Chapter 80 (1/2)
Chapter 80
Chapter Eighty: Close and Distant
Because of the example of the green-robed servant girl, all of the w.a.n.g fu settled down greatly. Adding on that, the Empress Dowager bestowed down many rare and precious items, along with a verbal decree that Xian w.a.n.g Fei was virtuous and intelligent. It was as though she hadn’t implied for w.a.n.g Fei to have a child as early as possible.
The actions of the Empress Dowager clearly represented her reaching out to Hua Xi Wan, and also expressed the idea that she did not have any intentions of forcing Xian w.a.n.g to take a concubine. Xian w.a.n.g Fei was very good, she was satisfied, and other people should not speculate.
No one knew what the Empress Dowager was doing until someone suddenly recalled that Xian w.a.n.g had gone to the Empress Dowager’s palace a day ago and stayed in there for a considerable amount of time. Then they realized—this matter most likely was not that the Empress Dowager had thought it through but that Xian w.a.n.g had gone to beg the Empress Dowager.
The women of Jing all praised Xian w.a.n.g’s actions, and even the womenfolk who only thought he had surface beauty felt that he was pretty good. Most of the women in the world who were normal would admire a man who loved his wife. So without knowing it, Yan Jin Qiu received from the women a reputation of being a good man.
Having seen too many stupidly filial men who sacrificed their woman’s happiness, people felt that Xian w.a.n.g was a rare example. There were women who praised Yan Jin Qiu, and there were women who envied Hua Xi Wan. There were also some men who found that their recent days were not very smooth because they had this example drop on them out of nowhere.
In the Third Master Hua’s compound, the marriage of Hua Chu Yu with the master of the Lin Family was finalized and set for the end of fall. Even though there was still half a year, the fu prepared a great amount of dowry for her. But Yao s.h.i.+ still constantly toiled and had the servants collect rare items. She seemed to want to give Hua Chu Yu as dowry everything that was good.
The Third Master Hua was not a very significant personage in Jing, but his family had the marquis fu as support, as well as a Xian w.a.n.g Fei who was deeply loved by Xian w.a.n.g. So even though the Third Master Hua did not have any real power, the servants who were sent to the stores for purchases received a lot of face.
Today, the servant was going to collect a box of pearls for which the deposit had been paid, but in the end, the servant from Princess Rui He’s fu had forcibly bought it. The servant from the Third Master Hua’s fu didn’t have a solution and could only return with empty hands to Yao s.h.i.+.
After Yao s.h.i.+ heard the process of the matter, she swore hatefully, “A widow who just had her husband die dares to be so arrogant. I want to see how long she can do this.”
“Mother.” Hua Chu Yu hurriedly stopped Yao s.h.i.+ from talking and comforted her. “It is just some pearls, nothing rare. There is no harm in not having them.”
“Silly girl, I want to make a pearl robe for your dowry. Princess Rui He does not want any face, and is stealing boldly from our fu.” Yao s.h.i.+ was discontent, but she knew that Princess Rui He’s personality was a strong one. Most people could only allow her to take what she wanted. The reason why the purchases that her family made
in the recent days had gone so smoothly was mostly due to the marquis fuand Xian w.a.n.g Fu. Otherwise, even if they had the silver, they wouldn’t have been able to purchase such good objects.
Thinking about Hua Xi Wan, Yao s.h.i.+ asked somewhat unnaturally, “Are you still in contact with the one in w.a.n.g Fu? A few days ago, there were rumors that the Empress Dowager was discontent with her—is that true?”
“Xian w.a.n.g is in true love with Meimei. As long as Xian w.a.n.g doesn’t desire it, there is nothing that will happen to her.” Hua Chu Yu thought of the rumor from yesterday that said there had been a servant in the w.a.n.g fu who wanted to seduce Xian w.a.n.g. In the end, she had been sent by Xian w.a.n.g to the laundry room, and even the steward had been punished. She said, “You do not need to worry about Third Sister; she is living well in the w.a.n.g fu.”
“Who is concerned about her?” Yao s.h.i.+ coughed awkwardly. “She is the di miss of the marquis fu, and a w.a.n.g fei. Does she need us people from common families to worry about her?”
Hua Chu Yu laughed. She understood her mother’s sharp mouth and soft heart. She changed the topic and said, “I heard that there was a minor conflict on Second Uncle’s fu. Last time at Grandmother’s, I saw that Eldest Sister looked fragile and thought that maybe we should have her at the fu for a short stay…”
Before she finished speaking, Yao s.h.i.+ interrupted her. Yao s.h.i.+ said with a dark expression, “You are a girl preparing for marriage; it is inauspicious for you to have her stay in the fu.” Yao s.h.i.+ paused and was worried that her words would make her seem heartless. She sighed and said, “It is not that I am heartless, but I really do not like Eldest Miss’ personality. Recently, her personality has become even darker. I’m afraid that she will go crazy and hurt you one day. Your brother’s personality is like that of the s.h.i.+zi from the eldest branch, and he doesn’t need my concern. Whereas you might look smart, but you care too much. How can I not worry?”
Hua Chu Yu was silent. She had just casually mentioned the matter and hadn’t expected Mother to give such a speech. In reality, among the three cousin-sisters, she was closer to Hua Xi Wan. From a young age, she had found that Eldest Sister’s personality was slightly introverted and sensitive, but she also wanted to be the best. It was not as interesting and relaxed being with Eldest Sister as being with Third Sister. It was not that she cared too much, but when she saw how fragile Eldest Sister looked, she was worried that something would happen to her.
“Mother, your words…” Hua Chu Yu hesitated. “Eldest Sister is slightly sensitive, but she is not that… extreme.”
“How old are you?” Yao s.h.i.+ laughed lightly. “I’ve seen people like Eldest Miss before. Not just me, even that female tiger from the eldest branch doesn’t like her very much. Didn’t you see that when Third Miss came back to visit the paternal home, that female tiger didn’t like to call Eldest Miss over to talk to Third Miss? Whenever she invites you, what is her excuse?”
Hua Chu Yu finally recalled that, when Third Sister had returned to the marquis futhe last few times and she had gone over to talk, she had never seen Eldest Sister. She finally realized—so Eldest Aunt disliked Eldest Sister so much now. But when Third Sister had returned to the marquis fu last winter, it had been fine.