CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 95: CHAOS (PART 5)

Tong Shen Zhi remained silent, so the First Lady had to express on his behalf: "Madam, please don’t praise him too much. This child’s nature, I don’t know whom he inherited it from, so young yet so rigid." She then turned toward Tong Shen Zhi and scolded: "Don’t you know how to greet?"

Tong Shen Zhi obediently performed a formal bow and stood up without any excess response.

The First Lady sighed and introduced Xu Tianqing. Madam Yang’s eyes gleamed as she pulled Xu Tianqing over: "No wonder you looked familiar; it’s Young Master Xu." Her affectionate demeanor made Xu Tianqing frown frequently, stirring up a sense of doubt within him.

Madam Yang seemed to know what he was thinking and smiled, saying, "Last time your mother came over, she visited me. You weren’t around, how coincidental today." She then warmly asked, "Is living in the Capital comfortable for you? I still have some pastry skins sent from Shandong. Shall I have someone send some to you?!"

Xu Tianqing waved his hand with a smile: "I’m quite comfortable here, Madam don’t trouble yourself. My mother just sent a lot over a few days ago." However, he suddenly remembered his mother’s words about a Madam Yang in the Capital, whose family was connected to his father’s superior, Lord Hong.

Meanwhile, as Madam Yang conversed with Xu Tianqing about household matters, Tong Quanzhi ran off to whisper with Xiqiu, while Madam Liu and Madam Jiang pulled Tong Minzhi over, inspecting him closely: "This must be the Seventh Young Master, such a handsome lad, fair and clean, really gives a joyful look."

The First Lady chuckled and said: "He’s mischievous all day, thankfully there’s a tutor watching over, otherwise who knows what he’d turn out like."

Madam Liu just laughed, while Madam Jiang scrutinized Tong Minzhi. He would be her daughter’s only brother-in-law, and in the future, all of Tong Mansion’s assets would have to be divided with him.

The Second Lady smiled and pulled Tong Quanzhi over to her side, tidying his messy clothes and instructing a maid briefly. The madams shared a laugh, praising Tong Quanzhi, then the head of Liu Rong Society came over to ask if they could start the performance... Tong Shen Zhi seized the chance to bid farewell, taking Xu Tianqing, Tong Quanzhi, and Tong Minzhi back to the outer courtyard.

Soon after, the sound of drums and gongs echoed from the stage. The singing style of Yue Opera combined the elegance and grace of Kun Opera, and its unique lyrical style made it more accessible and understandable.

The first scene performed was "Five Daughters Celebrating Longevity," requested by Madam Yang, which depicted five daughters returning home one by one to celebrate their parent’s birthday. The birthday gifts from the daughters were all splendid, and the elderly couple praised their filial piety with smiles. Yang Sanchun arrived the latest, bringing only a pair of embroidered shoes, which displeased the elderly couple, leading them to tell Sanchun and her husband to eat with the maids in the kitchen.

The beating of drums alternated, making the scene lively. The unique seven-character lyrics of Yue Opera were easy to understand and very immersive. Xiqiu turned to watch Tong Xiyan and saw her deeply engrossed in the performance, clutching her handkerchief tightly, seemingly distressed for Sanchun and her husband.

The second scene showed Sanchun and her husband in the woodshed, one sewing a shoe sole while the other reading a book, creating a very warm atmosphere. Sanchun’s singing was also full of tender emotions, but unexpectedly, her sister arrived, causing an argument in the woodshed and a rift in their sisterly bond!

Tong Xiyan’s eyes reddened, and she lowered her head to wipe her tears away. Xiqiu shook her head helplessly and handed her a handkerchief: "It’s just a play, but you’re really crying."

Tong Xiyan wiped her tears and dejectedly said: "You mock me, but if they wrote it into a play, it means similar situations have happened. Sanchun is so kind and filial; when her husband eventually succeeds, I wonder how the Yang Family will face them!"

Xiqiu was speechless, finally realizing that Tong Xiyan wasn’t crying for the fictional Yang Sanchun but was projecting her fate onto herself, hence her deep sorrow.

"The play is just a fabrication. You’re taking it seriously!" Xiqiu chuckled and shook her head, then suddenly froze when she saw at the courtyard’s entrance, Madam Wang in a crimson overcoat smiling as she walked in.

She seemed to have dressed up deliberately today, wearing a red gemstone jade hairpin and a Flying Phoenix Hairpin, with a jade bracelet on her hand, radiating with jewels and vigor!

Her entrance was so ostentatious that several madams watching the performance looked on in astonishment, even the actors on stage paused their performance to gaze at Madam Wang.

The First Lady frowned, forcefully suppressing her anger!

Madam Wang gracefully and provocatively approached, respectfully bowing to the First Lady: "Madam, I apologize for being late!" If she’s late, she should come in quietly, so why make such a grand display?

Tong Xiyan shot a sharp glance at Tong Xiyang, whose face looked grim but more so tense, with eyes closely following Madam Wang, indicating that she knew Madam Wang would appear, and seemed to know her purpose.

Madam Yang noticed the First Lady’s displeasure and smiled to ease the situation: "Please have a seat, you’re just in time as only two scenes have been sung."

"Just in time indeed," Madam Wang laughed, "I’ve listened to this performance before. The initial scenes where Sanchun endured injustices were heart-wrenching for my soft heart. Now I’ve missed that part, I can just enjoy the later scenes!"

Madam Yang chuckled dryly, suspecting this self-proclaimed maid who behaves like the legitimate wife has malicious intentions.

"Now that you’re here, sit next to me!" The First Lady finally recovered her smile and told Zijuan: "Bring a stool for Madam Wang."

Essentially introducing Madam Wang’s identity, the madams slightly turned their heads, some sipping tea, others continuing their conversations, while only Madam Yang displayed a surprised expression, giving Madam Wang a meaningful glance.

Tong Xihua frowned at the stage: "Why has the performance stopped? Continue singing!"

The drums and gongs started again!

Zijuan instructed a maid to bring the stool while she stood behind the First Lady, eyes vigilantly fixed on Madam Wang, fearing she might do something reckless in this setting, embarrassing the First Lady!

Madam Wang smiled at the First Lady and then turned to Madam Yang: "You must be Madam Yang!" warmly taking her hand. "I’ve often heard our master mention Lord Yang, he and our master were classmates, right?"

Madam Yang finally understood Madam Wang’s identity. As the legal wife, she was unwilling to lower her status and casually chat with a concubine, which would undoubtedly diminish her standing. But being in Tong Mansion, she couldn’t affront Madam Wang in public, so she merely smiled: "I think I’ve heard my husband mention it." She swiftly responded and then turned to talk to the Fifth Madam beside her: "Your condition isn’t convenient, be careful with your back while sitting for so long!"

The Fifth Madam, smiling, replied: "I don’t feel it now, perhaps because the month is still early!" The two diverted from Madam Wang and continued their conversation.

Madam Wang wasn’t annoyed, and when Zijuan brought the stool, she pointed beside Madam Yang: "Place it next to Madam Yang!" After speaking, ignoring how upset the First Lady’s face was, Madam Wang personally pulled the stool and sat beside Madam Yang.

Madam Wang sat quietly watching the stage, as if she truly came only to watch the performance.