They all left, the main hall for the dinning area. When they arrived the table was already set but the seating arrangement was not adequate. There were five chairs, and they were six persons.
Madame Xu : " There should be six seats."
Head of the kitchen : "General never eats at the mansion therefore a chair was not set. Only young master's wife seat was added."
House in-charge Yi : "But his wife is here."
"We are sorry." All the serving maids said in unison. It was indeed shameful in conduct for a house like prime minister's to not have right arrangements. But this just indicated the defection in the family. General was after all the adopted son, less respected one could make out from his side annex mansion.
House in-charge Yi : "I'm sorry for this mis-arrangement, Madame Wei."
Mei saw an opportunity and thrived at using it, "I see no problem. Wei never sat with us in the Lu mansion as well. She loved staying in the room, by herself. She likes her own company. Wei can continue her ways, even in the groom's house, she would be comfortable with it. Wouldn't you Wei?"
Madame Wei : "If it is so, then I shall accommodate. I'll take my leave. (bows to the elders of the house) Matron, mother-in-law, father-in-law and brother-in-law and sister. And Madame Wei left with her two servants behind.
Madame Xu : "Yi, let nothing lack from our end in serving the Madame of the General's house."
House in-charge Yi : "Yes Madame Xu, I'll be responsible for it."
Madame Xu : "Later come by to set the budget of General's wife's expenditure."
House in-charge Yi : "Yes Madame Xu."
House in-charge Yi : "Serve meals to Madame Wei from the main kitchen and any other requests she has fulfil it."
The head of the kitchen and two maids agree, "Yes." And went long to fulfil their duties.
Mei : "Mother there is no need to have a separate budget for Wei, has no needs…"
Matron : "Mei never speak out of turn, speak only when asked. Then too you spoke in front of General's wife without a thought. This is not be the behaviour of a Xu family bride."
Mei : "Yes, Matron. I'll behave"
Matron : "Xu Jin look that Mei conducts herself."
Madame Xu : "Yes, Mother."
Madame Xu : "Also Mei, do not call the Madame of the General's house by name."
Mei looked around at the table no one makes eye contact not even her husband, this was a heavy atmosphere. Mei was not in her household, where her mother will defend her actions, she quietly agreed to her mother-in-law, "Yes mother."
Madame Xu : "Keep that in mind. I will not tolerate any misconduct and misbehaviour. What you did now was disrespectful and immature towards your sister, I hope there will no such tricks in the future. I want an undisturbed peace in this mansion is that clear?" Madame Xu laid that out as sternly as possible, on the first day as a bride in the house. And Mei already crossed her in-laws, not an idea situation for the newly wedded bride.
Mei : "Yes mother."
Madame Xu : "Good, Now eat."
The reason why both the ladies of the Xu family were so stern because General is not easy to handle. He was a pierced thorn in the side, always hurting. But never could be removed. Matron and Xu Jin do not want involve his house in their family. There shall be no speck of dirt thrown at them. Causing Wei difficulty, will create future problems. As long as, they do not interfere, the same can be expected of the General. Despite, the open prejudice in the house against General, he is formidable and cannot be harmed. Therefore stirring clear of it was the best option.
Meanwhile, walking back fro the main hall, Wei ahead, followed by Lin and Fei, who found this entire situation unfair.
Aide Fei : "
Fu Lin : "
Aide Fei : "How despicable of her."
Fu Lin : "Ohhh… (furiously) I've only worked in the Lu mansion for a week and I have nothing but hate for her."
Aide Fei : "You have never worked for Madame?"
Fu Lin : "No, she never had a personal maid before me. I'm the first."
Aide Fei : "You've not lived for long in Madame's household, how can you hate her already?"
Fu Lin : " You met her this morning what's your opinion?"
Aide Fei : "Hate!!!"
Fu Lin : "Exactly!"
Fu Lin : " My prejudice towards her comes from the wedding day. Yesterday (whispers) she yanked Madame hair ornaments and stepped at her wedding cloak, right after paying respects to ancestors. We went to change clothes and then she switched husbands and today she disrespected Madame twice since morning."
When Wei turned around she saw that they two were lagging behind and whispering. "What are you'll gossiping about?" Asked Madame Wei.
Together : "Nothing."
Madame Wei : "Why the long faces then?"
Fu Lin : "How could they do this? It is not the Lu mansion, who is she to order around!"
Aide Fei : "Madame you shouldn't have been quite and endure it."
Madame Wei : "It's alright. It's better to eat alone then to eat at a place where you are unwanted."
That is there you will get indigestion.
Madame Wei : "Since its the three of us how about we go outside to eat?"
No response from Lin and Fei
Madame Wei : "Do you know away place with special dishes we can try out?"
Aide Fei : "I know a restaurant that makes good noodles, they serve it with pork"
Aide Fei : "Oh wait there is a shop that makes meat filled buns if we hurry we can get it! They sell out fast."
Madame Wei : "Sounds good, shall we?"
They were already back to the reflection mansion while having all that talk about food. Fei was to leave to buy the food, when three mains entered through the moon gate.
Head of the kitchen : "Madame Wei?"
Fei : "Who is it?"
Head of the kitchen : "I am the head of the kitchen duties, we have brought meals."
Fei : "This way."
They enter the reflection mansion's main hall where Wei sat at the round table, in the centre of the hall. All three maids bow together in sync in the presence of Wei, "Greetings Madame, I am the head of the kitchen duties, your breakfast is here from the main kitchen."
The two servants behind her served the dishes they brought in food boxes on the table. They served steamed buns, chicken congee, boiled eggs, greens and condiments.
Head of the kitchen : "Madame the kitchen will serve three meals to the reflection palace. If you have any guests or any other requirements for the kitchen you can let me know, I shall serve you to the best of my abilities.
Madame Wei : "Thank you for your hard work, you can take your leave now." As soon as they left Fei looked a little disappointed about the meat filled buns they were going to have.
Madame Wei : "Well we will have the meat filled buns next time. Here sit down let's eat together.
Fei : "I'll go bring the utensils."
They settled at the table and ate like a family in sync, spoke casually. After the breakfast Madame Wei was in general's room at the desk, writing a letter to general.
Madame Wei : "Fei?"
Fei : "Yes Madame, you called?"
Madame Wei : "Yes. Here, this is the letter for general."
Fei : "I'll send it to him right away."
Madame Wei : "Also Fei, once your done please help me move my luggage to the opposite room."
Fei : "Why Madame? Is there any lack in amenities in this room?"
Madame Wei : "No. It's the General's room, so I shall occupy another room. When he comes back, where will he sleep?"
Fei : "In their room. With you Madame."
That caught Wei off guard, "Yes I see, but for the time being I don't want to impose." Said Madame Wei.
Fei : "But the other room is not prepared Madame."
Madame Wei : "I've send Lin to clean it up, don't worry."
Fei : (unwillingly) "Alright Madame, I shall be back from the post delivery."
Madame Wei : "Thank you Fei."
Fei : "I'll take my leave, Madame."
Wei began packing the calligraphy set she just used to craft General's letter. And started clearing the space to shift to the other room. True, they are married and the married, live in the same room. But the rich have another flare to this tradition of husband and wife, having their own rooms and a intended day for consummation. But Wei just didn't want to hoard General's room and act entitled as his wife. They have never seen each other, and the first day he comes, he would rather have some space for himself than have an unknown stranger live there. 'We don't know how things will turn out between us,' thought Wei, to herself. As she continued packing her things.