Although Zhao Jingzhi was very close to her eldest brother Zhao Changting, the siblings had been separated for too long, and with a full eight-year age gap, they truly had little to say to each other.
Moreover, with the earlier incident about how to address Zhuang Mingxiang still fresh in her mind, Zhao Jingzhi felt increasingly uncomfortable the longer she stayed. After briefly showing Zhao Changting the main hall of the Upper Chamber, she excused herself, saying he should rest well, and hurried away.
After seeing his sister off, Zhao Changting turned around and raised his eyes to the familiar scenery in the courtyard.
In truth, starting from the main gate, this home had changed a great deal and was no longer the way he remembered it.
After all, seven years had passed, and the mistress of the house had changed.
But here in Jingyuan, whether in the courtyard or the Upper Chamber, whether it was the flowers, trees, and plants, the bricks and tiles, or the tables, chairs, benches, screens, and decorations in the Upper Chamber—everything remained exactly as he remembered.
Clean and tidy, without any signs of wear and tear, clearly well-maintained.
With his father’s temperament, he would never have thought of such things.
As the saying goes, a new ruler brings new ministers; the same applied to households. He had been away from home for seven years. If not for Zhuang Mingxiang’s deliberate arrangements, the servants would never have been so diligent.
Seven years ago, when Zhao Changting first learned of Zhuang Mingxiang, it was already the second year after his mother’s passing.
Though he was twelve at the time, not a single person in the household had informed him in advance that his father intended to remarry. By the time he found out, his father had already gone to the Zhuang family to propose.
He couldn’t understand—his mother had only been gone for a little over a year!
When his mother was alive, she had loved and cherished his father so deeply, and his father had clearly treated her well too. How could he remarry just over a year after her passing and even allow that new woman to live in the very room his mother had occupied?
No, absolutely not!
He still couldn’t help but shed tears when he thought of his mother. How could his father do this?
He refused to accept it and protested, demanding that his father withdraw the proposal.
But his father wouldn’t listen to him, and even his grandmother wouldn’t. Not only did she urge him to accept it, but she also said that the main courtyard of the marquis’s residence was where the marquis and his wife should reside. Zhuang Mingxiang was not a concubine but a legitimate second wife, and it was only right for her to move in.
No one listened to him, and no one understood him—except his step-grandmother.
His step-grandmother said that Zhuang Mingxiang was a vile woman, a fox spirit, who had seduced his father, which was why his father had forgotten his mother so quickly and remarried her instead.
Seven years later, looking back on the past, Zhao Changting could only think how utterly foolish he had been back then.
He had actually believed it and was even subtly encouraged to target Zhuang Mingxiang. He planned to sabotage her carriage and startle her horse while she was out, hoping to either kill or cripple her—anything to prevent her from taking his mother’s place.
At the time, he had already sneaked into the Zhuang residence with his servant and even made his way to their stables.
But at the last moment, he remembered his mother. On her deathbed, she had urged him to be an upright and honorable person. In the end, he gave up.
After returning home, he endured and endured until, on the eve of his father’s remarriage, father and son erupted into a fierce argument.
He accused his father of being heartless, fickle, lustful, and unworthy as both a husband and a father.
His father, unable to argue back—or perhaps feeling guilty—slapped him.
And so, in a fit of anger, he left home and went alone to Mobei.
Recalling the past, Zhao Changting now fully understood his step-grandmother’s intentions. Her constant urging for him to oppose Zhuang Mingxiang and prevent her from marrying his father was simply because she wanted her own daughter to become his father’s wife.
As for him, he had been nothing but a tool to her!
Seven years had passed, and Zhao Changting no longer harbored any feelings toward Zhuang Mingxiang. He neither felt close to her nor resented her anymore.
Because he had come to realize that the main issue lay with his father. It was his father who had too shallow an affection and loyalty toward his mother. Even without Zhuang Mingxiang, there would surely have been a Wang Mingxiang or a Li Mingxiang.
At least this stepmother, Zhuang Mingxiang, was genuinely sincere toward A Zhi.
Others likely could not have done as much.
For this alone, he owed Zhuang Mingxiang his gratitude.
“Young Master, this place looks exactly the same as before!” The voice of his attendant, Jiang Lai, sounded beside him, interrupting Zhao Changting’s reminiscence and contemplation.
Jiang Lai was only a year older than Zhao Changting. He had come to serve Zhao Changting at the age of six, and the two had grown up together. When Zhao Changting left alone for Mobei back then, Marquis Changping immediately sent Jiang Lai with men, money, and supplies upon receiving Tang Shinian’s letter. Thus, Jiang Lai had also spent these years in Mobei.
Looking at the courtyard, which was identical to his memory, Jiang Lai felt deeply moved. However, knowing full well that his master had never truly accepted the Marquis’s remarriage, he refrained from saying anything inappropriate.
“Hmm,” Zhao Changting responded indifferently, turning his head to look behind Jiang Lai.
Jiang Lai hurriedly reported, “Madam said all the imperial rewards should be sent to you.”
In principle, after taking what he wanted, the remainder could be placed in the public storehouse.
Zhao Changting thought for a moment before instructing, “Store the gold and silver in the storehouse for now. As for the silks and jewelry, send thirty percent to Grandmother, thirty percent to A Zhi, and divide the rest into three portions. Send two portions to Madam and one portion to Fourth Madame.”
Fourth Madame receiving a share was understandable, but Madam as well?
Jiang Lai was inwardly surprised, but seeing Zhao Changting’s expressionless face, he dared not say more. “Yes.”
…
Yi’an Hall.
Thanks to Zhao Changting, Marquis Changping had also been granted leave for the afternoon and did not need to attend to his duties.
It was already time for the midday rest. Zhuang Mingxiang, being pregnant, had been busy all morning and was now exhausted, fast asleep.
But Marquis Changping could not sleep, his thoughts lingering on his eldest son.
His son had been away for seven years, leaving as a young boy and returning as a young man holding the military rank of Deputy Third Grade.
Having such a son naturally filled him with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
However, back then, they had argued fiercely, with his son hurling harsh insults and him even resorting to violence.
Over these seven years, he had regretted that moment of impulse countless times. At the time, his son had lost his mother just over a year prior. No matter how mature he seemed for his age, he was only twelve years old. It was only natural that he could not accept his father’s remarriage or someone else taking his mother’s place. He should have spoken to the child properly.
In the end, although his son’s words had been harsh, they were not entirely wrong.
His marriage to his first wife, Lady Tang, had been arranged by their parents and matchmakers. Although they lived in harmony after marriage, it was merely a relationship of mutual respect. Even though they had two children together, he had never truly developed deep affection for Lady Tang.
Observing a year of mourning for Lady Tang was merely following etiquette; he did not want to be criticized by others.
In fact, just half a year after Lady Tang’s passing, his family had begun discussing the matter of his remarriage, and he had not opposed it.
He simply never expected that he would meet Zhuang Mingxiang.
Although Zhuang Mingxiang was a woman who had given birth, her appearance was truly exquisite. Moreover, besides her beauty, she was exceptionally brave. When encountering bandits on the road, despite being a woman with no strength to tie up a chicken, she had thrown herself at the knife in the bandit’s hand without regard for her own life to save her daughter.
He was indeed as his son had scolded—lustful and dissolute.
He had fallen in love with Zhuang Mingxiang at first sight, or one could say he was captivated by her beauty, which was why he had rushed forward immediately at the time.
Later, when he married Zhuang Mingxiang, there were indeed elements of leveraging his favor for repayment and using his authority to coerce her.
Fortunately, he had not misjudged her. Zhuang Mingxiang truly was a good woman—a good wife to him and a good mother to Ah Hui, A Zhi, and Rui Ge’er.
Thinking of this, Marquis Changping shifted further toward the inner side of the bed, pressing closer to Zhuang Mingxiang.
He did not regret marrying, much less did he regret marrying Zhuang Mingxiang.
Without Zhuang Mingxiang, he would have at most taken two or three months to recover back then, but in the end, he would still have married someone else.
Thus, he only regretted not having properly spoken to his son at the time and even hitting him.
But this child’s temper was truly too fierce. Even after seven years had passed, he still refused to acknowledge him.
Did he, as the father, have to go and apologize?
Just as Marquis Changping was frowning in thought, he suddenly heard movement outside the door.
Who was outside at this hour, and what were they doing?
Did they not know they might disturb Madame’s afternoon rest?!
Marquis Changping’s face turned cold. Carefully releasing Zhuang Mingxiang, he quietly got out of bed and went outside.
In the courtyard was Liu Mama, the capable matron serving by Zhuang Mingxiang’s side, directing people in tidying up fabrics and jewelry.
Marquis Changping looked on, somewhat hesitant. “These are…”
Liu Mama glanced toward the Upper Chamber and replied in a low voice with a smile, “Marquis, these were sent on orders from the heir’s side, said to be for Madame and the eldest young lady!”
It was precisely because Marquis Changping recognized these items as imperial gifts bestowed upon Zhao Changting that he hesitated. “Truly?”
Liu Mama was an old servant of the marquis’s household, having previously served in Old Madam’s Fushou Hall. Thus, she was well aware of the fierce quarrel between Zhao Changting and Marquis Changping back then. She nodded emphatically and said, “Truly! Jiang Lai personally delivered them, saying that Old Madam, the second young lady, and Fourth Madame all received theirs as well.”
“These were specifically ordered by the heir himself to be delivered to Madame and the eldest young lady!”
Then it truly was real!
“Good, good, good!” Marquis Changping excitedly repeated “good” three times, then added, “Put them away for now. Wait until Madame wakes up later and let her see which items should be given to the eldest young lady.”
…
Meanwhile, over at Zhuang Hui’s side, after pacing under the corridor for about half an hour, she finally digested things a bit. Feeling utterly exhausted, she hurried back to her room to lie down for an afternoon nap.
Comfortable bed, quiet surroundings—just as she was drifting into drowsiness, Zhuang Hui couldn’t help but once again marvel at her good fortune in crossing over. Although there were indeed many inconveniences compared to modern times, she didn’t have to go to work!!
Not having to work was simply wonderful for Zhuang Hui, who had been worked to death in her previous life.
She had never been someone with great abilities or lofty ideals, nor did she have any particular ambitions. She simply enjoyed this kind of life where she didn’t have to work, could eat and drink well, and idle away her days waiting for death.
If only she didn’t have to marry and could remain her mother’s daughter for a lifetime, that would be even better!
Oh, marriage.
At the thought of marriage, Zhuang Hui, who had been nearly asleep in bliss, suddenly opened her eyes.
All drowsiness vanished, because she thought of Zhao Changting.
Thinking of Zhao Changting, she no longer felt her crossing-over luck was quite so good. This was a case of good fortune marred by a major flaw!
Unable to sleep yet unwilling to rise, for what was there to do even if she got up?
Zhuang Hui squinted her eyes, still comfortably lying in bed, when suddenly, voices came from outside. Then, her head maid, Yingtáo, likely hearing she was still awake, softly called from the doorway of the inner chamber, “Miss, are you still not asleep?”
“Mmm,” Zhuang Hui lazily replied. “What is it?”
Yingtáo’s voice sounded clearly delighted. “Luoluo, the maid from the Madam’s side, has come. She brought you two beautiful bolts of fabric and some jewelry, saying they were sent by the heir. Would you like to take a look?”
“Ah—” Zhuang Hui sat up abruptly.
Good heavens, what was Zhao Changting trying to do? Wasn’t he supposed to despise her mother, his stepmother?!