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Just as she was about to instruct Cailian to keep a close eye on what Third Sister needed, a commotion suddenly came from the west wing. Axiu raised her eyebrows and was about to go out when Xiaoyuan quickly pulled her back, saying, "Why are you running around with your pregnant belly? Hurry up and sit down. The housekeeper will take care of things outside."

When Ah Xiu heard that the housekeeper was there, she became even more worried. Although she dared not go out against Xiao Yuan's wishes, she leaned out the window and looked around.

Three women can put on a show, let alone nine. The housekeeper, Aunt Meng, stood there, unsure of who to advise. Xiqing, on the other hand, remained calm and pointed at them one by one, saying, "Don't you all take a look in the mirror? Which one of you is worthy of the young master? You should all go out and find a proper match."

A maid sent by Aunt Cheng said sarcastically, "You are quite pretty, but how come you haven't been promoted to concubine? You haven't even earned a maidservant."

These words struck a nerve with Xiqing, and he instantly became enraged, rushing forward and wrestling with her.

Aunt Meng stamped her foot and said, "Fine, if you have any troubles, go and tell the old lady over there. No matter how much you fight here, Madam Tian won't stand up for you."

Seeing them fighting, Ah Xiu ignored Xiao Yuan's instructions and rushed out despite being heavily pregnant. In a panic, Cai Lian quickly pushed two maids and told them to go and support her.

Xiao Yuan's eyelids twitched. She had underestimated the housekeeper's good intentions. It seemed that her second aunt and eldest sister would be coming to her soon.

Cailian looked at her, then at the outside, and said anxiously, "Madam, what if something happens to Sister Xiu if she rushes out like this?"

Xiao Yuan sighed and said, "Cheng Fu didn't go out with the young master today, so quickly call him to coax his wife back."

Cheng Fu was in the study at that moment, trying to persuade Cheng Mutian: "Young Master, you've just gotten married and you're hiding in the study. How can you save face for your wife?"

Cheng Mutian was already regretting it in his heart, but he said aloud, "It's a pity that she has known me for so many years, yet she still insists on taking a concubine. Isn't she just trying to make me angry?"

Cheng Fu continued to persuade him, "Young master, Madam is probably just teasing you. If she were telling the truth, I'd gladly give her my head." He chuckled to himself as he finished speaking, almost saying that all women are like that—they speak sweetly but are secretly filled with jealousy.

Cheng Mutian slowly realized what was happening and wanted to get up and go back to check, but he didn't know how to back down. Just then, he heard Cailian's voice outside, so he quickly went out and asked, "Does Madam need to see me?"

Cailian rolled her eyes and nodded in agreement. After Cheng Mutian walked ahead, she secretly gave Cheng Fu a wink, telling him to follow. She whispered, "There's a commotion in the courtyard. You should quickly pull Sister Xiu back to avoid any accidents." Cheng Fu panicked upon hearing this and hurriedly chased after Cheng Mutian.

Cailian deliberately lagged behind a few steps and quietly entered the house through the back door of the courtyard, telling Xiaoyuan, "Madam, the young master has returned."

Xiao Yuan was taken aback: "Why did he come back at this time? Knowing his personality, if he saw this kind of commotion, he would definitely kick them all out."

Cailian was about to ask, "Wouldn't it be better to kick them all out?" when she saw Cheng Mutian come in with a stern face, lifting the curtain. She glanced at Xiaoyuan and quickly retreated.

"With such a commotion outside, aren't you, the matriarch of the household, going to do anything about it? Get them all out of here right now!" Cheng Mutian said, barely suppressing his anger, pointing outside.

Xiao Yuan was full of resentment: "You make it sound so easy. These 'ancestors' were either sent by your second aunt or your eldest sister. If I kick them all out today, they won't be able to sleep peacefully tomorrow."

Cheng Mutian was speechless for a moment before slowly walking over and sitting down next to Xiaoyuan. He took her hand and said, "I'm sorry to have wronged you. Father always dotes on my eldest sister. I refused the maid she sent several times, and I was even scolded by Father a few times."

Xiao Yuan sensed the apology in his words, and her heart softened. She grasped his hand in return and said, "It's easy to talk about my eldest sister. No matter how many maids they send, you won't like them anyway. It's just those few that my second aunt sent..."

Xiao Yuan hesitated, but Cheng Mutian knew what she was thinking. He smiled wryly and said, "Actually, it wouldn't matter if all the maids that Second Aunt sent were sent away, but I don't want Eldest Sister to have too much power. Don't worry, I specifically instructed that our food is being watched by special people, and they can't get close to us."

Xiao Yuan looked at his slightly furrowed brows and suddenly felt an overwhelming pang of heartache. She had thought she was being very careful in the manor, but she hadn't expected that Erlang was also having such a hard time. "Fool, how can you sleep soundly at night with someone like that around? Let me get rid of him for you. Anyway, Second Aunt is a distant relative, so offending her won't be a big deal. But what good does Eldest Sister get from sending people to you all the time?"

Cheng Mutian nodded and said, "I was confused for a moment. People like that should have been dealt with long ago. From now on, you can make the decisions about the family. You don't need to come and report to me." After saying that, he looked at her with a smile and said, "My elder sister wanted to marry her husband's cousin into our family, but you beat her to it. Naturally, she hates you."

Xiao Yuan suddenly realized and laughed, "So it was I who offended her first, but I dare not resolve such resentment."

Seeing the smile on her face but the redness in her eyes, Cheng Mutian reached out and hugged her tightly, whispering, "I'm sorry you had to suffer."

Xiao Yuan's gloom dissipated, and she thought to herself, "If husband and wife are of one mind, what is there to fear?"

When Cailian came in, she saw the couple embracing and quickly stepped back outside the curtain. "Young master, madam, Aunt Meng has sent those seven maids away. She said they will come to pay their respects later."

Hearing Cailian's voice, Xiaoyuan hurriedly pushed Cheng Mutian away, saying, "Go take a walk in the garden and come back for dinner."

Cheng Mutian knew very well that the servants at home were in a mess, and he was just about to ask Xiaoyuan to clean things up. So he got up and said, "The bitter melon at noon was good. Make some more tonight, just don't forget to add salt."

Xiao Yuan immediately knew that he knew she hadn't cooked the lunch, and she was so embarrassed that she didn't know what to do with her hands and feet. Even after Cheng Mutian left, her face was still burning hot.

After a while, Aunt Meng followed Cailian in and handed over several booklets: "Madam, those maids have been sent out to be married to servants as you instructed; here is the roster of the servants in the house. After you have reviewed it, I will have them come to kowtow tomorrow."

Xiao Yuan gave her a deep look: "I'm not free tomorrow. My second aunt and eldest sister are probably coming." She paused and then said: "I really like Xiqing. She's good-looking. Since a few maids have left, the courtyard is empty. Let's get her a bigger room and raise her monthly salary."

Meng Sao was a little uneasy after hearing Xiao Yuan's previous words, but now that she saw that Xiao Yuan was going to promote Xi Qing to be a concubine, she felt relieved and happily agreed. She then turned around and went out to help Xi Qing tidy up the house.

A-Yun went to take a look and came back pouting, saying that Aunt Meng had provided the best of everything for the festive occasion. Xiao-Yuan just smiled and asked, "Did Zhi-Lan cause any trouble?"

Ayun shook her head and said, "No, she's quietly in her room."

Cailian smiled and said, "Just as Madam predicted."

Xiao Yuan stood up and said, "Let's go make our bitter melon salad. But remember to remind me not to forget to add salt."

The maids all laughed and surrounded her as she went to the kitchen.

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Fight Between Fish and Clams (Part 1)

Xiqing's eyes kept glancing at the main house. Seeing Xiaoyuan leave, he hurriedly said to Meng Sao, "I listened to what you said and didn't cause trouble in front of Madam. Now that Madam is not here, I can go now."

Aunt Meng was both amused and exasperated, lamenting that her eldest sister had chosen such a brainless girl. "My dear Qing, you're about to become a concubine, and instead of trying to curry favor with Madam Xie, you're rushing to show off in front of Zhilan. What good did you do by stabbing her?"

Xiqing was preoccupied with the fact that the maid from Aunt Cheng's side had mocked her earlier, and she was determined to get revenge. She wouldn't listen to what Aunt Meng said. She put on a full head of jewelry and rushed to the next room, but instead of going in, she leaned against the door frame and shouted, "Didn't you say I couldn't get the position of concubine? Look at this!"

Zhilan sat at the table, holding a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other, not even glancing at the doorway, as if she hadn't seen her at all.

Seeing her like this, Xiqing felt even more humiliated. He rushed in, snatched Zhilan's book, tore it to shreds in a few strokes, and threw the tea in her hand onto the bluestone floor. "I'll let you know how powerful I am. Don't mess with me again."

Zhilan harbored deep resentment, but showed no sign of it on her face. She was the most cunning of the maids sent by Aunt Cheng, and she usually pretended to be arrogant in order to hide her incompetence. Now that Xiqing had come to humiliate her, she had already thought of several ways to take revenge.

Meng Sao first hid under the corridor to watch, but when she saw that Xiqing was making a scene, and was afraid of offending Aunt Cheng, she went over and persuaded her to come out. "Xiqing, what you just did will definitely not be hidden from Madam. Instead of waiting for Madam to punish you, you should take the initiative to admit your mistake now."

Xiqing was very dismissive, but she was afraid that Xiaoyuan would refuse to give her the title of concubine, so she reluctantly went to the kitchen to find Xiaoyuan and "justifiably" recounted how she had taught Zhilan a lesson.

Xiao Yuan was just waiting for them to fight over the fish and clam, so she didn't comment on the matter. She just took her hand affectionately, asked her if she needed anything, and told her to pick some vegetables to take home and eat.

Xiqing was flattered and became even more smug. He carried the two dishes that Xiaoyuan had given him, walked around in front of Zhilan's door for a while, and then went back to his room, which made Zhilan so angry that she almost fell over.

The next morning, the eldest sister of the Cheng family came to the door. She originally wanted to have a good talk with Xiaoyuan, but after the housekeeper reported the latest news, she changed her mind and asked in surprise, "She really wants to promote Xiqing to be a concubine?"

The housekeeper nodded and said, "We've moved houses. Our monthly wages have increased. All that's left is to hold a banquet to officially establish our status."

Sister Cheng assumed that Xiao Yuan was respectful to her. She said smugly, "She's smart enough to let me go today."

Ayun, hiding under the eaves, overheard their entire conversation. She returned and recounted it to Xiaoyuan. Xiaoyuan laughed, "Like master, like servant! Quickly prepare tea. Without Eldest Sister, I can't handle Second Aunt's situation."

The tea had just been brewed when Sister Cheng entered the room. She went straight to the point and asked, "Fourth Sister, this isn't our first meeting. Let's get straight to the point. When do you plan to officially grant Xiqing her title?"

"How can a sister-in-law bring up this land on the second day of a wedding?" All the maids in the room glared at Sister Cheng. Xiao Yuan chuckled inwardly, but feigned a troubled expression. She sighed heavily. "Sister, having children for the Cheng family is a major matter. I'm even more anxious than you are. But there's still Zhi Lan there."

Sister Cheng said anxiously, "Zhilan is so ugly. How could Erlang possibly be interested in her?"

“That’s right, Erlang said the same thing, he absolutely refuses to take them all as concubines.” Xiaoyuan said with a worried look, “If we only take Xiqing as a concubine, I’m afraid Second Aunt won’t be happy…”

“What’s so difficult about that?” Sister Cheng interrupted her, stood up and walked outside. “I’ll take care of Second Aunt. I need to see another Concubine Xi in this courtyard within three days.”

Although it was all an act, Xiao Yuan sat for a long time without catching her breath. This kind of life was truly not for ordinary people. She became even more determined to get rid of all the servants who had connections with her sister-in-law as soon as possible.

After Sister Cheng left her parents' home and visited her second uncle's residence, Aunt Cheng became restless. However, she did not want to go there in person and cause a scene, so she secretly sent a message to Zhilan, asking her to sneak out of the residence at dusk.

The maids had already received Xiao Yuan's instructions, so they hid and concealed themselves, allowing Zhi Lan to smoothly make arrangements with the gatekeeper and leave the mansion to meet Second Aunt Cheng.

Aunt Cheng remained seated in the sedan chair, asking through the curtain, "Was anyone seen when you came out?"

Zhilan shook her head and said, "No, the young mistress said she wanted to take a bath, so the maids all went to the pool with her."

Aunt Cheng continued, "You've all been in Erlang's courtyard for quite some time now, but none of you have accomplished anything. This time, some of you were even sent away. Have you all forgotten my instructions and are now just like those festive guests, eager to climb the ranks?"

Zhilan hurriedly said, "Zhilan wouldn't dare. It's precisely because of this festive occasion that we're trying to make things happen. She's a bit dim-witted, and these past few days she's been thinking about currying favor with the young master. I'll go and encourage her to cook a few dishes and send them to the young master. As long as she can get the young master to have a sip of wine or a bite of food, this will be a success."

Aunt Cheng was very satisfied with her plan and reminded her, "Don't forget to put the medicine in the food and drink beforehand. After you've put the medicine in, remember to secretly throw the medicine packet in the festive room so that no one can find any evidence against you."

Zhilan nodded and said, "Yes, my wife and I have thought of everything perfectly. We will definitely put the medicine in the food and wine in advance."

Aunt Cheng said with satisfaction, "Yes, that's right. Be careful, and you'll be well rewarded after it's done."

Zhilan nodded in agreement, went back to fetch a hairpin, found the festive room, and pleaded with her, "Good sister, seeing that you have a secure future, I'm still undecided about my own life. I'm thinking of making a few dishes to please the young master, but I don't know his tastes. Sister, please teach me..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiqing jumped up, stabbed the hairpin straight at her face, and cursed, "You little slut who's asking for trouble! I haven't even gotten close to the young master yet, how could it be your turn?" Still not satisfied with cursing, she grabbed Zhilan and slapped her hard a few more times.

After sending Zhilan away, she felt a growing sense of unease. Although the mistress was going to grant him a title, it would all be for naught if she couldn't win the young master's favor. If that little slut Zhilan really got there first, where would she put her face? The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. The next morning, she rushed to the small kitchen to prepare breakfast for the young master. She steamed two baskets of buns and stir-fried three side dishes. Finding it inconvenient with so many people in the kitchen, she carried the food into her own room and sprinkled a bottle of aphrodisiac powder that her elder sister had given her into the dishes.

While Xiqing was busy preparing, she suddenly heard Zhilan calling her from the doorway. She immediately panicked, hurriedly stuffed the bottle under her pillow, and went to open the door.

When Zhilan entered and saw the tray of food, she pretended to be surprised and said, "Why did you make so much food for no reason, sister? Are you going to send it to the young master? Why didn't you tell me to come along?"

As she spoke, she moved closer to the table, seemingly casually sweeping the tray with her sleeve. Xiqing snapped out of her daze and rushed forward to pull her away, but Zhilan wouldn't budge. After a brief tug-of-war, a crumpled paper package rolled gently under the table from Zhilan's sleeve.

Xiaoyuan was tidying up the gifts sent by her family for her third birthday when Cailian came to report that Xiqing and Zhilan were making a scene in the room again. "Madam, Zhilan secretly went out yesterday and came back to deliberately provoke Xiqing. I'm afraid she has ill intentions."

Xiao Yuan said, "I'm afraid we won't be able to see the show. Erlang and I originally planned to visit the mansion nine days later, but who knew that Madam changed her mind at the last minute and told us to go back now."

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Fight Between Fish and Clams (Part Two)

According to the customs of the Southern Song Dynasty, a daughter must return to her parents' home to pay respects three, seven, or nine days after her wedding. At that time, her parents' home would hold a grand banquet to entertain the new groom, a custom known as "Meeting the Groom".

When Xiao Yuan brought Cheng Mutian back to the mansion, she was greeted by a grand feast with lanterns and decorations. This treatment was a world of difference compared to before. She smiled and patted Cheng Mutian's hand, "Second Brother, you have a lot of face. I thought Madam had secretly set up a table in her room."

Cheng Mutian thought to himself, knowing Madam Jiang's character, she wouldn't be so eager to please without a reason. But Madam Jiang was, after all, Xiao Yuan's legal mother, and he couldn't say what she said. So he just smiled slightly and followed Xiao Yuan into the room.

This time, Cheng Mutian wronged Madam Jiang. She was only focused on marrying off her son and had no time to worry about the wedding banquet. This banquet was arranged by He Lao Er.

Knowing that Xiao Yuan and Li Wu Niang didn't get along, He Lao Er specially invited several young ladies to keep him company, while he himself dragged Cheng Mutian along for drinks. Xiao Yuan, watching his retreating figure, vaguely guessed what was going on between her second brother and Er Lang, wondering when her second brother had become so intimate with Er Lang.

But before she could think too much about it, the young ladies had just finished toasting once when Cailian pulled her aside and whispered, "Madam, someone from home said that Xiqing has died."

Xiao Yuan was shocked, but this was not the place to talk. She took Cai Lian out under the pretense of changing clothes and asked, "What happened?"

Cailian's voice trembled slightly: "Madam, this morning Xiqing made breakfast for the young master and wanted to take it over, but the young master wasn't there, so she ate a few buns herself, and then she died with blood flowing from all seven orifices in less than half an hour."

Xiao Yuan recalled Zhi Lan's commotion that morning and said, "It must have been Zhi Lan who did it. I was just waiting for her to make her move. I never expected that Xi Qing would become an innocent victim."

Cailian said, "That Xiqing is no good either. We found a bottle of aphrodisiacs with only a little left under her pillow, which she mixed into the dishes she made for the young master. I was wondering why she only ate steamed buns and didn't touch the other dishes, but unfortunately Zhilan is more skilled. I don't know what she did, but she managed to put the poison into the steamed buns."

Xiqing actually wanted to give Erlang an aphrodisiac? Xiaoyuan immediately put away all her sympathy: "You should quickly take people back to search Zhilan's room. If the eldest sister is there, that would be even better; take her with you to search."

Cailian said, "Madam, the paper packet containing the medicine was found under the celebratory table long ago. If this was indeed Zhilan's doing, then that paper packet was a frame-up by her. The evidence in her own room is probably long gone."

Xiao Yuan smiled coldly: "She dared to harm Erlang. I'm not afraid to be the bad guy either. I'll make up evidence even if I don't have any."

Cailian, being quick-witted, immediately understood. "They just happened to deliver the paper package. I'll go take care of it right away."

Only three days into their marriage, someone in their family died. Although Cheng Erlang would surely applaud, how would she get past Master Cheng's apprehension? Xiao Yuan's head throbbed with worry. But the banquet wasn't over yet. She had no choice but to return to the table and socialize with the young ladies.

About half an hour later, Cailian came quietly to report that her elder sister and her men had found a packet of poison in Zhilan's house. It was exactly the same poison used to kill Xiqingdi.

Xiao Yuan immediately made up a lie. They got into the sedan chair and headed straight home.

The scene at home was completely unexpected. There was no chaos, and her eldest sister even looked happy. As for Mr. Cheng, he didn't show up at all.

"Isn't Fourth Sister going to pay respects to the family? Why are you back already? It's just that a girl died. I'll pick out a better one for you tomorrow." Sister Cheng said to Xiao Yuan, "That girl Zhilan is too vicious. Xiqing is just a bit sharp-tongued, but she's already holding a grudge. You must never accept anyone from Second Aunt's family again."

Xiao Yuan still needed her to speak well of her in front of Master Cheng, so she hurriedly stepped forward to greet her and said in accordance with her words, "Elder sister is absolutely right. It's unsettling to have someone like that in the courtyard all day long. How could I dare to take him in again? But such a thing happened as soon as I entered the house. I don't know how Father will punish me."

When Sister Cheng saw that Xiao Yuan didn't refuse her from sending another maid, she was overjoyed. "It's just a maid, how could Father punish you? If you're still worried, I'll put in a good word for you."