Phi-Fic Chapter 412 Her Reliance!
Chapter 412 Her Reliance!
When the head steward De'an and Aunt Fang arrived at the Lu residence, they had a different idea. The prince and princess intended to support the eldest son of the Lu family. They were both veterans who had been working for many years, so they naturally wouldn't explain their intentions too clearly. They only said that they had come at the princess's order.
Because the two of them didn't mention any rewards in their conversation, Master Lu and Madam Lu didn't take it too seriously. They simply had someone invite them to the front hall.
The two walked down the corridor and, before reaching the front hall, they heard a woman's rebuking voice clearly.
"Feng'er, this is the good wife you married! While her mother-in-law is sick at home, she goes straight to the Prince's Mansion to eat, drink, and have fun, leaving me, her mother-in-law, at home without even coming to take care of me. Is this the rule of the Liu family?"
A moment later, Lu Shaofeng's voice came, "Mother, this is an invitation from the Princess Consort, we can't possibly refuse. Besides, when has my sister-in-law ever served you these past few days? She goes out to drink tea and watch operas every day, and you haven't scolded her once. My wife only went to the Prince's residence once, and you criticize her like this. People who know her will think you don't like her, and people who don't know her will think you're deliberately going against the Prince's residence. Mother, can't you be a little fairer to my wife?"
Master Lu's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Alright, Madam, I gave my permission for my eldest daughter-in-law to go to the Prince's residence. The Princess invited her; how dare she refuse?"
Madam Lu snorted coldly, "Master, even if you can't refuse, does it have to be drinking and making merry at home until this late?"
Another somewhat sarcastic voice rang out, "That's right, sister-in-law, if you can't refuse, you can't come back so late, can you? What do you take the Lu family for?"
Liu's face showed restraint, and her eyes were already red. Lu Shaofeng, emboldened by the alcohol and the advice given by the prince and princess earlier, suddenly became much more sober.
"Enough! Second sister-in-law, is this how you speak to your elder sister-in-law? Second brother, your wife is disrespectful to your elder sister-in-law, and you just stand by and watch? If word gets out, will the reputation of our Lu family be ruined?"
These words were a bit harsh, but Lu Shaohua understood that his elder brother was right. He was simply used to it, and when he looked up and saw the displeasure in his father's eyes as he looked at his wife, he immediately pulled him aside, saying, "Shut up! How can you speak to your sister-in-law like that?"
Just as the second young mistress was about to refute Lu Shaohua again, the steward announced that the people from the Prince's Mansion had arrived.
"Please come in quickly." Master Lu also stood up. His wife was clueless and didn't bother to pay her respects, but he was a clear-headed person. The master here right now was Prince Chang Le, not the Crown Prince!
"Greetings to Lord Lu."
"No need for formalities. May I ask what brings you two here at this hour? Has His Highness summoned you?"
Everyone in the hall stood up and took a few steps forward. After all, this was the chief steward of the Prince's mansion. As for Aunt Fang, she was dressed in the official robes of a third-rank female official from the palace. No one in this room had a higher rank than her.
Lord Lu was an official appointed by the imperial court and held a noble title, so naturally he did not need to perform the proper etiquette. However, the others were not so fortunate.
Madam Lu was resentful. She thought to herself that she was a noblewoman of the court, while the woman before her was merely a female official, or to put it bluntly, just a maidservant of the princess. Why should she, a lady of high status, have to perform such a grand ceremony for her?
Madam Lu's rank was a fourth-grade imperial consort, but the Aunt Fang in front of her was a third-grade imperial lady-in-waiting, which was two ranks higher than her!
However, Madam Lu felt that she came from the Xie family in the capital and was also the Crown Princess's cousin, so she only curtsied and did not insist on performing a full curtsy.
Aunt Fang naturally understood what she meant, but simply nodded and smiled without saying a word.
Liu, who was standing to the side, immediately recognized the official robes worn by Madam Lu and performed the kneeling ceremony in a very proper manner. Madam Yang, the second young mistress, pursed her lips slightly and simply curtsied.
Aunt Fang narrowed her eyes, walked to the side, and helped Liu up. "Please rise, Madam Liu."
"Before I came here, I only heard that Madam Lu was a fourth-rank imperial consort in the household. But is this lady also of a higher rank than me? Otherwise, why does she not show me the proper respect?"
Yang's expression changed, becoming quite unpleasant. Turning her head, she saw her mother-in-law's somewhat accusing gaze and felt embarrassed. She had no choice but to kneel down in front of everyone.
Madam Lu showed no intention of speaking up for her, and her expression was rather unfriendly. You see, Aunt Fang's words just now had even criticized her, the lady of the house!
As a fourth-rank noblewoman, she didn't even bow to her. This clearly shows that she was not respected. If this gets back to the palace, even the Crown Princess won't be able to speak up for her!
Aunt Fang merely glanced coldly at Madam Yang without saying a word, then turned to Madam Liu, saying, "This was specially ordered by the Princess Consort to be delivered to the residence by me. The eldest young mistress is skilled at playing the zither, and the Princess Consort said that if she has time, she should often visit the Prince's residence."
"Yes, this humble woman thanks Your Highness for your kindness."
Yang, standing to the side, was somewhat anxious. She had initially intended to stand up in anger, but upon meeting her mother-in-law's fierce gaze, she could only suppress her rage and remain kneeling motionless. If Aunt Fang didn't tell her to get up, how could she, a mere commoner, dare to rise on her own?
"The Princess said that the eldest young mistress is gentle and refined, and it is truly a match made in heaven for Young Master Lu to marry such a woman. I congratulate Lord Lu. With such a well-mannered and talented young mistress, the Lu family is sure to rise even higher in the future."
"Thank you for your praise, Aunt Fang. I don't deserve it." Liu was a little flustered. How could she accept it in front of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law?
Aunt Fang didn't say anything more, she just raised her eyebrows slightly, and then returned to the mansion with Chief Steward De'an.
From beginning to end, Aunt Fang never looked at Yang Shi directly, and when she left, she didn't even ask her to get up.
Lord Lu ordered Madam Liu and Lu Shaofeng to escort Aunt Fang and Chief Steward De'an to the door. Before they returned, he whispered, "You saw what happened today. From now on, don't use your status as the eldest daughter-in-law to make things up again!"
Madam Lu felt a tightness in her chest, as if a breath was stuck in her throat, causing her unbearable discomfort.
With the help of her maid, Madam Yang stood up, clenching her teeth, her eyes fixed on the door with a vicious look, as if she wished that Madam Liu would never return!
Unfortunately, Lu Shaofeng and his wife soon reappeared unharmed in the front hall. Lu Shaofeng's younger brother, Lu Shaohua, also looked somewhat displeased, and his gaze towards Lu Shaofeng was filled with anger.