Chapter Thirty-Four: The Old Lady's Relatives

In the afternoon, the sun burned red in the western sky, yet the grand reception hall in the front courtyard of the Xie residence and several passageways, along with any rooms that might be needed, were already illuminated by palace lanterns. The sheer opulence was astonishing.

But for Xue Fanzhi, such splendor had long ceased to amaze. In her previous life, Xiao Yi had heard that the Xie family’s cooks were renowned for their culinary skills and wished to let Xue Fanzhi taste their dishes. Coincidentally, someone below had sent a cook into the palace who had once worked at the Xie estate. Xiao Yi ordered her to prepare a meal for Xue Fanzhi, yet the woman proved incapable. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that while she had indeed served in the Xie kitchen, the staff were so numerous that her sole duty was to peel scallions.

True nobility is built upon the lives, time, and labor of others.

This banquet at the Xie household was not particularly large, with reception areas set only in the front courtyard and the gardens. All those attending understood that gatherings between prominent families like the Wang and Xie were typically sanctioned by the court: firstly, to reassure those who had moved south, and secondly, because each family had grown sons and daughters—just as the emperor himself still had five or six sons who had yet to choose brides. These meetings served as opportunities for matchmaking.

Thus, although the men and women were separated, there was a garden between them, allowing furtive glances.

Xue Fanzhi had arrived with the Lady Xue. Upon their arrival, they were promptly escorted to the main chamber in the rear courtyard. Xue Fanzhi had certainly never visited the Xie residence in her previous life, but judging from the arrangement of pine stones and other furnishings, she could tell the occupant was an elderly matron.

Yet Lady Xie Feng’s wife had been dead for many years, and Xie Feng had never remarried. Whose chamber was this?

The room was not silent, but neither was it as bustling as outside; it felt like a “world apart.”

Growing increasingly curious, Xue Fanzhi followed obediently behind Lady Xue. When the maid lifted the curtain and they entered, Xue Fanzhi saw a wealthy old woman with snow-white hair seated on a divan, waiting for something. Upon seeing them, her face broke into a kindly smile.

“Yun-niang, you’ve come!”

Shen Yun—Lady Xue’s maiden name.

Lady Xue stepped forward and performed a formal bow, then said, “Aunt, are you still in good health? Your niece is unfilial, coming only now to pay respects!”

Xue Fanzhi was startled; without being told, she knew this woman was a prominent elder of the Xie family, perhaps even Xie Feng’s mother. But how was she related to her grandmother? In all her life, past or present, no one had ever mentioned any connection between Lady Xue and the Xie family.

Xue Fanzhi’s guess was correct: this old lady was indeed Xie Feng’s biological mother, the Grand Lady Xie.

Grand Lady Xie also hailed from the Shen family and was within five degrees of kinship to Lady Xue, making them very close. However, Lady Xue had no children or descendants, so she never mentioned her relationship with Grand Lady Xie in public, and thus the family was unaware. Yet Shen family women, even if distant, often kept in touch; Lady Xue and Grand Lady Xie corresponded frequently.

Lady Xue now called to Xue Fanzhi, “Eighth Daughter, pay your respects to the grand matron, call her Great Aunt Grandmother!”

Xue Fanzhi blinked her innocent eyes and knelt before Grand Lady Xie, bowing deeply.

“Greetings, Great Aunt Grandmother!”

Grand Lady Xie’s smile grew warmer. “So this is Yun-niang’s granddaughter! How grown she is! What a lovely child—fair and gentle, she surely is blessed.”

As she spoke, Grand Lady Xie unfastened a jade pendant from her waist and beckoned Xue Fanzhi. “A little trinket, worn by myself and consecrated, quite effective—I hope it brings you good fortune!”

The jade was translucent and exquisite, clearly no ordinary item, and from the inscription, it seemed crafted by a renowned artisan. And after all, the Xie family’s possessions could hardly be inferior.

Xue Fanzhi found it too precious to accept.

Lady Xue, seeing that Grand Lady Xie had given no other greeting gift and had taken this directly from her person, understood that Grand Lady Xie was greatly impressed by Xue Fanzhi.

She urged, “Eighth Daughter, accept it. The grand matron cherishes you—just remember her fondness for you!”

Grand Lady Xie chuckled, “Indeed, one must not decline a gift from an elder!”

Grand Lady Xie happily tied the jade at Xue Fanzhi’s waist, and Xue Fanzhi could only accept it with reluctance.

Soon after, Grand Lady Xie inquired whether Xue Fanzhi was betrothed. Lady Xue did not give a direct answer, only saying there were discussions of marriage. Grand Lady Xie advised, “Such a fine child must keep her eyes open—do not marry carelessly!”

Lady Xue promised to heed her counsel.

Later, it seemed Grand Lady Xie wished to speak privately with Lady Xue. After all, they were aunt and niece and had not seen each other in years. Certainly, they would want to reminisce. Grand Lady Xie sent for two young ladies of the Xie family, close in age to Xue Fanzhi.

They were the legitimate Thirteenth and Fourteenth Daughters of the main branch of the Xie family.

Grand Lady Xie introduced, “These are my grand-nieces!” She instructed them, “Eighth Daughter is your sister—take good care of her, and no mischief!”

Both girls assented readily.

Then the servants escorted Xue Fanzhi out to play.

Before she left, Grand Lady Xie reminded her, “Treat this as your own home. If anyone troubles you, come to your Great Aunt Grandmother—don’t be shy!”

Xue Fanzhi agreed.

But once outside, events unfolded quite differently from the grand matron’s intentions.

The Fourteenth Daughter, upon seeing the jade at Xue Fanzhi’s waist, was displeased. She sneered, “Who knows what distant kin you are, and yet I’m expected to accompany you—how presumptuous!”

From one glance at the two young ladies, Xue Fanzhi could tell the Fourteenth Daughter would be difficult. The Thirteenth Daughter had a round, silver-bright face, large eyes and a high nose, handsome and dignified. The Fourteenth Daughter was more striking, yet her upward-tilted gaze revealed a harsh temperament.

Moreover, Xue Fanzhi knew that though both girls were Xie Feng’s granddaughters, the Thirteenth Daughter belonged to the eldest branch, while the Fourteenth was a child of the second, born to a favored concubine. In truth, the Fourteenth was not legitimate but a bastard; though this matter had not yet come to light.

In her previous life, it would be exposed during Xiao Yi’s bridal selection, when the Wen family revealed the truth. Afterwards, both the Fourteenth Daughter and her mother, having violated family rules, would be executed by Xie Feng.

How could Xue Fanzhi bother with someone fated to die? She did not even glance at the Fourteenth Daughter.

Infuriated, the Fourteenth tried to drag the Thirteenth away to leave her behind.

The Thirteenth Daughter, seeing the jade at Xue Fanzhi’s waist—an item Grand Lady Xie kept close, never given even to daughters, granddaughters, or great-granddaughters—realized Grand Lady Xie wished to honor Xue Fanzhi.

The Fourteenth hurried to restrain the Thirteenth, whispering, “How could we neglect such a distinguished guest?”

Then she smiled warmly at Xue Fanzhi. “Sister, it’s your first time at the Xie residence, isn’t it? Fourteenth and I will show you around the gardens.”