CH 53

Name：I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband Author：September Flowing Fire
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Chapter 53: Discipline

Gao Chen obeyed his elders and stepped forward to kowtow to Lin Wei Xi. Kowtowing was considered very formal etiquette afforded only to elders and high-ranking seniors. If this were her previous life, although Lin Wei Xi had been the eldest sister, she was of the same generation as Gao Chen and wouldn’t receive a kowtow. But now, Lin Wei Xi settled into her seat and watched him steadily knock his head against the ground three times.

Her gaze was fixed on Gao Chen’s movements and the depths of her eyes seemed to hold a dark whirlpool. After he kowtowed, for a long time, he didn’t hear anyone tell him to get up. He was puzzled and stayed bowed, not daring to get up. The Second Gao Madam had been smiling, but was rather bewildered and uncertain when she saw this. This ought to be the first time the Prince Yan Consort was meeting Gao Chen, right? He wasn’t dressed inappropriately, so why did she look at him like that?

After a momentary stiffness, Wan Yue whispered to Lin Wei Xi from behind, “Princess Consort?”

She returned to her senses. She lowered her eyes, glanced indifferently at the boy who almost seemed to have his whole body glued to the ground, and said neutrally, “you may rise.”

Lin Wei Xi’s tone wasn’t accusatory, but it also didn’t carry any fondness. For this visit today, Gao Chen’s mother and wet nurse had asked him to perform well. It would be best if he made a good impression on the Prince Yan Consort.

Han Shi’s daughter was Lin Wei Xi’s daughter-in-law and her son might have to rely on Prince Yan to obtain an official post and even the title of Prince in the future. She naturally didn’t dare offend Lin Wei Xi, and was even eager to curry favour with this young new consort who was rumoured to be very favoured by Prince Yan. Han Shi’s original plan was quite good. A noble little boy like Gao Chen was well raised, with fair and soft skin, and a beautiful appearance. What Lady didn’t like him after seeing him? Furthermore, Lin Wei Xi hadn’t had a child yet, and would most likely be affected by this kind of cheerful boy. So Han Shi thought that as long as Gao Chen didn’t do anything indecent or annoy anyone, Lin Wei Xi had no reason to dislike him.

Lin Wei Xi smiled when she heard that. Sure enough, they were going to do it again. She leaned back, an elbow inclined on the armrest, the other leisurely lifting the lid of the teacup. She said indifferently, “the Duke Ying Residence is a crouching tiger, hidden dragon◇. Senior Lady, you’re too modest. I still haven’t asked the reason why you personally gathered your daughter-in-law and grandson to the Prince Yan Residence?”

Lin Wei Xi acted leisurely without paying them mind, but they were ready for a confrontation. They hadn’t even fought yet but already seemed to be at a disadvantage. The senior Duke Ying Lady frowned, dissatisfied with Lin Wei Xi’s careless attitude. Wasn’t she looking down on them too much?

“This old lady pushed this old body to visit in person. Of course I have a reason for this visit. I’d just like to know where our family’s useless third miss is? Her grandmother and aunt are here. As a junior, why has she not come out to greet us?”

“Oh, the senior Lady is asking about Shizi Fei.” Lin Wei Xi continued to lazily lean on the armchair and said casually, “Shizi Fei is still copying books in the Buddhist sanctum. It was something that happened at the end of last month and it’s already been more than twenty days. Shizi Fei can’t come out to meet the senior Lady because she still hasn’t finished copying. Speaking of, it’s also my fault as her mother-in-law. I couldn’t properly teach her earlier. She can’t even copy a few copies of the Classics of Filial Piety. Senior Lady, if you miss the Shizi Fei, you might as well wait for her. Once she finishes copying, I could have her quickly come over?”

Duke Ying madam choked. When a woman married her husband, the responsibility of teaching her was transferred from her mother to her mother-in-law. The mother-in-law naturally had the authority to discipline her daughter-in-law, and sometimes her biological mother didn’t even have a say in it. Lin Wei Xi was justified in disciplining Gao Ran. She’d even said that Gao Ran’s practise was bad and couldn’t properly copy the Classics of Filial Piety. The senior Duke Ying Lady and the others from the maiden family were very ashamed. Using filial piety as a shield really pushed them into a corner. The daughter they’d married out hadn’t been taught properly and was rejected by her in-laws for being incompetent and even unfilial. Even her maiden family felt ashamed.

The senior Duke Ying Lady was also a mother-in-law herself. She couldn’t be said to be kind to her daughter-in-law, but when it came to her granddaughter, she was very unhappy.

Not long ago, the Duke Ying Residence had received a message from Gao Ran. Gao Ran had entrusted someone to send the message that she was disliked by her mother-in-law and was locked in the cold Buddhist sanctum, copying books during the New Year. The day she’d be let out was in the distant and unforeseeable future. Seeing that she wasn’t around, some of the more courageous servants in Shizi’s courtyard were already thinking about climbing into his bed.