CHAPTER 847: CHAPTER 845: IS SHE CURSING ME DEAD?

Entering the room, Nanny Zhong naturally wouldn’t let her Second Miss be embarrassed. Without Xiao Cui needing to explain, she went to the bed, took the Yuan Handkerchief, emptied a jewelry box on the vanity, placed the handkerchief inside, and handed it to Xiao Cui.

Xiao Cui took the box, feeling ashamed in front of the servants accompanying the new mistress’s family.

This kind of matter shouldn’t have been handled by a young maid like her. The lady of the house hadn’t given specific instructions when she sent her over, and she hadn’t thought of bringing something to hold items.

Looking back now, how could she, a young girl, carry such a thing so casually, like a pretense, and send it back to the main courtyard?

......

Zhou Biyao and Wong Qiao hadn’t finished their breakfast when a maid reported that the lady of the house was already seated in the main courtyard’s hall, waiting for the new daughter-in-law to serve tea.

Zhou Biyao put down her chopsticks and said to Wong Qiao, "Shall we go and serve tea to Mother now?" The makeup method taught to Zhou Biyao by Ye Xinyan might not please Lady Zhao, but in Wong Qiao’s eyes, it brought him much joy.

Looking at his charming wife, Wong Qiao felt deep down he didn’t want her to suffer any grievances in front of his mother. But the ritual of the new daughter-in-law serving tea had to be completed no matter what.

Wong Qiao nodded, "Then let’s go."

He stood up first, hurrying to support Zhou Biyao, and said apologetically, "Biyao, you know what my mother is like. If she is picky with you, please bear with it for my sake. After you return to your parents’ home, you can go to work at Guangsha Construction. At that time, you can bring some designs back, and even at home, you can do as you please in your own courtyard."

Zhou Biyao, seeing Wong Qiao’s cautious expression, felt a bit of heartache. Having such a mother, Third Brother was truly pitiable.

"It’s alright, Third Brother, I know what to expect. If I couldn’t endure even this, how could I dare to marry you." Zhou Biyao smiled, a sly look on her face, "But if I do something later, Third Brother, you can’t blame me."

Wong Qiao was momentarily stunned, then smiled, "Alright, I will definitely help Biyao." If it were Ye Xinyan saying this, he wouldn’t dare agree. But having known Zhou Biyao for years, he understood her character and actions. He believed that no matter the situation, Biyao would never place him in a strained position.

Nanny Zhong and Liang Ming’s household followed the couple. Liang Ming’s household, hearing Wong Qiao agree readily, nodded secretly.

Though Lady Zhao was strict and temperamental, Wong Qiao was truly not bad, in looks, character, and temperament, he was excellent. Setting aside his social status, he was quite suitable for their Second Miss.

Upon entering the main courtyard’s hall, Lady Zhao, seated at the central table, coldly began, "Isn’t it said that children from official families learn manners from an early age? Is this manner to keep the mother-in-law waiting for the daughter-in-law’s tea?"

Even though Liang Ming’s household anticipated that Lady Zhao would make things difficult for Zhou Biyao, it was rare to see someone start nitpicking as soon as they walked in.

Hearing this, Wong Qiao hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Mother, your son is at fault. Your son drank too much last night and wasn’t feeling well in the stomach, so I ate breakfast a bit slowly today and delayed the time. Your son won’t do so again."

Zhou Biyao quickly followed, standing humbly beside Wong Qiao, but was quite pleased with his excuse.

Her Third Brother was indeed clever; though the mother-in-law’s words were meant for her, Third Brother took the blame onto himself, not mentioning her at all, leaving the mother-in-law with no chance to berate her.

Wong Qiao’s words left Lady Zhao feeling somewhat aggrieved. She just wanted to properly be a mother-in-law, yet her son immediately jumped in to interrupt.

The old saying is true—once there’s a wife, the mother is forgotten. Despite years of effort raising him, he went against her for a woman he barely knew for long.

Though Lady Zhao was angry with Wong Qiao, her real target was Zhou Biyao. So she didn’t linger on that topic, motioning to Xiuqin, "Bring the tea."

Zhou Biyao took the tea cup, looking at the empty green brick floor.

Luckily, wearing more in winter meant not suffering without a cushion, at most getting some dust on the dress when kneeling.

She knelt, raising the tea cup over her head, "Mother, please have tea."

Lady Zhao fixed her gaze on the tea cup, then looked at Zhou Biyao kneeling before her, appraising her for quite a while without any action or words. Her brows furrowed slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with Zhou Biyao’s appearance.

On the side, Wong Qiao called out, "Mother..." only to be fiercely glared at by Lady Zhao.

Nanny Zhong and Liang Ming’s household, standing to the side since entering, watched Wong Qiao fall silent. Liang Ming’s household coughed loudly, her face pulling down.

Lady Zhao glanced at Liang Ming’s household and then addressed Zhou Biyao, "Daughter-in-law, you know our Wong family’s situation is not particularly affluent, unlike your own family. You marrying Ah Qiao is a grievance for you, but from now on, we are one family, and harmony brings prosperity to all..."

Whether or not Lady Zhao had rehearsed beforehand, she spoke slowly and continuously for over two quarters of an hour. During this time, Zhou Biyao held the tea cup high, her hand seemingly trembling.

Feeling concerned, Wong Qiao called out again, "Mother!"

Lady Zhao, displeased, replied, "When a new daughter-in-law enters, her mother-in-law must speak her mind. What? Is your precious wife unable to bear even some words from her mother-in-law?"

Zhou Biyao replied with a trembling voice, "It’s alright, Third Brother, Mother speaks rightly, Biyao is listening attentively."

Lady Zhao sat up straighter, her tone serious, "As a daughter, it’s fine to be carefree in your actions, but once married, dignity and adherence to rules are most important. Spending a lot of time and silver coin on makeup is not how one should live..."

Another round of chatter began, seemingly set to continue for more than two more quarters. Wong Qiao lowered his eyes, recalling what Zhou Biyao said before leaving earlier, that if she did something, he couldn’t blame her.

Sighing inwardly, Wong Qiao decided to let Biyao handle it herself. As a son, he couldn’t fully protect her. The security she fought for herself could truly let her have autonomy at all times.

So Wong Qiao listened silently to Lady Zhao’s scolding, reverting almost back to the obedient son he was before.

This time, Lady Zhao didn’t speak for long, and shortly thereafter, Zhou Biyao swayed, her hand relaxed, and the tea cup fell to the ground, the crisp sound of breaking porcelain echoing.

Immediately, Zhou Biyao collapsed onto the floor.

Nanny Zhong and Liang Ming’s household, shocked and angry, hurried forward to support Zhou Biyao.

Lady Zhao glanced at the shattered porcelain on the floor, then at Zhou Biyao’s rosy face, mocking silently in her heart as she said, "See? I wasn’t wrong, your delicate body really needs more exercise. If you continue like this, not only will being a daughter-in-law be difficult, but even bearing children will be hard in the future."

Supported by Nanny Zhong and Zhou Biyao, she knelt up straight and said weakly, "Mother is right, Biyao will exercise more."

Then, unexpectedly, the door to Wong Qiao’s family hall was pushed open, and Ye Xinyan’s figure and voice appeared simultaneously, "Exercise more of what? Generally speaking, kneeling for long times is for ancestral halls or plaques, kneeling to your mother-in-law like this isn’t good, Biyao, you should get up quickly." Ye Xinyan entered with maids and nannies.

Lady Zhao’s expression changed immediately—it was her son Ah Qiao’s big wedding day, yet this boorish and unreasonable woman came spouting such inauspicious words, was this vile woman cursing her to death?