Chapter 85: Zhou Yuanshen's Guarantee

The news of the old madam's birthday celebration spread that very day.

The entire Duke of Chen's estate knew about it.

By mid-afternoon, Cheng Zhao had drafted the guest list and submitted it for Huan Qingtang's review.

Her speed left the eldest madam dumbfounded; Huan Qingtang merely smiled, read it carefully, then crossed out a few names and added a few more.

There were about three hundred guests, both male and female.

Afterward, Cheng Zhao returned to the Nonghua Courtyard. The second madam sent for her.

Cheng Zhao changed into her house clothes and went to the Jiangyun Courtyard for dinner.

Her father-in-law and Zhou Yuanqi were both there.

Shortly after, Zhou Yuanshen also returned.

The second madam urged Cheng Zhao to explain quickly what was going on.

Cheng Zhao recounted everything in detail.

The second madam was stunned: "A grand birthday feast like this, and they're only giving you half a month to prepare?"

"Both my eldest aunt and I have only half a month, but my eldest sister-in-law may not," Cheng Zhao said with a smile. "She's been at the Shou'an Courtyard since the twelfth lunar month."

"This is favoritism at its worst!" the second madam exclaimed.

"Mother, I think Grandmother is quite strategic. She wants our eldest sister-in-law to take command at the Chengming Hall.

Look at it this way: with such a rushed birthday event, even our eldest aunt would want to shy away from such a thorny task. When Grandmother proposed letting our eldest sister-in-law manage things, the resistance from that side vanished.

Our eldest sister-in-law has been preparing for a long time. She will certainly handle everything properly. Even if something goes wrong, Grandmother will cover for her.

By using this birthday banquet, the tally tokens will fall into our eldest sister-in-law's hands, and it will be very hard for our eldest aunt to reclaim them," Cheng Zhao explained with a smile.

The second madam stared blankly. All these twists and turns—even if she could return to her mother's womb and have her brain re-formed, she still wouldn't figure them out.

"You girls from scholarly families really know your stuff!" the second madam sighed.

She used to look down on daughters from scholarly households, but now she was convinced.

With such scheming, if you lacked a little foresight or had shallow experience, you'd end up being someone else's pawn without realizing it.

The second madam felt lucky she hadn't sought the power to manage the household—otherwise, she wouldn't even know how she died.

Zhou Yuanshen remained expressionless, lifting his tea to take a sip, then another.

Zhou Yuanqi nodded in agreement: "It's just as you predicted."

"So this birthday banquet is a way to hand over the household management?" the second master asked.

As he said this, he glanced at Zhou Yuanshen.

Since they were letting Lady Huan take charge, the matter of dual inheritance was already a done deal.

The emperor had probably approved it as well.

Lady Huan was indeed beautiful, clever, and from a good family, but Zhou Yuanshen hadn't chosen this willingly. The second master felt his son was being wronged.

And then there was the matter involving Princess Qing'an's mansion back then...

The second master looked at Cheng Zhao as he thought this. With a daughter-in-law as sharp and perceptive as she was, how could she not have thought of it?

And it directly affected her interests.

Yet, there was no sign of dismay or defeat on her face.

Aside from the second madam, who hadn't considered that angle, everyone present likely understood it clearly.

But Zhou Yuanqi, though he knew the situation, had no ability to keep things to himself. He said outright: "After the birthday banquet, we'll have an elder sister-in-law added to the family."

The second madam was taken aback.

Cheng Zhao instinctively reached to cover Zhou Yuanqi's mouth.

This gesture amused the second madam; Zhou Yuanqi's eyes went wide with anger as he pushed her hand away.

The second madam wanted to laugh but also felt like scolding. In the end, laughter came before anger.

Zhou Yuanshen set down his teacup and said calmly, "There won't be an extra elder sister-in-law, don't worry."

"You don't get to decide that," Zhou Yuanqi retorted.

Luckily, he had backup plans. His fairy-like sister-in-law would stay in their household.

Zhou Yuanqi felt the family couldn't function without him. He needed to eat well, grow up strong, be their leader, and guide them through life.

As for that reckless fellow—he should just go to the main branch!

Unfortunately, at this year's Shangsi Festival, he hadn't encountered the Prince of Andong.

He had heard that the Prince of Andong hadn't gone to his fiefdom but was staying in the capital, handling affairs for the emperor.

Slowly, step by step, the Prince of Andong would belong to the second branch.

"...Besides the gatekeepers and the main kitchen, I'm also in charge of the fireworks," Cheng Zhao said.

She glanced at Zhou Yuanshen.

Zhou Yuanshen had guessed this; he knew the Duke of Chen's estate inside and out. Cheng Zhao was grateful for his reminder.

However, neither the second master nor the second madam understood, and Zhou Yuanqi was equally confused.

"What about the fireworks?" the second madam asked.

Cheng Zhao looked to Zhou Yuanshen for permission, asking silently if she could speak.

Zhou Yuanshen nodded.

Cheng Zhao dismissed the attendants and, in a low voice, told the second madam.

The second madam was both alarmed and angry: "Isn't this setting a trap for you?"

"Both Grandmother and the Duke only anticipate the possibility. The emperor and the crown prince may not actually come," Cheng Zhao said.

"If they do come, then just don't set off the fireworks. It's better to skip one thing than to make a mistake by doing too much," the second madam advised.

Cheng Zhao agreed.

The second madam felt that Cheng Zhao probably wanted to compete with Huan Qingtang. Now telling her to hold back was like asking her to admit defeat.

Cheng Zhao had always been very concerned about winning and losing. She had once said she didn't feel wronged around Mu Jiang because she had never lost.

"Zhao Zhao, did you hear what I said?" the second madam asked, worried.

Cheng Zhao smiled. "Mother, rest assured. I will not lose face, nor will I cause any major trouble."

The second madam sighed.

That dinner weighed heavily on everyone's minds.

After the meal, the children left, and the second madam and the second master sat by the window-covered bed, chatting idly.

"Maybe we should just separate from the household and live on our own," the second madam suddenly said.

For the first time in over twenty years, she relented.

The property could be forfeited; the children would have to suffer somewhat in the future without the estate's backing—never mind. They could attend the Fan family's clan school.

The second master gave a helpless smile. "It's too late for you to come around now. Last time, Ah Shen told me, 'All lands under heaven belong to the king.' If the emperor wants him to inherit the title, where can we possibly go?"

The second madam sighed again.

The second master added, "Don't lose heart. I think our daughter-in-law is brimming with confidence."

"How can she possibly win against them? Lady Huan has the old madam behind her, and the old madam has seen everything in her life," the second madam said.

The second master replied, "A young, sharp mind is a powerful tool. As they say, 'You can't make mud stick to a wall.' Even with support, Lady Huan needs to have a clever mind herself. I don't think she's as smart as Zhao Zhao."

"That's true—Zhao Zhao is indeed intelligent," the second madam agreed. "And she has a strong will to win."

A person with a strong will to win has endless drive, isn't afraid of setbacks, and is full of energy. Cheng Zhao was like a general charging into battle, fully armed.

Lady Huan lacked this kind of relentless resilience.

She may have pride, but her actions don't match her ambitions. The lofty airs of a daughter from a scholarly family still clung to her; she wasn't as bold as Cheng Zhao, who held nothing back.

Take the title of lady, for example. Cheng Zhao had deliberately harmed her own reputation by spreading negative news about herself just to obtain it.

Huan Qingtang, constrained by social standing, could not do such a thing.

Having that title or not having it—it made all the difference in the world. Cheng Zhao's sacrifice at the time was well worth it.

"Just wait—Zhao Zhao will bring you honor and comfort," the second master said.

The second madam felt his words weren't empty.

Perhaps she really could enjoy the blessings her daughter-in-law would bring.