Bai Ci nodded slightly, maintaining her timid and gentle demeanor. Her voice was cautious, carrying a trace of tense anxiety.
“Um... yes... thank you, thank you for your trouble.”
Jinghong quickly took half a step forward and assisted Bai Ci to the edge of the bed to sit down.
Her movements were gentle and thoughtful, without the slightest hint of negligence.
In the bridal chamber, red candles flickered, and the room was filled with festive red silk decorations. According to custom, the bed was scattered with peanuts, longans, red dates, and other items.
Fortunately, before helping Bai Ci sit down, Jinghong swept a spot clear. Otherwise, sitting on them would have been quite uncomfortable.
The red candles burned brightly, already half consumed. Outside the window, the intermittent sound of night watch drums gradually faded into the distance.
Jinghong brought over a wooden comb and washing utensils, standing beside Bai Ci as she spoke in a warm, consoling tone.
“Young Madam, it is getting late. Please allow this servant to help you remove your makeup and wash up.”
“Tomorrow morning, you must serve tea to Madame. It is best to sleep early so you can be well-rested.”
As Jinghong spoke, she stepped forward on her own initiative and lifted the embroidered bridal veil from Bai Ci's head, her movements and attitude perfectly natural.
This was not a request for permission, but a polite notification.
Bai Ci feigned hesitation, her fingertips lightly clutching the corner of her wedding robe. Adopting a cautious, timid look of someone afraid to speak too much, she softly probed.
“Jinghong, I... I wanted to ask, is my husband... very busy with matters today?”
She intentionally asked with a hint of grievance, her eyes filled with confusion and unease, perfectly portraying the anxiety of a bride who could not see her groom on her wedding night.
Hearing this, Jinghong immediately replied softly, “Young Madam, please do not overthink. The Young Master did not absent himself on purpose.”
“The Eldest Young Master has been frail since birth. A few days ago, he fell gravely ill once again.”
“This illness left him severely depleted. The physician instructed that he needs absolute quiet to recuperate and must avoid any noisy or bustling environments.”
She paused, her gaze intentionally sweeping over Bai Ci before she continued to explain.
“The household made arrangements early on. A few days ago, the Young Master was sent to the hot spring villa outside the city to recuperate.”
“The warm hot springs in winter are highly nourishing, perfect for the Young Master's weak constitution. They can soothe his meridians and replenish his vital energy.”
“It will take some time for the Young Master's condition to stabilize. The physician believes it will be at least next spring before he can return, which is why he cannot come home for the time being.”
Bai Ci let out a soft “Oh,” lowering her gaze as her expression became even more timid.
She hesitated a few more times, and only under Jinghong's gentle encouragement did she ask in a small voice.
“Then... what is Mother-in-law's personality like? Is she easy to get along with?”
“My family is... just an ordinary family. I do not understand the rules of a wealthy household. I am afraid I might do something wrong in the future and displease Mother-in-law.”
Bai Ci put her heart and soul into phrasing her words, making herself sound like an uneducated person trying her best to appear polite.
Hearing this, Jinghong quickly comforted her. “Please do not worry, Young Madam. Madame is exceptionally kind and generous; she is not a harsh or demanding person.”
“However, Madame comes from a prestigious family and has strictly abided by etiquette all her life. She values rules and propriety above all else, and conducts herself with absolute fairness and strict dignity. As long as you remain dutiful and keep to your place, Young Madam, Madame will certainly not mistreat you.”
Values rules, strict and fair.
Key terms extracted.
Excellent. She could safely ignore the polite filler words before and after.
Bai Ci noted these traits, forming an initial mental portrait of this Madame Xu's personality.
“Yes, I understand.”
Seizing the opportunity, Bai Ci continued to act ignorant and cautious about her future, probing further into the household affairs of the Xu family.
“Are there many people in our household usually? Aside from Mother-in-law, what other elders or masters are there?”
“I have just married into this family and know nothing. If I offend someone because I do not recognize them, what... what should I do?”
Seeing this, Jinghong did not hold back. She patiently and meticulously outlined the household structure for her. “The Master is away serving as an official year-round and rarely returns home. All household affairs are managed solely by Madame.”
“Usually, very few relatives visit, so you need not worry about failing to recognize anyone, Young Madam. Any visiting ladies or young misses will be received by Madame herself, so there is no need to worry about that either.”
“There are three young masters and mistresses in the household. Aside from the Eldest Young Master, there is the Second Young Master, as well as the Eldest Young Lady.”
“The Second Young Master is the one who stood in for the Eldest Young Master during the ceremony today. He has a gentle temperament and looks as if he were cast from the same mold as the Eldest Young Master.”
“He spends his days immersed in his studies and rarely interferes in household matters. He is very easy to get along with.”
Not necessarily for me, Bai Ci thought.
She still remembered the expression and look in his eyes that she had glimpsed when she bowed.
When mentioning the Eldest Young Lady, Jinghong paused slightly. She wanted to give a subtle warning, but worried that Bai Ci might not catch the hidden meaning.
After thinking it over, she decided to lay it out plainly.
“Only the Eldest Young Lady has been pampered since childhood. She has a willful and outspoken temperament, and does whatever she pleases.”
“If you happen to run into her in the future, Young Madam, yield to her a bit more. Do not bicker with her, and you will be able to live in peace.”
Bai Ci understood. This Eldest Young Lady was likely the most difficult type to deal with.
She nodded obediently, looking entirely trusting and docile. “I will remember. Thank you for warning me.”
Lowering her eyes, Bai Ci repeatedly rubbed the texture of her robe with her fingertips. Feigning curiosity mixed with a bit of shyness, she softly voiced the question in her heart.
“Then, Jinghong, what does my husband... what does he look like? I have only heard others talk, saying that his character is exceptional...”
Bai Ci found herself unable to make up any more lies, so she trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid to make up for her logical gap.
Hearing this, Jinghong's expression softened, her tone carrying genuine praise.
“The Eldest Young Master is indeed an exceptionally good person. He is always modest and polite to others, and has never once treated us servants harshly. He has a generous and gentle heart.”
“The Young Master is full of talent. Every stroke of his brush yields beautiful and elegant prose. His writing style and character are outstanding, and the scholars at the academy all praise his knowledge and demeanor.”
“People even say that the Eldest Young Master is the God of Literature descended to earth.”
Bai Ci did not doubt this. After all, his special skill was literally called “Literature Carries the Dao.”
Furthermore, given the honest and unpretentious nature of the Rain's Message panel, which described Xu Qinghe as “like jade carved from stone, like a pine standing tall; unrivaled in brilliance, peerless in this world,” it was clear that Jinghong's words were not mere exaggeration.
As she spoke, Jinghong sighed softly, her tone carrying a hint of regret.
“It is a pity that Heaven probably cannot tolerate such a perfect person in this world, leaving the Eldest Young Master weak and sickly since childhood, requiring careful nurturing all year round.”
“It is getting late. I will assist you in washing up first, Young Madam. I can tell you more tomorrow.”
With that, Jinghong brought the conversation to a close. She helped Bai Ci wash up quickly, shed her heavy wedding attire, and change into light, red casual robes.
The night passed in silence. The red candles burned out, and dawn began to break.
The next morning, as the daylight brightened, Bai Ci was woken early by Jinghong.
Jinghong styled her hair, helped her change into formal robes, and led her to the main hall of the main courtyard to pay respects to the matriarch, Madame Xu, and perform the bride's tea ceremony.
Rate on N.U.
