Chapter 71: The Xie Estate Receives Guests (Four)

  For some reason, Master Yao didn't mind her rudeness and instead felt a sense of relief. He wasn't angry at all, still embracing her and kissing her face, repeatedly speaking warmly: "Is it my fault? Is it not enough that I admit it's my fault? From now on, I won't doubt you again, okay? Xia'er, this is good, just speak clearly with me, am I someone who doesn't understand reason or justice? You've become my woman, put away those worries and concerns, as long as you keep your place, I'll take care of everything for you, even if one day I'm not around, it won't...

  "Father!" Fourth Aunt, who had been expressionless and cold-faced all along, finally showed some emotion upon hearing this sentence. Her slender fingers quickly pressed against Old Master Yao's lips, forbidding him to speak. She scolded him, saying: "Don't say that, I don't want to hear it!"

  Mr. Yao was taken aback, and his heart inexplicably felt a surge of joy, with a warm current slowly flowing through it. He chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more if Xia'er doesn't want to hear it!" Then he lightly sighed and said, "Good Xia'er, from now on, I really can't bear for you to suffer any grievances! Don't mention being a slave or not again; even the best girls from good families outside can't compare to Xia'er!"

  "Old Master..." Fourth Aunt's eyes flickered up, then quickly dropped down again. She finally stopped resisting and softly leaned into Old Master Yao's embrace. In a place where he couldn't see, her eyes dimmed slightly, and she secretly let out a sigh of relief.

  She knew that today's ordeal was finally over, and she hadn't expected it to end like this. In any case, the old master wouldn't suspect her again, at least not for a while.

  "It's getting late, go to bed! Tomorrow you don't have to go to the lady's place, I'll tell her that you're not feeling well and need a good rest." Mr. Yao said with a smile, seeing her slightly dazed look as if she wanted to retort, "Take a look at yourself in the mirror, your eyes are red and swollen like a peach, what will you say to the lady tomorrow?"

  The fourth aunt's face turned red, and she looked somewhat uncomfortable, lowering her head and no longer speaking.

  Ma had to send someone to the Yun family and told Mrs. Yun that the Xie family was coming to borrow people to help with the arrangement of the courtyard, Mrs. Yun was also very concerned about Yao Cun's marriage, so she immediately sent her most capable maid Lan over, along with two steady and clever second-class maids.

  With Lan's aunt in charge, Yao Cun Jia and Yao Cun Hui handled things with ease. Qiao's mother was unhappy in her heart and initially made some small moves in secret, but she was no match for Lan's aunt. After two or three attempts, she didn't dare to continue and obediently followed instructions. Ma Shi harbored resentment in her heart, but she decisively gave up the opportunity and let Yao Cun Jia sisters and Lan's aunt do as they pleased.

  On this day, Madam Ma and Old Master Yao summoned Ya Cun and her sister to the main hall for questioning.

  "I've just received news that Mrs. Xie will be arriving soon, how are the preparations going at Qingfeng Garden?" Madam Ma asked, sighing softly: "To think about it, I'm to blame too, who would have thought that Mrs. Xie would set off ahead of schedule and rush along so urgently?"

  Mr. Yao's face also showed some worry, and he frowned: "Tomorrow, we will check everything inside and out to see if there is anything improper, and make changes as soon as possible. We must leave a good impression on Mrs. Xie!"

  Yao Cun Jia's sisters exchanged a subtle glance, each understanding the other's thoughts.

  Yao Cun Jia secretly wiped away sweat. Originally, Yao Cun Hui told her that Ma Shi was very likely to cheat on the timing, so all preparations had to be rushed forward and sped up, but she didn't quite dare believe it. After all, if Father found out about this matter, he wouldn't let her off lightly! Unexpectedly, it really turned out to be true!

  Fortunately, Yao Cunhui insisted and he had always doted on his sister, so he didn't want to argue with her about this matter and agreed. Otherwise, it would be hard to talk today!

  Mrs. Xie arrived six days earlier than originally planned.

  "Dad, don't worry, all the arrangements and decorations have been taken care of today. The potted flowers in the courtyard are also arranged according to Mrs. Xie's preferences. Tomorrow, we'll do a final check and then get someone to thoroughly sweep the place." Yao Cun Jia stood up and smiled back.

  Old Yao's expression relaxed and he nodded with a smile: "This is good, this is good! Our Jia'er really has some ability, I didn't expect things to be done so quickly!"

  "It's really not, Jia'er is being very sincere!" Madam Ma also said with a smile.

  "Most of the credit goes to my mother for making decisions, and thanks to Lan's nanny and Qiao's mother for their help. And also Hui'er, my daughter herself, who did her best!" Yao Cun Jia smiled.

  "Jia'er is too modest!" Old Master Yao became even more delighted, chuckling: "This also shows that you know how to use people well, with virtue and talent. If not, would Lan's mother and Qiao's mother be willing to help you wholeheartedly? Since it's like this, let Lan's mother return tomorrow to report back, so the old lady can rest assured. Remember to reward her heavily, say a few pleasant words, and send her off with courtesy!"

  Although the Yun family is a close relative, they are ultimately outsiders. Letting Mrs. Xie come to the manor and see that there are people from the Yun family here would not be a dignified thing after all.

  "Yes, Father!" Yao Cun Jia naturally understood his father's intention and hastily agreed. He then smiled and said: "Why not? Today, let's invite Father and Mother to go to Qingfeng Garden with us, and at the same time help your daughter take a look if there's anything that's not quite right?"

  Mr. Yao thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Well, let's go now!" After a pause, he added: "Tomorrow I have to leave Beijing for Tianjin, and I may not be back until the day after tomorrow. When Mrs. Xie arrives, please take good care of her. I will definitely return in time for tonight's dinner party, don't forget to invite everyone from the second house. Ah, Jia'er, you go personally invite your aunt."

  Mr. Yao was the host, and Mrs. Xie's husband had not come together with her, and they were not very familiar with each other either. He stayed behind to entertain Mrs. Xie, which felt a bit awkward, so he thought it would be better to avoid her; besides, there was also Mao Shi from the second house, who had never gotten along with Ma Shi, and if she caused trouble again this time, it would be a headache. So he specifically instructed Yao Cun Jia to go invite her personally, hoping that she would behave herself for the sake of her niece.

  Ma Shi and Yao Cun Jia agreed, and a group of people went to Qingfeng Garden.

  Mr. Yao was very satisfied after seeing him, and repeatedly praised Yao Cun Jia. He then smiled and said a few polite words to Lan's nanny, who responded with courtesy without being servile or arrogant. Mr. Yao secretly praised: The old servants from the Yunfu are indeed different from ordinary people in their demeanor!

  Another day passed quickly, according to Ma Shi, Mrs. Xie and her party should arrive in the morning, but the specific time is hard to say, let Yao Cun Jia, Yao Cun Hui, Yao Cun Mei, Yao Shi Zan all prepare well.

  The time frame is too large, it's like saying nothing. How can Yao Cunhui be careless? Early in the morning, she paid her respects to Madam Ma and returned to the courtyard, busy dressing up and packing, waiting together at Yaofangyuan.

  It's better to dress up and wait quietly than to rush around frantically when someone arrives at the door.

  As expected, the two sisters had just finished dressing up when a little maid sent by Madame Yao to secretly gather information flew back, panting and saying that Mrs. Xie's group had entered another street and would soon arrive at the gate of the mansion.

  However, no one from Ma's side came to invite him.

  Yao Cun Jia, Yao Cun Hui and Rong Ma couldn't help but feel anxious.

  The Marquis's side didn't send anyone to invite him, and Yao Cunhui wasn't particular about it, any random excuse would do to get rid of him. But Yao Cunjia hastily chimed in, the people below in the mansion must have been laughing at this, who knows what rumors they'd spread behind his back, a few words passed around, maybe within these few days it'll reach Madam Xie's ears, and he can't avoid getting a reputation for being unrefined, having light and frivolous behavior, and being a sycophant.

  "Mother Rong, can we just wait?" Yao Cunhui was secretly anxious. Father really trusted Madam Ma too much, actually leaving this matter to her! As long as Madam Ma delayed sending someone to report for a moment, they would arrive late, and Lady Xie would also have a bad impression of them. At least, the label "not understanding etiquette" would be hard to shake off.

  "Otherwise, what else can we do!" Mother Rong sighed lightly, with a worried look on her face.

  A faint bitter smile appeared on Yao Cun Jia's face. Without a biological mother around, even a marriage arranged by the family could stir up so many waves!

  "I'll go take a look first!" Yao Cunhui stamped her foot, not waiting for Rong's mother to call out, and lifted up her skirt as she rushed towards the main courtyard.

  What can't Ma do? She can't let her sister be gossiped about, but she's an outsider, so what if she's talked about a bit? Anyway, Shen Ke won't abandon her just because of a few words from others.

  "Mother!" Ma was surrounded by Qiao's mother, Cai Xia and other servants, about to leave the hospital gate, when she suddenly saw Yao Cunhui panting and couldn't help but pause.

  "This is..." Ma raised an eyebrow, momentarily stunned.

  "Hehe!" Yao Cunhui smiled, her bright and lively eyes twinkling as she asked with a giggle: "When are Mrs. Xie and the others arriving? I'm really curious, I want to see them soon!"

  "I was just about to send someone to inform you! Fortunately, hurry back and tell Jia'er, let's go out together to welcome her!" Madam Ma couldn't help but speak up, frowning as she looked at Yao Cunhui with a critical eye, scolding: "Look at you, a young lady from a wealthy family, so unrefined! Running around like this, what if someone sees you? It's laughable! Go back and let Mother Rong and Honglian, Hongzhi help you tidy up a bit, don't forget your manners!"

  "Got it, got it!" Yao Cunhui replied repeatedly and turned around to run.

  "You said this——" Ma looked sideways at Qiao's mother beside her, staring blankly.

  "Second Miss is just thrilled for the eldest miss, madam. Let's go out for a bit, young master and the misses will be here soon!" said Qiao Mama with a smile.

  Fourth Aunt hastily stepped forward to support Madam Ma's arm, secretly wiping the sweat from her palm. Second Miss had done her best for Eldest Miss; if she hadn't rushed over and collided with Madam just as she was leaving, it's likely that Madam wouldn't have sent someone to inform Eldest Miss until she reached the gate of the estate! Hopefully, Second Miss understood the hint she gave earlier!

  Yao Cunhui flew back to Yao Fangyuan and said, "Sister, let's go! Mother asked me to tell you to go with her to the gate of the mansion to welcome Madam Xie and others. Mother has already gone ahead!"

  "You——"

  "I'm fine, let's go!"