Chapter Eight, The Three Old Ladies

If the Fang family does not perish, then she is a concubine, she is a concubine

Aunt Ning believes that she does not care, yet if she truly did not care, why would a single lark cause her to lose her composure to such an extent

Old Madam Zhang wished to hang herself, repeatedly stating, "The double bun hairstyle is too ordinary"

Mrs. Xie harbored dissatisfaction towards Concubine Ning, yet she never considered that the tail wags the dog. Concubine Ning came from a respectable background and had received a proper education befitting a refined young lady in her youth. However, precisely because of this, her long-standing position as a concubine instilled in her an extraordinary desire for the status of the legitimate wife. This desire compelled her to constantly pay attention to the position occupied by the main wife in the Cuckoo Courtyard. Even though the Fang family had already fallen from grace, as long as the Fang family was not extinguished, she could never claim her position with legitimacy. Concubine Ning believed she was fully prepared to assume the role of the legitimate wife: the return of her maternal family to the court, her husband's affection, her children, her virtuous reputation, and the decline of the Fang family.

Xie Moru said, "I go to school with my second younger sister"

Xie Moru, "There isn't that much hair."

Nurse Zhang brought a thin quilt over to drape over Xie Moru, murmuring, "Even though it is warm at noon, there is still a bit of wind."

The Songbai Courtyard is very lively

Minister Xie stroked his beard and asked with a smile, "What have you all learned?"

Over the years, she has given birth to children for the Xie family, serving cautiously by Madam Xie's side, afraid to make even the slightest mistake. She was merely drawing attention to the Dujuan Courtyard, so what does Madam Xie mean by this

Finally, take a silver incense ball for Xie Moru to carry with her, Zhang Momo said, "The young lady does not like incense, so I have put some rose water inside, it smells very nice, just keep it in your sleeve."

"Mo Rulai has arrived," Xie Baiyi joked with a smile, "In the past, you were always the earliest. Have you taken too long to get ready?"

Seeing that it was getting late, Granny Zhang took the maidservants and went to the Songbai Courtyard to attend to Xie Moru

Xie Moru sat back in his chair without saying a word, while Mrs. Xie smiled, "The children have all grown up; it is time for them to see the world."

This obsession caused Aunt Ning to constantly pay attention to the Cuckoo Courtyard, day and night, even though deep down she told herself that all she needed to do was wait, just wait patiently. To take a step back, even if the Fang family does not perish, what difference does it make? The Fang family has no sons, and sooner or later, this Xie family will belong to her son.

Mrs. Xie smiled and said, "Alright, please take a seat."

Xie Bo smiled and praised, "This outfit looks very good today"

Aunt Ning smiled and said, "Madam, let the maids go to the inner room to talk; in front of the elders, they might feel uncomfortable."

Aunt Ning quickly replied, "I cannot afford to take such words from the Third Old Lady; please do not jest with me, esteemed elder."

Aunt Ning did not know whether Mrs. Xie had specifically instructed her to hear this, but even if Mrs. Xie had done so intentionally, what could Aunt Ning do? She could only pretend to be unaware.

Xie Moru and several others all stood up and responded with their hands down

Minister Xie slightly nodded his head upon hearing the housekeeper's wife come in to report that the third master of the Chess Piece Alley had arrived. Minister Xie did not inquire further, stood up with his two sons, and said to Madam Xie, "We will go ahead first"

Aunt Ning would not think of such things; even if she did, she would not admit how much she cared about the Dujun Courtyard. She only needed to prepare herself mentally and serve beside Madam Xie the next day. She is young enough, she has a son, she can afford to wait, and she will certainly be able to wait until the day she takes charge of the Xie family

Aunt Ning felt somewhat reassured and smiled, saying, "Yes, let someone go to Huazhang Hall and the clan school to inform them that the children will have a day off tomorrow."

The two responded softly

Alright. Tomorrow there will be many social engagements, and there are also many matters to attend to, so you may go. Mrs. Xie instructed the maid Su Lan, "Go to the Dujuan Courtyard and inform them that tomorrow morning, after Mo Ru has had breakfast, she should come over."

Only then did Granny Zhang relent. When she wanted to apply rouge on Xie Moru, Xie Moru refused again. Her complexion was good, and she was still young, so there was no need for makeup. Granny Zhang scrutinized Xie Moru from head to toe; aside from the fact that she wore too few accessories and refused to use rouge, the eldest daughter of her family was indeed outstanding. Truly, in Granny Zhang's view, a young lady from a prominent family should be as composed and dignified as her eldest daughter.

The Four Books for Women

Old Madam Zhang smiled cheerfully, as her eldest daughter became more outstanding day by day, evident to anyone in the family with discerning eyes. While attending to Xie Moru as she changed into her everyday clothes, Old Madam Zhang remarked, "I have prepared all the clothing and jewelry for the eldest daughter."

Although Aunt Ning felt that she was already worthy of the position of Xie Song's legitimate wife, the Third Old Lady's words were truly lacking in propriety, making light of her status in a way that was quite unpleasant. She hurriedly sought an excuse to go out and attend to her duties

Madam Xie did not mention anything further about the lark, and Aunt Ning became increasingly respectful, listening to Madam Xie instructing about the banquet to be held tomorrow. The invitations had already been sent out. Today marks the day when the newly appointed Jinshi rides through the streets, and in the evening, there will be a royal banquet at Qionglin, hence the feast is scheduled for tomorrow

Xie Mo You stood up and responded, leading her group of sisters away. Xie Mo Ru leisurely followed behind her, her relaxed and carefree demeanor causing the three elderly ladies to turn green with envy. They complained about Madam Xie and Concubine Ning, saying, "You two, as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, are both so hopelessly kind-hearted."

Xie Moru is not the kind of person who cannot stand others doing well, nor does she possess a vengeful nature that wishes for others to suffer if she cannot. She simply finds the state of the Xie family, which is both exclusionary and yet must be accepted, quite interesting

If Xie Moru were to judge the Lark incident, she would certainly not ponder endlessly like Aunt Ning, thinking this and that, ultimately making herself look foolish. It is truly not worth the loss; after all, it is just a bird.

Su Lan presented a cup of tea, which Xie Moru accepted, slowly taking a sip before placing it on the table beside her. That kind of composure and tranquility, even when Xie Moru adjusted her expression to show a hint of joy, seemed still somewhat out of place in the atmosphere of the room

Mrs. Xie accompanied her grandchildren to the door, just in time to welcome in the three elderly ladies. The three elderly ladies praised Xie Bai profusely. Seeing that a large group of daughters-in-law, maids, and old women were following behind the three elderly ladies, the Minister Xie smiled and said, "Aunt San, please take a seat in the house. I will take the children to pay respects to Uncle San." He then took his two sons to the front courtyard.

Mrs. Xie smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll take you and your sisters to the small flower hall to have some fun. There are many young ladies here today, so don't neglect them."

Madam Xie is the head of the household, and her evaluation of Concubine Ning is not excessive. In Madam Xie's view, the Xie family has treated Concubine Ning quite well; all the sons of the primary branch were born to her, and aside from the eldest son, there are no other concubines. Currently, Concubine Ning is in the Xie family, merely lacking the title of the legitimate wife. Regarding the matters of the Cuckoo Courtyard, Madam Xie had already warned that Concubine Ning must not interfere, yet Concubine Ning still gazes covetously. Does she intend to target the Fang family? If she dares to make a move, it would be a small matter of ruining herself, but a significant matter of implicating the Xie family!

Xie Moru smiled faintly, greeted the elders, and exchanged pleasantries with her younger siblings. She then took a seat beside Mrs. Xie, while Xie Moyou sat with his younger brother below her. Mrs. Xie said to the children, "There are many guests coming today, so you must show the grandeur of our Xie family and properly entertain the little friends who are visiting."

Xie Moru lacks a sense of humor and seriously said, "It's still the same time to leave." No one told her to come over earlier

Old Madam Zhang's enthusiasm for the Xie family's banquet was a hundred times that of Xie Moru. Not only did she prepare new dresses for Xie Moru, but she also took out all the amethyst jewelry that Madam Xie had gifted last time. She even spent half the night deciding what kind of hairstyle Xie Moru should have. Who would have thought that she would encounter such a stubborn young lady? Xie Moru said, "A double bun will suffice"

Aunt Ning felt that she was composed and unflappable, just as she had taught Xie Mo You: there is no need to care, there is absolutely no need to care about the Cuckoo Courtyard. To care is to elevate her... Truly, there is no need to care

The three fathers and sons of the Xie family, Mrs. Xie, Aunt Ning, Xie Moyou, Xie Zhi, Xie Lan, and Xie Yu were all present, engaging in cheerful conversation. However, as soon as Xie Moru arrived, the joyful and harmonious atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold, and Xie Moru felt a deep sense of pride in having such power.

Oh, what did the Four Books for Women say

Mrs. Xie is actually not very significant; she is merely warning Aunt Ning not to overreach. Furthermore, Mrs. Xie is somewhat disappointed in Aunt Ning, as she used to be someone who did not exhibit such pettiness. How is it that she has become increasingly unrefined, reacting with such alarm and fuss, losing all semblance of dignity?

Xie Moru insisted on the "double bun hairstyle"

Xie Moru brought her younger siblings to pay respects to the Third Old Lady. Xie Moru was undoubtedly the first person on the Third Old Lady's list of dislikes. As soon as the old lady saw Xie Moru, she frowned deeply and asked Mrs. Xie, "Why is she here as well?"

The principles of being a person

The three elderly ladies smiled gently, "How could I not be worthy? I believe I am indeed worthy."

Xie Moru took a step back, "with her hair in a hanging bun"

Xie Moru heard from Granny Zhang about the banquet at home tomorrow when she returned to Dujun Courtyard after school at noon. She nodded, as Xie Baizhong had achieved the rank of the third place in the imperial examination, and it was customary for the family to host guests. It was about time for such an event to take place.

Fortunately, she possesses a remarkable ability to ignore, regardless of how out of place things may seem, she simply acts as if she has not seen them. Thus, Xie Moru maintains a faintly joyful expression, observing the lack of joy in the room, and in her heart, she truly feels delighted.

Certainly, Xie Moru would not understand the sorrow in Aunt Ning's heart. Clearly, they were childhood sweethearts, well-matched in social status, and shared an innocent bond, yet when the family fortune collapsed overnight, she could only become a concubine. Who could comprehend her suffering! Even if her father were to clear his name in the future and restore his position, Xie Song already has a legitimate wife, and as long as the Fang family exists, she can only be a concubine, only a concubine!

Minister Xie recalled the words spoken to him by his youngest son, carefully scrutinizing Xie Moru, and noticed that not a single eyebrow of Xie Moru had moved. He glanced at him and could not help but ask, "Moru, what have you been doing these days?"

But why is Fang unwilling to die?

Xie Moru said, "The wisteria has bloomed, let us make wisteria porridge tonight"

The third old lady pursed her lips, accepted the tea offered by Su Lan, took a sip, and said, "When we speak among ourselves, I must say, you are just too kind-hearted." Mrs. Xie said nothing, and out of consideration, the old lady refrained from saying anything further. However, the large group of women who entered with the third old lady followed her lead, completely ignoring Xie Moru. Only three or four young girls spoke with Xie Moxiu. Xie Moru casually picked an orange from the fruit plate beside her and slowly peeled the skin off the orange. The large group of women who entered with the third old lady followed her lead, completely ignoring Xie Moru. Only three or four young girls spoke with Xie Moxiu. Xie Moru casually picked an orange from the fruit plate beside her and slowly peeled the skin off the orange.

After changing into her clothes, Xie Moru had a meal with her mother, returned to tease the lark in the cage, instructed the maid to set up a bamboo couch in the corridor, picked a book from the bookshelf, and then nestled on the couch to read.

Mrs. Xie said, "Do not worry about getting older; it is time to learn how to interact with others. Tomorrow, there will surely be many ladies and young girls visiting. The young girls should be encouraged to converse and joke around with you. Arrange for a few mature maids and wives to attend to them. The boys can be entertained and engaged in conversation by brothers A-Zhi and A-Lan."

The three old ladies laughed, "Bai Er is the thoroughbred of our Xie family; I am not praising him, I am merely stating the truth"

After Xie Moru was dressed up, Jingwei and Zitong also changed into clean maidservant dresses, adorning their heads with one or two silk flower ornaments. Granny Zhang reminded them, "You must serve the young lady well"

Old Madam Zhang hurriedly said, "The tall bun is still more elegant, and it is also convenient for wearing accessories, isn't it"

The three old ladies praised Xie Bo, saying that he is someone extraordinary, beyond this world. Mrs. Xie helped the three old ladies into the house and smiled, "He still has a lot of room for improvement, so Aunt San, please don't keep praising him so much."

Old Madam Zhang smiled, "I have prepared a false bun in advance. With a little bit of a false bun, it won't be very noticeable from the outside, and my hair will be easier to comb."

Old Madam Zhang was indeed responsive to all matters

This is beyond the capabilities of Xie Moru