CHAPTER 316: CHAPTER 316: SHE MUST BE CONTENT

Bai Tingxue spoke earnestly, "No matter how much we may dislike her, we must act courteously and pleasantly face-to-face, because your father likes her."

Xu Yujie was very stubborn.

Bai Tingxue gently touched his head, "Has your father reprimanded you since she came?"

Xu Yujie shook his head.

"Ah Jue, you’re not a child anymore. I hope you think carefully," Bai Tingxue said, "In dealing with people, you can’t just rely on personal preferences."

"Then what’s the point?"

"Life is full of circumstances beyond our control. Everyone has such troubles. You have, I have, your father has, and even the emperor cannot do as he pleases," Bai Tingxue explained patiently to Xu Yujie.

"But I just don’t like Xu Shuhui!" Xu Yujie muttered.

"If you antagonize her, your father will increasingly dislike you. If you’re willing to accept that result, I won’t say anymore," Bai Tingxue said.

Xu Yujie fell silent; he didn’t want to be disliked by his father.

"Mother, I understand now," Xu Yujie said after a moment of silence.

Bai Tingxue gently hugged him, "Ah Jue, I’m sorry."

——

Xu Shuhui was fairly satisfied with the courtyard Bai Tingxue prepared for her, though it certainly couldn’t compare to when she was at the Princess Mansion.

The present is different from the past.

The Xu Family cannot compare to the Princess Mansion, so she had to be content.

Moreover, she had to appear content and obedient in front of Xu Zeqing.

So, Xu Shuhui sincerely praised Bai Tingxue, and Xu Zeqing was delighted upon hearing this; with his daughter satisfied with his wife, the family of four would surely be very happy.

"Then rest well, I’ll discuss with your Aunt Bai tomorrow to select some maids for you," Xu Zeqing said. "For now, let Liu Hua, who is by your Aunt Bai’s side, stay with you."

Liu Hua was the most reliable maid by Bai Tingxue’s side, the one who stood up for her.

Upon hearing Xu Zeqing’s words, Liu Hua was somewhat reluctant.

As the madam’s maid, she naturally attended to whomever the madam decided.

"Lord, I must inform the madam," Liu Hua replied. "Otherwise, she might think I’m shirking my duties."

"Once I return, I’ll inform Tingxue. You should just serve well here," Xu Zeqing said. "Or do you mean to say I can’t command you?"

"Yes, sir." Liu Hua dared not say anything further.

"Shuhui, just instruct Liu Hua if you need anything," Xu Zeqing said gently to Xu Shuhui.

"Thank you, Father, and I’m sorry to trouble Sister Liu Hua," Xu Shuhui said politely.

"I’m not worthy of that," Liu Hua replied.

"You," Xu Zeqing said with some helplessness, "This is your home; you don’t need to be so reserved and polite. Just act as you did before."

"Yes, Father," Xu Shuhui replied with admiration.

Xu Zeqing was quite pleased and left with a smile.

His steps were brisk, clearly showing genuine happiness.

"Sister Liu Hua, you’re the main maid by Aunt Bai’s side. Can you tell me about Aunt Bai’s preferences?" Xu Shuhui asked Liu Hua, "Since I’m new here, knowing a bit more will help me make fewer mistakes."

Liu Hua naturally couldn’t casually disclose her mistress’s preferences, not knowing if Xu Shuhui harbored any ill intentions.

Thus, Liu Hua smiled as she spoke, "Miss, our madam is very affable, so there’s no need to be nervous. As Lord just mentioned, you need not be reserved or polite."

"Sister Liu Hua, do you dislike me?" Xu Shuhui asked.

"Miss, what is this talk? You are the lady, the mistress; how could this servant dare not like you?" Liu Hua replied cautiously.

She didn’t understand why Xu Shuhui suddenly said this.

"Although I’m Father’s daughter, I’ve never lived at the mansion from a young age. Returning now does give me a sense of relying on others," Xu Shuhui sighed. "If Father didn’t have Aunt Bai beside him, I could do as I pleased. But now, with Aunt Bai around, how could I act as I want?"

She sounded pitiful.

Yet Liu Hua detected another meaning.

Was she trying to separate Lord from Madam?

"Miss, what do you mean?" Liu Hua asked in surprise.

Xu Shuhui blinked, "What do you mean? It’s just what the words imply. I have to be obedient, so Father won’t be troubled. I must please Aunt Bai to allow me to stay at the mansion."

"No, that’s not what you mean!"

"If it’s not, then what does it mean? Sister Liu Hua, tell me; I’m confused," Xu Shuhui asked innocently.

Liu Hua suddenly felt that Xu Shuhui was frightening.

She would not be as simple as she appeared.

"This servant is foolish and may have misunderstood the lady’s meaning," Liu Hua took a deep breath, "Miss, I noticed your makeup is a bit smeared; I’ll fetch some water for you to cleanse your face."

Her task now was to serve Xu Shuhui well, and once her maids were settled, she would inform Madam of her oddities.

Right now, Lord ordered her to stay and serve. If she returned, and Lord knew, the punishment wouldn’t matter, but she’d implicate Madam.

"Thank you, Sister Liu Hua," Xu Shuhui said with a smile.

After Xu Zeqing informed Bai Tingxue that Liu Hua would temporarily serve Xu Shuhui, Bai Tingxue remained outwardly calm even though she internally disapproved, and she even offered to send more maids.

"There’s no need for that; Shuhui is shy and surely apprehensive in her first days at the mansion. She’s obedient and sensible; if we make a big fuss, she’d feel insecure. Liu Hua has a good nature; she alone will suffice," Xu Zeqing said. "However, make sure you promptly arrange to buy her clothing as she arrived with hardly anything—no parcels even. Some jewelry a girl might like, prepare a little of that."

"Rest assured, Lord, I’ll go shopping immediately. I’ll first pick up a few sets for her to change into, and once Shuhui adapts, I’ll see which shop she prefers and decide whether to go buy or invite people to the mansion," Bai Tingxue replied.

Xu Zeqing clasped Bai Tingxue’s hand, "Tingxue, when you handle things, I’m most at ease."

After a pause, Xu Zeqing added, "You’re not upset about Ah Jue, right? I’m doing this for his good! Being young and disrespecting his elder sister—if news spreads, it’ll harm his reputation. As you know, I’ve always had high hopes for Ah Jue."

Bai Tingxue replied softly, "How could I be upset, Lord? You are Ah Jue’s father, and because you value him, you demand sternly and punish him when he errs—I’m pleased, not upset!"

"Having such a wife, what more does a husband want? Tingxue, you’re truly wonderful," Xu Zeqing said, moved. "Tingxue, rest assured, I’ll treat you well for a lifetime."

Bai Tingxue gently leaned into Xu Zeqing’s embrace and murmured, "I believe the Lord is someone who keeps his word."