replacing them. For a moment, I forgot, but just as I was passing by the garden, it came to my mind again. I am short, and the maid is not tall either, but my second uncle is the best; this is also an opportunity for me to show filial piety to him. Xie Mo You, with a hint of coquetry, approached with a bunch of peach blossoms, showed them to Mrs. Xie, and personally went to replace the peach blossoms in the jade vase.

Xie Bo and Mrs. Xie discussed the contents of dinner, while Xie Mo You quietly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that his arrival was indeed ill-timed. However, since he had already eaten, he continued to tidy up the peach blossoms. Xie Mo Ru's expression remained unchanged. At that moment, Xie Shangshu and his son Xie Song returned home from the government office. Mrs. Xie left her husband and younger son behind, sending the others back to their respective courtyards.

Mrs. Xie's smile on her face faded somewhat, "Oh, according to what you say, it is understandable for Zheng Bo."

Just after finishing this sentence, Xie Moru had not yet spoken when Xie Moxiu and Xie Baijin entered. Xie Moxiu was dressed in a bright red dress, holding a bouquet of half-bloomed peach blossoms in her arms. The peach blossoms reflected on her face, making her even more beautiful than the flowers by three points.

Xie Song smiled gently as he held Aunt Ning's hand

"What did Mr. Ji teach today?" Mrs. Xie asked

Realizing her own shortcomings, Xie Moru took the message from the young maid sent by the Peony Courtyard very seriously. After finishing dinner, rinsing her mouth, and drinking a cup of tea, Xie Moru asked Zhang Momo, "Is this the new tea that has just been sent?" It tastes the same as the new tea from Madam Xie.

Mrs. Xie would not bring up the matter of Huazhang Hall without reason. Since Mrs. Xie has inquired, Xie Moru replied, "It also depends on whom one is comparing to. Compared to Emperor Taizong of Tang during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, who expelled his biological mother and never saw her again, and the First Emperor who did the same, Duke Zheng of Bo did not kill his cousin Gongshu Duan, nor did he expel his biological mother. His character is still commendable."

Xie Moru nodded, "Mr. Ji is knowledgeable and well-versed."

Therefore, Mrs. Xie does not like to deal with Xie Moru. After all, Xie Moru is a member of the Xie family, and raising her to adulthood is merely fulfilling the obligations of blood relations

Who would dare to say this is incorrect

Xie Song's opening remarks were very straightforward. He said, "In the future, when studying, read more works such as 'Lessons for Women', 'Inner Training', and 'Women's Analects', as they will be beneficial for you"

Mrs. Xie considers herself to have seen quite a bit of the world, yet she is always astonished by Xie Moru's composure. If you do not speak, Xie Moru will remain silent. Even if you do speak, she might simply respond with a "hm" and then fall silent again

There is nothing to say between Xie Mo and Xie Song, especially when Xie Mo knows what Xie Song wants to say. There is no desire to listen, let alone the desire to explain the same thing to a third person. Repeating the same thing or saying the same words repeatedly can be exhausting. In such moments, Xie Mo prefers to curl up in her own courtyard and read a book, or watch her mother take care of the azalea tree day after day.

It is about right

Thank you for waving your hand. As the daylight is still good, I haven't entered the house yet. I directly sat on the swing frame covered with blooming winter jasmine flowers, swaying back and forth, and asked, "Is dinner ready?"

Xie Bai said seriously, "I must quickly write down what you said, so that I can use it to teach a lesson to A Zhi and the others later, that would truly be impressive"

Do not worry, it's still your own point of view. Dao said, "Zheng Bo has a narrow mind, Gong Shu Duan is ambitious, and Wu Jiang Tai is too biased." As she spoke, she sniffed the peach blossom in her hand, glanced at Xie Mo Ru, and continued to arrange flowers for Mrs. Xie.

There is nothing better than sitting comfortably in a chair. He said, "I don't know what my father's intentions are. Just now, my mother and I have finished dinner. I will wait until next time my father bestows it, and then I will accept it."

Upon Xie Bo's arrival, Xie Moru stood up. After exchanging greetings with Xie Bo, Xie Moru nodded slightly and said, "Grandmother asked me to come over and talk."

Mrs. Xie smiled and said, "How did you all end up in the same place?"

Tomorrow is also a change, today is also a change, change one day earlier, look at the fresh flowers, and feel good. Xie Moyou bowed slightly to Xie Moru and asked, "How did big sister come?"

Mrs. Xie has a charming look, "Tomorrow is just the same."

Thank you for nodding, "This tea is good."

Mrs. Xie sternly said these words, Mr. Xie put down the flower branch, Mr. Xie stood up, and both of them nodded in agreement. Mrs. Xie said, "As human beings, we should always strive to do good, right?"

Mrs. Xie still sat on the rosewood couch, accustomed to the prosperity of having numerous descendants. She remained wealthy, elegant, and beautiful, with a calm demeanor and no trace of displeasure on her face. She held a white jade cup in her hands, but her eyes revealed a hint of coldness.

Xie Song didn't want to talk at all. He said, "Since you've had dinner, I won't keep you. If there's anything, talk to your aunt."

Mrs. Xie said, "The Zuo Zhuan wrote this passage as a warning to future generations. Sibling rivalry and the estrangement between mother and child are never good things. Even someone like Duke Zheng, who was a man of character, would leave behind a lasting infamy. As for Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty and the First Emperor, no matter how talented and visionary they were, history's pen is sharp, and future generations cannot help but describe them as ruthless and cold."

There was no movement in the eyes and eyebrows of Xie Mo, only a single response, "Yes."

The senior maid Su Lan brought a cup of tea, which Mrs. Xie accepted and took a sip. It was delicately fragrant and clear, surely this year's new tea. Sitting quietly, Mrs. Xie remained silent, while Su Lan focused on drinking her tea.

Thank you, don't worry, we will respond together again.

Thank you for not worrying about it. Dao, "Zuo Zhuan, Duke Zheng defeated Duke Yuan in Yan. In the afternoon, I will study the piano."

Aunt Ning smiled and returned the handshake. Look, this is her husband.

The peonies bloom early, while the spring chill lingers. The peonies in the peony garden have all bloomed, appearing magnificent and luxurious within a curved stone railing. Ning Yiniang was tending to the flowers when she saw Xie Moru coming out and wanted to greet her and exchange a few words. Xie Moru nodded slightly to her and walked away.

Mrs. Xie always felt that Mr. Xie was eccentric. In contrast, Mrs. Xie You, who is of a similar age, is clear as a mountain stream, beautiful, lively, and likable. Talking to her is easy, pleasant, and comfortable. Mr. Xie, on the other hand, is different. His temperament is indifferent, not cold, but the kind of indifference that comes from drawing conclusions after careful consideration. Mrs. Xie doesn't particularly like Mr. Xie, and when she talks to someone like him, she unconsciously thinks it over a few more times in her mind. It's not that Mr. Xie is an extraordinary person that Mrs. Xie needs to treat with caution, but rather that she can't help but be cautious around people like him.

Xie Bai is dressed in a sky-blue brocade robe, with a golden crown on his head and a beautiful jade pendant around his waist. He is elegant and handsome, with a charming demeanor. He smiles and says, "I just came back from outside and saw Ayao in the garden. This girl made me pick a lot of peach blossoms, saying it's for mother to put in a vase."

Everyone has their own temperament, just like Xie Moyou. After today's lesson from Madam Xie, Xie Moyou must discuss it with Xie Song. The phrase "阋墙" has made Madam Xie alert. Whether it is due to Madam Xie's sudden teaching today or other reasons, Xie Song will probably send someone to call her over to talk after Xie Moyou speaks too much.

Thank you, I should take my leave now.

Her patience is still far behind her mother's. Xie Mo thought silently.

Madam Zhang came forward and smiled, "I thought you would be having your meal with Madam."

"Zhang Ma said, 'Yes, after the young lady went to the mistress's place, the aunt sent someone to deliver it, saying it's this year's new tea. So I took the liberty of replacing it with the new tea.'"

As usual, Xie Moru said to Xie Song at Mrs. Xie's door, "Just bring Father here," and then took Jingwei and Ziteng back to the Dujuan Courtyard.

However, since she grew up eating the Xie family's food, there are some things that need to be said.

Xie Moru remains the same as before, responding with a simple, "Yes."

Xie Moru, however, sat calmly; she only needed to know that Mrs. Xie was somewhat displeased. Xie Moru herself had several appropriate expressions to show, so she understood what a person looked like when they were happy and what they looked like when they were unhappy

It is uncertain whether it is Xie Moru's illusion, but Songbai Courtyard does not seem as lively as before. The servants, upon seeing her enter, displayed a greater degree of caution and deference. Of course, this caution and deference are not due to the fact that Xie Moru's status warrants such treatment, but rather stem from a desire to avoid any misfortune.

Aunt Ning smiled faintly, her exquisite brows and eyes revealing a hint of disappointment and self-mockery. She set down the peony in her hand, and the luxurious hem of her skirt swayed gracefully, while her golden embroidered shoes, adorned with intertwined lotuses, stepped upon the bluestone path. The maid at the door respectfully lifted the bamboo curtain of Xiangfei, and Aunt Ning walked step by step to her husband's side, whispering as she began to speak.

Xie Moru understood why Mrs. Xie sought her out for a conversation, and Mrs. Xie's beautiful eyes were also fixed on Xie Moru. Xie Moru said, "Gold cannot be pure, and no person is perfect"

Dinner was served as usual in the small courtyard of the Fang family. In the past, before meals, Xie Moru would invariably change into a casual dress, remove her pearl hairpin, let down her hair, and wash up before she would agree to eat. Today, however, she only washed her hands and face. Granny Zhang thought that she was truly hungry and frequently served her dishes. Fang family had little appetite due to the slightly early dinner time, eating with a chopstick here and a chopstick there. Xie Moru was not hungry; she simply did not want to go listen to Xie Song's teachings on an empty stomach.

Xie Moru possesses such a remarkable ability; she has cultivated an expression that is neither happy nor angry, neither worried nor fearful, at an unknown time. When she simply says "yes," you are immediately at a loss as to how to continue the conversation with her. Fortunately, Xie Song does not have a strong desire to engage with his eldest daughter; he merely finishes what he needs to say, stating, "As a young lady, do not be too reserved; be more lively, and you will be more likable"

Mrs. Xie had a gentle expression and smiled, "I spend my days idly at home, so I enjoy chatting with you children; it brings some liveliness. I was just about to ask, how has Mr. Ji been since he came to our home? Is his teaching going well?"

Mrs. Xie smiled and asked, "What did you learn today?"

Mrs. Xie slightly nodded and said, "What does it mean?"

Xie Bo scratched his face, leaning sideways in his chair, sitting askew, and his body naturally followed suit, making him appear quite unrefined in his posture. However, due to his handsome appearance, even without proper posture, he was still undeniably attractive. Xie Bo mumbled something under his breath, but it was unclear to others. Mrs. Xie furrowed her brows and looked at her younger son, saying, "Speak clearly if you have something to say, why are you mumbling like that"

Mrs. Xie smiled and said, "I was just saying, Mr. Ji has been at home for a few days now. I wanted to ask you sisters, how is Mr. Ji's teaching?"

Xie Mo You held a peach blossom in his hand and said, "Quite good"

Set the table, my mother and I will eat first

There is no need to change clothes, nor to redo the hair; therefore, this time, Xie Moru arrived at the Peony Courtyard very quickly

Both Xie Moru and Xie Moyou responded in unison.

"In front of mother, one must behave properly." Xie Bo smiled broadly and asked, "What are we having for dinner? I will eat with you and mother."

Old Madam Zhang wanted to say that it was not yet time for dinner. She also thought that her eldest daughter was still quite young, and it was not uncommon for children to feel hungry. It was hard to say what time was appropriate. Concerned that Xie Moru might go hungry, Old Madam Zhang hurried to the small kitchen to urge the preparation of the meal

Xie Songben was not in a good mood, and upon hearing Xie Moru mention the Fang family, his mood worsened. Even Aunt Ning felt somewhat awkward. Aunt Ning smiled and said, "I will go to the kitchen to take a look; you two, father and daughter, should have a good conversation." She then gracefully left, also thoughtfully taking the servants out of the room.

Mrs. Xie further stated, "I cannot concern myself with other families, but in our household, the members of the Xie family must work together with a united front in order to prosper. You must remember, once the brothers turn against each other and engage in mutual strife, disaster will not be far behind. If there are any unworthy descendants within the Xie clan, regardless of who it may be, I will no longer tolerate them! Do you understand?"

When Xie Moru arrived, Mrs. Xie smiled and said, "Moru has come, please sit down." When people smile out of joy, their eyes often have a slight curve. Mrs. Xie's eyes were just as they had been, thus her smile did not reach her eyes, let alone her heart

Mrs. Xie caused a disturbance for her second son, as he is her beloved younger child, who has just achieved the rank of a successful candidate in the imperial examination and is also quite charming. As a mother, even if her younger son undermines her, she cannot bring herself to scold him; instead, she smiles and says, "You are about to get married, yet you still behave so improperly."