Chapter 52: Smoke and Fire (Part 2)

  Mrs. Chiao felt as if the whole room was spinning around her.

  It was her own idea to form an alliance with the He family, she herself guaranteed that it would succeed, and she herself persuaded Lianfang to agree... Now that things have turned out like this, how can she explain it to Guo Gongye?

  Besides, Lianfang is his niece and her father passed away early...

  If this gets out, how can I still show my face!

  Someone beside her was hastily shouting something in her ear, but she couldn't hear anything at all, only thinking that it would be better if she could just faint. That way, she wouldn't have to worry or be afraid anymore.

  And there was another voice deep down inside shouting: This is not one's own fault!

  Although it's said that going to the Xu family is one's own fault, I didn't let her run to some deserted pavilion to catch a cold, nor did I let her rush into the small courtyard without avoiding suspicion of impropriety...

  It's not their fault!

  This is absolutely not one's own fault!

  If there's anything wrong, it's all because her siblings didn't teach their daughter well, what does that have to do with her?

  She suddenly straightened up and shouted "Lianfang".

  "Auntie," a sobbing voice whispered in her ear, "What's wrong with you?"

  She turned her head and saw her niece's pale face, as white and tender as if water could be squeezed out of it.

  It's all because of this face... If it weren't for this face, how would she dare to do such a thing?

  As soon as she had the idea, she raised her hand and was about to slap Qiao Lian's room... but the voice of the mistress came from beside her ear: "It's good that you're awake, it's good that you're awake. You all don't have to crowd around, let her get some air."

  Mrs. Joe was suddenly and fully awake.

  What's the use of thinking about these now? I'd better hurry back and think of a countermeasure!

  "How are you?" asked the lady of the house in a warm and gentle voice, "Where do you feel uncomfortable? Come, let's go to the flower hall and sit down. It's chilly outside, be careful not to catch a cold."

  The fifth lady has come over and supported her right hand.

  She stood up with the momentum, and her face already had a spirit: "Madam, I'm fine. A bit tired, just took a nap." She said, smiling awkwardly, "It's not early anymore, guests leave and owners rest. We'll go back first." Then she called Lianfang, "Let's go back first!"

  Madam Huang and several others came over to persuade him: "You look pale, why don't you sit for a while before leaving?"

  "I'll be fine after a good rest." Mrs. Qiao insisted on leaving, and everyone saw that she was indeed unwell earlier, so the old lady had something on her mind and they all said a few polite words. The old lady then called for Xu Wu Ye: "......you go see off Madame Cheng Guo Gong."

  Xu Wu Ye respectfully replied "yes" and escorted Mrs. Qiao and Miss Qiao out.

  Some people left first, and it felt like the scene was dispersing.

  Before long, Zheng Taikun also came to bid farewell to Tai Furen.

  The old lady personally escorted her out of the flower hall and then had Xu Wu Ye take over to send her out of the door.

  The eleventh daughter suddenly became anxious.

  The big wife has not come back yet.

  She was thinking about whether or not to send someone to look for it when the mistress came in from the side door of the flower hall with a gentle swaying motion.

  The eleventh daughter pretended not to notice her leaving and whispered a few words with the third miss of Gan's family. The madam called out to the fifth daughter, tenth daughter and her: "......Let's go too! Your elder sister is alone at home!"

  Who are we?

  The tenth girl, along with the fifth and eleventh girls, knelt down and bowed in response to "yes".

  The lady smiled faintly and said nothing, leading the three of them to bid farewell to Madame Tai.

  Mrs. Tao said a few polite words, just like Mrs. Zheng, and saw Madame Wang off outside the flower hall, onto the Xu family's green silk canopy sedan chair, which was then escorted by Mr. Xu to the Gate of Hanging Flowers, where they changed carriages. Then Mr. Xu very thoughtfully handed Madame Wang a visiting card from the Marquis of Yongping: "If you encounter anyone from the Five Cities Military Command, just show them this card and that will be enough. My fourth brother still has some face!"

  With a tone of fear that her mother-in-law would look down on her son-in-law, the 11th lady couldn't help but curl up the corner of her mouth.

  It was already past the curfew hour, and Mrs. Lian was worried. Mr. Xu's actions were no less than sending charcoal in snowy weather. She smiled and thanked Mr. Xu, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then set off back to Bowstring Alley.

  Big Grandma is waiting with Hang's mom at the gate of Weeping Flower Pavilion.

  She personally helped the old lady down from the carriage, and smiled: "This afternoon, Mrs. Wang came to see you. I heard that you went to the Yongping Marquis's residence, she left a name card, sat for a while and then left."

  King? Could it be someone from the Wangguo Gong's household?

  The eleventh girl was startled and pricked up her ears to listen, almost knocking over the footstool, but fortunately Dong Qing quickly supported her.

  "Which Queen?" The old lady was also puzzled.

  "It was in Tianjin when I met you by chance," said the old lady with a smile, "My husband is a member of the Wang family from the Zhen Nan Hou Fu."

  That guy who almost got into a fight over a parking spot...

  The lady suddenly realized: "So it was her! What did she come here for?" As she spoke, she walked inside.

  The eleventh girl let out a long sigh.

  Old Lady Wang supported Madame Wang's right arm and followed her into the垂花门: "It is said that Master Wang has released the Fujian Governor, and he will set off in a few days. I came over to take a look. See if Father and Mother have anything to bring or say." Her voice was very low.

  The old lady's footsteps paused for a moment before she lifted her foot again: "I understand. When people leave, tea becomes cold, and there's nothing good to bring along."

  The old lady nodded obediently.

  "Where's your brother?" asked Madame Wang, "Has he gone to rest?"

  "Take a break."

  "How's Xing Ge?"

  "Reading in the study."

  "Is the old master at home?" The old lady asked again.

  "Grandma smiled and said: 'Father went out early and just came back. I heard you brought tenth daughter home, he's delighted. He's waiting for you in the main hall.'"

  My sister-in-law is really clever!

  The eleventh girl smiled slightly.

  The maid had already lifted the curtain and was serving the old lady and the madam, who followed her into the house.

  The old master was delighted to see his three daughters and asked them about their trip to the Yongping Marquis's residence. Then he asked Da Niang, "Has the place where Shi Niang lives been tidied up properly?"

  The tenth girl hastily said: "It's enough for me and eleventh sister to squeeze into one room."

  The old master laughed and said, "There's still room to live in the house. What's the point of squeezing? Besides, there are maids and servants, a whole bunch of people. It's impossible to squeeze in even if you want to!"

  The atmosphere in the room became somewhat stifling.

  When they returned, no one mentioned the people around Shining... Shining followed the madam back home, without even a single trunk or box... Where did these maids and servants come from?

  The eleventh girl glanced at the big wife.

  The lady was calm and composed.

  The old lady smiled and said, "Tenth sister came in such a hurry this time, and didn't bring anyone with her. Although she has always been close to Eleventh sister, it's not proper for them to be squeezed together like that. I've arranged for Tenth sister to stay in the east wing, and I'll send two maids over to attend to her. Father, do you think this is alright?"

  The old master was very satisfied. He nodded slightly and stopped asking about Shiniang's affairs. In a gentle tone, he said to his daughters: "Although it is said that going to someone else's house as a guest is also a tiring thing. It's getting late, you all go to rest!" And then to the eldest lady: "You are also tired.

  She was praised by her father-in-law, and even the eldest grandmother couldn't help but flash a hint of excitement. She curtsied and led the five girls out in a line.

  The old master asked Yuan Niang: "...... Is it better now?"

  The old lady sighed: "It's good that it can drag on like this!"

  The old master's face darkened.

  The lady hesitated for a moment and said: "Why don't you go ask Master Hou? Considering how seriously ill Yuan Niang is, he can't possibly..."

  Before she could finish speaking, the old master had already coldly snorted: "You also know that Yuanniang is ill. How can I be self-indulgent? Don't mention this kind of thing again!"

  The lady's face turned pale and white for a while, and after a long time, she finally responded with a "got it".

  At this moment, the residence of Lady Xu, the wife of Yongping Marquis, was brightly lit, and although it was already midnight, the maids under the eaves stood straight and solemn.

  Wei Zi carefully placed the old celadon tea tray on the black lacquer inlaid glass window frame, then retreated quietly - just before leaving the room, she didn't forget to gently close the black lacquer inlaid glass lattice window.

  Only Xu Lingyi and her mother were left in the house.

  "Come to think of it, you're also at fault in this matter. Since you had a bit too much to drink at Chunxi Tower at noon, you should have been more careful with your words and actions. Knowing that there were female guests at home, why did you have to rest in the small courtyard next to Dianchun Hall? And not even bringing a personal servant... " She looked at her son's dark face and smiled, "Don't just put on a long face when something happens, sometimes one must also reflect on oneself!"

  Xu Lingyi didn't say a word, her face expressionless as she picked up the teacup and took a sip. Immediately after, she clattered the teacup down on the kang table: "What's all this nonsense..."

  "You don't have to take it out on this thing either." The old lady interrupted Xu Lingyi's words, "Tell me, what's going on?"

  "It's come to this, what's there to say?" Xu Lingyi's face was stern, "I'll handle this matter well."

  "Is it settled?" The old lady smiled at her son, "Then tell me, what's the plan?"

  "Just don't bother with these things!" Xu Lingyi's tone was somewhat impatient, "In short, as long as the Xu family doesn't lose face, that's all that matters!"

  "Isn't it a shame for the Xu family?" The smile on Madame Tao's face gradually faded. "Now, isn't this already a shame? Someone is a good and proper young lady from a noble family, a dignified miss from the Duke's mansion, and after coming to our house to watch a play, she wants to become a concubine. Isn't this a shame? What will others think? Will they say that the Qiao family has gone mad and their daughter can't get married, so they want to give her to the Xu family as a concubine? Or will they say that our Yongping Duke's Master Xu is arrogant and dissolute, capable of doing anything improper and unseemly..." By the end, her words were tinged with sarcasm.

  "Mother! You don't have to use that tone with me." Xu Lingyi suddenly stood up, "When the previous emperor passed away, His Majesty had ordered Wang Li to secretly summon Cheng Guogong to come to Beijing to help with the funeral rites. But he was evasive and perfunctory, although it didn't lead to any major conflict, it still left a bad impression. His Majesty is magnanimous and doesn't hold grudges, but he has a narrow mind and is always anxious. Now that I've married Qiao's daughter, others will only say that the Qiao family is clinging to those in power, why drag me into this?" As he spoke, he smiled coldly, "It's just as well that we take this opportunity to see what everyone has to say."