She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 560 - 558

Chapter 560: 558

Ye Xinyan heaved a silent sigh, thinking how most people would consider marrying a daughter from an official’s family to be a stroke of good fortune — yet Ah Qiao’s mother was the kind of woman who insisted on being the head of the household, the toughest kind of mother-in-law to get along with.

When she entered Madam Yin’s room, she indeed found Zhou Biyao sitting on the heated brick bed, her head bowed as she cried softly, with Madam Yin by her side, gently trying to console her.

Ye Xinyan didn’t wait for an invitation before sitting down on the edge of the bed, interrupting Madam Yin’s consolations, and said, "Enough, stop consoling her. If Ah Qiao’s mother is such a difficult person to deal with, even if Ah Qiao himself is great, it’s not worth marrying into that family."

Zhou Biyao looked up, astonishment clear in her tear-filled eyes as she gazed at Ye Xinyan, her face a picture of disbelief. "Sister Qi, you, why would you say that? Third Brother Wong... "

Ye Xinyan glared at her, retorting, "What about Third Brother Wong? Isn’t he also raised by his parents? Will he go against his mother for you?"

Madam Yin, while giving Ye Xinyan meaningful looks, complained, "At this time, we should be thinking of a way to persuade Madam Zhao, to let her recognize Biyao’s merits and agree to this marriage. Why do you keep saying things out of spite?"

Ye Xinyan turned to look, got up, lifted the teapot from the small stove, poured a cup of tea for Zhou Biyao, handed it over, and said, "Biyao, I’m not speaking to be spiteful. You’re still young. Life is not about a single moment, but about every moment, month after month, year after year. A fleeting love cannot sustain a lifetime of married life.

If Ah Qiao’s mother doesn’t like you, even if you manage to marry Third Brother Wong, your future life will be exhausting, constantly dealing with his mother’s dissatisfaction with you. Can you expect a husband who’s run ragged by such strife to provide you with the warm and sweet affection that you’re hoping for?"

These words from Ye Xinyan did not sway Zhou Biyao, but they did win Madam Yin’s deep approval. After a moment’s hesitation, she patted Zhou Biyao’s back and said slowly, "Biyao, let’s not rush this, let’s think it over more. Your sister is not wrong; the bond between mother and son isn’t easily changed, especially since Ah Qiao’s father was sent to the border pass at a young age, and Madam Zhao brought up Ah Qiao all by herself. Faced with such a mother, more often than not, a son will not go against her."

Zhou Biyao’s astonished expression turned to one of fear, and she grabbed Madam Yin’s hand, her crying becoming audible. "Madam, I’m willing to serve his mother together with Third Brother Wong, to be filial to her. If I can’t marry Third Brother Wong, I, I...I’d rather remain unmarried."

Madam Yin quickly embraced Zhou Biyao, soothingly patting her back and looking helplessly at Ye Xinyan.

Ye Xinyan exclaimed, "You foolish girl, do you think you can be so filial? If Madam Zhao asks you to give up the construction industry you love and just stay at home like a maid, constantly waiting on her hand and foot, could you do it? If you don’t meet her expectations and she decides you’re unfit to raise children, and takes your children to raise in her own room, cutting you out, would you comply? Once you’re in the Wong Residence, everything about you, including your expenses, habits, and even the way you speak, will have to be done with deference to Madam Zhao’s wishes. Could you live your whole life like that?"

"I..." Zhou Biyao was left speechless by Ye Xinyan’s barrage of questions. Indeed, if it were really like that, could she do it?

"What ’I’? That’s enough; in another couple of Shichen it’ll be dinner time. Hurry up and wash your face and get some ice to reduce the swelling around your eyes. Before Third Brother Wong returns, just treat Madam Zhao as an ordinary elder. It’s enough to be respectful and proper, don’t overthink it." Ye Xinyan was not in the mood to coddle anyone, and besides, this wasn’t a situation that could be resolved with a bit of coddling. Even when Third Brother Wong returns, facing a Madam Zhao like that, he would probably be at a loss as well.

Zhou Biyao looked at Ye Xinyan with a sad expression, forced herself to calm down, took deep breaths, wiped her face roughly with a handkerchief, and then called out in a muffled voice, "Nanny Zhong."

Ye Xinyan did not have a good impression of Madam Zhao and did not plan to waste her energy on pretenses with her. But since Madam Zhao was Third Brother Wong’s mother and grandfather’s sister-in-law, and his relationship with grandfather was like that between brothers in arms, she couldn’t be disrespectful. Therefore, she only intended to make a good impression through material means and surface-level efforts.

For this reason, Ye Xinyan made a special trip to the kitchen, and on top of the ten dishes, she added another six, making a full eight plates and eight bowls.

The dinner was set in the dining hall of the outer courtyard, with men and women seated separately.

Once everyone who was eating had arrived, they exchanged pleasantries with Lady Zhao again, and then Qi Younian instructed the dishes to be served. Although Lady Zhao and Xiuqin had already guessed that the Qi family’s days were comfortable, they were still dazzled by the continuous stream of dishes and soups presented before them.

Madam Yin repeatedly urged Lady Zhao and Xiuqin to have their pick, but the two were holding their chopsticks, looking at the dishes near and far, unsure of where to start.

Ye Xinyan glanced at Qing Min, who stepped forward with chopsticks and said in a low voice to Lady Zhao, "This tofu box tastes good, and it’s not greasy. Would you like me to serve you a piece to try?"

Lady Zhao was looking at the unfamiliar array of soups and dishes across the table, unsure of where to begin, and upon hearing Qing Min’s suggestion, quickly responded, "Then let’s try this tofu box. You don’t need to, young lady, I can do it myself."

Qing Min smiled and served the tofu box to Lady Zhao, then served a glutinous rice meatball to Xiuqin.

When Xiuqin put the glutinous rice meatball in her mouth and bit into it, the rich, juicy, and fresh flavors immediately spread in her mouth.

She chewed with big bites, scanning through the dishes on the table one by one. As she saw everyone else starting to use their chopsticks, her sense of helplessness and restraint lessened a great deal. She began to pick dishes for herself and looked around at the other two tables, marveling at how wealthy the Qi family must be. Such fine food was not only for entertaining her aunt and herself as guests but included Fourth Uncle Cheung’s family as well. She wondered how much silver this must cost.

Lady Zhao, while responding to Madam Yin’s polite offer to help her with the dishes, glanced casually at Second Miss Zhou.

At that moment, Second Miss Zhou had changed into casual clothes, a delicate lotus-pink satin-embroidered thin jacket, matched with a same-colored silver-edged, brown-cloud patterned long skirt. There was no trace of makeup on her face, and a white jade hairpin adorned her hair, with a pair of white jade bracelets on her wrist, making her appear serene and gracefully understated.

What surprised her was that, despite being so young, and having been strongly rejected by her in such a situation, resulting in a pale face and a flustered expression, in just a short Shichen, Second Miss Zhou had apparently recovered as if nothing happened. Not only was she able to eat as usual, but she could also speak in low tones and interact normally with Miss Ye.

Didn’t the Zhou family’s girl like Ah Qiao, even stooping to lower her status and making public appearances to work with Ah Qiao in the Construction Industry? Upon seeing that the marriage proposal didn’t work out, shouldn’t the normal reaction be to refuse meals and cry all day? How come she seemed not to have much of a reaction? Except when she had just come in and the Zhou family’s girls stood up to welcome her with Miss Ye and called Madam Zhao, she showed no further reaction?

Was this, giving up?

As Lady Zhao thought this, she felt a little discomfort. The original feeling of contempt for Miss Zhou for not respecting herself and chasing after a man suddenly turned into annoyance at the girl’s apparent indifference, making light of her son.