Chapter 45.2: Aiyo, Mean Mother-in-Law

Complicated feelings upon returning home arent without reason.

The moment Song Liangzhuo entered the city gates he started getting a bit nervous. On the contrary, it was Xiaoqi that leaned against the carriage window while gnawing on candied hawthorn as she looked back at those city gates that were much bigger than those of Tongxus.

Official Song, how come that person keeps staring at our carriage?

Song Liangzhuo followed Xiaoqis finger and looked over. The eyes of the man Xiaoqi pointed at lit up as he quickly ran over to shout: Young Master has returned ah! Ill head back to report to the Master and Madam right away!

Song Tian! Song Liangzhuo yelled towards that man, Lets go together. By the time you run back the carriage probably would have already arrived anyways.

The man called Song Tian scratched his head, then smiled and nodded as he walked over and got onto the carriage. Pushing apart the carriage curtain, he said: Madam had me wait here for quite a few days already. Young Master sure was immersed in work. From the last time you visited to celebrate the new year, its already been more than half a year.

Xiaoqi blinked her eyes as she looked towards Song Liangzhuo. Song Liangzhuo said quietly: The old stewards son, Song Tian.

Xiaoqi nodded and raised her voice: Hello Song Tian.

Haha, hello Miss. Song Tian gently chuckled.

Xiaoqi felt the prepared gold seed in her sleeve, not knowing whether she should reward it now or reward it after they enter the fu. But she always felt that squeezing money into peoples hands like this isnt really good. Its like what Second Brother-in-Law once talked about, that what act cool style, its really not good.

Song Liangzhuo seemed to understand what she was thinking and kneaded the hand she had hidden inside her sleeve. Lowering his voice, he said: This practice doesnt exist, its only done during Chinese New Year and other festivals.

Xiaoqi exhaled a breath of relief, then took another bit of candied hawthorn before lifting his hand to stuff the leftover half into Song Liangzhuos mouth. Smiling, she said quietly: And you said Im strange for being scared.

Song Liangzhuo knitted his brows from the sourness and swallowed it extremely slowly before replying: Dont be scared. Whats there to be scared of about going home?

Xiaoqi shot a side glance at Song LIangzhuo and elbowed him, saying: Im not scared. Mom said Xiaoqis loved by all; people that see will love, flowers that see will scatter.

Young Master, a month earlier the Lin familys Second Miss had returned to the fu. Ive helped Young Master ask around. They say she was let out as a servant. Originally I was going to send Young Master a letter, but after hearing Master say that Young Master was coming back I didnt send one in the end.

Hearing about the Lin familys Second Miss, Song Liangzhuo lightly knitted his brows, but after just a moment they unfolded again.

Young Master, Madam said once you return this time shell have you have a wedding ne.

Xiaoqi was baffled as she twisted her head to look towards Song Liangzhuo, We still have to tie the knot one more time?

Song Liangzhuo shook his head and stroked her cheek, No need.

Xiaoqi blinked her eyes and mischievously shook her head, Tying it one more time isnt bad. I dont remember what last time was like anymore.

Song

Tian seemed to have overheard what Xiaoqi said and hesitantly asked: Young Master, this lady is?

Young Madam!

Eh?

Song Tians question was asked very softly, but Xiaoqi still heard it. She blinked her eyes, puzzled, but before she could open her mouth to ask Song Liangzhuo squeezed her hand.

From outside the carriage came the sound of Song Tians loud respectful reply of yes. Following that, the carriage shook. Xiaoqi knew that Song Tian definitely jumped off the carriage.

The carriage slowly stopped and Xiaoqis originally calm heart started jumping wildly with badump badumps. Song Liangzhuo didnt move so Xiaoqi didnt move either. The little hand that gripped his large hand became slightly sweaty.

Dont be scared. Song Liangzhuo turned his head to the side and softly kissed her hair.

Xiaoqi lifted her head and smiled as she said: Its just that my heart keeps jumping and jumping.

From outside the carriage there was the sound of someone walking. Xiaoqi stared with her eyes wide at the carriage door, and as expected someone respectfully lifted open the curtain.

Song Liangzhuo wanted to get up and go out but Xiaoqi suddenly licked her lips as if she had just thought of something. Tugging at him with a flushed face, she said: Is there anything stuck around my mouth?

Song Liangzhuo indicated for the person to let down the curtain first then turned around and cupped Xiaoqis face as he examined it closely. Then, pinching her rosy face he hooked the corner of his mouth, Very good.

Hah? What does very good mean ah?

Xiaoqi still wanted to ask but the curtain was once again lifted open after Song Liangzhuo knocked on the carriage.

Xiaoqi saw Song Liangzhuo waiting at the side for her after getting off the carriage and had no choice but to fiercely wipe her mouth and hurry out. Next to the carriage a footstool was placed. Xiaoqi looked at that height, then looked at the servants and maids standing at the side. Swallowing, she looked at Song Liangzhuo.

Song Liangzhuo lowered his eyes and lifted Xiaoqi directly off the horse. Immediately after that, a servant swiftly retrieved the stool and led the carriage to the side door.

Xiaoqi pulled Song Liangzhuos hand as she followed with tiny steps. Song Liangzhuo coordinated with her rather well and specially slowed his pace, waiting for Xiaoqi to set the pace with her lotus steps. Xiaoqi walked holding her posture until she was completely sweating. She passed an entire courtyard with the servant but still didnt see a shadow of the Mother Song. Finally sneakily taking a large step she asked with a low voice: Wheres Mother-in-Law Mom?

Song Liangzhuo slightly lowered his head and was just about to exhort when he already saw several maids escorting a Mrs. that walked over with a fast pace.

Liangzhuo, my son. Youve finally come back.

Xiaoqi blinked her eyes and stared straight at that Mrs. This Mrs. was really a completely different type from the Mrs. Mei in Qian fu. Mrs. Meis waist was slim, this Mrs.s waist was round; Mrs. Meis style of walking was enchanting, this Mrs.s style of walking was dignified; Mrs. Meis eyes were big and elongated, this Mrs.s eyes were big and round; Mrs. Meis face didnt have wrinkles, the moment this Mrs. smiled the corners of her eyes were crows feet.

Xiaoqi compared them in her heart. In the end she concluded to herself, she still looked quite amiable, like Aunty Feng in Song fu. But shes much better looking than Aunty Feng.

As Xiaoqi dazed out her back was kneaded by vigorously, causing her to snap back to her senses and quickly turn her head to look at Song Liangzhuo. Song Liangzhuo lightly sighed and said: This is Mom.

Xiaoqi turned again to look at that Mrs. and saw that her face which was still filled to the brim with smiles just a moment earlier now had some strictness to it. Xiaoqi silently told herself: Dont be scared, dont be scared. We also came from a large courtyard, what situation havent we seen before? Pulling out the smile she believed to be most beautiful, she sweetly opened her mouth and said: Moms so pretty!

Song Liangzhuo sighed a breath of relief, secretly rejoicing in the fact that Xiaoqi didnt call Mother-in-Law Mom the moment she opened her mouth.

Mother Song belonged to the dignified type. Even though her facial features were not meticulous they were still imposing; when she was young she also had quite a reputation. At this time, being praised by Xiaoqi with her eyes sparkling, it actually seemed quite embarrassing.

Xiaoqi kept smiling sweetly, unable to make out what was not good about it. Mother Songs pair of eyes swept over Xiaoqi up and down several times. Seeing that Xiaoqi still didnt have any intentions to greet her with a curtsy, she became slightly displeased.

Mom, lets talk after entering the room. Song Liangzhuo spoke to break the strange atmosphere.

Xiaoqi agreed as she nodded, Xiaoqi brought Mom a present.

Mother Song felt a little more displeased at that.

Number one, she felt that this name, Xiaoqi, was common and coarse. Even though Song Liangzhuo talked about it in a letter, but hearing about it in a letter and hearing the actual person say it still gives off a different feeling. From just the sound of it you can tell she wasnt from a literary family.

Number two, she felt that this Daughter-in-Law knows how to curry favor too well. The first time theyve met and shes already prepared some gift.

Number three, this Daughter-in-Law had no etiquette, to not even have the intention to bend her knee and curtsy when seeing her. Looks like shes some wild yatou* that doesnt have much education.

yatou term usually used to call servant girls, usually derogatory even though its sometimes an endearment

This count fell in Mother Songs heart and Xiaoqi simply didnt have any merits to speak of. In reality, mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws have always never gotten along because theyre fighting over one man. One wants to pull back the son to obey the mother absolutely, one wants to tug at the husband to love herself dearly.

The relationship between mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws has always been a difficult matter throughout the ages ah!

But Mother Song had self-restraint, so no matter how displeased she was, she still wouldnt criticize too harshly at this time.

Mother Song nodded and turned around, heading towards the back courtyard while saying warmly to Song Liangzhuo: Youve just come back so you should properly wash up and rest. At night when your dad comes back well talk more in detail.

Song Liangzhuo nodded and led Xiaoqi to the side courtyard.

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Credits: Translated by Chiyomira, Edited by Ocelot