Xiao Zhen's efficiency was truly remarkable; the very next day, he took Minister Chu out for drinks.
At the wine table, they toasted and clinked glasses, happily finalizing the marriage arrangements for their children. Fueled by the spirits, they even had someone calculate their birthdates and choose an auspicious wedding day. By the time the old madam received the news, the entire imperial capital knew that young General Xiao was about to marry Chu Qingge, the daughter of the Minister of War.
"Do you really think I, this old woman, am dead?" the old madam fumed. She had long made plans for Xiao Luo's marriage and had even reaped considerable benefits from them. Now, the whole world knew Xiao Luo was to marry the Minister of War's daughter, how could this not enrage the old madam?
"Grandmother, please don't be angry. Father's words with Minister Chu after drinking are not binding," Xiao Ling quickly appeased her. "It's just busybodies spreading rumors."
"If that's the case, then it's all for the better!" The old madam paced back and forth anxiously. "Granny Xu."
"Your servant is here."
"You go to our old home in Cangzhou immediately and bring Mei'er to the imperial capital." The old madam made up her mind. The young madam of the General's mansion could only be Mei'er. She had met the Chu family's daughter before; her personality was too lively, and she didn't care for her at all.
"Old madam, this..."
"Just say I miss that child Mei'er and want her to come to the capital to keep me, her great-aunt, company."
"Yes, old madam." Granny Xu had wanted to persuade the old madam, but with her age, the old madam increasingly disliked hearing unpleasant things and did not tolerate defiance. Her words would only displease the old madam, so she swallowed back her intended advice.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Sister Mei'er in a long time. The last time I saw her was a few years ago. Sister Mei'er must have grown even more lovely and beautiful," Xiao Ling praised.
"You child, she's pretty, but you are no less beautiful," the old madam said, holding Xiao Ling's hand. "Now, I only worry about the two of you."
"Grandmother, Grandmother, don't forget about me," Xiao Ting snuggled into the old madam's embrace. "Grandmother, you must worry about me too."
"This little rascal, am I not worried enough about you?"
"Grandmother dotes on Third Sister more than me," Xiao Ting pouted. "Every day, you let Third Sister accompany you, but not Ting'er. Ting'er has recently learned several new essays. Shall I read them to Grandmother?"
Hearing this, the old madam pointed at Xiao Ting and said to Xiao Ling, "See? She's jealous of you."
Xiao Ling reached out and stroked Xiao Ting's head. "Grandmother loves you the most, and Sister loves you too. Don't worry, everyone loves you."
"I knew Third Sister loved me the most," Xiao Ting happily hugged Xiao Ling's waist. "Third Sister is the best. Eldest Sister ignores me more and more nowadays, and she seems more like a sister to that Miss Chu."
The old madam's expression shifted slightly. Xiao Man hadn't come to the main courtyard to pay respects for several days, claiming to have a cold and be bedridden. In her opinion, it was clearly laziness, but she was too lazy to expose it.
"She's always been lazy; you're not unaware of that."
"Eldest Sister is afraid of the cold and dislikes going out every winter. However, a few days ago, a letter arrived from Yunzhong City; it must be from Eldest Brother's family letter," Xiao Ling said gently.
The old madam's expression changed slightly. "When was the letter delivered?"
"It seems to be the day before Father went drinking with Minister Chu. The doorman delivered it. Steward Lu received it and sent it to Shuiyue Cottage for Eldest Sister."
The old madam thought for a moment and immediately understood. Xiao Luo must have written back to inform Xiao Man, asking her to act as his intermediary and have her son probe for information about marrying Miss Chu!
"Good! She's truly good!" The old madam slammed the table in anger. To conceal such a major matter from her!
"Grandmother, what's wrong?" The two exchanged glances, as if they didn't understand why the old madam was angry.
"You two go back first," the old madam ordered, then said to a maid beside her, "Go invite Eldest Miss here."
"Miss, the old madam's嬷嬷 (nanny) is here, asking you to go to the main courtyard."
Xiao Man put down the book she was holding, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Inform He Qingyi and ask her to pay a visit."
"Yes, Miss."
"Should we wait for Aunt He to arrive before going?"
"How can I keep Grandmother waiting? Xiangxue, accompany me." Xiao Man instructed. "The rest of you stay in the courtyard and do nothing."
"Yes, Miss."
Qiu Tong handed her a hot water bottle. Xiao Man shook her head, knowing it would be useless once she got there. She immediately set off for the main courtyard with Xiangxue.
Upon arriving at the main courtyard, the gatekeepers stopped Xiao Man, saying the old madam was tired and asleep and asked Xiao Man to wait a moment.
Xiao Man didn't get angry and stood quietly outside the door. Xiangxue felt a flicker of unease; it seemed the old madam couldn't resist causing trouble.
Xiao Man stood in the cold wind for an hour, her hands and feet turning ice cold. Only when He Qingyi came to visit did the old madam's voice come from inside, inviting them in.
He Qingyi glanced at Xiao Man. She didn't know why Xiao Man had asked her to visit at this time and had a feeling it wouldn't be anything good, yet she couldn't refuse, as she had ultimately chosen to stand by this Eldest Miss.
As soon as they entered, the room was also freezing. The old madam had long since had the brazier in the living room extinguished, and an icy aura permeated the entire space.
"Greetings to Grandmother," Xiao Man bowed.
"Greetings to Old Madam."
"Qingyi, you're here. Come and sit." The old madam immediately and intimately beckoned He Qingyi to sit, ordering servants to serve hot tea and a thoughtful person to hand her a hand warmer. She completely ignored Xiao Man, continuing to tend to the incense burner, the curling smoke rising like a dragon or a snake. Xiao Man immediately stood up!
"Kneel! You are becoming more and more ill-mannered!"
Xiao Man didn't argue. She knelt as instructed, her expression one of profound indifference, as if she were already accustomed to it. At first, she had tried to change the old madam's prejudice against her, but once she realized the prejudice emanated from the very depths of the old madam's being, Xiao Man gave up and no longer took the old madam to heart.
He Qingyi's eyelids twitched. Was the old madam going to torment Miss Xiao in front of an outsider?
"It's one thing that you haven't come to pay your respects for days, but now you can't even greet me properly. Have all the manners you learned gone to the dogs?" the old madam reprimanded coldly.
"Grandmother's teachings are correct."
The old madam looked at Xiao Man's obedient and docile demeanor, and her anger flared. "Now that your father is back, you've become even more arrogant. Do you really think that with your father backing you, you can do as you please?"
"Your granddaughter dares not."
"You dare not? What is there that you dare not do? You even dared to instigate your father to arrange a marriage for your brother, what else is there you wouldn't dare to do?"
"Arrange a marriage for Brother?" Xiao Man looked confused. "Grandmother, is Brother getting married?"