He Qingyi had also been betrothed once. Xiao Man remembered it was to a young master from a collateral branch of the Jin family. That Jin family young master was frail, and had intended to marry her early to ward off misfortune. However, just as the bridal sedan chair arrived at the door, the Jin family young master died!
This caused a great uproar. The Jin family immediately refused the marriage, accusing the He family's daughter of being a jinx. The bridal sedan chair, having arrived at the door, was then carried back. The Jin family was the maternal grandfather's family of the Thirteenth Prince. Even though they were only a collateral branch, their family ties meant the He family did not dare to object. They could only have the bride carried back. However, her reputation was ruined, and the He family's daughter remained unmarried until now.
"What kind of person is this Madam He?"
"She is quite formidable," Ying Xue said with a complex expression. "Although her reputation was ruined by the broken engagement, the power to manage the He family has always remained in her hands. The several concubines in the household dare to argue with Madam He, but they do not dare to contradict this Madam."
"Such a formidable person, and my grandmother is bringing her into the household? Doesn't she think she can control her?" Xiao Man asked with interest. She had initially thought a docile and obedient young girl would be brought in, but it turned out to be a tigress. "Did my father agree to this?"
"The General does not know about this matter yet. Tomorrow is the General's day off. The Old Madam has invited Madam He over, and it is expected that the Madam from the He family will also come along for a look. If the General fancies her, he might take her in as a second wife."
Xiao Man thought carefully. "Tomorrow, I shall go and join the fun, to see what kind of person this Madam from the He family is."
"Miss intends to sabotage this meeting?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "No. If this Madam from the He family is truly capable, then I will even help this matter along."
"Why? The Old Madam chose this Madam from the He family with ill intentions. Aren't you afraid that once this Madam from the He family enters the General's mansion, she will conspire with the Old Madam and deal with you?" Qiu Tong asked, puzzled. If this Madam from the He family entered the General's mansion, and was another Madam Yan, then their lives would become difficult.
"If she is truly capable, why would she be willing to be a pawn in the Old Madam's hands?" Xiao Man chuckled. "Before entering the General's mansion, she might listen to the Old Madam. But once she is in the General's mansion, if the Old Madam goes too far, this Madam from the He family will likely be the first to resist."
"Miss means..."
"Although Father has returned, this is, after all, the inner court. Even if he has the intention, he cannot always focus his attention on the inner court. If, at this time, a formidable person arrives, who do you think will be the primary target?"
"The Old Madam?"
"No, no, no, it should be the one who holds the power to manage the household!" Xiao Man smiled enchantingly. "It could also be the Old Madam, after all, the Third Miss is now completely obedient to the Old Madam. Let's wait and see tomorrow after meeting this Madam from the He family."
At noon, Madam He arrived. The steward led her to the upper courtyard, and the Old Madam personally rose to welcome her.
"Elder sister, your sister has come to visit you."
"You actually deign to visit this old woman." The Old Madam took Madam He's hand and sat down in the place of honor.
Beside Madam He was a slender and graceful woman. She wore her hair in a flying immortal bun, adorned with only a simple blue jade hairpin. She wore a pomegranate-red pleated skirt with gold embroidery and scattered flowers, following quietly behind.
"This must be Qingyi," the Old Madam said, her gaze falling on He Qingyi, who stood respectfully beside Madam He, with a kind smile. "Don't stand, come and sit. Here, there are not so many formalities."
He Qingyi heard this, looked at Madam He, and after Madam He nodded, she sat down on a nearby chair. Her gaze swept across the young ladies in the room, finally pausing on Xiao Man. Xiao Man returned her smile, and He Qingyi also smiled and nodded.
"Eldest sister, your Qingyi is truly steady and composed. If my daughters could learn half of her, I would be content," the Old Madam said to Madam He while making small talk.
Madam He's gaze fell upon the four young ladies sitting nearby. All were exceptionally beautiful. The eldest young lady wore a moon-white skirt embroidered with golden butterflies and a hundred flowers, creating a smoky phoenix tail design. Simply sitting there, she exuded an undeniable presence. The second young lady wore a cherry-red scattered flower pleated skirt and sat upright, her eyes not straying, behaving very properly. The third young lady wore a plain white long dress, a faint smile on her face. The fourth young lady wore a pink gauze skirt, her eyes full of spirit, curiously staring at He Qingyi.
Madam He immediately understood. These four young ladies, the eldest and third young ladies were daughters of the main wife, while the second and fourth young ladies were daughters of concubines. However, the birth mother of the third young lady had been divorced and subsequently died in a nunnery. There were too many complex details here, likely not for outsiders to know.
The second and fourth young ladies, being daughters of concubines, were dressed even better than the third young lady. This indicated that the third young lady likely had a difficult life in the household. As for the eldest young lady, rumors outside said she was arrogant and overbearing, yet also exceptionally talented. However, no matter how outstanding a woman was, being too overbearing was not a good thing.
"Elder sister, you jest. I see these four young ladies as all intelligent and graceful. Elder sister is truly fortunate."
The Old Madam heard this, and her smile bloomed. "Please, don't mention it. These four little rascals, only the third one gives me less worry. The others are all troublesome."
He Qingyi held her teacup, concealing her gaze as she observed Xiao Man. Xiao Man, on the other hand, looked at He Qingyi openly, her eyes smiling, appearing exceptionally approachable.
He Qingyi was puzzled. Everyone said this eldest young lady was highly favored by the Great General and had a very overbearing personality. Now, it seemed to be inconsistent with the rumors. Her calm and composed demeanor was not something others could easily possess.
"Eldest sister."
"Grandmother, what is your command?" Xiao Man asked as she rose.
"It's almost noon. I have prepared lunch and plan to keep the guests for a meal. Go and invite your father to join us."
Xiao Man rose and bowed. "Grandmother, all the ladies are present. For Father to join us would likely invite gossip."
The smile on the Old Madam's face faltered, and she looked displeased. She had gone to great lengths to invite them, and if they didn't even meet, wouldn't her scheme be in vain?
"We are all family, what is there to gossip about?" the Old Madam emphasized, her tone growing heavier. "Go and invite your father."
"It's not difficult to invite Father. Why must granddaughter personally go? Grandmother can have Granny Cui go," Xiao Man said calmly.
The Old Madam's expression changed. If others could invite him, why would she keep Xiao Man here? To get Xiao Zhen to come, it was imperative for Xiao Man to go personally! If she were to beat Xiao Man, Xiao Zhen would surely come quickly. But in front of outsiders, she could not throw away her face and beat her own granddaughter.