Chapter 10: Seeking Help

Mother Wen hurried into the mourning hall and whispered to Su Yunxi, "Young Miss, the Prefect's wife and the Education Commissioner's wife have already entered the main gate. The Eldest Mistress and Second Mistress are both rushing to the second gate to welcome them."

Su Yunxi’s expression was indifferent, as if all her tears had been shed while Madam Wei was still alive. Now that Madam Wei was gone, Su Yunxi had instead become calm. "I understand. You go back to watching; I will be there in a moment."

"Then this servant will go first."

Su Yunxi estimated the time, then stood up and took Brother Yuan out. Concubine Wen had long noticed the whispering between Su Yunxi and Mother Wen. Seeing that Su Yunxi was about to leave, she hurriedly asked, "Young Miss, we are still keeping vigil in the mourning hall; where are you going?"

Su Yunxi looked at Concubine Wen with a cold face. Concubine Wen was startled; that gaze was truly terrifying. Su Yunxi said coldly, "The Prefect's wife and the Education Commissioner's wife have arrived. I am going out to welcome them. Does this matter also require your approval, Concubine?"

"I wouldn't dare. This concubine was only worried about you, Young Miss, which is why I asked. Since you are going to receive guests, this concubine will say no more."

Su Yunxi ignored her further and led Brother Yuan out of the mourning hall. Seeing the Eldest Mistress and Second Mistress leading the Prefect's wife and the Education Commissioner's wife inside, Su Yunxi immediately knelt on the ground with Brother Yuan and said sorrowfully, "Yunxi and my younger brother pay our respects to the two ladies. Thank you both for coming to see my mother on her final journey."

"Good child, get up quickly. You have had a hard time these past few days." The Prefect's wife hurriedly stepped forward to help Su Yunxi and Brother Yuan up. "I have heard about everything. You must take good care of yourself. Brother Yuan will need your care in the future; do not let your mother’s hard work go to waste."

"Thank you for your instruction, Madam." Su Yunxi stood to the side with a grief-stricken expression.

The Eldest Mistress, Madam Yuan, secretly glared at Su Yunxi. Since when do filial children come out to greet guests at a time like this? It wasn't as if there was no one else in the manor to receive them. Su Yunxi remained unmoved, keeping her head lowered as she said respectfully, "Please, this way, ladies. If Mother knows in the afterlife that you have visited, she will surely be pleased."

"Your mother and I were close friends. For her to pass at such an age—as soon as I heard the news, I wept for her." The Prefect's wife wiped her tears with a handkerchief and followed Su Yunxi into the mourning hall.

"Your kindness and righteousness, Madam, Yunxi will keep in her heart." Su Yunxi pulled Brother Yuan and knelt again at the very front of the hall.

The Prefect's wife and the Education Commissioner's wife lit incense and burned a stick for Madam Wei. After paying their respects, the Prefect's wife asked softly, "Good child, your mother is gone, and your father is far away in the capital. Do you have any difficulties now? Tell me. If there is anything I can help with, I certainly will not be stingy."

Su Yunxi looked up at the Prefect's wife. Could it be that before her mother passed away, she had sent a message to the Prefect's wife? Otherwise, why would she ask so proactively? She had originally been thinking of ways to steer the conversation in this direction; now, it had saved her the trouble.

Su Yunxi said, "Thank you for your compassion, Madam. Everything is fine. My Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt have been working hard on Mother’s funeral arrangements these days, and everything is in good order. Yunxi is deeply grateful. Although the weather is hot and the body cannot be kept for long, I have always been mindful of it. With the manor in such difficult circumstances, I feel uneasy that they are spending so much money on Mother’s funeral. I was thinking earlier that if funds were truly tight, I would take out some of the private savings Mother left behind. Brother Yuan and I are provided for by the family estate; as long as Mother can have a grand final journey, I am willing to spend any amount of money."

As soon as Su Yunxi said this, the expressions of everyone present changed. Especially the Eldest Mistress and Second Mistress—no wonder Su Yunxi was being so attentive; it turned out she was waiting for them here. The two women looked embarrassed. "Two ladies, this child is overcome with grief and is speaking nonsense. Please do not listen to a child's words."

"Is that so?" The Education Commissioner's wife glared. "I have long heard that the Fourth Young Miss of this manor is the most intelligent. During the Third Mistress's illness, the internal affairs of the Third Branch were all managed by her. A young lady so capable—I do not believe she is speaking nonsense. The way this girl spoke earlier was very logical; which part of it was nonsense?"

The Eldest Mistress, Madam Yuan, and the Second Mistress, Madam Tao, were so embarrassed they didn't know what to do. "Two ladies, this is not the place to discuss such matters. Why don't we go to the flower hall to talk?"

"No need." The Prefect's wife waved her hand in refusal. "You may not be aware, but I knew your Third Mistress back in the capital when we were both young ladies. At that time, I greatly admired her talent. Later, when I followed my husband to Suzhou to take up his post, I learned that the Third Mistress was also in Suzhou, and I had long intended to visit her. It was only because the Third Mistress discouraged it that I did not go. However, the Third Mistress and I have exchanged many letters, so I know a thing or two about the affairs of your manor. I am quite interested in asking about what the Fourth Young Miss said today."

This connection was something even Su Yunxi was hearing for the first time. No wonder.

"Madam, this... this is not appropriate. After all, this is the Su family's private business," the Second Mistress, Madam Tao, said anxiously.

The Prefect's wife looked over with a gaze like a blade, startling the Second Mistress. The Prefect's wife gave a cold snort. "Not appropriate? Then shall we take this to the magistrate's court? Does the Second Mistress think that would be appropriate? The aggrieved party is right here, and I wouldn't mind acting as a guarantor for her."

"No, no, Madam, you misunderstand. How could such a small matter reach the Prefect? Since you wish to ask, then please do. We will certainly not say another word." The Eldest Mistress knew this could not end well and had to grit her teeth and compromise. She hadn't expected Madam Wei to have arranged this before she died; it was truly not letting people live in peace even after death.

"Since the Eldest Mistress has requested it, then I will not be polite." The Prefect's wife helped Su Yunxi up and had someone lead them into the side room to talk.

"Yunxi thanks you for your kindness, Madam." As soon as she entered the side room, Su Yunxi bowed to the Prefect's wife.

The Prefect's wife accepted the bow and said, "Although I was not your mother's closest friend, we had known each other for many years. When I first came to Suzhou with my husband, I wanted to visit. However, your mother was worried, so outsiders still do not know of our relationship. This involves certain official taboos that I need not explain to you. You only need to know that as long as I am in Suzhou, if you have any difficulties, you can send someone to find me. For your mother's sake, I will certainly stand up for you."

"Thank you, Madam. My father has already sent a letter saying that I should set off for the capital after autumn," Su Yunxi said.

The Prefect's wife was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Going to the capital is also good. By your father's side, you will see more and grow. Furthermore, tell me exactly what happened regarding what you mentioned earlier. If they have truly gone too far, I will certainly not stand for it."

"Reporting to you, Madam, the funeral expenses are quite high. However, the family estate is only willing to provide three thousand taels, saying the rest should be covered by the funeral gifts. If we were frugal and kept it modest, this money would be enough. But I want to provide Mother with a high-quality coffin, which alone costs about three thousand taels. In that case, the money is definitely not enough. But my two aunts refuse to budge. I had no choice but to seek your help, Madam."

Upon hearing this, the Prefect's wife sneered repeatedly. "The Su family claims to be a prestigious clan and local gentry, yet they are so stingy with a funeral—it would be a laughingstock if word got out. Yunxi, rest assured, I will certainly stand up for you in this matter."

"Thank you, Madam."