Chapter 340 - 341: The Xiao Family Sisters
Chapter 340: Chapter 341: The Xiao Family Sisters
Upon entering the main gate of the Huang Mansion, Jin Qianqian was led to a side hall. Several ladies were already seated inside, and all of them looked unfamiliar. Jin Qianqian realized she didn’t know a single one.
"Mrs. Gu is here," a middle-aged lady seated in the place of honor said, raising a hand to wave her over.
Though Jin Qianqian was suspicious, she walked over. "Greetings, Madam. And you are...?"
"Here, come sit with me." Tian Lanfen sized up Jin Qianqian, reaching out to lead her to a seat beside her.
Looking at the many unfamiliar faces, Jin Qianqian frowned. "All of you seem rather unfamiliar. I don’t believe we’ve met."
The maids at Jin Qianqian’s side immediately formed a circle around her. It looked as though they were attending to her closely, but they were in fact protecting her.
"It’s true you may not know us, Mrs. Gu, but we have long heard of your reputation," a young lady standing to the side said. "I am the Third Young Madam of this Minister’s Mansion. The idea for today’s gathering was for us fellow townspeople to get together and chat."
"Fellow townspeople?" Jin Qianqian didn’t believe it for a second. ’A banquet this furtive can’t have been arranged with good intentions.’
"I believe there has been a misunderstanding. While my husband and I have settled in Fu County, our ancestral home is actually in the Eastern Province. It seems I am intruding on your gathering. I will take my leave now."
Jin Qianqian glanced at the Third Young Madam. ’The Minister of the Ministry of Justice’s family is certainly large,’ she thought. She had met many ladies of the Huang household, but never this so-called Third Young Madam.
"Now, Mrs. Gu, that’s not quite right," Xiao Wanyu said, unable to stay hidden any longer and stepping forward. "Back then, my father was the one who settled you in the county below, sparing you the suffering of further travel. A person shouldn’t be so ungrateful."
Her eyes were fixed fiercely on Jin Qianqian’s jewelry. ’When I had this set custom-made, the merchant swore it was one-of-a-kind. How can there be an identical one now?’
Xiao Shiyu, at her side, noticed as well, but she remained calmer. She could see that the quality of the jade in Jin Qianqian’s set was several times better than her half-sister’s treasured possession.
Thankfully, both were rational enough to quickly tear their gazes away from Jin Qianqian’s jewelry.
Jin Qianqian chuckled lightly. "Ah, your words have jogged my memory. Now I remember whose family you are. I wonder, is Prefect Xiao doing well these days?"
The Xiao sisters’ expressions changed instantly. How could they fail to hear the mockery in her words? She had stressed the word "Prefect" so heavily. ’Is she reminding us that things are different now?’
At that moment, however, Tian Lanfen stood up, smiled, and curtsied to Jin Qianqian. "I, Mrs. Xiao Tian, greet you, Lady Doctor."
Jin Qianqian, however, deftly stepped aside to avoid the curtsy. With an air of curiosity, she addressed all the ladies present, "I’m afraid I still don’t know what official positions your husbands hold. I, Mrs. Gu Jin, would like to get acquainted with everyone and pay my proper respects."
The women, who had been sitting so composedly, all rose resentfully to their feet and simultaneously curtsied to Jin Qianqian.
Jin Qianqian rolled her eyes internally. ’These people have some nerve. And what wonderful ’family values’ the Xiao Family espouses.’
"As I recall, it was purely by the Emperor’s immense grace that we were able to find a place to settle down in Fu County back then."
"Yet, many also remember that because of Prefect Xiao’s selfishness, countless refugees lost their lives beneath the walls of Dao City."
"Alas, these are all matters of the past. As time goes by, many things are gradually forgotten by the world."
"Now, thanks to all of you, those past scenes are reappearing before my eyes, reminding me of the many friends and relatives who perished there."
After she finished speaking, Jin Qianqian ignored the expressions on the other women’s faces and even lifted a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes.
"My apologies, I’ve lost my composure. Now, what was it you ladies were about to say?"
The ladies present were silent. ’She’s completely killed the conversation,’ they thought. ’What else can we possibly say?’
As today’s hostess, Xiao Shiyu could only plaster on a smile and say, "Mrs. Gu, please have a seat. Since you’re here, let’s all chat together."
"I’m afraid that wouldn’t be appropriate. This is a gathering for fellow townspeople. My presence is an intrusion that would make you uncomfortable. Since we have nothing in common to talk about, I will take my leave now."
Jin Qianqian glanced at the faces of the women present and was amused to see them looking indignant. She gave a contemptuous smile. ’Do they really think that just by being inside the Minister’s Mansion, I would be a rank beneath them?’
Accompanied by her maids, Jin Qianqian flicked her sleeves and walked out.
"That Mrs. Jin is nothing like someone from the countryside," Tian Lanfen said with a grave expression, sipping her water and looking at her younger daughter. "If you’re still set on marrying in somewhere, I suggest you give up on Ancient Wen Heng. You are simply no match for a woman like his wife."
"Madam, how can you say that without even trying?" Xiao Wanyu cursed inwardly. ’If you hadn’t stuck your nose in back then, you old crone, Jin Qianqian might not even exist today.’
"Your sister and I set the stage for you here today, but I didn’t see you make any effort just now, did I?"
Xiao Wanyu retorted, "Aren’t you and Sister supposed to help make the match? I can hardly go and recommend myself, offering to become Mr. Gu’s concubine at his doorstep."
Xiao Shiyu took a deep breath. "That’s because you gave us false information. Didn’t you say she was just some woman from the countryside who would surely yield under pressure from all of us?"
"But look at her bearing just now. She was already putting on all the airs of a fifth-rank official’s wife, not even leaving us an opening to speak."
"If you had investigated properly beforehand, we would have certainly treated her with a different attitude. Now you’ve made me lose face completely."
If word of this got out, the entire Huang Mansion would be laughing at her.
＆
As she reached the front courtyard, Jin Qianqian beckoned to a passing maid. "Is the First Madam of the mansion currently in residence?"
"I do not know," the young maid said, glancing at Jin Qianqian before quickly lowering her head.
"Please be so kind as to inform her that Mrs. Gu Jin, from the residence of Doctor Gu, requests an audience."
"One moment, please!"
Soon enough, Jin Qianqian was brought before Madam Huang, whom she had met a few times before.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today, Mrs. Gu?" Although the woman was the First Madam of the Minister’s Mansion, her husband was only a fifth-rank Deputy, so she had come personally to the second gate to receive her guest.
Jin Qianqian briefly explained why she had come for the invitation. "I never expected the mansion’s Third Young Madam to cause such a major blunder. I was planning to head straight home, but then I recalled that we had met a few times, so I couldn’t resist stopping by to say hello. I hope I’m not intruding!"
"I am delighted you came, Mrs. Gu. I never imagined that Ms. Xiao would cause such a misunderstanding. I will have a stern word with my second sister-in-law about this later. It seems these daughters-in-law need to be properly managed. Look at what a ridiculous situation this has become."