The First Step Toward Leaving the Second Branch

She lowered her head and lowered her voice, but the old lady could still hear her muttering, "I'd rather not have a mother like that. In the Xu Family, although I don't have a life of luxury, I live a peaceful and stable life. No one beats or scolds me all day long. If I had to go back to the Marquis's mansion and live like that, I would rather go back to the Xu Family and be a village girl. In my opinion, what I eat and what I wear are not important. The most important thing is to live a happy and content life."

These words were true to Xu Xi, but to the old lady they sounded like a threat. After Xu Xi brought it up, she also felt that Lady Wei's attitude was wrong, but now was not the time to discuss it.

She took a deep breath and rubbed her temples.

"How about this, I'll arrange for you to stay in the main courtyard first. As for other matters, we'll discuss them with the Marquis, the First Madam, and your father first, how does that sound?"

Xu Xi wasn't in a hurry. The old lady wouldn't easily do something that would sever the bond between mother and daughter; even if she did, she wouldn't leave any ammunition for others to criticize. Even if she were anxious, she couldn't rush it.

Allowing her to stay in the hospital now is a small victory.

A Gao Xing expression appeared on her face. She curtsied to the old lady and said gratefully, "Thank you, Madam."

The old lady looked up at her head Daya, Daimao, and said, "Take the young lady to the Chess Watching Courtyard to rest."

Daimao agreed and led Xu Xi and Qingfeng to take their leave, heading to the Chess Watching Courtyard.

After Xu Xi and his group left, the old lady sighed, "Another one who's a real handful."

Matron Jin brought something to cover the old lady's knees and advised, "Fifth Miss is older than Sixth Miss, and should have just turned fourteen. After a month or two of teaching her manners, the old lady can arrange a marriage for her. Even if she's a bit of a handful, she won't stay at home for long. Besides, I think Fifth Miss is just straightforward, not unreasonable. As long as you treat her well, she'll be very grateful."

Upon hearing this, the old lady remained silent.

After a while, she sneered and said, "Lady Wei is becoming more and more unaware of her own limitations. She knows perfectly well that Lady Zhu and I value Miss Xi, yet she still caused this scene, clearly trying to embarrass me. She's testing my limits."

Matron Jin did not respond.

She paused for a moment and asked, "What do you intend to do about Miss Xi's matter, Madam?"

The old lady closed her eyes and thought for a moment, "It's good that Miss Xi moved out. It will prevent Lady Wei from thinking that I'm too weak to offend her."

Actually, the old lady was quite annoyed that she hadn't been able to bring Xu Xi back after several attempts. She had planned to teach her a lesson, but since Lady Wei treated her badly, she intended to turn a blind eye as long as she didn't cause too much trouble.

When Xu Xi, Zhao Ruyu, can no longer endure Lady Wei's abuse and seeks help from her and Lady Zhu, that will be the perfect time for them to reach out to Xu Xi.

Unfortunately, her plan didn't go as smoothly as she had intended. Now that things have escalated to this point, the most important thing is to deal with the Lady Wei Lady Wei a lesson. As for Xu Xi, there will always be opportunities to teach her a lesson.

After considering this matter, the old lady made up her mind and instructed the maid, "Go and summon the Marquis, the Second Master, and the First Madam. I have something to say."

The old lady had managed the household affairs for decades and knew very well what methods to use on whom.

Lady Wei had a bad temper since childhood. When she first married into the family, she was quite submissive, but now that her father had risen in rank, she had become increasingly domineering. However, she only acted out in the territory of the second branch of the family. In front of her mother-in-law Lady Tang, and her sister-in-law Lady Zhu, she still dared not do anything excessive. Because she knew that the old lady and the first lady were not pushovers. Once pushed to that point, given their strong personalities, they would definitely not let it go and would surely separate the second branch of the family.

Everyone knows in their hearts that this family cannot be divided.

The reason why the Marquis of Suiping's Residence can still be included in the aristocratic circle is because of the grandeur maintained by this mansion and its remaining assets. Once the family is divided, the current false prosperity will collapse.

Even if the second and third wives were born out of wedlock, shouldn't they still get a share of the house and property when the family divided? After the division, let's leave aside the second and third wives; just consider the eldest son's family, who inherited the title. They live in a house that's only half its original size, with only seven or eight people, twenty or thirty servants, and not many shops or fields. How are they any different from ordinary families in the capital? Which wealthy or powerful family would want to marry into their family?

The second and third wives fared even worse. Their children, now, were at least sons and daughters of the Marquis of Suiping's Residence. But after the family division, they would be nothing more than ordinary people. How could they still be considered close relatives? In addition, the amount of wealth they received was not much. It would be impossible for them to live a life of luxury.

From the very beginning of the family division, the Marquis's mansion had truly fallen into ruin.

Because her father had become an official, Lady Wei was quite arrogant, but she knew very well that no matter how well the Wei Family family lived, they would never give her money to help her out. She had dozens of people to support, including her father, mother, brothers, and others. The fact that they allowed her to go back to her parents' home for a few days and eat some food there, and gave her a kind look, was only because she was the wife of the Marquis of Suiping's Residence.

Whether from a superficial or practical standpoint, Lady Wei knew that the second branch of the family could not be separated.