Feigning illness became real illness. In this stupor of sleep, Yu Cailing began to dream, dreaming of the neighbor brother from the same town—just like the phoenix tree in Grandmother’s courtyard, handsome and tall. Her small self stood beside him looking up, heart full of admiration.
Since childhood she had one obsession: why was it that, both being unions of native men and sent-down educated youth women, other couples could love each other devotedly? Even after Reform and Opening Up when they became wealthy, their style of showing off was to follow the wife in reading more books, donating a public library to the town or setting up a scholarship for the elementary school and such, rather than like her own father going to prosper the custom industry.
When young, Yu Cailing often propped herself against the wall top to watch this happy family of three, both envious and jealous. When she grew a bit older she began acting infatuated toward their son, only to wait until he came home with his girlfriend, pointing at her and laughingly saying “…this is my neighbor’s little sister”—alas, more tragic than being dealt the good person card was being dealt the older brother card or younger sister card.
Speaking of which, back then in the department drama club, the salted fish club president secretly harbored intentions toward her. If not for always thinking of her childhood him, Yu Cailing wouldn’t have reached death without properly experiencing romance even once—what a huge loss.
Wallowing in past events for who knows how long, half-conscious and half-awake, Yu Cailing’s limbs were weak and unable to move. She only felt someone supporting her to sit up, feeding her mouthful after mouthful of cool and spicy soup. After eating just a few mouthfuls, Yu Cailing felt her head clearing somewhat. She tried to open her eyes—like a tightly closed box being forcibly pried open a crack, one could almost hear the box hinges creaking with difficulty.
“Awake, awake!”
Yu Cailing recognized this as the ‘good paternal aunt’ Ge Shi’s voice, both delighted and relieved.
“The palace attending physician is indeed formidable. Just a few doses of medicine and it’s already effective! Congratulations to Mother-in-law, congratulations to Brother-in-law, congratulations to Sister-in-law…”
Before Ge Shi could eagerly continue, only an old woman’s voice with strange yin-yang tones said: “Don’t be so single-mindedly enthusiastic. Others might think we did something to their daughter. Ten years of not caring or minding, we raised her with handful of shit and handful of urine. Even without merit there’s hard labor. What small child doesn’t get sick? Just a few days of fever and there’s chicken-flying dog-jumping crying and shoving. If so worried, might as well raise her yourselves.”
Yu Cailing opened her eyes with difficulty. She saw the room was messily filled with over ten kneeling servants and maids in servant dress. Following the earlier voice, she saw a plump and tall old woman surrounded by a crowd of servants, sitting upright on a lacquered and oiled shiny sandalwood barbarian bed. She wore a dark purple straight-collar long robe with quite a few gold thread patterns vaguely embroidered on it. Around her waist was loosely tied a four or five finger-wide jade belt. On her head was only a round bun at the back of her head and one long hairpin. Looking carefully, that long hairpin was actually solid gold throughout, thick as a firewood stick. Looking again at her earlobes, strung with such a large golden earring it nearly dragged the ears down. Under the candlelight at night, it looked especially bright and shiny.
Yu Cailing looked with burning anger, thinking in her heart: Are you running a gold shop? Why not insert two gold chopsticks in your nostrils to play at being an elephant with gold-inlaid tusks?!
This old woman’s face was pulled very long, her gaze disdainful, as if constantly dissatisfied. Beside her knelt Ge Shi and three to five servants, some holding lacquer trays, some managing hand warmers—very grand airs. Only Ge Shi on one side had both hands empty, anxiously looking toward Yu Cailing’s side.
Only then did Yu Cailing discover that beside her bed couch sat a middle-aged couple. The man was tall and sturdy. Because his face bore a big beard, his features couldn’t be seen clearly. He wore a red wadded robe inside, outside draped with a dark purple great robe, baring his right arm. Both wrists were buckled with a pair of dark gold and heavy iron wrist guards—a military general’s attire.
This man had clearly removed armor and helmet, yet invisibly exuded an aura of having fought and killed in seas of blood. He was gazing tightly at Yu Cailing, his eyes revealing a look of concern. That woman kept her head lowered without speaking. One didn’t know what she looked like, only feeling her figure was graceful, tall and slender, with protruding front and back curves.
Hearing that old woman’s words, the woman who had been kneeling beside the softly weeping woman supporting her suddenly straightened her body. She wore a green deep robe and was born with clear brows and beautiful eyes. Though middle-aged, her voice was very crisp: “What the old mistress says is truly laughable, as if Fourth Young Lady was left at home because our mistress was unwilling to raise her. This concubine dare not overstep, but also knows that originally leaving Fourth Young Lady behind was to show filial piety to you, old mistress. If not for that shaman’s divination signs, would our mistress be willing to abandon a three-year-old child?”
Yu Cailing immediately understood who this old woman and that woman were. While quickly looking around in all directions, she discovered this was no longer the room where the ‘good paternal aunt’ had originally placed her. The dwelling was somewhat small, the decoration also quite simple. Still the oil-shiny wood lacquer flooring, but covered with thick variegated fur carpets. The warming brazier baked the inside warmly. Everyone wore thick socks.
On the floor were placed several low small square platforms, somewhat like those footed chess boards in “Hikaru no Go,” topped with velvet fur cushion pads. Some people knelt sitting on top—probably serving the purpose of stools. However, more people knelt sitting directly on the shiny floor.
“A’Qing, don’t speak recklessly.” The softly weeping Madam Xiao raised her head, hurriedly reproaching, then said to Mother Cheng: “Mother-in-law, please forgive. A’Qing just has this temperament. She feels heartache for Fourth Young Lady.”
But Mother Cheng refused to let it go, greatly angered: “Base servant, how dare you be presumptuous! Someone come, beat with rods…”
Before the words were finished, who knew that military general would coldly interrupt: “Presumptuous what? Did A’Qing speak wrongly? Originally leaving Niaoniao behind was to show filial piety. Now it’s said as if we couple were unwilling to raise her, instead being unfilial and troubling Mother. Showing filial piety to Mother is proper, but words should also be spoken directly.”
“Shi’er, you…!” Mother Cheng most couldn’t stand hearing these four words “we couple.” Both shocked and angry, she thought that though this eldest son had always listened to his wife more than his old mother, openly talking back like this was rare.
Yu Cailing felt dizzy and seeing stars. She only focused on one key point—she was called “Niaoniao” (Little Bird)?! Clearly a girl yet called “Little Bird”—could it be supplementing what’s lacking?
A’Qing turned her head. Seeing Yu Cailing’s gaze dull and expression dispirited, she said gently: “Is Fourth Young Lady’s spirit somewhat better? So many years without seeing Father and Mother—at least first perform a courtesy.” While speaking, she gestured to the two maidservants beside Yu Cailing.
Yu Cailing had seen Fu Deng perform courtesy to Zhu and Fu Yi, but didn’t know if here it was different, so she weakly raised both arms in a crooked swaying manner. The two maidservants were very clever, immediately coming forward to lightly support Yu Cailing’s arms and body as she half-knelt on the couch, pressing her right hand over her left, sleeving down to cover her arms, raising hands to forehead, bowing down onto the couch. A maidservant whispered in Yu Cailing’s ear “Young mistress greet Father and Mother’s well-being.” Yu Cailing acted according to the words, then was helped up, then raised her hands to eyebrow level, finally lowering her arms—only then was the courtesy complete.
Madam Xiao was looking straight at her daughter, expression somewhat complex, only saying: “Good.”
Only then did Yu Cailing clearly see Madam Xiao’s appearance and couldn’t help but secretly exclaim “Good!” Coming to this era for so long, she hadn’t seen several proper women—if not buck teeth then protruding eyes, if not tiger back bear waist then thin bamboo pole. She didn’t expect Madam Xiao was born this fair and beautiful, even prettier than those little vixens around Father Yu—she immediately anticipated her own appearance.
Possibly because rising was somewhat fast, Yu Cailing again felt dizzy and seeing stars, leaning on the maidservant’s shoulder in a half-unconscious appearance—this appearance was half real, half acted out.
Seeing his daughter thin and small, just now speaking in a childish and pitiful voice, tearstains still on her face from sleeping, leaning on the maidservant’s body an even smaller ball as thin as a paper doll, face only half the size of his own palm—thinking that thirteen-year-old young ladies in ordinary farming families would already marry, yet his own daughter had this pitiful weak appearance—Cheng Shi immediately felt heartache and loudly said: “I guard and kill enemies outside. In such difficult circumstances, my wife could still look after retainers and raise children. The three sons in front and the youngest born later are all perfectly fine. Only Niaoniao in this happy residence in the capital could be raised like this! Can we not even ask one question?”
After these words, as the actual person responsible for raising the child, Ge Shi’s face paled. Cheng Shi was clearly blaming her.
Actually Cheng Shi truly wronged her. Aside from this urgent illness which was indeed her own negligence, other days she supplied with good soup and good meals. After all, Old Madam Wan lived right next door, from time to time coming over with strange yin-yang tones saying “Poor this child without parents at her side—if you can’t raise her well, might as well send her back to Colonel Cheng’s side”—Mother Cheng was old, lazy and indifferent. As long as Fourth Young Lady was kept, she managed nothing else. If she wanted to vent anger, she also didn’t dare find excessively sinister methods.
Only infuriating was this girl born with a frail delicate appearance. No matter how much chicken, duck, fish, and meat she ate, it was all wasted. Combined with being born with a young face and small bones—looking three when five, looking seven when ten—at thirteen still looking like she hadn’t eaten enough, an appearance of famine. Others seeing her only thought the paternal aunt was harsh. But these ten years, aside from deliberately indulging and pampering her, from time to time manipulating and scolding, she really couldn’t devise any other tricks.
Over there, Mother Cheng, having been sharply retorted by her son, immediately became angry. She promptly beat her chest and loudly wailed: “…Truly when people grow old, they become detested. So many years not returning, as soon as you return you only remember the young one. Whether your own birth mother is good or bad, you don’t ask one sentence. These days I’ve also been quite ill…” While speaking she hurriedly dry-coughed several times to demonstrate authenticity, continuing to cry: “Back when your father passed away, what did you say? That you’d be filial to me. Now not angering me to death counts as good!”
While crying and beating the barbarian bed still wasn’t enough. She straightened her body at once, eyes red, howling like a wild boar: “If you’re still not satisfied, I might as well die to accompany Fourth Young Lady with my life!”
Mother Cheng was originally from countryside farming woman origins, combined with her large stature. Once she erupted like this, the entire room immediately seemed to shake. Li Zhui on the side saw the opportunity and secretly pushed Ge Shi. Ge Shi hurriedly came forward: “Mother-in-law, don’t be sad. Brother-in-law is someone who holds great office. Doesn’t our current Emperor most emphasize filial piety? How could Brother-in-law be unfilial!”
Cheng Shi couldn’t lose his temper at his old mother, so he turned his head toward Ge Shi: “Several years ago when Mother’s health improved, I sent someone to fetch Niaoniao. At that time how did sister-in-law say it in the message slip? Said Niaoniao was extremely good at home, good everywhere, fearing going outside would instead be improper!”
Yu Cailing was greatly delighted in her heart—excellent, excellent! This Father Cheng had completely no gentlemanly demeanor, confronting women without any pressure.
Ge Shi was frightened by this bell-like loud rebuke and hurriedly shrank to one side. Seeing this, Mother Cheng shrilly said: “You needn’t take roundabout ways to scold me. It was I who wouldn’t let Fourth Young Lady go! The shaman said, though I recovered then, who knew whether I’d have some mishap if Fourth Young Lady left?” Ge Shi’s words also reminded her. She hurriedly added: “Filial great officials outside—for parents’ illness recovering, some even cut blood and flesh. One girl falls ill and you’re anxious and angry!”
Looking at Madam Xiao kneeling respectfully with lowered head on the side, she sneered viciously: “Otherwise, when you go out this time, leave Young Master to me. Anyway they’re dragon-phoenix twins—leaving which one is the same. If not… hmph, you’re my son, I can’t bear to part with you. But your good daughter-in-law—I must go accuse her of being unfilial!”
Cheng Shi said urgently: “What does this have to do with her?! Mother, why must you always find fault with her!”
Madam Xiao kept her head lowered throughout, but Yu Cailing was sharp-eyed. From this angle looking over, she clearly saw the corner of her mouth reveal a mocking smile. But when she raised her head, it was again a whole demeanor of sorrowful respect.
She bowed long and deeply toward Mother Cheng, prostrating her head, saying mournfully: “Mother-in-law, don’t be angry. Who knows a son better than his mother? What kind of temperament the master has—doesn’t Mother-in-law know? These years outside, the master has always regretted not being able to personally serve at your knee. What he thinks well in his heart, he may not necessarily say with his mouth.”
Mother Cheng looked at her mockingly: “How could I have your ability? Just now didn’t Shi’er say—how capable you are, looking after retainers and children all well and good. But I can’t even take care of one small child. In earlier years, Shi’er discussed everything with me. But since you entered the door, whether big or small, inside or outside—whenever you open your mouth, Shi’er is ‘yes yes yes, right right right.’ Does Shi’er still regard me as his mother?!”
Hearing this sour and resentful complaint, though Yu Cailing’s neck didn’t dare move, in her heart she shook her head greatly. The old mother feels strong and vigorous wanting to delay retirement, but you son and daughter-in-law won’t let her continue contributing light and heat—serves you right being confronted.
Cheng Shi said with a headache: “The sage said, there are disciples to bear the labor. The daughter-in-law is also for the sake of showing filial piety to Mother that she manages household affairs, so Mother can enjoy blessings…”
These words were better left unsaid. Once said, Mother Cheng became even angrier: “Sage my ass! Enjoying more blessings I should enter the earth! Those noble madams outside only praise you as virtuous, but look down on me this old woman. Ordinarily they won’t even associate. General Wan’s mother lives right next door, but these years she and I can’t speak three sentences. Whenever we meet, if not praising your daughter-in-law for not easily supporting husband and teaching children at the front, it’s inquiring whether Fourth Young Lady is well—as if she and her paternal aunt want to eat her! This time how much reward did you receive outside, how much did you capture—you don’t say, no one comes to leak wind. I’m just a blind old woman!”
Such a long speech—Yu Cailing only agreed with the first sentence, plus the last two characters whose meaning she didn’t know.
Madam Xiao repeatedly prostrated and bowed, apologizing: “Making Mother-in-law unhappy is my fault. It’s late—you should quickly go back to rest.”
Mother Cheng ignored her daughter-in-law, only looking at her son Cheng Shi and sneering coldly: “I’ll rest in the coffin—only then will you be satisfied. I don’t care. This time you’ve returned, you must get your maternal uncle advanced several hundred shi in official rank. He’s also worked hard all these years. Also, produce another twenty thousand coins for your maternal aunt. The Dong family is taking a wife.”
Cheng Shi couldn’t bear it anymore: “I already know—that’s not taking a wife, it’s taking concubines and accumulating maids! My brother-in-law is several years younger than me. How many is this already? It’s not like there are no heirs. Still wanting this much money…”
Mother Cheng looked at Madam Xiao prostrated on the ground, raised her head toward her son, once again with strange yin-yang tones: “These years how much money did you spend on Xiao Feng for studying and marrying a wife—didn’t bat an eye. Your wife’s brothers are brothers, but your mother’s brothers are outsiders! Moreover, seeking many maid-concubines to serve husband and parents-in-law is daughter-in-law An’er being virtuous, unlike others… hmph, if you’re truly filial, you should also take several more to serve me.”
Cheng Shi deeply felt his mother was being unreasonable and troublesome, saying in extreme anger: “Studying and marrying a wife is proper principle, but taking maid-concubines…”
Madam Xiao suddenly turned around, gently interrupting her husband: “Master, say no more. Just do as Mother-in-law says.” She faced away from Mother Cheng, Ge Shi, and the crowd of servants. Facing her husband, her eyes slightly flickered, seeming to signal something. Those behind like Mother Cheng couldn’t see her facial expression, but Yu Cailing saw it clearly.
Cheng Shi closed his eyes, helplessly clasping hands: “What Mother says is right. It’s late—Mother should settle down.”
Seeing son and daughter-in-law both submit, Mother Cheng contentedly rose to leave. Behind her followed seven or eight servants, swaying head and tail, exactly like the Turtle Minister from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace. Ge Shi hurriedly followed, secretly delighted in her heart that she finally passed the hurdle of Fourth Young Lady’s illness. Seems Madam Xiao still feared Mother-in-law and dared not inquire too much. She herself had been panic-stricken these past days for nothing—even the backup excuse wasn’t used. Before going out she smugly glanced at her confidant Li Zhui, as if saying: See, safe and sound.
Li Zhui naturally played along, hurriedly coming forward to help support, but felt strange in her heart. Ten years ago this kind of mother-in-law daughter-in-law battle frequently occurred, mostly ending with Madam Xiao lowering her head to apologize. When the quarrel was severe, Cheng Shi would mutually reproach with his own old mother, ending unhappily.
But today though Madam Xiao also repeatedly apologized, her attitude wasn’t very anxious, even carrying some perfunctory meaning. And Cheng Shi was even stranger—ordinarily in such circumstances he would quarrel several more sentences. Today it ended so easily, not even urgently helping Madam Xiao up from kneeling on the ground. Thinking such thoughts, Li Zhui didn’t dare speak much. She deeply knew Mother Cheng might not like her own mistress much—merely hated Madam Xiao too much and used Ge Shi as a raft to deal with her.
Watching Mother Cheng’s and Ge Shi’s two groups flow like water out of the room, the smile on Madam Xiao’s face disappeared. She turned her head around, quietly looking at Cheng Shi. Not uttering a word. Cheng Shi sighed and sat on the barbarian bed where Mother Cheng had sat earlier, turning his head to look at his daughter who had fallen asleep again leaning on the maidservant, and sighed again.
A’Qing rose, calling those two maidservants to serve Yu Cailing in lying down. Carefully touching her forehead, she personally lowered the heavy brocade hanging curtains on the bed railings, then silently used hand gestures to direct the remaining maidservants to exit one by one, closing the room door.
In such an isolated space, Yu Cailing lay on her side facing inward, striving to regulate her breathing and continue feigning sleep, clenching fists and closing eyes, palms sweating, not knowing what this couple would say privately—she was now extremely curious about this body’s parents.
Actually Madam Xiao was cautious by nature. If not for Ge Shi not having time to prepare, hastily only clearing out several rooms for Cheng Shi’s group of people, and Madam Xiao refusing to put her daughter back with Ge Shi, she absolutely wouldn’t have stayed to speak in her daughter’s room.
Not long after, A’Qing entered from a door in the inner room, leading in a woman. That woman performed courtesy and salutation. Yu Cailing immediately recognized—the arrival was actually A’Zhu!
“A’Zhu, rise.” Madam Xiao personally came forward to help. “These years, it’s been hard on you, only able to reunite sporadically with A’Yi.”
A’Zhu looked at Madam Xiao with tears, crying: “Mistress hasn’t changed a bit. The master is even more imposing than before.”
Since entering until now, Cheng Shi showed a smile for the first time, touching his big beard, turning his head toward his wife: “A’Zhu is still the same. Either not speaking, or once speaking, speaking complete truth.”
At these words, from the feigning-sleep Yu Cailing to the composed Madam Xiao, all twitched the corners of their mouths. A’Qing covered her sleeve and smiled lightly.
After several exchanges of pleasantries, Madam Xiao sat properly and seriously: “You speak and let’s hear.”
A’Zhu solemnly clasped hands in salute: “Back then I followed Mistress’s intention staying at our family manor. For several years there was no movement. I only vaguely heard about the young mistress’s unruly reputation. Last month, hearing the young mistress quarreled with someone at the plum-viewing banquet—don’t know if true or false—she was punished by Ge Shi to the garden to reflect. The one ordered to look after the young mistress was Li Zhui’s collateral cousin aunt, most fond of wine and muddled—that kind of old woman. In such water-freezing-to-ice days, she just threw the young mistress alone into a long-abandoned cold damp brick room. No hot soup or hot meals. Within a few days the young mistress fell ill. When I rushed to bribe Li Zhui to go serve, the young mistress had already burned with fever for many days…”
Cheng Shi was greatly angered. With one palm he struck the armrest of the barbarian bed. Only hearing that carved railing crack in response, he said: “This woman is extremely detestable. Properly should have Second Brother divorce her!”
A’Zhu hurriedly bowed: “It’s all this servant’s fault.”
Madam Xiao waved her hand blandly: “Not related to you. The one ordered to await at that manor wasn’t you. That you could rush there timely is very good.”
“A’Yue…” A’Zhu just opened her mouth when Madam Xiao said decisively: “No need to say. I have a count.”
Yu Cailing secretly clicked her tongue. Hearing Madam Xiao’s decisive and capable tone at this time, she could hardly believe this was the woman who had just lowered her head kneeling and bowing with soft words apologizing—truly playing pig to eat tiger.
A’Qing looked at the male master and mistress’s expressions. Her eyes turned, joking with A’Zhu: “That was your first time seeing the young mistress, right? Heard the young mistress has a bad temper. Did she beat and scold you?”
A’Zhu said softly and tearfully: “Beat and scold what? When I rushed there, the young mistress was already at death’s door. Poor thing so small, whole body burning hot, lying on such a damp and cold floor bedding. The person was burned confused, couldn’t even swallow medicine. At that time this servant was very frightened, fearing if the young mistress had some mishap, failing the mistress’s instructions!”
Cheng Shi again looked toward the couch with lowered curtains. Thinking of seeing his daughter so weak and childish earlier, then thinking of the four sons kept at his side each sturdy like calves, he felt even more heartache.
“As for the young mistress’s temper, Zhu dare not speak much. Only request that after the young mistress recovers from illness, Master and Mistress examine for yourselves.” A’Zhu said indignantly: “Whether or not someone deliberately spread rumors—all will be known.”
The Fu Yi couple had followed Cheng Shi for over ten years. He deeply knew their nature. That A’Zhu dared speak this way—his own daughter must not be as the outside rumors said.
A’Qing carefully observed Cheng Shi’s expression, turning her head and smiling again: “Still the Madam has foresight, leaving someone at the manor early. Otherwise, disaster would have struck. Who would have thought Second Madam was this ruthless?”
Cheng Shi again darkened his expression. Madam Xiao glanced at him, but slowly said to A’Qing: “No method—who told me I encountered stupid people? Encountering intelligent people isn’t fearful. At least you know they won’t do stupid things. But encountering stupid people is not good.”
Speaking to this point, she again smiled contemptuously, as if chatting casually and leisurely: “That year in the countryside, the stepwife the Donglü family married—do you still remember? The original wife’s family wasn’t without power, and the husband wasn’t blind. Who knew as soon as she bore a son, she turned around and while the men went out to patrol bandits, sold the one son and one daughter born to the original wife, still saying they were lost. Scared everyone, directly shocked saying how could there be such a stupid woman? But in the world there are such stupid goods, always thinking after doing wrong they can still be safe and sound.”
A’Qing picked up: “Later when pulling that woman out to interrogate, she still kept shouting that now the Bo family only had her child so they couldn’t beat to death the birth mother. However, later the Donglü clan elder decided to still have her commit suicide. Alas, only pitiful was her biological child—within a few days died young. Not long after, the Donglü family welcomed a new wife through the door, again bore sons and daughters. Who still remembers her?”
Madam Xiao said: “What I pity are the children born to the original wife. Even if killing the chief culprit, how can the two families’ heartache help? Such good golden boy jade girl—could never be found again. Who knows how they’re being abused outside?” Tone changing: “Moreover our family is still not as good as the Donglü family. If Niaoniao truly died of illness, could the master beat to death her paternal aunt for a junior? Moreover above there’s still Mother-in-law.”
Speaking to here, Madam Xiao’s gaze fixed on Cheng Shi’s face. Cheng Shi looked at his wife, not speaking.
A’Qing watched the master couple’s gazes go back and forth, saying softly: “This concubine is dull. Thinking that in the manor receiving more scolding at least won’t cause major trouble. But if going out the main gate, then it’s unpredictable.” Thinking even more darkly—a young girl arriving at the manor without servants watching and protecting, if encountering ruffian idle men and being bullied, who could know? At that time this grievance would have to be swallowed whether willing or not.
Madam Xiao looked at her husband’s gloomy displeased expression, mocking: “Fortunate our family is countryside origins, family foundation not abundant. These years altogether established just two small manors. If like the Yuan family Lou family—generations of pure nobility, family property who knows how abundant, manors extending across two or three counties—even if I wanted to guard against it, I couldn’t guard completely.”
Cheng Shi closed his eyes, saying in a heavy voice: “You needn’t say more. I understand all this. A’Qing, you go call Cheng Shun to wait for me at the front courtyard.”
A’Qing’s face showed joy, hurriedly acknowledging and going. Seeing this, A’Zhu also respectfully withdrew.
With no one around, Madam Xiao slowly stood up, walking to her husband’s side. Both hands caressing Cheng Shi’s solid shoulders, she said gently: “Doesn’t the book say—compliant agreement is also unfilial? These years, Mother-in-law has really been…”
Cheng Shi with one hand covered his wife’s hand on his shoulder: “I understand. In the past when the family was poor, Mother wasn’t like this. If there was some surplus grain, she was also willing to help neighboring poor people. Though her mouth was bad, her heart was honest. On the contrary these years becoming wealthy, Mother has increasingly become domineering, constantly demanding office and money for maternal uncles, still being instigated to encroach on other people’s fields. Not to mention maternal uncles—I fight desperately at the front, he collects money at the rear, relying on nothing but Mother.”
At this time A’Qing returned: “Master, Cheng Shun has arrived.” Cheng Shi rose, saying to his wife: “This whole journey you’ve also been tired. Rest early. In a few days, when the children following General Wan’s group arrive, don’t tire yourself.” Finished speaking, he pushed the door and went out.
A’Qing followed behind, hurriedly closing the door, turning around smiling: “Mistress, seems the master has made up his mind.”
Madam Xiao didn’t speak. Her gaze turned toward the bed couch. A’Qing understood, immediately going over to lightly and carefully pull open the hanging curtain to look. Seeing the small girl deeply sleeping, checking her breath was hot and humid, she lowered the curtain and turned her head: “Seems the fever hasn’t completely subsided. Sleeping quite deeply.”
Madam Xiao supported her waist and sat on the barbarian bed: “Illness departs like pulling silk. The attending physician looked and said eating a few more doses of medicine will be fine.”
Yu Cailing feigned sleep with consummate skill, very excited in her heart. This lifetime’s mom was even more exciting than last lifetime’s—personality transformation without any pressure. Oscar owes you a statue!
A’Qing walked over, gently rubbing the mistress’s waist: “The master should have set his mind.” Madam Xiao said: “The master wanted to act long ago—just hindered by Mother-in-law.” A’Qing sighed: “Grandfather passed away early. The old mistress being widowed is also not easy.”
Madam Xiao suddenly smiled: “Even if Father-in-law were alive, would Mother-in-law be easier?”
A’Qing couldn’t help but smile.
Madam Xiao sneered: “An impoverished young master fond of singing songs and composing music whose family fell into ruin. At that time Emperor Li’s chaotic governance—everyone had no food to eat. Who still listened to songs and music? Couldn’t marry the wealth-obsessed Zhuo Wenjun, so couldn’t become Sima Xiangru. Seeing starvation approaching, could only take a prosperous farming family woman. When Father-in-law was alive, he wasn’t even patient to speak with Mother-in-law. As soon as the master established a new residence, he urgently occupied a large room to be elegantly self-absorbed, even saying seeing his old wife a few more times daily made him unable to eat.”
Thinking of Grandfather Cheng’s disdainful air toward Mother Cheng when alive, A’Qing smiled: “Grandfather treated Mistress well. When alive he always protected you.”
“Naturally. Those musical notations he wrote—in the whole family only I could understand them. Married several decades, children in abundance, yet Mother-in-law still thought Father-in-law was learning from shamans to draw talismans. Once wanted him to set up a stall for divination to supplement household expenses.”
A’Qing finally couldn’t hold back—giggled out.
Who knew Madam Xiao didn’t smile, sighing: “Later the world became increasingly chaotic. The Cheng family wasn’t prosperous either. Also completely thanks to Mother-in-law managing, they could still make ends meet. From childhood watching Mother labor hard, Father being so cold—as eldest son, how could the master not feel heartache?”
Hearing this, Yu Cailing smiled with ill intent. She now understood why Mother Cheng’s resentment was so great.
A’Qing sighed deeply: “If Grandfather were still alive it would be good. He certainly wouldn’t let the old mistress bully you. You also wouldn’t have been separated from the young mistress for ten years.”
Who knew Madam Xiao sighed, only saying after a long while: “If between the two elders only one could live long and enjoy blessings, it really should be Mother-in-law.”
A’Qing was startled: “Mistress, you’re confused.”
Who knew Madam Xiao said: “Mother-in-law not liking me is one matter, but in my heart I respect her. Climbing mountains to gather vegetables, going down to fields to plow and plant, returning home to spin cloth, wash, and sweep. Still there’s husband and children to feed. When heaven was about to collapse, even if her waist was exhausted to breaking she still had to straighten up to hold up the sky—not that husband manipulating strings and bamboo. Now it’s proper she should enjoy sons and grandsons’ blessings!”
Hearing these words, Yu Cailing developed several parts respect for Madam Xiao, feeling although this woman was very calculating, she still distinguished right from wrong.
After stopping a while, Madam Xiao said again: “Moreover Mother-in-law like this is much stronger than my mother.”
How dare A’Qing discuss the main family’s birth mother? She could only change the topic: “Did Mistress see? The young mistress is born resembling her maternal grandmother.”
Madam Xiao’s cold and indifferent face again floated up complex expression: “Just hope the temperament isn’t also alike—not a bit of use. Might as well resemble her paternal grandmother.”
“Please don’t.” A’Qing hurriedly smiled: “Temperament aside, appearance is still better resembling your mother.”
Thinking of Mother Cheng’s meat-mountain-like honored appearance, Madam Xiao smiled lightly.
Watching Madam Xiao’s expression, A’Qing said again: “Actually I think what hardship did the old mistress labor? The master from age ten propped up family livelihood. The old mistress also didn’t labor long.” Immediately worrying: “Then, can the master harden his heart to deal with the old mistress?”
“If the master were that kind of womanly benevolence, he’d have died who knows how many times already.” Madam Xiao said confidently.
She raised her head, looking toward the high roof beams, talking to herself: “Under heaven, where are daughters-in-law who can’t overcome mothers-in-law? It’s merely that husbands are unwilling to help.”
Yu Cailing was shocked by this lofty discourse, suddenly discovering this lifetime’s old mother was not only an outstanding actress and domestic strife expert, but actually also a philosopher with materialist dialectical thinking!
However, speaking of which, why did she always encounter such formidable mothers? When predecessors are so outstanding, successors find it very difficult to break through. She felt she should first set a small goal—for example, reincarnate again?