Chapter 148: Compromise

Cheng Zhao had been comforting her mother-in-law, Second Madam.

“Mother, you can’t stop people’s mouths—they’ll say whatever they want. If you give something too lavish, like Yuan Qi’s gold pig, they’ll still curse you,” Cheng Zhao said.

“They’d curse that too?”

“Because you are the Second Madam, and above you are the Dowager Madame and the First Madam. The family hasn’t divided its property yet. The servants would say you deliberately sent something expensive to pressure the Dowager Madame and the First Madam.

They couldn’t possibly give something less valuable than yours, could they? After all, I’m the duke’s wife of the Zhou family, not an ordinary daughter-in-law. They’d have to make a huge sacrifice.

The servants would accuse us—mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—of joining forces to squeeze treasures out of the Dowager Madame and the First Madam, calling us greedy, selfish, and petty, as if we’d never seen anything nice.”

Second Madam was speechless.

“You see,” Cheng Zhao continued, “once someone wants to belittle you, no matter what you give, they’ll find fault.”

Second Madam finally caught on. “You mean someone is spreading rumors on purpose?”

“Yes,” Cheng Zhao said. “When someone is determined to slander you, it doesn’t matter what you send.”

She added to comfort her, “Those glass beads—I’ll string them up later and hang them at the entrance of the eastern side room where we live. I refuse to believe any relative or guest who sees them won’t praise them.”

This finally made Second Madam smile.

Cheng Zhao’s reassurance hit the mark.

“You’re right, Zhao Zhao. If we let every gust of wind rattle us, we’d be playing right into their hands,” Second Madam said.

Cheng Zhao held her hand. “I’m glad you understand.”

The matter of the gold pig had silenced some critics and partly restored the reputation of her husband’s parents, the second branch of the family.

Still, there were those who continued to gossip.

Who was behind it? No need to overthink—most likely the usual suspects.

At first, Cheng Zhao hadn’t wanted to host an evening banquet. But seeing the situation, she decided she ought to.

She needed to build greater authority to keep the servants and stewards in line, so that no one could throw a stone and send her and her mother-in-law reeling.

No matter how jealous the first branch was or how dissatisfied the Dowager Madame might be, Cheng Zhao had to hold power firmly in her own hands to suppress the troublemakers.

This was crucial because the “king of hell” always sends little devils to do its dirty work. If Cheng Zhao could crush the little devils, the king of hell would be helpless too.

“I need to visit Grand Princess Fukang’s residence. Have the gatekeeper deliver my calling card,” Cheng Zhao said.

“What for?” asked Nanny Li.

“I have a matter on which I’d like to ask the princess for help,” Cheng Zhao replied.

Nanny Li acknowledged the order.

Cheng Zhao wrote the calling card herself, and Nanny Li sent a young maid to take it to the outer gate.

Grand Princess Fukang’s estate promptly returned a reply, inviting Cheng Zhao to come the next day, where the princess would host a luncheon in her honor.

Zhou Yuanshen also announced that he would renovate his private study.

He needed to expand it.

First Madam asked the Dowager Madame, “Why does the duke want to change his study?”

The Dowager Madame replied, “He is young and has his own ideas. However, it would be best not to touch the study.”

First Madam was bewildered.

That day, the Dowager Madame summoned Zhou Yuanshen, who had just returned from court, to Shou’an Courtyard.

The grandmother and grandson exchanged a few casual words.

After dismissing the attendants, the Dowager Madame said to Zhou Yuanshen, “Things have been chaotic lately. The Zhou family should avoid adding more fuel to the fire.”

She added, “Last time a physician died in the Zhou residence, it already stirred up resentment.”

“It will only be female relatives from noble families, five or six tables,” Zhou Yuanshen said. “It’s Cheng’s first birthday since marrying into the Zhou family. We must celebrate it.”

“A luncheon would do just as well,” the Dowager Madame said.

“An evening banquet is fine too,” Zhou Yuanshen replied.

The two of them tested each other’s will.

In the end, the Dowager Madame relented.

“Then go ahead. But there must be no further trouble. You need to warn Cheng to be more restrained this time,” the Dowager Madame said.

Zhou Yuanshen replied, “None of the Zhou family’s troubles have been caused by Cheng. Warning her is useless, Grandmother. Keep your own dogs on a leash.”

The Dowager Madame’s face turned pale with rage.