Chang Yuncheng entered the room and saw Madam Xie applying a face mask.
“Mother, did you go out?” he asked.
Madam Xie made a sound of acknowledgment and sat properly on the kang, taking the hand warmer handed to her by a maid, her face full of smiles.
“Mother, what’s making you so happy?” Chang Yuncheng rarely saw his mother this happy and hurried to ask, sitting down.
Madam Xie smiled.
“Where is that woman?” she thought of something and asked.
“Don’t know, probably reading in her room?” Chang Yuncheng said with some indifference.
“Is she bad-mouthing me behind my back again?” Madam Xie snorted.
“No, she said she was very sad that Mother wouldn’t let her pay respects and serve you,” Chang Yuncheng said.
“Really? She would be sad? She’d be too happy to be sad, wouldn’t she?” Madam Xie asked doubtfully.
Chang Yuncheng concealed himself by drinking tea and vaguely said it was true.
“Did Mother call me here today to ask about her?” he put down his teacup.
Madam Xie laughed and indeed dropped the topic.
“Exactly, why mention her and spoil the mood,” she said. “From now on, whatever she wants to do, she can do. I won’t pay any attention to her.”
Although this kind of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship was ultimately not good, given time it might slowly improve. At least it was better than quarreling every time they met.
Chang Yuncheng made a sound of agreement and let it pass vaguely.
“Yuncheng, you have great joy coming,” Madam Xie suddenly said.
Chang Yuncheng was somewhat distracted, thinking about what that woman was doing in his study, when he was startled by Madam Xie’s sudden mention of “great joy.”
“What?” he asked, confused.
Madam Xie was beaming.
“You’re getting married,” she smiled.
Chang Yuncheng’s eyes widened. Had Mother gone mad from anger?
He was so frightened he stood up, about to go find a doctor. Madam Xie was both laughing and annoyed as she made him sit down.
“Other people’s wives are all young ladies from distinguished families. Only you, harmed by that old woman, are stuck with this lowly servant, laughed at wherever you go,” Madam Xie sighed.
Actually, no one was laughing. When men got together, who talked about such things? They’d rather discuss whose woman was beautiful. On that topic, taking Yueniang out wouldn’t be laughed at—she’d be envied instead…
Thinking this, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat smug. His woman, hehe…
“What are you smiling about?” Madam Xie was speaking sadly when she looked up to see Chang Yuncheng grinning. She paused and asked.
Chang Yuncheng quickly stopped smiling.
“Yes, no, I was…” he didn’t know how to answer appropriately for a moment, but knew the truth definitely wouldn’t be appropriate, “Mother still cares about me…”
Hearing him say this, Madam Xie smiled.
“If I don’t care about you, who will?” she sighed, ordering someone to bring the osmanthus cakes that Second Madam had brought for the Lord to eat.
Chang Yuncheng breathed a sigh of relief, secretly wiping away sweat.
“Where was I just now?” Madam Xie had forgotten what she was going to say after this interruption, then remembered and hurried to continue, “You’re getting married.”
Chang Yuncheng tasted the osmanthus cake—it was sweet. That woman loved eating these. He was about to tell Madam Xie to bring some back for a late-night snack when he heard this again.
“Mother, what exactly are you saying?” he asked with a smile. “I’m already married.”
“That doesn’t count. I want you to marry a real wife, a good wife I’ve carefully chosen, a good wife who will be in harmony with you,” Madam Xie said solemnly.
Chang Yuncheng put down the osmanthus cake, knowing this was no ordinary matter…
Madam Xie picked up the memorial from beside her and handed it to Chang Yuncheng.
“Look at this. Your father has finally done something a father should do,” she said slowly.
Chang Yuncheng reached out to take it, and after reading it, his expression was complex.
“Mother means that I’m going to…” he looked up hesitantly.
“You’re going to marry another wife,” Madam Xie said.
Chang Yuncheng held the memorial without speaking. Logically, it was normal for a man to have multiple women, especially for someone of his status. But somehow, he felt somewhat… uneasy.
“Mother, is this… is this appropriate?” he said hesitantly.
Madam Xie hadn’t seen her son’s expression of wild joy and was somewhat surprised, feeling uncomfortable.
“How is it inappropriate? Is it only appropriate to have that woman as the only wife?” she said with a stern face.
“No, that’s not what I meant,” Chang Yuncheng forced a smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already chosen a suitable girl—the Miss Rao I mentioned to you before. You remember, don’t you?” Madam Xie smiled slightly. Although her son had been married for so long, what kind of marriage was that? Speaking of real marriage, this would count. He was probably so happy he didn’t know what to do.
“Ah?” Chang Yuncheng looked up somewhat bewildered.
Indeed stunned, Madam Xie smiled.