Chapter 11: Establishing Oneself

Chapter 11: Establishing a Foothold

Wang Xiujuan was a strong-willed person who liked to put on an air of bestowing favors upon others.

However, she was indeed thorough in her dealings and never arrived empty-handed.

After chatting for a while, she set down three boxes of pastries and stood up. "There’s still plenty to do at home, so I won't go over to your eldest sister-in-law’s place. Tell her we’ll talk when the New Year comes around."

Mo Yi and her two sisters saw her out with their mother.

"The old lady has been coughing these past two days, so I have to keep an eye on her. Remember to remind me—things are better done sooner rather than later!" With that, Wang Xiujuan lifted her chin, boarded her carriage, and left.

Mo Qing immediately turned and pestered Mo Yi, "Fifth Sister, I want a pouch like that one. I want one exactly the same!"

Mo Yi nodded, "I’ll make one for you when I have some free time."

Madam Wang took one box of pastries and had Qiu Hong send it to the eldest branch.

This time, she had no intention of giving any to the third branch. Although she had scolded Mo Yi over the matter of Shuixian, she detested Madam Liu even more in her heart.

She opened another box and let the three sisters divide it among themselves. The remainder was for her and Mobao.

Mo Yi and Mo Qing left, but Mo Wen stayed behind. "Mother, what did Eldest Aunt come here for?"

"Mo Yi and Liang You’s affair is practically settled!" Madam Wang said mysteriously.

"Ah? It’s really settled?" Mo Wen was quite shocked.

This had originally been a benevolent impulse born from her own good mood after her engagement with the Xu family was finalized.

Later, when her mother said it wouldn't work out, she had let it go. As time passed, she had come to her senses—Liang You had always been someone she had her eye on. If he really ended up with Mo Yi, how awkward would that be?

"Your aunt said that at first, Madam Liang didn't respond, so she thought she wasn't interested. She also knows Madam Liang is a total pushover; she’s too embarrassed to refuse people to their faces. She had planned to chat for a few minutes and leave. But then... guess what happened?"

Madam Wang slapped her thigh. "It was just meant to be! Liang You came back!"

The smiling look in Mo Wen’s eyes froze.

"Perhaps he had heard something, but he invited Madam Liang out. Guess again, what happened then?" Madam Wang’s eyebrows and eyes danced with excitement. "Madam Liang came back and actually told your aunt: Mo Yi is a well-behaved, good girl, and she likes her quite a bit. But she still needs to discuss it with her husband and parents-in-law. Doesn't that mean she’s agreed?!"

"You mean... Liang You was willing himself?" Mo Wen couldn't even maintain her smile.

Madam Wang didn't notice the change and remained full of excitement. "Most likely! Otherwise, why would Madam Liang change her mind after just one trip out with Liang You?"

Mo Wen’s smile vanished completely. She lowered her eyelids, leaned back, and said in a flat tone, "Oh! I really hadn't noticed before... so it turns out they were both willing!"

That didn't sound very pleasant! Madam Wang chided, "Wenwen... what are you saying!"

Mo Wen gave a light huff.

Seeing that her daughter seemed unhappy and recalling previous events, Madam Wang quickly explained, "Just think about it, how many times have they even seen each other? I’m afraid they haven't even spoken!"

Mo Wen thought carefully... in her memory, that was indeed the case.

Then why would Liang You be willing?

"Oh my, your aunt was so happy just now! With both of your marriages settled, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief! Don't worry, Wenwen, you are the eldest daughter, your dowry will definitely be the largest. Hmm..."

Madam Wang began to calculate the dowry: Mo Wen was marrying into the Xu family! The dowry would have to be increased significantly.

Mo Yi was marrying into the Liang family, so that couldn't look too shabby either...

Everything was exceeding expectations, my heavens... where was she going to scrape the silver from?

That hateful husband of hers...

"Hmph, your father is useless. He can't even manage his own daughter's dowry properly. If it weren't for me, your maternal grandfather, and your aunt, how would we even live? If a girl’s dowry isn't good, how can she stand tall in her husband’s home!?"

Today, Mo Wen had no patience to listen. "Mo Yi doesn't usually show it, but she really does have some good fortune! Mother, I’m going back now!"

Returning to her room, she immediately called for Dujuan.

"I want to ask you... in your memory, has Liang You ever spoken to Mo Yi?"

Seeing her mistress ask so solemnly, Dujuan calmed her heart and thought carefully for a long while. Finally, she shook her head. "No."

Mo Wen had the same impression.

"Miss, in my memory, among all the young ladies of our relatives, you are truly the one who has spoken the most with Young Master Liang."

Mo Wen nodded again. They had only ever exchanged polite pleasantries; they had never said a single word outside those bounds!

Although the world mostly circulated sayings like, "A fair, shy maiden is a good match for a gentleman," or "A daughter of one house is sought by a hundred," in reality, outstanding men were eyed by others early and often!

Girls with families had started long ago. Weren't she and her mother proof of that?

If this matter was something Liang You was happy about, then there was some mystery she didn't know about!

Hmph! Thank goodness she didn't end up with him, or how stifling would that be!

Fine! Mo Yi, you’ve done well for yourself!

Mo Wen’s chest heaved; she was furious!

...

That evening, Mo Rushan was home for dinner.

The meal included crispy fish, braised tofu, pork belly stir-fried with pickled cabbage, fried vegetable balls, a three-delicacy soup, and scallion oil-crackling pancakes.

The pancakes were made by Sister-in-law Zhong, and they were only fragrant when eaten hot...

These were also the favorites of Mo Fan and Mobao. As soon as Mo Rushan picked up his chopsticks, they dove in.

Mo Yi kept feeling a cold gaze shooting at her from near Mo Wen, but when she looked over, there was nothing unusual... she assumed she was just being paranoid after the Shuixian incident.

Madam Liu watched Madam Wang’s smugness and couldn't even enjoy her meal: she knew the eldest Wang sister had brought pastries, but hadn't given any to the third branch!

"Second Sister-in-law, I heard your eldest sister came by!"

Madam Wang was in a great mood and couldn't be bothered to bicker over the Shuixian matter. She smiled, "Yes! My eldest sister came. She’s helping me with something, and there’s some progress. Oh, it’s not quite settled yet, so it’s not convenient to talk about it now!" She finally couldn't resist showing off a little.

Mo Yi was eating a pancake and saw Mo Yuan nudge her third aunt.

Madam Liu had been about to make a scene, but after being nudged by her daughter, she also noticed Madam Wang’s smugness.

This woman was the type who had to show off whenever something good happened. What good thing had she encountered this time?

Things that could make her smug... one was silver, the other was... her daughter’s marriage?!

Could it be that Mo Wen’s marriage was settled?

"Second Sister-in-law, you aren't talking about Wenwen’s marriage, are you?" she asked immediately.

Mo Yi also looked at her mother...

"Third Sister-in-law, Wenwen is still sitting right here. Is this something that should be discussed now?" Madam Zhuang, having received favors from others, hurriedly intervened.

Madam Liu didn't care. "If Wen-jie has a prospect, it’s a good thing for the Mo family too. The girls in the house are all grown up, what’s the harm in listening?"

"It’s a matter of propriety! You have daughters of your own!"

Madam Liu was unwilling to submit, but Mo Yuan quickly stopped her: "Mother!" She thought to herself: We haven't found out anything yet, what’s the rush?

"Hmph! In this house, I can't even speak!" Madam Liu finally stopped making a scene.

Mo Rushan ate slowly, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Mo Fan and Mobao were eating happily, not caring about what was being said.

Taking a break, Mo Rushan asked about Mo Fan’s studies, then asked Madam Zhuang, "Madam, Mo Da should be back soon, right?"

That was how the world worked; an elder brother couldn't ask his sister-in-law directly, he had to go around it.

Madam Zhuang quickly replied, "In three more days, we’ll send someone to pick him up!"

"Father, let me go pick up Big Brother!" Mo Fan said.

"Fine! You go a day early, take a good look, and soak up the atmosphere! Then build up your skills to pass the exam and study alongside your brother!"

Mo Fan nodded with a wry smile.

Madam Wang smiled again: Mo Da and Mo Wen were the very foundations of her life!