SFS Chapter 200 The Jin Family Finds Trouble!
Chapter 200 The Jin Family Finds Trouble!
"Ah Nuan, are these all your own guesses and judgments, or did the master reveal something to you?"
Mu Xin Nuan shook her head. "No! How could Father say such things to his daughter? I often go to the study and deduce these things from the letters and memorials. Besides, doesn't Mother know Father's character? He is not the kind of person who would take credit for something! And it is precisely this trait that makes the Emperor and the Crown Prince appreciate him so much."
“Anuan, I understand what you mean. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone make the arrangements later. But it’s best if you don’t show up on that day. I’m worried that if Chu Rong comes along too, it will be awkward.”
"Yes, Mother, I understand."
After Mu Xin Nuan finished speaking, she smiled and said, "Mother, don't worry. I don't have those kinds of feelings for Chu Rong. I just always thought of him as my savior, so I cared about him a little. Now that this has happened, I'm not stupid. Just look at my aunt now, and you'll understand."
Seeing how sensible her daughter was, Madam Li was overjoyed. What she feared most was not Madam Chu's kind words, but her daughter's thoughts!
My daughter has always been a woman of her own mind. If she were determined to marry Chu Rong, I, as her mother, probably wouldn't be able to persuade her otherwise! Now that she has given up on this idea, it's naturally the best thing that could happen!
After Li relayed Mu Xin Nuan's words to Mu Chang An verbatim, his first reaction was one of utter astonishment!
Mu Chang'an then thought of what her father had said earlier: the Mu family might really have produced a daughter who could propel the entire Mu family to its highest peak!
"Father's vision is truly remarkable! It was Father's idea that Ah Nuan was taught so many subjects in the first place. It was also Father's idea that she was allowed to go to the study. It seems that Father saw long ago that our daughter is exceptionally intelligent."
"Yes! Ah Nuan is not only smart, but she also always considers the reputation of the entire Mu family. Look how well she treats Tingting and Zhuangzhuang. I just wonder if our household will be able to return to the peace it once was after the second branch of the family comes back?"
Seeing his wife's worry, Mu Chang'an reached out and patted the back of her hand. "Don't think so much. After all, you're a member of the Mu family, so you'll always know your limits. Besides, although my second brother is afraid of his wife, he's still an official, and he won't let his wife do whatever she wants."
"I hope so. However, once my sister-in-law returns to the manor, many things will be different! But I see that A-Nuan is as filial to the old master and you as ever, and she always has people send some tonics to my second brother in the outer courtyard. This child is very thoughtful."
"Yes, Ah Nuan truly has the demeanor of an eldest daughter! This girl has lived up to our years of painstaking teaching; she has a broad vision! It's a pity she's a woman; otherwise, she would surely have achieved great things in the outside world."
Li gave him a reproachful look. "Are you saying that Ah Xuan is a bad child?"
Mu Chang'an was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "How could that be? How could I think Ah Xuan is bad? They're all our children, how could they be bad? I'm thinking, when would be a suitable day for us to host a banquet for the Chu family?"
"In your opinion, would it be better to invite them from inside the manor or from outside?"
Mu Chang'an hesitated for a moment, "Let's stay here in the manor. Some things are better left unsaid if outsiders hear them. They might make a big deal out of it, and that could damage A-Nuan's reputation. Besides, Chu Rong really cares about A-Nuan. I'm worried that if he says something outrageous outside, it'll be hard to handle."
Madam Li thought about it and agreed. Actually, she had always treated Chu Rong very well; otherwise, she wouldn't have tolerated his occasional visits to the backyard. However, this was the second time her sister had caused trouble for Ah Nuan! And if one were to count, there were many more instances of open and subtle mockery directed at Ah Nuan before!
If we have a sister-in-law like that in the future, how will we live? Besides, Madam Chu only has one son and one daughter. As time goes by, she will always side with her own daughter. How could she possibly side with her daughter-in-law?
After setting the date and sending a formal invitation, Lady Li instructed the household to begin preparations.
Chu Qinghe is a mighty general, whose rank is above that of her husband, so it is only natural that she should be more respectful.
As Li's side began making preparations, Jin's side started to get restless.
On this day, everyone came to Rongyuan to pay their respects to the old lady, and Mu Xinnuan naturally accompanied Li Shi as well.
"Sister-in-law, I heard you're hosting a banquet?"
"Yes, how come even your sister-in-law knows?" Madam Li replied with a light smile.
"Oh! From what you're saying, sister-in-law, it's as if it's your eldest branch hosting the banquet, and we second branch can't know about it! Could it be that you're doing something shady? Hehe!" Jin covered her mouth with her handkerchief and said, "Speaking of which, your eldest branch's banquet is also paid for with public funds, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Li became furious. If it weren't for the presence of some younger family members in the room, she probably would have lost her temper on the spot.
"Second Aunt, could it be that the banquet we hosted for you last time was paid for with your own money? If so, Mother, then we will naturally have to pay for our own banquets. However, I have always been in charge of the kitchen. Second Uncle and Second Aunt have never given me any money; it was all sent directly to Mother."
Mu Xin Nuan spoke calmly, with a gentle smile on her face, making it impossible to tell that she felt any humiliation or distress. However, her soft words sounded particularly harsh to Jin Shi's ears!
"Oh! What's this? Since when did it become the turn of a junior to interrupt when the elders are speaking? Or is this what elder sister-in-law's upbringing is like? Tsk tsk! As expected of the eldest daughter of the main branch, she is indeed extraordinary!"
The disdain in Jin's eyes, coupled with the tone of her voice, made it clear that she was mocking Mu Xin Nuan for her lack of manners! Just because she was the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife, she dared to be so presumptuous in front of her elders!
The old lady frowned. "Anuan, what's wrong with you? When did you get the right to interrupt your second aunt and your mother?"
Mu Xin Nuan was neither ashamed nor angry. She curtsied to the old lady and said, "Yes, it was all my fault for overstepping my bounds. But since I am in charge of the kitchen, I was anxious when I heard what you said, Second Aunt. I wanted to clarify things first, so that the accounts wouldn't be in trouble later."