Chapter 302

Chapter 307 Explanation

"...The eighth day of the fourth month is a grand Buddhist ceremony. All temples distribute medicine, and the crowds are overwhelming, noisy, and chaotic." Second Madam held her teacup and spoke slowly. "But the annual pilgrimage to Yaowang Temple is because of Second Master's sudden passing. Mother was distraught and wanted to pray to the Medicine King for the family's peace and well-being. I came here to discuss with Lord Xu and my sister-in-law. If Mother wishes to visit Yaowang Temple this year, we, as her juniors, can hardly refuse. But if she considers other temples, I hope Lord Xu and my sister-in-law can help persuade her otherwise."

Eleventh Miss couldn’t hide her surprise as she looked at Second Madam.

Was she telling them she didn’t approve of this marriage?

But hadn’t she been actively facilitating it before? Why the sudden change?

Eleventh Miss instinctively turned to Lord Xu.

Lord Xu remained composed. He nodded slightly. "I understand Second Sister-in-law's meaning."

At this, Second Madam nodded at Eleventh Miss and rose to take her leave.

Eleventh Miss escorted her out.

Jiexiang immediately followed.

"Madam," she whispered, "what did Lord Xu say?"

Second Madam remained silent, walking erect along the covered corridor. Maids and married women who saw her stepped aside and curtsied respectfully.

She suddenly stopped at a turn in the covered corridor.

"Eldest Sister-in-law reneged. For Rou Ne to marry in now, she likely wouldn’t gain the favor of Elder Madam, Lord Xu, or Fourth Madam." Second Madam gazed at the pomegranate tree, its branches heavy with green leaves, and spoke softly. "Rather than forcing it, perhaps it’s better to let it go. It might be for the best."

Jiexiang sighed faintly. "If only Eldest Sister-in-law had gone to Ciyuan Temple back then! It would’ve spared you and Second Miss this trouble."

"If she had that kind of composure, my mother wouldn’t have been so angered by her." Second Madam wore no trace of a smile. "I’d planned to step in, but as soon as she heard I’d returned to my maiden home, she immediately sent a servant over, using Old Master Gao’s name to summon Eldest Brother. Not wanting to put Eldest Brother in a difficult position, I told him the family was holding memorial rites for Eldest Miss and needed my help—that’s how I persuaded him to go to the Gao family..." She gave a self-deprecating smile. "Now, my only fear is that Elder Madam and Lord Xu might agree to this marriage out of consideration for me. But now that I’ve made my stance clear, Eldest Sister-in-law can make whatever fuss she wants!" With that, she turned and headed toward Shaohua Court.

Meanwhile, Eleventh Miss hesitated, holding back her words.

Lord Xu smiled. "What’s on your mind?"

Eleventh Miss shot him a glance. "You know full well, yet you still ask!"

Lord Xu chuckled at her response.

A moment later, he grew serious. "Second Sister-in-law prizes integrity. Madam Xiang’s flip-flopping must be beneath her contempt. Yet, as her own sister-in-law, she couldn’t openly oppose it—hence her indirect way of expressing her stance to us." He added, "Weren’t you just worried about how to explain this to Mother? I think you should relay Second Sister-in-law’s words to her. Without Second Sister-in-law’s concerns, Mother will likely feel more at ease."

Eleventh Miss nodded. Later, while attending Elder Madam’s midday rest, she relayed the matter and Lord Xu’s stance to her.

Elder Madam listened, her expression tinged with melancholy. "After you left, Yizhen said the same to me. I was still hesitant, but now she’s sought you out as well. It seems her mind is made up. In that case, have Little Five represent me at Yaowang Temple this year. Let’s make it clear to the Xiang family."

Eleventh Miss agreed and returned to report to Lord Xu. Lord Xu then summoned Xu Lingkuan and instructed him to visit Yaowang Temple on the eighth day in Elder Madam’s place. Startled, Xu Lingkuan initially feared Elder Madam had fallen ill and rushed to her side to check on her. Only after confirming she was well did he return to Red Lantern Lane, reassured.

When Madam Xiang learned Elder Madam wouldn’t attend the temple fair this year, she paid another visit.

"You’re not avoiding the fair because of my lapse, are you?" Madam Xiang spoke bluntly.

Elder Madam naturally couldn’t admit it outright. She replied tactfully, "At my age, the journey is too taxing."

To her surprise, Madam Xiang’s expression darkened. "Don’t humor me, Elder Madam. I know everyone blames me for my recklessness. Even our clan’s matriarch has grown distant because of this." Her eyes reddened. "But I’m just as aggrieved!" She pulled out a handkerchief and began to sob.

Eleventh Miss quickly ushered out the servants and poured her a cup of hot tea.

Madam Xiang thanked her quietly between sniffles. "I thought if I apologized and proposed a new meeting, this matter would pass. But now I see you truly resent me. I suppose I must admit the shameful reason." She lifted her head and looked at Elder Madam. "Do you know why I didn’t go to Ciyuan Temple?" Without waiting for a response, she continued, "The master and matriarch of my household decided the match outright—never mind my opinion!"

Lady Eleven stared at Madam Xiang in astonishment.

How could everyone act this way?

The elder madam also seemed quite surprised.

Madam Xiang dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief: "I was formally wed into the Xiang family through proper matchmaking, and Rou Ne is my precious daughter whom I carried for ten months and raised with great effort. Yet my husband made this decision without even consulting me. Really, how could I not be furious?" She appeared deeply resentful. "Moreover, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. I put up with it before, but this time, I simply couldn’t bear it any longer. Blinded by rage, I took my child and returned to my parents’ home."

The elder madam, recalling recent events, found her story rang true. She comforted her: "In this matter, Lord Xiang was indeed in the wrong."

"Exactly!" Madam Xiang, as if finding a kindred spirit, shot the elder madam a grateful look and said, "When my sister-in-law found out, she was both furious and anxious, and made herself sick. My bitterness festered, and I quarreled with my lord. I didn’t even see him off when he left for his post... Otherwise, why would I have been unable to answer your question about his departure last time?"

Both Lady Eleven and the elder madam’s eyes went wide with shock.

To think she hadn’t even seen Lord Xiang off when he left for his post... That was going too far!

Madam Xiang also looked ashamed: "I know I overreacted terribly. But I was so angry at the time that I couldn’t think clearly. Later, my sister-in-law scolded me harshly, and only then did I come to my senses. I hurried to apologize to you, elder madam, and to my sister-in-law." Her voice gradually softened.

"After all, it’s an embarrassing matter, so I didn’t explain in detail during my last visit. Who would have thought you wouldn’t attend the temple fair at the Medicine King Temple this year..." Her face flushed with shame. "All the fault lies with me. Please, elder madam, for the sake of my sister-in-law, forgive me this once. Allow me to host you tomorrow for a proper meal at my home."

After such a heartfelt plea, and considering she was the sister-in-law of the second madam, the elder madam hesitated and glanced at Lady Eleven.

Seeing that the elder madam had already forgiven Madam Xiang, Lady Eleven naturally held her tongue. She smiled slightly and nodded to the elder madam, showing she'd follow her lead.

The elder madam felt relieved.

After all, they were relatives—no point in bearing grudges.

She smiled and said, "You're being too generous, Madam Xiang. But we've had our hands full lately. Perhaps another day?" She did not immediately agree.

Madam Xiang, familiar with such diplomatic language, replied sincerely, "Then please set a date yourself! I’ll be in the capital all year."

She was so humble they couldn't say no, so they settled on visiting the Xiang residence three days later.

Madam Xiang then softly begged the elder madam: "Please persuade my sister-in-law to come as well. She's still angry with me. Last time we met, she gave me the cold shoulder. I’m too ashamed to face her now!"

A flash of surprise passed through the elder madam’s eyes. "As long as you don’t mind our large party for the meal."

Madam Xiang perked up immediately and repeatedly assured, "Not at all, not at all!"

Thus, the matter was settled.

When the second madam learned of this, her face filled with astonishment: "Inviting them to our home for a meal?"

The elder madam nodded. "I sensed Madam Xiang’s sincerity, so I accepted on your behalf." Her tone carried a hint of reconciliation.

The second madam remained silent.

When Lady Eleven told Lord Xu about this, he looked uncomfortable.

Lady Eleven wisely avoided reopening old wounds and simply asked how they should proceed.

Lord Xu pondered and said, "Even if there are plans, now isn’t the time." He seemed unenthusiastic. "Let’s treat it as a casual visit between relatives."

Lady Eleven nodded and reported back to the elder madam.

"That’s fine," the elder madam said. "This is the best time for a visit. You can observe the Xiang family’s two young ladies, and since your sister hasn’t yet completed her mourning period, it’s neither appropriate nor reasonable to discuss such matters now." She sighed. "Madam Xiang seems genuinely sincere this time."

Lady Eleven softly agreed.

The elder madam hesitated and asked, "Back then, didn’t Yizhen mention this to you?"

"It was the marquis who asked Second Sister-in-law to inquire," Eleven Miss said with a smile. "She wasn’t exactly asked to be a matchmaker. Of course she couldn’t say anything until it was official."

The elder madam didn’t press further and instead asked about Fifth Miss’s child’s one-month celebration: "...Has a milk name been chosen?"

"Yes!" replied Miss Eleven cheerfully. "They said the child's five elements lack metal, so they named him Xin (鑫)!"

The elder madam burst into laughter. "Their family really must be wealthy!"

"Exactly!" Eleven Miss chuckled and chatted with the elder madam about Fifth Miss’s child.

Meanwhile, Lady Gao was questioning Lady Xiang: "Well? Did you manage to invite them?"

Lady Xiang nodded. "Though I had to swallow my pride a little!"

Lady Gao shot her a glare. "If you hadn’t been so careless, would we even be in this situation today?"

Lady Xiang still argued stubbornly, "Does Rou Ne really have no other choice but the Xu family?"

"Of course there are!" Lady Gao retorted. "But first, you went back on your word and ran back to your parents’ home with the child. Then, when your sister-in-law came to visit during an illness, you didn’t announce her and left her standing outside. When she returned to her maiden home, you even used your father’s name to summon her husband. And when he left for his post, you only sent Yi Jia to see him off... By the time he learns that the Yongping Marquis’s family has rejected the marriage, he’ll make you pay for each and every one of these! At best, he’ll give you the cold shoulder. At worst, he’ll leave you stranded in the capital with no regard. So tell me—would you rather invite Lady Yongping and the elder madam over for dinner and reconcile with your husband? Or would you prefer to live out your days alone in the capital with your child?"

Lady Xiang fell silent.