Cui knew that her next answer would directly decide whether Song Yiliao truly accepted her remorse - she took a deep breath, clenched her fists and said: "This servant is no longer young and has committed a great mistake, now I only hope that the lady will take pity on me, so that the second half of my life will not be without support!"
Although this remark is also considered euphemistic, the intention of finding a home has been made clear without a doubt. Cui's face turned crimson as she lowered her head in embarrassment: not only because of the shyness of expressing her desire to get married in public, but also due to the despair and resignation after realizing that her lifelong wish had no hope.
"I've served Master Gong for so long, even though he was away for six years in between. But as soon as he came back, Empress Dowager immediately sent me to the Yan Guo Gong Fu! Thinking about my life, Xian Cui's fist clenched and her hand trembled slightly, with emotions too complicated to describe. From a trusted maid to a madam, it was supposed to be a natural progression of things! But who would have thought I'd end up with such an overbearing mistress?"
She had just been in for three to five days and crushed her thoughts into powder!
These months of house arrest, although she had no worries about food and clothing, when winter came, Song Yiliao even sent someone to take her measurements and make a whole set of winter clothes for her.
Apart from being restricted in movement, all other living conditions are like those of a half-master - but these not only fail to make Ling Cui feel at ease, but instead make her more and more terrified every day!
It's not regret for what was done in the past, but rather recalling the various dark secrets heard at Mingren Palace.
"The reason Song's family has me under house arrest is because I spoke out of turn to her, now I need to reflect on my actions!"
"During this time she didn't beat or scold me, and provided for me with good food, drink, and clothes. No matter what, I couldn't say that she was being harsh!"
"In this way, if one day I suddenly 'disappeared', it would probably only make her think that I was unlucky and had a short life, and she wouldn't be surprised!"
Even if someone suspects it, "Who would offend a first-rank official for the sake of a lowly servant?"
"Especially Song Yixiao, who is now very much loved by her husband. 'If I were to be pregnant for a year and a half, she would find an excuse to kill me, and even the Empress Dowager would turn a blind eye for the sake of her great-grandchild!'"
Thinking of this, Qingtong didn't dare to pretend anymore?
She didn't know that Song Yixiao and Jian Xu Bai still hadn't consummated their marriage, it's been three or four months since the mistress entered the house. Young couples, with good health and a good fate for children, should be getting some news soon!
When the time comes, the mother will rely on her son's wealth and status; what can't be done then?
Putting aside these concerns, Song Yi thought that she could probably guess what was going on and couldn't help but think to herself: "She's definitely scared now, otherwise she wouldn't be so obedient. But as the saying goes, 'it's easy to change one's circumstances but hard to change one's nature', whether she has really calmed down or not still needs to be observed for a while!"
Bian said: "There is a saying that men should get married when they grow up, and women should get married when they grow up. In terms of age, you are older than both me and my husband, and it's indeed time for you to get married! However, I'm handling this kind of thing for the first time, and I don't have any experience. Now that the New Year is approaching and there are many things to attend to, I'm afraid I won't be able to fulfill your request for the time being!"
It's not that she didn't want to take advantage of the situation and marry off Yu Xiu immediately to put her mind at ease - but this was no ordinary palace maid, after all. She had been serving Jian Yu Bai since childhood, and if Song Yi Xiao were to randomly arrange a marriage for her, it would be fine if it turned out well, but if it didn't, the Empress Dowager would surely have an opinion on the matter.
It's just that Jian Yu Bai didn't want to lose face in front of his wife, and he couldn't bear to disappoint her. In his heart, he must have also felt guilty towards Xian Cui.
Song Yixiao didn't want to lose points in a place like this, but she had no choice but to put in some effort to find her a reliable mother-in-law.
This expressed her difficulties, and seeing that she was in a predicament, she had someone bring over a set of golden headdresses to reward her: "The New Year is approaching soon, dress up nicely and add some festive atmosphere to the estate!"
Jin Xun smiled and interjected: "When spring arrives, we servants will have to wait for the joyful aura of Sister Cui!"
She bowed her head in gratitude and suppressed her surging emotions with a gentle smile: "It's all thanks to your kindness, madam!"
Song Yixiao knew that although she hadn't completely given up hope, there wasn't much left either. But unexpectedly, Jin Xun had stimulated her - who knows, maybe the original dowry would have been enough to solve the problem, but now it's going to be a big trouble?
So a cough interrupted Jin Xun's words, and he said: "Aunt Zhao, didn't you say two days ago that you were short of someone to take charge? Although Qian Cui won't be in the mansion after New Year's, ask her to help out for these few days..."
As he said this, he looked at Qingtian.
Qing Cui certainly expressed her willingness to work hard like a horse.
After she left with her head held high, Song Yi smiled and took a sip of tea, instructing those around her: "From now on, show some respect to her, after all, she is someone who has been by husband's side!"
Jin Xun smiled and responded, "Actually, no one has been bullying her during this time, right? Not to mention the previous group of people, but after our people came in, we were busy learning rules and doing things, who had the energy to bother her? Otherwise, how could she have such a good complexion?"
"It's best this way." Song Yi smiled and said, "After all, it was the Empress Dowager who gave her to your husband, and for the sake of respect for one's elders, I don't want this Concubine Yun to end up in a bad situation. Now that she is willing to lower her head, it's as good as it gets. From now on, all of you should be careful to humor her, and after the spring arrives, she will marry out with honor, and that will settle one of our worries!"
Everyone responded in unison, guaranteeing that they would no longer take advantage of their status as attendants to cause trouble for Xiāo Cuì.
Although this matter has not yet settled, it already has a general outline. Song Yixiao also secretly let out a breath of relief. Originally, even if Ling Cui didn't mention it now, after the new year, she wouldn't be able to continue keeping people locked up, and would have to find a way to make amends.
Although this turning point has emerged during the busiest days before the New Year, it may not necessarily be a bad thing.
"By the way, is Third Uncle still in the mansion?" Song Yi smiled and put down her tea cup, remembering this matter again.
Jin Xun and others had been accompanying her to see Yu Cui - the aftermath of the big housekeeper's affair, even though they knew that Yu Cui was just a weak and delicate woman, but Song Yi Xiao still called everyone together for safety precautions - who would have thought that something was happening in the courtyard tens of yards away? Hurriedly calling out to the little maid outside the door to go and ask around.
After a while, Xiaoyan returned and reported: "Third Master is still in the side house."
"Then let's get the kitchen to make a few more dishes!" Song Yi smiled and nodded, looked at the sky, and said, "Maybe Uncle will stay for dinner today."
However, when Jian Li walked away at dinner time, he didn't come back because he was suddenly summoned by the Crown Prince to discuss matters in the Eastern Palace. He declined his niece-in-law's invitation to stay for dinner and only asked someone to pass on a message: "After the spring begins, your aunt will come over, maybe she'll also come to visit, and at that time, I'm afraid we'll still be bothering you!"
Song Yixiao felt that this was nothing: "Uncle is really too polite, if Auntie wants to come at that time, just give us an order and we will definitely roll out the red carpet to welcome her!"
Who would have thought that Jian Yu Bai returned home tonight and heard about this matter, but he remained silent for a long time without saying a word!
"What's wrong?" Song Yi laughed in surprise, "You don't like Auntie coming to our house? Then I'll find an excuse to go back to Uncle?"
"We'll talk about it later!" Jian Yu's face changed color, Song Yi smiled and pondered for a long time, but couldn't tell if he was happy or angry, only feeling that his tone was cold and reserved with a hint of defense. "After the spring begins, Zhao Wang will enter the court, maybe then we can take it easy."
Song Yi smiled to herself, thinking that no matter how busy you are, you're just a fifth-grade official, how can you handle so many things? And it's impossible for Old Lady Duanmu to stay in the Yan State Duke's mansion, why can't you spare half a day's effort to deal with this?
This is clearly an excuse, but when she wanted to ask more questions, Jian Yu Bai took a step ahead and said he was tired and needed to rest immediately.
In the next few days, he went out early and returned late, just like before Nie Wu Yan's birthday, basically not seeing his wife.
Song Yi Xiao didn't know if the Ministry of War was really that busy, but she intuitively suspected that he was deliberately avoiding her.
"Shouldn't he be afraid that I'll get to the bottom of why he's been acting strangely towards Lady Duanmu?" She wasn't really determined to uncover her husband's secrets, but seeing him avoid her every day was frustrating. "Can't you just say you don't want to tell me and be done with it?"
She selectively forgot her annoyance after bluntly saying "it's none of your business" earlier...
Fortunately, such days did not last long, and the year-end was approaching.
For those high-ranking officials and wealthy families, this is a busy time indeed.
Especially the special situation of Jin Guo's eldest princess, destined to be her daughter-in-law, is more troublesome than other people's daughters-in-law - although due to the strong influence of the eldest princess and the fact that the main house of the Jian family is not in the imperial capital, so that her children, despite having different surnames, are all ranked according to their mothers' line, rather than following the rules and being ranked according to their fathers' line. However, there is one thing that even the eldest princess cannot do arbitrarily: ancestral worship.
Qingjiang County Master and Shouchun Bo are of the same father, but the former is a married woman, considered a member of the Zhuo family, and also has sons, so naturally they would make offerings to the Zhuo family; Shouchun Bo makes offerings to the Dou family; leaving only Jian San and Jian Si, two brothers making offerings to the Jian family - originally, as the Yan State Duke's residence left behind by Jian Pingyu, it wouldn't lack an ancestral temple.
And it is the largest, most complete and most majestic ancestral hall of the Jian family in the imperial capital.
In comparison, the ancestral halls of the Duke of Jin's and the Princess Changxing's estates were just a small courtyard!
Jian Pingyu had never thought that he would end up like this. Every year, the ancestral worship was held at the Yan State Duke's mansion - but now the Yan State Duke was Jian Xu Bai, who was only seventeen years old. It was natural for a son to go to his father's house to pay respects to his ancestors during the New Year and festivals; but for a father and mother to go to their son's house to worship their ancestors... this was not quite proper!
After discussion among several parties, it was finally decided that the ceremony would still be held in a small courtyard of the Duke of Jin's mansion.
Although the place is small, the ritual cannot be less - on New Year's Eve, a whole set of tedious rituals came down, and Song Yi Xiao felt that she was about to fall apart!
"Madam, have a drink and refresh yourself!" No sooner had they finished the worship ceremony than they couldn't rest yet. On their way to the palace banquet, attendants hastily presented them with tea and pastries, "Have a few more pieces of pastry to fill your stomach, otherwise when it's time for people to greet you, there won't be enough time to eat!"
After a meal at the palace, Song Yi laughed and was exhausted. Fortunately, the Grand Princess of Jin State was a good mother-in-law and did not require her son and daughter-in-law to stay in her mansion until dawn, so she let them return home to rest.
She returned to the Yan State Duke's mansion and fell asleep as soon as she lay down, not even bothering when Jian Xuebai reminded her that she hadn't removed her makeup yet.
It was just then that she couldn't sleep well, and the sky was slightly bright. The firecrackers all over the city suddenly woke her up - Song Yixiao unwillingly opened her eyes to find that the lights in the room were already on, and Jian Yu Bai stood barefoot on the footstool, with his back to her, tying his belt.
He seemed to sense his wife's awakening and turned back to look at her, saying softly: "It's time to get up. We have to go pay our respects to our parents, uncle, and siblings!"
Song Yi Xiao let out a silent wail in her heart, and when she sat up, she found that she had changed into casual clothes. She touched her face and discovered that the makeup she had reapplied several times yesterday was gone. Her entire body felt clean and refreshed, and she knew it was probably because her husband had asked the servants to help tidy her up - or perhaps he had even helped himself. However, at this moment, she was too tired and sleepy, and didn't have the energy to be playful. She simply took the clothes handed over by Jian Yu Bai and put them on with a forced enthusiasm.
Having finished breakfast, the couple hastily ate a little and went to the back hall to receive the collective New Year's greetings from the servants, gave out rewards, looked at the time and it was not early, busily dispersed the crowd, got in the carriage and left the mansion.
Following the conventional rules, they first went to the Duke of Jin's mansion to pay their respects to their parents and received the lucky money given by the couple. They then handed it over to Nie Wu Xian in exchange for a profit.
Next is Uncle Jian Li Mao.
Next were the peers, and as the youngest son, he had to pay visits to the Qingjiang County Master's Manor, the Shouchun Earl's Manor, and the Changxing Princess's Manor. After a round of these visits, not only was Song Yixiao exhausted, but even Jian Yu Bai took advantage of the time in the carriage to rest his eyes and recover his energy!
Song Yixiao was worried that going to Changxing Princess's mansion would not be smooth, but Jian Xu Bai reminded: "The fifth day of the first month is Qixi Festival, which is the birthday of San Shu's biological mother. She won't have time to bother you at this time."
These words suddenly reminded Song Yi: "The second day of the new year is the day when married women return to their maiden home, what should I do?!"