Chapter 48: Furtive Plan (2)
Xue Dongting held Wanqing’s hand and three fingers slipped to feel the pulse on her wrist, checking. She could tell Wanqing was already three or so months pregnant. She forced a smile. “Big Sis, don’t be upset, careful not to cry on New Years, it’s not good for your health.”
Wanqing smiled sadly. “I’m nothing more than a prop in this manor, what do I have to look forward to? My health has been bad for a while.”
Xue Dongting knit her brows. She already knew that Wanqing was currently unaware that she was pregnant. “Big Sis, don’t talk like that. Now we live so close together, I can see you more often. Don’t worry… As your little sister, I’ll never just stand by and watch you be mistreated!”
Wanqing stared blankly, feeling that these words from Xue Dongting’s mouth were rather strange. She just smiled and sighed. “Look at me, dawdling like this. Mother Zhang has invited you over.”
“Matron Zhang?”
“Yes, the matron is so kind, don’t be scared. She’s met your husband before… By the way she talks, she seems to like him.”
Xue Dongting smilled. “Then, lead the way, Big Sis, don’t keep the matron waiting.”
Wanqing hesitated. “You’ll see Madame in a moment. She has a sharp tongue. Try to bear it a bit and not put her in a predicament.”
Xue Dongting squeezed Wanqing’s hand and nodded. “I know, relax, Sis.”
Wanqing led Xue Dongting down the covered breezeway to the matron’s quarters. She parted the heavy brocade door curtain to the outer room and the warm scent of sandalwood wafted out. They passed a large marble screen with the character for longevity on it (壽) and entered the inner room. Xue Dongting looked up and saw Mother Zhang inclined on a long, narrow brocaded couch. She had a thin jacket of Suzhou embroidery in drifting cloud patterns draped over her, and a thin marten-fur blanket spread over her lap. She looked graceful and poised, her face covered with wrinkles, though one could still tell that she had been a beautiful young woman once. A woman in her thirties sat on a sandalwood drum stool beside the lounge. She was lavishly dressed and wore a severe look on her face. She no doubt was the primary wife, Lady Yu.
The matron smiled ingratiatingly. “This must be Lady Song?”
Xue Dongting promptly stepped forward. “I am Wanqing’s second sister, Matron addresses me too politely.”
Lady Yu smiled. “You’re the legal wife of that Fisherman Song, so that would make you Lady Song, right?”
The matron smiled at Xue Dongting and beckoned her over. “Come over and let’s chat, don’t be so reserved.”
Xue Dongting took mincing steps forward and was taken by the hand by the matron and sat down at the edge of the couch. The matron squinted at Xue Dongting, scrutinizing her. She clicked her tongue and sighed. “What a model young wife! Such a fair-faced, charming lady. That Fisherman Song is lucky to marry you!”
Xue Dongting blushed bashfully, being held by the hand and studied like this. She pursed her lips in a smile and said, “Matron jests, how could Dongting be so worthy?”
The matron looked over at Lady Yu, smiling. “I never misjudge a person. This is a blessed child!”
Lady Yu still wore her smile as before. “Matron, you like her so much, perhaps you regret initially resisting the lord in marrying Wanqing? If only you had known, the three beauties of Cloudgem Lodge could have been married altogether and brought here!”
Xue Dongting pretended she hadn’t heard, turning and glancing at Wanqing, who had her head down, not arguing, and she couldn’t help but feel bad for her. She thought that since this Lady Yu was so willing to mock others to their face, who knows what she said about Wanqing when no one else was around!
The matron shook her head. “Wanqing is gentle and good-natured. I was mistaken about her before… I see this here is a wonderful girl. Although she can’t be my daughter-in-law, I can take her as an adopted daughter…”
Lady Yu said nothing else, but Xue Dongting was startled by what the matron had said.
The matron looked at her and smiled. “I wonder if you would dislike and old thing like me?”
Xue Dongting quickly smiled. “Listen to you, Mother Zhang! I only fear I couldn’t be so fortunate! I’ve heard Yuming say you are a good, kind person, and I’ve been wanting to come pay a visit. I only feared I would bore Matron.”
The matron was delighted at this. “Bore me? I couldn’t be happier to have a girl like you coming to see me all the time! Then it’s settled then, today I recognize you as my foster daughter!” She waved her hand at Lady Yu. “Go prepare some lavish gifts, and tell the kitchen to set a sumptuous table.”
Hesitation flashed through Lady Yu’s eyes and was gone. She smiled at Xue Dongting. “You see how excited Matron is, obtaining a daughter for no reason. She’s afraid you’ll run off… I’m only good for running errands here and there. Alright then. You keep Matron company while I tend to this.”
The matron was elated. She laughingly scolded Lady Yu, “You little monkey, such a sharp tongue on you! Go on with you now!”
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