Chapter 67: Praising Cheng Zhao

The Duke of Chen's mansion was hosting a peach blossom banquet, and the invitation cards had to be sent out through the gatehouse.

Cheng Zhao thus knew who the First Madam and the Old Madam had invited.

Replies came back one after another.

"...Princess Qing'an's estate is not included," Cheng Zhao said to her trusted aides.

The reason she paid special attention to Princess Qing'an's estate was not only because the Old Madam's grandniece had mentioned the calligraphy copybook last time, but also because Princess Qing'an had previously acted as a matchmaker for Zhou Yuanshen and Huan Qingtang.

Cheng Zhao was curious about this past event, though her mother said she was prying into privacy.

Secrets were indeed fascinating, making one want to uncover the truth behind them.

She even planned to ask Princess Qing'an about it indirectly.

However, she never expected that the Zhou family no longer interacted with Princess Qing'an's estate; during the New Year, the gatehouse had clearly received gifts from Princess Qing'an's estate and had returned them as well.

"No one dares not to curry favor with the Zhou family, so it's likely that Princess Qing'an offended the Old Madam. They still send gifts to each other to maintain a final shred of dignity without tearing each other's faces, but in reality, they no longer associate," Cheng Zhao said.

"That's quite interesting," Suyue said. "Young Madam, you should check the gatehouse's account books to see if she was only excluded starting this year."

Cheng Zhao replied, "That's a good idea. I'll look into it after we finish our current tasks."

With the banquet approaching, Cheng Zhao also had some errands on hand. Both she and Huan Qingtang had to help the First Madam welcome the guests.

A banquet was the ultimate test of a matriarch's abilities, and Cheng Zhao could not afford to make any mistakes.

Following what her mother and eldest sister had taught her, Cheng Zhao first ranked the guests: she needed to grasp firmly who was the most important and ensure absolutely nothing went wrong with them.

Among the Zhou family's guests, the only one who had the best relationship with the Old Madam and was highly respected by her was Grand Princess Fukang.

The others, to varying degrees, were the ones currying favor with the Old Madam.

And as it happened, Grand Princess Fukang also liked Cheng Zhao very much.

"...Bring out the hair stick the Princess gave me last time. I will only wear this one piece of gold jewelry for this banquet," Cheng Zhao said.

Nanny Li hurriedly went to prepare it.

As they were talking, a little maid outside said that the young servant Nanfeng was looking for Qiubai.

Nanfeng was not yet thirteen years old, but he was highly valued by Zhou Yuanshen. He often ran between the inner and outer courtyards and didn't need to avoid anything, which was very convenient.

Qiubai, not knowing what it was about, went out for a moment.

After returning, she said to Cheng Zhao, "The Duke has something to remind you about, regarding the Marquis of Qingyuan's estate."

Last time, Madam Sun from the Marquis of Qingyuan's estate, along with the Sun family's young master and miss, came as guests and almost caused a quarrel between Cheng Zhao and her eldest aunt. Zhou Yuanshen had probably heard about it.

"What is it?"

Qiubai lowered her voice and relayed Zhou Yuanshen's words to Cheng Zhao.

After hearing this, Cheng Zhao frowned slightly: "Miss Sun dares to cause trouble at the Duke of Chen's peach blossom banquet?"

"The Old Madam highly values her maiden family's grandnephew, and Miss Sun is spoiled and arrogant. She has been betrothed to the Fifth Prince and will be a princess consort in the future, which adds to her arrogance. She dares to do anything," Qiubai said.

She added, "She might not necessarily cause trouble, but he just wanted to remind you to be careful."

This information was also gathered by Nanfeng and told to Qiubai.

Cheng Zhao then said, "The Duke knows everything that happens in the inner courtyard."

She continued, "How is Nanfeng just a young servant? He is practically the Duke's eyes, observing the inner and outer courtyards all day long. Yet everyone just treats him as an inconspicuous child, and no one guards against him."

Last time, when Cheng Zhao and Qiubai were discussing the Child-giving Guanyin in the Chenhui Courtyard, Nanfeng was also there.

"Reward him with some money, and grab some candies for him," Cheng Zhao said.

Although this child tattled in secret, Cheng Zhao still liked him quite a bit, and even hoped he could help her gather information in the future.

Qiubai agreed.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Duke of Chen's peach blossom banquet.

Guests also arrived from the Second Madam's maiden family: an aunt, bringing along two cousins-in-law.

"Zhaozhao, come here." The Second Madam specifically called Cheng Zhao over to introduce them.

Having seen them during the New Year visits, Cheng Zhao remembered them and could greet each of them by name.

This made the Second Madam even happier.

Her daughter-in-law was not only as beautiful as a fairy but also smart and clever. Moreover, she took the affairs of the Second Madam's maiden family to heart, making the Second Madam feel completely satisfied inside and out.

"Mother, please sit with them for a while. I still need to go and welcome the guests," Cheng Zhao said.

She then instructed the servants, "Serve Aunt the Tieguanyin tea. I remember Aunt said she only likes this kind of tea."

The Second Madam was even more delighted.

The aunt also smiled slightly, her face glowing with pleasure.

"The Duke's Madam is truly thoughtful," the aunt said.

"Zhaozhao is indeed filial," the Second Madam said.

Their words were filled with immense warmth and affection.

Cheng Zhao smiled and whispered to the Second Madam, "Grand Princess Fukang hasn't arrived yet. She is the most honorable guest today, so I must go and greet her."

"Go on with your work."

Only then did Cheng Zhao leave.

Because she explained everything clearly, the Second Madam naturally understood her, and the aunt also praised Cheng Zhao for being considerate.

Soon, the guests arrived one after another.

A little maid came to report, and the Old Madam stood up to welcome the guest. Undoubtedly, Grand Princess Fukang had arrived.

The Second Madam also followed to the door of the flower hall and sure enough, she saw her daughter-in-law supporting the Grand Princess's arm, walking towards the hall.

Huan Qingtang and the First Madam, Lady Song, both trailed behind.

"She's so showy, showing off all by herself!" Suddenly, the Second Madam heard someone beside her say.

The Second Madam did not turn her head, so as not to alert the snake by beating the grass, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Sun Zhiya, the Old Madam's grandniece.

The Second Madam dared not offend anyone from the Sun family. But hearing her words, which were clearly aimed at Cheng Zhao, the Second Madam felt a hidden sense of vigilance.

When she snapped back to reality, the Second Madam was a bit surprised. She hadn't expected herself to think so much in that split second.

If it had been before, she definitely would have turned her head to look immediately.

Since the other party hadn't named names, if she insisted on turning around to look, she might be falsely counter-accused.

As the Second Madam was thinking this, Grand Princess Fukang had already entered.

Everyone stood up to pay their respects.

Only after Grand Princess Fukang and the Old Madam took their seats did the others sit down.

"...The embroidery on the Duke's Madam's dress today is truly excellent."

After saying a few words, Grand Princess Fukang made sure to praise Cheng Zhao.

This was because Cheng Zhao had just praised Grand Princess Fukang's son at the door.

Grand Princess Fukang's son had mediocre talents, yet he insisted on mingling in scholarly circles to earn the title of a gifted scholar. It was unknown what sort of obsession he had.

He often made a fool of himself.

Grand Princess Fukang knew this as well, but there was nothing she could do. He was her only son, filial and obedient, usually gentle and polite. If one part of him was bad, the other nine parts were excellent. The Grand Princess loved this son dearly.

Cheng Zhao repeatedly praised him, calling him a free spirit, which struck right at the Grand Princess's heart: if his handwriting wasn't good, it was considered elegant and untamed; if his poetry was ordinary, it was considered unconventional.

What the scholarly circles valued was strength of character.

Of course, it was useless for the Grand Princess to boast about him herself. It required someone like Prime Minister Cheng, who was highly respected and had immense prestige in scholarly circles, to praise him in order to elevate the heir's status.

And Cheng Zhao was Prime Minister Cheng's favored granddaughter.

Grand Princess Fukang naturally had to support her.

Aside from these selfish motives, Cheng Zhao was indeed experienced and endearing.

When Grand Princess Fukang praised Cheng Zhao for the fourth time, First Madam Song's expression turned a bit unsightly.

She nudged Huan Qingtang, gesturing for her to step forward so the Grand Princess could see her too.

However, Huan Qingtang remained completely serene.

At this moment, Sun Zhiya walked over and warmly paid her respects to Grand Princess Fukang.

She was not only the grandniece of the Old Madame, but she was also destined to marry into the imperial clan in the future. Even the Grand Princess had to show her some respect.

Just as she was about to speak, a dark shadow suddenly darted past.

With quick reflexes, Cheng Zhao pulled some white powder from her pouch and scattered it around the Grand Princess.

The crowd froze for a moment before noticing a black creature. Startled by the powder, it was desperately trying to scurry away.

"A scorpion!"

"What an enormous scorpion!"

Sun Zhiya was stunned for a second before she hurriedly chased after it, crying out, "Gale!"

Madam Sun almost blacked out.