Chapter 134: Relatives from the Maiden Family [Many thanks for everyone's support

Mama Cui walked out of Shou'an Hall and shouted loudly, "Quickly invite them in, quickly invite them in!"

The young maids hurriedly ran to the main gate to welcome the guests, while Mama Cui followed closely behind.

Inside Shou'an Hall, Mama Fang quickly handed a hot face towel to Mama Liu.

Hua Lan also walked over to Sheng Changbai, tidying his hair and clothes for him.

Mama Liu quickly wiped Wang Shi's face clean of tear stains, and after neatly arranging her hairpin and other details, she nodded in approval; then, glancing at Da Niangzi Feng, Mama Liu hurried over to smooth out the wrinkles in her robe and secure her hairpins and ornaments.

After a moment, Mama Cui shouted from outside the hall, "The personal maid of the Xu family's eldest daughter has arrived."

The young maid at the entrance hurriedly lifted the cloth curtain for the newcomer.

Qingxia, head bowed and demeanor proper and dignified, followed behind Mama Cui into the main hall; after glancing at the people present, she respectfully knelt on the hall floor, bowed low, and called out, "This humble servant pays her respects to the Old Da Niangzi."

Qingxia's movements were so swift that the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family could only quickly wave her hand, signaling Mama Cui to help her up, saying, "How can you perform such a grand ritual immediately upon arrival? Sister Suqin, help her up, and quickly give a reward."

Just as Qingxia knelt, Da Niangzi Feng had instinctively risen to her feet, Sheng Changbai had stepped aside to avoid the gesture, and Wang Shi only hurriedly stood up after Hua Lan prompted her.

After all, this single kneel represented, to some extent, the wife of the legitimate eldest son of the Da Niangzi Ningyuan Hou Fu.

Only after being helped up by Mama Cui did Da Niangzi Feng and Wang Shi resume their seats.

Qingxia bowed and said, "Old Da Niangzi, our family's eldest young lady specifically instructed me to convey that, as she must currently attend to her mother-in-law, she cannot come to see her great-aunt today; please forgive her. Once her mother-in-law is settled, she will come to pay her respects."

Listening to Qingxia's words, Wang Shi looked her over; seeing that her attire was certainly more complete than that of the Sheng family's maids, her head ornaments exquisitely fine, and her speech respectful and clear, it was evident she was a capable girl.

"Go back and tell Pingjie'er that she has traveled far and tired herself; this old woman is right here and isn't going anywhere, so tell her not to rush over, do you remember?"

"Replying to the Old Da Niangzi, I remember! The eldest young lady also said that our family's Han Wulang is currently at the dock, and she will have Han Wulang apologize to you on her behalf later," Qingxia said in a cheerful tone.

"Good, good, good!" The Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family smiled and nodded, her previously somewhat gloomy mood instantly brightening.

"In that case, Old Da Niangzi, this humble servant will take her leave to attend to her duties."

"Go then. Cui Ruan, see her out."

Qingxia bowed again to Da Niangzi Feng and Wang Shi, then left the Sheng residence under Mama Cui's guidance.

At the entrance to the courtyard of Shou'an Hall, just as Mama Cui returned, she spotted one of Da Niangzi Feng's young maids and quickly called her inside.

Mama Fang entered the main hall and reported, "Old Da Niangzi, Eldest Da Niangzi, the young maid from the Wang family has returned."

Seeing the young maid enter the room, Da Niangzi Feng showed surprise, realizing there might be new developments, and quickly asked, "Why did Wenye send you back?"

After performing a squatting bow, the young maid replied, "Replying to the Eldest Da Niangzi, it was by the order of the Sheng family's Master; he instructed Mama Wen to board the Yuan family's boat. Mama Wen then ordered this servant to return and report that the Yuan family faces imminent disaster!"

Da Niangzi Feng frowned slightly, looking puzzled, and said, "At most, their reputation will suffer; how could it be an imminent disaster?"

Thinking this, she glanced at the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family and said, "Tell us in detail everything you saw and heard at the dock." Being clever and quick-witted, as befitting a young maid serving beside Da Niangzi Feng, the Wang family's servant proceeded to recount her observations at the dock in detail upon Da Niangzi Feng's instruction.

After listening, Da Niangzi Feng glanced at the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family, who then asked, "Little girl, was it the Young Master who flew over from the Hou Fu's large ship that saved the person? And did our Sheng family's Master board the ship with another high official?"

"Replying to the Old Ancestress, yes! That high official ordered the Yamen Runners on the boat to arrest the Yuan family's servants and attendants. This servant was too far from the woman who jumped into the water to hear clearly what she said!"

Wang Wang Ruofu, sitting nearby, was stunned upon hearing the young maid's words and asked, "What? He actually had the Yamen Runners detain members of the Yuan family? Since when has this official been so..." She did not finish her sentence, wondering since when Sheng Hong had become so tough, daring to detain the family members of a Count's household in Bianjing just like that?

Everyone in the hall understood Wang Shi's implication; the Old Da Niangzi waved her hand and said, "Your husband is thorough in his official duties; he would not act this way without concrete evidence. There is no need to rush; let us wait for him to return and explain."

Since the Sheng family had brought two carriages to the dock, one carrying Sheng Hong and his wife, and the other carrying the mamas and maids.

And the Feng family had one carriage.

One of the Sheng family's carriages took Da Niangzi Feng and Wang Shi back home.

The Feng family's carriage was taken by a young maid back to the Sheng residence to deliver the news.

With only one carriage remaining, it was inappropriate for Sheng Hong to share it with Mama Wen, and as Mama Wen was an inner-quarter servant, it was also improper for her to appear publicly.

Thus, Seeing Qingcao and Mama Wen shared the carriage together.

Brother Qingyun dismounted and led the way on foot.

After Sheng Hong instructed Dongrong to have the front carriage slow down, he mounted the steed that Brother Qingyun was leading.

Once mounted, Sheng Hong exclaimed with a sigh, "Ho! This horse is truly tall."

At this moment, Sheng Hong's mood was somewhat improved; while he had felt depressed on the way there, looking at the Yuan family's boat on the return journey, he felt two parts sympathy for Yuan Bing, three parts satisfaction that the Yuan family deserved such fate for having such a shrewish woman, and five parts relief that Hua Lan had not married into that family.

Two carriages and seven or eight horses, arranged in pairs, proceeded toward the Sheng residence.

Along the road, various officials, Yamen Runners, and clerks who recognized Sheng Hong saw him from the roadside and respectfully bowed.

Sheng Hong, riding his tall, sturdy horse, smiled with considerable official authority and nodded in return, showing none of the dejection he had displayed earlier inside the carriage.

From the roadside, curious gazes frequently turned toward the procession, full of interest in this team of fine horses.

While still some distance from the main gate of the Sheng residence, a young servant of the Sheng family spotted Sheng Hong in the distance and hurriedly ran back toward the house.

Upon reaching the main gate, he shouted, "I have seen the Master!"

Subsequently, the servants at the second gate hurriedly reported the news to the inner courtyard.

Wang Shi had rested for quite some time and had largely recovered; upon hearing the report, she rose and said, "Mother, I shall go to the entrance to welcome him."

Seeing the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family nod in agreement, Wang Shi stood up, adjusted her clothes, gave Sheng Changbai a look to follow her, and then exited Shou'an Hall.

Catching sight of the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family's somewhat restless hands from the corner of her eye, Da Niangzi Feng felt a stir in her heart, rose, and said, "Old Da Niangzi, since that is the legitimate son of the Hou Fu, it would be improper for me to remain seated; I shall go to the courtyard entrance to look."

"Sigh," the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family replied with a forced smile.

As Da Niangzi Feng turned and walked outward, Mama Fang perceived the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family's somewhat uneasy and nervous demeanor.

Mama Fang asked with concern, "Da Niangzi, what is troubling you?"

Hua Lan also hurried over, leaning against the Old Da Niangzi's knees and looking at her with worry.

The Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family shook her head and waved her handkerchief, saying, "Nothing, nothing."

Looking down at the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family's slightly trembling hands, Mama Fang asked, "Perhaps we should also go to the courtyard entrance?"

The Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family rarely paused in surprise.

Hua Lan, looking up from the Old Da Niangzi's knees at her expression, had never seen nor could she believe that her own grandmother's face could bear such an indescribable look of grievance, timidity, and hesitation, resembling that of a child.

Looking at her grandmother, Hua Lan recalled having seen a similar expression on her own mother's face; that was when she was seven or eight years old, after Lin Xiao Niang had given birth to Sheng Changfeng, and her maternal grandmother had sent her uncle to the Sheng family to support her mother; at that time, accompanying her mother, she had seen that same timid and aggrieved look on her mother's face.

She had also seen it on Hearing Rulan's face, when Hearing Rulan, ignoring Wang Shi's advice, willfully chose the clothes she liked, only to be mocked by Seeing Mo Lan as looking ugly, leaving her waiting for Hua Lan to coax her with hope and expectation.

There was also a helplessness about them, like children who had done something wrong and were waiting for their elders to speak.

Seeing Sheng Hualan's expression, Mama Fang hurriedly lowered her head to look at the Old Da Niangzi; upon seeing her young miss's face, Mama Fang, who knew the hardships the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family had endured over the years, instantly adopted a tearful tone: "Miss... relatives from your maiden home have arrived; we absolutely cannot... wear such mournful faces!"

Though her mouth spoke of not crying, Mama Fang herself was already sobbing uncontrollably, and Mama Cui hurriedly covered her eyes with a handkerchief, wiping away tears.

Sheng Hualan called out tenderly, "Grandmother~"

Seeing the cherishing looks on the faces of Sheng Hualan and Mamas Fang and Cui, the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family said with a smile and tears in her eyes: "Enough, enough, I am fine; if you cry like this, when others see it later, they will think I have suffered great grievances."

Seeing the Old Da Niangzi break into a smile, the several people in the room felt somewhat relieved in their hearts.

At this moment, the voices of Sheng Hong and Wang Shi came from outside.

"Mother! The Fifth Young Master of the Xu family has arrived!"

As the voice arrived, everyone in the main hall hurriedly wiped their tears and put on smiles.

Xu Xu Zaijing followed behind Sheng Hong, lowering his head as he passed through the door curtain and entered the bright main hall.

He saw the elderly woman sitting on the couch, dignified and magnificent.

Xu Xu Zaijing quickened his pace a few steps, knelt respectfully in the middle of the main hall, cupped his hands, and said: "Xu Xu Zaijing, the third legitimate son of the Xu family of Hou Fu, on behalf of my parents, elder brother, sister-in-law, and elder sister, kowtows to my great-aunt!"

Having spoken, he respectfully knocked his head against the ground.

The kowtow was very solid.

After knocking his head, Xu Xu Zaijing straightened his upper body while still kneeling on the ground and shouted: "Great-aunt!"

"Ai!!! Good child! Get up quickly! Let me have a look!"

Xu Xu Zaijing rose and approached the old lady.

The old woman held Xu Xu Zaijing's hand, a smile on her lips as she carefully examined Xu Xu Zaijing's face.

It seemed she could not look enough, or perhaps she was trying to find on it the likeness of someone from her memories—who was it?

"The eyebrows are not alike."

"The nose is alike."

"The ears are not alike."

"These eyes are alike."

With every sentence the Old Da Niangzi spoke, she glanced at Mama Fang; seeing Mama Fang's affirmative gaze, the Old Da Niangzi smiled very happily.

The Old Da Niangzi turned her head back to look at Xu Xu Zaijing, while Mama Fang hurriedly wiped her tears.

Feng Shi and Wang Shi, both married-out daughters, felt a similar emotion seeing the Old Da Niangzi like this, their noses turning sour.

The Old Da Niangzi still held Xu Xu Zaijing's hand; seeing the expressions of Sheng Hong, Wang Shi, and the others.

"Come, come, come! Everyone sit down quickly!" the Old Da Niangzi said, beckoning with her hand.

Mama Cui thoughtfully placed an embroidered stool beside the Old Da Niangzi's leg for Xu Xu Zaijing to sit on.

Sheng Hualan and Sheng Changbai stood on either side of Sheng Hong and his wife's seats; Feng Shi also composed herself, wearing a smile as she looked at Xu Xu Zaijing and the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family.

The Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family introduced the several people in the main hall.

"This is your maternal aunt from Sheng Changbai's grandmother's family."

"This is your aunt by marriage."

"This is your elder sister Sheng Hualan."

"This is your younger brother Sheng Changbai."

Xu Xu Zaijing rose and greeted each one with a cupped-hand salute, and everyone returned the courtesy in turn.

Sheng Hong looked at Xu Xu Zaijing happily, then instructed Sheng Hualan: "Hua'er, go! Call all your younger brothers and sisters over!"

And also

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(End of Chapter)