Chapter 9: First Encounter

“Greetings, Aunt!”

Upon seeing Lady Cui, Lady Cui (the younger) bowed respectfully.

“Please, rise. We are all family here; why be so formal?”

Although addressed as the Grand Matriarch, Lady Cui was not old, appearing to be in her early forties.

She was a second wife, more than a decade younger than her husband.

When she first entered the household, the eldest son born to the first wife—Lou Jin—was already twelve or thirteen.

However, Lady Cui did not possess the arrogance and tyranny of the younger Lady Cui.

Or rather, the Lou household was not a place where Lady Cui could flaunt her authority.

Although the Cui family were relatives of the imperial house, the Lou family were long-standing residents of the Northern Frontier, ranking among the top three of the eight great noble clans, having produced generations of Pillar-of-State Generals who led armies into battle.

In the Lou household, Lady Cui truly lacked the confidence that the younger Lady Cui had in the Wang household.

Being a second wife, she had no merit in raising or educating the eldest son, and there was a whole line of concubines’ sons to contend with... In those first few years after entering the house, Lady Cui had a very difficult time.

It was only after she gave birth to two children in succession, and the Old General saw that she was well-behaved, that he finally relinquished some of the household authority to her.

Only with the power to manage the household did Lady Cui finally stand firm in the Lou family.

However, in the last two years, life had become difficult for her again—

The Old General had passed away from illness, and Lou Jin, as the eldest son, having been tempered in the Six Garrisons for many years, had directly taken command of the Lou family’s 100,000 troops.

From then on, Lou Jin was the master of the Lou household.

Lady Cui had to be thankful that Lou Jin had not yet taken a wife; as his stepmother, she could still rely on her status as the Grand Matriarch to act as the mistress of the house.

Once Lou Jin took a bride, Lady Cui would have to hand over the household keys, no matter how unwilling she might be.

Yet, Lou Jin’s marriage was not something Lady Cui could interfere with.

At most, she could only perform some small, underhanded tricks in the shadows.

For instance, ruining the eldest son, Dalang.

“Aunt, where is Dalang? Why don’t I see him?”

“I know you dote on Dalang the most. Coming to Hedong this time, you must have brought him along.”

“Because of that, I specifically brought my family’s Jiuniang. They are of similar age, so they can play together!”

Lady Cui looked around, but did not see that illegitimate brat.

Yes, an illegitimate brat!

The so-called Dalang was Lou Jin’s only child, but he was not born to a legitimate wife.

It was said that his mother was merely a bed-chamber maid of Lou Jin’s.

It was also said that back then, Lou Jin was extremely doted on this maid. At that time, the Old General had already arranged a marriage for Lou Jin with a young lady from the Dugu family, but unexpectedly, because of this maid, Lou Jin ultimately rejected the marriage.

In fact, even the Cui family had once considered marrying into the Lou family again.

Among Lady Cui’s many sisters, there were some of a suitable age for Lou Jin.

It was a pity that for the sake of a maid, Lou Jin had almost broken ties with the Old General.

The Old General was furious, and Lou Jin “volunteered” to go to the military camp, taking only two hundred personal guards to the border city.

Lou Jin was perhaps a born general; he was skilled in warfare and always led from the front.

With his guards, he had single-handedly dealt a heavy blow to a thousand enemy troops of the Rouran in the border city, seizing a large number of warhorses.

He became famous in a single battle, and Lou Jin used his strength to prove that he was the most suitable heir to the Lou family.

Seeing his son so outstanding, the Old General’s anger dissipated: it was just a woman, so if his son liked her, let him be.

In a military family, there were never that many tedious rituals or strict rules.

Moreover, the foundation of the Lou family was the army and generals who could win battles; marriage alliances were not that important.

Of course, no matter how lax the rules were, the Old General could not agree to let his son marry a slave. The greatest concession he made was to temporarily not force his son to take a wife.

The Old General’s plan was that his son was currently infatuated with that maid; forcing them apart would surely make him even more reluctant to let go.

It was better to let them be together for now and not force him to marry.

After a few years, when the passion faded and a suitable, well-matched young lady appeared, it wouldn’t be too late to arrange a marriage!

After all, his son was a man; he could afford to wait!

It was a pity that the Old General did not live long enough to see his son marry a noblewoman.

And after the Old General passed away, Lou Jin did not elevate that maid to the position of wife.

Perhaps, as the Old General had anticipated, the passage of a few years had made Lou Jin weary of her.

From then on, there was no trace of that maid in the Lou household, leaving only the son, Dalang.

Lou Jin did not marry, nor did he have other illegitimate sons; Dalang was Lou Jin’s only child.

Therefore, Lou Jin was very attentive to Dalang.

Everyone in the Lou household watched Lou Jin’s expression; since he doted on his son, everyone treated Dalang like a little ancestor.

Lady Cui, wanting to curry favor with her stepson, volunteered to help Lou Jin look after Dalang.

However, Lou Jin had always been wary of his stepmother and did not entrust his son to her.

It was only in the last two years, with the world in chaos, that Lou Jin led his great army, wanting to carve out a career in troubled times. Since the front lines were dangerous and it was inconvenient to bring a child, Lou Jin finally entrusted Dalang to Lady Cui temporarily.

Lady Cui was meticulous and thoughtful toward Dalang, even to the point of being completely indulgent!

In just two years, the once merely mischievous Dalang had been “spoiled” by Lady Cui into a brat that everyone detested and heaven resented.

A seven or eight-year-old illegitimate son who was unruly and defiant—haha, even if Lou Jin had troops and power, no noble family that cherished their daughters would be willing to marry into his house.

Lady Cui:...This didn’t count as a conspiracy.

As a grandmother, the affection between generations was perfectly normal.

How could this be considered “killing with kindness”?

There were many such grandmothers in the capital; were they all black-hearted, poisonous women?

Mentioning Dalang made Lady Cui’s thoughts churn.

On the surface, however, she revealed nothing, remaining a dignified woman with a hint of kindness.

Lady Cui (the younger) had already pushed Wang Heng to the front.

“Jiuniang, come and pay your respects to Lady Cui!”

Lady Cui urged.

Wang Heng did not hesitate. Although she was a bit chubby, her demeanor was excellent.

Clenching her two little fleshy fists together, Wang Heng said respectfully, “A-Jiu greets the Grand Matriarch!”

“Good! Rise, quickly!”

“So you are the Wang family’s Jiuniang? You are truly beautiful!”

She was indeed the daughter of the number one beauty, Lady Jiang. Though she was a circle chubbier than the average little girl, she did not look bloated; instead, she appeared sweet and adorable.

To be honest, such a fair, chubby, and soft little girl was the dream granddaughter of every grandmother.

Lady Cui’s own son was also about to get married; once the new bride entered the house, she would give her a grandson.

If she had such a cute little girl, Lady Cui would certainly be very happy.

It was a pity that such a good child was not only someone else’s, but also an enemy of her own niece.

Lady Cui had lived half her life and spent twenty or thirty years rolling in the inner chambers; how could she not see through Lady Cui’s calculations?

“...So be it. She is my own niece after all. If I can help her solve her ‘trouble,’ it can be considered a favor.”

“Furthermore, if a real scene is made, it will not only frame the Wang family’s Jiuniang but also add a layer of sin to that little wild seed. If there is a chance for a reckoning in the future, it will be one more piece of evidence!”

Killing two birds with one stone, and the best part was that she didn’t have to do it herself. Lady Cui was happy to watch the show.

Her inner thoughts were by no means kind or virtuous, but on her face, Lady Cui’s smile became even warmer and more affectionate.

Seeing this, not to mention the children, even the wet nurse and Bai Zhi, who were closely following Wang Heng, couldn’t help but praise: Lady Cui is indeed different from Lady Cui (the younger); she is a kind and gentle person.

Only Wang Heng, who looked dull on the surface, felt an inexplicable sense of unease in her heart.

She felt that the Grand Matriarch, who was smiling so kindly before her, was like an old fox squinting its eyes.

Suppressing the fear in her heart, she continued to play the role of a child so obedient she was almost wooden.

Hearing Lady Cui’s praise, she shyly lowered her head, her ears and cheeks flushing red.

“How old are you? What do you like to do on weekdays? What food do you like to eat?”

Lady Cui was truly more patient and calculating than Lady Cui (the younger).

Even though she was already calculating against Wang Heng, she showed no sign of impatience.

She continued to chat gently with Wang Heng.

Wang Heng answered obediently: “Jiuniang is six years old! I like to eat! I love all delicious food!”

Mentioning food, Wang Heng’s eyes couldn’t help but sparkle.

Lady Cui:...This is the young lady of the Wang family?

Even if she is young, she shouldn’t be talking about eating all the time.

Even if she said she liked playing games or roughhousing with the maids, people could call her “lively.”

How was one supposed to “force a compliment” on liking to eat?

Lady Cui secretly slandered her. Although Wang Heng’s performance was beyond her expectations, she perfectly controlled her emotions and expressions.

“Good! To be able to eat is a blessing! Jiuniang likes to eat, that is a blessing!”

Lady Cui barely found a “blessed” excuse and offered a couple of awkward compliments.

Since food was mentioned, Lady Cui tried to find a way to lead the conversation: “Has Jiuniang ever eaten lotus seeds? Lotus root? Or fried lotus flowers?”

“The lotus flowers in our manor bloom beautifully and produce lotus pods, and there are lotus seeds inside...”

Lady Cui was indeed a woman skilled in inner-chamber battles; not only was she calculating, but she was also knowledgeable.

Mentioning delicacies, Lady Cui could speak vividly, hooking all the gluttonous worms in Wang Heng’s stomach.

“I haven’t eaten lotus seeds! I want to eat them! And the fried lotus flowers too!”

Wang Heng answered obediently, without any of the reserve expected of a guest.

The wet nurse and Bai Zhi:...

The two wished they could cover their faces with their sleeves. Jiuniang, we warned you not to show your gluttony in public.

It is truly undignified.

There is no need for Lady Cui to frame you; once your reputation for gluttony reaches home, your grandmother, who is strict with rules, will punish you severely!

“Go play in the pavilion over there, and have someone prepare some lotus seeds and fried lotus flowers.”

After the pleasantries, Lady Cui sent someone to take Wang Heng to the pavilion by the lotus pond.

Dalang was nowhere to be seen, but having raised him for two years, Lady Cui had a rough idea of his temper.

By the water, by the rockery... the more dangerous the place, the more the illegitimate brat would run there to play!

Even if Dalang wasn’t by the lotus pond now, sending the Wang family’s Jiuniang there with such fanfare would surely attract that little beast.

When that time comes... two birds with one stone!

...

Wang Heng obediently followed the maid to the pavilion, sat by the stone table, and began to eat, eat, and eat the table full of delicacies!

Suddenly, with a thud, a bag of something was thrown onto the table.

“Ah!”

“Toads!”

“They, they jumped out! Ahhh~~~”

In the elegant pavilion, the screams and shrieks of the maids suddenly erupted...

PS: Short Theater—

Lou Yu: Family, who understands? The first time I met her, I “gifted” her a pile of frogs!

Wang Heng: Family, who understands? The current Crown Prince’s Tutor and Secretariat Chancellor, who holds power over the court, was once a brat who liked playing with toads!

(End of chapter)