Leaving the old madam’s courtyard, they sent the attending servants far away. The sisters-in-law, with their senior maids holding umbrellas to shield them from the falling snow, found it convenient to speak of intimate matters.
“Sister-in-law, little sister has really kicked a hornet’s nest this time. It’s a shame Mother dotes on her so much that she won’t even wait a few more days,” the second madam’s voice was low, but her dissatisfaction was evident.
Every time Zhe Jing offended someone, she enjoyed herself, but it was always their husbands who had to clean up the mess, either by making amends for enmity or by offering apologies. So many good things from the storeroom were given away as compensation.
Logically, they should have been happy that Zhe Jing was in trouble. However, the other party had considerable influence, and the second madam was more worried that the Zhe family would gain another powerful enemy. The more she thought about it, the more worried she became, and her dissatisfaction with the willful Zhe Jing grew.
The first madam was much more cautious. Even though no one else could hear their conversation, she still spoke with reservations.
“Commander Cheng and the others may have returned without success, but they were not injured. This indicates that the other party is definitely not an enemy of the Zhe family. Sister-in-law need not worry; nothing major will happen.”
If they were truly enemies of the Zhe family, they would have captured Cheng Wu and the others last night and handed them over to Shuntian Prefecture, causing the Zhe family to lose face. However, they merely made Cheng Wu and the others retreat, which suggested that the other party did not wish to be enemies with the Zhe family.
The second madam nodded in agreement, but upon thinking of Zhe Jing’s temperament, she spoke with a tense expression, “The other party showed the Zhe family respect by not escalating the matter, but little sister will certainly not let it go. Who knows how she will stir up trouble this time.”
Logically, this matter should be handled by the men of the Zhe family. However, the eldest master of the Zhe family was currently guarding the border with General Zhe, and the second master had led troops out of the capital to suppress bandits half a month ago.
Among the remaining younger generation of the Zhe family, the first madam had three sons and one daughter. The two eldest were also at the border.
As for the third master of the Zhe family, who was at the military camp outside the capital, he was a firecracker. The first madam dared not send him to the inn; that would truly be picking a fight.
The second madam had two daughters and one son. Her youngest son was only thirteen years old and had gone to study at the private school after morning greetings. They couldn’t possibly send a half-grown boy to represent the Zhe family.
“Sister-in-law, why don’t you go?” the second madam hesitated before speaking. Regardless of the other party’s background, she was still just a young lady, so it was appropriate for the elder sister-in-law to go.
The second madam of the Zhe family truly feared that her temper would make her hit it off with the other party. Looking at the young ladies of the noble families in the capital, whether their families were friends or foes, whenever Zhe Jing was mentioned, these young ladies seemed to unite as one.
The first madam considered it for a moment and then agreed. The men of the Zhe family were building their careers, and they, as the women, naturally had to resolve their worries so that they wouldn’t have to worry about their families while at the border.
…
Zhan Feiyu was not surprised to receive an invitation from the Zhe family early in the morning. Families that could establish themselves in the capital, even with daughters as arrogant and overbearing as Zhe Jing, could not all be so unreasonable.
“The first madam of the Zhe family is the legitimate daughter of the fourth branch of the Zhao family, who is the Minister of Revenue…” He Nuan concisely explained the Zhe family’s marital connections. Although the Zhe family was a family of military generals, their eldest son married a daughter of a civil official, and the second madam was the youngest granddaughter of Censor Zhong.
Originally, Old Madam Zhe was pregnant, but enemy forces suddenly attacked the border city. Old Madam Zhe led people to treat the wounded below the city wall. She was targeted by spies lurking in the city. After Old Madam Zhe was taken hostage, to prevent General Zhe from being threatened by the enemy, she directly charged towards the sharp edge of the blade.
Although there was a happy ending, the continuous labor, coupled with the shock, led to a miscarriage. Furthermore, her health was damaged. It was thought that the Zhe family only had two sons. Who knew that many years later, Old Madam Zhe would become pregnant again and give birth to their late daughter, Zhe Jing, which led to her being spoiled to such an extent of lawlessness.
In this way, Zhe Jing’s arrogant temperament could be understood. Zhan Feiyu closed the invitation and said, “Nuan, ask Manager Yu to prepare a banquet for noon tomorrow.”
“Yes.” He Nuan responded and left the study, walking towards the side room at the entrance of the courtyard. The steward who came to deliver the invitation was waiting in the room. Upon hearing footsteps, he quickly stood up.
“Please inform the first madam that my young lady has accepted. May I ask if your esteemed madam has any dietary restrictions…” As He Nuan spoke, the steward’s expression relaxed. The banquet was prepared, and the first madam was indeed prescient; the other party did not intend to make an enemy of the Zhe family.
The next day, the weather was unexpectedly good. The snow that had fallen all night finally stopped. Although the air was still biting cold, the bright sun made people feel more comfortable.
“Second Master, it’s almost the end of the year, and these families in the capital are short of hands. Why are you selling people off?” The thin, dark man, rubbing his hands, had a fawning expression. Although he benefited from following the second master, who would want to travel in such cold weather? It was more comfortable to stay in the capital, drink a little wine, and sleep on a warm kang with his wife at night.
The charcoal fire in the room burned brightly. The middle-aged man, referred to as the second master, tightened the quilt around himself and poked the charcoal with one hand. “Do as you are told. Take advantage of the good weather today to send everyone out. This is the last business of the year.”
“Yes, I’ll have the carriages prepared right away.” The thin, dark man saw the second master’s expression and knew there was something going on, but it was definitely not a secret that he, a mere follower, could know. Sometimes, the more you know, the faster you die.