Chapter 67: Conflict between Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law
When Zhiqiu heard that the Second Mistress was planning to leave the mansion secretly, he was secretly shocked and said hurriedly:
"Second Madam, please don't have such thoughts. If the First Madam knew about this, she would accuse you of being unfaithful to your husband and would even skin me alive."
Mengxi rolled her eyes at Zhiqiu and began to study the book in her hand.
Seeing that Second Madam ignored her, Zhiqiu also lowered her head and began to embroider a purse. She, Second Madam, always said that she had only learned needlework since she was a child and had never read or written. But she only did needlework occasionally. Is that still needlework? She just said sympathetically: "Second Madam, you should practice needlework well." She never moved a finger again, but worked hard with books and big characters every day. When Second Madam wanted to study books, she had to watch by her side and teach her the characters she didn't know. Zhiqiu was so depressed.
Seeing that the Tantra Festival is approaching, the mother must personally embroider the purses, handkerchiefs and other things for the three girls, but the Second Mistress has never mentioned this matter and is too anxious. It is hard for her, a maid, to be a teacher and to take care of these things for the Second Mistress. If the Second Mistress doesn't do it, she, as a servant, has to do it, and she is bound to get some extra money.
The two were busy with their own things when Zhixia and Zhidong pushed the door open angrily. Mengxi and Zhiqiu put down their work at the same time. Zhiqiu stood up and Mengxi also sat up straight and looked at the two people.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing that the two people were in disarray, Mengxi and Zhiqiu asked at the same time.
Zhixia and Zhidong came forward and knelt down before the Second Grandma:
"Please, Madam, help me!"
"Hurry up and tell me what happened," Mengxi said as she reached out and pulled the two of them up.
"Second Madam, you don't know. I heard today that the rations of tea, rouge, etc. for each room this month have been issued, so I went to get them from the First Madam. When I got there, she said that when she sent someone to get our courtyard's rations, Nanny Sun, who is in charge of distributing items, said that because the mistress's items are better than those of the concubines, they have not been issued yet, so I asked her to wait. I thought, how can the concubines' items be issued before the mistress's items have arrived? I went to find Nanny Sun with Zhidong to argue. On the way, I also heard that Second Madam also has two taels of bird's nest and other rations every month, but they have not been issued yet. When I got to Madam Sun, I asked her about this. Madam Sun said that these were the allowances, but the new goods had not arrived yet, so the ones given to the concubine were all old ones. However, the Second Madam was the mistress, and she was very precious. She couldn't just accept the old ones, so they were delayed. I just went up to argue with her, and Cuiping, the head maidservant beside the First Madam, happened to go to get something. When she saw me, she said, "Don't you look at your status and your wealth? You still want to drink bird's nest?" I saw that she was talking badly, so I went up to argue with her. After a few words, she asked the little maidservant beside her to beat me and begged the Second Madam to help me."
Zhixia cried and talked, and Zhidong echoed her from time to time.
"This is outrageous and too much of a bully. Second Madam, let's go find Second Master. Even though Second Master doesn't favor Second Madam, you still have to look at the owner before you beat the dog. The way they treat Second Madam is also a slap on Second Master's face. I don't believe Second Master won't care about this. If Second Master doesn't care, we will go back to Old Madam directly. I don't believe that such a big Xiao Mansion has no rules at all. The master who was carried in by eight bearers in a sedan chair was actually bullied by a few servants."
When Zhiqiu heard this, his face suddenly turned red and he said to the Second Grandma.
Mengxi rolled her eyes at Zhiqiu and thought, what is this? Am I just a dog? After thinking for a long time, Mengxi said:
"Let's wait and see what the eldest wife has to say. Zhixia, Zhidong, you've worked hard. Go downstairs and wash up and apply some medicine."
Seeing Second Madam say this, Zhiqiu also lowered his head and sat down. After Zhixia and Zhidong left, Zhiqiu said:
"Second Madam still has a long time to live in the mansion. You can't let yourself be bullied like this. Second Master doesn't love Second Madam in the first place. If you let these servants treat you like a bastard, then those people in this mansion will no longer care about Second Madam."
"Zhi Qiu, I understand this logic, but I can't stay in this mansion for long..." Meng Xi sighed and said quietly.
"Second Madam! ..."
Zhiqiu looked at Second Grandma in surprise and wanted to ask something, but was stopped by Second Grandma with a look.
"I've said this today. Just remember it in your heart and don't mention it again. There are some things you don't need to know now. Do you understand?"
Zhiqiu nodded and looked at the second grandmother with heartache.
"I told you last time that I will leave this house sooner or later. Now I don't have the heart to fight for it. I let your brother open the pharmacy so that we will have a place to go when we leave the house. Take today's incident for example. That servant dared to bully the master like this. It must be the master's hint. I just thought about it and it's a good idea. If they don't give it to us in the future, we will simply not take it and go out to buy it. This way, you and Zhichun will have an excuse to go out of the house frequently and bring some things back and forth. Others will think that they are daily necessities bought for me and will not ask questions. It will also be a good opportunity to complete the pharmacy business."
Is this okay? Zhiqiu looked at Second Mistress with her big, clear eyes. Second Mistress was truly a genius, so talented that she could come up with this. Then her eyes darkened:
"It's just too hard for Second Madam. Besides, it's not that easy for us to leave the house, unless Second Madam is divorced. But with the power of the Xiao family, if that day really comes, Second Madam will have no way out. Grandma, please don't think about this anymore. Last time, I thought you were just acting on impulse. You should find a way to win Second Master's heart in the future."
Mengxi rolled her eyes at Zhiqiu. No wonder you answered so confidently last time. You probably thought I was just talking and couldn't really do it. She knew it would take time to change Zhiqiu's mind, so she said:
"I know this, but it would be better if I could make some preparations now. We can talk about it later. Come, help me wash up first and go to see the first wife."
Seeing Zhiqiu looking at her in confusion, Mengxi had to explain:
"Since the First Madam's people are involved in today's matter, we can't play dumb any longer. Let's go apologize to the First Madam and see what she says. You should also think about counseling Zhixia and Zhidong when you have time. Don't let them feel too aggrieved. It's not easy to follow me for a while. I've made you suffer."
"Second Madam, please don't say that. It is a blessing for me to have a master like you who cares for me. I know what to do. But I should apologize to the first Madam."
Mengxi looked at Zhiqiu as if he were an idiot and thought, if you dare to ask your boss to apologize to you, just try it. I'm afraid you'll be laid off tomorrow. If you're not laid off, you'll be given a few pairs of small shoes to wear right away!
She walked slowly to the dressing table and sat down. Zhiqiu saw this and hurriedly asked someone to fetch some water, then came forward to help her wash and dress.
While they were busy, a maid came to report that the eldest wife had sent someone to tell the second wife that she had something to report.
