Du Jingyi and Yingtao exchanged baffled glances at Lizhu’s outburst. “Didn’t I ask you to deliver something to Yunjinyuan?” Yingtao questioned. “Why did you say there is a fight?”
Lizhu rushed forward, forgetting even to curtsy in her haste. “The people from the Third and Fifth Branch were fighting in Yunjin Courtyard! I… the servant just reached the door and heard the commotion inside. Maids and other women were gathered in a large circle, but no one dared to step forward and stop them!”
“What are they fighting for?” Yingtao pressed , her curiosity now piqued. “Is it possible that the Third and Fifth Branch know each other’s dirty thoughts?”
“I don’t know,” Lizhu admitted. “As soon as this slave heard the news, I rushed back to tell the Young Lady. I imagine there’s still a fuss at this moment.”
A faint smile touched Du Jingyi’s lips. “Go get some food and fill your stomach first,” she instructed Yingtao. “There may be a tough battle to be fought later.” The two maids’ eyes gleamed with excitement. After waiting so long, they finally had the leverage to deal with these troublesome relatives. To be “restrained” by them for so long was truly vexing. Yingtao hastened to the small kitchen for provisions, and soon, mistress and servants were well-fed and prepared for the “battlefield.”
Just as they finished eating Mama Jiao, true to her name, burst into Dongyuan with a face etched with urgency, Du Jingyi and her entourage were ready for this so they were not that shocked by her sudden arrival. Outside Dongyuan’s gate, Mama Jiao had brought a large retinue, perhaps believing they intended to cause trouble for Dongyuan itself. This commotion, however, attracted widespread attention. With Butler He absent and Aunt Dou having departed, Mama Cai was naturally left to take charge. In the past, she had harbored a slight fear of Mama Jiao. But these days, having learned much from Aunt Dou, she had gradually acquired the bearing of a respected servant from a noble family. Thus, when Mama Jiao spoke with harshness, Mama Cai remained perfectly composed.
“Are you jesting?” Mama Jiao blustered. “I have something important to see the Young Lady about! Who do you think you are to dare block my way?”
“In Aunt Dou’s absence, the entirety of Dongyuan falls under my management,” Mama Cai replied calmly. “Although I may not be as formidable as Aunt Jiao, I am still the one who will follow the General out of this house in the future. If Aunt Jiao is not afraid of offending the General and the Young Lady, then she may attempt to enter on her own!”
“You!” Mama Jiao had dealt with Mama Cai before and knew her limited capabilities. What had happened today? In just a few days, her tongue had become so sharp, immediately catching Mama Jiao off guard. She wasn’t afraid of Mama Cai, but provoking the General and Young Lady was a different matter entirely. Suppressing her frustration, she forced a more conciliatory tone. “Then please convey my message, Mama Cai, saying that I have something to ask the Young Madam, and also to request her presence in Yunjin Courtyard. Madam Wei has something to ask of her.”
“Very well, I will go in and relay the message on your behalf.” With that, Mama Cai instructed a few young guards to stand like stone sculptures at the gate, effectively blocking Mama Jiao’s view into the courtyard. Mama Jiao seeing this simmered with anger and indignation, vowing to regain her lost prestige and avenge today’s humiliation at the first opportunity she get .
Such a large commotion reached not only Du Jingyi in Xitang Courtyard but also Madam Liu, the Eldest Sister-in-law in Fuqiu Courtyard. She was conversing with her eighth sister, Xue Niang, when Mama Ou entered, her face grim. Madam Liu’s previously smiling countenance instantly darkened. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
“To the Eldest Madam Mama Jiao has sent people to invite the Sixth Madam to Yunjin Courtyard, but this old servant observed the sheer number of people accompanying her, fearing their intentions were not benevolent.” Ever since her quarrel with Shang Ji, Madam, Liu had ceased involving herself in Dongyuan’s affairs. She remained within Fuqiu Courtyard, focusing solely on her son’s studies. Occasionally, she would summon her eighth sister, Xue Niang, to check on her progress, but she never once left the courtyard herself. Now, with this intrusion, her protective instincts flared. Just as she prepared to rise, Shang Ji’s words from that day echoed in her ears: “Is it possible that everyone has to rely on sister-in-law to protect them?”
Indeed, she had devoted herself to protecting Dongyuan all these years, but at most, she could safeguard the family property. How could she protect her children, one by one, from being ensnared? With this thought, her resolve softened, and she spoke weakly to Mama Ou. “Bring some people to observe from the shadows. If the Young Lady goes with them, don’t worry about it. If the Young Lady doesn’t go and Aunt Jiao attempts to force her way in, then step forward and block her. Dongyuan’s reputation must not be tarnished. Do not let them be unbridled.”
“Yes,” Mama Ou replied.
After Mama Ou departed, Shang Zhiping hesitated, his unspoken thoughts heavy in the air. He had personally witnessed the quarrel between his mother and his Sixth Uncle, and thus understood his mother’s current actions better than anyone. For him, it was unacceptable that his Sixth Uncle, only recently returned, would criticize his mother. His own ineffectiveness was his problem, not his mother’s fault, yet he dared not voice this to his Sixth Uncle. This internal conflict weighed heavily on him.
Madam Liu, understanding her son’s turmoil, gave him a calm look and continued to address her eighth sister . “I have much to attend to today, so you can remain in Fuqiu Courtyard.”
“Sister-in-law, won’t you go and see?” Xue Niang was perplexed, finding her sister-in-law’s serene demeanor remarkably strange. In the past, her sister-in-law was always the first to involve herself in such matters. Why the sudden change of heart today? Alas, her sister-in-law’s lips were sealed tight. If she didn’t wish to speak, even under duress, no amount of coercion would extract the truth.Thus madam Liu’s silence extended to Xue Niang and Shang Zhiping.
In stark contrast, Xitang Courtyard was now abuzz with activity. After Mama Cai relayed Mama Jiao’s message, Du Jingyi instructed her to gather over a dozen tall, robust maids. Then, accompanied by Yingtao and Lizhu, she emerged from Xitang Courtyard. Mama Jiao, who had been anxiously waiting by the door, scanning the empty space for signs of movement, breathed a sigh of relief as Du Jingyi appeared.
Upon seeing Du Jingyi and her retinue, Mama Jiao, after a brief moment of surprise, hastily urged, “Young Madam, please come to Yunjin Courtyard with me quickly; something significant has happened.”
“Oh?” Du Jingyi replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Isn’t the biggest event in the house right now is the Duke’s birthday? And Madam Wei is managing it so well, isn’t she? Surely Mama Jiao isn’t exaggerating?” Du Jingyi’s single sentence delivered a double blow to Mama Jiao. To admit to other major events implied Madam. Wei’s incompetence in managing the household. To deny them meant she was spreading falsehoods. Du Jingyi was proving to be a formidable opponent. Mama Jiao, forced to suppress her arrogance, said, “It’s this old servant who speaks poorly. Please excuse me, Madam, but it’s true that the people in the Third and Fifth branch are creating quite a commotion. Madam Wei means that you will be the mistress of the house in the future. Go and take a look and offer some suggestions.”