Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  Yun Qian Meng watched her hands get wrapped around in the old madam’s palms and perked up her powdered lips. Her eyes smiled as she answered, “da biaoge is already nineteen; didn’t expect that zumu has such a good memory, even remembering these little things!”

  Hearing this, the old madam showed a disapproving expression and looked at Yun Qian Meng as she said sternly, “Silly girl, this is not some little thing! The sons and daughters of prestigious families, in the eyes of outsiders, are all hot, steaming buns! Which lao jiejie’s coming-of-age, which xiaojie’s hairpin ceremony, everyone would remember even more clearly, just thinking about how to snatch them back home! Especially your wai zumu’s family, even though the current Emperor is not the Empress Dowager’s flesh and blood, the relationship between them is even closer than birth parents; this had also brought prosperity to Fu Guo gongfu! You can imagine, the grandson from the son of the first wife will surely receive benevolence from the Emperor; his career will naturally be like smooth sailing! Towards our xiangfu, there are only all sorts of benefits and no drawbacks!”

  At her words, Yun Qian Meng felt a cold sneer flash inside her heart. Her grandmother did not just want to pave a path for her grandsons on Yun Xuan Zhi’s side, she even started to count her benefits from Fu Guo gongfu!

  It’s just that, although Yun Xuan Mo was the Minister of the Left’s birth brother, in the end, he never managed to gain any honors. From just their family background, Yun Yi Heng and his brother was already at a lower position compared to the other children from noble families!

  Perhaps this was exactly one of the reasons the old madam was so anxious!

  However, if they didn’t have genuine ability, the path they took would not bring them very far!

  Although Qu Zhang Qing was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he was well rounded in both military arts and civil knowledge, entering the army to temper himself from a young age. When he was fifteen, he entered the Military Examination and seized third place right away with his own ability. Only hence was he able to fairly and properly gain his position as an assistant minister in the army!

  The outside world also evaluated this sun shaoye from Fu Guo gongfu very highly, many of them praising him for not relying on the backing of his family, using his own two hands to pave his own path!

  But the old madam would not understand this principle, only focused on using relationships with others to give her grandsons a smooth and unhindered path.

  However, Yun Qian Meng couldn’t bluntly reject the old madam, so as not to cause the old madam to lose face and turn her into an enemy for no reason.

  She only smiled sweetly, and frowned with a bit of a headache. She acted spoiled and leaned against the old madam, complaining, “zumu, Meng’er doesn’t find these things interesting! The country and politics, isn’t something we women have any say in. What’s more, Meng’er thinks that both tangge are clever and intelligent, even if they don’t rely on anybody, they would still be able to break through to the heavens!”

  The old madam saw that she really wasn’t in the mood to discuss these things. Thinking that the future was long, these matters really couldn’t be rushed. She only needed to treat Gu laotaijun’s wai sunnü well. Surely, Fu Guo gongfu would look upon this kindly and extend their help, right?

  Thinking along these lines, the old madam didn’t hold on to the topic much longer. She caressed Yun Qian Meng’s cheeks and sighed with feeling, “If Yi’er was generous and proper like you, then I can be relieved! But that girl grew up in a small place, afraid she won’t be able to fit into the circle of xiaojie from the capital!”

  Seeing the old madam’s eyes full of concern, Yun Qian Meng knew that she was planning to bring Yun Yi Yi to the birthday feast!

  However, with Yun Yi Yi’s identity, she really didn’t have the right to enter Fu Guo gongfu, so they could only rely on her!

  Yun Qian Meng immediately sat up straight and consoled, “sunnü thinks that simeimei is quite presentable! If zumu doesn’t believe me, let’s bring simeimei along to the birthday feast!”

  The old madam had waited all day until she finally heard Yun Qian Meng loosen her mouth. She was naturally extremely pleased, and immediately gave her some of the pastries she had brought back from Su city, letting Yun Qian Meng bring them back to share with the servants in her courtyard.

  At this moment, the mama who was standing outside came in, announcing Su yiniang’s arrival!

  Yun Qian Meng gave a meaningful glance to Mi mama, leaving her to raise the curtains from a corner and call out, “Su yiniang, please enter!”

  Su Qing stood outside and saw that no one was coming out to bring her in. Thinking that this was the old madam’s intention, she supported her waist with one hand and cautiously stepped into the warm room.

  The old madam saw her delicately pretty, fragile appearance, and felt blood rushing to her head. Her good mood vanished into the clouds, as she looked at the brightness outside. It was evidently past the right hour, approaching nine o’clock. A yiniang who came to pay respects to the old madam, actually dawdled until it was midday before showing up? It seemed that the old madam was going to make things difficult for Su Qing once again!

  Chapter 51: The second miss pushed the eldest miss | Chu Wang Fei

  Su Qing saw that the old madam had an unkind expression and knew what was up. But she was still in a bad mood, so why would she show the old madam a happy expression? Hence, she lazily made an incomplete bow and said in weak voice, “nubi pays respects to laotaitai.”

  Inside the room, more than a dozen pairs of eyes stared at Su Qing’s lethargic movements, more than a dozen pairs of ears listened to her impertinent tone; all the servants were flabbergasted at her attitude towards the old madam. For a moment, everyone’s heart boiled in anticipation to see who would emerge the winner in this confrontation.

  The old madam naturally didn’t expect that Su Qing would not only arrive late, but also dare to be so disrespectful. Noticing the various thoughts of the servants in the room, she felt that she was losing face. Not even bothering to look at Su Qing, she coldly said, “What kind of respects are you paying? I’m just an old woman from the countryside, so I’ve never seens such an arrogant yiniang. Just whose influence do you have for you to consider everyone else beneath you?”

  Su Qing saw the old madam get angry and felt the smothering feelings from the night before ease up a little bit in her heart. She only let the old madam’s superficial criticism in one ear and out the other. She only straightened up and answered with a light smile, “nubi’s maternal family’s fu might be inferior to the xiangfu, but both my gege are second pin officials, appointed as a high minister in the Ministry of Personnel, and also the canal route commissioner! Was this what laotaitai wanted to ask about?”

  After Yun Xuan Zhi had left last night, Su Qing had spent a long time thinking. In the past, she and Yun Xuan Zhi found each other compatible and had been ready to give their hearts to each other!

  But the road to happiness was strewn with setbacks. The damned old madam had drawn a rift between them, having quickly arranged a marriage with Fu Guo gongfu, making Yun Xuan Zhi marry their second di young miss, Qu Ruo Li!

  Su Qing had no choice but to listen to Yun Xuan Zhi’s suggestion, and had come to the xiangfu for the time being, ending up as a yiniang!

  However, just according to status, Su Qing felt that she was not in any way inferior to Qu Ruo Li, as both of them were di daughters!

  If they were to compare family status, Fu Guo gongfu only became a marquisate after they had assisted the previous emperor in his struggle for the throne. After that, the Qu family’s eldest di daughter was chosen to enter the palace and then became a guifei, leading to their meteoric rise!

  If it wasn’t for that, then the Qu family might not even compare to their Su family!

  At least the Su family had generations of history as a literary family. How could rough people who only knew how to wave their swords and spears around
comprehend their deeply rooted accomplishments?

  What’s more, when comparing their appearance, Qu Ruo Li always had a weak and delicate appearance that couldn’t arouse a man’s desires. How could she compare to Su Qing, who had managed to keep Yun Xuan Zhi deeply entranced to this day?

  Besides, her two brothers and Yun Xuan Zhi already had a relationship like that between fish and water. As long as she didn’t treat the old madam too excessively, surely Yun Xuan Zhi would not look into the matter too deeply!

  After a whole night’s pondering, Su Qing only felt a surge in her own confidence!

  Even though her current status was that of a yiniang, with her background, she had more than enough right to be Yun Xuan Zhi’s main wife. Why should she lower herself before others and let them look down on her maternal family?

  The old madam felt that Su Qing had become a completely different person with her cold and fearless appearance. She momentarily frowned and couldn’t help but finally turn to look at Su Qing. She only saw that she was wearing a bright red dress covered with a dark red coat. Her hair was adorned with an Eight Treasures glazed jade hairpin, while several golden pins were on her temples. Her appearance showed off incomparable dignity, but against Su Qing’s current sickly complexion, it was somewhat unfitting.

  Yun Qian Meng had long since noticed Su Qing’s manner of dress. She was definitely dressed in the fashion of the main wife. Seeing that there was a bit of cautiousness hidden behind her smiling expression, Yun Qian Meng understood that Su Qing had come prepared and would not let the old madam have her way with her!

  At Su Qing’s challenging manner, the old madam momentarily made a cold smile and said, “Su yiniang sure is bold! What’s the purpose in coming here to pressure others with your family background? As for what you are wearing, only the main wife can dress like that, right? Su yiniang, you claim that your family education is good, so how can you not understand even these rules? If word gets out, won’t outsiders mock Su fu for failing to teach their descendants?”

  Su Qing made a terrified expression as she lowered her head to look at her own clothing. She then somewhat prudently replied, “laotaitai, don’t be angry, nubi really risked a miscarriage yesterday! When nubi was still a young girl, nubi heard from the family elders that brightly colored clothing could stabilize the baby; that’s why nubi dared to wear this bright red dress! If laotaitai cannot stand the sight of it, nubi will just take if off now!”

  As she spoke, Su Qing began to undo the buttons on her lapel. The old madam’s face had already turned green at her earlier response, and could only point at Su Qing with a shaking finger, momentarily unable to find any words to say……

  Yun Qian Meng knew what Su Qing was doing. Over here, she would take off her clothes, then behind the scenes, a rumor about how the old madam mistreated the yiniang and caused harm to the baby would spread. At that point, not only would the old madam’s efforts from yesterday have been in vain, perhaps Yun Xuan Zhi would turn around and get closer to Su Qing again!

  But looking at the circumstances, the old madam was already ready to tear Su Qing to shreds. She was obviously going to be unable to stop Su Qing, so Yun Qian Meng had no choice but to step up!

  Yun Qian Meng immediately sent a meaningful glance towards Rui mama and Mi mama. Both of them immediately stepped forward, and pleasantly placated Su Qing, saying, “yiniang, why do you need to make things difficult for laotaitai? laotaitai is only concerned for yiniang, but yiniang twisted laotaitai’s intentions. If word were to get out that the xiangfu’s backyard was not in harmony, and it affects xiangye’s political achievements, can yiniang bear that kind of responsibility?”

  Rui mama was one of the old madam’s people after all. If she had spoken, they worried that the old madam would be displeased.

  Hence, Mi mama had to show her cleverness. She explained the situation to Su Qing as if it was the result of a virtuous, emotional act by the old madam/

  Su Qing did not expect Yun Qian Meng to have such a shrewd heart, able to see through her intentions in the blink of an eye. Realizing that both her hands were already tightly grabbed by both of the mama, she knew she had no choice but to abandon her current scheme. She only questioned the old madam with uncertainty, “laotaitai, is this true? Please blame nubi for being young and stupid, mistaking laotaitai’s good intentions. laotaitai, please don’t take offense!”

  At first, having heard Mi mama’s words, the old madam’s expression had slightly improved. However, Su Qing’s question had undoubtedly added oil onto the fire. On the surface, she said that she was young and inexperienced, but there was a mocking undertone about the old madam’s age, leaving the old madam speechless with rage.

  For a moment, the old madam’s face darkened. She glared fiercely at Su Qing’s pretentious face, and only felt hatred in her heart.

  The atmosphere in the room became awkward, none of the servants daring to make a noise under the silent pressure!

  However, Yun Qian Meng only had a calm and composed expression. She only handed the old madam a cup of green tea and gently advised, “zumu, have some tea to moisten your throat! Since Su yiniang has special circumstances, you should just let her go this once! After all, if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper. When the backyard is peaceful and harmonious, father will be guaranteed to rise into nobility! We shouldn’t save a little only to lose a lot!”

  The old madam might be able to not give any face to other people, but she had to give face to this di granddaughter of hers. In fact, she didn’t just need to give some face, she had to give enough!

  The moment she received the teacup, her vicious expression had already disappeared like smoke. Instead, wearing a gentle and affectionate smile, she lifted the lid off the teacup and took a polite sip. As the previous matter had never happened, she calmly tasted the tea. After she had swallowed the green tea, she nodded in praise, “The tea that Meng’er makes still tastes the best!”

  The servants in the room saw that the old madam had finally smiled and all let down their hanging hearts. For a moment, they were all thankful towards the eldest young miss. If she hadn’t softened the atmosphere, they wouldn’t know how today’s situation would have concluded. If xiangye really came to blame them, then the unlucky ones would still be the servants!

  Su Qing was no longer as unbridled as before. She only glared hatefully at Yun Qian Meng. It was always this damned girl! She already had everything planned out; she would cause a rift in the relationship between the old madam and Yun Xuan Zhi, then redeem her trust from Yun Xuan Zhi. But Yun Qian Meng had unexpectedly been able to make the old madam beam with happiness with just a few short words, nipping her plan in the bud. Angry, Su Qing forcefully flung Rui mama and Mi mama’s hands away, moving back to her original position to watch the grandmother and granddaughter’s performance with her narrowed eyes.

  Right at this moment, Yun Qian Meng coincidentally turned over and caught a glimpse of the hateful glare Su Qing was unable to conceal in time. However, she pretended not to notice Su Qing’s hatred, instead smiling even more brightly while saying sweetly to the old madam, “zumu, sunnü sees that Su yiniang has already paid her respects! See how pale she looks? You should let her go back to rest!”

  Yun Qian Meng’s fair consideration momentarily caused Su Qing to lose sight of the bigger picture.

  However, hearing Yun Qian Meng say some caring words about herself, and looking at Yun Qian Meng’s widely smiling expression, Su Qing felt a chill rise in the depths of her heart. She only felt that things would not be as simple as what Yun Qian Meng said, almost feeling that this was another trap that Yun Qian Meng was setting for her!

  For a moment, Su Qing who had always been able to predict and understand people’s schemes and intentions, was actually having some foreboding feelings from Yun Qian Meng. She almost didn’t dare to look directly into Yun Qian Meng’s bright and beautiful eyes that were filled with warmth.

  The old madam heard Yun Qian
Meng’s reminder and apparently just realized that Su Qing was still standing in the room. She then swept a cold glance at Su Qing, her vision brushing past her dazzling red clothes. Shrinking her eyes as if blinded by the color, she said in a poor mood, “Standing for a while won’t hurt her! Besides, doesn’t she have these bright red clothes to protect her tummy? If it was so easy to lose a child, wouldn’t that just mean that whatever Su yiniang said before was just a lie? Her real intentions were to covet the place of the xiangfu’s main wife!”

  Su Qing heard this and seemed to freeze. Her lowered eyes were completely filled with hate as she repeatedly cursed in her heart. The damned old woman, not only did she curse her to have a miscarriage, she even pushed the heavy responsibility onto her, truly vicious and merciless!

  And Yun Qian Meng that was on the side was even more wretched! If she didn’t purposely mention her, why would the damned old woman have brought up the matter of clothing again?

  Yun Qian Meng saw that although Su Qing had not shown a displeased expression at the old madam’s words, her arms were hanging beside her with rigid force. It would seem that Su Qing was trying to control herself by tightening her fists. Hence, she generously fanned the flames, continuing with, “But Meng’er feels a bit sorry for yiniang! A pregnant lady still needed to get up early everyday to come and pay respects. zumu, yiniang already tried her best, please have some pity on her!”

  It was better if Yun Qian Meng hadn’t brought this up. As soon as she said that, the old madam shot another fierce glare at Su Qing, catching her current obedient appearance. But the old madam had come to know her very well and deeply understood that Su Qing was more cunning and shrewd than any regular person; when she had to, she would back off and admit her mistakes, often fooling others to easily trust her, and then turn behind their backs to ruin them!

  Therefore, Su Qing pretending to be obedient was completely ineffective against the old madam. Instead, it was making the old madam hate her even more!