Sheng Mingzhu had caused so many “embarrassing scenes,” and Sheng Minmin sent a generous gift to the Dong Mansion as an apology, maintaining a very humble attitude.
Only then did the masters of the Dong Mansion look a little more pleased.
After that, Sheng Minmin, satisfied, had someone carry Sheng Mingzhu and returned to their residence ahead of the rest of the family.
After the Sheng family left, the bride’s sedan chair entered the Dong Mansion.
Then, clouds suddenly covered the sky within a few breaths, and soon rain began to pour down, causing everyone to cheer.
There had been a drought for a long time, and rain was desperately needed.
After a while, it was said that the Third Princess and the County Princess, seeing how the common people were suffering, had pleaded with Master Daluo to pray for rain.
Moved by the Third Princess and the County Princess, and unable to bear the people’s hardship, Master Daluo found a spot outside the capital city to pray for rain…
No sooner had the rain-praying ritual been completed than the rain started to fall—
Everyone began praising Master Daluo, the Third Princess, and the County Princess, even though they weren’t present.
Their fervor was so intense it seemed they wanted to build golden statues of the three to worship daily.
It was easy to imagine how much their reputations would soar in the capital once news of this got out!
At the same time, no one dared to mock Sheng Mingzhu openly anymore, acting as if they had completely forgotten what had just happened.
Of course, this was all on the surface. What they truly thought in their hearts—the insults, the mockery—only they themselves knew.
Duanmu Rui curled her lip and muttered under her breath.
“Faking it, just fishing for fame…”
Her brother, Duanmu Hui, overheard her and shook his head, speaking with a mix of helplessness and affection.
“A Rui, you really need to rein in your temper when you’re out in public…”
“Brother, with Xiao Qi and the others not here, this is so boring…”
“Well, you still have to wait until the bride and groom have completed the ceremony and had their meal before you can leave. Otherwise, it would be too rude.”
Duanmu Rui knew her brother was right, but she was just so bored. The Sheng residence was much more fun.
Among all the families in the capital, she liked the Shengs the best. It felt like the “drama” there was always the juiciest, the most entertaining, and the most explosive.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Duanmu Rui, and she stared intently at her brother.
Duanmu Hui recognized that look in his sister’s eyes immediately and his face darkened. “What kind of mischief are you planning now?”
Duanmu Rui glanced around, leaned closer to her brother, and lowered her voice.
“Brother, what do you think of Xiao Qi? How about she becomes my sister-in-law…”
Before she could finish, she got two sharp raps on her head.
“Keep letting your imagination run wild and talking nonsense, and I’ll ground you!”
“Fine, fine, if you’re not interested, just say so! Why do you have to hit me?”
——-
“You wretched creature—good-for-nothing—”
In the main house, Old Lady Li stood with her neck craned, hands on her hips, spewing venomous curses at a young woman dressed in navy blue.
The rest of the Feng family sat at the dining table, scowling at the roasted chicken, a bowl of pickled vegetables, and a pot of rice laid out before them.
“My precious eldest grandson wants roast suckling pig, and you dare to fob us off with a measly roasted chicken?
Did you pocket the money Tao Niang gave you?
Pah—daring to skimp on our food, I’ll sell you to a brothel!”
Old Lady Li spat as she ranted.
Little Mrs. Li quickly chimed in, “That’s right! Tao Niang is running a business now, who knows how much money she makes every day!
Her own daughter is an official’s young lady, doesn’t she send gifts to Tao Niang on holidays?
She’s been living the good life for so long, while we’ve suffered so much. Now, would she really skimp on our food?
You go get the money and buy a roast suckling pig for my son to eat!”
If this were the old days, Feng Dabao and Feng Erbao would have joined in cursing the “wretch” by now.
But they were now fifteen or sixteen years old. Boys that age in the village were already getting married—
And they had been eating well every day lately. As the saying goes, a full belly leads to other desires. So, the two of them were staring at the young woman with lecherous eyes.
The young woman’s surname was Mo; people called her Mo Gu. She had been bought by Tao Niang.
Mo Gu was considered a capable aide to Tao Niang and had previously helped manage the household servants.
Since the Feng family had been brought over, Tao Niang found them utterly distasteful and started leaving early and returning late to avoid them.
But Tao Niang was also afraid the Fengs would cause trouble, so she specifically instructed Mo Gu to “look after” them.
“Looking after” was more like keeping watch—making sure the Fengs didn’t go to the Sheng residence to cause a scene and trouble the Sixth Miss.
She also had to make sure they didn’t go to the backyard, where the maids prepared cosmetics and fragrances…
Mo Gu knew very well that the Feng family meant nothing to Tao Niang and had never respected them from the start.
Later, she discovered the Fengs spent their days thinking only of eating meat and had sticky fingers…
Their language was crude, their behavior base…
Mo Gu’s contempt for them only deepened.
The insults from Old Lady Li and Little Mrs. Li made her blood boil.
Seeing the two crippled Feng boys daring to leer at her made her face flush with anger.
She managed to suppress her fury, her face red and tense, and said:
“Old Madam, Madam instructed me yesterday: from now on, your daily meals will have a fixed allowance.
This morning, your breakfast was noodles with toppings made from three catties of pork belly and thirty eggs—you ate five catties of noodles.
For lunch, you had two pork hocks, two roast geese, two fish, and a large pot of rice.
Today’s food budget is already exceeded. This chicken and pickled vegetables were bought using tomorrow’s allowance in advance.
The accounts for the rice, flour, meat, and vegetables are all clear. If you don’t believe me, Old Madam, feel free to check them yourself.
Also, although I was bought, my indenture contract is with Madam. I’m afraid you don’t have the authority to sell me.”
With that, she flicked her sleeves and walked out.
Old Lady Li tried to follow her out to continue cursing, but saw the two servants in the courtyard glaring at her. She stopped in her tracks and spat on the ground.
“When that wretch Tao Niang gets back, I’ll give her a piece of my mind—”
Muttering curses, Old Lady Li returned to the table.
“Alright, let’s eat first.”
Old Man Feng spoke in a low voice, his face grim.
Old Lady Li looked at the single chicken, frowned, and began dividing the food.
Recently, they’d had meat at every meal, eating until their bellies were round. It had been a long time since they’d needed to ration food.
She thought for a moment, then tore off one chicken leg and the chicken bottom, putting them in Old Man Feng’s bowl.
She kept the other leg for herself.
Feng Dabao and Feng Erbao each got a chicken wing, plus some meat.
The remaining meat was divided between her two sons.
In the end, only the chicken head and neck were left for Little Mrs. Li.
Little Mrs. Li’s face fell, but she didn’t dare say anything.
If this were back during those five years in Peach Blossom Village, this meal would have been better than a New Year’s feast. There wouldn’t have been a single grain of rice or piece of pickled vegetable left.
But it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, and hard to go back.
Having grown accustomed to rich food, this meal felt utterly tasteless.
In no time, everyone had eaten a bowl of rice with the meat, leaving the pickled vegetables untouched and quite a bit of rice leftover.
Two elderly servants came in to clear the table and served tea.
Old Man Feng sipped his tea in silence, his mind working furiously.
