Chapter 43

Chapter 43

The warm sun hung high in the sky as Sheng Puzhu stepped into the council hall. Madam Qin was already seated in an armchair at the front of the room.

Upon seeing her, Madam Qin personally rose to greet her, her face beaming with an exaggerated, unprecedentedly enthusiastic smile.

"Puzhu, my dear child, you must be exhausted from all the work lately."

"You’ve come just in time. Early this morning, I asked Nanny Wang to stew some soup, and it’s still perfectly warm."

Madam Qin affectionately took Sheng Puzhu’s hand and gestured toward Nanny Wang with a tilt of her chin. "It’s poria and pigeon soup, with a few goji berries for garnish. See if you like it."

Nanny Wang was renowned throughout the household for her excellent soups.

Sheng Puzhu, taken aback by Madam Qin’s sudden warmth, subtly withdrew her hand and picked up the account books that Qing Ke was holding. "These are some of the manor accounts sent from the estates this year, along with this month’s projected expenses. Would you like to take a look first, Aunt?"

Madam Qin’s smile deepened as she took the food container from Nanny Wang. "Good, the accounts can wait. You should drink the soup first, my dear."

The soup in the celadon cup was milky white, dotted with a few goji berries—clearly prepared with care.

Unable to refuse, Sheng Puzhu picked up a spoon and took a small sip.

"It tastes wonderful. You’ve gone to so much trouble."

"We’re family—there’s no such thing as trouble." Madam Qin’s smile reached the corners of her eyes. "If you like it, I’ll have Nanny Wang make it for you every day."

Sheng Puzhu pressed her red lips together lightly, the faint, woody aroma of poria still lingering on her tongue. She slowly stirred the soup with her spoon, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Madam Qin didn’t take offense; instead, her smile grew even warmer.

"There’s no rush with the accounts, either."

"I came early today and took the liberty of handling some of the council hall matters for you. If you have time, Puzhu, why not come with me to the Listening Waves Pavilion for a chat?"

With Madam Qin having gone this far, Sheng Puzhu naturally couldn’t refuse.

Moreover, although Madam Qin could be difficult at times, she was, after all, the eldest daughter-in-law married into the prestigious Xie family, and she possessed the dignity and upbringing befitting her status.

Sheng Puzhu lowered her gaze slightly, her peripheral vision sweeping over the respectfully standing stewardesses in the hall. The Listening Waves Pavilion was quiet and indeed more suitable for conversation than the council hall.

"Of course," she said, curtsying gracefully to Madam Qin in agreement.

Passing through the covered corridor, they arrived at the Listening Waves Pavilion, where tea and snacks had been prepared as instructed.

Madam Qin personally picked up the teapot to pour tea for Sheng Puzhu, casually mentioning, "I heard you particularly enjoy Huoshan Yellow Bud Tea. Coincidentally, my second son also favors it, so we always keep some stocked here."

The fragrant steam of the tea veiled Sheng Puzhu’s expression.

The "second son" Madam Qin referred to was naturally her second son, Xie Jiyan. Due to Princess Shoukang having lost two children earlier, Xie Zhiyan was ranked third in the household. However, according to the main lineage of the Xie family, Xie Jiyan would be considered the fifth son, Wulang, in external contexts.

Sheng Puzhu lowered her eyes, her beautiful, delicate features reflected in the clear tea.

Madam Qin chuckled softly, her tone gentle. "Earlier, when Mingshu fell ill, I was too busy to visit. Thinking back, I still feel guilty about it."

"I know you’re sensible and thoughtful. Zhiyan is fortunate. It’s just a pity that my Jiyan is nearly twenty and still hasn’t settled on a marriage."

"Puzhu, my dear child."

"I won’t beat around the bush—consider this a favor I’m asking of you."

"You see, Mingshu is not so young anymore. Rather than seeking matches elsewhere, wouldn’t it be better to find someone from a family we know well? Could you discreetly ask Mingshu for her thoughts?"

Outside the window, it seemed to have started snowing again. The swaying of the trees almost entirely drowned out Madam Qin’s silent sigh.

Sheng Puzhu sipped her tea, taking a long moment before responding, "Second Sister has a stubborn temperament. It’s not as if she would listen to me even if I spoke to her."

"Moreover, matters of marriage are decided by the elders of the family. Although I am her elder sister, I cannot overstep my bounds."

Madam Qin’s smile stiffened. She glanced surreptitiously at Sheng Puzhu’s expression and said awkwardly, "Don’t misunderstand me. A marriage between two families should be based on mutual consent. It’s just that my Jiyan is reserved. Since his injury, he keeps everything to himself."

"It’s just that I noticed he seems to have taken a liking to your second sister, so I thought I’d privately inquire about Mingshu’s feelings."

Sheng Puzhu was slightly taken aback. She blinked slowly and looked seriously at Madam Qin. "You mustn’t say such things carelessly. Mingshu has only recently called off her engagement with the Marquis of Changxing’s household. If word got out, what would people think of her?"

"Don’t worry, I know my limits."

"That’s why I’m asking you privately," Madam Qin said with a serious expression.

Only then did Sheng Puzhu show a faint smile. She didn’t outright refuse but replied tactfully, "I understand what you mean. If I have the chance, I will send a message to Mingshu."

As for when she would have the chance or when she would deliver the message, that was naturally uncertain.

Madam Qin pressed an embroidered handkerchief to the corner of her lips, took a deep breath, and said, "I’m not in a hurry these few days, but I’m afraid that if my second son misses this opportunity with Mingshu, there may not be another chance later."

"So I was thinking, since Qinghui is about to finish her confinement period, we’ll be holding a full-month banquet. We could send an invitation to the Mingde Marquessate household and ask Madam Sheng to bring the young ladies of the family along."

Sheng Puzhu’s gaze fell on Madam Qin’s tightly clenched embroidered handkerchief, a faint smile in her eyes. "If you send an invitation to Grandmother, and if she permits it, she will naturally bring Mingshu along."

"That’s true, but I’m afraid Mingshu might not come," Madam Qin said anxiously.

"I understand your concerns as a mother and appreciate your thoughtful intentions. But matters of fate cannot be forced."

"If Mingshu were to make a rash decision about marriage because of me, I would only blame myself and regret it later."

Hearing this, Madam Qin coughed lightly and waved her hand. "I was too hasty. Indeed, matters of 'fate' cannot be forced."

"Dear Puzhu, I’ve taken up your time today."

Sheng Puzhu gently set down her teacup and said softly, "You’re too kind, Aunt. You’ve already handled the council hall affairs for me."

"I hope you recover your health soon."

"I’ve already asked Qingke to give the account books and household tallies to Nanny Wang."

Long after Sheng Puzhu had left, Madam Qin still seemed somewhat dazed. She looked up and asked, "What do you think Puzhu really means by this? She’s not managing the tallies or the account books—she’s left everything with you and even told me to focus on recovering my health?"

Seeing that no one else was in the room, Nanny Wang softened her voice. "It seems to me that the young lady genuinely hopes for your swift recovery."

Madam Qin, puzzled, raised her voice slightly. "What good does it do her if I recover?"

Nanny Wang smiled awkwardly, a thought suddenly occurring to her. "Could it be that the young lady truly dislikes managing household affairs, as she said?"

"How is that possible?"

"Look around Chang’an—which family’s eldest daughter-in-law wouldn’t want to manage household affairs? Without authority over the household, what support does one have in the inner quarters? Moreover, Zhiyan is the heir apparent, and she is the eldest daughter-in-law. How could she not care?"

"Even though the inner household rules of our Duke of Jing's residence are strict, preventing petty schemes, if one were to live in a disorderly household with numerous concubines, lacking any authority would make it impossible to lead a comfortable life."

Nanny Wang couldn't find a reason to refute this and could only gently pat Lady Qin's back to soothe her, saying, "Your health is still weak, and the mistress is right—focusing on recovery is what matters most."

Sheng Puzhu left Tingtao Ju and headed to Yishou Tang to pay her respects.

The Old Madam took her hand and looked her over carefully. "You don’t seem to have lost any more weight."

"I was worried that managing the household would tire you out, so I specifically instructed Nanny Jiang to keep an extra eye on things. If any servants or matrons tried to deceive you based on seniority, she would handle them for you."

"Don’t worry, nothing like that happened."

"Nanny Wang didn’t make things difficult for me; she helped with everything diligently." Sheng Puzhu spoke kindly of Nanny Wang to the Old Madam.

The Old Madam didn’t point out the truth, but she knew that if Sheng Puzhu hadn’t refused the housekeeping tallies and caught her daughter-in-law off guard, Nanny Wang wouldn’t have been so accommodating.

She admired Sheng Puzhu’s sensible and dignified nature, her eyes filled with affection. "If you’re tired, just let me know. Managing a household is draining, and you’re still so young."

"A young woman's prime years should be spent wearing beautiful clothes and jewelry, playing polo with close female friends, or enjoying flowers and snow—not wasted on household management."

"When your aunt-in-law was young, I told her the same thing, but she wouldn’t listen. After Eldest Princess gave birth to Zhi Yan, she secluded herself in Tianchang Daoist Temple for years. It was only after much consideration that I allowed your aunt-in-law to manage the household for me."

"She was diligent and did well."

"But in the matter of Qing Hui’s childbirth, she acted foolishly, and I had no choice but to take away her authority and reprimand her properly."

Sheng Puzhu held the Old Madam’s hand in return. "Your granddaughter-in-law understands what you’re saying, Grandmother. When they made mistakes, they were punished according to the family rules."

"But there’s one thing I’ve been thinking about, and I feel I should mention it to you to avoid misunderstandings later."

Sheng Puzhu brought up Lady Qin’s intention to arrange a marriage match for Xie Jiyan and explained earnestly, "My second sister has only recently called off her engagement. Based on my grandmother’s wishes, even if we consider potential marriage matches, it’s unlikely to be settled quickly."

"You probably also know that the incident with the Marquis of Changxing’s household left Ming Shu with emotional scars. Aside from her own brothers, she hardly dares to get close to any other eligible gentlemen."

After listening, the Old Madam lowered her gaze and thought for a long time. "You’re right."

"Although Jiyan is my biological grandson, every family’s child is cherished."

"Moreover, you are San Lang’s wife. If Ming Shu were to marry into the family and the marriage is harmonious, it would be a double joy for you to become married sisters-in-law. But if the marriage turned out unhappy, it would be bad for both you and Ming Shu."

The Old Madam’s smile remained unchanged. "Don’t worry. Even if Lady Qin acts foolishly at times, she wouldn’t recklessly meddle in her own son's marriage."

"Besides, given Jiyan’s temperament, I don’t think he would develop feelings for a quiet and reserved young lady like Ming Shu. Your aunt-in-law must have misunderstood something."

Sheng Puzhu also smiled. "That’s what I thought too."

Seeing that it was about time, she stood up and curtsied.

"I’ve asked the small kitchen to prepare lunch for my husband today. Qing Shi said that the Emperor has been gracious—the emperor's close ministers like my husband are allowed to have food delivered to the ‘Sishan Fang’ east of Wangxian Men, where it will be inspected before being sent into the palace."

"I’m afraid the standardized palace meals provided by the Court of Imperial Entertainments might not suit his taste."

"Silly child." The Old Madam couldn’t hide her delight. "If it’s not too much trouble, you should deliver it yourself."

"San Lang spends most of his days in the palace, and the two of you only have the evenings to talk."

"He often keeps his thoughts to himself, so you’ll need to take the initiative."

In Sheng Puzhu’s view, this had little to do with taking initiative—it was simply a matter of polite reciprocity, as they were bound by the rules of being an "affectionate" couple.

"Grandmother, you’ve misunderstood. The palace has strict rules, and the daily meals are standardized, so they’re unlikely to suit his taste or be as refined as home-cooked food."

The Old Madam beamed, not pointing out the truth, assuming Sheng Puzhu was just being bashful.

After all, the more she explained, the more it seemed like she was hiding their marital affection.

"Then you should get going. Don’t let me delay you any longer."