Chapter 802: Chapter 336: Visiting as a Guest (Part 2)
Yueyao gently tapped Mingzhu’s forehead: "Don’t get involved in the matters of the elders."
Mingzhu laughed, "I won’t get involved. I’m just talking to you, Yueyao. Do you think my mother-in-law really loves being a vegetarian and chanting Buddha’s name?" Mingzhu asked Yueyao because Yueyao was interested in Buddhism.
Yueyao shook her head, "I don’t know. I’ve never met Lady Niu, so I shouldn’t comment recklessly. However, I guess Lady Niu might have been disheartened with her husband for a long time. She probably stayed on account of her young son and was reluctant to leave. Now that her son has succeeded and married a competent daughter-in-law like you, Lady Niu no longer has any attachments. Therefore, she went to Hualin Temple; at least she can find peace there." Yueyao speculated this after hearing from Xiang Wei that Lady Niu was kind-hearted but somewhat passive.
Mingzhu nodded: "Maybe you’re right. But that Maternal Aunt Liu is only arrogant in front of my mother-in-law; she’s very well-behaved in front of me."
Yueyao chuckled, "As long as Madam Liu isn’t foolish, she wouldn’t dare play tricks in front of you. None of the maids or old nannies accompanying Mingzhu are simpletons. Especially those two old nannies, the tricks of Maternal Aunt Liu are nothing in their eyes."
Mingzhu laughed, "That’s true. Maternal Aunt Liu’s father is merely a small official of the Sixth Rank, even he wouldn’t dare to be aggressive in front of me."
Yueyao nodded: "But if she doesn’t target you, you shouldn’t provoke her. She is your father-in-law’s concubine. You’re like water that shouldn’t interfere with her affairs and vice versa."
Mingzhu’s eyes sparkled: "Why?" She found Maternal Aunt Liu very disagreeable, and to vent for her husband, she had tripped her up a few times.
Yueyao gave Mingzhu a glare: "Your life has been so smooth that you dared to interfere with the affairs in your father-in-law’s courtyard. If word gets out, do you think it will be a good reputation?"
Mingzhu mumbled, "You don’t understand, Maternal Aunt Liu and her son often bullied my husband and mother-in-law before. I’m just standing up for them."
Yueyao scolded, "Who do you think you are? If Niu Yanghui suffers, he will know how to seek justice himself. Does he need you to intervene? Do you think Niu Yanghui is such a weakling that he needs his wife to step in for some justice?"
Mingzhu retorted, "No, my husband is very capable!"
Yueyao pinched Mingzhu’s plump little cheek: "If Xiang Wei were here, she’d definitely call you foolish. No matter how bad Maternal Aunt Liu is, she’s Lord Niu’s concubine. If you anger Lord Niu, there’s nothing more filial than that. Even if your maternal family is powerful, you’ll suffer the consequences." Yueyao was worried Mingzhu might get the idea to eliminate Maternal Aunt Liu. Knowing Mingzhu, this was a real possibility. Yueyao was reminding her not to overdo things; moderation in all things, a cornered rabbit will still bite.
Mingzhu pondered seriously: "Hmm, I’ll think about it carefully."
Yueyao nodded: "Mingzhu, you’re now part of the Niu Family, no longer the Third Young Lady of the Marquis’ household. You have to handle some matters with discretion, alright?" What Yueyao meant was that as long as Niu Yanghui didn’t act against Maternal Aunt Liu and Niu Yangchao, Mingzhu shouldn’t act rashly. Meddling like this will surely lead to big trouble.
Mingzhu chuckled, "I know, you really are something. You’re two years younger than me, yet those who don’t know would think you’re my elder!"
Yueyao reached out to touch Mingzhu’s belly: "I also hope you can always be as happy as you are now, every day." Seeing Mingzhu so fulfilled made her content too.
Mingzhu laughed: "Don’t worry, I will always be fine. By the way, Yueyao, my husband has a good friend, a gentleman from Jiangnan named Shi Feiying, nineteen this year, a Juren, orphaned, but has an elder brother. Yueyao, I heard from my husband that he’s a great person. Do you want to meet him?"
Yueyao didn’t expect Mingzhu to play matchmaker for her and laughed: "No need." Literati and scholars were not Yueyao’s considerations.
Mingzhu explained: "Yueyao, you’re my best sister, I wouldn’t suggest anyone subpar. It’s just that this person is truly good; my husband has known him for years, and he’s of great character. My husband hinted to him, and he’s also interested. Yueyao, just meet him! If you meet and don’t like him, we can look further."
Yueyao explained her reasons for rejecting him to Mingzhu.
Mingzhu anxiously said, "According to your thoughts, none of the literati and scholars will do. What should you look for then?" Although Mingzhu thought Yueyao made sense, she was worried about Yueyao’s lifelong matters.
Yueyao smiled: "We’ll talk about it when the time comes." Actually, literati and scholars cared most for face; even with good character, they weren’t suitable. Such people were definitely not within her considerations.
Mingzhu became anxious.
Yueyao held Mingzhu’s hand: "You should take care of your pregnancy, my matters aren’t urgent. We agreed, I’ll be your child’s godmother in the future."
Mingzhu hurriedly said, "No, not a godmother. Let my son be your son-in-law, and you be my son’s mother-in-law, wouldn’t that be better?"
Yueyao was speechless.
Yueyao stayed at the Niu Mansion for most of the day, chatting with Mingzhu until the beginning of the You hour before leaving.
Shortly after Yueyao left, Niu Yanghui returned home. Niu Yanghui was now an exemplary husband and father, returning home promptly after work to accompany his wife and child.
Once Mingzhu saw Niu Yanghui, she told him about Yueyao’s rejection and, with a frown, said: "With all of Yueyao’s concerns, what can be done?" Mingzhu began to worry about Yueyao’s marriage prospects.
Niu Yanghui thought carefully and said, "Actually, Miss Lian’s concerns are valid; I didn’t consider them well enough." Yueyao would eventually become a great painter, even if his friend became a Palace Graduate, he’d be overshadowed by Yueyao, which his friend probably couldn’t endure.
Mingzhu was quite distressed.
Seeing Mingzhu’s expression, Niu Yanghui smiled: "You shouldn’t worry about Miss Lian. Being such a wise person, she surely knows what’s best." In fact, Niu Yanghui found Yueyao not only intelligent but very perceptive. Such a woman wouldn’t fancy just any man, and no ordinary man could truly win her. It’s better to take time rather than rush into matchmaking.
Mingzhu frowned.
Niu Yanghui laughed: "You can’t manage everything you worry about." Niu Yanghui coaxed Mingzhu for quite some time, finally turning her mood from rainy to sunny.