Chapter 75 – That Lady Zhou Is Quite Crafty And Unruly, With A Strange Mind (1)
The State Duke was from a military background and he often trained people in the residence as if they were soldiers. Therefore, the rules in the State Duke Residence are strict. The servants always followed the rules and moved around quietly, careful to not disturb anyone.
But, they were out of place today.
The servant girl carrying a basin of water dropped it by accident and the other girl who was sweeping the floor sprained her feet.
This is all because they saw Lord Wu who was gentle, elegant, and well-mannered since he was a child, holding a woman’s hands and walking across the yard in public and towards the central building.
They passed the rooms and arrived at the east central building where Lady usually lived in.
Zhou Xiaoxiao pulled on his hands and shook her head.
Yu Xingzhi said in shock, “You’re going there by yourself?”
Zhou Xiaoxiao smiled and said, “Well, you don’t understand now. mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are naturally enemies, so it’s better if you’re not present. If you’re by my side and determined to protect me, Lady will be even angrier at me.”
Yu Xingzhi tightened his grip on her hands, clearly worried for her.
“Xingzhi, when I first walked into the State Duke Residence by myself, I was very hesitant too.” Zhou Xiaoxiao gently said, “But when you came to pick me up, I feel much more at ease and comfortable; there’s nothing I should be scared of.”
She patted Yu Xingzhi’s hands and walked up the steps by herself, into the room.
In the middle of walking, she looked back and smiled brilliantly.
Yu Xingzhi looked at her and hid her beautiful and treasurable smile in his heart.
The servant girls who were serving by the door were all ill at ease and frantically rushing around as if they were about to face an enemy. The servant girl who was pulling the curtains over tripped on her foot and almost fell down.
Zhou Xiaoxiao helped her silently and walked into the room.
This room was contained a dignified and imposing atmosphere, magnificent and serene.
There was an ancient folding chair inside with carved patterns on there and a Ruyao was placed beside the desk.
A woman with a solemn expression was sitting upright by the kang stove bed.
The three concubines sat by the chairs on the east side. One of them was Liu Xinyi who she saw yesterday. From that, she assumed the other two would be the Crown Prince of State Duke Residence, Yu Xingyong’s wife, Huang Tingyu; the other would be the Fourth Lord, Yu Xingzhang’s wife, Guo Jingyan.
The person sitting on the kang stove bed was the center of attention, Yu Xingzhi’s mother: Lady Guo.
Zhou Xiaoxiao walked up and earnestly crossed her hands and bent her knee, bowing at her.
She said, “Paying respects to the Lady.”
She kneeled for a while but still didn’t hear her telling her to get up. Therefore, she silently counted to ten and then stood up.
Lady Guo’s face remained calm.
Huang Tingyu who sat closest to her knitted her eyebrows and said, “Your elder hasn’t told you to stand up so how can you do so? You have no manners.”
“Oh.” Zhou Xiaoxiao calmly responded and asked, “So you want me to continue to kneel?
“You…” Huang Tingyu didn’t expect for Zhou Xiaoxiao to speak in such a straightforward manner. She clutched her handkerchief, unable to retort.
Zhou Xiaoxiao didn’t mind and she didn’t wait for someone to address her before she sat down at a chair to the west.
She smiled and said to Liu Xinyi who was across from her, “Thank you, fourth concubine, for inviting me over. I’m very happy to be able to see the Lady’s kind appearance and the goddess-like concubines today.”
Lin Xinyi said awkward, “You’re…you’re welcome.”
Guo Jingyan knitted her eyebrows, “Humph, shameless girl. I’m advising you to stop being overly confident. Check your status first before thinking about speaking with an attitude to third sister-in-law. Who would want to invite you over? It’s just that mother wants to reprimand you.”
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