Chapter 771 - 773: Each to Their Own Affairs
Chapter 771: Chapter 773: Each to Their Own Affairs
Hou Tian’er dismissed Cui’er, leaving Xi’er alone with her. "Who has Cui’er been getting close to lately?"
"..." Xi’er hesitated. "I’ll have someone look into it right away."
Hou Tian’er frowned.
"Miss, Cui’er actually makes a valid point," Xi’er continued. "Our current location is a bit out of the way.
"Although a new side door was opened here, it’s still a big detour to reach the main street.
"Before you were pregnant, the walk was good exercise, but now that you’re expecting, it really is a bit inconvenient."
Hou Tian’er’s face turned cold. "Have you forgotten that we are merely guests here?
"Although I call Mrs. Gu ’sister-in-law,’ we are somewhat removed in relation. How can we demand so much when we are already graciously provided with such a large courtyard?
"Don’t forget, my husband and I are not the masters of this household.
"I know you are devoted to me, but I don’t want to hear such things again. Otherwise, I won’t dare keep you by my side."
Xi’er’s face turned pale. "I understand."
Unable to focus on her account books anymore, Hou Tian’er chatted with her personal maid. "Do you think we’re more comfortable staying at the Gu Mansion or the Hou Family’s estate?"
"W-well, of course it’s more comfortable at the Gu Mansion," Xi’er replied. Here, there were no elders to oppress them, nor was there the need to pay respects every morning and evening. Moreover, once the doors to their small courtyard were closed, it was like their own separate household. They only had to serve two masters, which was far better than dealing with the complicated Hou Family. Since marrying, her lady was no longer as gloomy as before; she seemed much more vibrant.
"This has also been the most comfortable year of my entire life." Hou Tian’er didn’t even want to recall the past. Now, with a considerate husband and a clan sister-in-law taking care of them, others could only envy her whenever she went out. "I don’t want anyone to ruin this peace. If you feel this place is too small for you, I can send you back."
As they were her dowry maids, Hou Tian’er knew that sending them back would inevitably invite gossip. But compared to the life she desired, she was willing to be selfish for once.
Xi’er hastily dropped to her knees. "I am willing to serve you for the rest of my life, Miss. I won’t go anywhere."
"Then you need to understand that I don’t need a busybody by my side," Hou Tian’er warned.
Having followed Jin Qianqian for nearly a year, Hou Tian’er had learned quite a lot. Her imposing aura was a world apart from when she was an unmarried girl.
Xi’er hurriedly expressed her loyalty. "I will definitely be more careful with my words and actions."
"You may leave," Hou Tian’er said. "And make sure to pass my message to the subordinates. If anyone makes the same mistake, don’t expect any mercy from me."
"Yes, Miss."
`[At the Cen Residence.]`
After Cen Gaosong finished his meal with his wife and daughter, he didn’t rush to leave this time. Instead, he had tea served and dismissed all the servants.
Seeing his posture, Mrs. Cen Zhang knew he had something to say.
Cen Yueqin didn’t dare interrupt her parents’ conversation. "Father, Mother, I haven’t finished embroidering my handkerchief yet. I’ll head back first."
Just as Cen Yueqin was about to leave, Cen Gaosong stopped her. "Don’t go just yet. This matter concerns you. You’re older now, and I want to hear your thoughts."
Cen Yueqin’s cheeks flushed red. The only matter that could concern her was her marriage. Since her father had spoken, she naturally stood aside and listened.
"Can’t we just discuss whatever it is between ourselves first? It’s inappropriate for the child to be here." Mrs. Cen Zhang scoffed, shooting a look at Cen Yueqin.
"She really needs to be present for this." Cen Gaosong placed his teacup on the table and turned to his daughter. "Yue Qin, don’t just stand there. Sit down so we can have a proper talk.
"I know you have a mind of your own. Since it’s just our family here, let’s lay everything out in the open."
Only then did Zhang Guihong drop the matter, motioning for her daughter to sit beside her.
"Your marriage was originally supposed to be arranged by your mother, but over the past year, you both have looked at many prospects without settling on anyone.
"You are the legitimate daughter of the Cen Family, and many people have already been asking me about you.
"Tell me, what are your requirements for your marriage?"
Zhang Guihong interjected, "My Lord, how can you discuss such things in front of a child?
"Besides, marriage is dictated by the parents’ orders. What would a young girl know? If you feel there’s a suitable candidate, we can discuss it carefully. Once it’s mostly decided, we can tell her."
Cen Gaosong slammed his hand on the table. "Don’t try to fool me with that nonsense! I know very well that you look down on the local families.
"But we need to be self-aware. You want our daughter to marry into a high-ranking family, but do you think I don’t want her to live well?
"I attained my current official position by building it up little by little. I will never trade my daughter for personal gain."
Zhang Guihong lowered her head, but inwardly, she didn’t take his words seriously. She thought, "If I don’t settle my daughter’s marriage soon, by the time Mu Xianglan’s two little brats grow older, my daughter might just become their stepping stone."
"If you want to wait a few more years, then stop taking her out to banquets. She’s still young. Let her focus on building a good reputation, and when the time comes, I will naturally find a good family for her," Cen Gaosong continued. Turning to Cen Yueqin, he added, "I know that despite your young age, you are highly opinionated. Sometimes your mother’s ideas are a bit stubborn and biased; you shouldn’t just blindly go along with her."
"Hmph, how am I stubborn and biased? It’s clearly you who handles things unfairly. If I don’t fight for myself, I wouldn’t even have a foothold in this inner court."
Cen Gaosong’s face darkened. "Nonsense! Don’t you have the final say in the entire residence now? As the primary wife, you should be tolerant. You cannot mistreat the children below you. After all, they call you ’Mother.’"
"Mother?" Zhang Guihong’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "It seems the ’Mother’ they used to refer to was always someone else. Although they’ve been calling me Mother these days, how much respect do they actually have for me in their hearts?
"They want to pass off concubine-born children as legitimate ones, but that will be absolutely impossible in this lifetime!
"I suppose you don’t know yet, My Lord. You’ve been away all these years, and the concubine-born sons and daughters you’ve had were never reported to the clan.
"As the matriarch of this residence, I have already sent a letter back home. These children have now been officially recorded in the genealogy book by the Clan Leader himself."
Had Cen Gaosong not spoken so self-righteously today, acting as if he only had their legitimate daughter’s best interests at heart, she wouldn’t have exposed this matter so soon. She would have let certain people continue their sweet dreams for a while longer.
Cen Gaosong’s expression changed drastically. "You’re acting outrageously! How could you not discuss such a major matter with me?"
"What is there to discuss? They are merely a few concubine-born children.
"As for what you mentioned to me before—registering a legitimate son under my name—I have also made a decision.
"Aunt Liu used to serve by my side. I wonder if you still remember her, My Lord?"
"Why bring her up?" Cen Gaosong certainly had an impression of her. "Didn’t she pass away early?"
"Then have you also forgotten the second young master she gave birth to?" Zhang Guihong stared intently at Cen Gaosong. Seeing the unnatural look on his face, her heart turned even colder.