The little one, chased out of the main hall by her aunt, could only play alone in the courtyard.
Aunt coughed and smiled at her nephew, “Well, Ning Yan, I remember you made a few dishes in the kitchen last time. The style and taste were unique. Um, I think, since Miss Wang is the Prime Minister’s daughter and used to fine delicacies, it might be nice for her to try something different occasionally…”
“Oh, I’ll go to the kitchen and teach the cook,” Xu Qi An agreed readily, looking forward to the upcoming show. He was willing to comply with any of his aunt’s requests now.
Meanwhile, after being chased out of the hall, the little one played alone in the courtyard for a while. Finding it boring, she ran to her sister Xu Ling Yue’s room.
As autumn was approaching, Xu Ling Yue was making autumn clothes for her beloved big brother, using the brocade bestowed by Emperor Yuan Jing.
Xu Ling Yue’s needlework was outstanding. The robes she made were more beautiful and delicate than those bought from shops.
Li Miao Zhen came to help, bringing the female ghost Su Su. Of course, the Celestial Sect’s Holy Maiden didn’t know needlework, but when Su Su was alive, she had been a proper young lady from a good family.
Zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as needlework, were all essential skills.
For years, Li Miao Zhen’s clothes, even her undergarments, were made by Su Su with the help of the female ghosts under her command.
Xu Ling Yue glanced at her sister, who had climbed onto the table to get some pastries. While embroidering a pattern, she said softly:
“Ling Yin, would you like to have a sister-in-law?”
“What’s a sister-in-law?” Xu Ling Yin started eating again.
“A sister-in-law is the Second Brother’s wife, who will manage the family’s money in the future,” Xu Ling Yue said gently.
Xu Ling Yin made an “Oh” sound, not yet old enough to understand the importance of financial power. Su Su, on the other hand, sneered:
“Miss Ling Yue, you say that, but can your Second Brother’s meager salary support the Xu family’s expenses? When your mother buys precious flowers and plants, spending dozens of taels of silver at a time, whose money is that?”
Xu Ling Yue pursed her lips and smiled faintly, “It’s Big Brother’s money.”
The Xu family had risen to prominence three times. Once was when the Spirit Dragon went berserk, and Xu Qi An was rewarded for saving Lin An. Another time was when he was granted a title, which came with a large sum of money and good farmland.
During these two rises, Xu Ling Yue purchased several shops – cosmetics, silk, and general goods. These shops were nominally managed by her aunt, but controlled by Xu Ling Yue.
The third rise was from the profits of the chicken essence workshop earlier this year, an unimaginably large sum that directly gave the Xu family a mountain of gold.
If not for the excessive amount of money, Aunt, being such a frugal woman, wouldn’t occasionally splurge on flowers.
Of course, the Xu family’s apparent wealth didn’t include Xu Qi An’s private savings hidden in the Earth Book fragment.
Official silver, gold ingots, and the treasures from Duke Cao’s collection were enough to form a small mountain of treasure.
Su Su snorted twice and argued, “So, even if someone is to manage the family’s money in the future, it should be Xu Ning Yan’s wife.”
A sharp light flashed in Xu Ling Yue’s eyes as she smiled, “Then who does Miss Su Su think would be the most suitable match for my Big Brother among the people you know?”
Su Su skillfully avoided Xu Ling Yue’s deadly question and muttered:
“How would I know? Your Big Brother is a philanderer, willingly spending eight thousand taels to redeem a courtesan from the brothel…”
This struck a nerve with Xu Ling Yue.
Xu Ling Yue, this girl, suspects Su Su of having an affair with her Big Brother. Her intuition is sharp… Su Su is no pushover either, immediately stabbing Xu Ling Yue’s heart with the eight thousand taels… The Celestial Sect’s Holy Maiden sat aside, leisurely eating pastries and watching the show.
After eating pastries in her sister’s room for a while, Xu Ling Yin found the adults’ conversation incomprehensible and boring. So she took the ruler used for cutting fabric and ran out, waving it in the courtyard, giggling as if she were a swordswoman roaming the jianghu.
She played at the main gate of the Xu mansion. Seeing the usually closed middle gate open, Xu Ling Yin threw away the ruler and climbed onto the high threshold, spreading her arms to play balance.
“Miss Ling Yin, go back quickly, go back. Guests are coming soon,” Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, waved his hand.
Standing on the threshold, struggling to maintain balance, Xu Ling Yin tilted her head and asked, “Is it my Second Brother’s wife?”
“…” Old Zhang was speechless and waved his hand again.
Xu Ling Yin tilted her head and fell from the high threshold. She patted her bottom and ran away happily.
…
Meanwhile, the wheels rumbled as Wang Si Mu’s luxurious carriage slowly stopped at the gate of the Xu mansion.
The maid took out a stool from under the carriage to help the young lady alight.
Wang Si Mu glanced at the main gate of the Xu mansion and nodded slightly. Although it was far from matching the imperial-bestowed residence of the Wang family, buying such a large mansion in this prosperous area of the Inner City showed that the Xu family was quite wealthy.
Having managed the Wang family’s finances for years, Wang Si Mu could estimate at a glance that this mansion was worth at least seven thousand taels.
Old Zhang, knowing the honored guest had arrived, hurriedly came forward to welcome her, guiding Wang Si Mu and her maid into the mansion.
Wang Si Mu took a deep breath, adjusted her mindset, and stepped over the threshold…
Suddenly, Wang Si Mu felt something under her foot. Looking down, she saw a ruler.
A ruler symbolizes rules. The Xu family matriarch leaving a ruler at the door was prepared for me, intending to set rules for me… Wang Si Mu’s expression changed slightly.
She thought to herself that this Xu family matriarch seemed quite domineering and difficult to get along with.
Seeing her stop, the maid asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Wang Si Mu said calmly. “A ruler fell here. Pick it up and return it to them.”
It might not be a reprimand but could be a test from the Xu family matriarch. After all, my father is the Prime Minister, and marrying Second Young Master Xu would be marrying down. She might fear I’m arrogant and willful, so she left a ruler as a test.
If I were truly a willful young lady, I would certainly fly into a rage, but I’m not so shallow…
She didn’t plan to confront the Xu family matriarch today. Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle. She was here today to gather intelligence.
Only by understanding the matriarch’s methods and temperament could she decide how to interact in the future. It seemed the matriarch was thinking the same way, both of them testing each other.
Indeed, a formidable opponent.
Old Zhang guided the honored guest inside while sending a servant to notify Miss Ling Yue.
As Wang Si Mu entered the inner courtyard, she saw Xu Ling Yue smiling and coming out to greet her.
The Xu family’s younger sister wore a lotus-colored long dress, her hair in a simple and elegant bun. Her oval face was strikingly beautiful, with strong, three-dimensional features, yet exuding a fragility that made men want to cherish her.
“Elder Sister Wang, since the poetry gathering, I haven’t had the chance to invite you to our home. Today, I finally get to fulfill this wish,” Xu Ling Yue smiled, clear and sweet.
“Speaking of which, I’ve felt terrible about causing you to fall into the water at the poetry gathering,” Wang Si Mu smiled, dignified and gentle.
The two women held each other’s hands, appearing to be loving sisters with a deep bond.
Entering the inner hall, Wang Si Mu finally met the legendary Xu family matriarch. She sat smiling in the main seat, looking at Wang Si Mu with kind eyes.
She was so stunning, with a sharp oval face and exquisitely beautiful features. At first glance, she didn’t look like Xu Ling Yue’s mother at all, but more like an elder sister.
Wang Si Mu was both surprised and unsurprised by the beauty of this Xu family matriarch. Considering the nearby Xu Ling Yue and her beloved Xu Er Lang, she could guess the matriarch’s outstanding beauty.
What surprised her was how well-preserved the matriarch was, showing no signs of being a mother of three children.
“Madam Xu!” Wang Si Mu curtsied gracefully.
“Miss Wang, please don’t stand on ceremony. Please, have a seat,” Aunt smiled with restraint, gesturing for Wang Si Mu to sit.
Of course, she couldn’t appear too enthusiastic. After all, this was her future daughter-in-law, so she needed to maintain her dignity as a mother-in-law.
After taking her seat, Wang Si Mu turned to her maid and smiled gently, “When we entered the mansion earlier, I saw a ruler at the door and had the maid pick it up.”
After the maid placed the ruler on the table.
Aunt was stunned, “Oh, Ling Yue, isn’t this your ruler? How did it end up at the door?”
Xu Ling Yue took a close look and indeed, it was her ruler. She exclaimed, “Oh my, Ling Yin must have left it there. She took my ruler to play with earlier.”
What a formidable tactic, leaving me speechless… Wang Si Mu forced a smile. She couldn’t possibly criticize a child.
Next, Wang Si Mu had her escort bring in gifts. Since they would be dining here, she brought some expensive pastries, as well as some jewelry for Aunt and Ling Yue.
This jewelry was not ordinary. It was made by craftsmen who specialized in creating jewelry for the imperial harem in the Imperial City.
Of course, Wang Si Mu wouldn’t explicitly point out the craftsmen’s identity. That would be too low-class and make her seem shallow and boastful.
She only mentioned that it was made by craftsmen in the Imperial City. What this implied, any well-informed young lady or woman from a noble family would understand.
“Miss Wang is so thoughtful,” Aunt was quite pleased to receive the jewelry.
Seeing this, the Wang family’s legitimate daughter realized her small trick wasn’t enough to impress this matriarch.
…
Outside the hall, Xu Ling Yin found her big brother sitting on a long bench in the corridor, listening intently to something. She scampered over: “Big bro, what are you doing?”
“Big brother is watching… no, listening to a show,” Xu Qi An patted her head.
“I want to listen too,” Xu Ling Yin waved her arms.
Xu Qi An picked up his sister and placed her on his lap.
Xu Ling Yin also pretended to listen attentively.
Is this all the fighting power Miss Wang has? Well, since she hasn’t married yet, being polite and reserved is understandable, but isn’t she being too peaceful?…
From what I know of Miss Wang, she should be a person with strong opinions and very assertive. It’s impossible that she wouldn’t test Aunt’s level…
Why hasn’t she made a move yet? I’m waiting for her to stump Aunt…
…
Inside the hall, Wang Si Mu chatted casually with the Xu family matriarch and Xu Ling Yue, showing no flaws.
After a period of probing, Wang Si Mu was astonished to find that this Xu family matriarch wasn’t as inscrutable as she had imagined.
Wang Si Mu herself was skilled in household politics and had a keen sense for others like her. But with the Xu family matriarch, she couldn’t detect any similar characteristics.
Her personality seemed quite straightforward, seemingly oblivious to Wang Si Mu’s probing as if she didn’t understand scheming at all. Moreover, possibly due to Wang Si Mu’s status as the Prime Minister’s daughter, she was especially polite, as if afraid of not entertaining her well enough.
For instance, when discussing cosmetics, she immediately dropped her elder’s demeanor and chattered away like a young girl.
She even complained about not understanding the account books of the outside shops well, relying on Xu Ling Yue to help manage them, revealing her own shortcomings.
No matter how Wang Si Mu looked at it, she didn’t seem like a woman of sophisticated methods.
Wang Si Mu felt deeply confused.
Later, Aunt suggested that Xu Ling Yue show Wang Si Mu around the mansion.
Unable to gauge the depth of the Xu family matriarch for now, Wang Si Mu also wanted to go out to clear her mind, change her mindset, and look for another opportunity to engage.
The Xu mansion wasn’t as large as the Wang mansion, but it still had three courtyard complexes. Both the inner and outer courtyards had gardens and small ponds, and Aunt was a flower enthusiast.
The flower beds were planted with many precious flowers, plants, and trees.
As a young lady from a top family, Wang Si Mu knew that only truly wealthy families had the leisure and financial resources to cultivate precious flora.
So she raised her estimation of the Xu family’s wealth a few notches.
In the courtyard, the little one was practicing martial arts. Li Na sat on a stone chair, gnawing on a pork knuckle while instructing her disciple.
“That’s my younger sister, Ling Yin,” Xu Ling Yue introduced with a smile.
I’ve only heard Er Lang mention her, but he seems reluctant to say much about this child… Wang Si Mu nodded slightly and asked, “Is Sister Ling Yin learning martial arts?”
“Yes,” Xu Ling Yue sighed. “In our family, only Second Brother is a scholar, but he’s too busy with his studies to teach her. Sending her to school resulted in her being bullied. Mother had no choice, so she simply let her learn martial arts.”
Miss Wang frowned slightly. This wasn’t good. Girls should still study and understand principles. The more educated and cultured they were, the better families they could marry into.
She thought for a moment and said, “If you don’t mind, I could help Sister Ling Yin with her basic education.”
Xu Ling Yue smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Sister Si Mu.”
Wang Si Mu smiled faintly. If she could become Xu Ling Yin’s enlightening teacher, she would surely gain some respect from the Xu family and demonstrate her talents.
Xu Ling Yue added, “In this family, Mother is most troubled by Ling Yin, at her wits’ end with her.”
Xu Ling Yin is the Xu family matriarch’s weakness… Wang Si Mu quickly extracted this key information.
Since the Xu family matriarch is unfathomable, I’ll understand the enemy’s situation through the Xu family members.
At this moment, she heard Li Na scolding her disciple: “You’re so stupid, you can’t even learn a few sets of martial arts forms properly. When will you be able to lift the stone table?”
Lift the stone table? Such a small child is expected to lift a stone table?
Then, she saw Li Na “pinch” up the stone table with two fingers, effortlessly.
“…”
Wang Si Mu managed a forced smile: “That young lady is…”
“Oh, her name is Li Na, a girl from the Gu tribe in the Southern Borderlands. She’s staying at our mansion temporarily, teaching Ling Yin martial arts,” Xu Ling Yue explained.
“She seems to be a strict teacher with real skills,” Wang Si Mu commented.
As the two turned a corner, they saw Xu Qi An and Zhong Li sitting on the eaves, basking in the sun and whispering to each other.
Wang Si Mu’s heart stirred, and she probed, “I hear Constable Xu lost his parents early. Madam Xu must have racked her brains and gone to great lengths to nurture him.”
“Indeed,” Xu Ling Yue sighed lightly and said, “When he was young, Father insisted on having Big Brother learn martial arts, but Mother disagreed, wanting him to study like Second Brother. They contended over this for many years.”
Impressive!! Wang Si Mu marveled inwardly.
Everyone in Great Zhou knew Xu Ning Yan was a scholarly prodigy. Even her father, Wang Zhen Wen, had lamented, “If only this child were a scholar.”
But because the Xu family’s Second Uncle insisted on having Xu Qi An learn martial arts, a brilliant scholarly talent was wasted.
Unexpectedly, the Xu family matriarch had recognized his talent many years ago.
Xu Ling Yue continued, “In his youth, Big Brother didn’t get along well with Mother. They often argued, and in a fit of anger, he moved out of the mansion to live in a small courtyard next door for five years. It wasn’t until we moved to the Inner City that the family lived together again.”
What?!
Even Xu Qi An couldn’t overcome the Xu family matriarch.
Even that Constable Xu who berated the ministers at the palace gates, beheaded a duke at the vegetable market, and was known for his unruly nature, was forced by the Xu family matriarch to move out of the Xu mansion in his youth…
Wang Si Mu suddenly realized that everything before had been a facade. The so-called straightforwardness, the apparent lack of skill in scheming – everything she had seen earlier was deliberately shown to her by the Xu family matriarch.
Wang Si Mu’s breathing suddenly quickened, and her face became more serious than ever before.