"You will go if I tell you to, stop making excuses. You're getting lazier by the day," the old madam's tone grew cold. "You must invite your father over, or I will be angry."
"Grandmother, if Father refuses to come, what will your granddaughter do?"
"He has always doted on you. Go and invite him; he will surely come," the old madam, not allowing Xiao Man to refuse, ordered her to fetch her father.
Xiao Man, resigned, turned to invite Xiao Zhen. As she turned, she cast a smile that was not quite a smile at He Qingyi. He Qingyi's eyelids twitched. She had a feeling that this young girl saw right through her, which sent a shiver down her spine.
As soon as Xiao Man left, the old madam resumed her small talk with Madam He. "I apologize for embarrassing you. My eldest granddaughter is always like this. I, her grandmother, can't even get her to do what I say."
"They say the eldest daughter has a temper, and seeing her today, it is indeed true," Madam He thought. She understood clearly that this eldest daughter was Xiao Zhen's most cherished one. The old madam was simply unhappy with this. Both were her granddaughters. Moreover, the only male heir in the mansion was Xiao Man's full brother. She truly couldn't understand why her elder sister disliked Xiao Man so much.
Xiao Man eventually managed to invite Xiao Zhen over. Xiao Zhen, being a military officer, was taciturn, and coupled with his noble status, even Madam He had to rise and bow to him.
"Greetings to the Great General."
"Rise," Xiao Zhen said, taking a seat at Xiao Man's position. Xiao Man stood behind Xiao Zhen. Seeing this, Xiao Xiang also stood beside Xiao Man.
With both her elder sisters standing, Xiao Ling naturally couldn't sit either, so she stood beside the old madam.
"Mother, why did you call me here? You could have sent a servant to convey your message, why make Man'er run back and forth? She just recovered and is still weak," Xiao Zhen said gently. "Everyone, please sit. Why are you standing?"
Xiao Man pulled Xiao Xiang to sit below Xiao Zhen. She took the tea a maidservant brought and offered it to Xiao Zhen. "Father, please have some tea."
Xiao Zhen took it and drank a sip. Seeing Madam He standing awkwardly to the side, he said, his expression unchanged, "Madam He, please be seated."
Madam He felt a bit awkward. Although she was an elder, Xiao Zhen's status was far superior to hers. She really couldn't continue to sit in the main seat. At this moment, He Qingyi stepped forward, supported Madam He to her original seat, and then sat to Madam He's lower side.
The old madam saw this, and displeasure flashed across her face. "You're busy all day, and I can barely see you. I had to ask Eldest Daughter to invite you over for a meal with this old woman. Looking at you, it seems you're unhappy."
"Mother, you jest. If Mother wishes, I can come every day to dine with you, as long as Mother doesn't find me bothersome," Xiao Zhen replied indifferently.
"You said that yourself, I wasn't forcing you," the old madam said with a smile. "Quickly have someone serve the meal. Don't let our guests go hungry."
The old madam ordered lunch to be served. Xiao Man looked at the food on the small table before her, none of which were to her liking. She then looked at her sisters; although the dishes varied, each had something they enjoyed.
Xiao Zhen glanced at the dishes before Xiao Man and said calmly, "It seems the person who prepared the meals is old and can't even remember the preferences of the household's masters. What use are they? Steward Lu, replace the person in charge of the kitchen."
"Yes, General," Steward Lu replied and went out.
Xiao Zhen moved two dishes from his side to Xiao Man's, and placed the dishes Xiao Man disliked on his own table. "Here, eat a little. If it's really not to your taste, have the maid prepare something else for you when we get back."
Xiao Man looked up at the old madam. The old madam's eyes were sharp and exceptionally displeased. "Father, Grandmother invited us to dine together, how can we be picky? We all eat the same things."
Xiao Zhen did not respond, continuing to eat in silence.
Madam He also hoped her daughter would find a good family. Xiao Zhen, as the Great General and favored by the Emperor, would elevate the He family's status if her daughter could marry into the General's mansion as his wife.
"They say the eldest daughter is kind and gentle. Seeing her today, if that were truly the case."
"Don't praise her; she's most unable to stand praise," the old madam interjected. "If she were as capable of helping you as your Qingyi, this old woman could die with no regrets."
He Qingyi, hearing this, smiled. "Old Madam, this junior is merely doing her small part. Eldest Daughter has a noble status and will surely achieve greatness in the future. Old Madam and the General are blessed with great fortune."
Xiao Zhen raised an eyebrow and glanced at He Qingyi before lowering his head to continue eating. The old madam said, "Zhen'er, look how sensible Qingyi is. Our household lacks a sensible person."
"There are quite a few sensible people in the household," Xiao Zhen replied without looking up. "Third Sister is usually the most sensible, Second Sister is not bad either, and Fourth Sister is still young. She'll become sensible in a couple of years."
The old madam heard this and chided, "I'm talking about your affairs, why are you bringing up the sisters?"
"What affairs do I have?" Xiao Zhen asked indifferently.
"Of course, it's about marriage," the old madam said, glancing at He Qingyi. He Qingyi's face immediately flushed, and she quickly lowered her head. "You are in your prime. Remarry and take a wife."
"I have already made up my mind about this matter," Xiao Zhen said calmly. "I spoke with the sister of Censor Tan, Tan Xin. Censor Tan has already agreed."
"I do not agree to this!" The old madam's expression immediately changed. That Censor Tan was merely a commoner, and his sister was even more of a bumpkin. How could she possibly let a bumpkin marry into a noble family like the General's mansion as his wife?!
"This matter has been settled," Xiao Zhen said, putting down his chopsticks, leaving no room for argument. "I have finished eating, so I will take my leave. Please enjoy the rest of your meal. Man'er, let's go."
Xiao Man immediately stood up. "Your granddaughter takes her leave."
Xiao Xiang also stood up and left. The remaining few were left looking at each other, none daring to speak. Fourth Miss saw this and asked timidly, "Grandmother, is Father going to take a new wife?"
"What, does Ting'er not like the new wife?"
Xiao Ting shook her head. "It's not that your granddaughter dislikes the new wife, it's just that I don't know what kind of person this new wife will be. Will she be very fierce? Will she bully your granddaughter?"
"If she dares, she'll have to see if this old woman agrees before she can enter the Xiao family's gates!"
Madam He felt extremely awkward and looked at her daughter.
He Qingyi had always been strong-willed. When the Jin family broke off their engagement that year, she didn't shed a single tear. She endured countless rumors at home but still helped her manage the He family, proving to be very capable. Now, being rejected by Xiao Zhen on the spot, her expression was somewhat grim.
"Qingyi, don't worry. This old woman only acknowledges you!" The old madam reassured He Qingyi, giving her a confidence boost. She wanted to see what kind of abilities this Miss Tan had to dare to entice her son.