Chapter Thirty-Five: Means (Part Two)

  The only son of Marquis Guo, the legitimate wife...

  Eleventh girl never believed that pies would fall from the sky!

  She looked at Liu Yiniang with a serious expression.

  Finally moved the person in front of her, Liu Yiniang's eyes flashed a hint of comfort.

  "The old lady spoke to the old master, and the old master shook his head. He said that although Mu Guo Gong's family had declined in recent years, he was after all a great contributor to the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, and even a rotten ship has three ounces of nails; how could he agree to marry a concubine's daughter? There must be some unknown reason behind this. It is not advisable to make promises lightly."

  Eleventh sister was very surprised.

  All along, the old master was just a name, a title to Shiyi. He couldn't help when she was in trouble, couldn't be relied on when she was helpless, and couldn't offer support when she was struggling... In her impression, he was just that gentle person who asked if she had eaten... Who would have thought that one day he would say something like this!

  "Madam heard Old Master say that and sneered. She said, of course it's because Wang Lang has problems, so the Marquis of Maoguo would rather settle for second best, not seeking a high-ranking family background, but only a clean and gentle family. However, even if it's like this, 'problems' are also divided into different levels. Those who are ugly are one level, those who can't support themselves are another level, and those who are sickly and won't live long are yet another level. Do you think I'm the kind of person who doesn't care about anything, as soon as I hear that someone is a Marquis, I'll eagerly want to marry my daughter off... Old Master heard this and became somewhat annoyed. He said, since it's like this, tell me, what level of 'problem' is the young master of the Maoguo Marquis' household?"

  Eleventh daughter's thumb rubbed against the bright red plum blossom on the tea cup.

  The lady covered her sleeve and started crying. She said, "This is actually a good intention of the eldest aunt. Thinking that there are many younger sisters in the family, they should find a way to marry them off! They can't just be married off to a concubine or become someone's second wife, or be matched with a declining family... The old master heard this and his energy was reduced by three points. He muttered, "We should ask about it anyway?" The lady glared at him and said, "The Xu and Wang families live in the same city as Yanjing, how could they not know what's going on? You're unwilling to make a move here, who knows if they'll even look down on you! This is just the eldest aunt's own idea, as for what will happen, we need to ask Baoshan to probe their attitude first!"

  "Then Father agreed?" Eleventh Young Lady put down the teacup in her hand, her expression calm.

  Her attitude made Liu Yiniang pause for a moment, and then she said: "Yes. So the old master agreed. He told the first wife that this was your family's business, as long as you think it's good, that's all that matters!"

  The eleventh girl nodded slightly, with a thoughtful expression.

  There was no worry, fear or anger in Liu Yiniang's mind... She was a bit at a loss.

  She gritted her teeth and grabbed the hand of the eleventh girl, "Foolish child, can't you see the danger in this? A camel that has starved to death is still bigger than a horse. The Mo family may be declining, but they are still a family that eats imperial rations and wears official hats. Can't the entire capital find a woman with a 'clean family background and gentle disposition' to match their young master? Our Luo family may be prominent, but in the eyes of those aristocratic families in the capital, we're just country bumpkins from the countryside. If that young master's illness wasn't serious, why would he go so far as to find a country wife?"

  Different life experiences, different perspectives on problems, and therefore different choices...

  It doesn't matter if someone is ugly, as long as they have a good character. Even if he's not capable of supporting her, it's okay as long as he's reasonable and lives a simple life with her. She still has confidence in herself. If she were to marry someone who is ill and find an unknown woman... weighing the pros and cons, compared to the complexity of the Xu family, she thinks she can also accept it. In the future, as a virtuous widow, as long as she follows the rules and norms, even if the Wang family doesn't respect her, they won't make things difficult for her.

  All she asked for was a place where she could breathe naturally!

  Eleventh girl listened absent-mindedly to Sixth Aunt's nagging while thinking about her own thoughts.

  "You and Wu Niang, choose one. Either marry into the Wang family or the Xu family. Now that the Luo family is not as it used to be, the only ones who can help with the careers of our masters are the Xu family. If you can marry into the Xu family, think about it, in the future, from the eldest master and mistress to the servants like Xu Mama and Yao Mama, they will all fawn over you, not just give you face. Wu Niang has suffered a lifetime of hardships, but she can finally hold her head high. If you marry into the Wang family, first, it's unknown what kind of person he is, who knows if he's foolish or stupid, your whole life will be ruined; second, the Wang family is inferior to the Xu family in every way. In the future, if the Luo family has any matters, the Wang family won't be able to help, and the Luo family won't put you, their daughter, in their hearts. You'll have no one from your natal family to rely on, and your husband's family will look down on you. When that happens, you'll be calling out for help but no one will answer, you won't even have a comfortable day. Think about it again. What if Wu Niang marries into the Xu family instead? Not only will she get all these honors, but with her personality of stepping on others to elevate herself, seeing that your mother and husband's families are not getting along, she'll make sure to compare everything and make you look inferior... If you have a hard life, Wu Niang will be heartbroken just looking at it. Eleventh Miss, I treat you the same as our family's Twelfth Niang, which is why I'm willing to offend you by saying these things. You should think carefully about my words. It won't be in vain that I've become a small person for once."

  It means that unless she marries into the Xu family, there is no other way out for her.

  The eleventh girl had her own ideas and didn't say much to her. She smiled and said, "I know your kindness, auntie. It's just that my mind is in a mess right now, and I can't come up with any ideas for the time being. Let me think carefully!"

  After all, she's just a thirteen-year-old little girl...

  Sixth Auntie let go of her worries.

  She pinched the soft hand of Shiyi Niang, and said in a low voice: "You'd better hurry up. It's unknown how long this matter can be concealed! Whoever takes the lead will take the first step. Don't disappoint Yiniang's good intentions."

  Eleventh daughter Zheng nodded solemnly and saw Sixth Aunt out the door.

  She met Mrs. Xu at the door.

  "Auntie is here?" Mother Xu's eyes flashed, "The mistress was just asking about you!"

  The sixth aunt nodded somewhat flusteredly and after exchanging greetings with the eleventh aunt, she hastily left.

  Mrs. Xu asked Eleventh Sister: "What did your aunt come to you for?"

  Eleventh Sister smiled and said: "Ask me about Twelfth Sister's situation!"

  Mrs. Xu nodded, and the guard at the bottom of her eyes disappeared in an instant.

  Perhaps influenced by Liu Yiniang's words, Xu Mama's gaze made Shiyi Niang feel a chill for the first time, despite usually being aware of her circumstances.

  "Sit in the mom's room!" She smiled and invited Mrs. Xu.

  Mrs. Xu said, "No. The young master has arrived, and the first wife wants you and Wu Niang to tidy up and go pay your respects to him."

  Eleventh Sister was slightly stunned, and Mother Xu had already turned around and gone to Fifth Sister's place.

  Dong Qing hurriedly pulled the 11th daughter back into the house, calling Bin Hua to fetch water for her to wash her face. He himself rummaged through trunks and chests: "Miss, what should you wear? Or else, just put on that piece of drunken fairy-colored jacket made by the big madam when we came..."

  "Calm down, okay?" Shí yī niáng smiled and said, "That's a spring dress, do you want to freeze me to death?"

  "Otherwise, I'll wear that peach-red silk jacket with the Hundred Sons Playing in the Garden pattern, which was also given by the mistress, and it's dignified to wear out."

  "I don't usually lack those silk fabrics." Eleventh Sister teased her, "If Madam Xu finds out about this, she'll call you over for questioning. Where did you put all my clothes?"

  She was in a good mood and chatted with Dong Qing for a few words, instructing Dong Qing to take out her embroidery: "Take advantage of these two days off to make a spring dress for Jun Ge."

  Dong Qing was delighted when she heard this, and went to fetch a bamboo basket containing embroidery needles, small pieces of cloth, etc. Shi Yi Niang had her hair styled by Bin Ju, changed into an apricot-yellow plain dress with floral patterns, put on a pair of pearl earrings, and then went to the east wing to invite Wu Niang: "Let's go together."

  The fifth daughter combed her high bun, wore a crimson gold hairpin, inserted a large pearl and emerald flower, put on a rose-purple dress with auspicious floral patterns all over, applied a light dusting of powder to her face, and painted her lips red, looking radiant and dazzling.

  Seeing Shiyi coming to invite her, she slightly curled up the corners of her mouth and burst out a extremely charming smile: "I'll be fine soon." She also instructed Ziwei: "Bring out some of that honey-steeped plum."

  Zhuo Tao and Su'er were crouching there dyeing Wu Niang's fingernails.

  Eleventh Sister ate honey-glazed plums while waiting for Fifth Sister to finish her work.

  "Time is too short, can only make do for now." Huier smiled and explained, "Originally prepared for tonight's use."

  The fifth daughter looked at her fingertips, which were painted like peach blossoms, and smiled: "The color is a bit light... I'll add more color carefully tonight!"

  Hui'er smiled and nodded "yes", and together with Ziwei and several others, they escorted Wu Niang and Shi Yi Niang to the door.

  Zhuo Tao lowered her head and followed quietly behind several maids.

  Sister went to the main house of the big wife.

  The room was quiet and still, with the maids standing like statues, their faces expressionless. Du Wei's face remained impassive as she blinked at them.

  "What took you so long to get here?" The mistress's voice sounded calm, but it was like the sky before a storm, making one feel the suppressed fury.

  The fifth daughter smiled and said: "My sister and I came together."

  Let those who listen think she's late because of Eleven.

  Usually she wouldn't mind when Eleven said those things, but today they sounded particularly piercing.

  This girl always shifts responsibility onto others at any time.

  But she remained as before, her face showing unease, guaranteeing silence.

  The madam's eyes gleamed like a knife edge as she swept her gaze over her, and in a low voice commanded: "All of you get out."

  Everyone in the room suddenly changed color and immediately lowered their heads, pretending they hadn't heard or seen anything.

  Wu Niang's face turned pale and she retreated with Shi Yi Niang. After they left the door, she still didn't give up and grabbed Du Wei: "Da Tai Tai..."

  Du Wei looked around and saw the maids standing under the eaves, each with their hands hanging down in a respectful and solemn manner. She said in a low voice: "The young master came to see the first wife, but as soon as the first wife showed her face, the young master said he had something to attend to...and left after sitting for less than a cup of tea..."

  So you're not feeling comfortable in your heart?

  The eleventh girl's heart skipped a beat as she listened.

  Amber's investigation revealed that Master Hou had a conversation with Grandfather on the second day of the New Year.

  The fifth daughter's eyes flashed with annoyance as she gazed at her pink fingernails, scolding: "You've ruined my nail polish!"