As soon as they got into the carriage, Bai Siruo handed over the hand warmer she was holding, "Your constitution isn't as good as mine, be careful not to catch a cold."
She was indeed thoughtful. Rushing out, she had forgotten to bring her hand warmer. As she took it, a wave of warmth spread through her. It felt good to be cared for.
"Greetings, Eldest Aunt, Fourth Aunt."
It was inconvenient to formally greet them in the carriage, so Feng Jinyao simply offered her greetings verbally. Neither of her aunts was one for strict etiquette, so they naturally wouldn't find fault with her.
"Good, good. All is well. How are your mother and sister-in-law recovering?"
"Much better. We expect to be able to visit relatives after the New Year. Sister-in-law has been helping Mother manage the household these days."
Oh? That was novel. It was rare to hear of the eldest madam leaving her courtyard, and now she was even managing the household. One could imagine that the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law must have thawed.
Good news, good news. Madam Bai, who wished for harmony and prosperity in the family, was also happy to hear this.
"A few days ago, the household was busy, and the New Year's gifts weren't prepared. Now that they're almost ready, I'll come to visit Eldest Sister in a couple of days. And I'll also see your sister-in-law. It's funny, I've only met her twice since she married Xu'er, and now I've forgotten what she looks like."
Princess Wenyi nodded beside her. She also didn't have a strong impression of this Madam Wen.
Since she was managing the household, they would have to interact more in the future. "It seems Eldest Sister will have some leisure time this time. Since Madam Wen is managing the household, let's invite her to the manor to play cards. The three of us plus Mother-in-law, that's just right."
Madam Bai found the plan well-thought-out and agreed.
At their age, the happiest times were spent enjoying their grandchildren.
Thinking of this, she looked at Bai Siruo with more affection. Unfortunately, her thoughts had drifted to the temple fair. Feng Jinyao, however, saw things clearly.
It seemed that the marriage between the legitimate second grandson of the Prince of Kang's manor and the Bai family's cousin was almost settled.
The horses' hooves clattered as they slowly made their way towards Fahua Temple in the suburbs.
The journey took an hour, neither too long nor too short. As they were all resting with their eyes closed, a sudden commotion arose ahead.
Madam Bai was the first to open her eyes, frowned, and lifted the curtain, speaking to Chunyu, a maidservant outside.
"Go ahead and see what's happening."
"Yes."
Being blocked halfway was quite troublesome. Although they had brought over a dozen household servants with some martial arts skills, they wouldn't be enough if anything serious happened.
Moreover, there were two unmarried young ladies inside, so extra caution was needed.
Chunyu ran ahead and returned in less than fifteen minutes, panting as she reported, "Reporting to Madam, the carriage ahead belongs to the Xu family. It's Old Madam Xu taking Miss Xu out for a stroll, also heading to Fahua Temple for the temple fair. They encountered people from the Liang family, and that's why there's a commotion up ahead."
The Xu and Liang families, weren't they a pair whose marriage had failed and turned into sworn enemies?
Princess Wenyi frowned. The affairs of the two families were already the talk of the town. If this matter wasn't resolved properly today, wouldn't it give people more gossip?
"After the Liang family hitched themselves to the Wei family, their tempers have grown. The last time I returned to the manor to see Mother-in-law and my sisters-in-law, I heard that the eldest daughter of the Liang family was quite full of herself, calling the Wei family's young lady 'sister-in-law' in front of everyone."
"Pah, the Liang family is truly detestable. Not only do they look down on others, but they also implicate Mingyue. She finally wanted to relax, and she encounters the Liang family. What bad luck."
Bai Siruo, due to Xu Mingyue, had grown to despise the Liang family immensely. She was about to get out of the carriage to argue, but Madam Bai stopped her.
"What are you doing? You're a young lady from a respectable family, how can you handle such matters? I'll go and see if the Liang family is really that formidable, that everyone in the capital has to make way for them?"
Madam Bai was the most straightforward. She had recently brought Shen Shi and Bai Sihan under control and was in a good mood. Now, the Liang family had run into her when she was looking for trouble, and they were bound to suffer.
As expected, after alighting from the carriage, she walked straight over. Princess Wenyi, worried about her sister-in-law, followed. Before leaving, she instructed Feng Jinyao to keep an eye on Bai Siruo, lest she cause more trouble by adding fuel to the fire.
Feng Jinyao knew the seriousness of the matter and nodded.
Bai Siruo was anxious. She couldn't see clearly through the curtain and was worried about her dear friend being at a disadvantage, wanting to get out of the carriage at any moment.
However, Feng Jinyao's words from beside her made her give up. "Isn't your Third Aunt still lying in bed? Don't worry, with Eldest Aunt there, the Liang family won't get away with it."
This was true. About fifteen minutes later, Madam Bai and Princess Wenyi returned as if they had won a battle, with Xu Mingyue following behind them, her steps light and her complexion rosy.
As soon as she saw them approaching, Bai Siruo could no longer contain herself. She immediately lifted the curtain and alighted from the carriage.
"How is it? Are you alright? Did those ruffians from the Liang family do anything to you?"
Xu Mingyue was a little overwhelmed by the string of questions. Feng Jinyao, an outsider, observed the situation clearly.
"Cousin, don't worry. Do you see how happy Sister Xu looks?"
Xu Mingyue nodded, took Bai Siruo's hand, and comforted her, "Don't worry, with both aunties here, how could they let me suffer? Besides, my grandmother already scolded the Liang family to their faces. See, they've already left in disgrace."
In her previous life, Feng Jinyao didn't have much impression of this reclusive Old Madam Xu. However, as the wife of the Grand Secretary Xu, she likely wasn't someone to be trifled with.
With her here, Xu Mingyue would certainly not suffer any losses.
"Alright, alright, hurry up and get into the carriage. If we don't go soon, I'm afraid the temple fair will be over," Madam Bai urged the young ladies.
Bai Siruo hadn't seen Xu Mingyue for a while. After a brief discussion, Madam Bai and Princess Wenyi went to accompany Old Madam Xu, while Xu Mingyue moved to their carriage. The three sisters merrily got into the carriage.
Soon, the Liang family retreated, and the carriages of the Xu and Bai families headed towards Fahua Temple again.
Inside the carriage, Bai Siruo was telling Xu Mingyue about recent events. Last time, she had sent a letter asking her to act pitiful and wronged so that outsiders would criticize the Liang family more. She wondered how things had turned out.
"Don't worry, with Grandfather and Grandmother here, I won't suffer any losses."
Hearing her words, Bai Siruo finally felt relieved. "What are your plans now?"
A woman who had just broken off an engagement was not suitable for remarriage. Even if the fault wasn't hers, it was not good to mention the matter further. Although Bai Siruo was happy for her to have escaped the Liang family, she also worried about her future prospects.
However, Xu Mingyue appeared calm. "I had asked Grandfather several times before, and he refused to let me be a tutor at Wenjin Academy. After breaking off the engagement, he brought up the matter himself. After the spring imperial examinations next year, I will go to Wenjin Academy."
Her eyes were filled with hope, showing no sign of sadness over the broken engagement.