HCB Chapter 1792 The Old Maid
Chapter 1792 The Old Maid
It wasn't that the servants were weak; it was that they dared not exert themselves. After all, she was the eldest daughter of the Han family. If she were to injure her arms or legs, it would be the servants who would suffer and be punished in the end. They knew best how to do things.
Shang Xi knew the reason in her heart, but she pretended not to know anything. "Aunt, let's talk this out. What's going on?"
"We've hired several tutors for your sister Nianxia, and they're all waiting for her. She's being disobedient, trying to slack off, and insists on staying at your manor and bothering us. I'll take her back right now!" Madam Han was a person who cared a lot about her reputation. If she weren't in a hurry to bring Han Nianxia back, she would never have been so proud as to take her servants to someone else's manor to chase after Han Nianxia. When she said these two sentences to Shang Xi, it made people's faces turn pale.
However, Shang Xi disagreed with one point: how many times had Han Nianxia bothered their Prince's Mansion? The entire Han family had stayed at Prince Pang's Mansion for several months at a time. In the end, it was only after the old lady intervened and asked the Emperor for an official position for Han Yuanqiao, the eldest son of the Han family, that the Han family moved out of the Prince's Mansion after they were allocated a residence. Although the Han family did not eat and drink for free at the Prince's Mansion, those eighty-odd people were a nuisance the moment they moved in. At that time, Madam Han did not mention the nuisance, but now that she was in a hurry to bring Han Nianxia home to learn skills, she felt that she was a nuisance.
Shang Xi sighed inwardly. The Han family was far too opportunistic. They were incredibly adept at finding opportunities to exploit, and their presence was felt everywhere.
At this moment, Han Nianxia was already hiding behind Shang Xi. Faced with this person, Shang Xi couldn't keep her, nor could she drive her away. Keeping her would offend Madam Han, and driving her away would offend Han Nianxia. But since the person was already in her courtyard, Shang Xi had to invite her into the house: "Aunt, let's talk this over. Come inside and sit down for a cup of tea! I see you're feeling hot!"
How could it not be hot! Having chased her from the front gate to the old lady's courtyard, and now back here, beads of sweat were clearly visible on Madam Han's face. It was easy to see Madam Han's determination to take Han Nianxia back. She politely said to Shang Xi, "Let's not come in. The family tutor is still waiting there! Your sister Nianxia and I must go back!"
Han Nianxia gripped Shang Xi's clothes tightly at the back of her waist. "I'm not going back, and I'm not going to learn any singing or dancing. Even if you break my hand, I won't play the piano!"
Han Nianxia didn't say this at the gate of the mansion, and her tone wasn't as forceful as it is now. She must have been provoked by something in the old lady's room!
Madam Han gritted her teeth in hatred, but couldn't show it in front of Shang Xi, so she put on the appearance of a loving mother, saying, "Nianxia, I've spoiled you too much all these years, which has made you so disobedient. If you don't listen to me today, you'll really become an old maid!"
Han Nianxia wouldn't listen to a word she said. "I'd rather be an old maid! No, I'm already an old maid. I'm not getting married, and don't even think about marrying me off!"
"Nianxia, what nonsense are you talking about! Are you trying to drive your mother to her death? Who am I doing all this for? It's all for your own good! Of all your brothers and sisters, you are the one I love the most, but you are the one who disobeys me the most. Are you trying to drive your mother to her death here?" Madam Han spoke with a sorrowful expression, looking like an old mother who had worried herself sick over her children. If Shang Xi didn't know anything about the Han family, she would have been moved by the mother in front of her.
The Han family has many descendants, but unfortunately, there are no daughters of marriageable age. There is only one intelligent and ambitious woman, Han Muran, who is currently practicing asceticism in a nunnery. Otherwise, the Han family would not have started to cultivate the dim-witted and unambitious old maid Han Nianxia. It's not that Shang Xi underestimated Han Nianxia, but even if this person's brain were sent to the palace, it would not help the Han family. In fact, the Han family might die even faster.
"Mother, if you really care about me and insist on forcing me to get married, then give me someone else to choose from!"
Madam Han glanced furtively at Shang Xi, not wanting her to know what the Han family was planning. Seeing that Shang Xi's eyes and expression remained unchanged, she glared at Han Nianxia when Shang Xi wasn't looking. "Marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers. Whichever marriage the family arranges for you, that's it. There's no room for discussion. If you don't want to be disgraced, hurry back with your mother."
"I won't go back unless you find a better husband for our daughter!" Han Nianxia said, her voice sharp and piercing as she became agitated.
Madam Han was still holding back, but the suppressed anger made her words sinister. "A person can't only think of themselves, but also of their family. Don't be so selfish, child. Only if you marry well can your brother stand firm in the court and help the Han family, your brother, nephews, and grandnephews. Don't be foolish, come back with me!"
Madam Han kept casting glances at Han Nianxia, but Shang Xi pretended not to see them. Han Nianxia, however, wouldn't even look at them; her tears were already falling to the ground, so what did she care about saving face?
Han Nianxia said resolutely, "I can't help the Han family, so I won't marry that man!"
At this moment, Yu Hua rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Shang Xi acting as a shield and Han Nianxia and Madam Han standing at attention, she asked, "Who are you going to marry?"
Han Nianxia finally couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears. Shang Xi quickly comforted her, and Yu Hua also ran in from the courtyard gate, saying, "Who is she going to marry that makes Miss Nianxia feel so wronged?"
"Are they forcing me to marry Sui Ming?"
"Following fate? Everyone was talking about following fate today, but I haven't heard anything about this person being related to Han Nianxia! 'Miss Nianxia, when was this marriage arranged?'"
"It's not settled yet. My mother and aunt have discussed it, and once I've improved my singing and dancing skills, we'll ask the Emperor to grant me a marriage!"
Yu Hua was straightforward and spoke frankly, "So, this matter is still far from settled, why are you crying? Besides, that Sui Ming is a great general, you should be happy to marry him instead of crying."
Han Nianxia shook her head vigorously. "Sui Ming is more than a head taller than my cousin. He's as strong as an ox. He doesn't look like a human, but more like a beast. He can tear a person's head off and dig out their heart with his bare hands. I'm simple-minded and I have a bad tongue. If I marry him, he'll break my neck in less than a day. His hands are as big as winnowing baskets."
Yu Hua comforted him, "You saw them tearing off heads and ripping out hearts? Let me tell you, that was a general, a favorite of the emperor. Don't tarnish the general's reputation. If you spread this around, wouldn't Sui Ming be seen as a heartless and insane madman? You must never say this to outsiders!"
"Whether he's human or demon, I won't marry him!"
Yu Hua's hand froze. "If you don't marry him, how many girls in the city will want to marry him?"
Shang Xi felt the same way; the threshold of the General's Mansion was insurmountable. The matriarch of the family behind the Han family was the Emperor's sister-in-law. How could anyone from the Han family possibly hold an official position in the court? The Han family was known for producing only dashing young men.