Xia Ruqing managed to prepare everything before lunchtime.
Having just finished her tasks, she was about to sit down for a sip of tea when Xiao Xizi rushed in to report, flustered.
"My Lady, Lady Hou and the young Miss have arrived!"
Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up.
"Quickly, invite them in!"
"Yes!"
Xiao Xizi dashed off.
While Xia Ruqing was pleased, she was also somewhat taken aback. Lady Hou is my sister-in-law, but who is this young Miss?
As she wondered, several figures entered through the main doorway.
Zi Yue hurriedly brought over embroidered hassocks. Then, two well-dressed individuals approached and knelt upon them.
"Your humble servant, Lady Ni from the Hou Mansion, pays her respects to Consort Xian Pin!" As she spoke, she kowtowed respectfully.
"Your humble servant, Xia Caiying, kowtows to Consort Xian Pin!" The young girl also performed her kowtow with impressive form.
Oh! So it’s Xia Caiying. She’s come as well!
"Please rise! Both of you, quickly get up!"
Kowtowing was a matter of etiquette, and she couldn’t prevent it, but once it was done, they had to rise quickly.
"Thank you, Consort Xian Pin!"
Xia Ruqing glanced at Zi Su and Zi Ning.
The two hurried forward, one to each side, to help them up.
Once they were seated, Zi Yue and the others served tea and pastries, then withdrew. Before leaving, they carefully closed the door behind them. These were their mistress’s maternal family, after all; who wouldn’t have a few private words to exchange?
Xia Ruqing was quite pleased.
With no one else in the room, Xia Ruqing quickly stood up.
"Sister-in-law!" This was a familial courtesy.
Ni Manxue’s face instantly reddened, and she hurriedly stood up as well.
"Your Highness is too kind! I am unworthy of such an honor. By rights... it is Tingfeng who is the legitimate son of the Xia Family!"
Children born of concubines were like servants before legitimate daughters; the difference in status was vast. She was a legitimate daughter and now a consort; how could Ni Manxue dare to be addressed as sister-in-law!
Xia Ruqing pulled her down to sit on the heated kang bed, smiling as she spoke.
"Don’t be like this. Since you’ve come, you’re family to me!"
"If it weren’t for Maternal Aunt Wen secretly looking after me, I don’t know if I would have even survived to grow up!"
"A drop of kindness in need should be repaid with a gushing spring!"
Ni Manxue was deeply moved, but she truly couldn’t bring herself to address the consort as a sister-in-law.
She quickly changed the subject.
"This is your younger sister! Your Highness, you can’t recognize her, can you?"
Xia Ruqing didn’t press her further and followed her gaze towards Xia Caiying.
Indeed, the girl had grown.
The sallow, skinny young girl from before was gone.
The present Xia Caiying was fair-skinned and clear-complexioned, with a round face and large, bright eyes. She had lost much of her timidity and gained the charm of a young woman.
"It’s true! If I saw her on the street, I definitely wouldn’t recognize her!"
Xia Ruqing was genuinely shocked.
She had been hesitant to recognize her earlier because this was only the second time she had ever seen Xia Caiying. They were practically strangers, and such a drastic change made her truly unrecognizable.
"It really is you, Younger Sister!"
Looking closely, her features were indeed familiar.
"Big Sister!" Xia Caiying shyly fiddled with the handkerchief in her hands, her head lowered as she spoke.
Xia Ruqing gently took her hand.
"Good!"
"From now on, live in the Capital City. Your brother has made something of himself, so no one will dare bully you anymore!"
Xia Caiying suddenly looked up, her eyes bright and sparkling, a new vivacity in them.
"Yes!"
"Caiying will listen to Big Sister!" Her voice was sweet and tinged with joy.
Not bad, she was starting to carry herself like a young lady from a prominent family.
It was hard to imagine Maternal Aunt Wen had raised her this way.
Although Maternal Aunt Wen lacked artistic talents, knew nothing of music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, and perhaps was even illiterate, she was an intelligent and wise woman. She understood how to endure quietly in the inner courtyard to protect herself. She grasped that if her son disliked studying, he shouldn’t be forced. And she also knew that a daughter needed to be raised well, not simply lost amidst the household conflicts.
Therefore, Maternal Aunt Wen...
Xia Ruqing found her admiration for Maternal Aunt Wen growing.
"I heard... that Maternal Aunt Wen has become Father’s Second Lady. Is this true?"
Ni Manxue immediately smiled.
"Yes!"
"Father promoted her before the wedding, declaring that from then on, Maternal Aunt Wen would be the Second Lady!"
Xia Ruqing smiled with satisfaction.
"Excellent! This is a direct slap in the face to Lady Yao!"
In the future... if they remained unconvinced, then they could just split the family! Dividing off all the collateral branches would bring even more peace and quiet.
She now rather wanted to see what kind of individuals Lady Yao could mold her own son and daughter into!
Unfortunately, Xia Ruqing wouldn’t be able to witness it herself. She could only ask others to keep her informed.
The sisters-in-law and sisters chatted warmly and harmoniously for the better part of the day.