Chapter 52: Where on Earth is There Such Logic

Chapter 52: Where in the World Is There Such Reason?

Qian Fangguan, lying on her couch and barely asleep, was suddenly roused by noises from outside. Groggily, she struggled to sit up.

Aunt Qu hurried over to support her. “Madam, it sounds like Second Sister-in-Law.”

“What could she want at this hour?” Qian Fangguan asked, puzzled. “Wasn’t she busy earlier?”

Aunt Qu shook her head, indicating she did not know.

The door was struck again. “Fangguan, open up!”

Qian Fangguan, still dazed from the calming medicine she had taken, felt weak and uncomfortable. She waved for Aunt Qu to open the door.

Yun Jiao and Ji Yaru immediately dropped their playful demeanor, exchanging glances as they moved to sit properly in a corner, composed and serious.

The door opened, and Madam Ding led the way inside, no longer in mourning attire.

Behind her followed Madam Zhou, Madam Yu, and a young boy.

The boy was not very tall, with slightly curly black hair and ruddy cheeks, his eyes bright and spirited, bearing a gentle expression.

Yun Jiao and Ji Yaru exchanged knowing looks—this must be Madam Zhou’s treasured grandson, the one called “Shi Jin.”

“Second Sister-in-Law,” Qian Fangguan greeted politely, attempting to rise, though her movements were sluggish and weak.

“Oh, no need for such formality. If you’re unwell, lie down and talk to me,” Madam Ding said, stepping forward to stop her.

Qian Fangguan was taken aback and delighted. This Second Sister-in-Law had not shown her kindness for many years. Was the sun truly rising from the west today?

Catching her breath, she invited her guests, “Please sit quickly, Second Sister-in-Law. Sister-in-Law Zhou is here too. Please, have a seat!”

Then her eyes fell upon the boy, and she asked, confused, “Who is this...?”

“This is my maternal grandnephew, called Shi Jin,” Madam Ding said quickly, pulling him forward. “Come greet your aunt.”

Shi Jin stepped forward somewhat shyly, bowed, and whispered, “Greetings, Aunt.”

Qian Fangguan was puzzled. She and Madam Ding were of the same generation, yet this child called Madam Ding “Second Sister-in-Law Great-Aunt” and called her “Aunt.” Was this not a generational confusion?

Perhaps Second Sister-in-Law had momentarily mixed things up, which was possible. Yet such trifles were hardly worth mentioning.

“Yun Jiao, you and Yaru go ahead and fetch me some Eight-Treasure Cakes. I’m a bit hungry,” Qian Fangguan hurriedly sent the two girls away.

“No need to be so formal,” Madam Zhou said quickly. “The children are still young, and with us here, there’s no need to avoid each other.”

Qian Fangguan found it hard to argue and invited them to sit.

Madam Ding finally settled down beside the couch, with Madam Zhou and Madam Yu following suit, leaving Shi Jin standing behind Madam Zhou.

Madam Ding first inquired about Qian Fangguan’s health with tender concern, while Madam Zhou offered her own words of kindness.

Qian Fangguan summoned her strength and smiled faintly, barely managing to keep up the polite exchange.

After some time, Madam Ding’s gaze shifted to Yun Jiao. Her smile bloomed like a chrysanthemum in full flower. “Jiao’er, why did you run off to the side hall without a word? No wonder I couldn’t find you in the front hall.”

“Second Aunt, I just arrived,” Yun Jiao forced out a reply.

Under Madam Ding’s seemingly affectionate gaze, Yun Jiao felt a chill and inwardly cursed her luck. Hiding in a corner was no escape; her Second Aunt had clearly come for her.

Ji Yaru also rose and called out, “Second Aunt.”

Madam Ding, however, seemed not to hear and turned to Qian Fangguan. “Little Sister-in-Law, you’ve raised a fine daughter—kind-hearted and attentive. At such a young age, she takes excellent care of her grandmother.

Everyone outside says this child is truly rare.

I often say to others, whoever marries our Yun Jiao will be the luckiest person on earth!”

Qian Fangguan was displeased that Madam Ding would speak of her daughter’s marriage in front of so many. Such matters were hardly for casual mention.

Yet she dared not protest.

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed softly. “Second Sister-in-Law, please don’t say that. Yun Jiao is simply fulfilling her filial duties; it’s only proper.”

“That may be so, but among all the granddaughters here, Yun Jiao is the only one who truly steps up,” Madam Ding said, unconcerned whether Ji Yaru heard and felt offended.

Ji Yaru subtly exchanged a glance with Yun Jiao, who pursed her lips, signaling her to listen on—the main point was about to come.

Madam Ding praised Yun Jiao further, apparently satisfied with the groundwork laid, then shifted to the subject at hand.

“Little Sister-in-Law, Yun Jiao has not yet been betrothed, has she?”

Qian Fangguan’s hand froze on the handkerchief. She pondered briefly, sensing there was no misunderstanding. Madam Ding had brought her maternal sisters and even her grandnephew along. If she still failed to grasp the meaning, then she was truly hopeless.

Her displeasure grew. Second Sister-in-Law had silently brought people before her and her daughter—that was unacceptable!

After some hesitation, she said, “Yun Jiao is still young. There’s no rush to betroth her. Waiting three or five years would do no harm.”

Surely that would make her meaning clear?

Madam Ding was unconvinced. “You are only a concubine; you don’t understand the customs. It’s always better to arrange a match sooner rather than later. Otherwise, the good ones will be chosen by others, and what’s left will be the rotten apples.”

Qian Fangguan’s face darkened. No matter how gentle her nature, she could not endure such words from Madam Ding. What did she mean by “only a concubine”?

Before she could respond, Madam Ding pulled Shi Jin forward. “Look at my grandnephew. I brought him today to see Yun Jiao.

He’s well-known, no unpleasant odors, no missing limbs, and quite handsome.

Fangguan, if you find him acceptable, now is the time to settle this match since everyone is here.”

Qian Fangguan trembled with anger, her chest heaving as she struggled for breath, nearly fainting on the spot.

Setting aside that this was not her own home and that she was only a concubine, where in the world was such reason? To bring someone over for a viewing without so much as a word to the girl’s side? What about Yun Jiao’s reputation?

Aunt Qu quickly stepped forward to rub her back, while Yun Jiao and Ji Yaru supported her and patted her chest to help her regain her breath.

Madam Ding rose, her face darkening. “What do you mean by that? If you don’t think highly of my grandnephew, just say so. No need to put on airs. Look at you—like a short-lived ghost!”

Qian Fangguan finally recovered enough to respond, her anger flaring. “Second Sister-in-Law, you... you’re too much!”

“A concubine’s child! If our Ding family takes a fancy to her, it’s already a favor,” Madam Ding spat mercilessly. “Yet you keep pretending and making excuses.

Forget it. Keep your little brat with her mother. With such a mother, the daughter won’t fare any better. Even if we offered Shi Jin for free, we wouldn’t want her. Bah!”

“You... you...” Qian Fangguan’s fury overwhelmed her; her eyes rolled back, and she truly fainted.

“Aunt!” Yun Jiao called out anxiously.

“Miss, let Aunt lie down and rest a while,” Aunt Qu said, distressed as she looked at Madam Qian.

This visiting sister-in-law was truly no easy matter; she had already fainted three times since coming back to her natal home. What was to be done?

Suppressing her full anger, Yun Jiao’s eyes widened as she released her hold on Madam Qian and stepped toward Madam Ding.

Ji Yaru grabbed her firmly. “Yun Jiao, don’t be impulsive.”

(End of chapter)