Chapter 43: Cheng Zhao's Silver Tongue

The Old Madam cast her gaze toward Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao did not want to be a target. Vigilant in her heart, her mind raced to come up with a countermeasure.

The Old Madam was not without flaws. Her flaw was that she wanted every matter to be handled beautifully.

It had to be reasonable and well-founded, possessing authority while not losing a sense of kindhearted leniency.

Zhou Yuanshen had quickly figured out her temper. He made sure she couldn't pick out any faults in everything he did, yet he would not allow her to manipulate him.

In the entire Chen Duke's Estate, only Zhou Yuanshen barely had the qualifications to contend with the Old Madam.

Of course, this wasn't because he held a noble title, but because he had a way out.

If provoked, he could tear away all pretenses with the Old Madam. At worst, he could discard his title, and he could even argue a few words with the Old Madam before the Emperor.

Others could not do this.

Their status could not compare, they had no leverage to threaten the Old Madam, they lacked financial power, and they had no voice before the Emperor.

The Old Madam wanted to let Mu Jiang out; after all, Mu Jiang was pregnant.

Perhaps Huan Qingtang had received the Old Madam's instructions to step forward and say a few words; or perhaps she wanted to show off and test Zhou Yuanshen's attitude toward her.

In short, Huan Qingtang was rebuffed. Zhou Yuanshen did not give her any face.

Zhou Yuanshen didn't give the Old Madam face either, even bringing up the rules.

The Old Madam looked at Cheng Zhao.

If Cheng Zhao did not speak, she would offend the Old Madam; if she opened her mouth, she would only share Huan Qingtang's fate and offend Zhou Yuanshen.

It was a dilemma.

What the Old Madam and Zhou Yuanshen were contesting over was the right to speak.

Whose words were the family rules that brooked no argument, and who was the true master of this household.

A large family was like a small country. There could only be one head of the household, one person supreme above all.

The Old Madam wanted Cheng Zhao to speak, not allowing her to stay out of it.

Living in the inner courtyard, the Old Madam had countless ways to torment Cheng Zhao.

Just one method alone, not allowing her to leave the house, didn't require much of a reason. As long as she wished to do so, she could place Cheng Zhao under house arrest within the estate doors.

The underhanded tactics of the inner courtyard sometimes struck so painfully that one couldn't even cry out.

...Grandmother, Lord Duke, please do not be angry over a single sentence from eldest sister-in-law. Secondary Wife was taught by Grandmother; she understands the rules best.

Both the Lord Duke and Grandmother are doing this for her own good, telling her to rest peacefully and nurture her pregnancy. She knows how to be grateful. I believe Secondary Wife would absolutely not be so ignorant of etiquette as to insist on coming out for the festival.

If she did that, wouldn't she be wasting Grandmother's teachings and letting down the Lord Duke's protective affection? Cheng Zhao smiled.

Huan Qingtang's face turned another shade paler.

The Old Madam had not personally said to let Mu Jiang come out for the Lantern Festival.

She merely hinted at the idea, waiting for a clever junior to pick up the cue.

Huan Qingtang had offered this flattery because, to her, this matter carried merit and no fault.

But she never expected to hit such a snag, being directly rejected by Zhou Yuanshen and even causing the Old Madam and Zhou Yuanshen to butt heads.

Cheng Zhao even directly ignored the Old Madam's intentions, solely seizing upon Huan Qingtang's words: the suggestion to lift Mu Jiang's grounding was spoken by Huan Qingtang, leaving a handle for Cheng Zhao to grab.

Cheng Zhao's mind was too sharp; she immediately found this loophole.

She praised the Old Madam without offending Zhou Yuanshen. By sacrificing Huan Qingtang alone, she brought the situation under control.

Huan Qingtang understood very well in her heart that whether it was the Old Madam or Zhou Yuanshen, every contest was merely a probe without completely tearing away pretenses.

This time, the probing went a bit too far when it was Huan Qingtang's turn to speak.

Cheng Zhao's words provided the perfect way out.

The Old Madam laughed first: Ah Jiang indeed understands etiquette. She is sometimes arrogant and willful only because she is innocent. She has no bad intentions and puts everything out in the open.

It is because Grandmother dotes on her that she acts this way. Secondary Wife is also striving; she is pregnant with Grandmother's great-grandchild. This is the best repayment to Grandmother, making Grandmother's affection worthwhile, Cheng Zhao said.

I dote on all of you as well. You mustn't say I am biased, the Old Madam laughed.

Cheng Zhao hurriedly said she wouldn't dare.

Zhou Yuanshen called for a managing older female servant: Deliver a lantern and two dishes of food to Lijing Courtyard. Say they are from me, and tell her to spend the festival peacefully. Both Grandmother and I remember her contributions.

He did not refute Cheng Zhao, nor did he continue to clash with the Old Madam.

Although he did not refer to Mu Jiang as Secondary Wife or Ah Jiang, he at least sent food and a lantern, which would soothe Mu Jiang's heart.

This contest dissolved into nothingness just like that.

Zhou Yuanshen glanced at Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao smiled lightly at him; he gave a slight nod.

To onlookers, the young couple exchanging glances truly seemed somewhat affectionate.

Huan Qingtang lowered her gaze.

Eldest Madam Song looked at this one, then at that one, unable to conceal the mockery in her eyes.

The family banquet ended, and everyone prepared to go out to admire the lanterns.

The Chen Duke's Estate was not restrictive about this matter. During the Lantern Festival, even people from the palace would come out to admire the lanterns; it was one of the few festive days of the year.

The crowd departed one after another.

Eldest Madam Song deliberately fell a few steps behind to wait for Huan Qingtang.

...Have you made arrangements with anyone to go admire the lanterns? Song asked her.

Huan Qingtang shook her head: I have no mood to admire lanterns this year, Mother.

Song: You should go out for a walk. If Cheng Shi wasn't so good at causing trouble, you could have gone with her.

Speaking of Cheng Zhao again, That mouth of hers is truly vicious. Seeing the situation going wrong, she stepped on you to gain merit in front of the Old Madam and the Lord Duke.

Huan Qingtang's eyes grew a little red.

You were very right, this Cheng Shi has some tricks up her sleeve. And she has a kind face but a cruel heart, Song added.

Huan Qingtang sighed softly. She didn't shed tears, but seemed very dispirited: It was also my own thoughtlessness in speaking that allowed her to gain the upper hand.

You spoke first, and she spoke later. The person walking in front will definitely leave footprints; it is not your fault. There will be many more times she steps on you in the future, Song said.

Huan Qingtang remained silent.

Eldest Madam Song thought for a moment and told her: We mother-in-law and daughter-in-law must be of one mind for you to win. Only then will our position in Chengming Hall be secure.

Mother, Chengming Hall belongs to us to begin with, Huan Qingtang said.

Song smiled faintly: It is a good thing that you have such determination.

The people of the second branch were the first to leave Yixia Pavilion.

They returned to change their clothes before heading out.

This time, they did not ride in the small oil carriages; the group strolled back.

The Second Madam then said to Cheng Zhao: You are truly clever. I was sweating for you at the time.

Cheng Zhao: I was sweating for myself too.

The Second Madam couldn't help but laugh.

The Second Master also felt that his daughter-in-law was eloquent and possessed some wicked brilliance.

Actually, this daughter-in-law of mine is suited to preside over Chengming Hall, the Second Master thought to himself.

The Second Master respected his eldest sister-in-law Song and pitied her for losing her husband and son, but he did not think she could live in Chengming Hall forever.

Chengming Hall was no ordinary courtyard; it was the main residential quarters of the Duke's Estate, the residence that came with the noble title, symbolizing status and position.

For example, if the late Emperor passed away without leaving an heir, and his younger brother happened to inherit the throne, must the late Emperor's Empress monopolize the central palace and refuse to vacate Kunning Palace for her sister-in-law?

Even if the Empress Dowager tacitly consented, this matter would still be wrong.

A misalignment of status would make many people feel wronged.

Where there is grievance, there is unwillingness and anger, which in turn sparks disputes.

If the Old Madam were wise, having chosen Zhou Yuanshen to inherit the title, she should have vacated Chengming Hall, which came with the title, for Zhou Yuanshen.

Only then could a family truly live in peace and avoid the kind of dispute that had happened tonight.

Of course, the Old Madam couldn't care less.