CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 401: THIS CHILD IS CONSIDERATE AND FILIAL

On the contrary, the true masters of the mansion, Yuan Yindi’s family, no longer had a place to stay at the Yuan Family Mansion.

"Thank you, Aunt!"

In the end, Yuan Bao and her group were arranged by Mrs. Li to stay in a narrow courtyard near the back gate of the rear yard. Even so, Yuan Bao still thanked Mrs. Li with a bright smile.

"You, girl, why say such outsiders’ words in a family!"

"Girl, your arrival was sudden, and I’m not fully prepared. You may have to make do for a couple of days while I discuss with your third cousin and his wife to vacate the yard you originally stayed in!"

"Aunt, there’s no need to trouble yourself, I’m just here to visit my grandparents, I still have many things to tend to in the Capital and will leave in a couple of days!"

Yuan Bao’s third cousin is Yuan Shouyi, the eldest son of Yuan Laidi and Mrs. Peng, married for just a year.

Now, the young couple is in their honeymoon phase, deeply in love. If they were indeed made to vacate the yard, Yuan Bao would certainly offend her third cousin’s wife terribly.

It’s likely, over this matter, she might even offend her third uncle and aunt entirely.

"Is that so, then Aunt won’t mention it to your third cousin and his wife, but for the next couple of days, you’ll have to put up with the small courtyard!"

"Aunt, it’s no hardship at all!"

Yuan Bao continued to smile cheerfully.

Regarding the usage arrangement of the courtyards, Old Yuan and Mrs. Zeng had once communicated with Yuan Yindi, and Yuan Yindi’s response was to let the elderly decide.

If Yuan Bao were to express dissatisfaction with her accommodation today, she might end up offending everyone.

These twists and turns, Yuan Bao could see clearly.

After Mrs. Li left, Nanny Xue looked displeased, but she knew better than to say anything to Yuan Bao.

It was Hu Niuniu and Ximei who could not hold back, voicing their grievances for Yuan Bao.

"The two of you, hush!"

Nanny Xue, having taken a small stroll outside and returned, heard Hu Niuniu and Ximei chattering by Yuan Bao’s side and directly went up to reprimand them.

"County Princess, do not heed their thoughtless words!"

"With the old master and mistress here, such matters must not be stirred up!"

"Nanny Xue, no need to worry, I understand everything."

Yuan Bao smiled gently.

Although she indeed felt very uncomfortable.

But the thing is, the control of these courtyards was indeed given by Yuan Yindi to Old Yuan and Mrs. Zeng, and they, in turn, handed it over to Mrs. Li to manage.

In such a situation, expressing discontent towards Mrs. Li would essentially be showing discontent towards Old Yuan and Mrs. Zeng.

Of course, deep down, she did hold some opinions about the old couple.

However, as Nanny Xue said, with Old Yuan and Mrs. Zeng around, even if she, as a granddaughter, suffered grievances, it should be brushed off with a smile.

After all, it’s not like she has nowhere to stay.

Claiming the courtyard is too small?

She’s merely staying temporarily; when traveling on the road, isn’t the inn’s room similar?

One shouldn’t be too delicate.

Her nickname is Jiaojiao, but she cannot afford to be pampered as such.

...

That night, while Yuan Bao was asleep, Old Yuan and Mrs. Zeng remained awake.

Yuan Bao’s former courtyard had been occupied by Yuan Shoucheng and his wife, and both were not unaware. But, as Mrs. Li, Mrs. Peng, and Mrs. Song once persuaded them, Yuan Bao only stays a few days a year; after some years, once she grows up, she will be married away.

"Old man, are you asleep?"

Mrs. Zeng, unable to fall asleep, eventually nudged Old Yuan.

"Not yet."

Old Yuan turned over, "Old woman, you can’t sleep either!"

"No, I can’t!"

Mrs. Zeng sighed deeply, "I am thinking about Jiaojiao!"

"Even though the girl said nothing today, I can feel that she’s not comfortable inside!"

"Alas..."

Old Yuan let out a deep sigh.

Putting himself in her shoes, if he were in Yuan Bao’s position, he assuredly would not feel at ease either.

"Do you think we did wrong?"

"Jiaojiao is the Yuan Family’s lucky star, but it seems we have not treated her well!"

The more Mrs. Zeng thought about it, the more she believed that her family treated Yuan Bao too poorly.

Initially, they had promised to treat this eldest granddaughter as the family’s precious treasure, but in reality, time and again, Yuan Bao’s grievances had been overlooked.

"Old woman, say no more!"

Old Yuan, already feeling uneasy, felt even worse after hearing Mrs. Zeng’s words.

Yet the situation had reached this point, and they couldn’t turn back the clock; wasn’t it futile to discuss these matters now?

"Old man, this mansion was purchased by Xiao Wu."

"Living here, it is logical, we are his parents."

"But Oldest, Second, and Third and their families also living here, what is that about?"

"Initially, Second and Third joined the army, and with their wives heavily pregnant, they stayed; but now?"

"Second and Third have made something of themselves now."

"Old woman, you can’t possibly be thinking of driving our grandchildren and their spouses out?"

Old Yuan stared at Mrs. Zeng, slightly agitated.

"Isn’t that a good thing?"

"Good how?"

Old Yuan grunted, "If you send Shoucheng and the others out, the mansion would be empty, left with just us two old folks rattling around inside, do you think you can stand it?"

"Aren’t Shoumo and his brothers still around?"

"But when they grow up and marry?"

"Uh..."

Mrs. Zeng, hearing Old Yuan’s retort, fell silent.

The older one gets, the more one desires a bustling atmosphere.

"Old woman, Jiaojiao is an understanding child, she can comprehend our difficulties. Besides, as Oldest’s family said, in a few years, Jiaojiao will be getting married."

"Old man, don’t forget, Jiaojiao is the Yuan Family’s lucky star!"

Mrs. Zeng took a deep breath, speaking slowly, "Aren’t you afraid of breaking this child’s heart?"

"What’s there to be heartbroken about?"

Old Yuan grunted, "Tomorrow, you talk to her, won’t you? This child is understanding and filial, she certainly won’t bear to see us upset."

At this moment, Old Yuan already forgot his initial intentions and disregarded how he felt at first that this matter wasn’t handled righteously.

Mrs. Zeng was silent.

Old Yuan, seeing her demeanor, added, "Have it like this, you tell Jiaojiao, when she marries, her cousins and their wives will add more to her dowry!"

"Alas..."

Mrs. Zeng sighed deeply, "This is all we can do!"

Although she felt it was inappropriate, Mrs. Zeng couldn’t possibly have a big row with Old Yuan.

In her heart, the concept of the man being the head of the family was deeply ingrained.