Chapter 37: A Near Miss
The old lady was shocked when she noticed the wound on Xiao Jun's hand and started asking about it.
"Don't worry, grandma. Jun'er had a nightmare this morning and accidentally broke the teacup beside the bed, which pricked his skin a little. It's nothing serious. It was Hongzhu who made a fuss and insisted on wrapping the wound with a bandage."
Xiao Jun hurriedly spoke out the speech he had prepared along the way in a light-hearted manner.
After a careful inspection, the eldest wife found that it was not serious, and then she turned around and sat down again. She had no good feelings towards Mengxi in the first place, and now she was even more dissatisfied with her. It was only a few days after the wedding, and her son was injured. Thinking of her niece Zhang Xiuer, she even wanted to divorce Mengxi. At this time, with the old lady around, she could not speak, and sat there with a gloomy face as if her mother had died.
"Isn't there a table? How can you just put the cup next to the bed? It's so careless. It seems that we should punish these ignorant maids. They don't know their surnames when their master is in a good mood. Pass the word down, deduct one month's salary from each of the senior maids around Jun'er, and deduct half a month's salary from the junior maids."
After hearing this, the eldest wife quickly responded and said she would arrange it right away.
"Xi'er, you are the same. I asked you to serve the Second Master well, but why did you let the Second Master hurt his hand again?"
The old lady carefully examined Xiao Jun's hand while complaining to her granddaughter-in-law. Mengxi stood by and apologized repeatedly, responding to every word. As she was complaining, she looked up and saw Nanny Su standing by. She was secretly shocked: Nanny Su is old and has not been out often in recent years. It was so hot, but she came with two people. Jun'er's injury is definitely not as simple as a nightmare. But Xiao Jun didn't say anything, so she pretended not to notice and didn't ask, just said:
"Be careful next time. Now that Jun'er is here, don't leave in a hurry. I've already ordered lunch. It won't be too late to leave after you've eaten."
"Okay, grandma, Jun'er can keep you company for a while."
Seeing that the injury was finally dealt with, Xiao Jun secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that the old lady invited him to dinner, he nodded in response. As he spoke, he looked up at Mengxi, who was also looking at him.
When the old lady saw the two of them flirting with each other, she confirmed her guess. She didn't order anyone to serve the meal, but just sat there waiting.
Seeing that the meal had been served, Mengxi was unsure whether to ask for it now or after the meal. She looked at Xiao Jun and saw that he had no idea either. Then she saw Su Ma Ma kept looking at her, and she realized that the old lady was very clever and must have guessed that something was wrong. She had not served the meal and was waiting there. So she stepped forward, bowed to the old lady and said,
"Old Madam, my granddaughter-in-law has something she would like to ask for your help."
"Xi'er, what's the matter? Just tell me, I'll take care of it for you."
"Old Madam, my granddaughter-in-law has seen the maidservant Hongyu beside the Second Master. She is pretty, speaks and acts with moderation, and behaves virtuously. I would like to ask the old madam to grant her a favor and let the Second Master stay in the room."
Everyone in the hall was shocked when they heard this. If it was a normal situation, it would be fine, but it was only the fourth day of the wedding and the new bride came to ask the old lady to give the Second Master a room. It must be that the Second Master and Hongyu had had trouble and it could not be covered up anymore. They thought to themselves that the Second Master was being too naughty. Everyone looked at the old lady. The corners of the First Lady's mouth twitched slightly, and she actually smiled.
After hearing this, the old lady 's face suddenly darkened. She let go of Xiao Jun's hand and shouted to the maid at the door:
"Someone, tie up Hongyu in Jun'er's room and beat her to death with sticks."
Mengxi and Xiao Jun were both shocked. Mengxi thought, this old lady is a little too cruel. She wants to beat Hongyu to death without asking any questions?
Damn, if Hongyu is really dead, then the feud between her and Xiao Jun will be even bigger. How can she survive in the future? She knelt down hurriedly and said:
"Old Madam, calm down. I have seen Hongyu behave virtuously and I want to marry her to the Second Master. Since I married into the Xiao Mansion, I know that I am weak and I am always worried that I cannot serve the Second Master well. I also see that the Second Master's generation has few male offspring. As the legal wife, I should think about taking in more wives and concubines for the Second Master and expand the Xiao family. That is why I sincerely come to ask the old madam for help. I hope the old madam will grant my wish."
Xiao Jun, who had already turned pale with shock after hearing what the old lady said, almost spit out all his tea and cursed Meng Xi inwardly: "Taking many wives and concubines, and having many children, is that how you talk? Do you think I am a superman or a breeding pig?"
Xiao Yun looked at her second sister-in-law in confusion. Did she understand what it meant to take a concubine on the fourth day of marriage? Not only did she let her second brother take a room, but he also wanted to take in many wives and concubines. She really met a generous person. Wasn't she jealous at all?
But he didn’t understand: without love, how could there be jealousy?
After hearing this, the old lady couldn't help but think about it. She was becoming more and more satisfied with her granddaughter-in-law. When she heard Mengxi coming to ask her to find a room for Jun'er, she guessed that Jun'er had done something bad again. The old lady hated servants seducing their masters the most. When she heard Mengxi asking for Hongyu, she guessed that Hongyu must have seen that the second wife was out of favor, so she took the opportunity to seduce Jun'er. She immediately became furious. It would have been fine under normal circumstances, but Jun'er was not fully recovered from his illness, and as a servant, he didn't want to serve him well, but actually did such a shameless thing. She wanted to execute Hongyu immediately.
But Mengxi's mention of descendants moved her heart. The second master's generation had no male offspring, and there were no male offspring among her great-grandchildren. She was looking forward to having a great-grandson. She didn't know why Jun'er didn't like Xi'er, such a good daughter-in-law. If Jun'er took one or two concubines, he would have a boy and a girl, right? It was rare that Xi'er was generous enough to take a concubine for Jun'er. Looking at her children and grandchildren, the wives of the wives did everything they could to stop her from taking concubines for her sons and grandsons, especially the first wife. She had tried her best to take a concubine for the eldest master, and she had fought with the daughter-in-law. Thinking of this, she looked at the first wife with dissatisfaction.
After thinking for a long time, he felt that Mengxi's idea was not bad. The prosperity of the Xiao family's descendants was a big deal, especially the second master, who was the eldest son and grandson. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered the matter of the wedding, and muttered that he was confused, so he changed the topic and asked:
"Xi'er, tell me the truth. I will judge for you. Did Hongyu seduce the Second Master to do something against etiquette and law?"
After hearing this, Xiao Jun looked at Mengxi nervously. He knew his grandmother's temper well. Hongyu's life and death now depended on her words. He was really afraid that this fearless man would lose face and expose her past. Not only would he lose face, but Hongyu would be dead. Seeing her grandson's nervous expression, the old lady confirmed her guess. She secretly blamed her grandson for being so ungrateful. No matter Now he still had to rely on this daughter-in-law to ensure his safety.
"Replying to the old lady, it's not true. My granddaughter-in-law really came to ask for help because she saw that Hongyu had a plump complexion and looked like she was suitable for having a son."
"Let's talk about this later. Even if she is really suitable for having a boy, we can't accept her now. Besides, didn't the fortune teller say that Jun'er has to stay in the upper room for half a month?"
"Grandma is right. There is no rush. We can talk about it later..."
Xiao Jun took the opportunity to speak, but when he met Meng Xi's cold eyes, he didn't dare to insist any longer. He was really afraid of his fearless new wife, and was afraid that she would get angry and say something without restraint, so he shut up before he finished speaking.
"You don't know, old lady, that this half-month period means that the Second Master can live in the upper room. The old lady can open the face of Hongyu and put her in the west room to serve the Second Master. After the half-month period is over, you can choose another garden, pack up and move in."
Seeing that Xiao Jun had stopped talking, Meng Xi stepped forward and said:
The old lady pondered for a long time before slowly saying:
"Well, considering your filial piety, I will give Hongyu a favor and let her stay in the house as a concubine. Jun'er, remember to remind Hongyu to serve the Second Mistress well and not to break the rules of the mansion. Do you hear me?"
"Jun'er will remember what grandma said. Everything will be decided by grandma," Xiao Jun responded quickly.
Being a concubine! Wouldn't that still occupy her room? Wouldn't her work be in vain? Mengxi was not willing to do it after hearing this.
