Xiao Qiao, seeing that she truly meant it, didn’t refuse and thanked her with a bow. After washing her hands, she sat at the lower seat and silently accompanied her for a bowl of food. After finishing the meal, rinsing her mouth, and clearing away the dishes, Madam Xu finally asked about Wei Shao’s whereabouts.
Xiao Qiao truly didn’t know where Wei Shao had gone so early in the morning. Although she hadn’t asked, she estimated that even if she had, he probably wouldn’t have told her.
Hearing Madam Xu’s question, she lowered her head with an embarrassed expression and said, “My husband left before dawn. I’m ashamed that I couldn’t learn of his destination.”
She was blaming herself, but the difference between “didn’t know” and “couldn’t learn” was just one word. To others listening, the implications were vastly different.
“Couldn’t learn” implied that she had asked, but her husband hadn’t cooperated and didn’t let her know.
Madam Xu naturally knew that her grandson was neglecting his new wife. In Xindu, he had even openly refused to live with her. Upon hearing this, she immediately frowned and scolded her grandson: “Zhonglin’s neglect of you is clear to me. I spoke to him about it when he came before. Don’t worry, if he mistreats you again in the future and makes you suffer, just come to your grandmother.”
Xiao Qiao hurriedly shook her head: “I haven’t suffered any grievances, and my husband doesn’t neglect me. Before I married, my family repeatedly instructed me that marriage was for the good of both families, and they hoped to resolve any discord with sincerity. My husband may seem cold, but he has a warm heart. If I maintain my initial resolve, given time, things will surely improve.”
Madam Xu’s single eye flickered slightly, falling on Xiao Qiao’s face. She examined her for a moment, and gradually a faint smile appeared on her face: “You’re a sensible child. Your thinking puts my mind at ease.”
Beside her, Old Woman Zhong interjected: “Madam, I was just about to inform you. Before the fifth watch this morning, the young master came to the north room. You hadn’t risen yet, so you didn’t know. The young master went out of the city to inspect the defenses and will return later today.”
Madam Xu nodded and chatted casually with Xiao Qiao for a few more moments. As Xiao Qiao was about to take her leave, she hesitated, then suddenly kowtowed to Madam Xu and pleaded: “Grandmother, there’s a matter I’m uncertain about and would like to seek your guidance.”
Madam Xu told her to speak.
“Shortly after I entered the family, I learned that my mother-in-law intends for my husband to take Zheng Shu as a concubine. I fully support this. Firstly, Zheng Shu has always been close to my mother-in-law, and if she becomes my husband’s concubine, I’ll have more support in the future. Secondly, this is a good thing for the Wei family to expand its lineage. However, this morning before my husband left, he instructed me to go to my mother-in-law and decline this matter on his behalf. I’m in a difficult position. I want to persuade him to comply with his mother’s wishes and take Zheng Shu, but he won’t listen to me. I’m at a loss for how to approach my mother-in-law without disappointing her. I humbly request your guidance, Grandmother.”
Madam Xu’s brows furrowed slightly, and she muttered to herself, “Why are they still entangled with Zheng Shu?” She glanced at Xiao Qiao, who was still kowtowing before her and said to Old Woman Zhong beside her, “Forget it, she doesn’t need to go. You go and convey my message. Tell her to find a good family within a month. If she can’t find one, I’ll marry her to my nephew’s daughter.”
Old Woman Zhong acknowledged the order. Madam Xu’s voice then softened, and she told Xiao Qiao to rise.
Xiao Qiao stood up and thanked Madam Xu again. Madam Xu comforted her with a few words, and Xiao Qiao took her leave.
…
Wei Shao didn’t return until nightfall.
On his way to the west room, he finally remembered the words he had left behind when he went out in the morning.
The impression was still vivid; when he had said those words, Xiao Qiao, who had been lying on the pillow with her eyes half-closed, suddenly opened them wide, her expression changing.
Wei Shao suddenly felt a faint sense of anticipation. He quickly returned to the room, and as soon as he crossed the threshold, he looked up to see Xiao Qiao coming out of the inner chamber to greet him.
These days, as spring deepened, the peach blossoms in the courtyard had begun to bloom, and she had appropriately changed into new, light spring clothes. Today she wore a casual, pale yellow spring robe, her black hair tied in a bundle hanging down her back. Her waist was slender, as fresh as a newly plucked willow branch, exuding a charming, fresh aura.
Perhaps it was because her clothes fit more closely, or perhaps it was an illusion, but Wei Shao glanced at her and felt that her figure seemed to have grown slightly taller than when he first saw her last year. Even her chest…
It seemed to have swelled a bit compared to the end of last year in Xindu.
“Husband, you’re back?” Xiao Qiao asked with a light step and a beaming smile.
Wei Shao withdrew his gaze and gave a faint “Mm” in response. As he changed his clothes, he felt the atmosphere was odd. Looking at her again, he saw her standing at the doorway, instructing the servants to prepare the evening meal. He was about to ask if she had gone to the east room to deliver his message as he had instructed, when a maidservant came to the door, saying that the lady of the east room had sent someone to request the young master’s presence.
Wei Shao glanced at Xiao Qiao. Seeing her turn her head to look at him, he pondered briefly, then told them to delay the meal and left immediately. He arrived at the east room, and as soon as he entered, he saw Madam Zhu with a gloomy face. He went up to greet her, but she ignored him.
“Mother, why are you displeased?” Wei Shao asked.
Madam Zhu looked at him and snorted: “What a good son I’ve raised! It was just a matter of taking your cousin as a concubine, to keep me company, and this is how you show your filial piety? You even sent someone from the north room to humiliate me! If even my son treats me like this, what’s the point of living?”
Wei Shao finally understood.
So Xiao Qiao hadn’t come herself at all but had sought support from his grandmother, passing the matter to her.
No wonder she had been smiling earlier, seeming to be in a good mood, and hadn’t mentioned anything about his mother’s matter at all.
“Mother, please don’t misunderstand. It wasn’t my intention to disobey,” Wei Shao said.
“If this isn’t disobedience, what is? What else would you have to do? Are you trying to drive me to my death?”
Wei Shao quickly knelt before Madam Zhu and kowtowed properly, saying, “No matter how unfilial I am, I would never dare to do such a thing. It’s just that regarding cousin Chuyu, I already have another plan that satisfies both sides.”
Madam Zhu, who had been lowering her head and wiping away tears, was startled upon hearing Wei Shao’s words and looked up at him.
“Mother, please hear me out,” Wei Shao kowtowed again. “You said yesterday that you wanted me to take Chuyu as a concubine, mainly to keep her by your side for companionship. I’m sure this is Chuyu’s wish as well. This isn’t difficult and doesn’t necessarily require me to take her as a concubine. I can find a handsome young man to marry into our family for Chuyu. This way, Chuyu will have her lifelong partner and can still stay by your side. What do you think, Mother?”
Madam Zhu was stunned.
Zheng Chuyu, hidden behind the screen, was shocked. She never imagined Wei Shao would come up with such a solution. Fearing that Madam Zhu might not be able to refuse and would agree, she became anxious. Her body moved slightly, accidentally causing the jade ornaments she was wearing to make a faint clinking sound.
Wei Shao glanced at the screen without changing his expression, and only smiled at the speechless Madam Zhu, saying, “Mother, you know that I’ve always seen Chuyu as a sister, without any improper thoughts. Taking her as a concubine carelessly would be unfair to her and would ruin her future. That’s why I’ve made this arrangement.”
“Zhonglin, this… this might not be appropriate…” Madam Zhu had also heard the sound from behind the screen, knowing it was from Zheng Chuyu. Reminded, she hurriedly objected, “What kind of good man would be willing to marry into our family? I can’t just marry Chuyu off to anyone!”
“Mother, you’re mistaken. In today’s world of constant warfare, there are many orphaned young men in our army, all of them fine, upright fellows. With a cousin’s beauty and character, how could we not find a willing son-in-law? I’ll promote him in the future. How could this be unfair to cousin?”
“Zhonglin…”
“I’ve made up my mind. If Mother can’t bear to let cousin marry out, then we can bring a son-in-law into the Wei family. Mother, please consider it carefully and let me know when you’ve decided. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Wei Shao’s expression became solemn. He kowtowed to the dumbfounded Madam Zhu, then stood up and left.
As soon as Wei Shao left, Zheng Chuyu ran out from behind the screen and immediately fell crying at Madam Zhu’s knees, sobbing, “It seems my fate with Aunt is to end in this life. Very well, I beg Aunt to marry me off. In the future, I will remember Aunt’s kindness and come back to visit often.”
Madam Zhu was both angry and heartbroken. She hugged Zheng Chuyu tightly and said bitterly, “If you’re not by my side, not only will I have to face that one-eyed old hag all day, but now there’s also that Qiao girl. How can I endure such days? Don’t worry, Aunt will think of another way. I’ll make sure Zhonglin can’t refuse!”
“At this point, what other way is there?” Zheng Chuyu raised her face, choking with sobs.
“There is a way. It’s just that it will be hard on you…” Madam Zhu leaned close to Zheng Chuyu’s ear and whispered a few words. Zheng Chuyu’s face immediately turned red with embarrassment, and she shook her head, refusing.
Madam Zhu hugged her and sighed, “Chuyu, Aunt knows this method is somewhat difficult for you. But at this point, it’s the only way left. You heard what Zhonglin said earlier, and the north room has also spoken. If we don’t do this, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep you here anymore.”
Zheng Chuyu bit her lip and lowered her head for a long while. Finally, she gave a faint “Mm,” her voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz: “Chuyu will follow all of Aunt’s arrangements.”