Chapter 820: Chapter 550: You’re Nothing but a Cripple

After Xu Xuezi returned to the Xu Family, her mind felt somewhat dizzy.

Indeed, Men Chao, as long as she got close to Men Chao and obtained the basement key from him, there was hope for her legs to recover.

Taking a deep breath, she said to a servant, “Go find out, find out if sir is eating at home tonight.”

The servant nodded and quickly went out, returning shortly after, “Madam, it is said there will be guests at home tonight, and the kitchen is busy right now.”

“Oh.” Xu Xuezi raised her eyebrows, this was indeed a good opportunity: “Push me to the kitchen to have a look, I need to see the menu, can’t neglect the guests.”

Now she was Men Chao’s wife, the head lady of the Xu Family, and with guests coming, she naturally had to arrange the reception properly.

The steward of the kitchen saw Xu Xuezi approaching and respectfully stepped forward, “Madam, you’re here.”

Feeling puzzled in his heart, usually Madam didn’t handle affairs; what brought her to the kitchen today?

“Sir mentioned there will be guests tonight, so I came to see the menu. Let me have a look at it, to ensure there’s no mistake. Tonight’s guests are very important, they can’t be neglected.” Growing up in the Xu Family, be it etiquettes or socializing, Xu Xuezi certainly had nothing to be faulted.

The steward quickly presented the menu, “Madam, please have a look.”

Xu Xuezi opened the menu and glanced through it.

It wasn’t grand, but not simple either, suggesting tonight’s guest might be a familiar person, possibly an elder.

“Alright, proceed as planned.” Xu Xuezi closed the menu, “And add a steamed fish while you’re at it. Tonight, I’ll be greeting the guest alongside sir.”

She refused to be a woman confined to the back residence anymore; she wanted to move to the forefront, a woman who could keep stride with Men Chao.

The steward didn’t dare object, so he had no choice but to comply.

Xu Xuezi then had someone push her to the dining room to check if there was anything that needed rearranging.

Upon arrival, a woman was instructing a few servants on how to alter the dining room’s arrangement.

This woman was a steward, responsible for managing the dining room. She had some beauty and a dignified demeanor.

“Did sir mention that tonight’s guest is someone of cultivation, the house shouldn’t be decorated too flashy, simple is better, remove these flower pots.”

Standing at the door, Xu Xuezi looked at her pointing and commanding the servants, giving the sense that this woman was the mistress of the house.

“Good day, madam.” The servants moving things out saw Xu Xuezi at the door and bowed in greeting.

The steward naturally noticed Xu Xuezi as well, and approached unhurriedly, “Good day to you, madam. What brings you here today?”

Noticing her appropriate smile and confident demeanor, Xu Xuezi felt an impulse to slap her, “Sir said there would be guests tonight, so I came for a look. And you are?”

“Madam, I am Jinzhen, responsible for managing the dining room affairs.” Jinzhen smiled slightly, “Captain Yin came by this afternoon to inform me there would be a guest tonight and asked me to keep an eye on things. Sir’s guests are surely of the utmost importance, I dare not neglect them. Madam, please check if this arrangement is suitable?”

Seeing her acting high and mighty like the leading lady, Xu Xuezi understood that this woman had either slept with Men Chao or had intentions to.

She could accept the idea of wanting to share a bed, but she couldn’t accept someone wanting to rise above her.

Xu Xuezi let out a cold laugh, “From now on, I’ll handle all household matters personally. Such trivial things no longer require your attention; you’ll assist in the kitchen instead.”

Jinzhen’s smile faltered at the corners of her lips.

What was this cripple talking about, telling her not to manage these matters?

Her tone, however, couldn’t be too rebellious, “Madam, have I done something unsatisfactory for you to relieve me of my duties?”

“I thought I made it clear, I will personally handle these matters from now on. Besides, I am the head lady of this family, and when I tell you to go somewhere, you go there. Do you have a problem with my arrangement?”

“Madam, you don’t have the authority to place me.” Jinzhen raised her chin, “I belong to sir; even though you are madam, you don’t have the right to arrange my duties. If sir tells me to stop, I’ll stop immediately.” Knowing the Xu Family for as long as she had, Jinzhen understood well that sir and madam’s relationship was strained, non-existent rather, as they never communicated.

“To even boast of being sir’s woman, who gives you the face to do that.” Xu Xuezi’s expression grew colder, “Do you not see me as the head lady? Steward, have this person removed and never employed again.”

Jinzhen, hearing Xu Xuezi’s words, became even more defiant, “You’re just a cripple, what head lady do you think you are? Before this, wasn’t I handling every single household issue? Now you want to take over, want to chase me away, you wish.”

“Solely because I am the Xu Family’s young lady, Men Chao’s wife, is that reason enough?”

“Yes, you are sir’s wife, but you’re also a cripple, lying in bed all day, unable to handle anything and failing to accompany sir. You can’t even give sir children, jealous because you can’t be at sir’s side like I can.”

Her words caused a change in Xu Xuezi’s expression.

The thing she hated most now was people calling her a cripple, someone disabled, and this Jinzhen was courting death, her expression turned somewhat ferocious as she glared at her: “Take her aside and lock her up. She wants to climb into my husband’s bed? Tonight, I’ll teach her well how to serve a man.”

In this household, who holds more power than whom, while others may not know, the steward surely does.

The steward heeded Xu Xuezi’s words, ordering for Jinzhen to be taken and locked up.

“Madam, there’s no need for anger. Previously, you couldn’t handle things, someone had to manage the household affairs, and this Jinzhen does have some capability, so Yin Li had her manage this section of matters. It’s just unexpected that she’s someone so unaware, daring to disrespect you. Madam, don’t be angry, after all, she’s just an inconsequential servant, thinking a bit of beauty allows her to trample over you, not worth it.”

“I understand her thoughts; she just believes she’s prettier and healthier than me, thinking so she can surpass me and win Men Chao’s favor. Once Men Chao returns, I’ll have a thorough inquiry with him, ask if Men Chao truly has feelings for her; if so, as a wife, I’ll naturally make proper arrangements for her.” Xu Xuezi stated while observing the dining room decor, frowning slightly, “So gaudy, and you all admire this standard.”

“Have people bring the potted orchids from the courtyard and place them here.”

“Yes.”

Being the Xu Family’s young lady, she had been groomed from a young age, not someone just anyone could overshadow.

“Approximately, when will the guest arrive?”

“Sir mentioned dinner is set for around six-thirty, hence expected arrival is probably around six.”

“Clean this place up; I’ll change into another outfit and come back.”

Returning to her room, Xu Xuezi began selecting clothes, dressing up.

She speculated correctly that tonight’s guest should be Men Chao’s master.

His master now led a life of cultivation.

At this thought, she decided to dress simply and elegantly, for she wasn’t unfamiliar with this master, recalling the times as a child, when Men Chao and others practiced, she would sometimes join for fun, occasionally flaunting her status as the young lady, bullying Men Chao and Yin Li.

“Madam, you look beautiful when all dressed up.” A servant attending to Xu Xuezi complimented.

“I was a beauty once, just shut indoors for so long, some people ended up daring to try climbing over me. It’s about time; push me out.”

Before leaving, she glanced at the corner of the room at a particular bottle of old wine, “Bring that bottle here, I wish to share a drink with sir tonight.”

The only way to obtain the key was to get Men Chao drunk.

Men Chao wasn’t too surprised to see Xu Xuezi appearing in the dining room.

“Husband, you’re back.” Xu Xuezi spoke smilingly.

Entering alongside Men Chao was a man dressed in a dark blue robe, with short hair, a well-featured face, somewhat resembling a monk, with gentle eyes.

“Master Wu.” Xu Xuezi immediately recognized him, “I knew it was you coming, it’s been many years without any news of you.”

“I have been wandering, calling all four seas my home. Returning to the Imperial Capital this time is just for a few days before I set off again, haven’t been back for years and thought to visit you all. Things have changed a lot this time returning, you and Men Chao got married, and Men Chao became the Family Head of the Xu Family.” Wu Wei’s voice was hoarse.

“We wanted to inform you about the wedding, didn’t have any news of you.” Xu Xuezi smiled lightly, “Master, now that you’re back, you must stay with us for a while before leaving.”

“Such a rare occasion to see you both married, and Men Chao has become the Xu Family head.” Men Chao continued the conversation.

“””