Chapter 81: What a coincidence!
f someone were to be kicked to death, no one would stand in the way of His Highness's sixth son. Besides, Xiao Shubei had done something similar to Xi Chun before, which made him extremely wary. 。You...On the 14th day of the twelfth lunar month, Fulu Temple, which had been quiet for a while, became lively again. 。The old lady was struck by lightning, but she didn't suffer any substantial injuries. Her hair was singed and she was thoroughly frightened. After a few days of recovery, finding herself unharmed, she resumed her daily routine of morning and evening rituals. 。The past few nights, the grand master stayed in seclusion because of his hand injury and also took leave from court. So today, he came along with me to pay respects to the old madam. 。The Xiao family had been walking with a dark face the entire way, occasionally turning back to glare at Ye Xing who was being supported by Xi Chun. She was so angry that her teeth were practically grinding together. 。For many nights now, the scenery has been beautiful but he's stayed in Xichun’s room. She's reminded him several times not to take this charade too far, not to forget why she was taken as his concubine in the first place. 。It's enough to have a noble title and status. If you want wealth and honor, you can rely on her, but don't even dream of vying for favor or love. 。He didn't just miss the stunning night view, but he also grew fonder of Xi Chun with each passing day. 。Xiao's heart was filled with rage, it surged upwards, and finally she stopped at the entrance of Fulu Courtyard. 。Night Scene Sheng and Xi Chun arrived soon. Seeing Xiao Shi blocking the courtyard gate, Night Scene Sheng frowned in displeasure: "What are you doing You're at the door and still not going in Don't make Mother wait." 。It's not a big deal to wait a little while longer. 。"Xiao glared at him, "Master, are you bringing a new concubine here for Madam to pay her respects"
Ye Cheng nodded, "Yes, Chun'er has entered my room. According to custom, she should come here next to pay her respects and receive instruction from Mother."
Shouldn't your mother be ill This is why it took until today
"Looking again at Xiao Shi, he asked, “Are you waiting for me here After all these days taking care of Hong Zhuang, have you still remembered me” Xi Chun bowed to Xiao Shi and said, "I greet the Second Madam. How are you" 。Please rest assured, Second Madam, and take good care of the Third Sister. This servant will diligently attend to Master here. You needn't worry yourselves. 。“I'll do whatever I please, you have no right to interfere! You're just a lowly servant. Don't think that because you slept with the master you've become noble. In my eyes, you'll always be a slave, nothing more!”Xichun was terrified and immediately knelt down. “My lady is right. I was wrong to speak out of turn. Please spare my life, Madam.” 。“ The night scene was heartbreaking. With a surge of emotion, she pulled Xi Chun up, “You did nothing wrong, there’s no need to kneel ” 。As a concubine, serving your master is your duty. 。 Xiao shi stared at the night scene and asked, “What do you mean Are you saying I haven't done my duty I have taken good care of Hong Zhuang these past few days, but she is also your daughter. Don't you feel sorry for her” Night Scene Sheng was very helpless, "Of course I feel sorry for her, and I didn't ignore her. The family is well-fed and well-dressed, isn't it!" “That's what the palace provides!” "Then you just give it too! Now that you are the mistress of the house, if you want to give something, you can just give it yourself." Night Scene Sheng waved his hand impatiently, “Alright, alright, go and pay respects to your mother, don't keep pestering me.” 。I don't blame you for caring about your beauty and ignoring me. You don't have to constantly argue with Chun'er either. 。It's perfectly normal for a man to take a concubine. Going out like this will make people laugh at you. 。“ She was pushed aside by him, making way. Watching her man lead the newly acquired concubine into the main gate of Fulu Courtyard, the sadness in her heart almost made it unbearable for her to stay there.”
She loved night scenes. Although her marriage was initially a union orchestrated by the Xiao and Ye families for mutual benefit, it could be considered a strategic alliance. 。For so many years since she was eligible to marry, she had poured all her heart and soul into her husband, accompanying him from a young master to the head of the family. But before she could even enjoy the glory of being the head wife, what happened to her man
Jinxiu advised her: "Madam, try to let it go. Perhaps Xichun is using that matter to threaten him again, and the Master had to go along with her performance." 。" Is this a play" Xiao shook her head, "It's not a play, I know him too well" 。He has been holding back for too long, and wants to use this as an excuse to have a showdown with me. 。Now that I have a beautiful woman by my side, I can't do anything, not even the smallest thing. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have accompanied him to do that thing back then. 。Xiao no longer spoke, bowing her head and entering the courtyard. 。Today, people come in a flurry. Besides the scarlet hues of the night blooms, even the nocturnal jade butterflies have arrived. 。The old madam looked at Xichun kneeling before her, then at Yevenyan sitting below. Her heart wasn't in a good place. 。She really wanted to twist her second son's ears and ask, "You can take a concubine, you can like maidservants, but why do you have to take the maid from that dead girl Can you trust someone like that by your side Aren't you afraid she was sent by Ye Wenyan on purpose"But these words couldn't be asked at this time. No matter how unhappy she felt, no matter how many thoughts she had, she could only bear it. 。She didn't take the tea Xi Chun offered her, only letting Jun Tao take it and put it on the table. Then she sank her face and scolded: "Since you have been taken in by the master, you should understand who you are now, who you are living with." 。"Don't keep dwelling on your past masters, you'll just waste the good treatment that your master has given you. Do you understand"
Xichun quickly kowtowed to her grandmother and also stated, "Please rest assured, Grandmother, I know who is good to me, and I understand how to serve my master well in the future, repaying the kindness of both Master and Grandmother." 。" " " 。"The old lady nodded, "Aside from that, you also need to keep in mind that being a concubine is not just about serving men. The most important thing is still to give birth to children for them." 。Your father-in-law has few descendants. If you can give the Ye family a son and heir, it wouldn't be in vain that your father-in-law favors you so much. 。“Although I am your concubine, you must be clear about your position. Don't get above yourself and overstep the mistress of the house. Understand” Xi Chun again stated her stance: “This one understands, this one will definitely respect the mistress and listen to her.” 。“Finish and then added, “Also listen to the old lady’s words” 。Although I cannot address the mistress as mother, I will certainly treat you with the same respect and filial piety as my own mother. 。“
The old madam’s face looked better, she nodded slightly and let Xichun sit beside her.
Xi Chun looked around and sat down beside Liu Shi. As she walked over, she even smiled at Liu Shi and called her sister. 。When Liu shi rose to return the greeting, Xichun had already sat down in a chair. 。Ye Chu'lian looked at this scene, her heart wasn't feeling good either. Glancing at her own father, she silently shook her head. 。Ye Wen had remained silent, only propping her head with her hand and sitting there. Anyone looking at her might think she was asleep! In actuality, she was indeed catching up on some sleep. After eating a large bowl of noodles in Yanhuagong last night, she felt energized and didn't fall asleep until the sun had already risen this morning. 。Just as I was finally feeling sleepy and wanted to take a nap, Xiangdong came to Fulu Courtyard again and told everyone to gather, saying that the Old Madam had an important matter to discuss. 。Could it be that having Na Xi Chun as a concubine is the important matter What kind of importance is this It's just wasting her sleep. 。
Yèfēi yù stood beside her and gave her a tug, asking in a low voice, "Yán'er, are you tired"
She nodded, then glanced at Xīchūn who had already sat down, thinking that since the serious business was done, she could go back to sleep.
Before she could even open her mouth to say goodbye, the old lady spoke again: "Today I summoned you all here because there is something important I want to >>> 。" She just opened her mouth and closed it again. It seemed that Xichun's performance was just an interlude, the main plot was still to come! "Old Madam, do you remember what day tomorrow is" The Old Matriarch looked at Mu Shi. She wouldn't even call her daughter-in-law, let alone her name, only addressing her as "Old Madam." 。The Mu family was too lazy to care about these things, only replying: “Tomorrow is the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month” 。"
"Well, on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month..." 。"The old lady nodded, "We burn incense on the first and fifteenth day of each month. The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is the last full moon of the year, and then comes the tenth day... and then it's New Year's." 。Our family is still in mourning, so we can't just casually get through the last full moon of the year. We have to properly burn incense and offer sacrifices. 。"
Mu Shi didn't object, the old madam was right. The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month belonged to the end of the year. Even if the old lady didn't mention it, she planned to go to the ancestral hall tomorrow morning to offer sacrifices >>>" 。
It's just that when the old lady brought it up, she felt that it wasn't just a simple matter of worshipping in the ancestral hall at home.
As expected, the old lady continued, “The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month requires a grand ceremony. It can't be performed at home; it must be held in the temple to show its solemnity.” 。"
Mu shi, upon hearing this, frowned, “It's overcast since early morning. It seems like there will be a heavy snowfall. Would it not be inconvenient to go to the temple outside the city in such weather”
The old matriarch immediately became enraged, “What do you mean by that Sacrifices are a major event! You wouldn't go just because it snows On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, people from all families burn incense. Look around, who would skip it because of snow You, old girl, have no conscience at all! What’s at stake is not just your father-in-law, but also your husband. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should consider your children. Their father down below still needs to protect them!”
Mu shi was speechless. Upon reflection, she realized that on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, many families went to burn incense at the temple. She really had no reason to refuse…” 。But she was nervous, and she felt inexplicably anxious when the old lady brought it up. 。Xiao was in a bad mood because of Xichun's affair. After coming in, she only greeted the old lady and didn't say anything else. 。"Since it's a worship for your father and elder brother, then mother and sister-in-law shouldn't go." 。In ancient Northern Qi culture, it was best for widows to avoid participating in their husbands' rituals. This applied even within the family shrine; however, attending temple ceremonies and performing grand prostrations was strongly discouraged. Not only could this bring illness upon the widow herself, but it was believed to negatively influence the fortunes of her children. 。Actually, this wasn't the original situation. The reason why widows weren't allowed to pay their respects was mainly out of fear that they would be too heartbroken. After all, many fainted from grief, and some even died suddenly. 。Later, gradually, rules were formed, that widows were not allowed to participate in the worship of their deceased husbands. 。So, the night view was so magnificent that Mu could only nod in agreement. 。Now that the matter was settled, no one had any objections. Only Ye Wen's brows furrowed slightly. 。Fifteen, the fifteenth of every month, is the day her spiritual power wanes. Not only does her spiritual power diminish, but she also becomes relatively weak, like having a serious illness. 。I had planned to just relax at home, but I ended up in this situation instead. It's such a coincidence...r the wind, the noise from the shore, or even the sun setting and crashing against the sea. 。Quen Qingfan seemed to realize something was amiss with her and continued talking to her, even reaching out...