Xia Muxin stuck her tongue out at her back and kindly reminded her.
However, as soon as Xia Muxin finished her reminder, she wished she could slap herself. Sure enough, a sudden "ouch" was heard, and Qin Matron truly fell flat on her back, unable to get up for a long time. It was only after Shen Yu gave the servants a look that they finally came forward to help her up.
After the fall, Qin Matron was in bad shape. Supported by the servants, she struggled to catch her breath. Once she finally managed to speak, her first words were:
"Oh dear, getting older means I can't take a fall like this. Please have the Marquis send someone to the Su Residence to notify them so they can send someone to pick me up."
Xia Muxin felt a flock of crows fly over her head. Why did they need someone to come pick her up? Wasn't there any servant in the esteemed An Ding Marquis's residence who could escort her? Or was it that Qin Matron had already made plans with Auspicious?
"I don't think that's necessary; they are already here."
An Ding Marquis Shen Yu exchanged glances with Su Tian and waved his hand toward the large procession approaching in the distance.
At this moment, Xia Muxin finally got up from the ground. Did these people really think she was invisible? They just left her there without a word. And looking at the situation, were they planning to start a brawl tonight?
As the group approached, Shen Yu and his wife naturally did not neglect their duties and promptly went out to greet them. After exchanging pleasantries, they invited their guests inside.
Xia Muxin found herself in an awkward position, neither standing nor sitting, as she had no idea where to go. She stood there dumbfounded, watching them enter while chatting happily, taking their seats, and then having the maidservants serve tea...
"Miss Muxin, you... after all, you are an esteemed guest of the An Ding Marquis's residence. Why are you just standing there?"
Su Xiuning had also come along. At this moment, she was savoring tea and pastries. Seeing Xia Muxin standing there, she concealed the disdainful smile in her eyes and spoke softly.
After speaking, she glanced around but did not see Shen Muhan. A hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes as she began to scrutinize Xia Muxin even more closely.
She was plain-looking, of average height, dressed in outdated clothes, and her mannerisms were coarse. She truly couldn't believe that Shen Muhan would take an interest in such a worthless woman; perhaps it was just a fleeting whim.
After all, one could only eat so much pork before craving something different. She refused to believe that she couldn't attract him with her own talents and beauty.
As soon as she spoke, everyone remembered that they had overlooked Xia Muxin. However, Qing Zhan had thrown her in here and hadn't come back out, and Han Er was still absent. If they really left her to stay at home, the future would be uncertain. Moreover, this woman was not someone to be underestimated; it was said that she came from a remote mountain village. If Han Er was merely playing around for fun, then a woman like this would surely cling on once she entered the capital, making it a heavy price to pay.
"Could it be that they are concerned about her dubious identity as the Marquis's wife and are unsure whether to let her stay at home or find another place?"
At that moment, Qin Matron suddenly felt no pain in her waist or numbness in her legs. She stepped away from the Shen Manor's servants and approached Mrs. Su, whispering something in her ear. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Su's eyes flashed with shrewdness before she spoke up.
"This..."
Su Tian found herself in a difficult position. She understood Han Er and Qing Er's temperaments all too well; if they were truly determined, not even ten oxen could pull them back. Moreover, the relationship between Han Er and Xiuxiu was merely a storm stirred up by their parents. The two families already had a good relationship as sisters-in-law; while it would be great if they could become even closer, if Han Er truly disagreed, it wouldn't be right for them as parents to force the issue.
Shen Yu had always been devoted to his wife and was taciturn by nature. He never interfered in household matters; those were managed by Su Tian and Old Master Shen. Seeing Su Tian's troubled expression, he pulled her aside and coldly addressed the Shen family.
"Whatever it is, we can wait until Han Er returns to discuss it."
The two old men had already exchanged glances more than three hundred times without reaching a conclusion; if they weren't injured at the moment, they might have ended up entangled with each other.
At that moment, Qing Zhan emerged wearing a matching white robe, clearly just having bathed. His hair was still damp, and he carried a faint floral scent.
Xia Muxin frowned as she waved her hand in front of her nose and walked over to grab Qing Zhan's sleeve. In a clear voice, she said:
"Hey you with the baby face! How could you bear to come out? Come on, take me out for a stroll! The smell of makeup here is suffocating."
Since she was treated so coldly, regardless of who Shen Muhan was, the young lady had no interest in accompanying him.
"Oh dear, young lady, how can you casually hold a man's hand in public like this? It... it goes against the principles of a woman," Qing Zhan remarked, perhaps already guessing Xia Muxin's current predicament. The corners of his mouth curled into a cold smile, but he couldn't bring himself to refuse her. After all, he had almost caused her to be drained by that vampire due to his carelessness. Moreover, his obsession with cleanliness had left her here, ignored and humiliated. If he didn't make some amends, once Shen Muhan returned, this woman could easily whisper sweet nothings in his ear and he would be in trouble. Yet before he could voice his agreement, Qin Matron spoke up under Mrs. Su's gaze.
Xia Muxin could no longer hold back. She released Qing Zhan's sleeve, placed her hands on her hips, and pointed at Qin Matron, giving her a good scolding:
"I say, Auntie, which eye of yours saw this as public? Do you recognize everyone here? And besides, I am not married yet; where does this talk of propriety come from? Furthermore, just now I was dragged over here like a chicken by this idiot. Why didn't you stand up for me then? I suggest you get yourself a pair of reading glasses to see things clearly before passing judgment. Today it's me; if one day I encounter a spoiled young lady who knows how to act cute and scheme, she might just say you're being an old hag. Also, casually slandering someone's reputation can land you in jail."
"Damn it," she thought. "How low can people be? Just because I've been silent doesn't mean I'm without spirit. If it weren't for being unfamiliar with the place, I would have made a scene long ago."
"You... you... this country bumpkin! Do you even know what respect for elders and love for the young means? Did your mother teach you about women's propriety?"
Though Qin Matron was not young anymore, she had served the Empress Dowager for decades. This was the first time someone had called her "Aunt" so casually; her face turned red with anger as she scolded back.
Hearing this, Xia Muxin laughed:
"Ha! Nonsense! You called me a country bumpkin; have you ever seen a country bumpkin learn about women's propriety? Have you ever seen one sitting in a boudoir embroidering all day? What a huge joke! I only respect those who deserve respect; some people can be exempted."
"Calm down now. Just think about it: if the Regent were to marry such a rough woman, wouldn't that ruin his life? You should take charge of this matter; a woman like this shouldn't even be kept in the residence," Qin Matron shifted her focus back to the Shen Couple. With every word about dignity and face, the crowd frowned deeply.
However, analyzing her words revealed some truth; after all, she was still a young lady. Ultimately, it would be up to Shen Muhan to decide when he returned. What if this woman threw a tantrum or caused a scene?
"Hey, little girl, you see, this is Mu Han's fiancée who hasn't even entered the door yet. If you know what's good for you, you'd better leave early to avoid embarrassing yourself. Besides, Xiuxiu is the most beautiful woman in the capital, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her skills in needlework are unmatched. Tell me, as a man, who wouldn't want to see his wife looking beautiful and being capable? Just talking won't get you anywhere."
Seeing both sides blushing, Su Rong finally stepped forward to speak, praising Su Xiuning profusely, almost lifting her up to the heavens.
Moreover, Su Xiuning was their precious darling, cherished to the core. In his eyes, she was already a couple with Shen Muhan, and no one could tear them apart.
At this moment, he kindly advised her; if this woman still shamelessly tried to cling to the Shen Family, then she shouldn't blame him for being rude.
A girl from the countryside had no skills and dared to compare herself with Xiu Ning. It was simply self-degrading in their eyes; they valued matching social standings.
He remembered seeing this person Xia Muxin once at the Fortune and Longevity Restaurant, where she had cooked for her first guests. Yet now, Xia Muxin couldn't find anything likable about her. If she had known better, she would have thrown in a jar of salt to make them choke on their own words.
"This old man is really funny. Which courtesan doesn't know music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Otherwise, how could the courtesans fight tooth and nail every year for the title of top courtesan? Moreover, no matter how good her needlework is, it's just a few flowers; it won't fill your stomach. Can you live off needlework like an ordinary seamstress? If that's not the case... then what's the use of all that?"
At this moment, Xia Muxin retorted without holding back. Was it shameful for her to create her own career with her own hands?
Damn it! Talking about needlework and arts with her? If she showed her skills, she'd scare these little brats to death.
"Oh? Who made my Muxin angry?"
- End of Chapter -
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