Upon entering the main hall, she saw a woman dressed in fine silk sitting in the seat of honor.
The woman looked to be in her early forties, her hair meticulously styled without a single strand out of place. Dressed in everyday brocade robes, her features were refined—a testament to the saying that time never fades a true beauty.
The passing of years had done nothing to diminish her charm. At first glance, it was obvious she had been a beauty in her youth and remained one now, with the added grace of an elegant, poised demeanor.
This was Madame Xu, the matriarch who managed the inner household of the Xu family.
Before leaving her room, Bai Ci had asked Jinghong for a brief lesson in basic etiquette. Relying on her memory, she stepped forward, curtsied, and bowed.
“Greetings, Mother-in-law.”
As a modern person, her movements were somewhat awkward and unrefined, yet this imperfection fit her persona perfectly.
Even with the slightly clumsy gestures, Bai Ci’s tea presentation was overall respectful and proper, without a single breach of etiquette.
Looking at the frail, submissive girl before her, Madame Xu showed no sign of disapproval. Instead, a warm smile touched her eyes as she reached out to help Bai Ci to her feet.
“Rise,” Madame Xu said in a soft, gentle voice. “Since you have entered the gates of the Xu family, you are one of us now. There is no need to be so formal.”
Helped to her feet, Bai Ci kept her eyes lowered, remaining deeply in character.
After all, the woman before her was the matriarch. Anyone capable of running such a complex household with perfect order, no matter how gentle they appeared, was bound to be formidable. Bai Ci had to proceed with absolute caution.
If she exposed any abnormalities in this feudal, superstitious era, she might very well be accused of being possessed by a ghost and burned at the stake.
After sipping the tea Bai Ci offered, Madame Xu pulled her to sit beside her, warmly holding her hand between her own palms to warm it.
“From now on, you do not need to call me Madame. Call me Mother. The moment I saw you yesterday, I felt an instant connection. You are a sensible and obedient child.”
Having said this, her gaze swept over Bai Ci, lingering on her excessively frail frame and slightly pale complexion. A look of heartache and pity appeared on her face.
“You poor child, you look far too thin and small,” Madame Xu sighed softly.
“I can see faint traces of old scars on your shoulders and limbs. You must have had a very difficult life in the countryside.”
“But now that you have joined our family, you are like a daughter to me.”
“Your past hardships are behind you. From now on, take good care of your health, heal your old wounds, and replenish your vitality. You will never have to suffer like that again.”
Bai Ci maintained her docile facade, appearing unaccustomed to such warmth. Her voice remained quiet as she whispered her gratitude.
“Thank you, Ma... Mother.”
Seeing how obedient she was, Madame Xu's smile widened. She turned to the head maid standing beside her and ordered, “Go, invite Dr. Zhou over.”
“Yes, Madame,” the head maid replied with a bow, immediately withdrawing.
Madame Xu turned back to Bai Ci and explained patiently, “Dr. Zhou is our family's long-term physician. He is highly skilled in medicine and specializes in treating physical weakness and chronic ailments.”
“For many years, he has been treating and tending to Huaining. He is of steady character and completely trustworthy.”
“I will have him take your pulse today to assess your constitution. He can help nourish your body, prescribe some gentle tonics to replenish your blood, clear up those old ailments, and nurse you back to health.”
Madame Xu's words were thoughtful, and her every action exuded the genuine care of an elder for a junior.
Arriving before Dr. Zhou were Madame Xu's son and daughter.
Two figures entered the main hall, one after the other.
Walking in front was the Second Young Master of the Xu family. Bai Ci had specifically asked Jinghong about him; his name was Xu Jingan, and his demeanor carried the bright, sharp energy of youth.
During yesterday's wedding, it was he who had held the rooster to complete the marriage ceremony on behalf of his gravely ill elder brother.
His expression today was identical to yesterday's ceremony—stiff and indifferent, though he was doing his best to suppress his dislike for Bai Ci.
However, as a youth who had not yet experienced the ways of the world, he was not very good at hiding his emotions.
Xu Jingan walked to the center of the hall and bowed deeply to Madame Xu, his movements precise and impeccable.
After paying his respects, his gaze shifted to Bai Ci, who was sitting nearby, and he paused briefly.
Even though he still harbored reservations, after a brief moment of hesitation, he ultimately chose to abide by proper etiquette.
“Greetings, Sister-in-law.”
His greeting was entirely flat, carrying only the cold distance of obligation.
It was clear that even though he had not yet come of age, he was already showing signs of becoming quite the little traditionalist.
The Eldest Young Lady of the Xu family, who followed close behind, possessed a completely different temperament.
Her name was Zhaoyue, and true to her name, she was brightly dressed, with vivid and expressive features.
It was obvious that Jinghong's prior description had been entirely accurate.
Pampered since childhood, she could not conceal her willful, spoiled demeanor in her every gesture.
Xu Zhaoyue strode directly into the hall. After paying her respects to Madame Xu in a proper manner, she stood beside Xu Jingan and fell silent, completely ignoring Bai Ci.
It was only when Xu Jingan, with his hands behind his back, secretly tugged at her sleeve that her deliberate snub had to end.
Tilting her chin slightly, her gaze swept over Bai Ci.
“Mother, I find her attire far too plain.”
“While our family does not seek extravagant luxury, a new bride entering our household is a joyous occasion. To dress so shabbily... if word gets out, others will think the Xu family mistreats our new daughter-in-law, which will only invite gossip.”
Her words, both direct and implied, mocked Bai Ci's humble origins and petty demeanor, suggesting she was unworthy of being the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xu family.
Bai Ci kept her eyes lowered, blinking rapidly as if fighting back tears.
She nervously fidgeted with the corner of her robe, looking entirely helpless under the criticism, without even the courage to look up and defend herself.
Before Madame Xu could speak, Xu Jingan frowned and intervened, his tone carrying a hint of sternness.
“A'yue, do not be rude.”
“Sister-in-law has just entered our household and is not yet accustomed to our customs. As her younger sister, you should show tolerance and courtesy instead of deliberately picking faults.”
“Our family values order and hierarchy. Since she is our eldest sister-in-law, we must abide by proper etiquette and not speak so recklessly.”
He had always been upright and dutiful.
Though he did not truly approve of this rushed marriage to ward off bad luck, and harbored reservations about this country sister-in-law who had appeared out of nowhere, he still strictly adhered to the rules.
He would not allow his younger sister to rely on their mother's favor to behave willfully, lose her manners, and publicly embarrass their sister-in-law.
Being publicly reprimanded by her second brother made Xu Zhaoyue lose face. Her expression darkened, and she bit her lip in resentment.
She was utterly indignant, yet she did not dare to openly talk back.
She wasn't truly afraid of her second brother's anger; after all, their mother favored her, and a little acting spoiled would usually smooth things over.
She was only afraid that this tattertale would report her to their eldest brother.
When their eldest brother got angry, it was terrifying. Even their mother could not stop him. Not only would she not escape punishment, but it would likely be doubled.
“I was wrong. Please do not take offense, Sister-in-law.”
Thinking of her eldest brother, Xu Zhaoyue could only turn her face away in frustration, muttering under her breath as she finally bowed her head to apologize.
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