Chapter 3 The Old Lady's Test
Watching her son leave Shou'an Hall without looking back, the old lady sighed: "I thought I was going to let him meet those people outside." She left her words and felt that the chance was slim this time.
Nanny Feng supported the old lady and comforted her:
"Madam, you have to relax. It's better for the Third Master not to see them now. Those people are from outside, and we don't know their personalities. We can watch them first. Once we understand their personalities, if they are good, you can send them to the Third Master's room. The Third Master has agreed anyway, so the way is clear." She watched the mother and son grow up, and she was afraid that the old lady would force them and hurt the relationship between the mother and son, even though she thought the Third Master would not.
Having said that, the old lady still wanted to send those women to her son's room as soon as possible, but this was the only arrangement she had for now.
……
Soon, the sedan chair from the villa in the suburbs entered the mansion from the back door. Liu Yu and the others were helped out of the sedan chair by the maids arranged by the Chen Mansion. They passed through the long corridor at the east corner, through the hanging flower gate, entered the hall, and finally arrived at Shou'an Hall where the old lady lived.
The whole journey took them two or three quarters of an hour, which showed how big the Chen Mansion was and how wealthy and prosperous it was. Even Bao'er and Jiang Xueqing were amazed and looked longing. Jiang Xueqing's eyes flashed with a determined light.
But this does not include Liu Yu. She had lived in the imperial palace in her previous life, so she could keep her eyes and ears clear no matter how dazzling the wealth and glory were.
Liu Yu took in the expressions of the two people walking in front of her and didn't find it strange. It was good that they had their own ideas, and then they would try their best to express them, and no one would notice her.
It just so happened that Liu Yu had not yet figured out how to face the young and promising Elder Chen, and she did not want to plead for mercy to Liu Zhang. She would not go out of her way to make things difficult for her parents-in-law who did not lend a hand when she was in trouble. Helping you is a favor, and not helping is her duty, but that does not mean she doesn't mind.
"Are you used to living in the villa?" The old lady sat in the upper seat, speaking caring words but with intimidation in her eyes. Her sharp gaze swept over Liu Yu and the others who were kneeling low.
This overwhelming feeling of oppression made the people kneeling below dare not breathe. Even Liu Yu lowered her head a little more. She was not afraid of the old lady, but she was afraid that others would see that she was not afraid of the old lady.
Seeing that the few people below did not dare to act rashly, the old lady asked Liu Yu and the others to stand up and sit down to answer. She could be kind to her daughter-in-law, but these concubines had to be strictly controlled, so as to prevent them from causing trouble in the Chen family.
After the servants served tea to Liu Yu and the others, Nanny Feng asked a few questions on their behalf, which were nothing more than the situation in their family and some of the rules that Nanny Ge had mentioned.
It was their first meeting, and no one was sure about the old lady's temperament, so none of Liu Yu and the other two tried to show off anything.
As they listened, some people became absent-minded. Jiang Xueqing glanced at the door several times intentionally or unintentionally, and even Baoer's eyelids began to droop, but Liu Yu did not seem to be surprised.
However, Liu Yu was the same as when she came in. Even her expression and movements did not change. She was like a wooden man. Nanny Feng was not sure whether she was listening or not.
"Liu family, I heard that Pingnan Hou
Was he taken away by the Dali Temple because of corruption? Is that true?"
No one expected that the old lady, who always spoke for Nanny Feng, would ask Liu Yu personally, and ask such a tricky question.
As long as you know why Liu Yu became a concubine for Master Chen San, you will know what the purpose of Pingnan Hou is. Even Madam Feng glanced at the old lady.
She couldn't figure out the old lady's intention. Could it be that she was really going to help Marquis Pingnan?
Nanny Feng was not the only one who had this idea. Jiang Xueqing, who had inquired about Liu Yu's background, also thought so.
But Liu Yu thought exactly the opposite. The old lady wanted her to express her stance. If she really wanted to help Marquis Pingnan, she would have said it in private. Saying it in front of so many people would make the meaning self-evident.
If it were anyone else, even if they could see this clearly, they would plead for mercy because it concerns the rise and fall of their mother clan.
Liu Yu thought differently. If the old lady wanted her to express her position, she had to do so. Only then would her life in the villa be easier.
Thinking so and doing so, Liu Yu first stood up, put his hands on his forehead, and bowed to the old lady: "Please forgive me, old lady, Yu'er is at home, and Pingnan Hou never mentions these things in the backyard. Mother usually just teaches us sisters to obey our husbands when we marry out, and to put the husband's family first."
What I meant was, I haven't heard about Marquis Pingnan's affairs. Madam, don't worry that I will plead for Marquis Pingnan. I always put the Chen family first in everything.
The old lady raised her eyebrows and looked at Liu Yu who was kneeling down. This wooden stake was a wonderful person.
This matter has been widely spread outside. How could it be possible that she didn't know about it?
However, even if Liu Yu knew and begged her for mercy, she would not help. She would not cause trouble for her son. The person was sent here by Pingnan Hou, and she did not promise them anything.
What surprised the old lady was that the person sent here was...
After listening to Nanny Feng for a while, the old lady looked tired, and Liu Yu and the others were asked to leave Shou'an Hall.
When they entered the mansion and entered Shou'an Hall, the word spread in the Chen Mansion that the old lady had brought back three beautiful women and married virtuous wives. Everyone had vague guesses in their minds.
So at this moment, outside Shou'an Hall, several ladies and concubines were all there, with the handkerchiefs in their hands torn to pieces.
The one who was most worried was the fourth wife, Mrs. Li. She had been in the Chen Mansion for ten years and had only two legitimate daughters and one illegitimate son, but her offspring were still too few.
Li glanced at Liu Yu and the others, and finally stepped forward and asked anxiously:
"Madam Feng, tell me, is the old lady planning to take a concubine for the Fourth Master?"
Nanny Feng was stunned, knowing that the ladies had misunderstood. But before she could answer, Fifth Madam Yao pulled Fifth Master over and advised reluctantly: "Fourth sister-in-law, no matter how many concubines Fourth Brother has in his room, you are his principal wife."
Hearing this, Second Madam Chang came over, looked at Fourth Madam Li with gloating eyes, and said without thinking:
"It's easy for Fifth Brother's sister-in-law to say that. You and Fifth Brother have been married for three years, and Fifth Brother doesn't even have a concubine. Anyway, there are three. Why don't you pick one for Fifth Brother?" Without waiting for Fifth Madam Yao to answer, she pointed at Liu Yu and the other two and said to Chen Zhibing behind Yao: "Fifth Brother, look, these three are all stunningly beautiful. Which one do you like?" Chang also glanced at Liu Yu and the other two, and casually pointed at Lian Baoer, who was closest to her, and said: "This one is not bad. What's your name?"
Lian Baoer was a little confused when she was called, but she still had the etiquette she had learned in the past few days. She bowed to Chang and said, "My name is Lian Baoer."
She also saw Chen Zhibing, whom Chang was referring to. She thought he was very handsome, but she also remembered that she was a concubine of Master Chen San, so she said crisply:
"Bao'er and the sisters are here to be concubines for the Third Master."
Chang's expression changed from surprise to shock, and then to disbelief.
In the end, it was Nanny Feng who broke the deadlock and introduced Liu Yu and the others to the masters. She also asked Liu Yu to pay his respects to the ladies of each room before leading them out of the Chen Mansion.
After returning to Shou'an Hall, Nanny Feng told the old lady everything that happened outside word for word.
"Although Lian Bao'er is young, he knows his identity and is smart and active. The Third Master is a calm person, and having someone like him around can add some life to his life."
The old lady called a maid and said, "Go and tell the third master, I will send someone to him tonight."
Nanny Feng massaged the old lady's shoulders:
"Doesn't the old lady prefer Miss Yu from Pingnan Marquis?"
She has been following the old lady since she got her dowry, and she knows the old lady's thoughts very well.
"This concubine's daughter of Marquis Pingnan is indeed quite good."