"Jing Yuan, what are you doing?" Madam Dou cried out in alarm, then lunged forward to embrace Qiu Jing Yuan, weeping both in anger and worry, "You are the only child I have left, are you trying to force me to my death..."
Madam Dou's tears flowed uncontrollably. She recalled her firstborn dying shortly after birth, then being swapped by her elder sister-in-law for a bastard of barbarians. Thinking of the current state of the third branch, Madam Dou held Qiu Jing Yuan tightly, fearing she would outlive her child.
Madam Xu and her two sisters-in-law were also stunned. Qiu Jing Yuan had been Qiu Jiao's darling since birth, spoiled to the point of lawlessness. Yet, she was sweet-mouthed and obedient before elders, with a cruel streak. At a young age, she not only bullied her elder cousins but also casually beat and bullied her younger nieces and nephews.
At the time, Qiu Jing Yuan was favored, while their three families were all adopted. Thus, even if their children were bullied, they had to accept it and even put on a smiling face. Now that the third branch had fallen, and Madam Xu and the others had gained the upper hand, they sought revenge for past grievances by marrying Qiu Jing Yuan to the Xiang family to ward off misfortune.
But seeing Madam Dou and Qiu Jing Yuan weeping in each other's arms, Madam Xu and her two sisters-in-law also felt a surge of sadness. Thinking of the children in their own homes, their future marriages would likely be just as troubled, with anyone able to step on them.
Madam Jiao was willing to let Qiu Jing Yuan marry in, to torment Jiao Lian Yu in the future. But then she remembered that it was Zhan Fei Yu who had written to Magistrate Jiao to dissolve the engagement.
...
"Miss Zhan." The second steward hurried in from outside. Even though this was the Qiu family's villa, the second steward first bowed to Zhan Fei Yu before bowing to Madam Qiu in the main seat and saying, "Madam, Miss Jing Yuan has arrived."
If it were merely Qiu Jing Yuan arriving, the second steward's expression would not have been so grim. It was likely that all the female members of the third branch had come.
Madam Qiu nodded, her expression unchanged, and said to Zhan Fei Yu, "It seems I've caused Miss Zhan more trouble."
"You are too kind, Madam," Zhan Fei Yu replied with a smile, unconcerned. It was normal for Qiu Jing Yuan to come to stop this after receiving the news. Compared to Xiang Chang Shou, Jiao Lian Yu was indeed her best choice at present.
The Jiao family was an official gentry, valuing rules and laws. Once married, Qiu Jing Yuan's status as the legitimate wife would be stable, and her position would be even more secure after having children.
But if Qiu Jing Yuan married into a merchant family, and Xiang Chang Shou recovered, the Xiang family might even look down on her status as the daughter of a criminal. Who knew what underhanded means they would use to cause Qiu Jing Yuan, the legitimate wife, to die of illness, to make way for other women.
Madam Jiao picked up her teacup and took a slow sip. Madam Gao, the matchmaker, was present. The betrothal gifts had been returned, and the tokens of engagement had been returned. Whether Qiu Jing Yuan made a fuss or Jiao Lian Yu caused trouble, the engagement was already broken.
Aunt Jiao glanced at the calm and composed Madam Jiao. It seemed this engagement truly had nothing to do with Jing Zhen.
As for what schemes were involved, Aunt Jiao discreetly glanced at Madam Qiu in the upper seat. Perhaps the Qiu family knew the inside story, which was why they had Madam Qiu come forward to break off the engagement.
After a while, a group of people hurried in from outside. They had traveled in such haste that the group of female guests were sweating profusely, looking exceptionally disheveled.
As soon as they entered, a refreshing coolness washed over them, causing the female guests of the third branch to sigh in relief. Looking at the tea on the table and the fresh fruits, their mouths began to water.
The third branch was now in decline, making every penny stretch. It was good enough to eat their fill for three meals a day. In the summer, they could only afford the cheapest melons and fruits, which were either sour, bruised, or nibbled by insects. Even these inferior fruits were given to the children, while the adults saved as much as they could.
"Please, ladies, have a seat and enjoy some tea." A maid brought in tea.
Madam Dou, Madam Xu, and the others did not stand on ceremony now. They picked up their teacups and drank half of them in one go. The faint scent of jasmine spread in their mouths, neutralizing the astringency of the green tea, making it perfect for summer.
Even when the third branch was not in decline, the tea they drank was no better than this. Now, a young girl was living in the Qiu family's villa, and the guests were served good tea worth at least ten taels of silver per jin. As for them, they could only drink coarse tea worth fifty wen per jin.
Thinking of this, Madam Dou and the others looked at Zhan Fei Yu with complex expressions, then couldn't help but look at Madam Qiu, their eyes showing a hint of resentment. Clearly, they were the Qiu family, but now they couldn't even compare to a young girl.
Although Zhan Fei Yu was currently the owner of the villa, she was still young. Madam Qiu waited for a while, and seeing that Madam Dou and the others had rested, she finally spoke, "Although the third branch is a collateral branch, they are still Qiu family members. My husband is the head of the Qiu family for this generation. By rights, the marriage matters of the third branch should be decided by yourselves. However, given the special circumstances of the third branch, my husband and I have overstepped."
Madam Qiu's words were a mix of grace and authority. If the third branch acknowledged Master Qiu as the head of the family, then it would be reasonable for Master Qiu to step forward and break off the engagement with the Jiao family.
But if the third branch believed that Master Qiu had no right to do so, it would mean that the third branch had severed ties with the direct line of the Qiu family. Then, it would not be easy for the third branch to establish itself in Qianzhong Prefecture in the future. Without the protection of the direct line, their enemies would have already driven the female members of the third branch to a dead end.
"Sister-in-law, what you're saying..." Madam Dou stammered, but she was too inarticulate to offer a rebuttal.
Even when the third branch was not in decline, Madam Dou did not dare to confront Madam Qiu, her cousin-in-law, directly. She was a second-rank noble lady, and the third branch was ultimately a collateral branch, not to mention their current dire situation.
Madam Qiu looked at Madam Dou, whose dress was washed until it was pale and who only wore two silver hairpins. The misdeeds of her husband outside had ultimately burdened the women of the family. Madam Dou was also to be pitied.
"Jing Yuan is young and still has two years before her coming-of-age ceremony. There is no need to rush into an engagement. If there is a suitable match in the future, I will keep an eye out for Jing Yuan," Madam Qiu finally took a step back and took charge of Qiu Jing Yuan's marriage.
Although she was the daughter of a criminal, she still bore the surname Qiu. Her temper was a bit too fierce. Later, she could find a governess to properly discipline her, and marry her to a husband of a suitable family.
Madam Dou couldn't help but show a look of joy. She had wanted Madam Qiu to help Jing Yuan find a suitable marriage. Now that she had only this one child, Madam Qiu had not accepted her invitation, and Madam Dou had visited several times without seeing Madam Qiu. She had given up then, never expecting this turn of events.
Madam Xu and her two sisters-in-law sitting below looked displeased. Their family was so poor they couldn't even afford to eat. If Jing Yuan had married Xiang Chang Shou back then, she would have at least brought in five thousand taels of silver.
But if they waited a few years, what would happen if there was a suitable marriage? The benefit would go to this damned girl Qiu Jing Yuan. What benefits could they gain?
Moreover, how would they get through these years? Would the entire family eat coarse grain and wild vegetables? Besides, the children in the family also needed to study. Where would the tuition fees and the money for brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones come from?
The two sisters-in-law always followed Madam Xu's lead. After all, their three husbands were all adopted, and they were now all in prison. The three of them were as united as one.
After a slight deliberation, Madam Xu, with her still plump face, showed a look of difficulty. She even dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice choked with emotion, "Sister-in-law, it's not that we of the third branch are ungrateful, but as the saying goes, a good woman does not marry twice."
"We watched Jing Yuan grow up, just like our own daughters. Jing Yuan's engagement has already been widely rumored. If this engagement is broken, coupled with the current situation of our third branch, it is forcing Jing Yuan to her death."
Madam Xu looked at the head-bowed Qiu Jing Yuan with sorrowful eyes, as if after returning home today, she would be sending off her child in old age.
Madam Ma next to her chimed in, "The third branch still has two unmarried daughters. If this engagement is broken, I fear that the three young ladies of the third branch will have no way to survive. Madam Jiao, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Please be merciful and give our girls a way to live."
After Madam Ma spoke, the other two sisters-in-law also began to sob, and even Madam Dou's eyes turned red. Overnight, from a bustling household to a ruined family, only the female members of the third branch were holding on. Their tears were three parts acting and seven parts genuine emotion. Madam Dou, already frail, seemed about to faint from crying. Fearing that Madam Jiao would not agree, Madam Ma tremblingly stood up and knelt before Madam Jiao with a thud, pleading with sorrow, "Madam, I beg you."
After Madam Ma spoke, the other two sisters-in-law also began to sob, and even Madam Dou's eyes turned red. Overnight, from a bustling household to a ruined family.