Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 36.3 – This Is Just the Beginning (III)

The old lady and Zhou Qianqian’s faces both darkened again, and Zhou Qianqian seemed ready to retort.

But Xia Mian suddenly burst into laughter. “Oh, Old Madam, you didn’t take that seriously, did you? Haha, of course I was just joking.”

“Our Xia family has an ancestral motto passed down through generations: ‘Do good without expecting repayment, but never forget a kindness received.’ It’s a principle that aligns with the teachings of noble families.”

Xia Mian smiled, “We wouldn’t be like Miss Zhou, of course, expecting the Huo family to repay a small favor for decades. That would be using a favor as leverage, which is something only those with a narrow vision would do! We just happened to be coming to Yan City, so Sister Ning kindly offered us a ride, that’s all.”

Zhou Qianqian snapped, “What are you implying?!”

Xia Mian tilted her head in confusion. “You said it yourself—you’ve been supported by the Huo family since you were young because of your father, haven’t you?” She turned to the old lady. “Did I say something wrong?”

The old lady, limited by her lack of education, found herself unable to respond.

Ning Shaoyun chuckled softly. This little girl really had a way of delivering her mockery with an air of innocence, challenging her target to retort her.

Zhou Qianqian, infuriated, retorted, “Stop pretending to be so virtuous! Weren’t you the one who said you wanted all the courtyard houses in the Huo family’s row?”

Xia Mian grinned, “Yes, I did say that. I even mentioned starting with the one you’re living in. After all, it’s closest to Sister Ning’s house and is already in good condition—perfect for our small family to move in.”

She then addressed the old lady, “But I said I wanted to buy it, so don’t worry. If you don’t want to sell, I won’t force the issue. After all, our Xia family isn’t like the Zhou family—we wouldn’t shamelessly stay in someone else’s courtyard just because of a decades-old small favor.”

Zhou Qianqian was furious. “What do you mean by that?!”

Xia Mian put on a troubled expression. “Why do you keep asking that question, Miss Zhou?” She then turned to the old lady and continued, “Was I not clear? Has she not been living in the Huo family’s courtyard house for free?”

“So, Miss Zhou, considering your level of intelligence, I guess your degree was probably bought, was it not?” Xia Mian sighed as she looked at the old lady. “Your Huo family is too generous when it comes to repaying kindness.”

Zhou Qianqian screamed in anger, “Whatever repayment the Huo family does has nothing to do with you!”

“Don’t worry, we’re not looking for any repayment,” Xia Mian said with a tone of pity. “The Huo family is already unlucky enough to have you leeching on them, so we won’t get involved.”

The old lady spoke in a low, stern voice. “Miss Xia, you’re certainly sharp-tongued.”

“Haha, you flatter me, Old Madam,” Xia Mian replied. “It’s mainly because I have the facts on my side, and I’ve read a lot of books, so my logic is clear.”

“…” Zhou Qianqian was left speechless, feeling even more insulted. So this girl’s saying that she’s wrong, poorly educated, and illogical?!

By this point, Old Madam Huo had realized that they weren’t going to win a verbal battle with this country girl, so she decided to rely on the grandeur of the Huo family’s status to intimidate her.

“Alright, the reason we invited you today, Miss Xia, is to thank you for saving our Chenchen’s life,” the old lady began, switching to formalities. “We’ve prepared some special dishes, so please, don’t be shy.”

With that, the old lady walked over to the head of the dining table and, supported by Zhou Qianqian, took her seat. Zhou Qianqian then sat beside her.

When Xia Mian didn’t move, the old lady looked up and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Xia Mian showed her most shocked look, “Old Madam, does your family allow servants to sit at the table, and even take the head seat with you?!”

Zhou Qianqian snapped, “Who said I’m a servant?”

“Oh, my apologies,” Xia Mian replied, “You must be the housekeeper, not a regular servant.”

“Yesterday, I saw you as Huo Xuewen’s assistant, managing his work, his life, and his household affairs. Today, you’re serving the old lady, and the household staff takes their orders from you. Isn’t that what a housekeeper does?”

“Are you Uncle Fu’s colleague? I guess Uncle Fu handles external matters while you, Miss Zhou, manage the internal affairs of the household. Did I misunderstand again?” Xia Mian pointed to Ning Shaoyun and said, “It wouldn’t make sense for the Huo family to allow an outsider to outshine the actual lady of the house, right?”

“Or are you implying that after receiving support from the Huo family to study abroad, Miss Zhou, you’ve returned not to repay the Huo family, but to replace the family’s rightful owners?”

Xia Mian shook her head in utter dismay and disbelief, “Excuse my bluntness, Old Madam, but I suggest Miss Zhou wear a uniform. While anyone standing next to Sister Ning would immediately recognize that she’s the true and only daughter-in-law of the Huo family, there are many nouveau riche around these days. With so many people coming and going in your home, some less experienced visitors might get confused.”

“If Sister Ning happens to be away and someone mistakes Miss Zhou for the Huo family’s daughter-in-law, it could cause quite a laughing scandal. People would either think poorly of you for not keeping your household in order or criticize Miss Zhou for being shameless and overstepping her bounds. Either way, it would be embarrassing for the Huo family. How unfortunate, how unfortunate.”

The old lady’s face gradually turned pale with anger as she gritted out, “Qianqian is not our housekeeper. She is a dear guest of our family, and I treat her like a daughter.”

“Oh!! I see, I see, so I misunderstood again,” Xia Mian replied. “In that case, I should politely address her as Young Lady Zhou instead?”

Zhou Qianqian lifted her chin smugly. As long as the old madam acknowledged her, whatever Xia Mian said would be but empty words!

“Well, well,” Xia Mian remarked. “In that case, it’s not the old madam’s fault. You’re such a considerate person, sending me a dress because you knew I didn’t have anything suitable to wear. If Miss Zhou is considered a daughter, she must have received even more nice things, right?”

She eyed Zhou Qianqian with disdain. “Why, then, are you dressed so poorly? Young Lady Zhou, aren’t you aware that this really gives the wrong impression? People might think the old madam is mistreating you. How can you repay her kindness with such a blunder?”

Xia Mian then turned to the old lady with her sincerest tone, “Old Madam, if you’re going to treat her as a daughter, you really should teach her proper manners. You’re so particular about etiquette, yet Miss Zhou is constantly embarrassing you. That’s not good.”

Ning Shaoyun spoke up, “You should go change into something more appropriate. Hosting a guest dressed like that is quite disrespectful.”

Zhou Qianqian wanted to protest, but since Xia Mian was formally a guest invited by the old lady, Zhou Qianqian couldn’t argue without undermining the old lady’s authority regardless of what she felt inside. She could only huff in frustration and look at the old lady, clearly hoping she would step in and defend her.

Xia Mian, feigning surprise, remarked again, “Are you blaming the old madam? Let me tell you, even in our village, when we know a guest is coming, we make sure to clean up and dress properly to show respect.”

“You’re the one who lacks manners, and now you’re daring to blame the old madam?!” Xia Mian asked in utter disbelief.

Zhou Qianqian was equally incredulous. This Xia Mian was twisting everything around!

She quickly tried to explain to the old lady, “Auntie, that’s not what I meant!”

“If that’s not what you meant, then hurry up and change your clothes,” Xia Mian pressed, then turned to the old lady. “If you’re treating her as a daughter, you can’t let her continue behaving so rudely. It’s truly embarrassing.”

The old lady couldn’t find any words to say. After all, she was the one who had set the tone, and the clothes Xia Mian was wearing had been sent by her. Anything she said now would just be admitting fault.

“Go change your clothes,” the old lady finally said, her lips trembling with frustration.

Biting her lip, Zhou Qianqian stood up and angrily went upstairs.

Xia Mian watched the old lady with a smile. See? This is just the beginning!

Author’s Note:

Xia Mian: I’ve got half of Dream of the Red Chamber’s etiquette ready to go. Just let the old lady try me—haha!