Four Seasons Brocade – CH 024

Chapter 24 ☆、 Current Situation: Sister-in-Law Teaches Sister (Part 2)

“Sister-in-law, I think you are too anxious. Although the third son has become the top scholar, writing essays and becoming an official are not the same thing. Even during the late Emperor’s reign, there were top scholars who had to go home to collect manure. What can the third son possibly achieve? Besides, even if he becomes successful in the future, I am his legal mother. What can he do to me? If I ask him to do something, will he dare to make excuses?”

The Old Madam still felt she was very reasonable.

Madam Ma truly found the Old Madam somewhat exasperating, but her sister-in-law was always stubborn. The more she tried to persuade her, the more obstinate she became, going against her advice. Madam Ma had no choice but to appease her. “Who says otherwise? But you are the legal mother, and he was not born from your womb. It’s never good for rumors to spread. Those of us who know the inside story are fine, but what will those who do not think of you?”

“I do not care what others think,” the Old Madam replied, accustomed to being the sole authority in the household, having long since developed an arrogant attitude that “what I say goes.”

“What are you saying? If your reputation is bad, how can you expect Eldest Master Rong to still be an official in the court? Do you not think about whether he has any future prospects? Besides, of your two granddaughters, Wan’er is extremely filial and talented. Do you not want her to marry well in the future?” Madam Ma slowly advised.

The Old Madam remained silent.

“Besides, what can a son of a concubine do to you? When the family property is divided in the future, he can at most take some property with him. Moreover, it’s not up to you two to decide.” Madam Ma’s niece was the Empress, and she did not care about the Duke’s Mansion’s small amount of wealth.

“Hmph, I will not give him a single penny. Why should I give money to that lowly vixen’s bastard child? Bah, dream on!” the Old Madam said through gritted teeth.

Madam Ma knew a little about Third Master Rong’s mother’s affair and knew she was a thorn in the Old Madam’s side, so she dared not bring it up again, fearing that if she truly upset the Old Madam, the conflict would be irreparable.

“Sigh. They say a hero needs three helpers; brothers should always support each other. We are sisters-in-law, and the Empress is my niece. We are all in-laws, bound by blood. The Fifth Prince will need someone to assist him in the future; every bit of help is a bit more, do you not think?”

The Old Madam sneered. “Really, now that he’s the top scholar, you all have your eyes on him. I’ve watched him grow up; do you think I do not know what kind of person he is? A man who cannot even fart after three blows—what help can he be to the Fifth Prince?”

Seeing that the Old Madam was unmoved, Madam Ma grew impatient. “How could you…”

The Old Madam interrupted impatiently, “Alright, alright, I understand what you mean, Sister-in-law.”

The Old Madam’s impatience angered Madam Ma, but Madam Ma was a woman who kept her true feelings hidden. She did not show it on her face, but inwardly spat at the Old Madam, thinking, “What an ignorant and foolish woman! What does she know?”

If that Third Master Rong really could become the top scholar, given the Old Madam’s attitude, how could he have survived under her care and even managed to study? Could such a person be simple?

Reasoning with the Duchess of Anguo seemed ineffective. Madam Ma used many flattering words and incentives to lure the Old Madam, dangling the “carrot” of the Empress in front of the Old Madam’s stubbornness, finally persuading her.

Although reluctant, the Old Madam was somewhat wary after hearing Madam Ma’s words and thus allowed Ah Wu to go out, hoping the rumors would dissipate on their own.

But Ah Wu would not listen, childishly saying, “I am not going.”

“You cannot just tell me to go out, and I will not. I am not like a dough ball you can knead,” Ah Wu thought to herself.

Upon hearing Ah Wu’s words, the Old Madam glared at her angrily. “What did you say?”

“I am not going. Last time, Sister He laughed at me, saying that only her maid would wear that gold ring I was wearing,” Ah Wu said shyly.

Everyone understood what she meant. The Old Madam, the eldest son’s family, and the second son’s family all knew the situation of the third branch of the family. Ah Wu only had one or two sets of clothes and one or two pieces of jewelry, which she wore repeatedly. This young girl was afraid of being embarrassed and laughed at again.

Ah Wu’s words gave the eldest son’s and the second son’s families a sense of superiority. The Old Madam had also seen Ah Wu wearing the same gold sunflower eight-treasure necklace and longevity lock around her neck. Since she had heard Madam Ma’s words, she had to put on a show of politeness. The Old Madam was about to speak when Fifth Young Lady Rong spoke up.

“Sixth Sister, come back to my room with me later. I will let you choose from my jewelry. Will you be willing to go out then?” Fifth Young Lady Rong coaxed Ah Wu like a child. She even wanted to affectionately tap Ah Wu’s nose, but Ah Wu turned her head away, a hint of embarrassment on her face, which she quickly masked with a smile.

Ah Wu glanced at Fifth Young Lady Rong. Her initial thought was simply to annoy the Old Madam, hoping to receive a reward in return. She did not actually care for anything from the Old Madam; frankly, the Duchess of Anguo thought herself superior, but in reality, she did not have anything that Ah Wu would find appealing. Ah Wu just wanted to spite the Old Madam, knowing that even a small thing from her would not be given to the third branch of the family.

If she received something this time, and it was gold, she would melt it down into ingots to spend; if it was something else, she would use it as silver to reward the maid. Ah Wu had a well-thought-out plan.

But Fifth Young Lady Rong’s words ruined Ah Wu’s plans. Ah Wu did not understand Fifth Young Lady Rong’s meaning, but since the two had been on good terms lately, she did not think the worst, assuming Fifth Young Lady Rong was just trying to help her out of a difficult situation, fearing the Old Madam would not approve.

After the group left the main room, Fourth Young Lady Rong said sarcastically, “Sixth Sister is so happy now. Fifth Sister has so many good things; you are really getting a good deal.”

Ah Wu ignored Fourth Young Lady Rong. If you talked to someone like that, it would be to teach her a lesson. Ah Wu decided to just let her get away with it. She’d eventually reap what she sowed.

To be honest, Ah Wu was not really interested in Fifth Young Lady Rong’s things, but since she’d already said it, she could not very well refuse to go to Fifth Young Lady Rong’s room.

Upon arriving at Fifth Young Lady Rong’s boudoir, Ah Wu looked around. The display cabinet was filled with precious and rare antiques. Two or three pieces looked quite old. Ah Wu thought to herself that most of the main house’s treasures were probably in this display cabinet.

When Qiu Se, who was in Fifth Young Lady Rong’s room, saw Ah Wu enter, she curled her lip, clearly looking down on her. Ah Wu pretended not to notice.

This maid was destined to be a servant, yet she had developed a haughty attitude of looking down on her masters. It was just Qiu Se’s ungrateful mentality; to Ah Wu, she was nothing more than a breathing object. What she thought was completely irrelevant to Ah Wu.

Qiu Se pulled Xia Fang, who had followed Fifth Young Lady Rong in, aside and muttered, “Why is she here? Every time she comes here, she’s envious of everything the girls have. She’s so shallow, even less discerning than us maids. If I had known she was coming, I should have put everything away from the display cabinet.”

Ah Wu was a bit too sharp-eared and overheard this, feeling even more disgusted by Qiu Se’s rudeness. As far as Ah Wu knew, although her predecessor was somewhat timid and insecure, she never had the habit of asking for things. Qiu Se’s words were utterly unreasonable. The young mistress was young and naturally curious, looking around the sisters’ rooms—nothing serious. Yet, this had provoked such sharp and sarcastic remarks from Qiu Se.

Ah Wu thought for a moment, deciding she should talk to Zi-Shan when they got back, lest she learn Qiu Se’s petty and sharp tongue, needlessly embarrassing her mistress. They said, “Like master, like servant.”

Fifth Young Lady Rong had probably overheard them too, glaring at Qiu Se, and only then did the two maids stop talking and separate.

“Qiu Se, go fetch my jewelry box,” Fifth Young Lady Rong said, leading Ah Wu to sit down in the inner room.

A maid brought tea, pre-Qingming Longjing. Ah Wu tasted it; it was not from the genuine Longjing tea trees by West Lake, and the water was inferior. Ah Wu took a sip and put the tea down.

Qiu Se, holding the jewelry box, whispered to Xia Fang through the lattice window, “Look, she cannot even appreciate good tea. What a waste of Longjing tea! That brat from Mingyuan, so clueless, serving her such fine tea.”

Xia Fang nudged Qiu Se with her elbow, signaling her to shut up.

Qiu Se took the box to the table and unlocked the two locks with two keys, revealing the jewelry inside. Qiu Se, being the sharp-tongued type, deliberately “casually” held the jewelry box up to Ah Wu’s eyes, the gleaming jewels attracting attention.

Ah Wu wondered if she should act a little “dumbfounded.” In fact, Ah Wu was indeed somewhat “dumbfounded.” Ah Wu was a perceptive person; she could tell the approximate value of the jewelry at a glance. These few pieces, though locked here, were all left open on Ah Wu’s dressing table.

Seeing Qiu Se’s cautious way of unlocking the box, Ah Wu was genuinely “surprised” but also wanted to laugh. Was it really necessary to use two locks? And yet, she was still showing off her poverty—it was truly laughable, and yet no one dared to tell anyone.

“Sixth Sister, take a look. Take whatever you like,” Fifth Young Lady Rong said quite generously.

Ah Wu looked at Fifth Young Lady Rong’s expression, unsure if her generosity was genuine. Ah Wu decided to try it herself and examined the box more carefully. The only item that caught her eye was a delicate gold filigree hairpin with intricately shaped beads.

Although this hairpin was not as eye-catching as other ornaments like the hair ornament with its dangling pendant, Ah Wu dared to say it was the most valuable item in the entire box. The hairpin was exquisitely crafted; within the delicate floral design at the head were two shimmering jade beads that made a pleasant clinking sound if shaken in her hand. When held up to the light, it even shimmered as she moved—truly a fine piece.

However, Ah Wu only glanced at them; she was not the kind of person who was easily swayed and only looked at other people’s nice things.

“Which one does Sixth Sister like?” Fifth Young Lady Rong asked gently with a smile.