Chapter 22: The Situation

Chapter 22: The Situation

After two years of not seeing her, the Third Old Lady was still the same as ever. At this moment, she was voicing many complaints about the marriage affairs that Mrs. Jie was handling, naturally, in Yao Niang's view, these were simply nitpicking.

"Pay more attention as well, don't let the Guan family mock us."

In truth, the Third Matriarch's actions were not for the sake of the Guan family, but purely to elevate the Guan family's status and suppress that of the Xie family.

Xie smiled reassuringly, "Rest assured, it will be taken care of."

The elderly matriarch glanced at her, "Don't be too absolute in your words. I have quite a few local products from Henan in my storeroom. You can distribute them, as it happens that your natal family has come to visit."

Mr. Xie expressed his gratitude again, "My two elder brothers and their wives have also arrived. It is most opportune that we can welcome you with a lunch feast today, and also allow them to pay their respects to you."

"Hmm." The Third Old Lady nodded, acknowledging her familial ties with the Jie family, and moreover, she had heard that Yan Yingqi had been mostly with the Jie side for the past couple of years, and was surprisingly favored.

At this moment, Yao Niang presented two pairs of socks she had made herself: "Grandmother, my sewing is not very good, I hope you won't disdain them."

The matriarch glanced at Yao Niang without much intent, but she was already a graceful young lady at just eleven, quite different from the little girl she had been a few years ago. After receiving the gift, she examined the stitches, which were very fine and dense, indicating that a lot of thought had been put into the needlework. This child could no longer be treated lightly, so she complimented, "It's evident that a great deal of effort has been spent."

"There are still many shortcomings. My mother doesn't have the time to teach me now. I had thought about going to the main house to ask the madam if I could learn from the embroidery master who teaches my second and fourth sisters, but the main house is also preparing for a wedding, so it's been delayed." Yao Niang spoke with a hint of frustration.

The Third Old Lady simply could not bear to hear that the people from the Third Branch still had to seek favor from the First Branch. She immediately said, "Why bother the First Branch? I have a skilled seamstress right here. Yue'e, from this day forth, you shall attend to the Third Miss."

Yao Niang replied, "Although it is said that one should not refuse a gift from an elder, how could I take someone who serves my grandmother? However, I have heard that the Gu embroidery is so fine that it is like hair, so delicate that the needle is like a hair's breadth, and so vivid in color that it is unparalleled in the world. If I were to invite a master of needlework and have someone from the Gu family give some guidance, I would benefit immensely."

"What's so difficult about it? Just have her come over," said the Third Old Lady.

Yao Niang smiled and said, "Then I must thank my grandmother. I haven't asked yet, how is grandfather's health? This year's term is almost up, is it time to report to the capital?"

The matriarch glanced at Yao Niang and said, "Your grandfather has been promoted to the Left Commissioner of Henan, so he doesn't need to go to the capital to report on his duties. But I won't be going back this time, as I am getting on in years and cannot travel as I used to."

"Very well, the more family members, the merrier. You wouldn't know that the eldest sister has also returned from Prince Qi's residence," said Yao Niang.

Even if relatives serve in the same court, they must avoid conflicts of interest and not both hold central positions. The father is currently serving as a vice minister in the Nanjing Ministry of Rites. If the father is transferred to the capital, the grandfather cannot remain in a central role. At present, the grandfather is still serving as the governor in Henan, so it is quite possible that the father may return to Beijing.

The matriarch had no strong feelings about whether Yan Ningxin would return or not. After letting the Jie family mother and daughter leave, she reviewed the gifts she intended to give to the new daughter-in-law upon meeting.

On the way back, Mrs. Jie suddenly asked Yao Niang, "Why did you tell your grandmother that you wanted to invite a sewing teacher, but you didn't tell me? I could have arranged it for you."

"No, I know my grandmother comes from a scholarly family, but she doesn't care for such things herself, and she has a quick temper. Only someone with a very good temper can get along with her. I should find something for her to do so she doesn't always pick on you. In a few days, when her new helper arrives, who knows if she'll give up all the housekeeping duties to someone else?" Yao Niang pouted.

It was because of her, Jie said, holding his daughter's hand, "You won't need to worry about your mother in the future."

Yao Niang shook her head: "How can I not worry? Mother, it was you who taught me that without foresight, there will be immediate worries. These past few years, our mother-daughter life has been good because our grandparents are no longer with us, Father is on your side, and my brother has gradually become closer to us. But once my sister-in-law enters the household, and with the grandmother also at home, it will be two against one."

Jie Shi gently patted her daughter's head: "Yao Niang, I've told you, when everyone has a common enemy, they will naturally unite against it. But when that enemy is gone, they might turn against each other. You might have noticed that the Guan family has strict rules and a simple, old-fashioned clan, which is quite different from our family. Your grandmother's temperament is not easy to deal with, and I'm tired of managing the household. Even if your grandmother doesn't say it, I also want to hand over the household authority. This is called advancing by retreating; when you can't move forward, take a step back, which is not necessarily a bad thing."

Unable to advance is because Jie's family cannot become Yan Yingqi's legitimate wife, with the mother-in-law above her head. She cannot surpass the order of the Zhen family nor that of the Third Old Lady. Why be the villain, let the new bride enter, and then she steps back, with the new bride and the old lady together. Even if the old lady is kind to others, her temper is still there. That woman from the Guan family is not gentle in nature. Once their alliance falls apart, she will step forward.

Yao Niang thought for a long time and then said, "Mother, Grandmother wants her own people. Whether Sister-in-Law is good or not, she is still one of her own."

And she knew that Grandmother had always treated Mother as an outsider, even treating her better than Mother.

Jie Shi insisted, "Yao Niang, I have considered what you said, but in the grand scheme of things, what is divided must eventually unite, and vice versa. No matter what you do, don't let others see what you truly desire. If you want something too much, it will become your weakness."

Be patient, understand human nature, and strike decisively.

Yao Niang nodded silently.

Then Jie Shi continued, "Your brother's wedding will bring many relatives. You should meet more guests and learn how to treat them properly."

Yao Niang nodded in agreement.

On the eighteenth day of the twelfth month, the morning was bustling with activity. The Yan family was overflowing with guests. Jie Shi got up early to manage everything, and Yan Yingqi felt very concerned for her: "Your hands are so cold, yet you got up so early. This can't be allowed..."

"It's fine. If I were late, it wouldn't be good," Jie Shi said, pursing her lips.

Yan Yingqi, of course, knew from Yao Niang about the third matriarch's nitpicking, so he comforted her: "Don't worry. If anything happens, just blame it on me."

Jie Shi smiled, "I know you always think of me. Once the new bride comes in, I won't have to manage the household anymore, and I won't be so tired."

She yawned slightly and hugged Yan Yingqi, "Today, you mustn't get angry. Behave well."

"Of course," Yan Yingqi agreed.

Yao Niang followed Jie Shi, helping to entertain female guests whenever they arrived. When she felt tired, Second Lady Ming and Yan Rubei came over to help, allowing her a brief respite to sit beside her eldest aunt.

The Jie family had always been in Dongshan, and although they knew the Yan family now held immense power, they hadn't fully experienced it until now. Jie Shi's eldest aunt, being there, truly understood what it meant to be part of a powerful family.

Everyone who came was a high-ranking official, such as a provincial governor or a minister. Even though Jie Shi was only a co-wife, she was still highly respected by all.

Zhen Shi, watching Jie Shi receive so much attention, felt a mix of emotions, but she did not show it. Seeing these provincial governors' wives and other ministers' wives act as if they were blind to it, she could only digest it herself.

Unexpectedly, when the wife of the Nanjing Imperial Academy's chancellor, Lady Xie, entered, the situation changed slightly. She walked in and called out to Zhen Shi, "Madam Yan."

Zhen Shi smiled and invited her to sit down, saying, "It's wonderful that you could come."

Lady Xie came from the illustrious Chen County Xie clan and was a renowned scholar, having published several poetry collections. Her father was a deputy prime minister, making her a figure of great prestige. Despite this, she placed great importance on propriety.

Especially the distinction between legitimate and secondary wives, so seeing Zhen Shi sitting aside while Jie Shi was hosting everyone, she said, "Why is a concubine managing the household now?"

Jie Shi, always sensitive, did not expect Lady Xie to say such things. Yao Niang, feeling tired, was sitting nearby sipping tea but heard Lady Xie's words. She pretended not to hear, knowing that if a quarrel broke out, it would ruin her son's wedding.

Zhen Shi felt that karma had come back to haunt her. She even felt that she didn't need to say anything; Jie Shi would be upset enough.

So, she feigned embarrassment and said, "You might have misunderstood. This is the main lady of our third branch."

"Throughout history, a husband has only one wife. It should be the legitimate wife who handles matters. I cannot agree with this," Lady Xie said before leaving in a huff.

Yao Niang is no longer the little girl she once was. She clearly understands that although her mother's status in the clan seems to be on par with the Zhen family, it is different outside. Others just wouldn't say it outright; now that someone has said it, it publicly embarrasses the Xie family.

She quickly ran to Xie Shi's side, who still wore a smile, as if she hadn't heard anything at all.

"Mother, are you alright?"

"It's nothing." Xie Shi patted Yao Niang's hand.

With Zhen Shi showing half-hearted concern, even Aunt Xie, who had previously felt the Yan family's overwhelming power, hurried forward to ask a few questions. At this moment, though Xie Shi's heart was wavering, she showed no signs of distress and told everyone, "We have invited a troupe of actors; please follow me to enjoy the performance."

Yao Niang went along with her sisters. On the way, everyone was silent, each lost in their own troubles. Ying Niang felt relieved, thinking that despite her mother being the legitimate wife, she still had to endure being on equal footing with Xie Shi. Qian Niang worried whether her beloved might already be engaged. Yan Ningxin felt some sympathy for Xie Shi's situation.

The performers on the stage sang joyfully, but Yao Niang's heart was heavier than Xie Shi's, as she thought about how many times her mother had been mocked openly or covertly over the years, like what Lady Xie had done, making her feel humiliated, or the subtle jealously and ridicule behind closed doors.

Her brother's success in the imperial examinations and his entry into officialdom had changed his attitude toward their mother. But with his wife entering the household, he might develop a deeper bond with the Third Elderly Lady. If asked to disregard his career to seek an honor for their mother, he might not be willing.

So, she would have to rely on herself. Although she cannot take the imperial examinations, there might be other ways. If one day she achieves something significant, perhaps she could secure an honor for her mother, giving her a proper status.

Otherwise, this awkward situation would continue to cause discomfort.

Yao Niang silently resolved in her heart that she must earn respect for her mother.