A Change of Strategy

Her voice suddenly stopped as she finished speaking. She noticed that Xu Xi was staring straight at her, expressionless and with a cold gaze.

"Miss... young lady..." she stammered, "This old servant is saying all this for your own good."

"I am very grateful for Matron Yuan's kindness," Xu Xi said, but her tone was flat and her expression indifferent, showing no sign of gratitude whatsoever. "Matron Yuan is getting old, so let Qingfeng and the others take care of these matters in my courtyard. Granny, you should go back and rest."

She paused, then added before Matron Yuan could speak in her defense, "I'm doing this all for your own good."

These words successfully choked Matron Yuan, preventing her from uttering the words she was about to say.

In fact, when the conflict with Lady Wei occurred, Xu Xi discovered that this Matron Yuan was rather cunning. Unlike Qingfeng, who prioritized her interests and rushed to protect her in any situation simply because she was assigned to serve her mistress.

Matron Yuan, however, was not like that.

She seemed to be standing by watching a play, quite indifferent. Only later, when she saw Qingfeng and the others rushing forward, did she feel compelled to step forward and stop Matron Li and the others, hoping to make a good impression on her mistress.

Xu Xi originally wanted to observe further, since people have different personalities and ways of handling things, and one shouldn't judge a person based on just one action. But now she felt there was no need to observe anymore.

Whether in her past or present life, she has always been a very opinionated person who dislikes others interfering in her affairs, not even her parents, let alone a servant.

"Miss..." Matron Yuan wanted to say something more, but Xu Xi stopped her, "No need to say anything more, you may leave." With that, she stopped looking at Matron Yuan, picked up her teacup, and slowly began to drink her tea.

Matron Yuan was incredibly frustrated, but Xu Xi clearly didn't want to listen to her nagging anymore, so she could only purse her lips, bow, and leave.

On the other side of the second branch, Matron Li, entrusted by Matron Ruan, was trying to comfort Lady Wei: "... Now, two of our daughters in the second branch have been admitted to the Women's Academy. The First Madam and the Third Madam are so envious of you. You mustn't let them laugh at you. Fifth Miss is ill-mannered and stubborn; Sixth Miss may look gentle, but she's quite opinionated. Both of them are the type who respond better to gentle persuasion than force. Madam, you've always been clever, so don't make a mistake in this matter and let others benefit while you become a laughingstock."

Actually, Lady Wei regretted her actions after the conflict with Xu Xi last night. She treated Zhao Ruyu badly behind her back, but she still maintained a facade of kindness. Especially in front of the Old Madam, the First Madam, and others, she always acted like a loving mother to Zhao Ruyu.

Xu Xi is her long-lost daughter. No matter what happened in Little Banyan Village, now that she's been brought back, regardless of her true feelings, she should show even more love and affection for Xu Xi. She shouldn't be so critical and nitpicky from the moment they meet, which ultimately led to Xu Xi moving out and becoming a laughingstock for the entire household.

She lowered her eyes, fiddling with the teacup, and sighed softly, "Granny, you're right. I was wrong."

She looked up at the dripping water clock in the room. "Shouldn't Miss Xi be back by now? I'll treat her better when she comes to pay her respects."

Seeing that she listened to her advice, Matron Li smiled and said, "Sixth Miss has been admitted to the Capital Women's Academy, which is a joyous occasion. The Old Madam has ordered lanterns and decorations and scattered copper coins; there will definitely be a banquet tonight. If Fifth Miss doesn't come to pay her respects, don't scold her when you see her at dinner. Speak to her kindly and show her concern. After all, you are her mother; if you treat her well, she will naturally be happy. Perhaps with a little more persuasion, she will move back home."

She breathed a sigh of relief, "With Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss being so capable, they'll find good husbands in the future, and they can help Second Young Master, right? Although Second Young Master is capable, even a hero needs three helpers; it's always good to have someone to assist him."

A smile appeared on Lady Wei's face when her son was mentioned.

At this moment, a maid came in and reported, "Madam, the meal is ready, and Master, Young Master, and Miss have all arrived."

Lady Wei's smile vanished. As she rose to leave, she asked Matron Li, "Wasn't it supposed to be a banquet?"

Matron Li was equally bewildered. "This old servant doesn't know either."

Lady Wei didn't care. Although Zhao Ruyu was a daughter of the second wife, she wasn't her own daughter. Everyone knew the truth, so she couldn't be proud even if she wanted to. Why should she make herself uncomfortable in front of the old lady and the first wife? Whether there was a banquet or not didn't matter.

The two went to the dining hall and saw Zhao Yuanliang, Zhao Jing'an, Zhao Ruyu, and Zhao Rurui sitting there, but Xu Xi was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Fifth Miss? Wasn't she notified?" Lady Wei looked up at the maid.

The maidservant hurriedly reported, "We've informed her. Fifth Miss said she'll eat in her own courtyard and won't be coming."

"What?" Lady Wei's anger, which she had just suppressed, flared up again, and her voice rose several decibels.

The people inside were all silent, trembling with fear.

Just as Lady Wei was about to instruct Zhao Ruyu to summon Xu Xi, she remembered that Xu Xi had been admitted to the Capital Women's Academy. Her finger then pointed at Zhao Rurui: "Go, by any means necessary, bring her here."

Zhao Rurui hesitated for a moment, but under Lady Wei's watchful eye, she still agreed and then slowly made her way to the Tea Tasting Residence.

At this moment, Tea Tasting Residence, Dianjiang had already brought back the food and set it out for Xu Xi.

Qingfeng frowned upon seeing the dishes and asked Dianjiang, "What's going on here?"

Xu Xi also looked up at the two of them with a puzzled expression.

Dianjiang stammered for a long while before finally saying, "The kitchen staff said that the young lady's meal had been sent to the second room. This servant... this servant then brought back my own portion." As she spoke, she knelt directly before Xu Xi, "This servant acted on her own initiative; please forgive me, young lady."

Xu Xi raised an eyebrow.

That's how it is.

She said that the banquet last night was excellent, with plenty of chicken, duck, fish, and meat; breakfast this morning also included two kinds of porridge (one savory and one sweet), two kinds of pastries, and four small dishes, which was quite plentiful. So why did the food become so much worse in the evening? A bowl of white rice, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a dish of stir-fried greens, without even a speck of oil. It turned out that this was the ration for a third-class maid.

"Good girl, get up quickly." She stood up and personally helped Dianjiang up, laughing, "Luckily you're quick-witted, otherwise I would have gone hungry tonight. But..." She blinked, "If I eat your food, won't you go hungry?"

Seeing that Xu Xi wasn't angry, but rather seemed to appreciate it, Dianjiang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled shyly, "It's alright. My mother works in the kitchen. When I brought the food, she gave me a steamed bun, so I won't go hungry."