Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 540: Dispute

"Did your parents-in-law have any complaints after you gave birth to a daughter?"

Old Madam Xue sat by Xue Liuniang’s bedside, whispering her concerns.

Xue Liuniang replied with a gentle smile, "They are both very happy. Especially my mother-in-law, who personally takes care of the child all the time except when the nurse feeds her, and she dotes on her granddaughter very much."

"That’s good." Old Madam Xue finally felt at ease, her brows relaxing, "The Chen Family has a scholarly tradition, with upright manners. It’s a good family. When your father arranged this marriage for you back then, I had some doubts. Now it seems, your father truly has a good eye."

Chen Haoran has already passed the scholar exam and is studying diligently; as long as he passes the Advanced Scholar exam, he can receive an official position. His good character and ambition are undeniable.

In recent years, the Commandery Princess has gained increasing influence at court, and the Nanyang Prince Mansion, through the promotion of grain seeds, has quietly expanded its power to the Northern States. Chief Historian Chen, being the top minister in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, has also risen with the tide. Even Old Madam Xue feels the Chen Family is now a match for the Xue Family.

Old Madam Xue mumbled a few more words and then advised, "Once you finish your postpartum rest, bring the child back to Jingzhou. I’m really not accustomed to being without you around."

Xue Liuniang had already discussed privately with her father Governor Xue about going to the Ye County Women’s Academy, but she hadn’t told Old Madam Xue yet. Today was the perfect opportunity to reveal the truth.

"There’s something I need to tell Grandmother." Xue Liuniang whispered and told her truth.

As expected, Old Madam Xue was furious upon hearing it and absolutely opposed, "Ridiculous! Nonsense! You, a dignified daughter of the Xue Family and eldest daughter-in-law of the Chen Family, how can you openly serve as a teacher? No way! I disagree!"

"Grandmother, in Nanyang County, women can serve as officials just like men." Xue Liuniang softly said, "My aunt is a Commandery Princess Attendant, Miss Sun is a military doctor with official status, and Miss Kong, who teaches in the military camp. Then there are Master Li and Mr. Cui from the Ye County Women’s Academy. They serve the Commandery Princess and earn their salaries with dignity through their own skills. I, Xue Liuniang, can do the same!"

Old Madam Xue became even more incensed, "It’s all because the Commandery Princess acts recklessly! Women should stay in the inner chambers, bear children, support their husbands, and educate their offspring. To step out and show oneself, what happened to a woman’s modesty and reserve? I can’t control what others do, but you definitely cannot go."

"I’ve already spoken with the Commandery Princess, and my parents-in-law have agreed."

"I do not agree!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"But I’ve married and am now a daughter-in-law of the Chen Family."

"You!"

Old Madam Xue widened her eyes, her face reddish with anger, "Fine, fine! You’ve married out, you’re not part of the Xue Family anymore, I as your grandmother, cannot control you."

Xue Liuniang, gentle yet firm, had her own mind. Seeing Old Madam Xue in such a state, she did not relent, "Grandmother has always been most fond of me, you traveled several days by cart tiring yourself out to come see me, for which I’m very grateful. For other things, I’ll listen to Grandmother, but not this one. I am determined to go to Ye County Women’s Academy."

Old Madam Xue suddenly stood up, shouting angrily, "In that case, don’t return to Jingzhou. Go with your parents-in-law to Bowan County! It’s closer to that Ye County Women’s Academy."

"You don’t need to come back in the future. It spares me from being disturbed when I see you."

Finishing her words, she stormed out.

Xue Liuniang let out a helpless bitter smile.

After a moment, mother-in-law Mrs. Yao arrived.

Mrs. Yao held her granddaughter in her arms, patting softly to lull her to sleep, then carefully placed her beside Xue Liuniang. Xue Liuniang turned to look at her little daughter, and her distressed mood eased considerably.

"Did I hear Old Madam Xue was angry with you?" The courtyard was so small that any stir of gossip spread quickly. Naturally, Mrs. Yao couldn’t miss Old Madam Xue’s fit of anger.

Xue Liuniang sighed, "Yes, I told Grandmother about going to Ye County Women’s Academy, and Grandmother is quite unhappy."

Mrs. Yao dismissed it with a wave, "You are now a daughter-in-law of the Chen Family, if everyone in the Chen Family agrees, what is there for Old Madam Xue to be unhappy about?"

According to the customs of the time, a woman is part of her husband’s family after marriage, and only the husband’s family needs to nod before decisions are made; indeed, it is not the place of the woman’s birth family to dictate.

Though somewhat harsh, these words are not wrong. Moreover, she stood by her side. Xue Liuniang warmed inside, softly sighing, "Grandmother told me not to go back to Jingzhou."

Mrs. Yao perked up, "Then follow us to Bowan County for a few months. The little one is so young, riding back and forth by cart is inconvenient, best to spare the trouble."

Xue Liuniang did not immediately agree, responding softly, "Grandmother is advanced in age, her moods fluctuate, possibly she may change her mind after a few days. Let’s wait a bit longer."

...

There’s no denying that Xue Liuniang truly understands Old Madam Xue the most.

Old Madam Xue remained angry for two days, ignoring Xue Liuniang, yet looked in on the little one several times a day. The little one’s blush gradually faded, her skin became fair, and her cheeks chubby, looking extremely adorable.

As Old Madam Xue watched, she grew fonder, and on the third day, she approached Xue Liuniang’s bedside, putting on a stern face, "Where you want to go, I don’t care. But the little one must be taken to Jingzhou, and I shall personally take care of her then."

Xue Liuniang looked distressed, "I’ve discussed it with my mother-in-law. After the little one reaches half a year old, we’ll send her to Bowan County, and she will be cared for by my mother-in-law. Bowan County is not far from Ye County, just a day’s journey; I can visit the child during my breaks."

Old Madam Xue frowned in displeasure, "That Mrs. Yao, narrow-minded, full of petty airs, how can she raise children?"

Xue Liuniang coughed lightly, "You can’t say that. My husband and sister-in-law are both clever and capable people."

"Haoran was taught by his father, as for your sister-in-law, she was brought up solely by Chief Historian Chen; clever and capable, it has nothing to do with Mrs. Yao." Old Madam Xue spoke harshly.

Lately, Xue Liuniang has been getting along well with her mother-in-law, not wanting to hear such things, "Grandmother, don’t say that, my mother-in-law may not have read much, but she is reasonable and dotes on the little one very much."

Old Madam Xue was enraged again, "This won’t do, that won’t work either. Married daughters, indeed, are like spilled water out the door. Her heart is entirely turned towards the husband’s family. I truly cannot manage you."

With that, she stormed out again.

...

"Did Old Madam Xue throw a tantrum again?"

Jiang Shaohua, while drinking tea and eating snacks, listened to Chen Jinyu’s gossip with amusement.

After marriage, Chen Jinyu spent a few days inseparable from her husband; today she couldn’t resist and came to the Prince Mansion under the guise of paying respects to the Commandery Princess. Ma Yaosong, who couldn’t rest idle all day, simply came along to the Prince Mansion.

Ma Yaosong was with Chief Historian Chen, handling preparations for Commandery Princess’s grand marriage next year. Meanwhile, Chen Jinyu accompanied the Commandery Princess in leisure conversations.

"Indeed, Old Madam Xue has been here for five or six days and has already had two outbursts." Chen Jinyu frowned, "This is the Prince Mansion, she behaves like she’s still in the Xue Mansion! Showcasing her power, causing a scene every day! My sister-in-law is still resting postpartum and can’t have a moment of peace."