In the flower hall of the Ji family's old residence, Madam Ji, dressed in a festive red Tang suit, sat on the main armchair. She smiled as she looked towards the entrance of the flower garden. Two chairs were placed on either side below her.
Zhao Xinning followed Ji Dechun into the hall and her expression changed upon seeing the arrangement. According to custom, the chair to the left of the elder madam should be for her and Ji Dechun, while the right side was for the grandchildren. However, there were only two chairs, clearly indicating no seats were prepared for Ji Shigong and his wife.
Thinking she would soon be able to torment Mingyue, she suppressed her anger and did not make a scene. As she was about to sit in her designated spot, her face darkened, and her lips trembled with rage.
"Mother, what is the meaning of this?" Zhao Xinning pointed to the memorial tablet of Ji Shiyou's mother on the chair next to Ji Dechun, her voice shaking as she asked.
"Why are you here? I didn't ask the housekeeper to call you." The old madam's gaze had been fixed on Ji Shiyou and Mingyue, and she hadn't noticed Zhao Xinning enter. Hearing Zhao Xinning's question, she finally noticed her and asked dismissively.
"Mother, I brought her. She is, in name, Mingyue's mother-in-law. I just thought..."
"Shut up. What mother-in-law is she? Huiyin is my daughter-in-law, Mingyue's mother-in-law. Don't you forget, when your father passed away, it was Huiyin who held the Ji Group together for you. Without Huiyin, there would be no Ji family today, and you could spend your days idly. You're over fifty and still don't do anything proper? You indulge in debauchery outside. You have no right to speak. Xiao You is married and has a family. No one can drink this cup of wife's tea for Huiyin. I specifically told Old Sun not to inform her, to give her face, but I didn't expect her to shamelessly show up. Since you're here, stand at the back. A secondary wife must have the awareness of a secondary wife. In front of the first wife, there is no place for you to sit. And you two, those seats are for your eldest brother and sister-in-law. Get up. The Ji family has distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children. You usually lack manners, and I've turned a blind eye, not making things difficult for you. In formal occasions, if you still don't know the rules, don't blame this old woman for skinning you. On such a joyous day, you only know how to anger this old woman."
"Good grandchild, Mingyue, don't stand. Sit down quickly, don't get tired!" Ji Shigong and his wife had entered before Mingyue. They didn't understand the rules as well as Zhao Xinning. Seeing only two seats on the right, they quickly sat down, thinking it was first come, first served, and that Mingyue and the others would be a joke.
Madam Ji was scolding her son. When she turned around and saw them, she immediately yelled.
"Mother, I have no complaints about how you treat me. Who am I but a secondary wife? I accept it. But Xiaogong is also of Ji family blood, a grandson of the Ji family, just like Xiaoyou. Mother, this is unfair. You must be impartial to both grandsons. Also, why is Mingyue sitting while Lingling has to stand? I am a secondary wife, but Lingling is Xiaogong's original wife. Mother, your heart is too biased!"
Zhao Xinning saw her son and daughter-in-law being driven from their seats by the old madam as if they were servants. They stood aside dejectedly. She immediately stepped forward and voiced her indignation. Moreover, her arguments were logical and well-founded. At first hearing, every word seemed reasonable, and even Mingyue worried about how Madam Ji would explain. Ji Shiyou also worried for his grandmother, wondering what was wrong with the old madam today. She usually disliked Zhao Xinning and her ilk, but never targeted them so obviously. What was she trying to do? Zhao Xinning was not someone to be trifled with; she was like a stubborn mule. If she found a valid point, she would cling to it relentlessly.
"Serve the tea first. After that, I have something to announce, and then you will understand. This old woman does nothing without reason, and it's not your place to question me. If you want to stay and witness the ceremony, then shut your mouth. If you speak another word, Old Sun, throw her out." Madam Ji glanced at Zhao Xinning, a cold smile on her lips, and instructed the housekeeper.
"Yes." Steward Sun immediately agreed. He looked at Zhao Xinning, his meaning clear: if you keep babbling, I'll take action. Zhao Xinning saw the look in Steward Sun's eyes, as if he was waiting for her to speak. She remembered that she had just insulted this old man. She recalled Ji Dechun once telling her that Steward Sun was a master of internal martial arts and had been the old master Ji's bodyguard. Despite his age, he could kill a cow with a single palm. Fear crept into her heart. She dared not say another word and retreated dejectedly behind Ji Dechun's chair.
Mingyue chuckled inwardly. Madam Ji was too amusing. When others threw tantrums, she reasoned, but when others reasoned, she became unreasonable and resorted to force. It seemed Zhao Xinning was no match for Madam Ji. Then why did Ji Shiyou find it so difficult to stay at home and had to seek refuge in the hospital? Mingyue glanced at Ji Shiyou beside her, puzzled. Seeing Zhao Xinning's discomfiture, Ji Shiyou was stifling a laugh and secretly gave the old madam a thumbs-up. He must have been thinking that Ji Shiyou was filial and didn't want to worry the old madam.
At this moment, a servant walked in with a tray holding covered bowls of tea. "The new bride will serve tea to the old madam!" Steward Sun, though old, had a strong and resonant voice. Mingyue stood up, picked up a bowl of tea, and walked to Madam Ji.
"Grandmother, please have some tea. I wish you good health, peace, and happiness!"
"Good, good, good! I've been looking forward to this day! Grandmother also wishes you and Xiaoyou a harmonious marriage and that you'll soon give Grandmother a big, healthy grandson." The old madam took the tea bowl, her face blooming into a smile. She took a sip and placed the bowl on a small carved table beside her.
"New bride, serve tea to your parents-in-law!" Steward Sun's voice rang out again. Mingyue disliked Ji Dechun very much, but he was Ji Shiyou's biological father. She bowed and offered him a cup of tea. "Daughter-in-law Mingyue, serves tea to mother-in-law." Then, she picked up another cup of tea and respectfully knelt before the memorial tablet of Ji Shiyou's mother, placing the tea cup beside the chair. Normally, a new bride only needed to bow when serving tea and did not need to kneel. However, the deceased were to be respected. This was her first meeting, so Mingyue placed the tea cup down and kowtowed three times.
"Good child, quickly get up!" The old madam was very pleased with Mingyue's thoughtfulness and said with a choked voice. Ji Shiyou was also very touched by Mingyue's actions. He quickly ran over and helped her up.
"Tch!" He Ling, standing nearby, couldn't help but let out a scoff. She thought Madam Ji was very good to Mingyue, but it seemed to be just a show. Even in ordinary families, a new bride serving tea would receive a red envelope. The value of the red envelope represented the importance placed on the new daughter-in-law. It was one thing that Ji Dechun hadn't prepared a red envelope or gift; he, as her father-in-law, was always like this, only caring about himself. Madam Ji called Mingyue her darling repeatedly, but after drinking the tea, it was over, with only auspicious words. In He Ling's opinion, it was like burning paper at a grave to fool ghosts! Therefore, she felt a bit smug and couldn't help but express it verbally.
"Good granddaughter-in-law, the wife's tea is not drunk for free. Grandmother and your mother-in-law have a big gift to give you." The old madam glanced at He Ling, thinking, "This ignorant little thing. Does she think this old woman can't see what she's thinking?"
"Old Sun, bring out the gift that Huiyin and I have prepared for Mingyue." Madam Ji gave an order, and Steward Sun went to fetch it. When he returned, he held a tray.