Lady Yao pondered for a while but still didn’t believe it. It must be this wench framing her! What nonsense about rank, what nonsense about rules! Under the heavens, she had never heard of a mother having to kneel before her daughter. Even the Imperial Palace cannot discard filial piety!
With this thought, Lady Yao felt righteous again.
"Pah!"
"What a cunning Palace Maid, daring to mock Madam here!"
Xia Ruyi also chimed in from the side, "Exactly! Who do you think you are to dare mock my mother! Do you know who she is?"
Xia Ruyi was practically ruined by Lady Yao’s upbringing. Whatever her mother did, she would do the same—a truly spoiled young lady of privilege.
After all, back in Jiangnan, Old Master Xia had been quite influential. He relied on his daughter, a consort in the Imperial Palace, and his eldest son, an official in the Capital City. Officials of all ranks were willing to show him deference, and Lady Yao had always been a central figure among the ladies. Over time, pride became second nature, and they forgot where their confidence truly stemmed from!
「 」
Zi Su turned white with anger when she was scolded, but she still had to observe the proper etiquette.
At this moment, Zi Yue came out from within. She looked at Zi Su with a cold face, then turned to Lady Yao.
"Is this... Lady Xia?"
Lady Yao guessed immediately. This must be a higher-ranking Palace Maid; just look at her different clothing. But in the end, she’s still just a Palace Maid.
So she haughtily raised her head. "Yes, Madam here!" After speaking, she gave Zi Su another disdainful look, then entered on her own.
Zi Yue’s lips curled into a sneer, but she didn’t try to stop her and followed her inside.
Lady Yao, without waiting for an invitation, picked the best seat like the Family Matriarch and sat down.
Zi Yue didn’t bother with her, quietly serving a cup of tea. "Madam, please enjoy your tea!"
Lady Yao nodded. "Finally, someone sensible!"
After saying this, she began to drink the tea with a sense of entitlement. Having walked for most of the day, she was both tired and flustered, and had long been thirsty.
After the tea, she felt hungry and picked up the pastries on the table. "Ruyi must be hungry too, have some first! When your elder sister comes later, there will be even better things!"
But Ruyi was stubborn, tilting her head defiantly. "No, I must have the best!"
Back at home, as the primary wife’s daughter, she always had the best of everything! Now that she was here, it was natural to still want the best!
Lady Yao chided, "Such a picky girl!" However, she didn’t insist further and started eating on her own.
Although she hated to admit it, the tea and pastries in the palace were indeed delicious! Lady Yao, like a pig, had eaten and drunk her fill since her arrival, almost depleting all the pastries and tea.
Xia Ruqing was in the inner chamber. She could hear every single movement clearly.
Suddenly, she remembered a scene: Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. Thank goodness there was nobody else around, or she wouldn’t know where to hide her face! So embarrassing!
Having eaten and drunk her fill, Lady Yao dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief and resumed her posturing. "Well... when will my daughter come over! This is too improper; I, as her mother, have been waiting for half a day already!"
While asking, she surveyed the room’s furnishings. Xia Ruqing’s place, though not resplendent with gold and jade, was still luxurious and extravagant. Antique vases and jade potted plants were everywhere; each piece was priceless, things Lady Yao had never even seen before.
She was immediately captivated. It seems that today I might not only gain some prestige but also snag some gold and silver trinkets? Truly a trip not made in vain!
Zi Yue could hardly stand to watch anymore, finally leaving with one last remark. "I will go and summon Her Highness!" And then she left.
Zi Su couldn’t leave and just glared at Lady Yao, rolling her eyes. Hmph, why is she looking around everywhere? Could she be coveting these antiques? Pah! How shameless!
As Zi Su was thinking, the inner bed curtains were drawn back layer by layer, revealing the crystal bead curtains that had been hung earlier.
Lady Yao’s eyes widened again. This... a curtain made of crystal pearls must be worth a fortune!In her heart, she resolved once more to fleece *her* thoroughly. She wouldn’t leave without skinning *her*! Hmph! Who asked that wretch to be so fortunate? If anyone’s to blame, it’s her own fault!
「 」
Zi Yue re-emerged, having adjusted the curtains. Her face had already taken on a serious expression.
"Madam, it is time to pay your respects! Consort Xian Pin has come out!"
Lady Yao was somewhat stunned. "Pay respects?" Could it be that I actually have to kneel?
Zi Su at her side also hurriedly reminded her, "Haven’t I taught you how to pay respects, Madam?!"
Looking left and right, Lady Yao slowly began to understand. It seems... there’s no escape. Hmph! To think that I have to kneel to the daughter of that wretch; she isn’t afraid of shortening her own lifespan by receiving it! Pah!
While cursing inwardly, she didn’t dare to rebel outwardly. She slowly stood up and, pulling Xia Ruyi with her, knelt towards the inner room’s entrance.