Chapter 5: Scolding

Su Yunxi walked up to Concubine Wen. Although she was still a young maiden, she was at no disadvantage in height; in fact, she stood slightly taller than Concubine Wen. Su Yunxi continued to smile. "I remember that Concubine Wen used to serve by the Old Madam’s side back in the day, right?"

"Yes, I am surprised the young lady still remembers." Concubine Wen’s expression was very stern.

Su Yunxi smiled and said, "Of course I remember. Does Concubine Wen not know that I have a very good memory? I wouldn't go so far as to say I never forget a thing, but I certainly don't forget what I ought to remember. When you gave birth to the eighth young master, you must have been quite triumphant back then. You are much more fortunate than Concubine Xia. Concubine Xia has struggled for so many years and only has the fifth young lady to show for it; she hasn't even seen the shadow of a son. Now that Father is not in the manor, the prospect of having a son is out of the question. You, Concubine Wen, had a son on your first try, and you were sent here by the Old Madam, so you must feel superior, don't you? Are you thinking that with a son by your side and the Old Madam’s support, now that the Madam is ill and unable to manage affairs, it should be your turn to take control of the third branch, is that it?"

"Young lady, you are wronging this servant. I have never thought of such a thing." Concubine Wen hurriedly denied it, though her denial lacked sincerity.

"It is good that you haven't. You know you are a concubine; since you were promoted from a maid, you should abide by the rules of a maid. Delusionally trying to replace the mistress and take power is nothing but a daydream. Today, I will make it clear to you both: the Madam has already given orders that I am the one in charge of the third branch’s internal affairs until the Madam recovers. Any desire you have to seize power is pure delusion. I am not only telling you this, but I will also tell the Old Madam. If you, Concubine Wen, feel dissatisfied, why don't we go before the Old Madam right now and argue it out? Let’s see whose family rules allow a concubine to manage the inner household. Does our Su family have no rules left? Are you intentionally trying to ruin the Su family’s reputation, making people say we are nouveau riche who don't understand the slightest bit of etiquette?"

Su Yunxi’s storm-like words caused both Concubine Wen and Concubine Xia to change color.

Concubine Wen’s face turned gloomy. "Young lady, your words are a joke. We came to pay our respects to the Madam; not only did you refuse to let us in, but you also scolded us for no reason. We are, after all, the ones who have borne children for the Su family. You should at least show us some face."

Su Yunxi laughed. "Dignity is not given by others; it is earned by oneself. If some people do not follow the rules, they cannot blame others for not giving them face. What, Concubine Wen, are you trying to debate with me?"

"I dare not." Concubine Wen suppressed her anger.

Su Yunxi nodded. "That is for the best. My time is limited. Either you kowtow and pay your respects here and then leave on your own, or I will have someone escort you out. This Jingsi Hall is not a place anyone can just barge into. If anyone dares to force their way in again, don't blame me for being impolite."

Concubine Xia and Concubine Wen were both filled with rage, but they had no way to vent it. Firstly, Su Yunxi was not a pushover who could be kneaded at will. Secondly, the authority of the Wei family could not be erased in a day or two, and both women were still wary of the Madam’s wrath. Furthermore, they were, after all, concubines; in front of a legitimate daughter, they were half-servants and could not afford to be presumptuous.

Helpless, the two had no choice but to take their children, kowtow in the courtyard, and leave with a flick of their sleeves.

Su Yunxi watched the departing figures, feeling only exhaustion. But she could not admit defeat, nor could she collapse. If she fell, and if the Madam were to pass away, she and her younger brother would likely be bullied until not even a scrap remained.

After composing herself slightly, Su Yunxi set off for Rongxi Hall to pay her respects to the Old Madam.

Upon arriving at Rongxi Hall, the head maid, Cui'er, came out to greet her. "Greetings, Fourth Young Lady. The Old Madam is busy right now; perhaps the Fourth Young Lady would like to wait in the side chamber for a while?"

Su Yunxi glanced inside inadvertently but saw nothing. Cui'er blocked her line of sight without a change in expression. Su Yunxi smiled. "Very well, I will go wait in the side chamber."

"This way, Fourth Young Lady."

Su Yunxi waited in the side chamber for nearly half an hour. She remained calm and composed throughout, showing no signs of impatience. On the contrary, the maids beside her were becoming restless and wanted to go out and ask about the situation, but they were stopped by Su Yunxi.

While Su Yunxi remained calm, the Old Madam was the one losing patience. She called a maid over and asked, "Is the Fourth Young Lady still waiting in the side chamber?"

"She is. Does the Old Madam wish to see her?" Cui'er asked cautiously.

Old Madam Su hummed. "Go see her first. Tell her those words."

"This servant obeys."

Cui'er arrived at the side chamber. "Fourth Young Lady, please forgive us; the Old Madam is truly very busy. I have come to see if the Fourth Young Lady is lacking anything."

"I lack nothing. May I ask who is with the Old Madam right now?" Su Yunxi asked with a smile.

Cui'er smiled. "The young ladies are all by the Old Madam’s side, keeping her company and chatting."

Su Yunxi said "Oh," and said nothing more.

Cui'er looked a bit awkward. "Fourth Young Lady, the Old Madam said that if you bring the Seventh Young Master, she will see you."

Su Yunxi smiled and said politely, "Please convey a message to the Old Madam for me, Sister Cui'er. Yuan-ge is busy studying and practicing calligraphy right now, so I am afraid he cannot come to pay his respects. I am sure the Old Madam would not want Yuan-ge to fall behind in his lessons."

"This..." Cui'er was in a difficult position. "Fourth Young Lady, you know what the Old Madam means. Why can't you be a little softer and coax the Old Madam? Besides, the Old Madam is his grandmother; how could she harm her own grandson? Now that the Third Madam is seriously ill, you have many things to attend to, Fourth Young Lady. I imagine you cannot take care of the Seventh Young Master properly either."

Su Yunxi looked at Cui'er with a half-smile, making the maid feel quite guilty. Su Yunxi laughed. "No wonder Sister Cui'er is the most useful person by the Old Madam’s side; this level of thoughtfulness is something others cannot match."

"You flatter me, Fourth Young Lady."

"Thank you for the reminder, Sister Cui'er, but I have my own unavoidable reasons. If the Old Madam asks, just say that I wish to speak with her personally."

Cui'er looked hesitant, but seeing Su Yunxi’s firm gaze, she compromised. "Since that is the case, I will pass on the message. As for whether the Old Madam will see you, I cannot guarantee."

"Thank you for your help, Sister Cui'er." A small purse was placed into Cui'er’s hand. Cui'er accepted it naturally.