Chapter 1153: First Month

After receiving King Rong and his family, Fan Zijin immediately asked to return to the Duke’s Residence with the excuse that he was busy with work. Fan Siwen was furious. “It’s only the eighth day of the New Year. What work can you possibly be busy with now?”

Fan Zijin said calmly, “The Crown Prince and Wenjin promised the Westerners to exempt some of their goods from taxes. The Ministry of Revenue has to handle this matter.”

Fan Siwen’s face was livid as he said, “Then leave by yourself and leave Little Madam Xia and the two children behind. We haven’t seen them all year round. Which daughter-in-law doesn’t serve her mother-in-law? When has your mother ever enjoyed getting served by her daughter-in-law?”

Madam Xia, who was sitting at the side, immediately said, “I don’t need her to serve me. She just needs to serve my son and grandsons well. I’m not so old that I can’t walk. I don’t need her to wait on me hand and foot.” At this point, Madam Xia sneered. “Besides, aren’t there Zixiao and the others’ wives in the residence? With so many of them serving me, it’s more than enough.”

Fan Siwen’s lips moved as he looked at Madam Xia sadly.

All these years, Madam Xia had been guarding against him as though he was a thief. It was impossible not to be sad. He just wanted Zijin to stay at home for a few more days so that his other sons could take the opportunity to get to know more people. However, Madam Xia kept guarding against him.

Didn’t she know that it was difficult for one person to fight against many? If Zijin wanted to go far, would he need the help of his other clansmen?

Madam Xia didn’t even look at him from the corner of her eye. She said to Little Madam Xia, “Since you’re leaving, quickly go back and pack your things. There’s no need to come and pay your respects to me every few days. Just bring the kids to visit me during their break. Serve show your filial piety by serving Zijin well with all your heart.”

Little Madam Xia’s face flushed red with shame.

It was easy for people to forget about the pain and harm inflicted upon them. It was the same for Little Madam Xia. In the past, she had resented Madam Xia a lot, but now, she was filled with shame. All these years, she had indeed failed to do her duty as a daughter-in-law. In the past, she could still shirk responsibility since they were away in another city.

However, in the past two years, she had not been very dutiful even when they returned to the capital. Madam Xia did not find trouble with her either. Little Madam Xia only had to come to pay her respects every five days and whenever she visited, Madam Xia would defend her in front of her sisters-in-law.

Little Madam Xia’s heart was not made of stone and had long softened. Seeing that her mother-in-law was defending her, she was about to speak up. Just then, Fan Zijin tugged at her and looked at her calmly. “Hurry up and pack your things.”

Little Madam Xia could only bow to her in-laws and leave. The daughters-in-law of the Fan family gritted their teeth. Other than the two from the royal family, Little Madam Xia had the easiest time as a daughter-in-law since she lived elsewhere and didn’t have to serve her mother-in-law.

In spite of that, she still managed to gain a good reputation. Whenever someone asked Madam Xia about Little Madam Xia, she would sing high praises of her, causing the entire capital to know that she was filial. It was not that Little Madam Xia refused to serve her in-laws, but that Madam Xia felt sorry for her son and insisted she stay in the Duke’s Residence to serve him. She did not allow her to constantly visit her, saying it was because she was not so old that she could not walk. It was only in the future when she couldn’t walk that she needed Little Madam Xia to serve her…

On the contrary, it made them, the daughters-in-law who had been serving their in-laws day and night, look pretentious. Little Madam Xia had clearly not served her mother-in-law, but still, she pretended to be such a dutiful daughter-in-law outside.

But who knew about their hardships?

Their husbands were the sons of concubines and because the Fan family had yet to split up its assets, every single cent they used came from the residence. Their mother-in-law knew how to enjoy herself. After setting a monthly expenditure limit, she handed the inner estate to them to manage. If there was surplus from the budget, she didn’t interfere; likewise, if there was a shortfall, she didn’t cough up the difference either. Indeed, she did not need them to serve her personally. But in order to receive more money, they had no choice but to please her.

Seeing that the family of four did not bring much luggage, they obviously knew beforehand that they would not stay for long. Shortly after giving an order, the servant girls finished packing up.

Little Madam Xia was still a little nervous after following Fan Zijin into the carriage. “Is this really a good idea?”

Fan Zijin’s expression was calm as he looked at the clouds in the sky and said, “Just do as she says.”

“But Mother-in-law is advanced in age…” Little Madam Xia carefully looked at her husband’s expression and said, “It’s not good to let her be alone. She’ll also miss her son and grandchildren.”

After a long silence, Fan Zijin finally said, “There will be chances in the future.” But not now…

These words were cold, but Little Madam Xia couldn’t help but feel sad. If possible, which mother and son would be like this? Wasn’t it all because of her father-in-law?

The moment Fan Zijin returned to the Duke’s Residence, the people outside immediately swarmed over to give him gifts and pay their New Year greetings.

Fan Zijin quickly forgot about the incident at the Fan Residence and returned the overly expensive gifts or reciprocated gifts to the various families. He was extremely busy.

In comparison, King Rong’s residence was much colder. Although many people also sent gifts to them, they only sent the steward to deliver them before leaving. Very few people dared to visit them personally. Only some generals in the army dared to personally bring things to King Rong’s door. However, they were either Qi Haoran’s colleagues or subordinates, so Mu Yangling didn’t even need to appear personally. She only needed to instruct the kitchen to prepare food and wine for them.

In a relaxed mode, Qi Haoran got drunk for two consecutive days and had to be helped back to his room. The moment he entered the room, he lay on the bed and snored. Mu Yangling was so angry that she pinched his cheek a few times before fetching water to wash him.

Seeing that he was energetic again and was about to compete in drinking with others the moment he woke up, Mu Yangling immediately held him back and said, “It’s already the sixth day of the Lunar New Year and we haven’t entered the palace to pay New Year greetings yet. How long do you plan to drag it out?”

Stunned, Qi Haoran asked, “What do you mean by paying New Year’s greetings? We’re family. Doesn’t that gathering on New Year’s Eve count?”

After the New Year’s Eve banquet, they stayed in the palace to stay up late and only left the palace on New Year’s Day. They had already paid their New Year greetings at the time, and the children had already received red packets from Qi Xiuyuan and his wife. Why did they still have to enter the palace at this time?

Mu Yangling looked at his dazed expression and snorted with a smile. “Big Brother has been waiting in the palace. Logically speaking, we should have entered the palace on the first or third day of the new year, but we were lazy on the first day of the new year. On the third day of the new year, we went to Aunt’s house. On the fourth day of the new year, I wanted to go, but you went to drink for two consecutive days.”

At this point, Mu Yangling looked at him resentfully.

Qi Haoran scratched his head. “Then shall we enter the palace today?”

Qi Haoran felt a little regretful. He only had the time to drink with his subordinates and colleagues these two days. Most importantly, he only had the guts on such an occasion.

He glanced at his wife and probed softly, “I’ve already made plans to have a drink with a few friends. I’m afraid I won’t have the time after the new year.”

Mu Yangling looked at him with a faint smile and said, “That’s a pity. After the new year, even if you have the time, you won’t have the chance to compete with them in drinking. That’s because my good temper will only last until the end of the first month of the new year.”

As Mu Yangling spoke, she rubbed her fists and cracked her joints.

Qi Haoran shrunk his head and did not dare to speak anymore.

Satisfied, Mu Yangling got up to pack her things and prepare to enter the palace.

Qi Xiuyuan was walking around the imperial garden with his sons. When he heard that his brother’s family had entered the palace, he belatedly remembered that his brother had yet to enter the palace to visit him to pay his greetings for the new year.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.