Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 813 "Great-Grandmother" [Thank you! Bow again! 6k words owed]

The second gate of the Xu family

"Uu——"

The two carriages belonging to the Sheng family slowly came to a stop.

A servant quickly stepped forward and bent down to place the stool on the side of the carriage.

Mother Liu was the first to step down from the carriage. After bowing to the crowd at the second gate, she extended her hand to Wang Ruofu, who had just stepped out of the carriage.

As Wang Ruofu helped Liu Mama down from the carriage on the stool, she glanced up.

At the second gate of the Xu family residence, a scene of jewels and jade ornaments, elegant attire, and graceful figures unfolded.
The shimmering light from the jewelry on the heads of the several matriarchs and the silks and satins they wore made Wang Ruofu feel that her eyes were shining, even dazzling.

Seeing this, Wang Ruofu was not intimidated at all; on the contrary, he felt very energetic and proud.

The reason was simple: her eldest daughter, Hua Lan, was among those people on the other side.

Wang Ruofu smiled and nodded warmly in greeting, then quickly walked to the carriage behind him.

at this time,

Rulan also got off the carriage and very sensibly extended her hand to the old lady.

At this moment, Madam Sun also came forward and smiled at Rulan, saying, "Good child, let me do it."

Rulan, who was always very sensible and obedient outside, immediately nodded: "Yes, Aunt."

After smiling at Wang Ruofu, Madam Sun reached out to the old lady and said, "Aunt, please take your time."

Subsequently,

With the help of Madam Sun and Wang Ruofu, the old lady stepped down from the carriage with a brisk pace.

Seeing Bai Shi, Madam Wu, Ping Mei, Hua Lan, Yan Ran, Ting Yi and others coming to greet her, the old lady looked at Sun Shi and said with a smile, "Why did everyone make such a fuss to come here and wait for me?"

Sun pointed at Madam Wu and the others and said with a smile, "Originally, my niece-in-law came with the children by herself, but when they heard that you had arrived, they all followed."

The old lady smiled and nodded to everyone, saying, "Thank you all for your trouble."

"Grandma, you're too kind. I just like you and I'm happy to get close to you."

With a smile on her face, Madam Wu waved her handkerchief as she finished speaking, then walked to Madam Sun's side and said with a smile, "Sister Sun, please let go of the old lady first, so that I can share in the good fortune."

Sun twisted her waist and said, feigning stinginess, "That won't do, I haven't had enough yet!"

Seeing this, Madam Wu looked at Wang Ruofu again.

Although Wang Ruofu felt stifled in the Sheng family, she was not intimidated in this situation. She immediately hugged the old lady's arm tightly, as if afraid someone would try to snatch her away.

After shaking it twice, Wang Ruofu said, "This is my mother-in-law."

"Ha ha ha ha--"

The three of them joked and laughed, which made the laughter at the second gate even louder.

The laughter subsided slightly.

The Zhu family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Xie Hualan, Ping Mei, An Mei and others hurriedly bowed and called her "Aunt", "Grandmother" and "Great-Grandmother".

The old lady kept smiling and nodding.

Afterwards, Hua Lan and the others bowed to Wang Ruofu and called for help, which made Wang Ruofu very happy.

Looking around, Wang Ruofu noticed that, putting aside the eldest daughter-in-law of the same generation as Sun,...

Speaking only of Xie Shihua and Lan, these two are daughters-in-law of the Duke's mansion;
Pingmei, Anmei, and Yanran are the wives of the Marquis's family;
Tingyi and Ni Qiqiu are the daughters-in-law of an earl and viscount.

They were all family members of officials.

The Sun family, relatives by marriage, and the Bai family, relatives by marriage to the Xu family, were both ladies of high rank.

Thinking of this, Wang Ruofu laughed even more heartily.

"Auntie, let's go inside first."

As the group slowly walked towards the inner courtyard,
Only then did Rulan have the opportunity to greet the sisters who came to welcome her.

Looking back at Rulan, who was talking to the wives of officials, Wang Ruofu felt even better.

Xu Family Inner Courtyard

The doors and windows of the main hall and side rooms were all wide open.
Many wives, daughters-in-law, and young women of officials were chatting in small groups.

The large crowd that escorted the old lady into the courtyard naturally attracted a lot of attention.

However, since the Sheng family moved to the capital, the old lady has rarely appeared in public on such occasions, and many people do not recognize her.

At the entrance of the main house,

Several ladies of varying ages who were related stood together.

"Oh, which wealthy old lady has arrived?"

Standing beside her mother-in-law, Rongxian's wife, Dou, asked with great curiosity.

Lady Fuchang shook her head with a puzzled look: "Hmm, this old lady looks unfamiliar. I haven't seen her much in the capital."

As she spoke, Lady Fuchang looked at the eldest daughter of the Duke of Fuguo, Dou, who was standing to the side: "My dear in-law, do you know this lady?"

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Dou family frowned and shook her head.

Before Dou's eldest daughter-in-law could speak, Gu Tingye's aunt, who had married into the prestigious Yang family, said, "That should be the old lady of the Sheng family in Jiying Lane. She is the grandmother of Xu's second eldest daughter-in-law."

"Sheng family?"

Seeing the confused expressions on the faces of the relatives around him, Gu Tingye's aunt added, "The Duke of Dai's own aunt was the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi. The title of Duke of Dai was inherited from her father."

"Ah! It's her!?"

Several older ladies around gasped in surprise and then looked at the old lady in the crowd with astonishment.

"The only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi? She was famous throughout Bianjing back then. She served the late Empress for several years. After leaving the palace, she played polo and was unmatched."

After one person finished speaking, the other nodded in agreement:
"Back then, she was unparalleled in the capital, and her personality was also extremely arrogant and proud! When I was a young girl, I copied her dresses and hairstyles quite a bit!"

As they spoke, the eyes of the several ladies followed the old lady's figure.

"Back then, she chose her own husband. Wasn't he the third-ranked scholar that year?"

"Yes, her grandson is now also a third-place scholar in the imperial examination."

"Looking at this kind-faced man today, I really wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for Sister Gu pointing it out."

Aunt Gu Tingye smiled and said, "Seeing how much the Duchess and the others respect this man, their filial piety is truly commendable."

The people around him were making polite remarks, but Rongxian's wife, Dou, curled her lip, seemingly disagreeing with what they were saying.

At this moment, Gu Tingye's aunt said again, "Oh, Madam Chai has gone over there with her two daughters-in-law."

"My niece-in-law told me that the sixth daughter of the Sheng family, who was betrothed to her, was raised by this old lady."

Hearing Gu Tingye's aunt's words, Dou Shi and her mother-in-law exchanged a glance, and then, urged by her own mother, she said, "Mother-in-law, how about we..."

In the main hall,
Seeing the old lady enter the room,
The seated ladies and noblewomen rose and nodded in greeting.

After the younger generation, including Xie Hualan, dispersed to accompany the guests elsewhere.

Seeing that Madam Sun was about to lead her to the chair at the head of the table, the old lady quickly waved her hand and declined, saying, "What are you doing!"

Madam Sun smiled and said, "Aunt, this is your seat."

"No, no," the old lady shook her head with a smile. "That won't do." Wang Ruofu was also somewhat at a loss, not knowing who to help.

As the old lady spoke, she began to walk toward a chair to the side.

Before she could even move her foot, the old lady of the Duke of Lianguo came up to her and said, "Sister, you are the most senior person in the Xu family today. Why can't you sit in the seat of honor?"

"This is the matriarch of the Lu family, the family of Duke Lian, and the grandmother of Jing'er's sworn brother," Madam Sun explained.

After nodding in acknowledgment, the old lady smiled and said, "Although I am of a higher generation, I am still a married woman."

"Oh!" Old Madam Lu said with a smile, "But we have other things to do at home! Let the children do their filial duty! What do you think, elder sister?"

Madam Yu smiled and chimed in, "Please sit down."

"Auntie." Madam Sun smiled expectantly.

Looking at the nodding officials' wives and noble ladies around her, the old lady nodded helplessly: "Alright! I can't refuse such hospitality, so I'll be impolite."

Not long after the old lady and the others sat down, and before they had exchanged more than a few words, Madam Chai came in with her two daughters-in-law.

Upon seeing the elderly lady seated at the head of the table, Madam Chai's eyes flashed with a look of relief, as if she had come to the right place.

When Madam Sun introduced Madam Chai's identity to the old lady, Wang Ruofu stood up somewhat helplessly, several thoughts flashing through her mind: 'Is she here to show off?' or 'Is she here to intimidate people?'

Before Wang Ruofu could compose herself, Madam Chai smiled and nodded to everyone in the room before walking to Madam Sun's side: "Sister Sun, this must be Old Madam Sheng."

Knowing the details of the relationship between Xu Zaijing and Chai Zhengzheng, Madam Sun smiled and nodded, then introduced Madam Chai to the old lady.

When Madam Chai bowed and greeted her, the old lady only glanced into Madam Chai's eyes before a sincere smile appeared on her face.

When they sit down to talk,
The Duchess of England, seated near the front of the hall, nodded in greeting and smiled as she echoed her sentiments.

Then, the Duchess of England and her friend, Madam Zheng, exchanged a glance.

The two got up, apologized, and went to change their clothes before walking outside together.

On the way,

From time to time, the wives and daughters of officials would bow and greet the Duchess of England and her husband.

Both of them smiled and nodded in return.

After walking for a while, looking at the Duchess of England shaking her head and smiling beside her, Madam Zheng asked in confusion, "Sister, what's going on?"

The Duchess of England took a deep breath and said with emotion, "I've seen the old lady of the Sheng family many times when I was young, but I really can't believe she looks like this now."

"Back then, she was extremely famous in the capital. Compared to her, Fifth Sister's style was nothing! When she married the third-ranked scholar, her dowry procession was so long that I was filled with envy."

Madam Zheng nodded with some doubt: "It's a pity I wasn't in the capital at the time and didn't get to see that magnificent scene."

The Duchess of England smiled and said, "In the years that followed, I heard that her eldest son died young, and that the third-ranked scholar also died young from illness. I thought she would listen to the late Marquis Yongyi and remarry!"

"Back then in the capital, many people were waiting to see her make a fool of herself, wondering what kind of family she would remarry into with her mountain of gold and sea of ​​silver dowry. Who would have thought—"

"She actually remained a widow for decades and managed to raise the illegitimate son of the Sheng family. She even almost broke with her own family for the sake of the illegitimate son of the Sheng family."

"Look at the Sheng family now, they have many descendants and their family is very prosperous."

As she spoke, the Duchess of England nodded in return to a noblewoman standing nearby.

Madam Zheng sighed with admiration and agreed: "Sister is right. I admire and respect such a smart, strong, and resilient woman from the bottom of my heart."

"But just now my sister said she never expected that old lady to be like this now. Why is that? Hasn't she always been like this?"

The Duchess of England smiled and shook her head: "Sister, this woman chose her own marriage and forced the late Marquis Yongyi and his wife to agree."

Madam Zheng, who was always very proper, looked surprised: "Ah? Isn't a young lady's marriage arranged by her parents and a matchmaker?"

The Duchess of England shook her head and sighed, "Before she got married, she did not follow her father's wishes. I thought she would continue to live a carefree and unconventional life after marriage, but after becoming a widow, she actually became the most proper woman."

After a moment's thought, Madam Zheng nodded and said, "Sister, I understand. This woman can be described as 'obeying her husband after marriage, and obeying her son after her husband's death'."

The Duchess of England nodded: "Yes! With her proud and fierce nature back then, she must have been just like Fifth Sister, intolerant of any wrongdoing."

"I've heard the servants in the house mention the background of Lin, the concubine of the Sheng family, several times! If it were me, I couldn't tolerate such an ungrateful wretch."

Perhaps the Duchess of England had mentioned Lin Qinshuang to Madam Zheng before, because Madam Zheng did not ask any questions, but nodded and said, "I have heard my sister-in-law mention the three young ladies of the Sheng family a few times before."

"Among them, the fifth daughter, Rulan, is dignified, straightforward, and innocent."

"The fourth daughter, Mo Lan, and the sixth daughter, Ming Lan, both born out of wedlock, are quite different. Mo Lan is beautiful and skilled in poetry and painting, but she is also quite scheming and acts indecisively."

"The other one is bright-eyed and white-toothed, with outstanding looks and a clever mind. In addition, his words and actions are quite heroic and chivalrous."

Upon hearing Madam Zheng's words, the Duchess of England turned to look at her friend, frowning as she said, "Why didn't this girl tell me about this?"

Madam Zheng smiled and shook her head: "Then you'll have to ask Fifth Sister."

Seeing the Duchess of England's expression, Madam Zheng smiled and said, "Sister, what's wrong with you, frowning and smiling at the same time?"

The Duchess of England took a deep breath: "Sixth Miss Sheng grew up under the care of Old Madam Sheng. Now that you mention it, I realize I was wrong just now."

"Madam Sheng's personality may have only changed on the surface, but not at its core. Otherwise, the children she raised would not have any heroic spirit or chivalry."

After thinking for a moment, Madam Zheng smiled and nodded: "That's quite possible!"

"Sister, do you think the young prince of the Xu family had other thoughts in mind when he chose the sixth daughter of the Sheng family instead of the eldest, the fourth daughter of the Sheng family?"

The Duchess of England's eyes lit up: "Sister, I really didn't think of that! The two girls from the Xu family are both born to concubines, and he's making it clear that he doesn't want the Lin family's daughter."

After nodding in affirmation of her own thoughts, the Duchess of England added, "I just wonder which girl the Qi family's child asked for a marriage decree from in the palace during the first month of the lunar year."

"It should be the Fourth Miss Sheng. You should know the personality of Princess Pingning."

"Hmm." The Duchess of England nodded and changed the subject: "Madam Chai's actions today were quite unexpected."

"I never expected that Madam Chai would go to such lengths after meeting Old Madam Sheng."

Madam Zheng sighed, "The world is full of pitiful parents."

"All three girls were betrothed by imperial decree. Although each of them has a powerful patron behind her, in the end, it all depends on the attitude of the Xu family's child."

"Back when Madam Sun first entered the Xu family, Madam Wu told you about it, sister."

"It is always right for your daughter to express her respect and gratitude to Madam Sheng."

As she spoke, Madam Zheng added, "This Xu family courtyard is truly enormous."

In the afternoon,

In the side hall where guests rest,
With the help of Mama Fang, the old lady sat down in a chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

suddenly,

Qingcao peeked out from beside the screen: "Madam, it's Madam Fang."

Fang's mother smiled at Qingcao: "Why did you come here, girl?"

The old lady glanced at Qingcao, then lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before saying slowly, "Qingcao, your young master is here too?"

"Huh? Hehe."

After her initial surprise, Qingcao smiled and turned around to say, "Young Master, please come out."

"Great-aunt"

Xu Zaijing, who had come out, called out apologetically.

(End of this chapter)