Chapter 44: It Was Cheng Zhaoxian Who Started It

Cheng Zhao returned to Nonghua Courtyard first; she needed to change her clothes before going out.

The two brothers, Zhou Yuanshen and Zhou Yuanqi, also returned to their respective courtyards.

The spring chill was lingering, and the night wind was slightly biting. The Second Master and the Second Madame walked rather slowly, the old couple chatting while strolling.

The floor-standing palace lanterns along the path were very bright, some adorned with brilliant and vivid paintings.

"...Do you think Mother will hold a grudge against Zhaozhao?" the Second Madame suddenly asked.

"Our daughter-in-law is very smart and handles things appropriately. Mother won't blame her," the Second Master said.

"Mother wanted Mu Jiang to come out, and Lady Huan was speaking in accordance with Mother's wishes, but Zhaozhao disrupted the situation," the Second Madame said.

The Second Master smiled: "You have become much wiser lately. Becoming a mother-in-law has made your worldly wisdom advance by leaps and bounds."

The Second Madame: "..."

It was a bit cold, so he took off his cloak and draped it over his wife.

The Second Madame hurriedly said there was no need, fearing he would catch a cold; the Second Master said he had drunk a little wine during dinner, and the heat from the alcohol was making him feel restless, so he wanted to get some fresh air.

The couple slowly walked back to Jiangyun Courtyard, changed their clothes again, and prepared to go out.

Huan Qingtang returned to her own courtyard, took off her outer garment, changed into casual clothes, and sat on the large heated brick bed by the window in a daze.

Her personal senior maid served her tea and advised her: "Why not go out for a walk to relax?"

Huan Qingtang just shook her head.

The senior maid couldn't help but curse Cheng Zhao. She had also been serving at Yixia Pavilion at the time and heard Cheng Zhao's words.

"...She trampled you in the mud to curry favor with Lord Duke. Her methods are despicable," the senior maid said.

Huan Qingtang remained silent.

"If you don't show her some color, she'll just think you're easy to bully," the senior maid added.

She couldn't help but continue, "She just has good luck. If the Eldest Young Master were still alive, their entire second branch would just be a 'collateral branch', and moving out of the Duke's mansion would mean they leave the noble family and are nothing!"

Huan Qingtang slowly closed her eyes.

She didn't speak, and after a long while, she let out a slow sigh.

"I thought I could get along peacefully with her," Huan Qingtang said.

"She is petty, vicious, and selfish. You never stepped on or belittled her. She attacked first," the senior maid said.

Huan Qingtang thought, yes, Cheng Zhao started it first.

She blew the horn of war.

Cheng Zhao was an "outsider." She was bestowed a marriage by the Empress and forced upon the Zhou family, not someone the Zhou family sought to marry.

She invaded the Duke's mansion.

Huan Qingtang always thought that Cheng Zhao would know what belonged to her and what didn't, and that she would have a sense of propriety. But she didn't expect her to be so ambitious.

Perhaps Cheng Zhao really wanted to live in Chengming Hall?

Did she have such an unrealistic idea?

Dowager Madame would not hand over the power and wealth in her hands to an "outsider." Since this person was not chosen by Dowager Madame, she had no right to take over the Duke's mansion.

Huan Qingtang sighed again: "I have no other choice but to accept the challenge."

How could her dignity and status be trampled upon?

Cheng Zhao finished getting ready and took a small oil carriage to the main gate of the Duke's mansion.

Her brother-in-law, Zhou Yuanqi, had been waiting for a long time. When he saw her, he complained: "You dawdled and made me wait bitterly."

"My courtyard is far away," Cheng Zhao said.

Zhou Yuanqi: "Hurry up. In a while, the streets and the riverside will be full of people, and we won't be able to squeeze in."

"My fourth brother has booked a private room at Zuixian Restaurant," Cheng Zhao said.

Zhou Yuanqi looked at her and asked: "Do you know who the owner behind Zuixian Restaurant is?"

Zuixian Restaurant had an excellent location, unique in Shangjing City, and had a good reputation. The dishes were rich, the wine was precious, and a meal cost a fortune.

"Could it be that you know?"

"It's my youngest uncle," Zhou Yuanqi said.

Cheng Zhao: "A restaurant is indeed a good place to gather information and pass on messages. Not bad, your youngest uncle has quite an eye."

She added, "You've revealed his secret."

Zhou Yuanqi glared at her angrily: "You don't need to show off your cleverness."

"Let's encourage each other," Cheng Zhao said.

Zhou Yuanqi: "..."

His first defeat of the day, unconvinced both in words and in heart, waiting to turn the tables later. Zhou Yuanqi sat up straight indignantly, and the carriage waited to depart.

They waited for a little while because a carriage in front hadn't been adjusted yet.

The lantern light at the door was bright, and the frost-like moonlight spilled all over the ground, making everywhere as bright as day. Lifting the carriage curtain, she saw Zhou Yuanshen getting onto a carriage.

"So we were waiting for The Brute," Zhou Yuanqi said.

When he said "The Brute," his voice was relatively soft, but Zhou Yuanshen glanced over.

Zhou Yuanqi then said to him: "You're blocking the way."

Zhou Yuanshen ignored him and got onto the carriage by himself.

"Let's go to Zuixian Restaurant, we might even run into The Brute. He's definitely enjoying the lanterns with youngest uncle. Other than youngest uncle, who would want to talk to him?" Zhou Yuanqi said.

Cheng Zhao: "If you don't restrain yourself, in less than five years, no one will want to talk to you either. He still has youngest uncle, do you have any close friends?"

Zhou Yuanqi: "..."

He didn't.

He looked down on everyone. His peers were all little brats in his eyes, and giving them an extra glance was already flattering them.

He indeed had no playmates.

Cheng Zhao's words made him reflect.

When he was a bit older, he wouldn't study in the clan school anymore and would go to Hengshan Academy.

Perhaps he could condescend to get to know a few peers and have companions to go out with during festivals.

"Do you have any close friends?" His mind worked very fast, and he immediately asked Cheng Zhao back.

Cheng Zhao: "I have sisters and sisters-in-law. I also have female cousins. I have plenty."

"...You're cheating, family members don't count."

"Lord Duke's close friend is also his youngest uncle. Why doesn't it count?" Cheng Zhao said.

Zhou Yuanqi: "The relatives my age are all appallingly stupid. You and The Brute just have good luck."

Cheng Zhao: "Everyone is stupid in front of you. You are a genius with unparalleled talent, a rare hero throughout the ages. Heroes are all lonely."

Zhou Yuanqi was stunned.

The words were true, and he deserved them. But why did it always carry a hint of teasing when it came out of her mouth?

"...If you keep doing this, I'll put you in the same category as The Brute, both annoying," Zhou Yuanqi warned seriously.

Cheng Zhao smiled hurriedly: "There's no need for that. I just won't say it."

Once they left the street of the Duke's mansion, the road was indeed very congested.

Cheng Zhao and Zhou Yuanqi had a "battle of words," neither gaining the upper hand, and both were tired of talking when they finally squeezed their way to Zuixian Restaurant.

Cheng Chao's servant boy was waiting at the door.

Zuixian Restaurant was strictly guarded tonight. Only distinguished guests came, and casual customers were not allowed to wander in. The Cheng family's servant boy, like the other servant boys, was waiting for guests.

"Fifth Aunt, you are the last to arrive," the servant boy said, "They are all here, please go upstairs."

Cheng Zhao led Zhou Yuanqi upstairs.

The private room was lively.

It was the best private room in the entire Zuixian Restaurant, directly facing the Lantern King.

Cheng Zhao thought, Cheng Chao really knows how to snatch a spot. Just as she was thinking about how he managed to choose such a good private room, the curtain was lifted, and she saw a large group of people.

Including Zhou Yuanshen.

Zhou Yuanqi also saw him and looked at Cheng Zhao in confusion.

Cheng Zhao avoided his gaze.

"Third Brother, Youngest Uncle." He went forward to greet the people he knew first, "Brother Shizi."

Then he greeted the people from the Cheng family.

The arrogant little peacock was still fully courteous when facing relatives.

Cheng Zhao glanced at her fourth brother.

And Zhou Yuanshen, his seat was turned sideways to Cheng Zhao, and he was turning his head to look at the lanterns outside, ignoring her.