The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 571 - 538: A Stern First Warning (Part 1)
Xu Jia slowly and leisurely turned her head, only to see Tang Yuan standing at the doorway, looking hesitant and as if he wanted to speak but held back.
Displaying a facade of worry, as if fearing she couldn’t withstand the tragic news from the family.
Tang Yuan was always adept at acting, even in the previous life, he used the same sympathetic and compassionate gaze while telling her the news of Old Mrs. Xu’s passing, comforting her while emphasizing filial duty, finally focusing on the inability to share a bed.
Back then, she was young and in love, her heart already fluttering at the sight of Tang Yuan’s handsome face, and listening to his concern for her family, she was overwhelmed with gratitude and had no time to be suspicious of his ulterior motives.
"What’s wrong with Second Master?"
If he wanted to act, she might as well cooperate.
Tang Yuan, immersed in the joy brought by Old Mrs. Xu’s death, didn’t notice the peculiarity or the distancing in his newlywed wife’s manner of addressing him.
Sighing, Tang Yuan walked towards her, "Someone from the General Mansion came earlier to inform us of the funeral, saying Old Mrs. Xu has passed away."
Xu Jia covered her mouth with an "ah" and immediately reddened her eyes, "Grandmother, she..."
"Old Mrs. Xu passed of natural causes, Second Miss doesn’t need to be upset," Tang Yuan softly consoled.
Despite being a daughter of a military family, Xu Jia might be somewhat simple-minded, her looks incomparable to Qingyu’s, but she has a father fighting on the border. She has just married, and if she remains indifferent, it won’t guarantee that Xu Guangfu won’t seek revenge for his daughter if he returns triumphant and ennobled.
Moreover, should Xu Guangfu become a marquis, he would be indispensable to support his career.
Thus, it was crucial not to offend the newlywed wife and cause strife between the Xu and Tang families.
But he wouldn’t just compromise and consummate the marriage.
Otherwise, if Qingyu were to find out...
Tang Yuan rubbed his forehead, pondering briefly before continuing warmly, "Tang Family values decorum, filial piety, loyalty, integrity, propriety, righteousness, and shame, with filial piety at the forefront. Now that Old Mrs. Xu has just passed, as her grandson-in-law, while I can’t wear mourning clothes or keep vigil on straw, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to carry on marital obligations, showing reverence for her departed spirit."
Filial piety, loyalty, integrity, propriety, righteousness, and shame?
Xu Jia nearly let out a laugh.
Despite running an immoral household full of filth and vice, Tang Yuan still dared to utter these words at the drop of a hat? The thickness of his face was truly astonishing.
Who knows, given Old Sir Tang’s esteemed status as the contemporary scholar, how he’d feel upon discovering his descendants had fallen to this extent, possibly angry enough to pass away on the spot.
Composing herself, Xu Jia called for Mo Xiang to prepare bedding for Second Master to send to the study.
Immediately conveying her understanding of Tang Yuan’s stance on not fulfilling marital obligations through her actions.
Mo Xiang glanced at her own young lady, seeing she seemed adamant about sending the master to sleep in the study, walked to the wardrobe, and found a new set of bedding from the dowry. Just as she was ready to send it to the study, Xu Jia spoke again, "The items from the General Mansion are poorly crafted, how can Second Master’s delicate constitution endure them? Ask the old woman watching the night outside to fetch Second Master’s previous bedding to send over, lest we neglect him."
On the wedding night, using old things was unheard of.
Tang Yuan, initially indifferent about having any ties with Xu Jia, had never thought about taking anything from her, yet hearing those words afterward made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
Suppressing his temper, "The night wears on, Second Miss enters our household for the first night, it’s proper to retire early, why bother yourself with such mundane affairs as well? Sleeping in the study and being frugal isn’t much trouble."
Was he suggesting that using her dowry’s new bedding was settling for less? Just like marrying her was a mere convenience, until the right moment comes when she’d "die suddenly," allowing him to marry Jiang Qingyu, reinstated with a different status, without any compromises.
Xu Jia endured the nauseating feeling from his "Second Miss" remark, and smiled, "Since Second Master favors the new over the old, do as you please, if one bed isn’t enough, have Mo Xiang add another for you."
"Favoring the new over the old," that phrase hit Tang Yuan right in the heart, his temple throbbed twice, yet he had to consider Xu Jia’s status, once again suggesting she retire early, then turned and left the room.
Mo Xiang froze in place, holding the bedding, baffled as to what was happening between the master and lady. They’ve only just met, yet their conversation was veiled with sarcasm, especially the young lady, who used to admire Mr. Tang so much. Why, after marrying, did she deliberately push the master away?
Turning her head awkwardly, she saw the lady still sitting before the dressing table, directly smiling at the person in the copper mirror.
Mo Xiang put the bedding back, closed the wardrobe, and pursed her lips, "Miss, on the wedding night the master is sleeping in the study, and you’re still laughing?"
Afraid the lady would be upset, she hadn’t dared to mention that the entire Tang Mansion would know by next morning that the bride spent the night alone in the room, becoming a laughing stock.
Xu Jia had already finished removing her makeup, turned to look at Mo Xiang, "On the wedding night, if I don’t laugh, should I cry?"
"That’s not what the maid intended," Mo Xiang had no idea how to explain.
With Old Mrs. Xu gone, it makes sense for the grandson and granddaughter-in-law to abstain from consummation as a sign of respect, but there was no need to sleep in separate rooms, making such a fuss about it. She was truly worried the lady would be mocked to scorn by the Tang Mansion servants tomorrow morning.
Every time Xu Jia thought about Tang Yuan’s forced smile while daring not to speak, continuously calling her "Second Miss," she felt a wave of satisfaction.
As for her family, she felt sad that Old Mrs. Xu had passed away peacefully, but it didn’t bring tears to her eyes. Compared to her young and sudden "death," Xu Jia thought it was rare and fortunate that the elderly lady lived well into her old age, witnessing her offspring settle, leaving the world without regret. It called for celebration in her eyes.
After extinguishing the lamps, Xu Jia retired to her bed, and the room fell into complete silence.
——
The next day, Xu Jia rose early for grooming and dressing.
No matter how Tang Yuan’s behavior behind closed doors violated moral conduct, on the surface, he wouldn’t dare defy the rules set by Old Sir Tang. Arriving exactly on time, he asked if Second Miss was ready to visit the in-laws for tea service.
On the way to the main courtyard, passing maids and servants cast peculiar glances at the bride, some even whispered, suggesting Second Miss was neglected on her wedding night.
Xu Jia pretended not to hear them, keeping her gaze fixed ahead.
Tang Yuan remained unreactive throughout, as if he hadn’t heard, or perhaps he heard but chose not to stand up for his new wife.
Arriving at the East Hall of the main courtyard, Xu Jia’s father-in-law Tang Wenji and mother-in-law Mrs. Qiao were already seated.
Regarding the new marriage and separate rooms on the wedding night, Mrs. Qiao had heard, her expression turning unfavorable upon seeing Xu Jia.
Just as she planned to command the room maid to fetch the nonexistent first cloth as a means to reprimand Xu Family, Xu Jia greeted and slowly began to speak, "Last night, Second Master explained to me that the Tang Family values decorum, where filial piety, loyalty, integrity, propriety, righteousness, and shame are held highest, with filial piety at the forefront. Our family’s Old Mrs. Xu has just passed away, making it inappropriate for us to share a room. As newlyweds, we had to temporarily separate. I didn’t expect, early in the morning, to hear gossip from servants who pointed fingers and spread rumors, ignoring that Second Master is their superior and seeking to undermine him. As a daughter-in-law newly entered into Tang Family, I only wish not to see Second Master suffer this humiliation and hope Mother will defend him, ensuring those insolent and unruly servants don’t insult the family and act rebellious below the hierarchy."
Xu Jia finished speaking then kneeled to serve tea to her in-laws.
Mrs. Qiao’s hand trembled slightly when accepting the tea, nearly spilling it.
Initially, she intended to use this opportunity to embarrass Xu Family, but hadn’t expected Xu Jia to speak so comprehensively, absolving herself of blame for separate rooms, defending her husband, and ultimately delivering a stern warning to the servants.
As a mother-in-law, if she pursued responsibility for the separate rooms, she’d become one of those "insolent servants" in Xu Jia’s words.
A truly eloquent speaker, such a perfect strategic move!
Tang Yuan’s face had already frozen.
The Xu Family seemed to protect him, yet his words made him uncomfortable.
Unable to refute even half a word.
Separate rooms were his suggestion, and the gossip overheard on the way to the main courtyard was indeed true.
He said the Tang Family places filial piety first, giving the reason for temporarily separating rooms for Old Mrs. Xu, yet the servants chose to gossip about Xu Family, equating to trampling on his dignity.
At that moment, he only wished he could drag those gossiping servants out and beat them to death.
Xu Jia caught the responses of the mother-son duo, hiding her slightly raised lips behind her sleeve while sipping tea.
Mrs. Qiao hadn’t found out about the disgraceful matter between Tang Yuan and Jiang Qingyu, naturally protecting her son, but she’ll wait—the day she feels shameful enough to wish for death will eventually come.
