Volume 1 Chapter 65: Auntie (4)

  Rong's mother sneered.

  "This kind of thing where she says one thing to your face and another behind your back, it's not the first time she's done it!" Yao Cunhui was not surprised.

  Pomegranate implies many children, the name of Lychee Flower Mountain House is taken from this meaning. Madam Ma said she hoped Fourth Aunt would have more children, but after Old Master Yao's stay, she had someone send over a batch of infertility medicine early this morning. It seems only she can do something so contradictory.

  After the new daughter-in-law suffered humiliation from the mistress's own daughter, not only did the master not stand up for her, but he didn't even send someone to ask about it. Instead, he was in a great mood and had dinner with the mistress in the main courtyard, staying overnight there, greatly disappointing those who were waiting to see what would happen next, and then thinking that this was perfectly normal.

  A wife is a wife, and a concubine is a concubine. One is the master, and the other is a slave. There's a huge difference in status between them. No matter how much the old master dotes on the new concubine, he still just sees her as a plaything. Could he really be so foolish as to lose face for his wife because of a concubine?

  Everyone saw it with their own eyes and pondered in their hearts. Those who understood the situation kept their mouths shut, not daring to stir up any gossip or rumors.

  Ma's side regained face, and her heart was also relieved. She wisely put aside the idea of making things difficult for Ming Xia for the time being. After all, she was the legitimate wife, and in the old master's heart, she was still respected. No one could shake her position, so why should she lower herself to make things difficult for a concubine? Moreover, it was someone who had come out from her own side! It would only make people say that she was not virtuous!

  There's plenty of time ahead, wait until the old master has passed his prime and lost interest, then it won't be too late to do what you want. Why must you spoil the old master's fun at this moment?

  The next day, Old Master Yao was still having dinner in the main courtyard. After dinner, he said a few words to Madam Ma and then got up to go to the Chuihua Mountain House.

  "I see you off, Master Lao!" Madam Ma hastily ordered someone to light the lanterns and with a smile all over her face, she saw Mr. Yao out of the door. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand into a ball, and in the darkness, her eyes were wide open with hatred staring forward: Enjoy it for now, I'll settle accounts with you bit by bit later!

  "Old Master is here!" Yao didn't let anyone announce his arrival, and he walked into the house in Liuhua Mountain. Mingxia was startled when she saw him.

  "What? Unwelcome me?" Old Master Yao stood with his hands behind his back and a hint of a smile, slightly raising an eyebrow to size up Mingxia.

  Ming Xia seemed to have just bathed, with a refreshing fragrance faintly emanating from her. She was wearing a pink nightgown made of soft silk fabric that wrapped around her slender figure, her long black hair hanging down behind her head, and a pair of bright eyes on her small face staring at Old Master Yao in surprise, her thin eyebrows slightly raised, looking exceptionally lovely and charming.

  Looking at beautiful women under the lamp adds a special charm and elegance.

  Old Master Yao felt a slight itch on his heart.

  "No, no," Ming Xia hastily denied, her pale face flushing with a faint red glow, her neck slightly bent, and she smiled somewhat awkwardly: "I was just, I just didn't expect Master to come, didn't hear Hongyu, Hongchou report..."

  "Hehe, it's because I didn't let them speak!" Old Master Yao raised his hand to dismiss the two maids, took a few steps forward and sat down with Mingxia on his lap. He gently stroked her face with one hand, and teased: "Otherwise, you might not have seen this charming side of Xia'er!"

  Ming Xia's face turned red, she lowered her eyes and remained silent for a moment before speaking softly: "My attire is disheveled, it is the fault of my maid."

  "It's just between us two, no need to be so particular." Old Master Yao was somewhat displeased.

  Ming Xia's body stiffened slightly, and after a brief pause, she softly said a "yes".

  Mr. Yao was taken aback and fell silent for a moment.

  "Was Miss San being rude to you?" Mr. Yao asked gently as he stroked her hair.

  A seemingly careless and calm question, yet it made Mingxia's eyes flash with a hint of vigilance. She knew that Old Master Yao was secretly observing her expression, his face unchanged, but a faint look of difficulty and worry flashed across his face, he shook his head slightly and said in a low voice: "It can't be blamed on Third Miss, this is human nature, from now on, it's best to keep a distance from Third Miss."

  "You're thinking this way, it's already quite rare!" Mr. Yao saw that she didn't have the slightest bit of resentment or complaint, but instead was so understanding and reasonable. Looking at her delicate and timid appearance again, as a man, his heart grew with a desire to protect his weak woman. He couldn't help but feel two more parts of love for her, and gently kissed her cheek, saying softly: "Xia'er, as long as you're good and content with your place, serving me well, don't worry, I won't mistreat you."

  Every man wants a beautiful wife and concubine, but it's inevitable that countless troubles arise from this, even leading to sparse offspring, fratricide, family chaos, and inviting great disaster. Mr. Yao has been through a lot in his business dealings, traveling all over the place for half his life, and he's seen many things. Therefore, he had long held deep reservations about bringing back concubines like others did, fearing that wives and concubines wouldn't get along and would create more trouble.

  Ming Xia was so gentle and warm, and she was originally a person by the lady's side, knowing the roots and the bottom, and on her body, he found again the passion and pride of being a man that he had not had for many years. As long as she was obedient, he didn't mind spoiling her a bit more, but if it was someone who got two points of color and became arrogant, stirring up trouble every day, even if it was good, he wouldn't care! For him, career and family were always in the first place.

  "Xia'er has a father, this sentence is reassuring. Father, rest assured, Xia'er will certainly follow the rules and serve you and Madame well." Mingxia's face was calm and gentle, with a slight relaxation of her eyebrows.

  Mr. Yao chuckled and said, "Xia'er has always been tactful and gentle in her actions, I know this myself. You are someone who came from the side of the mistress, and she has always treated you well. As for Third Miss, don't worry, I guarantee that she won't bother you without reason from now on!"

  "This is what Grandfather said!" Mingxia's eyes lit up and she seemed to let out a big sigh of relief.

  Mr. Yao couldn't help but burst into loud laughter: "Xia'er, Xia'er, how can you be so timid! You need to be bolder, I'll like it more that way! Last night... did you think of me?" Mr. Yao's voice became low and ambiguous, with a hint of passion in his eyes.

  Ming Xia reached out with her hand and gently encircled his neck, her eyes shining with a soft light. She pursed her lips, but didn't speak, instead slightly tilting her head up to meet his lips in a gentle kiss.

  "Your nerve is really big..." Mr. Yao grunted, biting her lips fiercely and carrying her to the bed in large strides. Hongyu and Hongchou, who were eavesdropping outside, blushed and exchanged a glance before hastily retreating, their hearts still racing with excitement.

  The next day, Old Master Yao went to Qionglin Garden to visit Yao Cunmei.

  Yao Cunmei originally thought that her father was coming to scold her for being rude to Fourth Aunt, and she was feeling wronged and on the verge of tears. But instead of mentioning the incident, her father said many caring and loving words, and even gave her several exquisite toys. Yao Cunmei felt surprised, happy, proud, and a little guilty at the same time. Although she still didn't like Fourth Aunt, she no longer had the desire to cause trouble for her.

  Father is right, I am the young lady of the Yao family, my mother is the mistress of the Yao family, and it's not worth arguing with a concubine. It seems that in Father's eyes, that fourth concubine is nothing but that, why should I make myself unhappy?

  Besides, Father is also getting old, busy with household chores every day, exhausting his mind and body, what for? Isn't it all for the mother-daughter-sisters to live a rich and comfortable life? However, Mother wants to take charge of managing the household affairs, but there isn't even anyone by her side to serve her, only an old man named Hong Shu and three or four clumsy servants, really pitiful! That Fourth Aunt used to be very good at serving people when she was by Mother's side, perhaps Father valued this point about her?

  As long as she serves her father wholeheartedly and doesn't pick faults, he will also be too lazy to bother with her!

  Yao Cunmei accepted the existence of her fourth aunt with a calm and peaceful mind, but deep down she couldn't help feeling a little dissatisfied with her mother: If Mother had thought about Father earlier and made arrangements for him, this wouldn't have happened today! But Father was magnanimous and didn't hold it against himself, still respecting Mother as before.

  Inside the Yao residence, life continued as usual, but with the addition of Fourth Aunt, the tense atmosphere suddenly relaxed. Madame was naturally kind and gentle, and even Third Miss, who had a reputation for being flighty and spoiled, didn't dare to provoke Fourth Aunt again, leaving everyone in shock.

  Yao Cunhui secretly admired, high, really high! No wonder he was a shrewd and calculating father who had been in the business world for half his life. One day, he came out and said something that made Yao Cunmei, who was usually so difficult to deal with, become obedient and submissive, just like pulling out the plug from a cauldron! Mrs. Ma was probably furious but couldn't say anything. Even if she swallowed her anger for now and didn't bother the fourth madam, she probably wouldn't want the fourth madam's life to be too easy, would she? But since even Yao Cunmei didn't go looking for trouble with her, who else would?

  On this day, Mr. Zhuang sent over a lot of fresh fruit, and Madam Mao, Yao Cunhui's sisters and several others gathered at Madam Ma's place to taste the freshness, and also to chat and bond with each other. The maids in the corridor selected the fruits one by one and packed them well, so that the masters of each courtyard could take some away later.

  As they were speaking, Hongyu from the Lychee Flower House rushed in, panting and shouting "Milady! Milady! Something's wrong!"

  Ma's face changed, and he scolded: "Can't you see that the second lady and the young ladies are all here? You have no rules or boundaries!"

  "I was wrong!" Hongyu's face turned pale, biting her lip and not speaking, the anxious and frightened look in her eyes revealed without a trace, seeking help from Madam Ma.

  "Hey, isn't that Hongyu from the Fourth Aunt's house? You're in such a rush, what's wrong with the Fourth Aunt?" asked Mao Shi, not waiting for Ma Shi to catch up.

  Ma's resentment was hidden, but he couldn't help nodding and asked: "The second lady is right, what exactly happened? Why don't you speak up quickly? Speak up, dumb!

  Ma saw Hongyu looking around, seemingly hinting at dismissing the crowd. She couldn't help but get angry and loudly asked her. How could she not want to dismiss the crowd? But with Hongyu's appearance, how could she do so? What if that fox-like woman had something wrong, others would still blame herself! It's better to clarify things in front of everyone!