Chapter 002: The Controversy between Sisters in Law

The sun was shining brightly that day, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

In fact, Luli didn't have much time to ponder the reasons, because she was soon carried by a sedan chair to the front of the main hall of Anxi Hall. A well-dressed old lady glanced at her and then immediately led her into a side room, where two maidservants looked at her and then helped her wash her hands and face.

The fact that she was able to enjoy such treatment was not because she was initially valued, but because she was a "family disgrace" and it was not convenient to publicize it at the moment. Also, because she had some usefulness in coming here, she appeared very cautious.

Luli silently followed their arrangements, knowing that she would soon have to pay a formal visit to Mr. He and others, and she secretly calculated how to best respond.

Eight years ago, when she was truly nine years old, apart from He Congli, the highest official she had seen was the county magistrate. Officials like the Minister of War, who could meet the emperor every day, she had only seen in plays and stories.

For Luli, Mr. He was a high-ranking official, not a grandfather she could coquettishly seek favor from. Even though she knew this, she couldn't help feeling flustered when she met him, showing a lot of timidity. But now it was not like in the past. She was already very familiar with the people and things in this mansion, and she had even come into contact with dignitaries like the Grand General, so naturally she was no longer afraid to face a second-rank civil official.

As she was speaking, the coral bead curtain rustled, and with a low singing voice, a maid in a light green robe walked in. After exchanging a few words with the old lady who greeted her, she looked over at Luli. Luli sat with her hands folded on her knees and also glanced at the maid. The maid's expression was slightly surprised, and she smiled softly at Luli, walked over, and pulled her up, saying, "Miss, please follow me."

The old ladies followed behind, occasionally chatting with the maid. The maid just smiled and did not reply, showing the demeanor of a senior maid in charge.

In a moment, they arrived at the main hall. Before she could extend her hand, someone had already drawn the curtain at the door and bowed, saying, "Miss Biyun has returned." Biyun still held Luli's hand and entered through the curtain, circling behind the screen, and then released her hand, bowing respectfully to the old man in a plain blue silk robe, "Respectfully greeting Grandfather He, Miss Luli has arrived."

Mr. He grunted and glanced briefly at Luli, his furrowed brows seeming to tighten even more.

Biyun then left, and there were no outsiders in the hall.

He Congli cleared his throat and said, "This child, why haven't you paid your respects yet? Perhaps she hasn't seen much of the world and is a bit overwhelmed."

Mr. He grunted in response.

As they were preparing to recite scriptures, everyone was unadorned, even the women, who only wore a jade belt to hold their skirts. Therefore, when no one was speaking, the entire main hall was quiet.

Luli took two steps forward, knelt down, and bowed three times in a formal manner. He Congli said, "Quickly, please greet Grandfather He." Mr. He scolded, "A country girl, who allowed you to address me like that?" He Congli dared not say anything more.

A faint chuckle came from below.

Luli bowed again and said, "I, Luli, pay my respects to the honorable Minister."

Her small body performed the ritual with great precision. Mr. He remained silent, and with a wave of his sleeve, he looked away.

He Congli frowned. A woman on the right side, as if to defuse the tension, smiled and said, "Since Miss Xu has come, why not let everyone here meet her."

Mr. He remained silent. He Congli forced a smile, raised his hand, and said, "Please, Second Brother and Sister, take her to meet everyone."

The second brother's wife, Mrs. Liang, stood up, approached Luli, and looked her over. She then said, "It's just that the young lady is here unexpectedly and didn't bring any gifts. I'm afraid she can't offer any gifts for the meeting."

In theory, no matter what, Luli was brought into the mansion to recite scriptures as a member of the He family, and even if the servants kept quiet, they couldn't avoid this hurdle. It was inevitable that there would be some gifts on the first meeting. But without Mr. He's approval, no one dared to offer anything.

Mrs. Liang cleverly avoided this issue by using the recitation of scriptures as an excuse, leaving no room for any future accusations, whether they recognized her or not.

Luli said, "I dare not."

Starting from the man in the green robe sitting below He Congli, Mrs. Liang introduced each person to Luli. Each of the gentlemen just grunted and hurriedly checked Mr. He's expression. This scene made it seem as if Luli was the host and the others were guests.

Mr. He stood up and said, "Let's go to the Buddha Hall first."

Biyun immediately came in to attend to them. The second, third, and fourth brothers followed, and He Congli took a glance at Luli before leaving. Mrs. Liang hesitated about whether to follow, but the second brother, He Jianghong, gestured to her, so she stayed behind.

The other women had no choice but to stay as well.

Mrs. Liang looked at Luli and smiled again, saying, "Of course, you must also pay your respects to the ladies." She led Luli to the right side, where the main seat was empty. She paused and then turned to the third lady with a high bun at the lower end, saying, "This is the third lady, who is now a third-rank noble, so you must pay your respects properly."

The third lady, Lady Qi, sat still, her eyes half-closed, looking at her fingertips. Luli was about to bow, when someone below Lady Qi said with a smile, "It sounds like Second Sister has something to say. Could it be that if Third Sister were not a third-rank noble, she wouldn't deserve proper respect?"

Although it was a joke, there was a hint of sarcasm in the air.

Mrs. Liang put her hand on Luli's shoulder and still smiled gently, "Fourth Sister's father is a magistrate of the Grand Court, and she has also developed a sharp tongue since she was young. When it comes to adding fuel to the fire, no one can match you."

This is a translation of an excerpt from a Chinese text. The translation aims to capture the essence and meaning of the original text while ensuring it reads naturally in English.

Madam Nie's face darkened. "You're too kind, Madam. You have wealth and boldness, honed from your business dealings. It makes me, a member of the Zhengqing Mansion, feel inferior."

The Liang family is a royal merchant, specializing in supplying jewels and jade for the noble ladies in the palace. If it weren't for the fact that the Liang family had a daughter who became the concubine of the crown prince, as a merchant's daughter, they wouldn't have been able to climb up to the level of the Shangshu Mansion. This has always been a sore spot for the Liang family.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Liuli had no intention of speaking up. At times like this, they probably wished she would act as a lightning rod.

However, these matters were not something she could avoid. The usually silent Madam Qi finally spoke up, tapping her fingernails and saying, "Why not take her to pay respects to the First Madam?"

The First Madam is Madam Yu, the original wife of He Congli. Since hearing about Liuli's arrival at the mansion, Madam Yu had not shown her face. Whoever took Liuli over would feel uncomfortable.

Liuli met Madam Qi's meaningful gaze and sighed inwardly.

Fortunately, Madam Liang was not foolish. She smiled and sat down, saying, "I'm just a simple person. Madam Qi, you're considerate, but I'm feeling a bit lazy and don't want to move around."

Madam Nie let out a long hum, turned away, and left her back exposed to this side.

Liuli discreetly moved to Madam Liang's side.

Madam Qi said, "The young lady seems close to the Second Madam."

Madam Liang turned around, and Madam Qi continued, "She doesn't look like a timid country girl."

Madam Liang smiled and said, "It's rare to receive a compliment from Madam Qi. Miss Xu, why don't you thank her?" Liuli expressed her gratitude, and Madam Liang, seemingly indifferent, rested her chin on a hand and said, "I heard she comes from a scholarly family, so she must understand etiquette. Our master, although a bit unruly, is very selective. Whether she's a noble lady or a minister's daughter, if there's anything that doesn't meet his standards, he won't accept it."

On the surface, it sounded like praise for Liuli's mother, but in reality, when He Congli, the eldest son of the He family, was not yet married, Madam Nie, the mother of the Fourth Madam, had expressed her admiration for the young Miss Nie, who was known for her beauty and poetry skills. Both families had considered a marriage alliance. However, when He Congli heard that Miss Nie had large feet, he refused to marry her. The He family was afraid of offending their colleague, who was a senior to He's father, and quickly arranged a marriage between He Congli's younger brother and Miss Nie to salvage the situation.

Although Madam Liang did not name names, everyone present could tell who she was referring to. Madam Nie, who had been drinking tea with her head down, turned pale, then flushed red, and remained speechless for a while. Finally, she slammed her cup on the table and let out a heavy sigh.

Madam Liang couldn't hide her satisfaction, but she didn't want to be too obvious. She then turned to Liuli and asked her a few trivial questions.

Meanwhile, the three sisters-in-law were exchanging veiled barbs, and the maids outside the screen were listening attentively. They quickly came in to serve tea and water. Madam Nie, who was seething with anger, called one of them over and, after accidentally spilling some tea, slapped the maid's ears a couple of times, feeling slightly relieved.

Liuli sat on a small stool, sighing inwardly and trying to suppress even her breathing, as she waited quietly for the time to be summoned to the Buddha Hall to chant scriptures.

The situation had developed in a way that was consistent with her impression of their previous meeting. If things continued like this, she would once again be sold to the He family as a slave, and then possibly be married off to the General's Mansion. It would all be in vain, and she would have wasted her chance at a new life.

As she pondered, a person entered through the screen and bowed to the ladies, saying, "The high monk has arrived. Please, ladies, follow me." Glancing at Liuli, who was standing up, the person added, "Miss Xu, please come along as well."

The three sisters-in-law immediately got up, and Madam Liang adjusted her sleeves, saying, "Has the First Madam arrived?"

After the person confirmed that both Madam Yu and Madam Nie had left, they added, "Master He had something to say. Due to the recent victory in the northern border last month, the emperor has issued several orders for the officials to go to the border. It's likely that Master He is among them, and he will need to request some favors from the Ministry of Personnel. Master He suggested that Madam should follow the First Madam these days to avoid any bad luck and to make it easier to speak to the Left Minister when the time comes."

Upon hearing this, Madam Liang was taken aback. "Master He is being sent to the border?!" She couldn't help but glance at Liuli, who was focused on the two hibiscus flowers outside the door. She suppressed her emotions and calmly replied, "You can tell Master He that I am aware of it."