Chapter 159: Sister-in-law is More Obedient

Cheng Zhao couldn't sleep. She wanted to read a book, but her mind was boiling with rage, unable to calm down enough to read or practice calligraphy, so she had to get up and do some needlework.

Qiubai, who was on night duty, also got up and moved another lamp closer, saying, "Be careful not to strain your eyes."

Suyue and Nanny Li hadn't slept either, and when they saw the lights on, they both came in.

"Go to sleep, you all. Nothing major is happening here; I just can't sleep," Cheng Zhao said.

"...Are you worried about the Lord Duke?" Nanny Li asked as she helped separate the threads, concern in her voice.

Cheng Zhao replied, "I don't know what happened, and that's what's troubling me."

"Shall we go ask?"

Cheng Zhao shook her head.

If she couldn't detect a problem, then there was none—she firmly believed that.

She wouldn't go and ask.

If he didn't want to talk, he could sulk in silence.

"If he were my son, daring to throw such an unreasonable tantrum, I'd make him kneel under the scorching sun for an hour. After that, even a 'sulky gourd' would have to open his mouth. My mother-in-law spoils him too much; he hasn't learned enough lessons," Cheng Zhao said, jabbing at her embroidery hoop.

The needle almost pricked her own finger.

Nanny Li chuckled. "He's not your son, either."

"I wouldn't want a son like that. He's lucky he isn't," Cheng Zhao said.

That made Qiubai and Suyue laugh too.

After venting a few words, Cheng Zhao felt much lighter in her heart.

The night grew deeper, and finally, feeling sleepy, she went to bed.

The following days remained scorching hot.

When the weather was this sweltering, not just Cheng Zhao had a bad temper and low energy—everyone did, including the Dowager Madame.

Huan Qingtang, who usually wore a perpetual smile, could no longer hold it together. She was also worn out.

Cheng Zhao was even more exhausted than the others, thanks to Zhou Yuanshen.

Ever since Cheng Zhao had sent someone to summon Fan Xiao and told him to go to the General's Mansion to find that man, Zhou Yuanshen had stopped staying at the General's Mansion.

However, he didn't stay at the Nonghua Courtyard either.

He now slept at the Chenhui Courtyard.

He had previously said that, under normal circumstances, there was no need for him to live in the inner study.

Cheng Zhao had initially wanted to dispute this with him on principle.

Last time, he had warned her to always recognize her own husband, and she had never mistaken him since. In return, she never hid anything from him regarding her own affairs.

But when it came to his matters, he was lucky if he told her even twenty percent of what was going on.

Cheng Zhao had no idea what he was angry about this time.

After guessing back and forth and arriving at no answer, Cheng Zhao simply stopped bothering.

If Zhou Yuanshen didn't come to Nonghua Courtyard, her younger brother-in-law, Zhou Yuanqi, did.

"...Do you want to go to the night market tomorrow? The weather is hot, and the night market along the river is a bit cooler and very lively," Zhou Yuanqi said.

Cheng Zhao replied, "I'd like to, but I'm tired."

"Aren't any of you taking days off?" Zhou Yuanqi frowned.

This little bookworm-like kid didn't like being refused.

"You've reminded me," Cheng Zhao said. "No wonder I'm so tired—it's because we haven't had a day off in a long time."

The next day, Cheng Zhao went to the Chengming Hall and openly told the stewards under her charge, "Tomorrow happens to be the fifth, let's take a day off."

Everyone working in Chengming Hall had leave days each month. How those days were taken was staggered, not all at once.

But ever since the previous Chief Steward, the First Madam, had been removed, the place had been in chaos. No one was willing to be the one to bring up this issue.

She planned to go out tonight and enjoy herself until late, then sleep in the next day.

Cheng Zhao didn't ask for anyone's permission; she just informed her own stewards directly.

If she was put in charge, she acted with full authority.

Moreover, she was very ambitious, desperately wanting to split the Chengming Hall in two—so she could manage her half, Lady Huan could manage the rest, and they wouldn't have to interfere with each other.

About sixty to seventy percent of the stewards were convinced by her skills, but, of course, there were also the stubborn ones.

For instance, Nanny Qin from the main kitchen immediately asked, "Third Young Madam, is this just for this one time, or is it going to be a regular day off on the fifth of every month from now on?"

"From now on, every fifth day will be a day off," Cheng Zhao said.

Nanny Qin pressed, "Madam, are you sure you have the authority to make that call?"

She was trying to put pressure on Cheng Zhao with her words.

Cheng Zhao's smile faded, and she asked coolly, "Do you think I don't have the authority, and if so, who does? Are you planning to take this little matter to Grandmother? Nanny Qin, are you implying that Grandmother is unwilling to allow the stewards and her granddaughter-in-law a day off? Are you questioning Grandmother's kindness and generosity?"

Nanny Qin faltered for a moment.

During this period, Cheng Zhao had been butting heads with her over issues in the main kitchen.

Cheng Zhao hadn't done much, just observed silently, which in Nanny Qin's eyes made her look weak.

This made Nanny Qin complacent.

So when Nanny Qin jumped out to speak, Cheng Zhao immediately used the Dowager Madame to suppress her.

Nanny Qin was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Your humble servant dares not say that, Madam," Nanny Qin said, anger flashing across her face, looking very unwilling.

"...These days have been very hectic. Grandmother was just saying yesterday how hardworking the stewards have been alongside us," Huan Qingtang said with a smile.

She handed Nanny Qin a way out, taking over the conversation.

At the same time, she let everyone know that she was more favored the Dowager Madame.

"Sister-in-law is so generous and kind. We'll all benefit from your kindness. Since you've proposed it, let's take tomorrow off as well," Huan Qingtang said with a smile.

By saying this, it was as if Cheng Zhao had merely made a suggestion, and she had made the final decision.

She was the mistress of Chengming Hall.

Nanny Qin's defiance had given Huan Qingtang another opening.

"Sister-in-law, if Nanny Qin could understand me as quickly as you do, I wouldn't have to try so hard. Should the stewards on your side also follow my orders to take tomorrow off? If everyone follows me, then I'd be overstepping my bounds. Let's all take tomorrow off. As for whether we take the fifth off every month from now on, I'll still have to ask Grandmother. But knowing Grandmother's boundless compassion, I'm sure she won't make things difficult for us," Cheng Zhao said.

Huan Qingtang was speechless.

The crowd secretly eyed the two young madams.

The Eldest Young Madame, Lady Huan, wasn't unintelligent; she was just a bit aloof. To put it bluntly, when it came to getting what she wanted, she was a bit pretentious, half-hiding and half-revealing.

Compared to her, the Third Young Madam, Cheng Shi, was much more straightforward and decisive.

Some even called her ruthless.

Anyone could see the Third Young Madam's burning ambition.

This ambition might not have pleased the Dowager Madame, but it was a different story in the eyes of the stewards: it gave them confidence. Following her would lead to victory.

She wanted to win, and she would win. Her ambition was to take over the entire Chengming Hall.

People who worked below were just trying to make a living.

On one side, there was Lady Huan, who was vague and hesitant, afraid of getting burned. On the other side, there was Cheng Shi, who was direct and had a clear goal. It went without saying whose support offered more stability.

Therefore, Cheng Zhao's prestige among the stewards increased by a notch.

At that moment, no one spoke out to criticize Cheng Zhao.

Once she had authority, her decisions were met not with doubt but with obedience, and managing the household became very easy.

In the late afternoon, Cheng Zhao went to the Shou'an Courtyard.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yuanshen was also there.

Seeing Cheng Zhao, the Dowager Madame smiled kindly and asked, "Has the heat worn you out?"

She then instructed the maid to serve the Third Young Madam some tea.

Cheng Zhao curtsied to the Dowager Madame, then to Zhou Yuanshen, before taking a seat.

"You came home quite early today, Lord Duke," Cheng Zhao said to Zhou Yuanshen with a smile.

She knew he didn't want to talk to her. But in front of his grandmother, he wouldn't freeze her out; he'd have to respond.

Clearly reluctant but with no choice, Cheng Zhao felt he must be holding back a burning irritation.

She found a kind of mischievous delight in it.

As expected, Zhou Yuanshen glanced at her and spoke calmly, "I have some matters to discuss with Grandmother."

"What matters?" Cheng Zhao pressed her advantage.

"The Emperor will be going out to a summer retreat and a hunt in a few days. I am required to attend the imperial carriage," Zhou Yuanshen said.

"Oh, you must be tired," Cheng Zhao said.

"The imperial grace is boundless. The titled ladies in the capital must also attend, for the Empress and several consorts will be there," Zhou Yuanshen said.

Cheng Zhao was silent.

"We are discussing this with Grandmother at home, deciding who among the family should go," Zhou Yuanshen continued. "Grandmother said that you and my mother are the most suitable to accompany the party."

Cheng Zhao remained silent.

In such sweltering heat, even staying home brought inconvenience everywhere—and now they had to go out?