Peony Courtyard
Fu Qionghua's face turned cold on the spot when he came back from Fanlan Courtyard.
Aunt Kang saw her wife like this, maybe it was because she was looked down upon by the marquis and uncles at Zhou's birthday banquet today.
Aunt Kang poured a cup of tea and handed it to her wife, and said in a comforting voice: "Madam, please calm down, it's not worth getting yourself so angry over this."
"You are the aunt of Duke An Guo. It would be great if the old lady loves you. You don't want to beg those ladies, so why bother to make friends with them?"
Fu Qionghua did not take the tea she handed over, but was still livid with anger: "I think Mrs. Zhou did it on purpose. She is my sister-in-law, so she should know my situation, but she didn't help me at all in this situation. Seeing me being ignored and looked down upon by those ladies and girls, I can see that she is clearly laughing at me, and I don’t know how happy she is.”
"Is it because when she first got married, I was a little too willful as my sister-in-law? She said she didn't mind, she only spoke well of me in front of her mother and treated me as her own sister, but she already felt resentful in her heart. Me! Now that I have married into the Xie family and brought Yan Jie and the others back to my parents’ home, they are looking for opportunities to embarrass me!"
Fu Qionghua was so angry that her shoulders were shaking, especially when she thought of the cloisonné enamel hundred-treasure peony bonsai that her son Fu Xuzhi gave to Zhou today, her heart became even more congested, and she said to Aunt Kang: "Our Lord An Guo Although the government is on the side of the prince, it should be more low-key. She, Mrs. Zhou, wants everyone to know that she likes peonies. The hundred-treasure peony bonsai is made of Wei purple, white jade and Yao yellow. Is it tourmaline, jade, or agate? Is she so extravagant and doesn’t care at all about the reputation of our Duke Anguo’s mansion?”
"Besides, Xuzhi has worked so hard to create such a big battle for her, and if word spreads about it, it will not have a good impact on Xuzhi. I don't know how those people outside are planning my son's secrets."
"There is also the famous peony painting of Meng, Song and Yuan Dynasties given by the prince. If the news about Xuzhi's purchase of this hundred-treasure peony bonsai for Zhou had not reached the prince's ears, how would the prince, with his status, know that Zhou loved peonies? , will you give me this birthday gift?”
Grandma Kang opened her mouth to persuade, but she really didn't know how to persuade. She knew that Madam was angry at those people's neglect and contempt, but she was even more angry at Young Master Xu's filial piety towards the Zhou family.
But back then, it was the Madam who left the Young Master and Xie Miao out of the contract for the young Master's future. In recent years, the Young Master has received more attention from An Guo Gongfu than the eldest Young Master Fu Hezhi, and because he is the Prince's companion when he urinates, he is also very popular in front of the Prince. He was so handsome, he seemed to be one of the most distinguished young men in the capital. In her opinion, since she had received these real benefits, she had to endure Master Xuzhi's filial piety towards the Zhou family.
After all, Master Xuzhi can be so filial to Mrs. Zhou. It can be imagined that Mrs. Zhou has taken good care of the young master these years.
Their wives thought that they would take advantage of both sides, and they did not think about where such good things could be in the world.
Not to mention, how did Mr. Zhou treat his young master, and how did his wife treat Xie Shu, her biological niece?
Aunt Kang just turned around in her heart, but she didn't dare to say a word. Seeing that Fu Qionghua was very angry, she quickly changed the topic and said: "Don't be angry now. Compared with Xu, If the young master can be so valued by the prince, everything else is trivial."
"My servant knows that the prince has never been here for Zhou's birthday before, but this year is the first time. It must be like what the old lady said, because our young master followed the prince out of the capital this time to escort Enshi's coffin back to his hometown for a smooth burial. The prince must have noticed the hardships he endured for more than half a month, so he gave Zhou the honor of not only visiting Duke Anguo's mansion in person, but also giving him the famous painting of peonies by Meng Song and Yuan Dynasty."
After saying that, Mother Kang added: "Although the Zhou family has gained respect, the one who really shines in the banquet today is our young master Xuzhi."
Fu Qionghua's face softened a little after hearing what Nanny Zhou said: "You are right. Only when my son grows up can he be valued by the prince. Brother He can't compare with him."
"Brother He is here today, but he looks sick. How could the prince see him? Naturally, he just asked my son to go to the study to talk. In my opinion, since he is not well yet, he should not force himself. Hold on, you won't be able to pass on your illness to me. Xuzhi. I think he just wants to cling to his identity as the eldest son. He is afraid that others will forget him as the eldest young master, and wants to compete with my son for the title of eldest son. As for the throne. He doesn’t even think about whether he can handle it even if the throne of prince is given to him."
"Some people, even if they come from a noble family, are too unlucky to bear this blessing. Otherwise, they would have been sick since birth."
Fu Qionghua said a few words to himself, with a bit of pride on his face.
But for a moment she thought of Mrs. Tan and Jiang Zhixian, Mrs. Rong Guo, whom she met at Zhou's place today. The smile on her face faded a little and she said, "Speaking of which, Mrs. Tan, Mrs. Rong Guo, is really arrogant. Today, these female relatives came, but she was the most arrogant. She also looked eager to marry her daughter Jiang Zhixian to our Xuzhi. She called Mrs. Zhou one sister after another, and was not reserved at all. "
Mother Kang glanced at her wife and asked tentatively: "Madam, what do you think of this Jiang Zhixian? I think this young lady Jiang's background is worthy of our young master, and her talents are even praised by Princess Zhaoyang." , she looks classy now, if she can marry our young master, it would be great to be the wife of this prince."
Fu Qionghua picked up the tea cup she placed on the table, took a sip, and then said calmly: "This Jiang Zhixian is quite good, but there are many girls with good backgrounds in the capital. I only have a son like Xuzhi who always wants to Let him choose carefully."
After hearing this, Mother Kang felt that her wife was too picky. She said, Jiang Zhixian is already pretty good, so why should she be pickier? However, she knew Fu Qionghua's temperament, so she did not say this out loud. She only said, "Since Madam thinks so, she should get closer to the old Madam. In the eyes of outsiders, you are an aunt who married outside. What do you want?" The only way to manage Young Master Xuzhi's marriage is from the old lady."
"How about Madam getting up early tomorrow and going to Fanlan Courtyard to have dinner with the old lady. The old lady will definitely be happy."
Fu Qionghua was about to agree, but after thinking about it, he shook his head: "No, not only will I not get up early to go to Xilan Hospital tomorrow, but you will also have to go to Xilan Hospital in person to tell mother that I am sick."
Fu Qionghua said bitterly: "Zhou allowed those people to bully and look down on me at today's banquet. I can't just let it go."
After hearing this, Aunt Kang just thought about it and agreed: "Yes, I know what the lady means."
Although the madam's behavior is somewhat unfilial and makes the old madam worried in vain, as a married woman returns to live with her parents, she cannot be looked down upon. No matter whether the madam is really wronged or falsely wronged, the illness is enough to make the old madam beat the eldest lady Zhou because she feels sorry for her daughter. It also sends a warning to everyone in the house. Among the several children, the old madam is the most painful. My aunt, the only daughter, couldn't bear to see her suffer any injustice.
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