Volume One, Chapter 19: Madam Zhou Wishes for Yun Xi to Become Her Daughter-in-Law

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Madam Zhou began by praising Yun Xiang to such an extent that Madam He could not help but burst into laughter repeatedly.

Seeing this, Madam Zhou finally brought up the matter that had been on her mind for some time. “Madam Yun, at the recent flower-viewing banquet at the Marquis Yuanping’s residence, I had the pleasure of speaking with your eldest daughter. Oh my, truly a lady of distinguished bearing.”

“Her demeanor and beauty are unmatched, a perfect match for the General.”

“You know, my own daughter is quite unremarkable. If only I had a daughter like your eldest Miss Yun, I would be content.”

After saying this, Madam Zhou glanced at Madam He’s face, but saw that she only lifted her tea cup to her lips with a smile, offering no response.

Sensing an opening, Madam Zhou continued, “Ah, I may not be so fortunate to have a daughter, but if my daughter-in-law were half as virtuous as Miss Yun, I would be satisfied.” She paused, then added, “I wonder, does Miss Yun have any sisters?”

Upon hearing this, Madam He finally understood Madam Zhou’s intent.

She paused with the tea cup in her hands, her expression cooling slightly.

Madam Zhou waited for a reply. Madam He put down her cup and smiled softly. “There is a younger one at home, but she is not a legitimate child. She is still quite young, and I intend to keep her by my side for another couple of years.”

Unexpectedly, Madam Zhou’s eyes brightened at this, as if missing the implication behind those words. “How old is your young lady?”

“She just turned fourteen this year,” Madam He deliberately understated by a year.

“Fourteen is not too young,” Madam Zhou leaned sideways with both hands on the table. “Has Madam perhaps considered suitors for her?”

Annoyed by the persistence but forced to placate, Madam He replied vaguely, “We have looked at a few families, but none seemed suitable.”

She could not admit they had not sought matches at all, lest it become a source of gossip. After all, even if Yun Xi were indeed fourteen, girls that age would typically be betrothed.

Madam He folded away the handkerchief at her side and restored a courteous smile.

Normally, such a reply would signal the end of the inquiry, but Madam Zhou pressed on, “Madam is truly benevolent, showing such care for a concubine’s daughter.”

Noticing no reaction on Madam He’s face, she asked casually, “I suppose the young lady is sensible and obedient, which is why she has your affection. I wonder what sort of family Madam wishes to find for her?”

The room fell silent instantly.

Madam He, seated above, smiled politely but did not respond to Madam Zhou. An awkward atmosphere settled between them.

---

Standing nearby, Nurse Jiang read the look on her mistress’s face and quickly interjected to ease the tension: “Madam, the master said he will be here for lunch.”

“Is that so? Then go tell the kitchen to prepare,” Madam He replied smoothly, leaving no room for Madam Zhou to seize the moment. “It’s getting late. Madam Zhou, will you stay for the meal?”

If Madam Zhou still failed to grasp Madam He’s meaning, then all these years had truly been wasted.

Today she had risked her dignity to probe for information, only to be repeatedly rebuffed.

Yesterday, she had thought it over carefully. As the daughter of a high-ranking official, if Yun Xi were strong-willed and realized she came only to offer a concubine, she might be so ashamed as to bring disaster upon herself.

Moreover, her son was grown and ought to marry soon; if he continued his reckless ways, it would be a disgrace to her.

Hence, Madam Zhou had resolved to find a proper wife for her son.

But after all this groundwork, Madam He showed no gratitude. Not only did she refuse to let her meet the young lady, she would not even mention her, only hastening her departure.

Madam Zhou looked embarrassed—never before had she been treated with such disdain.

“No, I have matters to attend to at home.” She was no easy woman, and after being left standing so long, her mood darkened visibly as she turned to leave. Known for her tact in the ladies’ quarters, this was the first time she had behaved so discourteously.

“Send Madam Zhou off,” Madam He instructed quietly.

Once Madam Zhou had gone, Madam He pressed a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes and frowning deeply.

Nurse Jiang saw this and knew her mistress’s old ailments were flaring again, so she stepped forward to massage her temples.

“Jiang, what do you think she means by this? Such an unrelated family coming to propose marriage,” Madam He said with her eyes closed, feeling some relief.

“Madam, in my humble opinion, Madam Zhou did not come here on a whim.”

This was precisely what Madam He feared. She opened her weary eyes and waved her hand. “You mean she already knows about Yun Xi?”

Nurse Jiang withdrew her hand and stepped aside. “That is only my guess, madam. Third Miss is not well known even within the household—she has no close friends in the quarters. Madam Zhou should not have been able to find out by normal means.”

Jiang’s suspicion matched Madam He’s own.

Having managed the inner chambers for years, Madam He was no stranger to the subtle intrigues that unfolded beneath the surface.

---

What Madam He could foresee, she had already anticipated. The nonsense about Madam Zhou coming because of Yun Xi was something she did not believe for a moment.

“Enough,” Madam He said as her headache lessened. “She was sent away empty-handed this time. She probably won’t come again.” Mainly, if she pressed further, it might alert someone and cause trouble for Xiang’s side.

Judging by Madam Zhou’s demeanor, she likely did not know about Yun Xi and Yun Xi’s true situation.

As for offending her...

Madam He had initially wished to treat her with courtesy, but once Zhou mentioned Yun Xi, she became flustered.

If any slip-up occurred now, the secret that Yun Xi was no longer at the Yun residence would be exposed. Then, let alone offending anyone, the Marquis’s household would be hard to explain to.

That concubine’s troublesome daughter was truly a source of endless worry.

Leaning on Nurse Jiang’s arm, Madam He walked into the inner chambers, sighing deeply.

---

“Madam He is truly arrogant, acting as if all her daughters are goddesses, and others should be rushing to curry favor,” Madam Zhou finally vented her anger after leaving the residence and boarding her carriage.

“I only came to feel things out, yet they sent me away after a few words. With such a family style, how good can their daughters be?”

She had intended only to meet the young lady first before deciding—there was no insistence on marrying her son to her specifically. Yet Yun’s attitude had thoroughly infuriated her.

Her arm rested on the small table, and as she spoke, she raised it and waved it about, accidentally brushing a nearby maid.

Madam Zhou, in a foul mood, shot the girl a sharp glare. The maid immediately retreated, shrinking to the side, wary of drawing more misfortune.

“Talk of beauty, virtue, and talent—all just empty shells.”

“If not for an engagement, would the General have taken notice of her?”

Anger surged in Madam Zhou’s heart, and she even cursed Yun Xi, whom she had met the other day.

Thinking of how Madam He looked down on her, she closed her eyes in frustration, then sneered, “Hmph, no matter how much you try to block me, I will still have this daughter-in-law.”