The Zhe family.
"Who dares to bully my little aunt? Do our Zhe family have no one?" The sound of a palm hitting the table, accompanied by an angry roar, rang out simultaneously. Still clad in armor, he casually grabbed the sabre on the table and was about to rush out the door.
"Sanlang, don't be rash!" Old Madam Zhe, seated at the head of the table, spoke gently. She still looked as kind as ever, but a flash of anger flickered in her eyes, clearly showing she was also enraged.
The noblewoman seated below, at this moment, also glared at her impetuous youngest son with feigned anger, suppressing her dissatisfaction with her sister-in-law. "Where will you find people to get revenge on by rushing out so carelessly? We must let Cheng Wu and the others investigate thoroughly first."
"Sister-in-law is right. Since they are outsiders, they must have a place to stay in the capital," the second madam of the Zhe family chimed in with a smile. Looking at Zhe Jing, who was nestled in the old madam's arms, she continued, "A young girl of about ten years old must be coming to the capital to visit relatives. I wonder which family she belongs to."
Zhe Jing, being the youngest daughter of Old Madam Zhe, had been pampered for years. Not only that, but she had always been arrogant and overbearing in the capital. Today, however, she had kicked a steel plate at the inn. Instead of being able to discipline Zhan Feiyu, her attendant Ada was slapped and lost all face.
Returning to the mansion now, she was even more furious, clamoring, "I don't know what kind of broken household she comes from. She doesn't even have an elder at home, perhaps they're all dead. She's come to her relatives in the capital to freeload!"
If her own daughter dared to speak so carelessly, the first and second madams exchanged a glance. Their sister-in-law was truly spoiled by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, with no regard for her words. With her arrogant temper, it was no wonder that Young Master Ning avoided her.
"Mother, generally speaking, it's rare for young ladies to travel alone. The maid beside her is a martial maid, and her skills are even comparable to Ada's. Perhaps she is also a daughter from a military family. It would be best to investigate thoroughly first," the first madam had to be cautious.
It was not her daughter who had lost face. Although they shared in glory and disgrace, having a sister-in-law who chased men all over the capital meant their Zhe family had long lost face.
The first madam was concerned that if the other party also came from a military family, they might have some connection to the Zhe family. Acting rashly to retaliate would satisfy the mother-in-law and sister-in-law, but they didn't consider the men of the Zhe family in the court. Unprovoked enmity would simply create more enemies.
"Sister-in-law, you're being so evasive. Are you secretly happy that I'm being bullied?" Zhe Jing glared at the first madam. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She turned and complained to Old Madam Zhe, "Mother, I told you the sisters-in-law dislike me. Last time, when Hu Mingyu was beaten by that fop from the Zhao family, Sister-in-law immediately told Sanlang and the others to go to the Zhao family and beat up Zhao Si. But when it comes to me, you want to make long-term plans!"
"Don't talk nonsense. Your sister-in-law has always doted on you." Old Madam Zhe playfully patted Zhe Jing's arm with feigned anger. Although her face, full of wrinkles, still wore a smile, the first and second madams sitting below felt a chill.
The first madam had no choice but to rise and apologize. "Mother, my sister has misunderstood me. I was thinking of investigating thoroughly before taking action. If it causes a great commotion and damages my sister's reputation, it will delay her marriage in the future."
"Hmph!" Looking at the first madam bowing and apologizing, Zhe Jing turned her head and snorted coldly, her face clearly still displeased.
"Mother, you worry too much. Our ancestor was a founding meritorious official, and we even have an imperial edict of immunity from death at home. Let alone a wild girl from out of town, even those in the capital, if anyone offends my little aunt, we can go to their door and they wouldn't dare to refuse!" Zhe Sanlang said triumphantly, patting the armor on his chest. The life of the Holy Ancestor was saved by their Zhe family's ancestor, and it was not once, but thrice!
The first madam coldly watched her impulsive youngest son, almost spitting out a mouthful of old blood. How could she have given birth to such a brainless idiot!
The second madam looked sympathetically at her aggrieved sister-in-law. Sanlang was also of marriageable age, but because he had always stood up for his little aunt since childhood, no family in the capital was willing to marry their pampered daughters to him.
Such an unreasonable brute, although he was now a sixth-rank centurion in the capital's suburban camp, was unfortunately impulsive when encountering matters. Moreover, over the years, for standing up for Zhe Jing, he had bullied many young ladies, causing even official matchmakers to shake their heads at Zhe Sanlang's reputation.
Hearing the word "reputation," Zhe Jing could no longer be angry. Pouting, she tugged at Old Madam Zhe's sleeve and pleaded, "Mother, Brother Chen An will be taking the spring imperial examinations next year, and he is bound to rank among the top three. Why don't we ask the Emperor to bestow a marriage? Wouldn't that be double happiness?"
The Ning family was a scholarly family, and their grandfather had served as a prime minister of the first rank. Ning Chen An himself was also exceptionally talented, a sure-fire top scholar. He would have to be blind to marry such a disaster!
As for the Emperor bestowing a marriage? The first and second madams looked at Old Madam Zhe, who couldn't resist when Zhe Jing acted spoiled. The two sisters-in-law exchanged glances again. This mother-in-law usually controlled them, her daughters-in-law, quite severely, but when it came to her youngest daughter, she lost her judgment and indulged her sister-in-law, raising her into such an arrogant and domineering personality. No matter which family she married into, it would be an alliance of enmity, not marriage.