Chapter 334

Just as everyone in the Jia mansion was lost in thought, Mrs. Niu had already struck up a conversation with Xiang Yun downstairs.

Xiang Yun, you haven't been causing trouble here, have you?

Although Prince Jingguo is your brother, you must not be rude to him, lose propriety, and make him unhappy!

Mrs. Niu clearly understood Xiang Yun's lively nature and admonished her.

Hearing this, Xiang Yun, with her round, apple‑like face, showed a bit of restraint and replied somewhat lacking confidence.

Third Aunt, you can't wrong an innocent person! Third Brother likes me the most!

He not only gave me a colt, but this time, returning from the northwest, he said he would bring me a gift!

He said it's a rare‑breed Linqing lion cat, a fine thing even the palace seldom sees; when I bring it back I'll show it to you!

Xiang Yun lost both parents in childhood and has been living with her two uncles ever since.

Mrs. Niu treats her decently, but she is not her birth mother, so there is less warmth.

Compared with Lin Daiyu's dependent life in the Jia mansion, Xiang Yun's life in the Shi family is actually more repressed and miserable!

Thus, whenever she learns in the Jia mansion that she must be taken home, she eyes fill with tears, reluctant to leave.

According to the original text, once Xiang Yun returns home she becomes a laborer who stays up late sewing and mending to supplement the household, everything arranged by others.

Baichai also once said of Xiang Yun's situation in the Shi family, 'That Yun girl actually has no say at all in her own home.'

She even lacks the freedom to dispose of the fruits of her labor; in the original, even doing a bit of sewing for Baoyu must be done secretly.

Her telling Baichai that 'home is very exhausting' and mentioning that 'even her eye rims are red' show that her life in the Shi family is far from good!

Of course, the Shi family referred to here mainly means the household of Marquis Baoling Shi Nai.

Because, compared to Shi Ding, Shi Nai is the elder brother and inherited the title, so Xiang Yun spends most of her time living in his household!

At this moment, Xiang Yun's mention of Jia Jing's fondness for her also carries a hint of borrowing his prestige.

Children without parents have to learn to rely on influence.

Previously, Xiang Yun mainly relied on Grandmother Jia's affection; she had once begged Baoyu to mention her often before Grandmother Jia so she wouldn't be forgotten.

Seeing Mrs. Niu today so highly praise Jia Jing, she naturally wanted to display before her the care Jia Jing shows her!

Beside Xiang Yun, the gentle and orchid‑hearted Daiyu, hearing the implication, her autumn‑water eyes beneath furrowed brows shining, immediately smiled and whispered in support:

Yes! Third Brother once said that Yun younger sister's nature is bold and sincere, full of heroic spirit!

Did Third Brother actually say that? Daiyu can't quite recall!

But whether he said it or not doesn't matter; with Xiao Jiaoer around, Daiyu has the confidence to 'forge an imperial decree'!

If anyone later asks, she'll say she heard it from Xiao Jiaoer!

Daiyu glanced unintentionally at Xiao Jiaoer, who was sneaking snacks beside her, took a handkerchief to wipe the crumbs from her mouth, and an inexplicable smile on her face made Xiao Jiaoer feel a vague unease.

Mrs. Niu, hearing Xiang Yun's words and Daiyu's corroboration, showed a pleased expression and said:

Since Prince Jingguo likes your disposition, you might as well stay a while longer with the old lady; there's nothing pressing at home, no need to rush back!

I made you a new set of clothes a few days ago; I'll have someone bring it over when you return! You must behave yourself here...

Hearing this, Xiang Yun's round, apple‑like face blossomed with a smile like a sunflower turning to the sun, and she replied crisply:

Third Aunt, you can rest assured!

Just as Mrs. Niu and Xiang Yun were chatting, a maid suddenly entered the hall, went around the screen, and said:

Third Miss, Grandmother, Second Sister‑in‑law, the Marquise of Baoling has arrived!

Everyone hearing this was startled, wondering why the Marquise of Baoling had come at this moment.

Grandmother Jia's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of headache flashing in her eyes.

Marquise of Baoling Xie Shi is Mrs. Niu's sister‑in‑law and also Grandmother Jia's niece‑by‑marriage.

Normally, when relatives visit, Grandmother Jia, who loves liveliness, should be pleased.

But this niece‑by‑marriage Xie Shi differs from Mrs. Niu; Mrs. Niu is reasonable and speaks propriety.

Whereas Xie Shi is the opposite—she doesn't understand reason, lacks coherence, as if missing a screw in her head.

She often utters nonsensical, topsy‑turvy foolish talk, much like Madame Xing.

For such a person to arrive, Grandmother Jia naturally feels a bit overwhelmed!

Downstairs, Mrs. Niu's eyes also flashed a hint of surprise.

How did Lady Xie come?

Could it be that, like myself, she accompanied her second uncle to visit Prince Jingguo?

But when our father went this morning to call the second uncle, the second uncle was still drunk from last night's flower‑wine binge that lasted till midnight, so he shouldn't be able to come.

Lady Wang tightened her grip on the prayer beads, her fair face showing a hint of solemnity, as if she were quite wary of Lady Xie's arrival!

Xiang Yun, meanwhile, furrowed her lovely brows, a flicker of worry and embarrassment crossing her apple‑like face, and she slipped her body behind Daiyu.

For a moment, due to Lady Xie's arrival, the atmosphere in Rong Qing Tang gradually grew cold.

Not long after, with a rush of hurried footsteps, a sharp voice came from outside the hall:

Auntie, I hope you're well! Your niece‑in‑law has come to pay respects!

The curtain was opened by a maid, revealing a middle‑aged woman striding in confidently.

The woman wore a bright red silk jacket embroidered with golden peonies from collar to hem, a profusion of blossoms so dazzling it hurt the eyes.

On her head she wore a gilt‑filigree phoenix hairpin, its tail dangling several strings of red rubies that clinked and rattled with each step.

Her face was caked with powder so thick that her face and neck appeared in two different shades.

As Lady Xie entered, she immediately spotted Mrs. Niu seated in the hall, her smile widening, and she first bowed to Grandmother Jia, who sat in the place of honor, and greeted her:

How have you been lately, Grandmother?

Grandmother Jia's furrowed brows relaxed a little, she smiled and said:

Good! Good!

Although she harbored reservations and displeasure in her heart, Jia Mu showed not a trace of it on her face.

After all, Xie Shi is the wife who manages the household of her own nephew, and Shi Naixi's Baoling Marquis title has been passed down from Jia Mu's father's generation, serving as the Shi family's outward face; Jia Mu still ought to give her some dignity.

Xie Shi exchanged a brief greeting with the people present, then sat down in Niu Shi's seat, while Niu Shi accordingly took the seat to her right.

Jia Mu leaned back on the couch, waiting until Xie Shi was seated, then she smiled and asked:

"Nai'er's wife, why have you come today? Did you come with Nai'er?"

Jia Mu had guessed at Xie Shi's purpose, thinking she must have come, like Niu Shi, to accompany her own master in paying a visit to Jia Jing.

Since Xie Shi rarely visits the Jia household, her coming today is such a coincidence—if it wasn't for Jia Jing, what else could it be for?

After all, Niu Shi had just said that this morning is the Shi family's exclusive "visiting time".