Chapter Forty-Four: The Day of Reunion

  Two sisters came to the main hall and saw Yang's wife sitting at the end of the main hall with a bowl of tea in her hand, eating tea, with the second lady attending beside her.

  The third madam is under house arrest, the fourth madam is bedridden with illness, and the second madam is living a rather comfortable life. If Yang were not around, wouldn't everything that belongs to this Marquis of Pengguo belong to herself and her own Rain?

  Pang Luoyu and Pang Luoxue walked up to Yang's family and paid their respects, saying "We've seen mother." Then they also gave a long salute to the second lady.

  Yang smiled and said: "You two sisters came early, Bing Er sent someone to say that she was not feeling well and would come later. There should be many people coming today, Yu Er is also of age, and Master's intention is to start selecting a husband for her."

  Pang Luo Yu was so frightened by these words that her handkerchief fell to the ground.

  The second lady looked at Pang Luoyu and said, "Luoyu? But you seem a bit uncomfortable."

  Pan Luo Yu picked up her handkerchief and calmed down, saying: "Daughter, daughter just doesn't want to get married too early"

  Yang said, "What nonsense are you talking about? You're already of marriageable age. Are you going to wait until you become an old maid? Don't worry, this matter has been entrusted to your father. Just focus on sewing your wedding dress at home."

  Pang Luo Yu was just about to speak.

  The two madams heard the embroidery of the wedding dress and became dissatisfied. Their own daughter's fingers had been punished, and her writing was all forced, let alone the embroidery of the wedding dress? Could it be that Yang Shi intentionally wanted to make my daughter marry out carelessly? So she smiled and said: Thank you, old master and madam, for your kindness. Although Yu'er is a concubine's child, she has indeed caught the eye of the noble consort. The noble consort said that she would personally take charge of Yu'er's marriage matters.

  Yang was displeased in her heart, as the wife of a national duke, she had a first-class imperial edict on her person and was the mistress of this house. Pang Luoyu was just a concubine daughter, now using the power of the noble consort to suppress me?

  Pan Luoxue said: Mother is just worried about sister's marriage, Er Niang is too sensitive. Although sister is a concubine-born child, after all, mother is the real mother of us sisters. Mother only mentioned this to Er Niang because she values sister. If mother didn't think highly of... I'm sure Er Niang also has her own thoughts on this matter.

  Pang Luoxue didn't even fill up the mouth of Second Aunt, and as soon as she grasped a bit of power at home, she wanted to take charge of her daughter's marriage herself. A concubine is just a concubine; if Yang Shi arbitrarily arranged for Pang Luoxue to marry into some family, no one could say anything about it - there were plenty of marriages in this big family that had face but not substance.

  The second aunt's heart was resentful, and she couldn't help but say with grievance: How dare I question the lady? It's just that Rain had just come of age when the imperial concubine sent an edict saying that she also wanted to inquire about Rain's marriage, and this concubine didn't dare refute it. Moreover, Rain's maternal grandmother's family only has sons, and Rain is the only granddaughter, so they dote on her extremely.

  Yang smiled and said: Yu'er has just reached the age of wearing hairpins, this matter is not urgent either. Since the noble concubine is willing to take care of it, what's wrong with me being happy? It's just that, Your Ladyship's heart aches for Yu'er wanting to stay for a few more years is also understandable. Later I'll go and report back to Master, this matter of Yu'er's marriage will still be left to my sister to take charge of.

  The second lady hastily knelt down and said: How dare you, sister, to question madam's decision?

  Yang looked at her sideways, reached out to help her up and said: Today is a good day, sister didn't do anything wrong, kneeling here like what.

  Pang Luoyu was entangled in her heart, she had always wanted to marry the King of Jin, but these two women wanted to intervene. Would they let her have her way? However, seeing her mother being suppressed by Yang Shi and unable to lift her head, she felt extremely uncomfortable. She quickly knelt down and said: "Second aunt is only worried about Rain, so she would say something wrong. Mother, please don't be angry." Then she turned to Second Aunt and said: "Aunt, don't misunderstand, Rain's mother is the main wife, as a child, her marriage will of course be decided by her mother. Although the Imperial Concubine pitied Rain, but in the Pang Guo Gong Fu, things are ultimately controlled by the main wife. When would it be Second Aunt's turn to intervene?

  The second aunt knew that Pang Luo Yu was speaking for herself, if it weren't for Yang Shi being there, she wouldn't have fallen to the point where her own daughter had to tell her that her mother wasn't herself. Overcome with grief, tears streamed down her face.

  Pang Luo Xue watched the two people making a scene on the side. The guests will be arriving soon, and because of Pang Luo Yu's marriage, it would make Madam Yang lose face, and her reputation wouldn't be good either. If word gets out, people would think that the Yang family couldn't tolerate their illegitimate daughter, ruining the Yang family's name.

  Pan Luo Xue walked forward and helped up the second lady, "Mother's heart is like that of your aunt, the imperial concubine, they are all worried about sister. Auntie, don't think too much, it's just that sister has just reached adulthood, I'm sure you also want to keep her around for a while longer. This matter isn't urgent, as long as you keep it in mind, mother won't neglect sister either. Since the imperial concubine has taken charge of this matter, it's a good thing, the imperial concubine's vision is surely something father will approve of. The guests are about to arrive soon, auntie should wipe away your tears and come out to receive them properly, don't lose your composure."

  The second aunt cried and went down, Yang Shi helped her up and said to Pang Luo Yu: "Yu'er, get up, your mother also wants to keep you for two more years. It's just that this family doesn't want to be the first to look, it's not easy to find a good family like this. Don't worry too much, you'll definitely meet someone suitable. Today is a good day, I'm sure many young masters have come. My Yu'er has also grown up beautifully, and there must be many people who want to propose marriage. Your father also wants you to marry a talented scholar, so Yu'er should also take care of herself."

  Pang Lu Yu's heart was filled with seven ups and downs, she lowered her head and stood to one side, saying: "Rain knows that mother is always good for me, everything will be listened to by father and mother, daughter dare not make any more guesses."

  Yang nodded.

  Pang Luoxue said: Today, Father has sent invitations to all the princes' residences. I suppose none of them will refuse Father's face, even if the princes themselves are not capable, there must be a few talented scholars among them. Sister, you should keep your eyes wide open and take a good look.

  Pan Luo Yu smiled awkwardly on the side: What are you talking about, sister? Even if the prince takes a liking to me, your identity is not worthy of being mentioned.

  Pang Luoyu was furious with Pang Luoxue, relying on her status as the legitimate daughter to bully her everywhere. She really wanted to go up and give that girl a few slaps. If it weren't for your existence, why would I end up in this situation today?

  Pang Luoxue stood beside Yang Shi with a smile on her face, looking innocent and harmless. Yang Shi gently stroked Pang Luoxue's hair.

  It wasn't long before Erniang returned, and it was clear that she had touched up her makeup again. Except for a hint of redness in her eyes, there was nothing else out of the ordinary about her.

  The second aunt came and didn't dare say a word, she just paid her respects and stood there.

  When Pangong arrived, he saw that there was no sound around him and asked: How?

  Why is it so quiet?

  Everyone stood up and paid their respects. Yang said: I was just about to send someone to invite you, and now you've arrived.

  Pang Luoxue hastily interjected: It can be seen that Father and Mother are of one mind.

  Yang said with a light tap on Pang's head: You, you can't even stay still for half a moment.

  Pang Guogong was delighted, pulled Pang Luoxue over, and himself had hurt his wife's heart several times. He was worried that he didn't have the chance to make amends with his wife, so he naturally took advantage of the situation and said: "Snow, what you said is right, I and my wife are indeed like this. Why were you all so quiet just now?"

  All is quiet on all sides

  Pang Luo Xue Dao: Maybe, maybe...

  Pang Guogong only brought this daughter, who was originally clever and quick-witted, and slowly said: Xue'er, what do you want to say?

  Pang Luoxue seemed to have made a big decision and said: Father, look at our home today, guests are coming in droves, and my elder brother has returned. It's a good day for the whole family to reunite.

  Yang and his second wife immediately knew what Pang Luoxue was going to say. The two of them were strange, when did Pang Luoxue become familiar with San Niang and Si Niang?

  Pang Guogong nodded, and with that expression, he was ready to listen to what came next.

  Pang Luoxue looked at Yang Shi and didn't show any dissatisfaction, then continued: Since it's a family reunion, why not invite Third Aunt and Fourth Aunt over as well?

  Pang Guogong furrowed his brow as if he was in a dilemma.

  Second Aunt feared that Lord Ping would agree, and if those two were released, the little power she held in her hands would be divided. She smiled and said: "Third Sister is probably still not fully recovered from her illness, and Fourth Sister will probably...

  "What is fear?" Pang Guogong said displeasedly

  It's probably because of what happened last time that I quarreled with Third Sister, but today is after all Young Master's big day, how can he not be pleased because of these small matters.

  The second aunt indeed had a good plan, and Lord Pang hesitated when he heard this.

  Pang Luoxue was about to say something, but Yang Shi lightly pulled him forward, linking her arm with Pang Guogong's: "Second sister is also worrying too much, third sister's unintentional mistake has already been punished by father, how could fourth sister be so disobedient. Today is a good day for reunion, how can we lack the two sisters? I'm sure second sister misses them too."

  Yang's words shut down the second wife's words, first because he said that last time was an unintentional mistake by Old Two, and secondly, Fourth Aunt would not blame Third Aunt for this matter. The two of them would not question Master's decision, and since she didn't care about it herself, Wang Ruo Song was just speaking out of ignorance of the rules.

  The second sister-in-law said: Madam's words are polite, I also truly miss the two younger sisters.

  Mr. Pang: What Madam said is reasonable, so let the three madams come out now. The fourth madam's body should be almost recovered by now. Xue'er is right, since it's a day for the whole family to reunite, let them all come over. Send someone to remind them of their manners, lest they ruin the rules today.

  Yang nodded and glanced at Zi Que, who then retreated.