Chapter 49: We Must Pay More Attention to Cheng Zhao

The first dispute of the new year broke out in the Chengming Hall.

There was no loud quarreling, but the words were sharp and unsparing.

Huan Qingtang used the words of the First Madam to accuse Cheng Zhao of stepping on her to climb up yesterday, saying she was vicious.

Cheng Zhao, however, stated that Huan Qingtang started it first and that she had crossed the line.

If Huan Qingtang's words were accepted by the Old Madam, and Mu Jiang came out to celebrate the Lantern Festival, whose reputation would be damaged, Cheng Zhao's or Huan Qingtang's?

Of course, it would be Cheng Zhao's.

Since she had provoked her first, she shouldn't expect her to show mercy.

Huan Qingtang didn't act pitifully or try to defend herself. She just remained silent, as if she hadn't heard Cheng Zhao's words. When the situation was unfavorable to her, she just pretended nothing had happened.

Cheng Zhao's mother had also taught her this trick, to be used when there was no other choice.

The First Madam, Madam Song, was very angry, but she was awakened by Cheng Zhao's words. Cheng Zhao didn't say anything about her, it was only Huan Qingtang who had made a mistake.

Cheng Zhao would not speak ill of others.

If the winner insists on showing off, it will only expose their own shortcomings, and the prestige they have won will be greatly reduced.

The smell of gunpowder was so strong, but the East Secondary Room was quiet.

Except for the First Madam, Madam Song, no one spoke loudly.

"... You all go back and rest for a while, I also need to take a nap," the First Madam said.

Her face didn't look good.

Cheng Zhao said yes.

She and Huan Qingtang went out. The two walked out of the East Secondary Room, their attitude as relaxed as if nothing had happened.

The First Madam was still very angry: "This Cheng Shi, is simply..."

She didn't know how to describe Cheng Zhao.

She looked down on her, yet felt that she was very slippery and difficult to deal with.

She wished she could step on her and crush her to death.

The First Madam's trusted old servant said, "Madam, this old servant actually thinks that the Third Young Madam's words are not wrong. It was indeed the First Young Madam who provoked her first."

"Why are you siding with an outsider?"

"This old servant means that you should restrain the First Young Madam. If she keeps handing knives to others, she will suffer a crushing defeat.

You and she clearly occupy the high ground, easy to defend and hard to attack. For the Third Young Madam to try to fight her way into the Chengming Hall is tantamount to ascending to heaven.

But if the First Young Madam makes mistakes and falls down herself, dragging you down with her, that is truly giving the Third Young Madam an advantage."

The First Madam's expression restrained.

"Do you think Cheng Shi is easy to deal with? She has no respect for hierarchy in her eyes, we can't allow her to be complacent," the First Madam said.

She didn't really listen.

The managing servant, however, felt that they should pay more attention to Cheng Shi.

Treat Cheng Shi as an opponent to study.

Cheng Shi not only has ambition but also means. As long as there is a stepping stone, she will fight desperately to climb up. She clearly wants to live in the Chengming Hall.

A daughter-in-law without desires and demands would not behave like Cheng Shi.

If they are not smart enough to beat Cheng Shi down, then the only way for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the first branch is to remain completely still.

No matter how Cheng Shi provokes, do not respond.

Occupying their position without moving, and having the Old Madam backing them up, Cheng Shi would have no way at all.

Unfortunately, the First Madam and the First Young Madam seemed to be exceptionally confident in themselves.

Even when Cheng Zhao didn't provoke them, they still had to jump around a bit.

The gunpowder in the Duke's Mansion had already been ignited. Without fighting to a victory or defeat, neither side would beat the drums and withdraw their troops.

The servants would be tossed about along with them, and the managing servant trembled in her heart.

Cheng Zhao went to the Chenhui Courtyard for her afternoon nap.

Nanny Li sent a young maid to deliver a bowl of bird's nest porridge to nourish Cheng Zhao.

Qiubai was waiting to serve Cheng Zhao as she rested.

Cheng Zhao didn't sleep, she just leaned on the large heated brick bed by the window in the secondary room and finished the bowl of bird's nest porridge.

"... The First Madam actually blames you for stepping on the First Young Madam?" Qiubai asked.

Cheng Zhao: "That mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are still of one mind. However, this unity is not strong enough, they will fall out sooner or later."

"The First Young Madam was actually able to persuade the First Madam to stand up for her, she is quite something," Qiubai said.

Cheng Zhao nodded.

Qiubai lowered her voice: "Once the Emperor 'bestows a marriage' and she also becomes the Duke's wife, your life will not be easy."

If Zhou Yuanshen were to marry two wives, it would definitely be a marriage bestowed by an imperial edict.

This is much more honorable than a marriage bestowed by the Empress.

The Old Madam had long thought about "dividing power". The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the first branch would manage the household affairs, and Zhou Yuanshen would inherit the title. This way, the title would not be lost, and the Duke's assets would be firmly in the old lady's hands.

Within the Duke's Mansion, no one could obtain real "power" and outshine the Old Madam.

The older she got, the more she only trusted the power and money in her own hands.

If they wanted the "dual marriage" matter not to be criticized by high-ranking noble families, the best way was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor.

This was not to elevate Huan Qingtang, but to preserve the dignity of the entire Duke's Mansion, as well as the Old Madam's status.

If the dual marriage really happened, Cheng Zhao's life would indeed be very difficult.

"... Fate is just like this. If I had gotten pregnant first, this path would have fewer thorns, but unfortunately, the concubine got pregnant first," Cheng Zhao said.

Qiubai quietly asked her: "Should we ask Madam to invite a Guanyin who sends children for you?"

Cheng Zhao: "Would it be useful?"

"Do you believe in Guanyin or the Duke?" Qiubai asked.

Cheng Zhao: "..."

Then the Guanyin who sends children is more reliable.

"Although there's nothing wrong, I still want a doctor to take my pulse," Cheng Zhao said.

To ensure she is healthy.

Cheng Zhao added: "I also heard that there were some rumors about the Duke and his widowed sister-in-law before. Roughly, they had some affection when they were young, but it ended up as nothing."

Qiubai: "Didn't Madam inquire about this? You said you didn't care at the time. How about you ask Madam carefully next time you go back?"

If Zhou Yuanshen and Huan Qingtang had a good relationship, and the two had "separated" for these years, once they had a dual marriage, wouldn't they desperately try to make up for it?

Qiubai felt sorry for her young lady just thinking about it.

"Marrying into any family wouldn't be as frustrating as the Zhou family," Qiubai said.

Cheng Zhao: "No one wanted to marry into the Zhou family, neither me nor my parents, it was a marriage bestowed by the Empress."

She added, "Although the inner courtyard of the Zhou family is frustrating, I am already a super-grade titled madam. Marrying into which family could give me such an opportunity? Some people struggle all their lives and don't even get a title before they die."

Qiubai couldn't help but laugh.

Besides the young male servant Nanfeng, there was no one else in the Chenhui Courtyard, and the master and servant spoke softly, chatting freely without any restraint.

After the afternoon nap ended, Cheng Zhao had to go to the Chengming Hall again, and a maid came.

Cheng Zhao had seen this maid before. She served in Zhou Yuanshen's outer study and was named Mingyu.

Mingyu was slender and elegant, with a delicate appearance. She bowed respectfully, "Madam, I will deliver some of the Duke's documents inside first, he will read them this evening."

Cheng Zhao nodded slightly: "Go in and put them down."

She went to the Chengming Hall.

Cheng Zhao handled affairs once every three days, and after finishing today, she could rest for two days.

There were no disputes in the afternoon, and matters were quickly sorted out, so Cheng Zhao returned to the Nonghua Courtyard.

After coming back, she first practiced swordsmanship, then took a bath, and sat on the large heated brick bed by the window to dry her hair.

"... The Duke said he will have dinner in the Nonghua Courtyard tonight." The maid named Mingyu came again.

Cheng Zhao: "..."

He rested here yesterday, why is he coming again?

Cheng Zhao made up her mind and instructed Qiubai, "Go back to the Cheng family tomorrow and tell my mother to quickly invite a Guanyin who sends children for me."

Quickly get pregnant to completely interrupt this matter of "the Duke coming for dinner."

She wanted some peace and quiet.

Zhou Yuanshen hadn't arrived yet, and Cheng Zhao's hair was dry. Nanny Li taught her how to put up her hair.

Cheng Zhao's hands were quite deft, but she wasn't good at fiddling with hair, and after a long time, it was still a mess.

Seeing that it was getting late and Zhou Yuanshen was about to arrive, Cheng Zhao asked Nanny Li to put it up for her, and she would slowly learn later.