Chapter 69: Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s Household Management
The sunlight was bright, but after being told by her mother last night that she didn’t need to go to school, Yang Hui wasn’t particularly happy.
She hadn’t slept all night, so it wasn’t like she could sleep in anyway.
“Mother, what’s the deal with this person?” she asked irritably.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife, who also hadn’t slept all night, looked weary as she held a bowl of ginseng soup.
“It was chaotic in the middle of the night, and so many strangers moved in. No matter how big our house is, everyone in the family knows about it.” Yang Hui pressed, “It’s impossible to keep it secret!”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife said: “No hiding it, what would we hide? Let me catch my breath.” With that, she drank the ginseng soup in one gulp, let out a long sigh, and signaled the servant woman nearby, “Go call everyone in the family. I’ll explain about the new relatives.”
The servant woman acknowledged and left.
The previous generation of the Yang Family had two blood brothers: the eldest, Yang Shixing, followed Deng Shan and obtained a noble title; the second, Yang Shiduan, stayed in the ancestral home to guard the family estate. Yang Shixing had three sons and one daughter; not long after entering the capital and receiving enfeoffment, he passed away. His eldest son Yang Bin inherited the title, while the other two sons were each granted official positions and started their own branches elsewhere with their families.
Yang Bin had one wife, who bore him one son and one daughter. His eldest son Yang Shanshu was seventeen this year. Having failed to enter the National Academy previously, he often went traveling and studying in other places and was not at home now. He also had two concubines who bore him one daughter and one son, both not yet ten years old.
Therefore, the so-called explanation to the family meant just summoning the two women, each with their children.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife repeated the story she had fabricated last night.
Yang Hui was born after they entered the capital, and the two concubines were also bought in the capital. They had no right to return to the ancestral home for ancestor worship and knew nothing about the people and affairs of the second branch back home, so they wouldn’t suspect much.
As for Liu Changqing and his daughter, she said they were acquaintances met on the road who traveled together, mentioning it briefly and then glossing over it vaguely.
Of course, they couldn’t be told about changing identities.
Including Yang Hui.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife knew her daughter had a loose tongue.
Yang Hui listened without suspicion and muttered, “The daughter of the second great-uncle’s family, that’s already distant relatives, and they still come to seek refuge.”
The two concubines flattered, “Madam is kind-hearted.”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife didn’t care about their attitude and instructed that the cousin young lady had lost her mother and suffered abuse from her birth father and stepmother, so they shouldn’t ask about the past to avoid making the cousin young lady sad.
Yang Hui pouted and ignored it; the two concubines acknowledged, then instructed their own children.
After settling the family, Duke Ding’an’s Wife said the cousin young lady was shy since just arriving and wouldn’t see them for now, then dismissed the concubines.
But she still couldn’t relax; she had someone summon this niece and give her a few more instructions.
This niece didn’t seem to have a good temperament… She escaped death but didn’t report to the officials, instead running to the capital. Even after arriving in the capital, she didn’t come home and instead boldly stole someone else’s identity to take the National Academy exam and get close to the princess.
Approaching the princess.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife clenched her hand at her side. Was this intentional or unintentional?
Had her sister-in-law really told her daughter nothing?
Probably not; back then, her sister-in-law had been so decisive in her words and actions, and she had reported to the emperor that there was no child.
No matter what more was said, it couldn’t be explained clearly.
It should be unintentional, just as that maidservant said—wanting to start her own household, wanting to find a backer.
If she really knew something, she wouldn’t go after the princess but would rush into the Imperial City holding that jade pendant…
Imagining the scene, Duke Ding’an’s Wife couldn’t help but feel suffocated.
Soon the servant woman returned first, saying the cousin young lady had just gotten up and was eating, and would come over after tidying up.
Just getting up.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife felt stifled again, looked up at the sky—this young lady actually could still sleep.
Fortunately, they didn’t wait too long; the young girl entered slowly with her maidservant and paid her respects respectfully.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife squeezed out a smile: “A Luo, how is it? Are you used to the food at home?”
“I’m used to it; after all, I’ve been in the capital for some time. Thank you, Aunt.”
“Madam, our young lady isn’t picky about food, but may I instruct the kitchen to make some flavors she likes?”
The young lady gave thanks, but the maidservant was not polite.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife glanced at her—a mere maidservant…
From last night until now, she had looked at her more than once. As for her appearance, her face was sallow and ashen, and her facial features looked somewhat sharp and mean.
How could she not be mean? She even dared to impersonate someone else to study at the National Academy. The young lady was bold, but the maidservant was even bolder.
“We’ll arrange food and drink later.” Duke Ding’an’s Wife didn’t bother with this rude maidservant, withdrew her gaze to look only at the niece, “I’ve already told the family about your background.”
Yang Hui was still standing in the hall, looking displeased as she glared fiercely at A Luo first.
So she was a maidservant—no wonder so vulgar.
“Mother, you only said the relatives’ origins, not the other matters.” She said irritably, “Let everyone know what great things this relative has done!”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife glared at her: “Speak less; isn’t it noisy enough already?”
“It’s not whether I mind or not; the Liu Family people are still living at home. How do you explain this?” Yang Hui said angrily.
“Yes.” A Luo also spoke up, “Aunt, can I still study?”
Yang Hui sneered: “You, a maidservant, what book would you read!”
A Luo looked at her. Though her “maidservant” identity was exposed, she didn’t back down: “You couldn’t even pass someone like me, a maidservant; you shouldn’t be reading.”
Yang Hui was furious; this was at home, not the National Academy, and she wasn’t some young lady—she was a maidservant…
Which maidservant in the house dared to be so rude? Even if slow to respond, Yang Hui would immediately punish her.
“You cheap maid!” She raised her hand and slapped fiercely at A Luo’s face.
Not enough.
One slap wasn’t enough.
Plus the anger from before at the National Academy!
First one slap, then have her dragged out for a paddling!
Although Yang Hui’s action was sudden, Duke Ding’an’s Wife saw it but didn’t shout to stop her.
Just a maidservant—hit her and be done.
This maidservant needed a lesson anyway.
But Yang Hui’s slap didn’t land; Mo Zheng, who had been standing by Duke Ding’an’s Wife, seemed to appear in the blink of an eye, her slender hand grasping Yang Hui’s wrist.
“Why are you hitting someone?” she said.
Suddenly her hand was gripped, and Yang Hui’s force rebounded, nearly making her stumble.
She looked at this “cousin young lady,” who was even less remarkable than the “fake Liu Chan” maidservant—thin and weak, yet unexpectedly strong. Yang Hui struggled but couldn’t break free.
“This maidservant was rude to me; didn’t you hear?” she shouted furiously.
Mo Zheng looked at her: “Rude? Isn’t what she said the truth?”
Yang Hui’s eyes widened instantly. Fine, no wonder the maidservant was rude—the young lady was just like this!
“You are bold; this is His Majesty’s order—you’re disobeying, committing treason— ” she shouted, swinging her other hand fiercely at Mo Zheng’s face.
This swing wasn’t gripped, and the held hand was released—actually flung away. Yang Hui let out a sharp scream, spinning like a top, dizzy and stumbling, tripping over her own feet toward the ground…
Fortunately, Duke Ding’an’s Wife was quick-eyed and quick-handed, crying “My daughter!” as she reached out to support her.
Though she caught her and prevented Yang Hui from falling to the ground, she herself was knocked unsteady and fell onto the servant women.
The hall immediately descended into chaos.
“Mother—they’re hitting people—”
“Young lady—this isn’t a place to stay; this family’s young lady even wants to hit you—let’s go!”
Hearing “let’s go,” Duke Ding’an’s Wife jumped in fright, pushed Yang Hui out of her arms, and hurriedly grabbed her niece’s arm.
“My dear, you can’t go.”
Yang Hui had ultimately fallen to the ground and stared blankly as her mother, who had been holding her, grabbed that young lady’s arm and called her “my dear.”
She burst into loud sobs.
It was at this moment that Duke Ding’an stepped into the backyard, seeing the women in a chaotic mess, and instantly felt a throbbing headache.
The joy from the trouble being resolved vanished completely.
Had the trouble really been resolved?
It wouldn’t get more troublesome, would it?
