Chapter 77: Cheng Zhao Stirring Up Trouble Again

Cheng Zhao stayed at her eldest sister's place for two days before returning to the Duke of Chen's mansion.

Her eldest sister had prepared gifts for her, so Cheng Zhao first went to Dowager Madame's Shou'an Courtyard.

"...Eldest Sister was paying respects to the Floral Goddess, and I also offered a prayer, wishing for the Zhou clan to enjoy everlasting wealth and honor. That is why I returned late, please do not blame me, Grandmother," Cheng Zhao said.

This was not a lie. Her eldest sister had indeed been making offerings to the Peony Goddess these past few days, and Cheng Zhao had also paid her respects.

Dowager Madame smiled.

Cheng Zhao was very good at using grand pretexts to suppress people. Dowager Madame felt that among the little monkeys in their backyard, she was the most mischievous and the cleverest.

"You are very thoughtful," Dowager Madame said. "It is not that you are forbidden from returning to your maiden home, but there are simply too many matters to attend to. The main kitchen has been very busy these past few days, you should go about your duties."

Cheng Zhao did not talk back.

The porter's lodge and the main kitchen were both running smoothly; even if she didn't manage them for half a month, nothing would go wrong.

Dowager Madame was also using chores to suppress her, using the same tactic as her. This was called an eye for an eye.

Cheng Zhao then went to Chengming Hall.

First Madame, Madam Song, did not say much, only telling her, "In a few days, the Secondary Wife will be released from her grounding. Tell the main kitchen to put more effort into her meals."

It turned out that Madam Song was in a good mood because she was gloating.

Mu Jiang was already very good at causing trouble, and she had Dowager Madame backing her. Now that her early pregnancy had passed and her health had improved, the Duke of Chen could, as usual, spend the night at Lijing Courtyard. Her status was truly unique.

The one who would suffer the most was undoubtedly Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao lowered her gaze and, after a long moment, smiled. "Eldest Aunt is right. I will certainly take good care of the Secondary Wife."

She added, "The Duke has many descendants, which must make Grandmother very happy. There is a way forward and backward; with more children, one can be allocated here, another there. Perhaps the first branch might even get one. It is all thanks to her grace."

Madam Song's expression changed.

Her gloating was stuck in her throat, unable to be swallowed or spat out, making her feel extremely stifled.

Cheng Zhao was telling her that Mu Jiang's pregnancy did not only affect Cheng Zhao alone, but the entire Duke's mansion.

Because Mu Jiang was Dowager Madame's person.

Madam Song and Huan Qingtang were both widows. Whether Mu Jiang's child would be raised under Cheng Zhao's name or adopted into the first branch in the future was truly hard to say.

It all depended on Dowager Madame's decision.

If that really happened, adopting Mu Jiang's child to the deceased Zhou Yuancheng would be far more awkward for Madam Song than a dual-lineage marriage with Huan Qingtang.

At that point, Madam Song would become a completely useless chess piece.

She would have to be like widows from other households, dressing plainly and living in seclusion.

As for Cheng Zhao, backed by a prominent family from Wu Commandery and bestowed marriage by the Empress, she might turn the most disadvantageous situation into a win-win-win for herself, Mu Jiang, and Dowager Madame, only needing to sacrifice the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the first branch.

For Madam Song to think she could stay out of it and watch Cheng Zhao make a fool of herself at this time was truly foolish.

She should have a stronger sense of crisis than Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao had pointed it out to her, making her clearly feel the crisis, and her face turned extremely ugly.

Huan Qingtang watched as Cheng Zhao won with just a few words and was secretly alarmed.

Cheng Zhao's glib tongue was indeed a bit difficult to deal with.

"This is truly the first time I have encountered someone like her," Huan Qingtang thought to herself.

Even noble ladies from scholarly families were not like Cheng Zhao.

The Zhou family had considered many things about Cheng Zhao, but they never expected her to be so articulate and her words to have such a sharp edge.

Cheng Zhao did not stay long in Chengming Hall, turning and leaving.

Seeing Madam Song trembling slightly, Huan Qingtang gently held her hand. "Mother, we will live in Chengming Hall forever, please do not worry too much."

She added, "Even if Mu Jiang's child is adopted into the first branch, it will be raised by us. Besides, Grandmother has never had this intention; it is all Cheng's wild guessing. She is just scaring you."

Madam Song looked at her.

She wanted to say something, but then felt that Huan Qingtang would also benefit from this matter and was no longer on the same page as her.

Madam Song shook off Huan Qingtang's hand and entered the inner bedroom without a word.

Huan Qingtang was stunned for a moment.

She smiled bitterly.

Cheng Zhao's sowing of discord hit the First Madame's sore spot every time, and she no longer quite trusted Huan Qingtang.

It was very helpless.

Cheng Zhao's destructive power was much stronger than Huan Qingtang had imagined.

Huan Qingtang felt that she should do something and could not let Cheng Zhao continue to scheme against Chengming Hall like this.

Before Cheng Zhao married in, everything in the Duke of Chen's mansion had clearly been very normal. Chengming Hall was also fine; Huan Qingtang was a widow, but her days had never been clouded.

"She is so tricky."

Huan Qingtang still wanted to see Zhou Yuanshen.

Last time she went to Chenhui Courtyard, she went alone.

The servant boy Nanfeng did not stop her, so she went in. She had clearly seen Zhou Yuanshen return to Chenhui Courtyard, but she did not see him in the inner room.

She sat alone and waited for a moment.

Cheng Zhao even sent a maid to pass a message. Huan Qingtang heard the voice of Cheng Zhao's maid, who was sent away by Nanfeng.

After waiting for quite a while, with no other choice, Huan Qingtang finally left Chenhui Courtyard.

She had a very important matter she wanted to tell Zhou Yuanshen.

Zhou Yuanshen should be very interested in this matter.

Once Zhou Yuanshen knew, the dual-lineage marriage would go more smoothly.

Of course, it would be smooth now too; a dual-lineage marriage with her had ten thousand benefits for Zhou Yuanshen and no drawbacks whatsoever.

Huan Qingtang still hoped that she could become somewhat familiar with Zhou Yuanshen before the marriage was bestowed.

A few days later, Mu Jiang came out.

The weather was still cold and clothes were thick, so Mu Jiang's three-month pregnancy was not too obvious.

But she constantly supported her waist and held her belly, so it could still be seen.

She sat in Shou'an Courtyard, wearing a thin Kesi silk cloak and a golden-red dress, looking as bright and luxurious as fire.

Dowager Madame ordered everyone to go to Shou'an Courtyard for breakfast.

On the way there, Second Madame was very irritable. "She is released from grounding, she should just come out and live her life properly. Yet Dowager Madame specifically called us to go take a look. Isn't this teaching her to be arrogant and domineering?"

She added, "This behavior of the Secondary Wife is entirely spoiled by Dowager Madame."

Cheng Zhao said, "She was raised by Dowager Madame, so it concerns Dowager Madame's authority."

She didn't say dignity, but authority.

Dowager Madame let Mu Jiang show off with the purpose of establishing authority.

The old matriarch's prestige was reflected in major matters; usually, she was lenient and gentle. But there needed to be something to make people understand who was truly the master of this house.

That was why Mu Jiang existed.

"Mother, you must endure it later," Cheng Zhao said.

Second Madame patted her hand. "Don't worry."

She added, "You silly child, the only one suffering grievances is you."

Cheng Zhao: "I am not aggrieved. I have never lost."

Second Madame: "..."

She cared about feelings, while Cheng Zhao cared about winning and losing.

Cheng Zhao was the most qualified mistress of the house. Her eyes only focused on authority, and she could ignore all the thorns along the way.

Thinking carefully, her personality was somewhat similar to Dowager Madame's.

When the small oil carriage arrived at Shou'an Courtyard and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stepped out, they saw everyone surrounding Mu Jiang.

Cheng Zhao stepped forward, first paying her respects to Dowager Madame, then to First Madame, Madam Song, before sitting down to speak.

"The Secondary Wife looks very well," Cheng Zhao said.

"Thank you, Young Madame. You look well too," Mu Jiang smiled.

As they were talking, a maid announced that the Duke had arrived.

Cheng Zhao caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye; everyone was looking at him.

This room full of women, this overwhelming wealth and honor, all rested on him alone, yet he rarely showed complacency.

This was perhaps his most commendable trait, right?

If it were Cheng Zhao, she might not even be able to do it.

Zhou Yuanshen stepped into the main hall. His gaze first fell upon Cheng Zhao and his mother before turning toward Dowager Madame. "Grandmother."

"Did you not go to morning court?" Dowager Madame asked with a smile.

"Today is a day of rest," Zhou Yuanshen replied.