Chapter 486: Chapter 485: Disdain
The voice of Gui Family was not loud, but the Flower Hall was only so big, and no one else was speaking, so her words stood out.
The word "Dazi" fell like a stone into the lake.
Zhuang Ke’s blue eyes moved slightly, landing on Gui Family.
The back of Gui Family’s neck went cold. Zhuang Ke’s gaze held no emotion, but the matriarch’s glance toward her was icy, making Gui Family’s heart race.
She swallowed her saliva and glanced at Lian Family out of the corner of her eye.
The corner of Lian Family’s lips flashed with sarcasm.
Gui Family didn’t know if Lian Family was mocking Zhuang Ke; instead, she thought Lian Family was mocking her, and her face went pale.
Clenching her teeth, she had to put on a smile and clear her throat, awkwardly saying, "It’s my ignorance, niece-in-law, don’t blame me."
Gui Family apologized first, and today was a day of family recognition, so if the matter could be put aside, let it be put aside. Madam Wu gestured slightly to Mrs. Xu.
Mrs. Xu was quite angry with Gui Family.
The term "Dazi" was a derogatory term, and in the whole Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, as well as the Mu Family, mentioning Dazi didn’t bring any goodwill.
However, battles between armies were matters of life and death on the battlefield. Although the nobles in the Capital were unaware of the women and children outside the pass and even held them in slight contempt, they usually would not use the term "Dazi" to belittle them.
Mrs. Xu knew Zhuang Ke’s background might lead to some grievances, but she had already accepted this daughter-in-law, so she naturally couldn’t stand others pointing fingers.
In front of Madam Wu and the clan’s elder couple, Mrs. Xu did not make a scene but introduced Zhuang Ke, "This is Lian Kang’s wife, her maiden name is Zhuang, and her given name is just Ke."
As soon as Mrs. Xu finished speaking, many in the clan exchanged glances.
Zhuang Ke could understand their meaning. They were wondering how an alien woman like her could have a Han name, or if she could understand Han language.
Rather than letting others speculate behind her back, Zhuang Ke preferred to open up about things herself.
With a gentle smile, she first saluted everyone and said, "My father is Han, and my mother is a barbarian. I grew up outside the pass, speak barbarian language, and can read and write Han language."
Zhuang Ke’s attitude was respectful yet carried a certain pride that wouldn’t be subdued.
Lian Family observed silently, sneering inwardly. This resulted from a poor origin; her mother was a barbarian, and her father had no definite status. She had to display pride to avoid disgrace. If she were a noble lady from an aristocratic family, standing there would suffice without much explanation.
The matriarch couldn’t help but take a few more looks at Zhuang Ke.
Zhuang Ke’s manners were impeccable, and her demeanor was naturally noble, a grace that couldn’t be instilled in just one or two months.
Her Capital accent was even more pleasant than the speech of a few foreign daughters-in-law in the clan.
Moreover...
The matriarch glanced at Madam Wu.
If the old lady had accepted this granddaughter-in-law, who wasn’t fully Han or barbarian, what more could the clan say?
For so many years, the clan had relied on the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. Although she was the clan’s elder matriarch, she still bowed her head to Madam Wu with an imperial decree.
Today was about family recognition. The Marquis Mansion invited them here to recognize family, not to nitpick about the daughter-in-law’s qualities.
The matriarch, understanding the situation, quickly said some good words with a smile.
Mrs. Xu led Mu Liankang and Zhuang Ke forward, first letting them pay respects to the clan elder couple.
Then, according to seniority and status, they paid respects one by one.
When they reached Gui Family, Zhuang Ke’s manners were impeccable, but Gui Family felt uneasy because she could see that Zhuang Ke didn’t think much of her.
This made Gui Family extremely uncomfortable.
Though indeed, the clan depended on the Marquis Mansion, she usually bowed her head before her sisters-in-law in the Marquis Mansion.
Previously, when Jiang Yunuan was recognized by the Jiang Family, even though the Jiang Family had fallen, it was Lian Family who was in charge. Towards Lian Family’s favored daughter-in-law, Gui Family spoke softly;
When it came to Du Yunluo, she was married with an imperial decree and as the first grandson-in-law, Gui Family had no time to flatter her, let alone suppress her.
Now it was Zhuang Ke’s turn. Gui Family didn’t dare to suppress her, but facing a junior who looked down on her was aggravating.
Clearly, someone with unclear bloodlines, this kind of mixed heritage, anywhere else would only be a concubine, yet here she was, in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion!
Such high climbing, she should have been humble, yet she showed off!
Gui Family’s smile carried a hint of coldness.
The matriarch saw it all but couldn’t directly scold or advise in front of everyone, so she only cursed "fool" in her heart.
Originally, after the family recognition, a feast was to be held, but with Mu Lianyu’s recent passing, it was skipped.
Du Yunluo saw off the clan elder couple.
The carriage left the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
Unable to wait until returning, the matriarch started berating Gui Family in the carriage, "Think before you speak! However she is, she’s Lian Kang’s wife. To call her ’Dazi’ right off, if the old lady didn’t throw a teacup at your head, she was showing you face."
Gui Family felt extremely wronged, bowed her head, and said, "Indeed it was my lack of consideration, I already apologized, you know, I’ve never seen any barbarians."
"After apologizing, you should behave," the matriarch snorted, "Saying you lack knowledge, it’s really true. Where does Zhuang Ke’s speech and behavior resemble low birth? That air of nobility, I think even Lian Cheng’s wife couldn’t compare! Her mother might be a barbarian, but maybe she’s a princess? Her father is Han, how do you know this surname Zhuang isn’t from an affluent background?"
Gui Family was reprimanded so much that she couldn’t lift her head, and she said, "I lack insight, didn’t see the nobility you mention, but if her parents were presentable, they would’ve said so long ago, why keep it hidden."
The matriarch was even more dissatisfied with Gui Family’s retort.
Zhuang Ke’s demeanor was flawless, but compared to the noble girls of the Capital, she had more freedom and grace, perhaps from her life outside the pass.
But the intrinsic qualities cannot lie, and the matriarch was confident she was not mistaken.
Regarding Zhuang Ke’s origin, she pursed her lips, "Just because they don’t flaunt it, you assume they have a poor background?"
Gui Family had nothing more to say and could only lower her head, muttering under her breath.
In the Flower Hall of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Lian Family had already taken her leave.
Ever since hearing of the bad news, her health had been unwell, but fearing Madam Wu’s blame, she had to forcefully endure the occasion.
Now that the clan had dispersed, she had no patience to stay.
After all, the family recognition involved another branch, and their second branch’s hearts felt like they were being cut with knives now.
As Lian Family left, Jiang Yunuan followed.
She could force herself not to involve in Mu Liankang’s affairs but had no way to face Zhuang Ke.
This woman so different from her, the woman favored by Mrs. Xu, was a constant sting in her heart.
Hearing others repeatedly refer to "Lian Kang’s wife," what passed through Jiang Yunuan’s heart was not pain but suspicion and strangeness, as the words Lian Family murmured that day surged back, enveloping her.
What exactly did those words mean...