Chapter 119
Chapter 119: Uninvited Guests
The next morning, after breakfast, Xia Meng Yan took two laps around the courtyard. Feeling refreshed, she turned back toward the room to read when Nanny Sun, Madam Jia’s woman, walked in with a smooth smile: “This old servant greets Cousin Miss.”
Xia Meng Yan did not stop walking as she headed indoors: “Does maternal aunt need something?”
Following behind, Nanny Sun lowered her old swagger: “Madam thanks Cousin Miss for handling affairs for the Eldest Master and worries you might be bored staying in your courtyard. She will invite a few young misses from the Jia Family to visit tomorrow. Please come and meet them.”
“Oh? Maternal aunt’s family is coming?” Xia Meng Yan’s eyes curved with a polite smile: “Tell maternal aunt I will be there.”
Seeing Xia Meng Yan agree, Nanny Sun’s mouth lifted: “I will report to Madam at once.” She left without looking back.
Even Nanny Song found it odd: “Last time you slapped Nanny Sun, she looked ready to bite you. Just now she smiled without warmth. It can’t be anything good.”
Sitting on the soft couch, Xia Meng Yan glanced at the fresh lotus on the table, its petals still pearl-bright with dew: “Whether it’s good or not, we will know tomorrow.”
Nanny Song frowned, still uneasy: “Aren’t you afraid the main branch will play tricks? Your months are getting bigger. Nothing can go wrong.”
Xia Meng Yan lifted the lotus to her nose and breathed in its scent: “You can’t guard against thieves for a thousand days. We must win over maternal aunt as soon as possible.”
She and her maternal aunt did not get along, and her uncle was stuck in the middle. As for the second and third branches, if they stayed honest, she would gladly call them aunt. If not, everyone would rely on their own skill.
“Did she agree?” Madam Jia asked as soon as Nanny Sun returned.
Nanny Sun nodded: “Cousin Miss agreed right away. Consider it giving face.”
Madam Jia’s eyes turned as she leaned to whisper a few more instructions. Nanny Sun’s eyes lit up: “I will handle it.”
News that Madam Jia had invited her maiden family reached the old madam quickly. The old madam ordered: “Remind everyone to be careful. Do not offend Yan’er.” A maid answered and went to the front courtyard to find a steward.
It was clear and sunny. Madam Jia rose early to dress. Before her family arrived, a steward reported that Miss Zheng had come to play with Lin Qing Wan.
Madam Jia blinked: “Did Young Master Zheng come too?”
“He did, and with him came the second branch’s legitimate daughter from the Qiao Family.”
Madam Jia gave a cold little snort and rolled her eyes. She knew the second branch could not sit still. She had only let a bit of news slip, and they had already rushed over. If they had told her directly, she might have called Madam Qiao straightforward. Dragging the Zheng siblings along was another matter.
She ordered: “Hang curtains to divide the banquet. Men and women must be separate. Do not damage the young ladies’ reputations.”
The steward asked: “Since Young Master Zheng is here, should we notify Second Master and Third Master?”
It was awkward to leave a young man sitting alone with no company.
Thinking of letting the second and third branches take advantage, Madam Jia felt unwilling: “Call the house’s young masters to keep Young Master Zheng company.”
Xia Meng Yan did not yet know the people who had hurt her were here, but someone else rushed in with the news first.
“Cousin, bad news, the Zheng Family has come,” Lin Qing Wan blurted as she ran in, skipping even a change of clothes. “I have only met Zheng Ming Lan a few times. She says she came to visit me? Please. A fox wishing a chicken well is never kind.”
Xia Meng Yan tapped her forehead, amused: “Are you the chicken?”
“You aren’t surprised?” Lin Qing Wan wrapped her in an outer robe and tied it for her. “Last time Zheng Ming Lan pushed you on purpose. Only a few days have passed, and she dares to come here.”
“Maybe her conscience woke up and she came to apologize,” Xia Meng Yan said lightly, though she knew the Zheng siblings’ visit would not be good.
Lin Qing Wan sniffed: “I don’t buy it. Zheng Ming Lan is famous for being pushy and proud. That’s why she still isn’t engaged.” She lowered her voice, a little smug: “I heard she likes my elder brother, but he keeps away from women and only circles around his books.”
Xia Meng Yan asked, curious: “The Zheng Family is the prefect’s household. What kind of son-in-law can’t they find? Why pester your cousin?”
“Father said the same, so he keeps my elder brother at the academy and tells him not to come home unless he must,” Lin Qing Wan said, pleased at the memory of Zheng Ming Lan’s frustrated face.
Arm in arm, they walked toward the garden. Xia Meng Yan reminded her: “The Lin Family stays in Man Lin City and must accept the prefect’s rule. Unless it is necessary, do not provoke the Zheng Family.”
“I understand,” Lin Qing Wan said. “When I see Zheng Ming Lan later, I will act like nothing happened.”
Xia Meng Yan tapped her nose: “Smart.”
The Zheng Family had already shown goodwill. Bringing up old grudges would be unwise and ungrateful. Besides, the Salt License had not yet arrived. In the world of merchants, spoken promises meant nothing.
Before they even reached the garden, they saw the curtains dividing the space.
Lin Qing Wan whispered: “The Zheng family’s eldest young master, Zheng Jing Nian, and the Qiao Family’s second branch legitimate daughter, Qiao Xi Wan, also came. I don’t know where they got the nerve.”
Xia Meng Yan curved her lips. [Perfect. All the annoying people in one place.]
Lin Qing Wan squinted at a few men in the distance: “Aren’t those my elder brother’s classmates from the academy? He isn’t even home. Why are they here? Wait, Mother said she only invited the Jia Family. Where did all these extras come from?”
Listening to the men’s voices from afar, Xia Meng Yan smiled faintly: “They think they can come uninvited.”
The Lin Family was not an ordinary household. If the Zheng Family dared come uninvited, would others dare too? Today’s “family banquet” was not going to be a good one.
Lin Qing Wan frowned. Coming uninvited was disrespectful to the Lin Family. The Zheng Family was one thing, but those classmates? She said: “Cousin, I will go ask what is going on. You come slowly.”
Xia Meng Yan nodded. With Chun Yue supporting her, she walked toward the garden.
She said to Chun Yue in a low voice: “Give me one of the Pregnancy Protection Pills Master prepared.”
Luo Jin truly cared about Xia Meng Yan. Right after she bowed to him, he had given her a small bottle of Pregnancy Protection Pills, saying that as long as there was no massive bleeding, the baby could be kept safe.
Chun Yue looked puzzled. Everything seemed fine. Still, she pulled one pill from the bottle and handed it over.
Without drawing attention, Xia Meng Yan put the pill in her mouth and kept a proper smile on her face.
She greeted: “Maternal Aunt.”
Madam Jia was talking with her sister-in-law, Madam Wang. Lifting her head and meeting Xia Meng Yan’s gentle eyes, Madam Jia’s mood improved. She said: “This is my elder sister-in-law.”
Xia Meng Yan inclined her head: “I greet Madam Wang.”
Madam Wang was surprised by Xia Meng Yan’s beauty. Then, seeing her rounded belly, a hint of regret crossed her eyes. She said: “Sit, sit. We are family. No need for so much ceremony.”
Pregnant, Xia Meng Yan wore no extra jewelry. A single hairpin held up her hair. Her clothes were simple. On others it might look plain, but her bright looks and calm grace drew every gaze even as she sat quietly.
Seeing Madam Wang’s satisfaction, Madam Jia felt proud. The Lin Family’s children were never plain. If Xia Meng Yan could please her elder sister-in-law, that was face for her too. She teased: “Elder sister-in-law, rein in your eyes, or Meng Yan will grow shy from your staring.”
Madam Wang came back to herself and gave Madam Jia a look. Madam Jia’s smile grew even brighter. She said to Xia Meng Yan: “Meng Yan, there are no outsiders here. Tell your maternal aunt the truth. After the child is born, what are your plans? Do you want to find a match and marry here in Man Lin City?”
Xia Meng Yan’s smile froze at her lips. [So it’s a blind date. No wonder Madam Wang’s eyes were odd.] Perhaps the match was from Madam Wang’s own kin.
She answered calmly: “Thank you for your concern. I do not plan to remarry for now.”
“That will not do,” Madam Jia said at once. She looked toward Nanny Sun. Catching the signal, Nanny Sun had the maids step back a few paces.