The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 77: Family Alliances and Hidden Agendas

Kong Tianru, remembering the previous incident, listened to the servant’s report without showing any expression, only telling them to withdraw.

The maids standing by her side were tense, but seeing that Madam didn’t lose her temper, they gradually relaxed.

During dinner, Kong Tianru noticed her daughter’s displeasure and asked, "What’s the matter?"

"The Snow Fox over at Aunt’s place returns for dinner at night, more interesting than my Parrot." Sister Yue still brooded over this matter half a month later.

Upon mentioning Tingxue Hall, a flicker of hostility flashed in Kong Tianru’s eyes, and her tone turned indifferent, "It’s merely a creature, yet you let it occupy your thoughts."

Her husband also harbored sentiments towards that courtyard’s fox, and her daughter fixated on a mere animal, how could it not be infuriating?

Unaware, Sister Yue continued, "Brother Xu is quite fond as well, always pursuing Aunt’s Snow Fox matter, how come in Mother’s eyes, I’m deemed shallow?"

Towards the end, the young lady’s temper flared, and she put down her chopsticks.

"Brother Xu keeps asking about Aunt’s Snow Fox?" Kong Tianru immediately took interest, "Tell me in detail about the incident at Tingxue Hall."

Despite her unhappiness, Sister Yue explained the event once asked by Mother, and Kong Tianru thought for a moment and suddenly smiled, "According to your Aunt, she’s considering a marriage alliance with the Xu Mansion for Aunt, wonder how that might progress? Xu Mansion’s upcoming snow viewing event might bring news."

Sister Yue didn’t understand why Mother suddenly shifted to this topic, but seeing Mother’s evident joy, she didn’t remain angry and picked up her chopsticks again.

On the twenty-fourth, Xu Mansion hosted guests for the first time in months and invited many people; any household above fourth rank in the Capital received invitations.

Previously, Xu Mansion only invited noble families, but this time was uncharacteristic, prompting speculation.

Connecting past rumors, everyone had an inkling; previously invited were mainly noble families, with the same manner, fearing this time they blended their status with lower-ranking families.

At the Imperial Tutor Mansion, Mrs. Feng directly returned the note stating there was a matter at home, thus declined.

But given Xu Mansion’s prestige in the Capital, even if the Imperial Tutor Mansion didn’t attend, many other families wished to ingratiate with Xu Mansion.

After hearing the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion attended, along with all families above fourth rank except theirs, Mrs. Feng’s face turned dark.

Upon hearing the news, Feng Yufu cried alone in her boudoir before stopping.

Meanwhile, Xu Mansion was lively, with Mrs. Xu Sr. inviting many to her home, partly to issue a warning due to past events, asserting Xu Mansion wasn’t just any family.

Also, she sought suitable families to select a granddaughter-in-law.

This time, the most prestigious guest at Xu Mansion was Mrs. Gu Sr., who hadn’t visited in years, while young ladies enjoyed snow and roasted meat in the garden.

Surrounded by serving maids, the garden was filled with laughter and banter, unusually lively for winter.

Through a wall, Wu Chuhao gazed across and laughed, "Yuxian, today’s your family’s ancestor looking at potential matches, right? Which families are involved?"

Feng Xinyan lightly fanned himself, posing as a jaunty youth, "I want to glimpse the child bride’s looks from Dingyuan Marquis Mansion; rumored to be a beauty?"

Xu Yuxian’s previously gentle face instantly darkened.

Wu Chuhao happily continued, "A beauty like her alone deserves such a title; it’s no wonder Dingyuan Marquis Mansion hasn’t let her out for years."

"Alright, it’s unsavory to gossip behind others; not a gentleman’s conduct." Xu Yuxian sensed the conversation veering wrongly, directing elsewhere, "Brother Xuan will return from the Academy soon; when he does, we should gather."

"He’s wholly focused on his studies, and lacks time to join us." Feng Xinyan probed Xu Yuxian with another look.

Though saying nothing further, Xu Yuxian felt as if Feng Xinyan saw through his thoughts, inexplicably uneasy. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Wu Chuhao, with his carefree nature, didn’t notice, merely laughed, "Don’t worry about Brother Xuan; I’ll attend to him."

Counting on it, Brother Xuan must address Wu Chuhao as ’little uncle.’

No wonder Wu Chuhao expressed such confidence.

Xu Yuxian meanwhile, showed waning interest, merely observing his company while contemplating his grandmother’s intentions for the banquet - to find him suitable matches.

Yet, none matched his liking.

His desire was only filled by one.

But...

No matter the distances in between, they were never meant to be.

In the flower hall, wives from various families gathered, laughter resonating, with Minister Wu’s wife’s voice particularly crisp, "These children grew up inseparably, childhood sweethearts, naturally they reached marriageable age. I’m hoping Mrs. Xu Sr. assists in scouting eligible prospects, so we might choose one for our Xueya."

"Your words are unrestrained; your family’s Mrs. Wu is still alive, nowhere seeing my role. If you trust me so, why not offer your son to wed my granddaughter? Though I’ll be tricky to serve, don’t be distressed if she suffers," jested Mrs. Xu Sr.

Wu’s wife echoed with broader smiles, "If she becomes your granddaughter-in-law, I’d keep her home as though my own daughter, utterly relieved."

Some who curried favor towards the Minister Mansion naturally laughed along with Mrs. Wu.

Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t favor Mrs. Kong, and since Mrs. Wu was Mrs. Gao from Duke Mansion’s younger sister - Mrs. Kong’s legitimate aunt, she also distasted Mrs. Wu.

Curiously, Wu’s wife filled the room in Minister Mansion, as Minister Wu had a previous wife, though childless and eventually ill, and later married the present Mrs. Wu.

Despite being recognized as the principal wife, by formalities she still paid homage to the former wife.

However, Mrs. Wu, originating from the noble Gao Mansion as a legitimate daughter, was from literary nobility, rumored to have connected with Minister Wu over poetry, forming lasting affections.

Her marriage elevated her.

Thus none dared undervalue her.

Mrs. Kong and Mrs. Dong stood by Mrs. Gu Sr., unable to speak freely; however, when unnoticed, Mrs. Kong exchanged glances with Wu’s wife, who subtly nodded.

When Mrs. Kong discreetly exited, Wu’s wife noticed and followed suit to ’refresh,’ setting out and finding Pianqiu waiting.

Without uttering much, Wu’s wife trailed Pianqiu.