Chapter 660: Chapter 242: We Are Still Young
Sheng Mingchuan naturally chuckled and waved his hand. "Don’t frighten the child. As I see it, everything is perfectly fine..."
During lunch, Mr. Xu indeed couldn’t make it back to the estate. The household set up two tables as usual. To show closeness to their in-law, both tables were placed in the inner courtyard, separated only by a folding screen. Sheng Mingchuan’s table was hosted by the men from the household’s two generations.
At the banquet, the topic of whether Chen Song would stay or leave inevitably came up.
The old madam had been eating bird’s nest soup on her side of the screen. Hearing Sheng Mingchuan ask about this, she couldn’t help but prick up her ears.
Xu Su Ying noticed this and teased her mother, "Really, Mother. If you want to know something, just ask me directly. There’s no need to eavesdrop like that."
Annoyed, the old madam swatted her. "You shameless girl, mocking your mother right in front of your niece and daughter. Do you think I don’t care about my pride?"
Mrs. Qiao laughed. "Mother, hit her a little harder. Your slaps are as light as a dragonfly skimming the water; Suying won’t learn her lesson at all. Use some strength and give us a good show."
The old madam glared at her. "You’re no good either! I’ve wasted all my affection on you over the years."
Xu Su Ying chimed in, "Just you wait. See if I don’t fleece two sets of jewelry from you later."
"Oh my, someone come help me plead for mercy," Mrs. Qiao said in mock distress to the others at the table. "Mother and Suying are united in wanting to punish me. I’m going to be so scared that I won’t be able to sleep tonight..."
Mrs. Qiao came from a family of military officials; her family had served under Old Mr. Xu in earlier years. Unfortunately, Old Mr. Qiao met an unfortunate end and passed away before receiving any honors from the court. Compared to others who worked for the Xu family, the Qiao Family appeared much more declined.
However, Mr. Xu saw that the family was clear-headed and their descendants were capable. With the intention of uplifting old subordinates, he discussed it with the old madam and arranged for Mrs. Qiao to marry Xu Shizai. Mrs. Qiao was fiery and articulate. Not long after they married, she followed Xu Shizai to his provincial post. Over the years, she had helped him manage the household, look after the children, handle guests, and serve his parents with filial piety, without ever making a single misstep.
Her personality was bright and straightforward, always accompanied by smiles and laughter, which the old madam grew very fond of. Furthermore, because she was rarely around and had endured many hardships with Xu Shizai in the southwest in earlier years, the old madam felt sorry for her and spoiled her a bit more.
While the women’s side was bustling and lively, the men’s side was quite peaceful at the moment.
Chen Song’s destination was already decided. He was still returning to Xinghuai Prefecture after the new year and had no intention of staying in Capital City. For one, staying in the capital now would draw too much attention. He had no academic honors and came from humble origins; reaching a Sixth Rank position through a streak of good luck was already an incredible feat. If they pulled strings to keep him in Capital City, not only would it be hard to find a suitable position anytime soon, but even if they did, accumulating merit there wouldn’t be as easy as in a local post. Furthermore, Heyuan Province was now under Sheng Mingchuan’s jurisdiction. Sheng Mingchuan was not only an in-law but also his direct superior. With Sheng Mingchuan valuing him and entrusting him with important responsibilities, Chen Song could achieve his ambitions and act with much more flexibility by staying in Heyuan Province.
Chen Song’s decision was undoubtedly the result of careful consideration, and it had been approved by Mr. Xu and the three Xu brothers. However, the old madam hadn’t known about this earlier. Hearing it so suddenly, she panicked.
If Chen Song was returning to Xinghuai Prefecture, didn’t that mean her daughter would have to leave with him? The old madam’s expression instantly soured, and she lost all her appetite.
Noticing this, Xu Su Ying picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, fed it to her mother herself, and then said, "I’m not leaving with him. I’m staying in Capital City to keep you company."
But the old madam didn’t like that idea either. "That won’t do. Leaving Chen Song all alone in Xinghuai Prefecture—even if you’re not worried, I am."
Xu Su Ying burst out laughing. "What are you worried about? Are you afraid he’ll fool around? Oh my, you old worrier, who are you looking down on? Are you underestimating my father’s power, or are you underestimating Chen Song’s character?"
The old madam swatted her again. "That mouth of yours—can’t you hold your tongue for once? I’m not worried about any of that. I’m just worried because husband and wife living apart is not a long-term solution."
"Then will you let me go back with him?"
The old madam sighed heavily, her expression turning lonely. "If there truly is no compromise, then just go back with him. Mother has lived long enough to see you again; even if I die now, I can rest in peace. You are married now, and you should live your own life. How could I keep holding onto you forever?"
"Alright, alright, stop acting so pitiful. We’re mother and daughter; I might not know you inside out, but don’t even think you can hide your little schemes from my sharp eyes. Alright, I’ll tell you the truth. In the future, I’ll spend half the year in Capital City accompanying you, and the other half in Xinghuai Prefecture accompanying Chen Song. Do you think that arrangement works?"