Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 588 - 234 eccentric

Chapter 588: 234 eccentric

Time flew by, and before long, it was already the latter half of September.

On September 25th, Zhuang Ruolan gave birth to her second daughter, and they used the name Yueyao had chosen, Yanqi.

On September 26th, Madam Tang gave birth to the first legitimate grandson of the Li Mansion. Ma Chengteng was overjoyed upon hearing the news and personally named the child Congpei.

Ma Chengteng felt it would be troublesome to hold separate cleansing ceremonies for the two children, so he wanted to combine them. Of course, it was Yanqi who would have to accommodate Congpei.

When Zhuang Ruolan heard this news, her expression turned sour, but Ma Peng spoke up with a smile, "Don’t worry, I’ll talk to father about this matter later."

After Ma Peng spoke with Ma Chengteng, he dropped the idea. However, the incident left Zhuang Ruolan feeling quite uncomfortable.

Cai Yun and Cai Yi both knew that a woman in confinement could not be agitated, or she might suffer lingering consequences. Therefore, they said only pleasant things, "Young lady, Eldest Young Master still cares deeply for you." No matter what, the Father-in-law came second; the husband was the priority.

Zhuang Ruolan thought about it and realized it was true. Her husband didn’t love Yanqi any less just because she was a girl, nor was he dissatisfied with Zhuang Ruolan for having two daughters. He was as affectionate as always. Zhuang Ruolan once again felt fortunate to have chosen Ma Peng.

The washing ceremonies for the two children were done almost back-to-back. Zhuang Ruolan let the matter go, concentrating on recovery. If she didn’t recuperate well during confinement, it could affect her for life.

Whenever Yueyao finished with household affairs and had some time, she would go and chat with Zhuang Ruolan and then spend time playing with Keyue.

Yueyao was actually aware of Ma Chengteng’s decision that day. If Lady Cheng, Ma Yue, or Ma Linlin had a conflict with Zhuang Ruolan, she would definitely take Zhuang Ruolan’s side. But now, she found herself in conflict with Ma Chengteng, making it difficult to side with anyone. Thus, silence was her only option.

Zhuang Ruolan knew how hard it was for Yueyao to maintain her silence, and she appreciated it deeply, given that Ma Chengteng doted on her as if she was his own daughter.

Time passed quickly, and the full moon celebration arrived. Since the two births were just one day apart, Ma Chengteng decided to hold the celebrations together. Ma Peng found it hard to refuse this time. After all, the babies were born merely a day apart, and it wasn’t reasonable to ask guests to attend twice, so he compromised.

However, Zhuang Ruolan was upset, "If we’re going to have a celebration, it should be on Yanqi’s full moon. Why must it be on Congpei’s day?" It was clear that the full moon celebration was mainly for Congpei, with Yanqi merely being included. It would have been better not to hold it at all.

Ma Peng tried to explain his reasons to Zhuang Ruolan, who understood that her husband was in a difficult position, but she still felt quite uncomfortable.

On the day of the full moon celebration, many guests arrived. Madam Tang welcomed the female guests, while Zhuang Ruolan was still in confinement.

Confinement periods vary in length. Madam Tang had a thirty-day confinement, while Zhuang Ruolan decided, based on the midwife’s advice, to play it safe and go for a forty-five-day confinement. Consequently, the guests passing through that day did not see Zhuang Ruolan and assumed that she had had a difficult delivery.

Hearing the lively sounds from outside, Zhuang Ruolan kissed her daughter’s cheek and said, "Yanqi, your mother has wronged you, making you suffer this indignity." Yet in her heart, Zhuang Ruolan was simmering with anger. She had managed everything in the Ma Family well, yet her Father-in-law gave her no respect and disregarded Yanqi completely.

Zhuang Ruolan herself had a strong temper. It was nearly noon before an old nanny came to take Yanqi out, which made her even more unhappy. She said, "Yanqi is not very well, she won’t be going out." She refused to have her daughter reduced to a mere accessory to Congpei. She would rather her daughter not appear at all than have her endure such humiliation.

Persuasion from Cai Yun was futile, and she sighed heavily. The Old Master knew that his family had produced another girl, and even if he said nothing, he was very dissatisfied. Cai Yun sighed inwardly, wishing the young lady had given birth to a son instead.

Seeing Zhuang Ruolan’s condition, Cai Yun quickly thought of something to say, "Madam, Yueyao isn’t feeling well; she’s currently in Begonia Garden and did not attend the full moon celebration."

Yueyao wasn’t feigning illness to skip the full moon celebration. She had suddenly felt dizzy the night before. She was not one to feign strength, knowing her health was the most important, so she immediately put aside her duties. If it weren’t for Yueyao stepping back, Madam Tang wouldn’t have taken over so quickly.

Zhuang Ruolan was very surprised, "Did you call for a doctor?"

Cai Yun shook her head, "We did. Elder Zhang prescribed a remedy. After taking one dose of the medicine, Miss refused to have more, claiming she has a strong constitution and it wasn’t a serious illness. She believed resting for a couple of days would suffice."

Zhuang Ruolan shook her head and said, "This child really is something. When you’re sick, you need to take medicine. Must someone say this? To actually dislike medicine for its bitterness and not take it, really. You go and alert her close attendants. Yueyao is young and thoughtless; they should persuade her more, not indulge her whims."

Cai Yun chuckled lightly, "Don’t worry, madam. I went to check when you laid down to rest earlier. Nanny Hao said she asked Elder Zhang. He mentioned that after taking the medicine and sweating it out, it’s fine if she doesn’t continue the medication and can get by naturally with some rest. But she needs to rest well for a couple of days and not overwork herself."

Zhuang Ruolan said, "Indeed, this child has been overburdened recently." There was the steward to manage, the need to offer her diversions, and herself having a pile of matters at hand. She couldn’t help but overwork her.

After hesitating for a moment, Cai Yun said, "Young lady, with Miss Yueyao being sick, the Second Young Madam is handling the affairs of the mansion now. What do you think?" The full moon celebration was entirely arranged by Madam Tang. Throughout the entire event, Madam Tang didn’t make a single mistake, proving that she is not to be underestimated. Cai Yun was worried because with Madam Tang being so capable, once she took charge of the household provisions, it would be difficult to take it back from her.

Zhuang Ruolan laughed lightly, "If she takes over, then let her. It’ll give me a break." Since her father-in-law was willing to let Madam Tang take over as steward, she could just drop the responsibility and focus on her health. After her confinement, she could devote herself entirely to her business.

Cai Yun became anxious, "Young lady, how can this be done?" It should be the young lady managing the household, but now it’s the Second Young Madam taking charge—what does that look like?

Zhuang Ruolan said with a smile, "No harm." If it were Lady Cheng handling the household affairs, she would definitely take back the stewardship in full. But with Madam Tang, she would observe for a while. They say time reveals a person’s heart. Letting Madam Tang manage for some time would reveal her true character.

Zhuang Ruolan believed that Madam Tang wouldn’t covet such trivial wealth. Of course, if Madam Tang did become greedy, she was not worried. The spending in the inner courtyard was fixed, with a set amount allocated monthly from the front courtyard. If anyone tried to embezzle, they wouldn’t be able to take much.

Upon remembering Madam Tang’s dowry, Cai Yun agreement with Zhuang Ruolan’s words, but she still worried that if Madam Tang took charge of the household provisions, Lady Cheng would step in. Regardless, Lady Cheng was the mother-in-law and Madam Tang, as her daughter-in-law, would have to obey her commands.

Zhuang Ruolan said with a chuckle, "Don’t underestimate Madam Tang." Ever since Ma Yue married Madam Tang, he had improved. Working at the Yamen, he had gained commendations from his superiors and became very responsible. Such a wise woman would not be easily manipulated by Lady Cheng.

Zhuang Ruolan continued with a smile, "My father-in-law really chose the right bride for my uncle." Family background and such are superficial—having a wife who can win over her husband and incite his ambition is truly rare. Ma Yue was lucky to find a gem.

Madam Tang had taken over the full moon celebration unwillingly, and at the time, Nanny Hao and Nanny Deng also went over to help, which prevented any mistakes. Yet unexpectedly, because of this, Ma Chengteng let her manage the household. It was proper for the Eldest Cousin-in-law to manage the household, but for her, from the second branch, to do so would sound improper. Nevertheless, it was her father-in-law’s command, and she had no choice. Madam Tang planned to hand over the stewardship once Zhuang Ruolan finished her confinement.

After Yueyao recovered from her illness and rested for two days, she no longer managed the internal affairs of Ma’s Mansion. Yueyao knew without going out that Ma Chengteng treated his grandson like a precious treasure, and everyone in the mansion knew it. Yet for Yanqi, born just a day apart, there wasn’t even a splash.

Sometimes, Yueyao truly did not understand what her Uncle Master was thinking. He was utterly muddled in managing family affairs. It was right to love one’s grandson, but this was too much. Favoring one over the other would certainly cause the Eldest Cousin-in-law to be dissatisfied. Discord between sisters-in-law would inevitably affect the brothers’ relationship. The Eldest Young Master originally disliked Ma Yue, and it took so much for him to soften his attitude, but now Uncle Master made such a move.

As a family head, he should treat everyone equally; only then could the family live in harmony. Uncle Master’s actions could provoke conflict among the brothers.

Yueyao sighed softly. If it were other matters, she might have tried to persuade Uncle Master, but in these household affairs, she didn’t want to intervene. Regardless, she was from the Lian family, not the Ma family; getting too involved would only make her disliked.

Nanny Hao did not quite agree with Yueyao’s approach. She felt Yueyao was too straightforward and even doing a bit of surface-level work to maintain a good relationship with Madam Tang would be advisable. Yueyao’s indifference could certainly offend Madam Tang. She earnestly said, "Miss, I know you don’t like the Second Young Madam, but you should at least maintain superficial civility. Otherwise, you will suffer in the future." Since the Uncle Master had a grandson, he had begun to regard Ma Yue even more highly, and the direction of the wind in the mansion would soon change.

Yueyao chuckled lightly, "Nanny, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing." Since she had decided to cultivate a good relationship with the Eldest Cousin-in-law and his wife, she would persist in this path. As for offending Madam Tang, so be it. She had always had a poor relationship with Lady Cheng and Ma Yue, and having thwarted Lady Cheng’s plans several times, Lady Cheng despised her to the bone and would certainly not let her off the hook if she found an opportunity. With this being the situation, she didn’t even want to maintain the appearance of civility. Being on opposite sides, there was no need to humble herself to satisfy others. Madam Tang might not like it, but she was Lady Cheng’s legitimate daughter-in-law from the beginning, on the opposing side, so she wouldn’t try to ingratiate herself—just maintaining superficial politeness would suffice.

Nanny Hao was very worried.

Yueyao said with a smile, "Don’t worry, there’s nothing to fear." Yueyao felt Nanny Hao’s worries were completely unnecessary. Even if Uncle Master was biased towards Ma Yue for the time being, so what? Ma Yue was improving and becoming diligent, but could he ever surpass the Eldest Young Master? The Eldest Young Master was a genuinely educated scholar with the strong support of his wife’s family. As long as nothing unexpected happened, Ma Yue could never outdo the Eldest Young Master in his lifetime.