The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1064 - 242: Procrastination in Marriage Matters

Chapter 1064: Chapter 242: Procrastination in Marriage Matters

Zhang Gengshan glanced at the unhappy Xie Ze, a flicker of mockery crossing his eyes, and promptly left to make arrangements. The mansion of a Second Rank General, and the Zheng family dares to think they should be treated as honored guests? As if they couldn’t see their own shameless, filthy intentions!

He led the Zheng family members to a side courtyard and into a small flower hall, "The General and his lady are entertaining guests and won’t be able to meet you right now. Old Lady Zheng and Old Master Zheng, please have some food and wait for a while."

Second Madam Zheng was somewhat displeased. Since there was a banquet, they too were guests and should have been included. Besides, at this time of day, what kind of guests were being entertained?

Old Lady Zheng shot her a look, warning her not to express her displeasure and make those who had risen in status look down upon their Zheng family even more. She smiled and inquired of Zhang Gengshan, "May I know who the General and his lady are hosting? If they are acquaintances, we should also pay them a visit."

"Right now, the banquet is in session. There’s no need for Old Lady Zheng to go over," Zhang Gengshan replied with a forced smile, ordering tea and pastries to be served and arranging for a banquet table to be prepared.

On the other side, Pei Yuan noticed Xie Yi looking uneasy as if unable to stay seated, and suggested, "Old Lady Zheng and others have come to visit you and your brother; why don’t you go and keep them company first?"

Xie Yi wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but seeing the look Pei Qin gave her, she reluctantly excused herself.

Xie Ze, somewhat displeased, grumbled softly, "They’re clearly looking down on us, and by extension, showing contempt for my maternal family!"

Hearing that, Xie Yi hurriedly tugged at him and, glancing at the servant leading the way ahead, she turned to sternly glare at him, signaling him not to speak further, "This is General Mansion."

Xie Ze curled his lip. What of General Mansion? It wasn’t Pei Wendong’s mansion; they were only living there temporarily. It was at Pei Wendong’s suggestion that they came to retrieve their family’s property from the Xie family, yet it had been delayed with no end in sight – they only cared for themselves. His sister shouldn’t have blocked him; they should have sought help from their grandmother!

Before they entered the room, Xie Yi warned him again not to reveal Pei Qin’s identity. Tiance General Mansion and Mansion of the General Zhaoyong were neighboring houses, and at the very least, Prince Yongle, who had succeeded in the power struggle at The Imperial Court, was aware of it but kept it secret, treating Pei Qin as General Pei. If they messed this up, they would not only offend everyone in the Pei family but also the Tian family members!

Xie Ze responded with an impatient grunt. Was he not sensible enough to understand the gravity of the situation?

Xie Yi looked at his youthful features and sighed inwardly; if only he could prove himself more capable, she might get the chance to turn their fortunes around.

"Grandmother! Uncle! Auntie!" Xie Ze already entered the room with a smile and quick steps.

The Zheng family, she and her brother couldn’t rely on them. Xie Yi suppressed the chill in her eyes and also went in to greet Old Lady Zheng and the others.

Old Lady Zheng, holding onto Xie Ze and then pulling Xie Yi close, spoke with a face full of loving concern, expressing her longing and affection.

Second Madam Zheng asked from the side, "What guests is General Mo hosting at home?"

Before Xie Yi could signal him with a glance, Xie Ze pursed his lips and said, "It’s Young Master Shen and Young Master Ji!"

"The Young Master Shen from the Shen family? And the young gentleman from the Ji family?" Second Madam Zheng eagerly inquired.

Xie Ze was about to say that they had sent Jiujiu and Xixi back, but upon catching Xie Yi’s warning gaze – not to expose Pei Qin’s identity – he merely nodded in confirmation.

It was likely that Great General Shen Bi would soon become the Grand Secretary, and the Ji family had always been a leading family of the upright faction at The Imperial Court. Second Old Master Zheng listened with envy. Mo Heng had been expelled from the Mo family’s lineage, and the Pei family was nothing more than countryfolk, inferior to their family in every way; yet, they had suddenly risen to their current fame and status, associating with people of noble origin.

Second Madam Zheng heard no mention of female guests being entertained, "What about Lady Mo?" General Mo was hosting male guests; surely Pei Qin would come out to greet them, right?

"Madam Zhao’s family is also there, and Lady Mo personally went to the kitchen to prepare food for Jiujiu and Xixi, who are at the table now," explained Xie Yi. Mo Heng had instructed that Pei Qin was not to come out to entertain, and she understood that the Zheng family’s status was not high enough for Pei Qin to personally receive them. Yet, on the surface, they were her maternal family and being slighted still made Xie Yi uncomfortable.

Upon hearing this, Second Madam Zheng’s displeasure deepened, berating Xie Yi for not taking advantage of such a good opportunity now that they were finally back living in General Mansion. She scolded Xie Yi for failing to impress Mo Heng and secure their foothold. She even failed to charm Pei Wendong, resulting in their reception being so cold!

Old Lady Zheng thought that since Pei Qin had only recently entered the capital, it was nothing out of the ordinary for her to dine with her sister’s family; after all, she felt the Zheng family was reaching above their station, naturally, she would not condescend to entertain them. Old Lady Zheng then reverted to her affectionate demeanor, inquiring about Xie Ze’s studies, whether the siblings were coping with the summer heat, their food preferences, and mentioning she had brought along sheep fat and chilled sweet melons for them.