She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 558 - 556: A Self-Respecting and Independent Woman

Chapter 558: Chapter 556: A Self-Respecting and Independent Woman

Zhou Biyao’s complexion was ashen, her body moved slightly as if wanting to step forward to support Lady Zhao, yet she seemed hesitant. With so many people in the room, it was clear to anyone what Lady Zhao’s intentions were by kneeling only to her. Even if she did step forward to help, Lady Zhao probably wouldn’t stand up, and it might even lead to more drama.

How could Third Brother Wong’s mother act like this? Zhou Biyao’s eyes reddened, and she clenched her lips tightly, fearing she wouldn’t be able to control her emotions and would burst into tears.

"Madam Zhao, why didn’t you kneel and bow to my mother and me as well? Do you look down on me because of my reputation as an Abandoned Wife and thus disdain my mother as well?" Ye Xinyan, sitting on a chair at the end of the guest hall, spoke up cheerfully.

She waved at Zhou Biyao, "Biyao, come sit here, it seems I need to bask in your glory."

Before the marriage discussion, Zhou Biyao was a guest of the Qi family, and moreover, the Legitimate Young Miss of the Prefectural Magistrate’s Family of Yuyuan Prefecture, so she had no reason to go out and welcome Lady Zhao. Standing behind Madam Yin without sitting face to face with Lady Zhao had already shown her respect.

However, it was quite clear that Lady Zhao didn’t want this respect.

If that was the case, so be it. According to Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi, Lady Zhao was a person with strong opinions. This decisive woman, upon entering, immediately made such a gesture towards the girl whom Wong Qiao favored in Qi Younian’s letter, obviously not wanting Zhou Biyao as a daughter-in-law. Changing Lady Zhao’s mind was probably not an overnight affair, and if Lady Zhao was determined enough, and Wong Qiao sufficiently filial, he might never marry Zhou Biyao in his lifetime.

Ye Xinyan glanced again at Xiuqin, who knelt close to Lady Zhao. Perhaps Lady Zhao would prefer a daughter-in-law who would lower herself to serve her and place her above all else?

Not wanting to comply was fine, personal preferences are individual, and nobody should be forced upon another. Couldn’t it all be discussed amicably? By acting this way, who was she trying to show?

Since this was the situation, it was best to interact according to their respective social statuses. If someone didn’t want to save face, why insist on lifting them up, only to be slapped in return?

When Lady Zhao, kneeling on the ground, heard Ye Xinyan’s words, she was momentarily stunned. She looked at Ye Xinyan, the Duke’s Mansion’s Miss Ye, who had a very good relationship with her elder brother, treating him like a real grandfather—shouldn’t she be siding with her elder brother’s family? Yet, it seemed she was closer to the Zhou family daughter.

Before coming here, she had inquired from knowledgeable people that Duke An’s rank was not just a little but significantly higher than that of the Prefectural Magistrate. With her elder brother and Miss Ye treating Ah Qiao like family, she dared to offend the daughter of the Prefectural Magistrate.

If the Duke’s Mansion’s Miss Ye was on good terms with the daughter of the Zhou family and blamed her, what should she do? And about Ah Qiao—what could she do if her actions caused harm to him?

Glancing at Ye Xinyan again and considering the abilities Ah Qiao mentioned in letters to his family and what Cheung Quanxi had said, even for the sake of winning over Ah Qiao for her services, Miss Ye would protect Wong Qiao and not harm them, right?

With this thought, Lady Zhao felt somewhat relieved.

Cheung Wusi, who was already bewildered by Lady Zhao’s actions, hadn’t recovered when Ye Xinyan threw in her remark, making him even more flustered. He quickly got up to help Lady Zhao, "Seventh younger brother’s wife, please get up quickly. What are you doing?"

While speaking, he glanced at Ye Xinyan. The Ye child from his elder brother’s household wasn’t one to hold grudges over petty issues—clearly, she had been seriously angered by Lady Zhao.

"Ye Zi, you shouldn’t talk like that," Qi Younian reprimanded Ye Xinyan before frowning at Lady Zhao, "Seventh younger brother’s wife, please stand up. We don’t do this here, get up and talk."

While Qi Younian verbally scolded Ye Xinyan, his expression towards Lady Zhao was not at all pleasant. Couldn’t she have talked about whatever it was in a proper manner? To make a scene in front of a room full of people! Despite always considering Lady Zhao a self-respecting and independent woman who deserved respect, this behavior was truly unbecoming.

"Ah Yan! Madam Zhao is an elder, what sort of behavior is this?" Madam Yin’s tone was much more severe than Qi Younian’s, but like him, she simultaneously neglected to offer Madam Zhao an apology.

Her own daughter—under normal circumstances, she couldn’t bear to even speak harshly to her. Her reprimand towards her daughter, just after Madam Zhao’s arrival and considering she was the mother of Wong Qiao, was to offer Madam Zhao a way to step down gracefully.

Madam Yin looked at Madam Zhao, kneeling on the ground, her heart filled with displeasure.

Zhou Biyao’s complexion was pale, glancing at Ye Xinyan and then at Madam Zhao, hesitating and unsure of what to do.

Even though Madam Yin was unreliable when it came to her own daughter, she had a clear understanding of other matters. Considering Madam Zhao’s aversion to Zhou Biyao, it would be better to take things slowly for now.

"Biyao, listen to your sister and go sit with her. Nanny Huang, go and help Madam Zhao and Miss Xiuqin take their seats."

Zhou Biyao curtsied to Madam Yin, lowered her head, and went to sit beside Ye Xinyan.

Ye Xinyan casually pulled the chair closer and patted Zhou Biyao’s shoulder, whispering, "It’s alright, we’ll talk when we get back."

"Okay," Zhou Biyao responded, feeling bleak inside. What else could she say? Now that Wong Qiao’s mother had brought her niece along, if her own mother knew the Wong family had this attitude, even if Sister Qi and the wife of the heir apparent could persuade Madam Zhao, her mother would definitely not allow her to marry Wong Qiao.

Everyone had been awaiting Madam Zhao’s arrival with anticipation, hoping to see the young couple form a bond that would last a lifetime. But Madam Zhao had created such a scene, turning everyone’s mood sour instantaneously.

Qi Younian managed to keep a composed expression, but his mood was exceptionally gloomy. The following matters would likely be difficult to manage. If the match between Zhou Biyao and Wong Qiao fell through, would it mean that Zhou Biyao could no longer continue to work in the Qi family? It had not been easy for Ye Zi to find a good friend with whom she could share a handkerchief... one must know, engineering women were truly hard to find in this world.

Once Madam Zhao had sat down again, Madam Yin inquired about the journey and made some small talk before stopping, "Madam Zhao has traveled a long distance, you must be tired. Ah Yan has already arranged accommodation for Madam Zhao. You and Miss Xiuqin should go freshen up and change clothes to rest well. At dinner time, we’ll properly welcome Madam Zhao and Miss Xiuqin and help you dust off the journey. By then, Brother Jia will also be back from school, and you can meet him as well."

With that, she turned to Nanny Liu and said, "Could you trouble Nanny to arrange another room for Miss Xiuqin?"

Upon hearing this, Xiuqin glanced quickly towards Madam Zhao, her expression a mix of timidity and a faint tangle of anticipation.

Madam Zhao hurriedly said, "Madam, you are too kind. We are ordinary folks and don’t fuss over such matters; any place to sleep will do. Especially since Xiuqin is young and this is her first time out, she won’t feel secure sleeping alone. It’s better if mother and daughter stay together."

Madam Yin found this reasonable and replied with a smile, "Then we’ll follow Madam Zhao’s wishes for now and have you stay together. After a few days, once Xiuqin has settled in, if she wishes, we’ll ask Nanny Liu to make separate arrangements."

As the widow of Qi Younian’s sworn seventh younger brother, Ye Xinyan had to consider Qi Younian’s face.

As the host, Qi Younian, a man, only escorted Madam Zhao to the entrance of the guest room and asked her to rest well and talk later once she had recuperated. Ye Xinyan, however, had to accompany her with a feigned smile, entertaining Madam Zhao.