Father's Questioning

Xue Qingning was sitting on the Arhat bed making flower lanterns. Scattered across the table were bamboo strips, small scissors, glutinous rice glue, and pure white paper. Lady Xu sat opposite her, reviewing the account books from previous months, while Wenzhu stood by to serve.

In previous years, Xue Qingning also made flower lanterns, but with the help of her two older brothers. It was just that now, Xue Yuanshao and Xue Yuanqing had both grown up, and each had his own matters to attend to. Moreover, it had been raining continuously for the past few days, and even now, the rain outside had not stopped. They surely thought that they would not be releasing flower lanterns today. Even Lady Xu said to Xue Qingning, "You just had to listen to your second sister's instigation. Are you two really planning to hold umbrellas to release flower lanterns tonight?"

Hearing this, Xue Qingning imagined the scene of holding an umbrella to release flower lanterns in the rain. She found it quite poetic and nodded. "That's not a bad idea."

Lady Xu looked at her serious expression and could not help but laugh, the corners of her eyes and brows softening considerably.

This daughter of hers always had thoughts different from others, but even so, as her mother, she found her utterly endearing no matter how she looked at her.

Seeing that making the flower lanterns alone seemed a bit difficult for her, Lady Xu set down the account book in her hand, wanting to help her.

Just then, she saw Wenzhu hurriedly enter the room. Before she could even bow to Lady Xu and Xue Qingning, she said in a rush, "Madam, the Master has entered our courtyard. I do not know what happened, but I saw that the Master seems very angry."

Since the weather was not yet very cold, the wind curtains had not been hung in the main hall. The two lattice doors carved with plum blossom and ruyi patterns were wide open, allowing a clear view of the courtyard.

Xue Qingning turned her head and saw Xue Boming walking along the corridor. His strides were long, and he quickly reached the door. Xue Qingning could see that a section of his robe's hem was soaked by rainwater, with a few splashes of mud clinging to it, likely from accidentally stepping in muddy water just now.

This era placed great importance on hierarchy and order, so Xue Qingning had to rise from the bed and respectfully call Xue Boming, "Father."

Lady Xu's movements were much slower than hers, but she still stood up and called, "Master," her expression very calm.

Xue Boming was still furious. Moreover, because he had stepped in muddy water on his way here and soiled his clothes, his anger had intensified. Thus, as soon as he entered the house, he darkened his face and questioned Lady Xu, "How do you manage this household? What kind of legal mother are you?"

Xue Boming was naturally someone easily swayed, often listening to others' words to come and scold her. Lady Xu was already long accustomed to this.

"Where did the Master hear something again?"

Lady Xu's voice sounded very calm, her heart without a single ripple.

Xue Qingning also looked at him with a calm gaze.

Living with Lady Xu over the past few years, she had seen Xue Boming like this more than once. Fortunately, Lady Xu did not take these matters to heart, which made her life slightly more bearable. But she also felt that Xue Boming was indeed a man without any independent judgment.