Just a Wet Nurse, Just a Plaything? Everyone Wept After My Death - Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Early that morning, the atmosphere in the Hall of Brotherhood, the main hall of the General’s Manor, was oppressively tense.
The large square table was laden with an exquisite breakfast: steaming soup dumplings, thick bird’s nest congee, and an assortment of side dishes.
Old Madam Huo sat upright in the seat of honor, looking every inch the imposing matriarch in her dark red silk robe patterned with symbols of good fortune. Liu Ruyan sat to her left, as gentle and deferential as ever, using silver chopsticks to serve food onto the Old Madam’s plate.
Huo Xiao sat to her right with the commanding posture of a seasoned general. His brows were slightly furrowed as he looked at Shen Yingyue, who stood awkwardly beside the table.
First thing that morning, the Old Madam had sent someone to “invite” Shen Yingyue over, claiming that the family should have breakfast together.
Yet there was no chair, bowl, or pair of chopsticks laid out for Shen Yingyue.
“Lady Shen.”
Old Madam Huo took a sip of hot tea without so much as lifting her eyes. Her voice was cold, but carried an authority that brooked no argument.
“Now that you’ve entered the Huo Family, you must learn our rules, even if you’re only an unrecognized Bedchamber Maid and wet nurse.
“No one taught you before, but now that I’m here, it’s time those rules were established.
“Even a well-bred young lady like Ruyan serves her elders at mealtimes. You’re some uncultured woman from heaven knows where. Do you expect your masters to wait on you instead?”
Shen Yingyue lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
She knew this was a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for her, to humiliate her. But in an age when filial duty reigned supreme, a helpless woman with no one to rely on had no grounds to object.
“Yes… Old Madam is right to reprimand me,” Shen Yingyue answered softly, forcing down her humiliation.
Old Madam Huo gave a cold snort and tipped her chin toward Liu Ruyan.
“Since you understand, stop standing around.
“Ruyan is my own niece and an honored guest in this household. Go serve her a bowl of congee and attend to her while she eats.”
She was ordering Huo Xiao’s woman to wait upon another woman who coveted him.
It was no different from tearing away every shred of Shen Yingyue’s dignity and trampling it underfoot!
A flash of satisfaction crossed Liu Ruyan’s eyes, but she hurriedly put on an alarmed expression and made as if to rise.
“Aunt, this… this wouldn’t be appropriate. Sister Shen is Cousin’s woman, after all. How could we make her do a servant’s work?”
“Sit down!”
Old Madam Huo struck her cane against the floor. “You are the mistress, and she is the servant. Why wouldn’t it be appropriate?
“If she wants to remain in this household, she needs to understand her place!”
Huo Xiao could no longer stand by and watch.
He set his chopsticks down with a sharp crack, displeasure surfacing on his stern face.
“Mother, the manor has plenty of maids and matrons. Why insist that she do it?
“She’s frail and didn’t sleep well last night. Let her sit down and eat.”
At the words “didn’t sleep well last night,” Liu Ruyan’s fingers clenched abruptly around her handkerchief. She nearly failed to conceal the jealousy in her eyes.
Old Madam Huo’s face turned livid with fury.
Clutching her chest, she suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit, looking as though she could barely breathe.
“Cough, cough, cough… Fine! Just fine!
“Now you won’t even listen to your own mother because of some woman you brought in from outside, is that it?
“I raised you from infancy with my own two hands, only for you to embarrass me in front of everyone over some shameless seductress?
“Fine! Since this old woman is such an eyesore to you, I’ll leave! I’ll return to the capital right now and die on the road! At least then I won’t be here making a nuisance of myself!”
“Mother! How can you say such a thing?”
Huo Xiao was a filial son, and nothing distressed him more than seeing his mother like this. The moment he realized the Old Madam was serious, his intimidating air vanished without a trace.
He could face an army of thousands on the battlefield without fear, but when confronted with a mother who threatened to die at the slightest provocation, he was utterly helpless.
He rubbed his brow in irritation, then turned to glance at Shen Yingyue.
The usual dominance and possessiveness were gone from his gaze, replaced by a trace of helplessness and a silent warning.
“Yingyue.”
His voice was low, his tone carrying an unquestionable command.
“Mother is getting on in years, and her health isn’t what it used to be. It’s only natural for her to be a little temperamental.
“You’re the younger generation, so you should be more understanding.
“Go serve my cousin a bowl of congee.”
Shen Yingyue raised her head in disbelief and stared at the man who had once sworn, “I’ll make sure you can do whatever you please in Yanzhou.”
So this was how little his promise meant in the face of so-called filial duty.
By “being more understanding,” he meant sacrificing her dignity to placate his unreasonable mother.
It felt as though her heart had been plunged into icy water, chilled through and through.
“…Yes, General.”
Shen Yingyue lowered her eyes, hiding the shattered glimmer within them.
She walked to the table, picked up a porcelain ladle, and served a bowl of bird’s nest congee from the steaming tureen.
The congee was scalding hot, and the rising steam stung her eyes.
Holding the bowl in both hands, she approached Liu Ruyan and bowed her head submissively, looking every bit like a lowly maidservant.
“Miss Liu, please have some congee.”
Seated in her chair, Liu Ruyan gazed at the peerless beauty humbling herself before her, and an immense sense of superiority filled her heart.
She did not take the bowl at once. Instead, she leisurely straightened her sleeves. Only when Shen Yingyue’s fingers had been scalded red by the bowl did she finally extend one well-manicured hand and accept it.
“Thank you, Sister Shen. You’re far too gracious to me.”
Liu Ruyan’s voice was sweet enough to drip honey, but her eyes were filled with mockery.
Throughout breakfast, Huo Xiao and Liu Ruyan remained seated while Shen Yingyue stood to one side like a servant, serving food and pouring water.
Only after breakfast ended did Old Madam Huo seem to remember she was there. She waved a hand listlessly.
“That’s enough. Leave. The sight of you is an eyesore.”
Shen Yingyue’s legs had long since gone numb. She bowed and withdrew without a word.
As she reached a turn in the covered walkway, footsteps sounded behind her.
Huo Xiao caught up with her.
Seeing how pale she looked, he felt a twinge of guilt after all. He reached for her hand.
“Why are your hands so cold? Are you chilled?”
Shen Yingyue instinctively pulled her hand away, avoiding his touch.
Huo Xiao’s hand froze in midair, and his expression darkened.
“What? Are you still sulking over what happened just now?”
He frowned, his tone colored by the entitled arrogance of a man who expected to be obeyed.
“That’s our mother, and she’s your elder. Her bark is worse than her bite. She only wanted to establish a few rules. It’s not as if she actually did anything to you.
“You used to be so sensible. Why are you being so delicate now?
“I indulge you in everything. Can’t you endure one small grievance for my sake?”
Shen Yingyue raised her head and looked at the tall, imposing man before her.
To him, this was merely “one small grievance.”
He believed her dignity could be trampled at will for the sake of his “filial devotion.”
At that moment, Shen Yingyue finally saw everything clearly.
Huo Xiao’s affection depended on her being docile and obedient, on pleasing him like a pampered pet. The moment his interests, his family, or his pride were at stake, she would always be the one sacrificed.
“You are right, General.”
Shen Yingyue forced a smile more painful than tears, her voice so faint it seemed a breeze could scatter it.
“I… understand now.”
She understood exactly what she was in this household.
