Chapter 15
After Yin Rao'er arrived at the residence, Qiao Hezhi was summoned to Changshou Hall and kept there for the entire afternoon. Although he was supposedly called to chat and keep the guest company, he didn't manage to get a single word in.
After Yin Rao'er arrived, she immediately took Madam Chen's hand and started talking about domestic trivialities, discussing nothing but farming and mulberry trees. She then went on about all sorts of petty gossip from the village: how the east neighbor's house had a section collapse from the rain, how the west neighbor's child was being mischievous and trampled the vegetable patch, and so on. Yet, Madam Chen seemed to enjoy it immensely, even bursting into hearty laughter several times."
Although Qiao Hezhi knew a bit about farming, he had never actually done the fieldwork himself. Madam Chen, however, was born into a farming family and had spent most of her life in the fields. Yin Rao'er shared the same background, so they naturally conversed happily. He sat there for no reason, like a vase, watching the two act affectionately filial, and was even subjected to sarcastic remarks from time to time.
Seeing that he was merely a foil, Qiao Hezhi simply stopped speaking and quietly observed Yin Rao'er.
Although this name had been like a thorn in his heart since his wedding night, this was actually the first time he had seen this person. It was somewhat unexpected. He originally thought the girl whom Fang Yu couldn't forget must be quite beautiful, but that turned out not to be the case.
Yin Rao'er was petite with a broad face. She couldn't be called pretty, but she had the kind of 'husband-prospering' appearance that parents often favored—a healthy complexion and sturdy build that Madam Chen would immediately approve of as being ideal for bearing children.
[[旺夫相 (wàng fū xiàng): lit. husband-prospering appearance; fig. a traditional Chinese belief that a woman's facial features or aura can bring good fortune, success, and prosperity to her husband (a full face, rounded chin, broad forehead, clear and calm eyes, well-defined eyebrows, and a straight nose)]
Looking at the Yin family girl, who was so well-liked by Madam Chen and also cherished by Fang Yu, Qiao Hezhi couldn't help but feel envy. He thought that Fang Yu's goodness must be expressed even more thoroughly for her, whereas the little bit he received was probably just a small space allotted from the corner of his heart.
Later in the afternoon, Yin Rao'er volunteered to make ginger soup for Fang Yu and go meet him after his classes. Qiao Hezhi had nothing to say, he assumed Fang Yu would be happy to see her, and saw no need to intrude on their time together, thinking it was more important to finish mending his clothes quickly so he wouldn't suffer from the cold again. After all, Fang Yu would always come home eventually, he would see him sooner or later.
So he returned to his room. He had only just taken a few stitches when he heard a servant rush in to report that Yin Rao'er had scalded her hand.
He brought ointment and hurried over. Madam Chen was already clamoring to invite a physician. He observed that Yin Rao'er's hand was only slightly reddened from the scalding, such minor bumps and knocks were unavoidable when cooking and were hardly serious. Applying the ointment would quickly heal it.
But Madam Chen said: "Is Rao’er scalding her hand such a trivial matter that it doesn’t warrant calling a physician? She burned herself making soup for Yu’er! Why don't we ever see you make a bowl of soup for him? Usually, for any little headache or fever, you're quicker than anyone to call a physician. So you're precious enough for a physician, but Rao'er isn't worthy?"
Qiao Hezhi's face darkened, but having grown accustomed to Madam Chen's harsh, grating words, it wasn't as unbearable as it had been at first.
"That's not what I meant. It's just that rather than wasting time waiting for a physician, it's better to apply ointment first to relieve the pain. If you, Mother, want to call a physician, I will have a servant go and fetch one immediately."
Madam Chen added: "Also, go have the servants buy some good dishes. Rao'er won't be going back today. You go and make the arrangements."
Qiao Hezhi frowned and looked at Yin Rao'er: "Miss Cousin is of a marriageable age and yet unmarried. Staying alone overnight could damage her reputation. Furthermore, her family will surely worry if she does not return home for so long."
"Are you truly foolish or just pretending? Rao'er is going to marry into our Fang family in the future."
"But nothing has been settled between the two families yet."
"Auntie, Sister-in-law doesn't like me staying. Rao'er should go back now. I originally wanted to chat more with you, Auntie." Seeing the situation, Yin Rao'er on the side looked wronged but feigned understanding: "Rao'er won't cause any more trouble for Sister-in-law."
Qiao Hezhi looked deeply at Yin Rao'er and was about to speak when Madam Chen burst out.
"This is rebellion! Who is in charge of this house, you or me?!" Madam Chen was seething, on the verge of an explosion. "Just because you served Yu'er for a single night, you think you can put on airs?! If it weren't for Rao'er, do you think my son would even glance in your direction?"
Hearing this, the two of them had different reactions. Yin Rao'er's eyes widened: "C-Cousin... you consummated the marriage?"
Then, as swiftly as a summer storm, her tears began to fall. Her face became a mask of utter heartbreak, as if she were the most wronged person in the world: "Cousin promised me he would never let me down. First, he failed by not making me his rightful wife. Now he has failed me a second time. It must be that Young Master Qiao is simply too captivating, causing my cousin to forget his promise to me so soon."
Realizing her blunder, Madam Chen cried out, "Aiyo!" and hurriedly soothed Yin Rao'er: "My silly child, he didn't want to do it either! It was all Auntie's doing—I pressured him! You know how few male heirs the Fang family has. Your cousin only did it for your future! That Qiao family was so relentless in their demands. It's nearly the third month now; once spring arrives, your cousin will send a bridal sedan to bring you home."
Qiao Hezhi stood utterly stunned. Being treated as if he were invisible was insulting enough, but Madam Chen's words struck him like an unexpected plunge into icy water, so chilling that his eyes stung with unshed tears. He could no longer hold back from demanding, "What are you implying, Mother?"
Madam Chen knew that today she would offend one side no matter what. She had to pick the soft persimmon to pinch. After all, Yin Rao'er wasn't officially part of the family yet, and considering all the resources she had already invested in the girl; if she turned around and married someone else, that would be a devastating loss.
[捏软柿子 (niē ruǎn shìzi): lit. to pinch a soft persimmon; fig. to bully or take advantage of someone who is weak, timid, or vulnerable.]
"Rao'er and Yu'er grew up together as childhood sweethearts and were originally going to marry. If your family hadn't been so eager to find you a scholar-family status so you could register under it in the future, forcing a marriage with our family, Rao'er and my son would have married long ago. Before the wedding, you promised clearly, but after the wedding, you changed your tune and wouldn't allow a concubine. I don't know what kind of prosperous family's rule that is!"
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