After a discussion, the mother and daughter decided that since someone from the royal residence had arrived, they couldn’t just leave them waiting.
They would first probe the situation before making any decisions.
Madam Cao waited in the front hall for the time it took to drink a cup of tea before the two of them came out to meet her.
At that time, Chen Jiao was dressed in a graceful light green robe with a layered hem, and her feet were adorned with shoes with upturned toes.
She had a slender and elegant figure.
Madam Xu had styled her hair into a simple hanging bun, decorated only with a long, thin red silk ribbon.
She wore a light layer of makeup, and despite the delicate peach blossom pattern on her face, she could not conceal her natural air of confidence and strength.
Madam Cao stole several glances at her before respectfully saluting the two and introducing herself.
Madam Xu returned the greeting.
Representing the main wife, Madam Cao carried a certain air of authority.
She spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly:
“Yesterday, my mistress learned about Madam Xu’s situation. With the master’s approval, I have come to escort Madam Xu and Miss Chen to the residence.”
Madam Xu was skeptical and cautiously asked, “Did Lord Chen approve of this?”
Madam Cao nodded and lied, “Yes, the master approved it.”
She added, “Madam Xu, after all, you have borne children for the Chen family. Living outside is truly inappropriate. That is why I was ordered to bring you both to the residence for proper arrangements.”
Her words were well-crafted, leaving no room for objection.
The mother and daughter exchanged a glance.
Since it was claimed that Prince Huai’an had granted permission, they had no reason to refuse.
Thus, in the afternoon, they boarded the carriage arranged by the Zheng family and entered the residence.
Upon arriving at the prince’s manor, Madam Cao led them in through a side gate.
Two sedan chairs were already waiting for them.
The mother and daughter each got into one, and the porters carried them to the Chuihua Gate.
Beyond this gate lay the inner courtyard, where no outside men were allowed.
After disembarking from the sedan chairs, Madam Cao and two maidservants guided them through the covered walkway, while the servants carried their luggage to Lixiang Courtyard.
Unlike the north, the south remained vibrant with life even in winter.
On the way to Jinyu Courtyard, the mother and daughter were mesmerized by the grandeur of the estate.
The entire Prince Huai’an Manor occupied an immense area.
Inside, there was an artificial lake, numerous pavilions, and over a dozen courtyards.
Along the way, intricately carved beams and painted eaves adorned the scenery.
The arrangement of rock gardens, small bridges, and flowing water was exquisite, making it difficult to look away.
As they walked along the corridor, they could see from afar that the red leaves on the other side of the lake were as vivid as fire.
Pointing at an unremarkable grove of winter plums nearby, Madam Cao said:
“The blossoms haven’t bloomed yet, but when they do, Madam Xu, you may come to admire them. The fragrance is truly enchanting.”
Madam Xu responded, “The scenery here is truly beautiful.”
But then, Madam Cao abruptly changed the subject and said, “That plum grove was personally planted by our master for my lady.”
Madam Xu felt a moment of awkwardness and secretly rolled her eyes in her heart.
Madam Cao’s words carried hidden meanings.
She enthusiastically introduced the scenery along the way, but her remarks were laced with subtle warnings.
The mother and daughter had only just arrived, yet they had already received a veiled display of authority, making them uneasy.
Upon reaching Jinyu Courtyard, Madam Cao went ahead to announce their arrival.
Before long, a maid came out to invite them into the side hall.
The two composed themselves and walked in with the grace expected of proper ladies to meet the mistress of the house.
Chen Jiao, however, felt uncomfortable.
She usually walked however she pleased, paying no mind to ladylike manners.
But Madam Xu had been strict, repeatedly reminding her that their status had changed.
She had to maintain the poise of a refined lady to secure a good marriage in the future.
Upon entering the side hall, the mother and daughter saluted Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng, having been raised in a scholarly and well-mannered household, naturally carried herself with elegance and dignity.
Whether in temperament or appearance, she was far superior to Madam Xu, making the latter feel somewhat inferior.
Madam Xu dared not meet her gaze.
After all, she was merely a concubine and would have to survive under the mistress’s rule in the future.
Seated gracefully on a couch, Madam Zheng quietly observed the two while signaling for someone to prepare seats.
The mother and daughter each took their seats.
Madam Zheng’s gaze fell on Chen Jiao, seemingly quite satisfied with her.
She said, “I heard from my husband that A Ying has reached her coming-of-age ceremony this year. Is that right?”
Madam Xu hurriedly responded, “Replying to Your Highness, A Ying reached her coming-of-age in May.”
Madam Zheng nodded with a meaningful smile and said, “She is of marriageable age now. Ba Niang in the manor is the same age and has already been betrothed.”
Madam Xu, naively hoping that the mistress of the house would arrange a good marriage for her daughter, replied joyfully, “I must trouble Your Highness to look after A Ying.”
With a warm expression, Madam Zheng said, “I am older than you, just call me elder sister.”
Madam Xu, eager to please, called her “Elder Sister.”
Chen Jiao glanced at her mother.
She was naturally more perceptive and couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
Sure enough, Madam Zheng, with her kind and benevolent demeanor like that of a merciful Bodhisattva, skillfully guided the conversation.
With just a few words, she had already drawn out details about their experiences in Tongzhou.
Madam Xu, unaware of the trap, poured out her grievances, recounting how difficult life had been for her and her daughter, earning much sympathy from Madam Zheng.
As the two women chatted merrily, Prince Huai’an, who had just returned from outside, was informed by his servants that Madam Xu and her daughter had been brought into the manor.
He was immediately surprised.
He had been at odds with Madam Zheng over their daughter’s marriage and feared she might be causing trouble.
He rushed to Jinyu Courtyard to assess the situation.
Just then, a maid came in to report that the master had arrived.
Kneeling on the couch, Madam Xu was secretly delighted and peeked outside.
Madam Zheng, suppressing her disdain, rose to greet him.
Moments later, Chen En strode into the side hall, sweeping his robe aside as he entered.
Madam Zheng and Madam Xu both saluted him, and Chen Jiao called out, “Father.”
Chen En gave the mother and daughter a quick glance before his eyes settled on Madam Zheng.
Calmly, Madam Zheng said, “Husband, you returned early. I had someone arrange for Sister Xu to stay in Lixiang Courtyard. Is that suitable?”
Chen En held back his questions, suppressing any displeasure, and simply replied, “I appreciate your efforts, Yue Niang. Lixiang Courtyard is a good choice.”
Then, turning to Madam Xu and her daughter, he said, “I need to speak with Yue Niang. Hui Niang, you and A Ying should go back to Lixiang Courtyard first. I will visit you later.”
Madam Xu suppressed her excitement, saluted, and left with Chen Jiao.
Once they had gone, Chen En’s expression darkened.
He sat down heavily on a couch, clearly displeased.
Earlier that morning, his wife’s family had pressured him, opposing Chen Xianle’s marriage to Jiaozhou, leaving him in a foul mood.
Madam Zheng understood perfectly and softened her tone:
“I heard about Sister Xu’s hardships. She bore children for you, yet lived outside all this time. It was truly improper. That’s why I took the liberty of bringing them into the manor. I hope you won’t take offense.”
Chen En, still cold-faced, had known her temperament for decades.
He questioned, “What makes Madam Xu so significant that you would lower yourself to personally bring her into the manor?”
Madam Zheng did not like hearing this.
“I am only preserving the Chen family’s reputation.”
Chen En was so infuriated that he let out a laugh, pointing to his own face and saying, “Since when have you ever cared about my dignity?”
Madam Zheng, having tried to be warm but receiving only cold treatment, could no longer keep up the act.
Chen En continued unceremoniously, “This morning, I was thoroughly scolded by your uncle, and this afternoon, you suddenly became so kind-hearted, bringing Madam Xu and her daughter into the manor.”
“Oh, Yue Niang, Yue Niang, you Zheng siblings are truly something else. One moment, you slap me, the next, you offer me a date. But after so many times, it’s starting to feel unbearable.”
Madam Zheng’s eyes welled up with tears as she said, aggrieved, “So, are you saying I shouldn’t have brought Madam Xu into the manor?”
Chen En retorted sharply, “What are you feeling wronged about?
“We both know the game. In the past, whenever I kept women outside, didn’t you always throw a fit—crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang yourself?
“But now, suddenly, you’re the one voluntarily bringing a woman into my household. What exactly are you planning? Do you think I don’t know?
“Let me make this clear—if you’re hoping for A Ying to take Fifth Miss’s place and be married off to Jiaozhou, forget it.”
The moment these words fell, Madam Zheng completely lost it.
She pointed at him and shouted, “Do you have any conscience left?!”
Chen En had no interest in arguing with her.
He got up, flicked his sleeves, and strode out.
Furious, Madam Zheng’s screams of rage were soon accompanied by the sound of porcelain shattering inside the room.
Chen En ignored it completely.
His mind was already filled with frustration.
For years, he had been under the control of the Zheng siblings, bottling up a deep sense of resentment.
His wife’s family meddled far too much, making him feel utterly stifled.
Meanwhile, in Lixiang Courtyard, Madam Xu and Chen Jiao were curiously inspecting their new residence.
Since it was winter, the ginkgo trees in the courtyard were already bare, leaving only the lush green Buddha belly bamboo along the walls.
Chen Jiao stepped into the side chamber to examine the furnishings.
Though the room was small, it had everything one could need.
The screen was finely crafted, the bed was clean and tidy, and the cabinets and furniture were all brand new.
Clearly, someone had put effort into preparing the space.
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