Negotiating Terms
Matron Ruan was deeply moved by those words. She found that she had raised her estimation of Xu Xi again and again, yet it still was not enough. Once more, Xu Xi had exceeded her expectations.
After all, Xu Xi was a child who had grown up in the countryside or a small county town, in an ordinary family. No one had taught her from childhood to think about matters with depth and foresight, and because her surroundings were so simple, she had little opportunity to gain experience.
Yet Xu Xi had grown into the person she was now. She had not been blinded by glory and riches. She could see clearly the marquis's residence's position in this matter and the attitudes of the old madam and the second madam. Rather than blame heaven and everyone else or grieve over it, she had calmly chosen the path best suited to her.
With such a clear head and keen judgment, as well as such courage and breadth of mind, this young lady could surely make a good life for herself even if she did not return to the marquis's residence.
At the risk of overstepping, Matron Ruan thought that Miss Xi, sitting before her, was more outstanding than the other young ladies of the marquis's residence, despite their careful upbringing.
Matron Ruan thought that not bringing such a person back would be an absolute loss to the Marquis of Suiping's Residence.
Matron Ruan spoke with even greater respect. "Though I am only a servant, and my words carry no weight, from what I know of the old madam and madam, they would be delighted to see the young ladies enter the Women's Academy. The young ladies of the residence took its entrance examination before, but competition for the academy in the capital was fierce, and it was difficult for ordinary people to get in, so they all failed. Although you entered the Women's Academy in the county, that is still excellent. If you have the chance later, you might even be able to advance directly to the Women's Academy in the capital. This is a great honor. Rest assured, miss, the old madam and madam certainly will not stop you from attending."
Xu Xi nodded. This was also what she had expected.
Entering the Women's Academy was an excellent path for women of the Great Jin dynasty to advance in the world. To speak the plain truth, a graduate of the Women's Academy came with a guarantee of quality, whether in character, learning, or bearing. Men flocked to seek her hand in marriage.
The young ladies of the marquis's residence all bore the task of making advantageous marriages and bringing the residence more benefits and bargaining chips. Getting into the Women's Academy would give them a weighty bargaining chip in marriage negotiations. The marquis's residence would be overjoyed, so why would it stand in the way?
"But I entered the Women's Academy in Beining County, and I had to submit identity documents when I took the examination. The documents say I am Xu Xi, the eldest daughter of the Xu family's first branch. If I return to the marquis's residence and my household registration is changed, I fear I won't be able to attend the Women's Academy. So I hope my registration can remain unchanged for now, and be transferred after I finish my studies or when I marry," Xu Xi added.
When she first transmigrated, she had immediately set about arranging to take the academy's examination for this very reason. It was a precaution she had kept up her sleeve.
What the old marchioness most hoped for now was for her granddaughter to marry into a higher station, halt the decline of the marquis's residence, and even restore its former glory. She would never bear to let Xu Xi give up her chance to enter the Women's Academy merely to change her household registration.
Bringing her back to the residence was only meant to silence wagging tongues and keep people from laughing at the marquis's household. As long as Xu Xi herself did not mind, presumably no one would care whether her registration had been transferred to the marquis's household.
"As you know, miss, I am only a servant. This is a matter of great importance, and I cannot give you an answer. I must return and report it to the old madam and the marquis," Matron Ruan said.
Worried that her words would give Xu Xi other ideas and make her unwilling to return to the marquis's residence after she had finally relented, Matron Ruan hastily added, "But in my opinion, this probably won't be a problem. After all, it isn't a major matter. As long as the marquis's residence holds a banquet and announces that it has acknowledged you and brought you back, all the great families in the capital will know you are a young lady of the residence. No one will care about your household registration or anything of the sort. So, for the sake of your studies, the old madam and the marquis should agree to your request."
Xu Xi nodded.
"What about my dealings with the Xu family?" she asked. "They raised me for more than ten years, and my adoptive parents doted on me in every way. After they died, my uncle and aunt treated me extremely well too, better than their own children, always afraid I might be wronged. At home, they never let me do the slightest bit of work. So I'm grateful to them from the bottom of my heart. Since you aren't giving that Miss Yu back to them, they can't simply lose the child they raised for no reason. So even if I enter the marquis's residence, I'll continue to treat my uncle and aunt as my own and stay in contact with them. If the marquis's residence minds that, please think it over carefully."
"Rest assured, miss, the old madam and madam are both generous people. Your gratitude to the Xu couple shows that you are a kindhearted child. The old madam and madam may be delighted, so how could they mind? As long as you don't pack up every last thing the marquis's residence gives you and send it all to the Xu family, they won't mind."
Afraid that Xu Xi would misunderstand, she hurriedly explained, "When the old madam and madam give you money and possessions, they want you to live a better life. At the same time, those things will also form part of the dowry you take to your husband's family in the future. For the sake of your own life, the old madam and madam naturally would not be willing to see you give them away."
Xu Xi smiled. "Of course I wouldn't. My uncle and aunt may be poor, but they have backbone and stand on their own feet. Even if I wanted to give them things, they would refuse to accept them, so don't worry."
Seeing how reasonable she was and how smoothly their conversation had gone, Matron Ruan was even happier. "I will report your words to the old madam and madam exactly as you said them. When madam comes tomorrow, she will confirm them with you again. After all, I am a servant, so madam must say these things to you herself, to put your mind at ease."
Talking to an intelligent person really did save time and effort. Xu Xi nodded. "Thank you, Matron Ruan."
"Then please make your preparations, miss, and return to the marquis's residence with madam tomorrow." Afraid that Xu Xi had not understood what she meant, Matron Ruan confirmed her intentions once more. If Lady Zhu, the marchioness, came to fetch her tomorrow and Xu Xi made a fuss and refused to go back, it would be troublesome.
"All right." Xu Xi nodded again.
As soon as she said that, the system, which had been holding its breath for fear that Xu Xi would change her mind out of spite toward it, began bouncing around in her head. "Ahhh, host, you're finally going back to the marquis's residence!"
"Quiet!" Xu Xi shouted inwardly.
The system immediately fell silent, not daring to make the slightest sound.
Xu Xi rolled her eyes inwardly.
At that moment, Xu Chengguan arrived with Steward Liu and the yamen runner. Instead of coming over to Matron Ruan and Xu Xi, he went straight to Xu Yongyi and showed him the runner's waist badge and a document issued by the prefectural yamen. The document bore the wet nurse's confession and her mark, as well as the official seal.
Xu Yongyi told Madam Xie what the document said. "Take it to Miss Xi," he said.
Madam Xie hurried over to Xu Xi and handed her the document.
Xu Xi looked it over, then readily exposed the red mole behind her ear for Madam Xie to see. She said to Matron Ruan, "All right, I understand. Please pass on everything I said to the old madam and the first madam."