Second Madam Tang’s husband, Tang Jinnian, was born to Peng Shi, the second wife of the old Duke of Tang, making him half-siblings with Tang Shinian and Tang Ruyu. Therefore, even though Zhao Jingzhi had been in Jingcheng all these years, they had never been particularly close.
However, since Second Madam Tang was a visitor from Zhao Jingzhi’s maternal family, and Zhao Jingzhi happened to be in Fushou Hall at the time, Old Madam reluctantly had Zhao Jingzhi and Zhuang Hui summoned to pay their respects, despite her own reservations.
In truth, given the marital ties between the Zhao and Tang families, Old Madam had initially maintained a good relationship with Peng Shi, even though she was a stepmother, because Peng Shi treated Tang Ruyu well and was not a harsh stepmother.
Thus, even after Tang Ruyu passed away, for the sake of Zhao Changting and Zhao Jingzhi having a maternal family to turn to, Old Madam not only kept the relationship with the Tang Family intact but even made a deliberate effort to strengthen it, especially since their biological uncle and aunt, Tang Shinian and his wife, were far away in Mobei.
Her true disdain for the Tang Family began seven years ago, when Marquis Changping intended to marry Zhuang Mingxiang. Peng Shi, driven by her own desire to marry her own daughter into the Zhao Family, stirred up trouble by whispering to Zhao Changting, inciting him to cause a scene at home, and ultimately leading to his running away from home at a young age. It was then that Old Madam grew furious and refused to have any further dealings with the Tang Family.
Nevertheless, they were still connected by marriage and moved in the same social circles, so while relations grew distant, they never openly broke ties.
When Marquis Changping married Zhuang Mingxiang years ago, and more recently when Zhao Changting returned to the Zhao Family to host a banquet, the Tang Family had sent representatives.
Over the years, whenever the Tang Family held events, although Old Madam never attended, Marquis Changping and Zhuang Mingxiang had always gone.
Today, Second Madam Tang had brought her daughter, Tang Wanying, to personally invite the Zhao Family to attend the birthday banquet of the old Duke of Dingguo, who had retired after injuring both his legs and was now celebrating his sixty-seventh birthday.
As Second Madam Tang was speaking with Old Madam and Zhuang Mingxiang, she caught sight of Zhao Jingzhi and Zhuang Hui entering the room out of the corner of her eye. She paused her conversation and smiled warmly at them. “Children really do change day by day as they grow up. It hasn’t even been a month, but A Zhi and Ah Hui already look more poised and beautiful!”
No one dislikes hearing their children praised, especially since Zhao Jingzhi and Zhuang Hui had been diligently learning etiquette and manners from Matron Li during this time. When Second Madam Tang praised them for their “poise,” Old Madam couldn’t help but smile.
Ah Hui, of course, had always been a poised and well-mannered child.
The key was A Zhi—in less than a month, she had truly transformed, and Old Madam grew more and more pleased with her.
However, she modestly replied, “They only behave a bit more properly when there are guests around. Otherwise, they’re just a pair of mischievous monkeys. The more you praise them, the more they’ll let it go to their heads!”
She should have returned the compliment by praising Tang Wanying, but when Old Madam shifted her gaze, she saw a young girl who had yet to fully mature. Although she appeared gentle, quiet, and even had delicate features, the key issue was that she was six years younger than Ting Ge’er. No matter how one looked at it, they were simply not a good match!
Ting Ge’er wouldn’t like her.
And she didn’t like Peng Shi’s granddaughter either.
In fact, just thinking of Peng Shi made her feel uncomfortable even looking at Tang Wanying.
So she withdrew her gaze, and the smile on her face faded slightly.
Since Tang Shinian and his wife were stationed in Mobei, the vast Dingguogong Mansion in Jingcheng had gradually been handed over to Second Madam Tang to manage after Pengshi grew older and lacked the energy. Thus, she naturally could discern Old Madam’s attitude.
However, she showed no trace of it on her face. Rising to her feet, she took Zhao Jingzhi’s hand with her left and Zhuang Hui’s with her right, smiling as she said, “Old Ancestor, you do love to jest. How could two young ladies as lovely as flower buds resemble mischievous monkeys?”
“I find them utterly delightful and can’t help but wish they were both my own daughters! Old Ancestor, you truly know how to raise young ladies. A Zhi is your own granddaughter, so her fine character is only natural. But Ah Hui looks every bit like your own granddaughter as well, which shows just how remarkable you are!”
One does not strike a smiling face. Second Madam Tang’s words were so pleasing that Old Madam’s expression softened considerably.
In such a setting, Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi had no place to speak. After paying their respects and greeting the others, they stood to the side.
Zhao Jingzhi felt quite pleased with the praise, and even her view of Tang Wanying across from her improved slightly.
Zhuang Hui also discreetly observed Tang Wanying a few more times.
She appeared about the same height as Zhao Jingzhi but was much more slender, with thick black hair. Still young, her pretty features carried a hint of childishness, yet it was clear she would grow into a beauty.
But alas, she was infatuated with that pervert, Zhao Changting.
A perfectly fine young girl, who, due to unrequited love, would later turn into a vicious supporting female character.
So love, it seemed, was truly not a good thing. Tang Wanying became a tragic villainess, while Zhao Changting—originally a talented young man and a pillar of the state—ended up a pervert who imprisoned his stepsister, all because of unrequited love.
However, as the “devoted” second male lead, his ending seemed rather decent: wealth, power, and status, with his only suffering being unrequited love and remaining unmarried for life.
Zhuang Hui, having read many books in the past, noticed that the tragic fates of “devoted” second male leads often followed this pattern.
Before, she hadn’t thought much of it and had even felt quite sorry for them.
To love so deeply yet never win the one they desired—how pitiful.
But now that she had transmigrated into this book, though she wasn’t the villainess, she was a cannon-fodder supporting female character destined to die early. Having no wealth, power, or status was bad enough, but she also died young!
Tang Wanying, the villainess, also had a tragic fate. Though she didn’t die, she was discarded by her family and married off to a libertine as a beard, despite now appearing just an ordinary young girl.
Zhuang Hui sighed deeply. Tragic—they, as supporting female characters, were all so tragic!
Over there, Second Madam Tang knew the Zhao family did not welcome her, so she had no intention of staying for lunch. Having delivered her message, she excused herself by saying she still had to visit other relatives and old friends to pass on invitations, and proposed to take her leave.
Old Madam only made a token effort to persuade her to stay. Seeing her resolve, Zhuang Mingxiang promptly rose to see her out.
Second Madam Tang linked arms with Zhuang Mingxiang, smiling as she declined, “Sister Zhuang, there’s no need to see me off. You’re with child and shouldn’t trouble yourself. Between us, there’s no need for such formality.”
She added, “If your health permits, you must come on the sixth. Don’t worry, I’ll instruct the servants to ensure you’re as comfortable as if you were at home!”
Zhuang Mingxiang still escorted her out of the courtyard, politely replying, “Of course, if my health allows, I will certainly come to offer my congratulations to the old master.”
Second Madam Tang smiled. “Good, then I’ll be waiting for you at home!”
As the two walked away, Old Madam couldn’t help but mutter, “How utterly vexing.”
Although Old Master Tang was Zhao Jingzhi’s maternal grandfather, he had never shown her much affection, so she wasn’t particularly close to him either. Hearing this, she wasn’t upset but rather curious: “Do people celebrate their sixty-seventh birthday too?”
She asked this because Old Master Tang had already celebrated his grand sixty-sixth birthday last year.
Old Madam sneered coldly, “The drinker’s heart is not in the cup—it’s all about ulterior motives!”
Zhao Jingzhi understood: this was still about trying to marry Tang Wanying to her eldest brother.
She couldn’t understand it. Last time, Grandmother hadn’t even acknowledged the suggestion, making her refusal quite clear. What was the Tang Family trying to achieve by persisting? Did they think inviting her brother to their home as a guest would change his mind?
How utterly naive!
Zhuang Mingxiang escorted Second Madam Tang only as far as the entrance of Fushou Hall’s courtyard before stopping. After watching them walk a little further away, she turned and walked back, supported by her maid.
As if sensing something, Second Madam Tang glanced back, slowing her steps.
Tang Wanying noticed and also turned around: “Mother?”
Liu Mama, who served Zhuang Mingxiang, had been tasked with seeing them out of the residence. Afraid Liu Mama might notice, Second Madam Tang quickly averted her gaze and shook her head at her daughter.
Tang Wanying said nothing more.
Yet Second Madam Tang couldn’t help but think how fortunate Zhuang Mingxiang was.
A merchant’s daughter with no social standing, remarried and bringing along a child from a previous marriage, yet she had managed to marry into a noble household like the Zhao Family’s Marquis estate. She had effortlessly secured her position as the Marquise.
Truth be told, it was also her own sister-in-law who lacked fortune, dying so young.
If she were still alive, no matter how much Marquis Changping favored Zhuang Mingxiang, he would never have divorced for her sake.
At most, she could have become a noble concubine, but she would never have been qualified to address Second Madam Tang as “sister.”
In her heart, Second Madam Tang both looked down upon Zhuang Mingxiang and envied her.
Zhuang Mingxiang, however, paid her no mind. Returning to the Upper Chamber of Fushou Hall, she noticed Old Madam’s displeased expression and gently soothed her: “Don’t worry, I’ll bring a few extra people with me that day. This child has been easy on me; nothing will go wrong.”
Old Madam remained unhappy: “He just celebrated his sixty-sixth birthday last year, and now he wants to host a banquet for his sixty-seventh, even making a special trip to inform our family. He doesn’t consider others’ circumstances at all!”
“Hmph, he’s nothing but a rotten-hearted scoundrel. I’d rather Ting Ge’er remain unmarried his whole life than have him marry that woman’s granddaughter. If the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will follow suit. With a grandmother like her and a grandfather like the old Duke Dingguo, the granddaughter can’t be much better!”
While Madam Peng was certainly detestable, without Old Master Tang’s tacit approval or even indulgence, she wouldn’t have dared to cause trouble again and again.
Thus, Old Madam not only despised Madam Peng but also held equal contempt for Old Master Tang.
Seeing how furious Old Madam had become, Zhuang Mingxiang quickly signaled Zhao Jingzhi and Zhuang Hui with her eyes.
Zhuang Hui stepped forward and said, “Grandmother, don’t worry. That day, Mother will have me and A Zhi by her side, along with Liu Mama. We’ll take good care of her.”
Zhao Jingzhi added, “Yes, Grandmother, there’s also me and Sister Hui.”
Softly coaxed and comforted by her two granddaughters, Old Madam’s mood finally improved slightly. Glancing at Zhuang Mingxiang’s belly, she said, “Though it’s bound to be tiring, the Tang Family is probably even more afraid than we are that something might happen to you, so they’ll likely take extra care of you that day. What worries me is Ting Ge’er—I fear they might resort to some underhanded tactics!”
Although the Zhao Family’s rear courtyard was kept clean and tidy, having served as a marquis’s wife for seven years, Zhuang Mingxiang had heard quite a bit about the hidden schemes within the inner quarters of noble households. Thus, she immediately understood Old Madam’s meaning.
However, Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi were still present, so she hesitated slightly.
Old Madam, however, did not mind: “Ah Hui is already in marriage discussions, and A Zhi will be in a couple of years as well. They should hear about these matters. While they must not learn such methods to harm others, knowing about them can help prevent them from being harmed.”
Only then did Zhuang Mingxiang say: “Then please remind Ting Ge’er to avoid going to the rear courtyard if possible. If he must go, he should bring an alert servant with him. On my side, I will also have Ah Hui and A Zhi pay more attention to the Tang Family’s daughters. If anyone seems suspicious, keep a close watch so we can warn Ting Ge’er in time.”
“However, from what I observed today, although Second Madam Tang brought her daughter along, she didn’t seem to be scheming for a chance encounter with Ting Ge’er. Perhaps she and Old Madam Tang have different ideas.”
Old Madam sighed: “Who knows? Let’s hope so!”
Nevertheless, she called Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi forward and carefully instructed them on how to behave that day.
Due to the disruption caused by Second Madam Tang’s visit, it was nearly lunchtime.
The morning’s lessons naturally came to an end. Worried that Zhuang Mingxiang might feel uncomfortable or out of place dining there, Old Madam allowed her to return, and Zhuang Hui followed along.
On the way back, Zhuang Mingxiang first regretfully said to Zhuang Hui: “We have to visit the Tang Family on the sixth, so it seems inviting your Aunt Wang over will have to be postponed again.”
Zhuang Mingxiang was already six months pregnant, and her belly seemed even larger than the previous month.
Although Zhuang Hui had witnessed her giving birth to Rui Ge’er, childbirth remained a perilous journey for women, even if they had done it before. Moreover, this was ancient times with far less advanced medical care, so Zhuang Hui still felt somewhat anxious.
Seeing Zhuang Mingxiang worrying about her marriage prospects at such a time, she couldn’t help but feel guilty.
Though Zhao Changting crossed her mind the next second, in Zhuang Hui’s heart, Zhuang Mingxiang was undoubtedly more important. She immediately said: “It’s alright, Mother, I’m not in a hurry. Don’t worry too much about it. If it doesn’t work out, we can do it next year, after you give birth—”
“Stop, stop! How could it not work out? It will work out perfectly!” Before Zhuang Hui could finish, Zhuang Mingxiang hurriedly interrupted her. “Inviting your Aunt Wang over is just a matter of sending a message and making arrangements. I’ll only need to meet her and exchange a few words. It’s easy and won’t tire me at all!”
Zhuang Hui fell silent for a moment before saying: “…Mother, you really want to marry me off, don’t you?”
Zhuang Mingxiang: “Of course! You’re a grown woman now, always hovering around me. It’s quite an eyesore.”
Although she knew Zhuang Mingxiang was joking, Zhuang Hui raised her voice slightly: “Mother!”
Seeing her daughter’s displeasure, Zhuang Mingxiang laughed and said: “Alright, don’t worry. It won’t tire me.”
Zhuang Hui huffed and added: “But attending the Tang Family’s birthday celebration will surely be tiring. Why don’t you skip it?”
No matter how well the Tang Family might take care of her, it could never compare to the comfort of being at home.
Zhuang Mingxiang smiled: “Silly talk again. How can I not go?”
Zhuang Hui sighed. Indeed, she couldn’t skip it.
This was another drawback of ancient times, especially for noble households. For someone like Zhuang Mingxiang, who came from a humble background and was a second wife, even if she was properly married, she would forever be considered inferior to the original first wife.
Even a hundred years from now, no matter how much Marquis Changping might favor her, he would still have to be buried alongside his original wife.
Unless he cared nothing for his son, his former in-laws, or his own posthumous reputation.
But it was impossible for him to care about none of these.
Zhuang Mingxiang also cared about Rui Ge’er, about her, and about the reputation of the child soon to be born. So when the Tang Family extended an olive branch and invited her, even if she were six months pregnant—or even on the verge of giving birth—she would go.
Zhuang Hui could only say, “On that day, just focus on yourself. A Zhi and I will handle everything else. We’ll keep an eye on Tang Wanying and make absolutely sure she doesn’t get a chance to scheme against Zhao Changting.”
Since in the book, Zhao Changting had never been successfully schemed against, Zhuang Hui felt quite confident.
Zhuang Mingxiang also believed Zhao Changting wasn’t so easily fooled, so she simply remarked, “How can you address him so directly by his name? Even if you don’t want to call him ‘Young Master,’ you should at least call him ‘Elder Brother.’”
Zhuang Hui: “…Mother, did you get that backward?”
Shouldn’t it be, even if you don’t call him ‘Elder Brother,’ you should at least call him ‘Young Master’?
Zhuang Mingxiang smiled. “I didn’t get it backward. Remember to call him ‘Elder Brother’ from now on.”
Zhuang Hui thought to herself: I’ll call him ‘Elder Sister-in-Law’!
She couldn’t help but remind her, “I’ve always called him by his name when talking about him before.”
Zhuang Mingxiang: “That was then, this is now. Hui Hui, remember to change how you address him.”
“…” Zhuang Hui didn’t want to say another word.