Chapter 30 - Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Singing and Responding (1/2)
Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Singing and Responding
Translator: 549690339
The horse carriage was fast, a journey that would take an ox cart two hours to complete was covered in only half an hour, and it was not yet dark when they arrived home. The Han family members were just coming back from the field when they saw two spacious horse carriages parked at their doorstep, continuously unloading items into the house.
Han Yu was pondering how to discuss Xiao Xi’s matter with Father and Mother in a way that would not cause them unnecessary worry. But before he could do so, Xiao Xi took the initiative and appeared before Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang, and with a plop, she knelt down, startling both of them greatly.
“What is the matter with this girl, why would she kneel down so abruptly? Get up quickly,” Old Man Han said, somewhat at a loss, lifting his hand. As she was a grown girl, it was inappropriate for him to help her up, so he could only look toward Mrs. Yang.
Mrs. Yang was also somewhat at a loss and wanted to pull Xiao Xi up from the ground, “Yes, girl, why are you kneeling to us? Get up quickly. There are so many mud and pebbles on the ground; you must have hurt your knees. And look, the fine clothes have been dirtied as well.’
Mrs. Yang, however, felt somewhat distressed about Xiao Xi’s clothes, which were made from fine cloth. It would be such a waste if they were dirtied or damaged. Although Xiao Xi was a servant girl from the Su Family, the Su Family treated their servants well, providing them with nice food, clothing, and living conditions. Xiao Xi, as someone who served by Su Wenyue’s side, was treated even better. To the Han family members, she seemed more like a young Miss from the city. But seeing that Xiao Xi had returned with Han Yu and Su Wenyue, they all speculated about Xiao Xi’s status.
“Old Master and Madam of my parents-in-law’s family, please accept Xiao Xi. Ever since the age of eight, Xiao Xi has been with the Miss, serving by her side. She has grown accustomed to such a life and truly does not wish to part with the Miss. I implore you, Old Master and Madam, to show mercy and allow Xiao Xi to stay. All she desires is to remain with the Miss. Rest assured, all her expenses for food, clothing, and necessities will be covered by herself. Xiao Xi will not take a single thing from the Han family. Having served in the Su Family for so many years, she has saved a considerable amount of silver and is fully capable of supporting herself.”
After Xiao Xi’s tearful plea, Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang began to understand that this well-dressed girl was actually a servant girl from the Su Family. My goodness, the Su Family’s treatment of its servants was really too good! But did this servant girl want to stay at the Han family? Old Man Han and Mrs. Yang cast questioning glances at their young daughter-in-law.
Xiao Xi’s actions were naturally instructed by Mrs. An. Mrs. An was doing this for the sake of her daughter, having her best interests in mind while also providing support. But after all, she overthought things and did not want her daughter to have an unhappy relationship with her in-laws because of this, so she taught Xiao Xi to stage this scene. Xiao Xi, being clever, played out this scene perfectly.
As Su Wenyue was not informed about this arrangement in advance, she was somewhat stunned to see Xiao Xi rush to her in-laws. However, the understanding between maid and master over many years meant that Su Wenyue quickly grasped what was happening. Seeing Father-in-law and Mother-in-law looking her way, she put on a performance with exceptional acting skills, her face showing a mix of difficulty and helplessness.
“Father, Mother, this is Xiao Xi, a servant girl who has served by my side since childhood. She wants to stay by my side, but I did not agree. After all, I am now the daughter-in-law of the Han family. Where a woman goes, so goes her family. I’ve been married into the Han family for several days and am not unknowledgeable about our financial situation. We do not have spare money to support an extra servant girl!”
“But this girl is stubborn and is set on following me. No matter what I say, I cannot persuade her. She redeemed herself, and even claimed that if I do not take her in, she will have nowhere to go. She insisted she does not need the Han family’s support and can fend for herself. She begged me, considering our long relationship, not to send her away. I was truly at a loss. However, Mother is the decision-maker in the household; it was not right for me to decide independently. Hence, I brought the girl here, deferring to Mother’s decision.”