Chapter 349: Chapter 350 - What Cuipiao Wanted, Third Uncle Became Examiner

But Song Yixiao had no idea of Wei Mengying’s true feelings behind the seemingly casual conversation between the mother and the daughter today.

After she returned to the mansion of Duke of Yan, she changed into her usual clothes and was about to order someone to bring her daughter over, when the subordinate reported that the accounts and things had been sent from the manors, asking if she would like to go and check immediately.

After the servant finished reporting the business, he looked a bit odd and said, “Fan Zhong’s wife also comes with him, saying that she is here to greet you!”

“Cuipiao is also here?” Song Yixiao was slightly surprised. After Cuipiao had got married two years ago, she had not come since she met Yu Shiheng when she came back to the mansion to show her gratitude. Perhaps because she had been stimulated. Fan Zhong was the only one who came over for anything in the manor. When Song Yixiao heard that Cuipiao had given birth to a daughter, Song Yixiao had specially ordered people to send something over and to visit her. Cuipiao didn’t even say that she would come over to thank her in person, so why did she suddenly come over this time?

Song Yixiao couldn’t help but think of Jinxun’s marriage to Yu Shiheng, and frowned slightly.

But then she thought of the fact that Cuipiao had a child at this time. She heard that Fan Zhong had always treated Cuipiao very well. If Cuipiao knew that Yu Shiheng rejected her but took the initiative to marry Jinxun, even though she would be unpleasant, she wouldn’t do anything embarrassing, right?

With this in mind, Song Yixiao said, “Send Xiandeng and the others to go over and come back to report to me after checking. As for Cuipiao, call her over now!”

After a while, Cuipiao came in with a swaddling cloth in her arms and bowed in greeting, “Madam, live long and prosper!”

“Why bother to be so formal?” Song Yixiao raised her hand gently, “Get up!”

Next to her, Jinxun moved an embroidery stool without waiting for orders, and said with a smile, “Is this child Cuipiao’s daughter? She looks so cute!”

“Yes, she is my daughter.” Cuipiao smiled gratefully at her. Song Yixiao observed it carefully and found that Cuipiao’s attitude towards Jinxun was not reluctant, but even curt in its affection. Song Yixiao wondered to herself whether it was because Cuipiao was totally fine with it because of the baby, or because she still was unaware of it.

As she was thinking, Cuipiao was already introducing her daughter, “Her father gave her the name, Mingzhu. But I thought it was too much to call her that as we worked in the manor. Therefore, I changed it to Zhu’er.”

“I think it’s because Fan Zhong loves his daughter and treats her like a jewel in his palm, so he wants to call her Mingzhu!” Song Yixiao reached out with a smile and said, “This is the first time I’ve seen this kid. Come and let me hug her. Between her and Qingyue, who is heavier?”

Jinxun heard this, took the swaddling cloth from Cuipiao and handed the kid to Song Yixiao as she laughed, “You are cheating again! Young Lady is two months older than Zhu’er!”

No matter how much Fan Zhong and Cuipiao loved their daughter, how could Fan Zhu’er’s life be compared to that of Jian Qingyue, the eldest daughter of Duke of Yan? So even if the two girls were equally old, or if Fan Zhu’er was older, in terms of growth, it was definitely Jian Qingyue who would win out.

Although Cuipiao did not dare to say that Song Yixiao was cheating as Jinxun did, she smiled and said, “How can Zhu’er be compared with Young Lady? If she can get a touch of Young Lady’s blessing, I will be satisfied!”

“No wonder she comes over suddenly today and brings her daughter with her.” Song Yixiao held Fan Zhu’er in her arms and coaxed her, as she understood, “So it’s because of Qingyue!”

She talked about letting Fan Zhu’er get a touch of Jian Qingyue’s blessing. Wasn’t this just a test of Song Yixiao’s willingness to make Fan Zhu’er become the first maid for Jian Qingyue in the future and grow up together with Jian Qingyue?

“Parents always have far-reaching plans for their beloved children!” Song Yixiao understood Cuipiao’s intention and was somewhat impressed by her. Both Jian Qingyue and Fan Zhu’er were under one year old at this moment. Even Song Yixiao had not yet considered the problem of her daughter’s future maid, but Cuipiao had already brought her own daughter over to test Song Yixiao’s willingness.

Although a maid was still a subordinate, the beloved maids in a large family were not much different from the young ladies of an ordinary rich family.

The maids who grew up with their masters were more like sisters. Zhiqin and Jinxun were examples. Both of them were treated and spoiled like sisters by Song Yixiao.

Song Yixiao trusted them even more than she trusted Wei Chan, Song Yibao and her other biological sisters.

Song Yixiao was touched by Cuipiao’s dedication to paving the way for her daughter, but she didn’t want to agree to this.

Firstly, Fan Zhu’er was still young. Who knew if she would be smart and understanding enough to be a competent maid in the future? Even if she was good in every respect, what if Jian Qingyue just didn’t like her? Song Yixiao didn’t want to give face to Cuipiao and then condemn her own daughter in the future.

Secondly, the name that Fan Zhong had given Fan Zhu’er also made Song Yixiao uneasy. Fan Zhu’er was a jewel in his palm. Given Fan Zhong’s status among the servants of the mansion of Duke of Yan, Fan Zhu’er would have been well fed, and expected to be served by servants in the manor. How could she be willing to serve others in the mansion of Duke of Yan as she had been raised in a comfortable condition? Even if she came because of Cuipiao’s order, she would be full of grievances! Then how would she be able to do her job?

Thirdly, Cuipiao’s desire to be a concubine left Song Yixiao with a bad taste in her mouth. Song Yixiao finally sent her away, but at this moment she wanted to have her own daughter by Jian Qingyue’s side. If Jian Qingyue grew up and found it, how awkward would this be?

So, although Song Yixiao understood the underlying meaning in Cuipiao’s words, she just held Fan Zhu’er and joked about it, not mentioning anything about letting Fan Zhu’er serve Jian Qingyue when she grew up.

Cuipiao tried a few times but didn’t get the expected result, and was wondering whether to make it clearer. At this time, Fan Zhu’er burst into tears. This kid was only seven months old. She was even younger than eight months old. She needed to be fed every now and then. But she came to the mansion of Duke of Yan today. Before entering the mansion, she was fed. Then she had been waiting outside for the meeting and had been led here. Song Yixiao and Jinxun also took turns to hold her. No wonder she was hungry at this moment.

Song Yixiao took the opportunity to return her to Cuipiao, “See what’s going on with the baby. Is she cold or hungry? If you need something, just tell the people in charge. Don’t make the baby suffer!”

Then she also ordered, “Let Cuipiao have the meal in the backyard today. Make the kitchen add some dishes suitable for her!”

The baby girl was born at full term. She cried loudly. Under such circumstances, it was impossible to say anything else. Cuipiao could only hold her daughter frustratedly and apologized to Song Yixiao. Then she followed Jinxun to find a place to feed the baby.

After Cuipiao had left, Song Yixiao was relieved in her heart, and said, “Perhaps I held that child for too long. I feel a bit tired now and need to have a rest. When Cuipiao leaves, she won’t need to greet me again. You tell her later!”

After thinking about it, she said, “Take a pair of necklaces for the child, not the ones given to Qingyue, but the ones we already have in our treasury.”

She sent Cuipiao off like this. When it was almost evening, it was Liyu’s turn to serve. Seeing that there was nobody else inside or outside, and that Song Yixiao was not in a bad mood, Liyu came up and said with a smile, “A little maid didn’t know any better today, and almost told Cuipiao about Jinxun’s marriage. But fortunately, I heard it and changed the topic! Madam, would you like to compliment me?”

“You did the work for Jinxun, so if you want to take credit, you should go to her!” Hearing this, Song Yixiao laughed and said, “Why do you come to me? You believe that I’m too generous!”

Although she said so, Song Yixiao still gave Liyu a pair of Gold Ginkgo Leaf Earrings. Liyu was just joking about it. She had never expected to really get something as a reward. She was happy and left after thanking Song Yixiao.

But she had just got out of Keshao Hall, when she saw Xiandeng pass by, wringing a little maid. She hurriedly hid her earrings in her clothes, as she stepped forward and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“A little rat who can’t keep her mouth shut!” Xiandeng told her with a sullen face, “She saw you stop Lyuchang from telling Cuipiao about Jinxun’s marriage. Cuipiao didn’t continue to ask Lyuchang in front of you. But Cuipiao took a silver hairpin and asked Lyuluo about it. Lyuluo actually said everything for the sake of a silver hairpin!”

As she said, she wrung Lyuluo hard. The pain made Lyuluo beg for mercy continuously. Lyuluo cried and said, “I had no idea that we couldn’t tell this thing. I thought Cuipiao was also the maid who had served Madam. Madam also was close to her. It was reasonable for her to care about Jinxun’s marriage. So…”

“How dare you talk back!” Xiandeng was furious and said to Liyu, “I’ll tell you more about it later. I’ll take her to the Aunt in charge to receive her sentence first. These people really need some discipline. They will forget who they really are without beating!”

Liyu watched her drag the maid away helplessly. She stood there for a while. Finally gritting her teeth and stamping her foot, she went back to apologize to Song Yixiao, and returned the earrings, “I thought Cuipiao didn’t ask more questions at that time because she didn’t care. Who would have thought that Cuipiao would ask Lyuluo again in private? Now that Cuipiao has known the truth, how can I still have the cheek to take the reward?”

“I’ve already given them to you, so just keep them. Take them as your dowry.” Hearing this, Song Yixiao also felt bummed out, but it was not Liyu’s fault, only Lyuluo’s. She waved her hand, “That little maid named Lyuluo doesn’t know how to behave. After the Aunt finishes punishing her, send her away to a more remote place to make her calm down!”

Even though Lyuluo was young and entered the mansion late, not knowing Cuipiao was actually serving Jian Xubai at first rather than Song Yixiao, according to Xiandeng’s words, she had seen Liyu stop Lyuchang and she still didn’t remember to keep the secret. This was either because she did it deliberately, or because she did it for the money!

No matter which was the reason, Song Yixiao wouldn’t let her get away with it!

After Song Yixiao sent Liyu off again, Jian Xubai also returned to the mansion. As usual, he entered the inner room to change into his regular clothes, and then ordered someone to bring his daughter over.

The couple spent some time teasing Jian Qingyue. Listening to her giggles, the couple felt that their tiredness and worries from the day had disappeared. After a while, the foster nurse came in to inform them that it was the time to feed Jian Qingyue. Only then did the couple reluctantly hand their daughter over to them to be taken care of.

“Cuipiao came over today.” Song Yixiao said to her husband, “She brought her daughter with her. What she wanted, according to her words, was to recommend her daughter to be a maid of Qingyue’s. But I thought the two kids were still young and their characteristics couldn’t be figured out yet. If I promised her too early, it would be awkward if she was unsuitable in the future or if Fan Zhong couldn’t let her go. Therefore, I pretended not to realize it.”

“That’s exactly the point.” Jian Xubai just regarded Cuipiao as a subordinate, and he extremely spoiled his daughter. Hearing this, he surely agreed with Song Yixiao, “Since it’s for our daughter, of course she should be the one to decide. Now Qingyue is still too young. It’s still early to talk about such things.”

His answer was within Song Yixiao’s expectation, so the matter was over here. Song Yixiao continued to say, “One more thing. It’s my mother’s birthday today. When I went to see her, she mentioned that Uncle was Vice Minister of Ministry of Rituals. She said that according to the usual practice, he would be the most suitable person to be the examiner for next year’s Imperial Privileged Examination! But Uncle was recommended by you. You said not to meet the members of the Shen Family and the Liu Family before the roll of honor was released. Was it one of the reasons?”

Hearing this, Jian Xubai was a little surprised. He firstly said, “It’s my fault that I have forgotten that it’s your mother’s birthday today! I should have gone there with you. How about my going to her place with you to apologize tomorrow?”

“There’s no need.” Song Yixiao waved her hand, thinking that even she herself was afraid of seeing her mother, let alone meeting her mother with her husband. She was simply intent on not bringing it up with Jian Xubai, so that she could just go there to greet and leave quickly.

But she was quite satisfied with her husband’s attitude. After all, Jian Xubai’s respect for Wei Mengying meant that he valued her. She said softly, “You know, Prince of Hengshan and my mother are still in mourning. So if I go there alone, I only need to see my mother, and there will be nothing bothering me. But if you go there too, they would try to entertain you. Madam Kong and Cao Lianxiu were inconvenient to worry about this now. Won’t you just be giving them trouble for nothing?”

“I see.” Jian Xubai said gently, “But it’s the senior’s birthday. After all, it’s not good for a junior not to congratulate…”

“I’ve already given Mother a pair of old Ginseng in the name of you. Mother likes them a lot.” Song Yixiao hurriedly said, “Mother also told me today to be more considerate of you, so that you don’t have to worry about other things when you come back from the court. Fine. Let’s call it a deal. Anyway, it’s not my mother’s only birthday. When the Family of Prince of Hengshan finishes mourning next year, we both go to celebrate for her.”

Hearing this, Jian Xubai said with a gentle smile, his eyes flickering, “I’ll do as you say. Then let’s talk about the examiner of the Imperial Privileged Examination! When I recommended Uncle to take the position of Vice Minister of Ministry of Rituals, I didn’t think that much. Besides, given his qualifications, it’s unlikely that he will be the chief examiner.”

“Why?” Song Yixiao asked, surprised.

“You only know that Uncle is a scholar, but you don’t know his rank on the roll of honor.” Jian Xubai explained, “Uncle barely made it to the second grade back then, and almost became a similar scholar! Although the exam happens once in three years and those who are on the roll of honor are definitely talented, with his rank, it will be difficult for him to become the new scholar’s examiner!”

Song Yixiao understood suddenly. Similar scholars were the same as scholars nominally, but there was a big difference in the way they are actually treated. That was why people said similar scholars were like similar wives.

Similar wife was just a proper name for a concubine. The difference between a concubine and a married wife, people knew well in their hearts.

Although Ji Zhou was not a similar scholar, he was still very close. With such qualifications, it would be hard for him to convince them, being the next year’s new scholars’ chief examiner.

Jian Xubai continued to say, “Although the chief examiner is always Vice Minister in the Ministry of Rituals, there are a few situations where Director of the Minister of Rituals hosts the exam personally. Director Wei is from Ruiyu Hall, and is talented. He ranked at the front of grade two in the examination then. Moreover, there’s only one Vice Minister in the Ministry of Rituals. Isn’t there a vacant position? Many Emperor Duanhua will appoint someone to it at that time.”

Song Yixiao thought about it and found it reasonable. Wei Mengying didn’t ask more about this matter for fear of Song Yixiao’s suspicion. Song Yixiao naturally didn’t take it as a big deal. So she let it go after this.

Perhaps it was to meet Jian Xubai’s words. News came out of the palace that Jian Limiao, Right Assistant of Minister, was appointed to enter the Ministry of Rituals as Vice Minister in the Ministry of Rituals, one grade promoted.

Hearing that, Song Yixiao asked about it and found that Jian Limiao ranked third in the examination. That being the case, the chief examiner of next year’s Imperial Privileged Examination must be him.

But after she sent a present to Jian Limiao to congratulate his promotion, she didn’t care much about it.

After all, the big festival was about to come. She had no time as the mistress of the mansion.

However, a few days later, Empress Wei suddenly sent someone to summon Song Yixiao to the Palace of Weiyang, and talked gently about this matter, “Emperor Duanhua has already implied to me that Vice Minister Jian will be the chief examiner for next year’s Imperial Privileged Examination. But I have to ask you a favor to do!”