Hearing the servant's report, the old madam was a little bewildered.
Concubine Lan was punished in the courtyard in front of everyone. Many servants had seen it so the news was spread over very quickly. The old madam didn't feel that Shen Yi Yao was someone who would do such a thing. That person had always been soft. She therefore put the blame on that little thing causing mischief, and assumed the servants had misspoke when they said Shen Yi Yao was responsible.
If her son hadn't asked her to do so beforehand this time, the old madam hadn't been planning on showing a pleasant expression to Shen Yi Yao. Despite this, she still didn't feel like she should show that woman a pleasant expression.
She was even a little smug. Don't come back if you're so capable. Having hung her out to dry for three years, it seems she figured out how to lower her head and behave. Women weren't worth anything after getting married. They could only suffer their husband's households.
Things weren't like before anymore. The old madam felt Yan Ting had some prospects and he had also gotten connected with Senior Concubine Xu's side. In comparison, the Zhenguo Duke's side was weak as a chicken. If Yan Ting hadn't told her of his plans, she would have long since made a fuss about getting rid of Shen Yi Yao. How could she still show her a pleasant expression?
Xue-shi and Chen-shi were similarly unsettled, though their thoughts weren't as complicated as the old madam's.
A little lass came in to report the madam's arrival along with the third miss and fourth young master to pay respects to the old madam.
The old madam seemed not to have heard, and continued chatting with Xue-shi and Chen-shi a little longer. She asked about the misses of the two branches. In the past, she had never cared about these things.
A ruckus suddenly sounded from the door. Soon, a little lass stumbled over, her cheek swollen as she came in to report the arrival of the madam and her children.
That lass looked like she wanted to cry but didn't dare to do so. Everyone knew without thinking that this was the tyrannical third miss's doing. But it wasn't convenient for anyone to say anything. The old madam deliberately left Shen Yi Yao hanging, and if it was just her she might have succeeded. But she shouldn't forget there was still the third miss who never suffered a grievance. Wasn't this just screwing over the servants?
Going against the old madam right after returning. This third miss was really something!
The old madam gave Matron Zhao a glance. Matron Zhao spoke up and asked: "Xiao Zhu, what happened to your face?"
That lass called Xiao Zhu trembled and mumbled: "The third miss said this servant wasn't diligent and delayed in announcing their arrival."
Actually there was no need to ask. This was undoubtedly the case.
Xue-shi snuck a glance at the old madam and secretly spat: didn't she have anything better to do?
Was she really this bored?
In the hallway, Shen Yi Yao quietly scolded Yan Yan: "Ah Yan, why did you hit her?"
Yan Yan didn't lower her voice at all. "Didn't you see her trying to put us down?"
"Mom knows, but you still shouldn't hit people. As someone about to discuss marriage, it's important to be more careful in the future."
Yan Mo interrupted on the side, "Mom, don't scold sis. In my opinion, it was a good slap. If we allow them to step over us this time, our days in the estate will be difficult in the future. I feel sis was very correct."
For little Ah Mo, his biggest idol was his sis. He was just short of being willing to keep watch for her while she committed murder and arson.
"But she is your grandmother after all. Others will gossip if you don't respect your elders."
Yan Yan sneered. "That depends on what sort of elders we have to respect!"
"Exactly, exactly."
Shen Yi Yao rubbed her forehead. She actually knew her children were correct. But as someone of the older generation, she had to consider more than the juniors. Especially regarding Ah Yan. The estate's people had big mouths, and any rumors that spread would make it hard for Yan Yan in the future.
Unfortunately her daughter had never cared about this. She also didn't want to hear anything about it. She had been a little estranged with her daughter previously, and after these years things had finally gotten a little better. Shen Yi Yao also wasn't willing to argue with her again.
Right as they were speaking, Matron Zhao came out to welcome them, her face full of smiles.
"Madam, third miss, fourth young master, greetings. The old madam has been reminiscing about you for several days. The little lass responsible for watching the door is new, and isn't sensible. She didn't dare interrupt the old madam's conversation with the eldest and third madam, which resulted in this disagreement. She actually caused the third miss to get so angry. That little lass's cheek is completely swollen. The old madam repeatedly criticized herself for causing this disaster after seeing it."
Shen Yi Yao smiled and thanked the old madam for her concern. She also returned Matron Zhao's words about reminiscing, but didn't mention Yan Yan hitting people at all.
Matron Zhao's eyes flashed and she led the people inside.
The moment Yan Yan entered, she started scolding. "How can such an insensible person be working at the Rongan Hall? What is the granny in charge of servants good for? Matron Zhao, you have to manage them properly."
Matron Zhao smiled awkwardly and repeatedly agreed.
These words were heard by everyone in the eastern side room. The old madam's expression became a shade uglier. Xue-shi felt the urge to laugh. Just why couldn't the old madam act properly? Did she have to provoke them a little?
But if people were so sensible in this world, there wouldn't be that many conflicts. Unfortunately, the old madam had never been sensible.
Within the room, the old madam was sitting on the large kiln. On the chairs below sat Chen-shi and Xue-shi. Seeing Shen Yi Yao walk in, Chen-shi immediately stood up. Xue-shi however didn't. She was the older one and didn't need to stand to welcome her younger sis-in-law. However, she smiled very warmly.
Shen Yi Yao smiled and nodded at the two before stepping forward and crouching to pay respects.
In the past, the old madam would have someone lift her up before she could crouch. This time she didn't do so, and didn't even glance at Shen Yi Yao. Her body was turned as she slowly sipped her tea.
The atmosphere was extremely awkward. Shen Yi Yao was still crouched, Chen-shi had her head lowered. Xue-shi wanted to say something but hesitated, and could only glance apologetically at Shen Yi Yao.
Yan Yan was never someone who bothered with others. She directly stood up and then went to support Shen Yi Yao. "Really, mom. Grandmother's mouth is busy so you shouldn't just foolishly remain crouched."
These words almost made the old madam spit out her tea. Even so, she still couldn't help but start coughing. Matron Zhao hurried over to pat her back and wipe her mouth with a handkerchief.
Yan Yan brought Shen Yi Yao over to sit in a chair. She glanced at the maid on the side and had her bring over two small stools. She and Yan Mo sat next to Shen Yi Yao.
The moment they got back they put Concubine Lan in her place. This was because Yan Yan knew this Concubine Lan was very smug these couple of years in the estate. She was rather like a monkey who declared itself king when the tiger wasn't home. Therefore, this show of strength was meant for certain people. She thought the old madam shouldn't be so foolish and ask to be embarrassed.
Unexpectedly, after not seeing her for several years, she had become more muddled the older she got.
"Grandmother, really, why the hurry? My mom knows you empathize with her even without you saying it." She then said to Shen Yi Yao: "Mom, look. Grandmother choked in her hurry to ask you to rise."
Shen Yi Yao said docilely, "It's all daughter-in-law's fault."
Yan Mo had his head lowered and did his best to hold back his laughter. Sis had more and more of big bro Luo's manner. She would occasionally say something startling that was actually hilarious.
The old madam finally caught her breath. "Ah Yan has grown more beautiful. Unexpectedly, your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter as well."
"That's true, your granddaughter is aware of this. Thank you grandmother for the praise."
The old madam choked up once again. After a pause, she spoke: "But your temper is getting worse as well. Why did you punish grandmother's maid by the doors?"
Shen Yi Yao wanted to explain but was stopped by a look from Yan Yan. Yan Yan had an angry expression and her words shot out like cannonfire.
"Grandmother, don't mention this. The people in the estate are lacking in etiquette more and more. My mom had just returned and hurried over with my brother and me to pay you respects, but they actually dared to delay things. Since it's someone from your courtyard, it isn't convenient for Ah Yan to say anything. But if it were someone from my Ningxiang Chambers, your granddaughter would definitely give her a good whipping. That way she would keep the lesson in mind, in case she loses your granddaughter's face."
Right as she finished speaking, she raised her brows at one of the maids: "What, are you all blind? Don't you see the madam sitting here? Don't even know how to serve tea?"
No longer looking at the maid, she pointed at Matron Zhao. "Matron Zhao, I must say. Maybe it's time to admit your age. If you can't keep going, it's best to go home and retire properly. To think you've allowed the servants in the Rongan Hall to become like this. Don't take advantage of the fact that you're part of grandmother's dowry and flaunt your age. Grandmother is old, but her granddaughter isn't blind."
These words were beating the chicken and kicking out the dog. She was scolding Matron Zhao but was actually saying the old madam was both old and blind and muddled. However, it was hard for her to refute anything. Otherwise, she would be admitting to being old, blind and muddled.
The old madam's face immediately turned purple. Matron Zhao hurriedly laughed awkwardly: "Why would the third miss say this? This servant wouldn't dare. Recently the Rongan Hall got a new bunch of maids, and it's true they don't quite understand etiquette yet. This servant will definitely go instruct them properly later."
She then pointed at a maid. "Don't stand there foolishly, hurry and serve tea. Get the third miss and fourth young master some snacks. Why are you still so dense after I've taught you for so long?"
It was clearly the old madam trying to put them down, but was now changed by Yan Yan to Matron Zhao being incapable of raising maids properly. It naturally wasn't appropriate for a junior to criticize her elders, but the Rongan Hall's servants weren't elders.
The old madam could no longer maintain her fake smile. Her expression seemed both angry yet not. "Ah Yan, this temper of yours must really be changed. Why are you beating chickens and kicking out dogs the moment you return to grandmother's hall!? You aren't young anymore. How are you going to discuss marriage like this!?"
Yan Yan shot her a splendid smile. "Grandmother, you don't know this yet but your granddaughter's temper is just like this. It's impossible to change! Furthermore, granddaughter is doing this for grandmother's sake. If some noble guests were to visit our estate and get neglected, they would laugh at our estate for not knowing etiquette. As for the matter of marriage, no need to be concerned. Granddaughter wouldn't have problems getting married off. It's also fine if I can't get married. My brother is still young and my mom is also an honest one. Ah Yan is willing to accompany them at home in case some bad characters try to cause mischief. I've always felt my family can afford to raise me."
"Ah Yan, it's not appropriate to say so." Shen Yi Yao hurriedly spoke up.
"Your daughter is just trying to explain things to grandmother in case she gets sleepless while worrying about her granddaughter. In any case, grandmother has so much savings. As long as she gives granddaughter a little more, there's bound to be someone willing to marry Ah Yan." As she spoke to the end, her voice became that of a spoiled little girl. Yan Yan smiled brightly at the old madam.
Having not seen her in a few years, this damn lass had become even harder to deal with.
You try to put them down but they aren't receptive at all, and violently break through. She'll even turn things around on you. In the end, she even managed to bring up her savings. It was still fine when this wasn't mentioned. But now that it was, the old madam suddenly felt the world had become dull. How could she give any of her savings to this damn lass!?
"Your mom has such a large dowry, why think about your grandmother's meager savings?"
In order to avoid angering herself to death, she no longer looked at the little moneygrubber. She turned to Shen Yi Yao: "Since you've returned, you should move back. There are a few lasses in the estate who should be discussing marriage. You should put some thought into it. You may all take your leave. I'm also tired. I'm getting older and older and my health isn't holding up. I can't sit for too long."
The group all bowed and took their leave.
Before leaving, Yan Yan turned and looked at the maid from earlier. She turned back and asked the old madam: "Grandmother, how about giving this lass to me and I'll help you train her? Your granddaughter has a matron who's really good at training servants. I guarantee you'll see her in a new light after a few days."
That lass looked pitiful, "Old madam...."
"No need to bother lass Yan. You aren't young anmore. You need to discuss marriage and prepare for it. How can we trouble you?"
Yan Yan's eyes flashed and she smiled: "That's fine, then we'll trouble Matron Zhao to do it. But you should pay more attention. If other maids like this appear in the future, I'll deal with them one by one, ok?!"