Chapter 62: The Aunt (Part One)

  Since that evening when Mingxia left Luomei Courtyard, Yao Cunhui had known in her heart that this day would come sooner or later, but she hadn't expected it to be so soon.

  One is a talentless, uneducated, and ugly housekeeper's son, the other is a wealthy merchant with high social status, who is less than fifty years old, elegant and steady, a typical successful person. Comparing the two, even an idiot knows who to choose.

  As Ma's confidant, Mingxia must have understood Old Master Yao's personality and preferences. She had plenty of opportunities to get close to him, and with her intelligence and beauty, she seized the chance to cater to his tastes and successfully advanced in rank - it was a simple matter!

  As for Madam Ma, it so happened that on that evening, she suddenly remembered something and wanted to find Mingxia, but no matter where everyone looked, they couldn't find her. This was something that had never happened before, and Madam Ma was furious, thinking that the next day she would have to teach this little girl a good lesson, not daring to be disrespectful to her master just because she was about to get married, thinking she could go wherever she wanted without even making a sound, did she still have any respect for her master?

  The next morning, Old Master Yao personally led Mingxia into the main courtyard. Old Master Yao was in high spirits and walked with a light step, occasionally turning his head to glance at Mingxia with a doting expression; Mingxia's face was flushed with shyness, and she leaned gently against Old Master Yao like a little bird relying on its master.

  From the moment the two entered the main courtyard, all the maidservants and daughters-in-law they saw were stunned, standing there with their mouths half open and eyes wide, completely unresponsive! The tea water in Cai Xia's hand almost spilled over.

  Mrs. Ma was sitting lazily in the middle chair, ordering a small maid to massage her shoulders, flipping through an account book with one hand, waiting for the wives and daughters-in-law to come and report back. Suddenly, she raised her head and saw Old Master Yao and Mingxia. Mrs. Ma was stunned, suddenly stood up, pale-faced, staring dead at the two of them, her whole body as cold as an ice cellar, her mind a complete blank.

  Mr. Yao only gave her a faint glance, completely disregarding her reaction and expression, with a hint of blame and dissatisfaction in his eyes: wasn't it natural for someone of his status to take a concubine? As the mistress of the house, she should have thought of this herself, but instead, she was derelict in her duty and even dared to show him attitude!

  Mr. Yao suddenly remembered that his two previous concubines had made mistakes a few years ago and were moved to a remote courtyard, and in all these years he had no other women except for Madam Ma! After tasting the flavor of last night, Mr. Yao suddenly felt like a fool and became even more dissatisfied with Madam Ma: he was busy with business and didn't care about female charm, but as the mistress of the house, she didn't know how to be considerate of her husband's thoughts? How did she become the mistress?

  Thinking so, Old Master Yao felt more and more displeased with Madam Ma. He had originally wanted to say a few comforting words to her, but now he didn't have the heart to do so. He walked straight up to the main seat and sat down, glanced at Madam Ma and said indifferently: "I took in Xia'er as my concubine last night. She's from your side, so she has a good background, unlike those from outside. From now on, let's call her Fourth Lady. Tell someone to prepare a courtyard for her, choose a good day for her to move in, and assign two people to serve her. You're familiar with each other, and now you're sisters, which is even more intimate. In the future, when it comes to managing the household, there will be one more person to share the burden. This is a happy event for everyone, what do you think, Madam?"

  Madam Ma clenched her fist tightly, suppressing the trembling of her body and the turmoil of her emotions. In her heart, she had already cursed countless times, "Little slut, little prostitute!" After a long time of effort, she forced a smile and gritted her teeth, saying: "Yes, sir, please be assured that I will arrange everything properly." As she spoke, she turned to Mingxia with a fake smile and said: "Congratulations, congratulations! I really didn't expect that we would have this kind of fate. From now on, we are family!"

  The more she thought about it, the angrier she became; the more she talked about it, the angrier she got. Ma's heart was churning with overwhelming rage and resentment, as if she wanted to tear Mingxia apart!

  The strange road couldn't find anyone last night, it turned out he went to climb the master's bed!

  Guai Dao refused to agree to Liu Zi's marriage, Guai Dao was originally unwilling to agree, and these few days were even more obedient and listened to her, thinking she had come around, but it turned out that she had become ruthless and numb!

  Well, as expected, it's really good, but the eagle turned around and pecked at its owner's eyes!

  Does she think that just because she's slept with the master and become a concubine, she's superior? Humph, without the backing of her natal family, a concubine is even inferior to a maid. Just wait and see, there will be a time when she'll cry!

  Xia'er? I spit on it!

  "Madam has taken pity on me! In front of madam, I am still a servant, how dare I say 'one family' with madam? From now on, it will be the same as before, I will continue to serve by madam's side and do my duty! If madam and master show compassion, that is my good fortune!"

  Ming Xia spoke with utmost sincerity, as if she wanted to pour out her heart and lungs. Her beautiful eyes were filled with autumn water, pitiful and touching. As she spoke, she knelt down and kowtowed to Madam Ma.

  Ma's face was cold and silent, only letting her kowtow. Mingxia's words happened to be what she wanted to hear, and in her heart, she had already started to resentfully plan how to deal with her even more.

  "Alright, alright!" Old Master Yao saw that Madam Ma was silent and raised his hand to stop Mingxia. He said calmly: "Our family doesn't lack serving maids, if we're short of a mistress, just spend some silver to buy one. Xia'er is the fourth lady of the manor, how can she still do servant work? What kind of situation is this?" As he spoke, he ordered Caixia to bring tea and had Mingxia serve it to Madam Ma, thus rectifying their positions.

  Ma's eyes were about to spew fire, and she took the tea from Mingxia with great difficulty. She felt it was bitter and astringent, so bitter that it reached her heart. After swallowing it, her mouth and throat still felt bitter!

  "It's too sudden today, I didn't prepare anything at all, not even a gift for meeting you. Let me give it to you together in two days when you move into the new house! Fourth Auntie, don't take offense!" Mrs. Ma's sinister gaze stared at Mingxia, with a smile that was not quite a smile, full of sarcasm.

  "How dare I blame you, madam? Everything is up to you." Mingxia's eyebrows didn't even twitch once, still displaying a gentle and warm demeanor. It was Ma who was choked for a moment instead.

  Although she was also a concubine, after becoming the legitimate wife, she naturally regarded herself as the first wife and hated the concubines even more than the original first wife. Looking at Mingxia's beautiful face, youthful age, and fair, crystal-like skin, Madam Ma couldn't help but feel jealous and angry to the extreme.

  "Alright, that's the formal greeting!" Old Master Yao chuckled with delight and smiled at Madam Ma: "After all, it's someone you've taught, who knows the rules and has a good temper! Xiayu, get up! That's enough for today. When we move to the new house, don't forget to go greet the three young ladies."

  Mr. Yao's words of praise would have been better left unsaid, as Madam Ma forced a smile onto her face, looking even more miserable than if she had cried.

  Ming Xia nodded gently and slowly got up, walking to the back of Old Master Yao, standing with her hands hanging down, gentle and elegant, with an endless charm.

  "Madam is busy, I'll go first!" Old Master Yao said as he stood up, and didn't forget to take Mingxia with him.

  "I see you off, Master!" Madam Ma gritted her silver teeth in anger and hatred as she saw them off. As soon as Old Master Yao and Mingxia stepped out of the door, a crisp sound of porcelain hitting the ground came from the main room.

  Ma sat in the intricately carved red sandalwood chair, his face twisted with rage, his eyes staring straight ahead, his hands clenched into fists around a silk handkerchief, his chest heaving up and down, his face alternating between green and white, looking terrifying.

  Cai Xia, Qiu Yue, Qiu Fang and the little maids were standing still with bated breath, not even daring to breathe loudly, fearing that they would implicate the fish in the pond. The wives and concubines waiting for a response in the courtyard looked at each other, exchanging glances, also quietly waiting like statues.

  "Has the harvest been gathered? Where is the person who was supposed to come today? Why hasn't he arrived yet? Has everyone gone into hiding?" After a while, Madam Ma moved slightly, brushed off her collar and raised her head to ask.

  Qiu Yue and Qiu Fang were busy responding, cleaning up the floor. Cai Xia hurriedly accompanied with a smile: "The mothers who replied have just arrived, I'll go and summon them."

  "Off you go! The plank on the second gate doesn't recognize people!" Ma shrugged her shoulders, straightened up, and her expression had returned to normal, with no hint of abnormality in her tone.

  Can such a trivial matter knock you down? Can it mess up your mind? What a huge joke! What about Su Niang and Lian Niang in the past? One was the master's personal servant since childhood, and the other was a proper concubine brought into the house. Weren't they also told to pack up and leave when the time came? And what is Mingxia, a mere child with no backing or support, counted as?

  Ma Shi quickly regained her composure and continued to assign tasks as usual, showing off her magnanimity. She immediately ordered the servants to clean up the Lychee Flower House by the east bank of the Washing Flower Lake in the mansion for Fourth Auntie to live in, and smiled saying that she hoped Fourth Auntie's stay in the Lychee Flower House would bring good luck and prosperity to the old master. She also instructed the servants to make new clothes, accessories, and furniture for Fourth Auntie, making sure not to slight her in any way!

  Even Wen's mother temporarily did not receive Ma's anger. Wen's mother was nervous for several days, seeing that there was no movement from Ma's side, she secretly put her mind at ease, and then secretly rejoiced that this marriage had not been loudly announced earlier, otherwise, if the old master knew about it, wouldn't he have a grudge? Mingxia, that shameless one, would again apply eye medicine in front of him, and their whole family would be finished!

  Wen's mother had underestimated Ma's bottom line. In less than two or three months, she was secretly calculated by Ma and the whole family was sent away.

  Three days later, the Liu Hua Mountain House was ready for occupation. Ming Xia moved in from the outer study, and all the furniture and utensils were brand new. Eight sets of seasonal clothes and four sets of jewelry had been made, and two maidservants, Hong Yu and Hong Xiu, were assigned to attend her.

  On that day, Old Master Yao stayed overnight on the other side and saw everything new and proper. He was very satisfied in his heart and was delighted with Madam Ma's kindness and magnanimity. Mingxia also thanked Old Master Yao and said many good things about Madam Ma, and smiled as she mentioned going to kowtow to thank Madam Ma the next day.

  Mr. Yao originally wanted to take the opportunity to scold Mingxia a few words, letting her know that she should be grateful and not become arrogant in the future, causing trouble and making their home a laughing stock. But unexpectedly, Mingxia was so understanding and considerate, Mr. Yao couldn't help but feel affectionate and sympathetic towards her again, secretly laughing at his own overcautiousness and feeling somewhat guilty for being overly suspicious. As a result, he naturally didn't say the scolding words, instead comforting Mingxia that there was no need to be too nervous, it was proper to go thank Madame tomorrow, but there was no need to kowtow, after all, she was a legitimate daughter-in-law, what reason was there for her to constantly kowtow?

  Ming Xia just smiled and didn't speak, the next day she went to Ma's place again and kowtowed humbly to thank her.