Aristocratic Family - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 : Madam Mo

Just as the grandmother and granddaughter were chatting, a maidservant reported that the first lady had arrived. Yueyao acutely noticed the coldness in Old Lady Lian’s eyes and felt surprised. Could it be that Old Lady Lian and the first lady didn’t get along?

The curtain opened, and Madam Mo walked in. Yueyao looked at Madam Mo, who was wearing a light purple dress and had a neat bun. Madam Mo’s skin was fair, her figure was slightly plump, and her face was round and gentle, giving people a very kind and approachable feeling.

Yueyao looked at Madam Mo and couldn’t help but think that just a moment ago, she had seen Madam Mo dressed in red for a birthday celebration, looking dignified and superior. Now, Madam Mo looked much younger and was being submissive in front of Old Lady Lian.

Madam Mo entered the room and greeted Old Lady Lian respectfully: “Mother, I pay my respects. How are you feeling today?” Her demeanor and actions showed her concern, and there was nothing to criticize.

Madam Mo saw Old Lady Lian looking at Yueyao, and Yueyao was looking at her with complex emotions in her eyes. Madam Mo felt strange and asked softly: “Yueyao, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Yueyao came back to her senses, lowered her head, and adjusted her emotions. She didn’t dare to look directly at Madam Mo, fearing that her eyes would reveal her hatred. But at her current age, where did hatred come from? If her eyes showed hatred, it would definitely arouse suspicion and cause unnecessary trouble. She remembered seeing people who spoke nonsense being burned alive.

Madam Mo noticed Yueyao’s unusual behavior and felt suspicious. However, Yueyao was sitting next to Old Lady Lian, so Madam Mo didn’t ask further questions.

Old Lady Lian, however, had noticed Yueyao’s behavior and felt suspicious. But she didn’t show it on her face: “The Momo will come in a few days. You need to prepare the courtyard and take this matter seriously. It’s about the education of the Lian family’s daughter and affects the family’s reputation.” If the girl’s education was not proper, it would damage the Lian family’s reputation.
“Yueyao is already eight years old, and it’s time to learn etiquette. We can’t delay it,” Old Lady Lian said.

Yueyao saw Madam Mo’s submissive behavior and couldn’t help but look at her grandmother again. She remembered what her sister had told her about her grandmother being strict with Madam Mo and supporting Concubine Chen, which had caused tension between Madam Mo and Concubine Chen.

Madam Mo noticed Yueyao’s condition wasn’t good and asked with a gentle tone, “Yueyao, what’s wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable again?” The word “again” made Old Lady Lian frown.

Yueyao said respectfully, “Thank you, Aunt, for your concern. I’m feeling much better…”

Madam Mo stepped forward, wanting to hold Yueyao’s hands to show affection. However, Yueyao reflexively took two steps back, revealing her fear and anxiety. This reaction made Madam Mo look like a monster to others.

Yueyao knew this reaction was terrible, but it was her genuine response. In her heart, Madam Mo was more venomous than a poisonous snake. No matter how rational she tried to be, she couldn’t control her fear.

Old Lady Lian’s eyes flashed with suspicion. What had Madam Mo done to make Yueyao so afraid of her?
Due to her age and health, Old Lady Lian had been turning a blind eye to the inner courtyard’s affairs. But now, it seemed there were many things she didn’t know about. It was unsettling.

Madam Mo’s hands fell empty, and she felt a sudden shock. Yueyao used to be affectionate towards her, thanks to Gu Mama’s words in her favor. But now, Yueyao seemed distant.

Madam Mo quickly composed herself and smiled: “What’s wrong with you, child? Why are you being so distant with your aunt?”

Yueyao regained her calmness instantly. She didn’t want people to suspect she was possessed. However, her previous reaction had already raised suspicions. She couldn’t afford to make another mistake. But pretending to be affectionate with Madam Mo was something she couldn’t do. She stood there stiffly.

Old Lady Lian noticed Yueyao’s attitude and thought for a moment before telling Madam Mo: “You can go now.” She needed to ask Yueyao what was going on.

Madam Mo felt uncomfortable hearing Old Lady Lian’s words. She wanted to ask Yueyao what was wrong, but with Old Lady Lian present, she couldn’t ask any questions. In the backyard, no one dared to disobey Old Lady Lian.
So, she had to leave with her maids.

Old Lady Lian asked Yueyao curiously: “Third child, what happened just now?” Why did Lian Yueyao look so scared when Madam Mo approached her?

Yueyao lowered her head and remained silent. Sometimes, one lie required ten lies to cover it up, and her education didn’t allow her to lie, especially to her loving grandmother.
Lian Yueyao couldn’t do it.

Old Lady Lian looked at Yueyao and sighed softly. She would rather Yueyao tell her the truth than keep everything bottled up inside.

Yueyao said a few more words to Old Lady Lian: “Grandmother, I’m going back to copy scriptures.” She didn’t want to face Old Lady Lian’s doubts.

After Yueyao left, Old Lady Lian instructed someone: “This child’s attitude towards the first lady is very strange. Go ask the people in Lanxi Courtyard what happened to this child in the past few days.”

When Yueyao walked out of the door, the rain had stopped. The summer air after the rain was fresh and cool, making people feel relaxed and comfortable.

After returning to Lanxi Courtyard, Yueyao fell into a daze again. Mu Qiu and Hua Lei didn’t dare to disturb her and instead instructed the servants to prepare lunch for their young lady. Usually, Yueyao’s meals were specially prepared. She was used to the delicate dishes from Jiangnan and didn’t like the food in the capital. Old Lady Lian had specifically instructed the servants to take good care of Yueyao’s living and eating habits.

But now, Yueyao didn’t want to be treated specially: “Don’t prepare special meals for me at noon. I’ll eat what everyone else eats.” She wasn’t weak anymore and had gotten used to the capital’s food over the years.

Mu Qiu and Hua Lei exchanged a worried glance: “Young lady, this won’t do. You’re not used to eating that kind of food.” They couldn’t just not eat, could they?

Yueyao said calmly: “I have to get used to it.” It couldn’t be like this forever. Mu Qiu took the hint from Hua Lei and went out to tell the kitchen staff. Hua Lei looked at their young lady with concern.

Yueyao didn’t mind everyone’s doubts and went to the small Buddhist hall to copy scriptures again. She would change gradually, step by step. As long as the direction was right, small problems wouldn’t matter.

When Yueyao copied scriptures, no one was allowed to enter, not even the maid who usually ground the ink. Everything was done by Lian Yueyao herself.

At lunchtime, Gu Mama spoke with concern: “Young lady, the first lady is your aunt and the mistress of the house. What happened to you today? Why did you…”

Yueyao’s expression was very cold: “I know what I’m doing, and I don’t need your guidance.”  Yueyao’s tone was calm, without anger or disgust. However, this calmness implied a sense of detachment, which was more terrifying than anger or disgust.

Gu Mama’s face changed drastically. She felt humiliated by Yueyao’s words. If last night’s behavior was due to a nightmare, today’s rebuke was in full awareness. The maids around her lowered their heads, and when Gu Mama tried to speak again, Yueyao stood up and returned to her room.

Back in her room, Yueyao looked at the things around her. Her gaze fell on the ink painting on the wall, and her thoughts drifted back to her past life. In her past life, even Mr. Wen had praised her talent for painting.
She had devoted all her time to calligraphy, painting, and the Six Arts¹. However, she had neglected feminine virtues like needlework, cooking, and household management.

Madam Mo had intentionally led her to view money as worthless, and Yueyao hadn’t bothered to learn about it. As a result, she was terrible at needlework and cooking. Even after entering the temple, she couldn’t sew clothes and had to learn from the others for years before she became somewhat skilled.

With the experience of her past life, Yueyao knew that skills like music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, and painting were useless. These things couldn’t help her in daily life, which was about mundane things like food, clothing, and shelter. A woman should learn practical skills like needlework, cooking, and household management to survive in the world.

In her past life, her talent had earned her a reputation as a talented lady, but it had brought her nothing but jealousy and hatred. This life, she wouldn’t make the same mistakes. She would learn what a woman should know.

Yueyao thought for a moment and then shook her head. She couldn’t give up her painting and calligraphy skills, as she might need to rely on them to make a living in the future.

Mu Qiu and Hua Lei saw their young lady nodding and shaking her head and exchanged a glance without saying a word. It was better for their young lady to think than to copy scriptures non-stop every day. Every time they saw their young lady copying scriptures tirelessly without rest, they felt anxious.

Just as they were thinking, Yueyao snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the two maids: “Who told Gu Mama about what happened earlier?” If it wasn’t one of them, Gu Mama wouldn’t have found out so quickly. Yueyao suspected it was Mu Qiu who told Gu Mama, as Hua Lei wouldn’t follow Gu Mama’s instructions.

Mu Qiu stepped forward: “Young lady, Gu Mama asked me, and I told her.”
Lian Yueyao glanced at Mu Qiu: “From now on, don’t answer anyone’s questions without my permission.” Mu Qiu was straightforward and would follow through with her instructions. If Yueyao told her not to say anything, Mu Qiu wouldn’t say a word.

Mu Qiu was taken aback, and after being pinched by Hua Lei, she replied: “Yes, young lady.”

When Mu Qiu came out, she asked Hua Lei: “What’s wrong with our young lady? She’s clearly targeting Gu Mama. Why is she so disgusted with Gu Mama all of a sudden?”

Hua Lei shook her head: “Just do what our young lady says.”
Hua Lei sometimes felt frustrated with Mu Qiu’s straightforwardness, which bordered on being foolish.

—