AWB Chapter 231: I was destined to work in this life and in my previous life
Chapter 231: I was destined to work in this life and in my previous life
After Mo Chenxi left, Concubine Ji said to Queen Mother Wang: "Madam Mo looks sincere, which is really rare, and her words are interesting."
The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Just like her father, she's honest and kind. She loves to send food to people. At first, she didn't know who my cousin's wife was, so she made some home-cooked meals and sent them to her, saying that chicken soup was the best way to nourish the body."
Concubine Ji's mind was spinning rapidly. She deliberately said that Madam Mo's words were interesting. If the Queen Mother disagreed, she would say that she was too straightforward in her words. But the Queen Mother didn't say that. She also gave the example of Madam Mo's relationship with the Queen Mother's cousin's wife, indicating that the Queen Mother agreed with what Mo said.
This example also points out that Mrs. Mo is close to the Empress Dowager's family.
Then why did we mention the previous Lady Xiaojiexian just now? Wasn’t that a warning?
Concubine Ji smiled and said, "Living in the palace, I don't get to hear such honest words. I really wish she could come to the palace more often so we could talk. It's a pity that Madam Mo needs to rest."
The Queen Mother said, "Dr. An said that after more than a year of nursing, if she stays calm, doesn't overwork herself, and walks around more often, it will be good for her. Next time she comes to the palace, let her come over and talk. We are the most noble women in the world, but living in this square, sometimes we don't even have many people to talk to."
Concubine Ji was surprised that Queen Mother Wang could talk in detail with Imperial Physician An about Madam Mo's health, which showed that the Queen Mother cared about Madam Mo. Otherwise, how could the Queen Mother have the time to ask about the health of a female relative when she was so busy with all kinds of affairs?
Also, the Queen Mother revealed that Madam Mo was someone who could talk to her, and she did not object to her meeting Madam Mo.
This must be the real reason why the Queen Mother asked her to come here today.
But why did the Queen Mother want to talk to this Madam Mo? Was it just to talk about a food tonic recipe?
She sighed and said, "At this age, with elderly parents and young children, she got this disease. My cousin said her mother-in-law is not easy to get along with, and it's hard for her."
The Queen Mother said, "Filial piety is a burden. Many young women have to go through this."
When Concubine Ji heard that the Queen Mother did not say filial piety was the most important thing, but rather used the word "filial piety" to describe others, she understood that the Queen Mother was not criticizing Madam Mo, but was probably giving her some advice.
Then she also knew what to tell her cousin.
Queen Mother Wang picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, while Concubine Ji stood up and found an excuse to leave.
After Concubine Ji left, Queen Mother Wang sent someone to deliver rewards to Concubine Ji. Among the concubines in the palace, Concubine Ji was considered a smart one.
Mrs. Mo is not smart, but her father is a smart man and will tell her what to do.
Mo Chenxi came out of the palace and went straight back to her parents' home. Her father went to the restaurant, so she sent someone to look for her father.
Mo Yuanji hurried back, thinking something had happened.
Mo Chenxi talked about entering the palace, what Queen Mother Wang said, what Concubine Ji said, and tried to restore the conversation at that time.
Mo Yuanji frowned and thought for a while before saying, "If I wanted to talk to you alone, I wouldn't have Concubine Ji be present. If Concubine Ji were present, it would just be a small talk, but there would be something else in the words."
Mo Chenxi asked worriedly, "Why did the Queen Mother mention the old lady Xiaojiexian? What was her situation like?"
"Madam Xiaojiexian, her father was a scholar. After she got married, her husband fell in love with a juren. Her mother-in-law looked down on her daughter-in-law in every way. It happened that the daughter-in-law only gave birth to a daughter. The mother-in-law forced her son to divorce her and marry another man's daughter. Unexpectedly, the daughter was domineering and the family was in chaos. The husband died in an accident, and the new wife returned to her parents' home.
"My mother-in-law was a widow who raised her eldest son. When he died, she cried until she went blind. Madam Xiaojiexian returned to her husband's family and made a living mending clothes to support her and her daughter. One winter, Madam Xiaojiexian was taking my mother-in-law to the clinic on a cart. She happened to meet a passing imperial concubine. After learning about her story, she reported it to the court and was given the title of Madam Xiaojiexian. I also found out about this after you were given the title."
The title of Lady Xiaojie was added with the word "Xian", which made her a more prestigious title for the female members of the family than the title of Lady of the Third Rank.
Mo Chenxi asked, "Does the Queen Mother want me to return to the He family?"
Mo Yuanji still frowned, "What did the Queen Mother say about virtue? It's more important to take care of yourself. It's not like she's asking you to go back to your husband's house. She said you can't be tired due to your illness. If there's anything, ask someone else to do it. The He family still has two daughters-in-law, so don't be too anxious."
Mo Yuanji's eyes lit up. "As the eldest daughter-in-law, even if you are lying in bed unable to move, you should still stay at your husband's house. Outsiders may criticize your behavior, but because your title of Madam Xiaojie was bestowed by the imperial court, they didn't reprimand you in public."
"You didn't go back to your husband's house for the Dragon Boat Festival. I was originally trying to persuade you to save face. The Empress Dowager must have heard about it and used gossip to point fingers at you. The few words she said without asking you to sit down were meant to let you come back and think for yourself. She told you not to be too anxious, but that meant you should act anxious. You can't ignore your mother-in-law's illness and your husband's illness. Also, having Concubine Ji present and telling you to come to the palace when you are free meant that you should come to the palace to see not only the Empress Dowager but also Concubine Ji, so that others can see you. As for why, I can't guess, just do as she says."
Mo Chenxi also frowned and thought. According to his father's analysis and recalling the Queen Mother's words, it seemed to be the case.
She then asked, "Why did Concubine Ji mention Jingyi's father?"
"Concubine Ji was just testing the waters to see what Queen Mother Wang thought of the He family. Queen Mother Wang didn't mention the He family in her next words. She just said you've worked hard, then mentioned Madam Xiaojie and Xian, implying that you should emulate the virtuous qualities of Madam Xiaojie and Xian. She also said that you can't handle the strain, so leave it to others and don't worry too much. The key point is this sentence, 'don't worry too much,' which means you should act as if you're worried about your in-laws' affairs."
Mo Yuanji used to cry because his daughter sacrificed too much for her in-laws, and now he is worried because his daughter doesn't care about her at all, especially since she didn't show up at her in-laws' house during the Dragon Boat Festival. He originally wanted to persuade his daughter, but no matter what he thought in his heart, he had to save face.
It’s not that he doesn’t love his daughter, but he wants to shut up outsiders by using the title of Madam Xiaojie.
Mo Chenxi nodded and said, "I understand. I can't do it myself, but at worst I can spend money. The Queen Mother asked me to build a reputation, which is easy."
Seeing that his daughter understood, Mo Yuanji nodded.
"You were really doing it for real in the past, but now you're just trying to save face. Don't feel wronged. Most people care about appearances when they are alive, and they decorate for the sake of appearances."
Mo Chenxi said, "I don't feel wronged. I've thought it through and it's nothing. I used to wonder why I had to go against my own wishes and do it unwillingly. I also thought about it. The Queen Mother is so high up there. Does she feel wronged? What does my little grievance mean?"
Mo Yuanji whispered, "Just listen to what your mother says, but don't do what she says. Your mother loves you, but she hasn't considered everything. Conferring the title of Madam Xiaojie on you is a double-edged sword. No one dares to say you are unfilial or unvirtuous, but you must also be filial and virtuous. Fortunately, the Queen Mother instructed you early on, otherwise, in the future, the fame that lifted you up could also bring you down."
Mo Chenxi nodded repeatedly.
She was thinking in the way modern people think. She had finally gotten rid of it, so she wanted to stay as far away from it as possible. Why should she make herself suffer?
I had thought about not going back to the He family during the Dragon Boat Festival, so as not to develop the habit of going back during holidays.
It seems that I will have to do face-saving projects in the future and treat being Mrs. Xiaojie as a job.
I'm speechless. When I first came here, I thought of managing the inner house as my job. Now that I finally left, I have another job to do.
In my past life and this life, I have been destined to work.