As Xu Ruoliu was about to press further, his mother interrupted.
"Ahem, Liu'er, don't speak out of turn."
With that, she scanned everyone with a stern face: "That's enough. Don't let the food get cold."
The unspoken tension in the air dissipated.
After the meal, Nian Jiaojiao took her leave from Madam Xu, carrying several thick books and departing the Xu residence with Yuchuan.
At this moment.
In the Xu family's main hall.
Madam Xu and Master Xu sat at the head seats, sipping tea, while the three Xu sons occupied the seats on either side, enjoying tea and snacks.
"Wife, why were you so polite to that village woman?"
Master Xu asked, puzzled.
He hadn't stopped Yuchuan from marrying that village woman; in fact, he had encouraged it.
Now, seeing his wife treat that village woman with such regard, he felt a touch of displeasure.
The three sons also paused their actions and looked towards Madam Xu.
Upon hearing his question, Madam Xu calmly lifted her teacup, used the lid to stir the tea, producing a few crisp clinks against the rim.
She took a sip of tea before slowly saying, "Heh, a man of domestic concerns, I shall explain to you then."
Master Xu's face flushed slightly. With three concubine-born sons seated below, he felt a bit embarrassed.
Madam Xu paid no mind to his feelings and continued:
"I didn't think much of this daughter-in-law before, but this time, her attitude was neither humble nor overbearing, and she spoke with clarity and reason."
"As the saying goes, 'After three days apart, one should look at a scholar with new eyes.'"
"Although I'm not optimistic about her scholarly pursuits, one can never be sure of a person's destiny."
"Our third son has married her. No matter what, she is still part of the Xu family, making the Nian clan half our own."
"If we can foster good relations, why create enmity?"
"Moreover, this is merely a small effort. Whether the Nian clan succeeds or not, I will incur no loss."
After hearing Madam Xu's words, Master Xu, though inwardly unconvinced, knew his wife's nature after so many years together.
He immediately flattered her: "Wife, you truly live up to your reputation as a top-ranked scholar. Your insights are profound. I was shortsighted before."
Madam Xu nodded, quite pleased with his "willingness to learn," and casually remarked:
"There's no need to do anything excessive, just maintaining a proper attitude is sufficient."
After all, Nian Jiaojiao herself did not possess the value to impress her at this moment.
Of course, there was one thing she didn't say.
Whether Nian Jiaojiao succeeded or not, she would still gain some "merits."
If she succeeded, the benefits were obvious.
If she failed, she could earn the reputation of being a "generous elder in dealing with daughters-in-law."
This was a transaction with no potential for loss!
Madam Xu inwardly praised her own cleverness, took a sip of tea, and closed her eyes in satisfaction.
...
In the corridor.
Xu Ruoliu and Xu Wushuang were full siblings and shared a closer relationship, walking side-by-side.
Xu Nan followed a couple of steps behind.
"Fifth Brother, why do you think that woman has changed so much?"
Xu Wushuang, with his lively disposition, asked with a skip and a hop.
"Changed? Perhaps not. Maybe the narcissus just hasn't bloomed yet!"
Xu Ruoliu said with disdain, implying Nian Jiaojiao was faking it.
"Faking it? I don't think so?"
Xu Wushuang was half-believing, tapping his chin with his index finger. He continued, "I think she's changed a lot, especially her appearance!"
When he first saw the Nian clan member, he thought she was a pig that had miraculously learned to walk upright!
Now, he found her much more pleasing to the eye. At least she wasn't as fat, and her face wasn't as revolting.
Xu Ruoliu pouted at this remark: "So what if she's lost weight? She's still an ugly ghost!"
Saying this, he turned his head to ask Xu Nan: "What do you think?"
Xu Nan, who had been trailing behind, was momentarily startled by the sudden question. Then he replied, "She is Third Brother's wife. It's not appropriate for me to make excessive judgments."
Xu Ruoliu was displeased upon hearing this. He stopped in his tracks, stared directly at Xu Nan, and his voice became somewhat sharp with anger:
"What do you mean by that? Are you implying we are gossiping behind someone's back?"
Xu Nan did not get angry, calmly stating: "I didn't mean that."
"Heh, you really know how to put on an act! You're about to be engaged to a talented woman, and you look down on us minor sons, don't you?"
The talented woman Xu Nan was to be engaged to was Madam Xu's classmate's niece. She was a year older than Nian Jiaojiao and had passed the provincial examination on her first attempt last year, ranking among the top.
Xu Ruoliu had been present when Madam Xu's classmate mentioned this matter at their home.
He naturally had his own intentions and wished to be betrothed to her.
However, their Xu residence was a scholarly family that emphasized seniority. Among the unmarried sons, only the fourth son, Xu Nan, was eligible for such a match.
Thinking of this, Xu Ruoliu felt extremely unbalanced.
Xu Nan was only a year older than him, yet because he held the title of fourth son, the good fortune fell upon him.
...
The side entrance of the county yamen.
Nian Jiaojiao emerged from the entrance, refreshed, and met up with Yuchuan.
She was completely unaware of the undercurrents she had stirred at the Xu residence, only happy that she had finally shed the humble name "Nian Dabao."
From this moment on, she was officially named "Nian Jiaojiao."
To change one's name, one had to go to the county yamen's registrar, hence the use of the side entrance.
The main entrance was where the magistrate conducted his business, usually for legal cases.
When the former Nian Dabao was expelled from the Nian family, it wasn't just for show; her household registration was also moved out.
Therefore, Nian Jiaojiao was now her own household.
And the husband she married was under her household registration.
In short, she was now the one in charge, without any complicated procedures.
If she wanted to change her name.
All it took was her own signature!
...
The sky gradually darkened.
The autumn nights arrived particularly early.
Nian Jiaojiao, carrying the night's chill, pushed open the dilapidated wooden door, which creaked loudly.
"We're back!" she called out to the person inside.
Xingyun came out upon hearing the sound.
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao, a smile appeared on his face:
"Wife, did you stay overnight at the Xu residence this time?"
As he spoke, he took some of the luggage from Yuchuan's hands.
"Mm."
Nian Jiaojiao simply nodded, glanced around the surroundings, and then asked:
"Where are the others?"
Xingyun's voice was a little nervous: "They... Elder Brother went hunting and hasn't returned. Second Brother... his eyes are not well, he didn't, didn't come out..."
As he spoke, he subtly observed Nian Jiaojiao's expression.
Seeing that Nian Jiaojiao was not angry, his expression relaxed, and he continued with a hint of joy:
"Wife, you must be hungry after traveling. Shall I get you something to eat?"
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at the closed door and casually waved her hand:
"No need. We bought some snacks and ate a bit on the way back."
"How about this, go and help me heat some water. I want to take a bath."
With that, she returned to the small room with her tired body, glancing at the furnishings within...
Heh!
Honestly!
Returning here from the Xu residence, she still wasn't used to it!
Nian Jiaojiao let out a soft "tsk" and began arranging the books on the simple wooden table she had just brought in from the yard.
She had also brought back the "Dictionary." Although she had a photographic memory, it was better to review it again to prevent any memory lapses.
After stacking the books, she took out a stack of white rough paper and laid out her brush and ink.