Chapter 210: The Madam Is Out

Cheng Zhao's attitude was extremely cooperative.

She first apologized to the Grand Lady: "These past days have made Grandmother worry. You sent two groups of people to check on me, and I am deeply grateful in my heart."

Nanny Sun, listening nearby, could hardly stop herself from rolling her eyes.

When it came to putting on a performance, few could match Cheng Zhao's skill.

It was almost as if it were real.

"It's just that the fire at Nonghua Court truly frightened me. Once the Duke returned to the city, I felt I had someone to rely on, and only then did I dare come back to apologize to Grandmother," Cheng Zhao continued.

The Grand Lady smiled and said, "You truly are a bit timid."

With that, she sighed, and her smile faded. "Your Eldest Aunt was foolish, committing such a disgraceful act. A physician was called to take her pulse—she is genuinely ill. She has been moved to the country estate to recuperate."

She added, "You may not know yet—her natal family has run afoul of the law, and their title may be stripped. That is what drove her to lose her wits."

Cheng Zhao looked at the Grand Lady.

The Grand Lady looked back at Cheng Zhao.

And Cheng Zhao understood—the Eldest Madam Song's natal family, the Marquis of Changling, was finished.

Not immediately, of course.

First, Song would be moved out; after a period of time, word of her death would be announced, and then the Marquis of Changling would be destroyed.

Punishing Eldest Madam Song was also a warning to Cheng Zhao and the others—a lesson in knowing their place, a lesson that they must not casually betray the Grand Lady.

The Grand Lady wasn't even afraid to tell Cheng Zhao in advance. This was already a settled matter; even Zhou Yuanshen could not save the Song family.

Cheng Zhao put on a timid and shocked expression: "So that's what happened. Eldest Aunt is pitiable in her own way."

"She should never have schemed against you—you had no grievance with her," the Grand Lady said.

Cheng Zhao sighed along with her.

The Grand Lady then asked, "Now that you're back, would you be willing to move into Chenming Hall?"

Cheng Zhao: "If Grandmother shows me such favor, I would never dare let it go to waste. Only, Chenming Hall is the main residence's chief quarters—it rightfully belongs to Grandmother."

Since Eldest Madam Song had been sent away, aside from the Grand Lady, only Cheng Zhao and her mother-in-law had the standing to live there. Huan Qingtang had once been the Heir's Wife, but she held no noble title, and her husband had passed away—she could not occupy it.

"I'm old, where would I find the energy to live in Chenming Hall?" the Grand Lady laughed. "Better that you live there. From now on, this household relies on you and your eldest sister-in-law."

She had brought up Huan Qingtang.

But Cheng Zhao did not take the bait—didn't even offer a polite word.

She only said: "Granddaughter-in-law thanks Grandmother!"

She stood up and bowed with utmost respect.

The Grand Lady smiled faintly.

Cheng Zhao left Shou'an Court and took a small carriage back to Nonghua Court.

Nonghua Court looked bedraggled—the main chamber had been more than half burned, black smoke stains drifting from the window frames, leaving the eaves darkened and the place in disrepair.

The plants in the courtyard had gone days without care, and because it was deep autumn, they had all withered and died.

As if the entire place had lost its vitality overnight.

Cheng Zhao had never before seen a courtyard "die" like this, and she was rather taken aback.

"...It's only been a few days—how did it come to this?" The one who voiced this was Suyue.

Cheng Zhao nodded: "Not many days."

Nanny Li had also come, trailing behind them, and said with a smile: "Because winter is approaching. In winter, all things wither—that's why it seems so barren."

Cheng Zhao felt a wave of melancholy.

Knowing something and seeing it with your own eyes were two different things; she still couldn't help but be taken aback.

After surveying Nonghua Court, Cheng Zhao went to the Second Madam's Crimson Cloud Court.

The Second Madam had Nanny Fan relay to Cheng Zhao everything that had happened in the household these past days.

"...Eldest Madam was moved out the night before last. They say she tried to hang herself—she hung for a good while before being cut down, injuring her throat. When she left, she still had white gauze wrapped around her neck and couldn't speak." Nanny Fan said.

Cheng Zhao: "..."

Seeing Cheng Zhao silent, the Second Madam said, "Child, why are you so much like me? Are you feeling soft-hearted? I only heard this morning, and I felt awful myself."

Cheng Zhao snapped back to the moment and gave her mother-in-law a gentle smile.

Her mother-in-law was indeed a kind and soft-hearted woman. Eldest Madam had always targeted her over the years, and yet upon hearing of her downfall, there was no gloating—only sorrow.

Cheng Zhao felt no pity. She had only been silent because she was wondering: who was silencing a witness?

If it were Huan Qingtang, she would certainly have placed people around Eldest Madam. These past few years, Huan Qingtang had not been idle—only meticulous in her work, so no one could see it.

If it were the Grand Lady, then Eldest Madam was doomed. The rescue was only because Eldest Madam was not meant to die in the house.

The hanging attempt was an omen—a message to be spread, letting people know that Eldest Madam Song had made an attempt on her own life.

By the time the next announcement of her death came, no one in the Duke's household would be surprised.

"Mother, we are all daughters-in-law here. To feel the grief of one's own kind is only human," Cheng Zhao said.

The Second Madam: "Don't worry, I won't meddle in anything. She got what she deserved."

Then, abruptly, she added, "And someday, the old lady will get hers as well."

Cheng Zhao smiled, offering no response.

The Second Madam, having said it, also felt the remark was inappropriate and changed the subject: "Will you move into Chenming Hall tonight?"

"Yesterday the Duke said he still had some matters to settle with Grandmother. He should be returning to the residence as well. I'll wait for his news," Cheng Zhao said.

The Second Madam: "Very well."

Soon, the Second Master and Zhou Yuanqi returned.

Crimson Cloud Court hadn't been this lively in a long time.

The Second Madam deliberately sent money to the main kitchen to add a few extra dishes.

The woman in charge of the main kitchen was one of Cheng Zhao's trusted people, and she carried the dinner hamper over personally. She also stopped by Crimson Cloud Court to pay her respects to Cheng Zhao.

"...When Nonghua Court caught fire, we old servants were frightened out of our wits. But everyone in the main kitchen felt for the Third Young Madam, and each of them did their duty without a single slip. The Young Madam can rest easy," the head stewardess said.

Cheng Zhao nodded: "You've all been cautious. I know what I'm doing."

A few words, and the mistress and servant understood each other perfectly.

After the stewardess left, Mingyu, the maid from Zhou Yuanshen's outer study, arrived at Crimson Cloud Court.

"...The Duke had intended to return for dinner, but the Grand Lady sent people to wait at the main gate and had him go to Shou'an Court. The Duke said not to save him any dinner—he'll eat there," Mingyu said.

"We'll eat first, then," the Second Madam said.

The senior maid escorted Mingyu out; Nanny Fan led several maids in arranging the chopsticks and serving the dishes.

After the meal, the family gathered in the eastern side room to talk.

The Second Master mentioned something surprising: "Princess Qing'an's consort has been released from prison—it was the Prince of Andong who went to retrieve him."

Zhou Yuanqi lifted his head sharply, staring at the Second Master.

Cheng Zhao and the Second Madam turned to Zhou Yuanqi in confusion.

"Why are you so worked up?" the Second Madam asked.

Zhou Yuanqi's small face scrunched up. "Why did he save Princess Qing'an's husband?"

"They're all of the imperial clan—kin," the Second Master said.

Cheng Zhao: "Princess Qing'an has some influence. The late Emperor was very fond of her. She has a good relationship with the Jingnan Prince's household."

"How disgusting," Zhou Yuanqi said.

Looking quite disappointed.

The others were baffled.

Cheng Zhao said, "You seem to like him a lot? What caught your eye about him? His scholarship is quite mediocre."

Zhou Yuanqi muttered something under his breath, but Cheng Zhao couldn't make it out.

When she pressed him again, he refused to say.

"Helian Xuan is a man of no small ability," the Second Master said. "And seemingly, also of no small ambition."

Cheng Zhao disliked the man intensely.

She had no wish to listen.

Fortunately, the Second Master also disliked discussing court politics and soon changed the subject.

The night deepened. Zhou Yuanqi yawned several times, and still Zhou Yuanshen had not returned.

Second Madam said, "Zhao Zhao, don't go to the General's Mansion tonight. Stay in the east wing instead."

As she was speaking, Zhou Yuanshen arrived.