Chapter 5
Chapter 5 - 3 Supervision_2
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After a whole lot of useless babbling, in the end, she didnāt mention her brawling mishaps, just writing a single sentence telling him not to come back, and that without becoming a top scholar, all the silver he spent on studying and grinding his ink was wasted.
The Madame didnāt even bother getting angry anymore, and scolded, "Over these years, the silver Xingze spent on his studies hasnāt matched up to what weāve had to pay for compensation whenever he got into fights and trouble."
Madam Wang laughed, "Will you write another letter in reply? And send it to the young master together?"
"No need to write again. Within a month, he will definitely come back. He wouldnāt care about someone elseās coming-of-age ceremony, but he wouldnāt miss Xiaoqiās for the world," said the Madame, her expression turning sour as she thought about something, "I will send a letter to the Duke Residence right away, to ask whether the marriage agreement still stands or not. Our Yuewan is about to have her coming-of-age ceremony, if itās still valid, weāll proceed according to the agreement; if not..."
She didnāt finish her sentence.
Yet Madam Wang understood the rest of the Madameās unspoken words and sighed internally, "Shall I send both letters out together?"
The Madame nodded, stood up, and carefully started writing a letter to the Old Duke of Protectorate at the Duke Residence, sealed it with wax, and asked Madam Wang, "For sending this letter to Capital City, given the matterās importance, we shouldnāt use the post service. Isnāt it better to send someone dependable in person? Who do you suggest we send?"
Madam Wang thought for a while, "How about sending Li Yan, the son of our housekeeper Li? That boy is reliable and meticulous, following in Housekeeper Liās footsteps."
"Alright, then send him," agreed the Madame.
She summoned Li Yan and handed him the letter, giving him detailed instructions.
Li Yan solemnly promised, "Madame, rest assured, I will definitely deliver this letter safely to the Old Duke of Protectorateās hands."
The Madame nodded in confidence, trusting in Li Yan, and dismissed him to set off as soon as possible.
After Li Yan left, the Madame paused in thought, then instructed Madam Wang, "For the next half a month, keep Yuewan confined here in the Residence to properly recover from her injuries. By half a monthās time, there should be a response from the Duke Residence. Just in case the Duke Residence keeps their promise and sends someone to discuss the marriage, what would we do if her forehead injury hasnāt healed and she needs to meet people? How unsightly that would be."
Madam Wang nodded, "Madame, rest assured, this old servant will ensure that the Seventh Miss is well looked after. If necessary, I will move into that courtyard today."
The Madame liked this idea, "Good, then you move in and stay with her. Thankfully, she still has someone sheās afraid of. It used to be Xingze she feared, now itās you; otherwise, sheād turn the world upside down."
Madam Wang chuckled, "Truth be told, itās the Young Master whom Seventh Miss fears. Without him to restrain her, she would hardly fear this old servant."
The Madameās feelings were mixed, "Whatās the use of fear? Xingze canāt watch over her every day."
She sighed, "What a troublemaker!"
Thus, on that very day, both letters were sent outāone to Yunshan Academy, the other to Capital City.
By evening of the same day, Madam Wang moved into Su Rongās courtyard.
Su Rong watched with confusion as she moved her belongings into Yuewanās small house, "Madam Wang, what is this about? Are you coming to visit me?"
"Yes, Seventh Miss, the Madame said that for the coming half a month, Iāll watch over you as you recover, and youāre not permitted to go anywhere. She even had the workers raise the wall by an extra three feet."
Su Rongās lips twitched, "If they keep making that wall higher, it might just collapse and hit someone one day."
"Donāt worry, it wonāt. Weāre using the best masons from Jiangning. Even a city wall as tall as this one wouldnāt collapse."
Su Rong: "..."
She really wanted to say that she could still climb over even the city wall; her mother was far too naive.
Madam Wang, seeing Su Rongās expression, seemed to realize this too. Her face stiffened slightly, and she spoke helplessly, "What other Madame would be like ours, showing no dignity in front of you? Please donāt upset her anymore. If any harm came to her out of distress, how would you explain yourself to the Young Master?"
Su Rong rubbed her shoe soles and murmured, "Itās not my fault. Who told Mother to punish me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall, only for Big Brother to stop it? Who told Mother to punish me by copying texts, only for Father to interfere? And when I beat someone up for the first time, who was it that said āWell done!ā because the little bastard deserved it for bullying a little girl?"
Madam Wang: "..."
Yes, itās always someone elseās fault.
How could they blame you when you were such an adorable child, small and delicate like a little bunāwho could bear to punish you? The Madame was just putting on a show of force. She probably didnāt anticipate that with each passing year youād grow into what you are now, and she must regret it to her core. Even the Lord is late in his regrets. As for the Young Master, itās probably alright since in his eyes, you cannot do wrong.
"Ah, well, if I canāt go out, then I canāt go out! After all, itās too hot outside right now; itās cooler inside the house anyway," Su Rong quickly accepted the idea of Madam Wang moving in.
Yuewan was delighted, "Madam Wang, itās wonderful that youāre moving in! With you overseeing the Miss, she wonāt sneak out anymore. Every time she leaves me behind, I get so bored I can only talk to Ahua."
Madam Wang grunted, "You and Ahua enjoy the treats the Seventh Miss brings back from outside just the same, both getting fatter."
Yuewan panicked, touching her face and her belly, "Iām notāand certainly not as fat as Ahua, right?"
She was only slightly rounder in the face, maybe just a few pounds heavier than her mistress... right?
Madam Wang had an "Iāll let you be the judge" look on her face, and briskly started to make up the bed.
Taken aback by her gaze, Yuewan hurried to a mirror. After a moment, she threw down the mirror and sought out Su Rong, "Miss, am I getting as fat as Ahua?"
Su Rong glanced at her plump face, "Being plump is a sign of good fortune."
"I donāt want it," Yuewan shook her head, "Miss, I wonāt eat the things you buy from outside anymore. Youāre so mean, fattening me and Ahua up so you can look slender and beautiful by comparison."
Speechless, Su Rong replied, "Would I bother? Does the fish I bring you, which I catch myself, or the roasted chicken and pastries that cost silver, mean nothing to you?"
Yuewan nodded, "Thatās true too," then tapping her head, she asked a puzzling question, "But if you eat with us, why donāt you ever get fat?"
"Because I exercise every day," Su Rong shot back, "Unlike you and Ahua who are terribly lazy. One of you spends the whole day with her nose in a book of paintings, the other lies in the sun all day long, and doesnāt even bother to chase mice."
"Forget Ahua, it wouldnāt stretch a paw even if a rat were to tug on its whiskers," Yuewan drooped, "Is it too late for me to start exercising?"
"Itās not too late. Just eat less and run more," advised Su Rong, as she lay back on the bed, fiddling with her dagger, "Run for a year, and youāll get thināthe kind that gets blown over by the wind."
Yuewan: "..."
She wasnāt particularly keen on becoming the type that could be blown over so easily.
ā End of Chapter 5 ā