Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family - Chapter 321: Xiao Yuxian and her Daughter
Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Xiao Yuxian and her Daughter
If her cousin Xiao Ce were in Capital City, she could turn to him for help. But now, with his whereabouts unknown, she is utterly clueless. Her biological parents are long dead. Her only remaining brother holds no influence, and his family’s situation is hardly different from the Mu Mansion’s decline. Both families have lost Old General Xiao’s protection and have fallen from their previous standing.
“My lady! My lady!” At this moment, an old woman came running in, flustered, calling out to her.
“What is going on? Why are you so flustered, with no sense of propriety?” Xiao Yuxian began to reprimand her as soon as she spotted the old woman.
This is Mrs. Jiang, a servant of the First Lady. This woman often slights me. Now, with her shouting in my courtyard, it’s a perfect opportunity to reprimand her in turn.
Mrs. Jiang quickly regained her composure and said respectfully, “My lady, Old Madam Mu and the First Lady request your and the Fourth Young Miss’s presence in the main hall. Please go at once.”
Why would they summon us for no reason? It’s probably nothing good. Xiao Yuxian wondered how to refuse those two old hags. They’re always idle, just looking to stir up trouble.
Mrs. Jiang said, “It’s a nanny from the Imperial Palace. I don’t know the specifics.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuxian and Mu Wan’er immediately stood up. Xiao Yuxian asked excitedly, “You said from the Imperial Palace?”
Mrs. Jiang nodded. “Yes, Second Lady. It is indeed a distinguished guest from the Imperial Palace.”
A distinguished guest from the Imperial Palace? It must be Xiao Yuling! Xiao Yuxian thought. Who else from the palace would seek me out, other than Xiao Yuling?
With this thought, Xiao Yuxian pulled Mu Wan’er by the hand and rushed towards the main hall. She forgot all about maintaining the image of a well-bred lady, rushing so heedlessly through the mansion.
Panting, the mother and daughter ran into the main hall. Sure enough, they saw a woman dressed as a nanny sitting leisurely, sipping tea.
The visitor was Nanny Fu. She had rushed here intending to take Lady Xian to the palace. However, the people of the Mu Mansion said they had no ’Lady Xian.’ It was only then Nanny Fu remembered that Xiao Yuxian was Second Lady Mu of the Mu Mansion.
The moment the mother and daughter ran in, Nanny Fu recognized Xiao Yuxian by her appearance. She does bear some resemblance to the Empress Dowager.
Nanny Fu stood up, walked over to Xiao Yuxian, and curtsied. “Lady Xian, I am here on the Empress Dowager’s command to escort you and Miss Wan’er to the Imperial Palace.”
Saying that, she handed a letter to Xiao Yuxian. Xiao Yuxian curtsied to Nanny Fu, took the letter, and immediately opened it. The letter was from Xiao Yuling. It was very brief, simply instructing her to take Mu Wan’er and accompany Nanny Fu to the palace. This style is just like Xiao Yuling; she never wastes words.
Xiao Yuxian said excitedly, “It really is a letter from Sister Ling—oh, no, from the Empress Dowager!”
She carefully put away the letter and said to Nanny Fu, “Nanny, could you please wait for a moment? We need to get ready.”
Nanny Fu nodded. “Of course, Lady Xian. The Empress Dowager misses you dearly. You and Miss Wan’er can stay at the palace for a few days; there’s no need to hurry.”
After saying this, she glanced at the people in the main hall. Hmph, a bunch of clueless fools. They really look down on people. Just you wait, there will come a time when you regret this.
When Nanny Fu’s gaze swept over them and they heard what was said, everyone in the main hall panicked. So, it was true that someone sent by the Empress Dowager had come for the Second Lady. When this nanny first arrived saying she was from the palace and looking for the Second Lady, they hadn’t believed her.
Hearing this, Old Madam Mu and the First Lady finally remembered that Second Lady Mu was from the Xiao Family, making her the current Empress Dowager’s elder cousin. The Second Lady hadn’t visited her natal family for many years, and everyone had almost forgotten.
Supported by a servant, Old Madam Mu came before Nanny Fu and said hurriedly, “I was unaware that you were a nanny from the Empress Dowager’s side. Please forgive us.”
Nanny Fu replied, “I dare not presume to accept such forgiveness.”
Old Madam Mu, rebuffed, had no choice but to turn to Xiao Yuxian. “Second Daughter-in-law, quickly take Wan’er to pack. If you need anything, just have someone fetch it from the storeroom.”
Xiao Yuxian paused for a moment, then respectfully replied, “Yes, Mother. Your daughter-in-law will go at once.”
There are many things I need. I won’t be polite this time. Old Madam Mu has always looked down on me—no, not just me, but our entire second branch. Everything is managed by the first branch, and our second branch never gets anything good. Our food and living expenses are only slightly better than the servants’. If I don’t take this chance to grab more, how can I justify the over twenty years I’ve spent swallowing my pride and anger?
Xiao Yuxian smiled at the First Lady, clearly meaning, “Shall we go?”
Seeing Xiao Yuxian’s gloating expression, the First Lady’s face darkened, and she was about to erupt. This second sister-in-law is really pushing her luck, daring to order me around! However, with the nanny from the palace present, she couldn’t make a scene, so she just stood there, unmoving.
Old Madam Mu shot the First Lady a glare. What a short-sighted person! If the second branch becomes close to people in the palace, will the second branch not benefit? And if the second branch benefits, will the Mu Mansion be left out? This was not the time to be stingy; they had to be generous and curry favor. She immediately said to Xiao Yuxian with a beaming smile, “Second Daughter-in-law, pick whatever you like from the storeroom. You played with the Empress Dowager since you were little, so you know what Her Majesty likes. Go ahead and pick!”
After speaking, she gave the First Lady a meaningful look.
The First Lady was furious. Why should I let her pick whatever she wants? The second branch hasn’t made any contributions all these years, and now she gets to pick freely? But her mother-in-law was pressuring her, and it was for the Empress Dowager, so she endured it. I’ll remember what happened today with the second branch. In the future, any good things the second branch receives will have to be turned over to the main household!
Thinking that the gifts bestowed by the palace would be extraordinary and they wouldn’t lose out, the First Lady felt much better. She took a deep breath and said with a smile, “Well then, Second Sister-in-law, let’s go to the storeroom.”
Xiao Yuxian smiled sweetly. “Alright.” She then turned to Nanny Fu and said, “Then we’ll have to trouble you to wait a little longer, Nanny.”
Nanny Fu said, “It’s no trouble. I will wait here.”
Xiao Yuxian immediately took Mu Wan’er’s hand and followed the First Lady to the storeroom.
Two hours later, Xiao Yuxian and Mu Wan’er, dressed up and carrying gifts, set off for the Imperial Palace with Nanny Fu. Almost everyone in the mansion came to see them off. The men of the Mu family returned from their duties to learn of the matter. They severely scolded Old Madam Mu and the First Lady, calling them ignorant women with long hair and short insight. How dare they neglect a personal invitation from the Empress Dowager! Only after they apologized to Nanny Fu and presented her with a pouch of money were Xiao Yuxian and her daughter sent off in the carriage.
In the carriage, Nanny Fu glanced at Mu Wan’er. This girl, once dressed up, is quite eye-catching. She’ll surely please the Empress Dowager, and perhaps even the Emperor if he sees her.
Nanny Fu’s party managed to enter the Imperial Palace just before the gates were locked for the night. Once inside, Nanny Fu led the mother and daughter straight to the Happiness and Longevity Palace.
Upon entering the Imperial Palace, the mother and daughter didn’t dare to lift their heads. Only when they reached the Happiness and Longevity Palace did they finally raise their eyes to observe the magnificent and brilliant palace hall.
