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Chapter 101: Xu Yuyao's Discontent
Chapter 101: Xu Yuyao's Discontent
The children chattered away as they enjoyed their lunch. Still concerned, the Princess of Qi ordered them to drink a digestive soup before letting them play for a while longer, only then sending them off for their afternoon nap.
The conditions at the Zhuangzi estate were a little lacking, but it was adequate for a short rest.
The Princess of Qi chose a more comfortable room and had it tidied up before taking Suisu for a rest.
Suisu was not picky about her sleeping arrangements, having slept in chicken coops and firewood sheds in the past.
The rooms at the Zhuangzi estate were better than the main house where her uncle's family lived.
So, how could she not sleep here?
Moreover, she had her mother by her side!
The Princess of Qi stayed with Suisu, soothing the young girl to sleep.
Suisu snuggled close to her mother and slowly drifted into dreamland.
Once the Princess of Qi saw that her daughter was asleep, she carefully tucked her in and sat by her side for a while before signaling to Haitang to keep watch as she stepped out.
As the Princess of Qi exited, she saw that Liu, the estate manager, was already waiting for her.
She brought Autumn Auntie along and asked quietly, "What is it?"
During lunch, she had noticed Liu hesitating several times, clearly wanting to say something but refraining due to the children's presence.
Hearing the princess's inquiry, Liu first bowed respectfully before replying, "Your Highness, the steward from the Jin Yang Hou estate sent some sheep's milk and dried fruit. They said that when the ladies of the estate saw the royal carriage passing by, they were all delighted and wanted to send some snacks for the young masters and mistresses to try."
Hearing the name Jin Yang Hou, the Princess of Qi felt a headache coming on.
She truly disliked having any dealings with the people of that estate.
Now, they had sent something over, and she couldn't very well refuse and send it back.
Moreover, they had shown good judgment by not sending anything too valuable, just some simple treats commonly found at the Zhuangzi estate.
It was a subtle form of flattery, but not overly obvious.
It was a genuine gesture that was hard to decline.
The Princess of Qi waved her hand dismissively, "You decide on an appropriate return gift, and we'll leave it at that. No need to concern ourselves further."
Everyone in the capital knew about the young ladies living in the Jin Yang Hou's secondary estate, as well as the young master.
Sometimes, it takes a contrast to truly appreciate one's blessings.
The Princess of Qi felt that the ladies of the capital should count themselves fortunate to have a scoundrel like Jin Yang Hou as a contrast to their own husbands.
After all, their husbands might take concubines, but they wouldn't go so far as to keep countless mistresses, sire a multitude of illegitimate children, and then expect their wives to clean up the mess.
The Princess of Qi had no desire to involve herself in the Jin Yang Hou estate's affairs.
Especially since...
Suisu was connected to that estate, and the Princess of Qi wanted nothing more than to stay as far away from them as possible, hoping they would never notice Suisu!
At that moment, in the Jin Yang Hou's secondary estate, the young ladies were finally able to rest after a morning of etiquette lessons.
Although they were tired, the girls weren't quite ready for sleep yet, so they gathered to gossip.
Xu Yuxiu had some knowledge about the prominent figures of the capital.
As she listened to her fellow ladies-in-waiting chatter, she proudly lifted her head and said, "Do you know who that last luxurious carriage belonged to? It'll scare you when I tell you!"
Xu Yu Ying chimed in from the side, "Whose was it? Whose was it? Sister Xiu Xiu, tell us and broaden our horizons."
Xu Yuyao listened from the sidelines, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes. In her heart, she cursed, "Flatterer!"
As she cursed, she felt a tinge of bitterness that even she wasn't aware of.
Xu Yuxiu was beaming with pride, and her head held even higher as she boasted, "That luxurious carriage belongs to the Tang family, you know, the same Tang family as the Empress Dowager!"
After Xu Yuxiu finished speaking, she shot a triumphant glance at her sisters.
Upon hearing the words "Empress Dowager's Tang family," Xu Yu Yao's heart skipped a beat.
That was also...
The Tang family that Suisui belonged to.
In her past life, Suisui had married into the Tang family as the fifth young master's wife. The Tang family was renowned in the capital for their exceptional talent and striking good looks.
The fifth young master, Tang Lingheng, was extremely gentle and attentive to Suisui.
The couple was celebrated in the capital as a match made in heaven.
Xu Yu Yao had, on more than one occasion, felt jealous of Suisui.
Why was she so blessed? While her early years were filled with hardship, she was soon brought back to the Jin Yang Hou estate, where she was cherished and pampered, even surpassing the legitimate daughters in the hearts of the elders.
When she came of age, she married into the prestigious Tang family as the primary wife of the fifth young master.
Xu Yu Yao, having experienced this herself, understood the difficulties faced by girls like them, who were taken in as concubines' daughters. They typically held lowly statuses and often struggled to find suitable spouses.
Yet, Suisui seemed to have broken free from these traditions and constraints, managing to enter the eminent Tang family as the primary wife of a legitimate son.
Xu Yu Yao couldn't help but feel bitter and envious as she thought about it.
What did Chen Suise have that she didn't?
Thinking of the handsome and considerate fifth young master, Tang Lingheng, Xu Yu Yao felt her face heating up.
She thought, if Chen Suise could, why not her?
Recalling her own experience, Xu Yu Yao felt even more resentful. In her previous life, she had loved someone, but Chen Suise had refused to help, citing reasons that essentially boiled down to her lowly status, implying that she wasn't worthy of her desired match.
How was Chen Suise any more worthy than her?
Eventually, Xu Yu Yao married a poor scholar.
Chen Suise had deemed him a suitable match for her.
She had all but pointed at Xu Yu Yao's nose and declared, "This is the best you can hope for."
Thinking of this made Xu Yu Yao both angry and resentful.
Noticing the changing colors of Xu Yu Yao's face, Xu Yu Ying exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Yao Yao, what's wrong? Are you unwell, or are you displeased with the Tang family?"
Xu Yu Ying was skilled at putting words into people's mouths. Xu Yu Yao, hearing this, clenched her teeth in anger. She quickly composed herself and replied with a smile, "How could I be displeased with the Tang family? I'm just feeling envious as I listen to you. It makes me realize how truly noble that family must be."
Xu Yuxiu pouted, "Just be aware of your station. People like us can't even dream of stepping over the Tang family's threshold, let alone wondering if they're noble."
Xu Yu Ying smiled sweetly from the side, "If I could marry a decent man and be his primary wife, I wouldn't mind even if he were poor."
Xu Yuxiu shook her little head, "Always thinking about marriage, aren't you ashamed?"
The girls bantered, intentionally and unintentionally excluding Xu Yu Yao.
Xu Yu Yao smiled coldly to herself, 'Just wait. Once I marry into the Tang family, let's see if you can still laugh so freely.'
However, thoughts of her beloved from her previous life made Xu Yu Yao hesitate.
She thought, 'If only the Wei family were as prominent as the Tang family.'
Then, she could choose her beloved without hesitation, instead of being driven by the desire for wealth and status.
Two more parts to come.
(End of Chapter)
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