a way, disregarding hierarchy and etiquette. They slapped her twenty times and sent her to the estate. If your husband can’t bear to part with her, she can stay, but she absolutely cannot appear befo...Mrs. Gu looked at her eldest daughter-in-law, who was causing her a headache, feeling both anger and helplessness. She couldn't help but feel distressed. If it weren't for her eldest son's liking, she wouldn't have allowed Zhang to enter the Gu family. But since it was already settled, all she could do was watch over Zhang in her lifetime and prevent her from making mistakes.

She looked tired and waved her hand: "You all go back, I'm exhausted."

Seeing her mother-in-law's displeased expression, Zhang knew she had upset her. Feeling ashamed and uneasy, she didn't dare to stay any longer and quickly said, "Mother, please rest well. I won't disturb you."

Meng Jinyáo and Chen also let Gu Lao Fu good rest, then left with Zhang together.

After they left, Old Madam Gu let out a foul breath and muttered in a low voice: "What a bunch of scoundrels. They never have a moment of peace, always causing trouble and harming the children."

Fei Mama hurriedly said, "Grandmother, please calm down."

Old Madam Gu frowned and said in a deep voice, "You're all in your thirties, yet you're still so impetuous. You only have eyes for the other family's title and can't see anything else. If I hadn't intervened in the two children's marriage today, I'm afraid that Zhang Shi would have agreed to the marriage between Xuan Yi and Wu An Bo's son in a few days. Once the engagement was set, there would be little chance of changing it."

Grandma Feng remained silent. This kind of talk was something the old madam could say, but she, a servant, couldn't interject. However, the eldest mistress truly didn't understand, seeing only benefits and not the drawbacks, her vision short-sighted indeed.

"Luckily, the second son's wife is quite steady. Although the Liu family may not be as prestigious, they are a family of integrity with a simple household. With Xiayi's personality, she should be able to handle such a family well. If they hit it off after meeting, then we can proceed with the engagement."

"Old Madam Feng said: 'Although the Second Miss isn't the Second Mistress' biological daughter, she grew up alongside her. There is some affection between mother and daughter after all. When finding a husband for the Second Miss, we also put in effort.'"

"She is more shrewd than Zhang, and Old Madam Gu's face softened slightly. "Xuanling's temperament... I don't know who she got it from. Her birth mother wasn't this timid either. The second son's wife hasn't mistreated her."

"Old Madam pondered for a moment before replying, 'Madam, perhaps the second daughter has always lacked her mother's love due to having passed away at an early age. Although Second Mistress did not mistreat her, she wasn't her biological mother after all and couldn't provide the same maternal affection. Moreover, as Second Mistress was a stepmother, this identity created an invisible barrier between them. Compared to the first daughter who was raised with utmost care and pampering by Madam Grand, the second daughter inevitably felt uneasy and inferior. Over time, this led to her timid and fearful nature."

Madame Gu let out a long sigh: "Forget it, I'll go to the Buddhist hall for a while and find some peace. This troublesome child has given me a headache."

Feng Mamá responded and accompanied Old Madam Gu to the Buddhist hall.

-

Over there, the three sisters-in-law left Shou'an Hall.

Zhang, upon hearing this, felt indignant and said with a tight face, "At least my original intention was for the sake of my daughter. I wanted her to be a noble princess consort, and in the future, a countess."

She let out a light scoff, her gaze laced with mockery as she looked at Lady Chen. "It's your second sister-in-law, Sister Xuanling. Although she isn't your biological daughter, she grew up by your side and truly treats you as her mother. For over ten years, she called you Mother. In the end, when you find a husband for her, you want to give her to a poor family." A noblewoman from Houfu should marry someone of equal standing. Yet, you want her to marry a petty official,"

This sounds like a stepmother deliberately mistreating her stepdaughter.

Chen's face darkened, her heart filled with anger. She retorted, "Family background is secondary; compatibility is paramount. Even Mother is satisfied with the Liu family. Unlike the Wuanbo Mansion, which is a perfect match for our Changxing Houfu, there are endless problems. It's a marriage that no one else wants, yet your sister-in-law treats it like a treasure."

Zhang Shiqi's expression tensed: "You..."

Chen saw her being embarrassed and felt indescribably pleased in her heart. She smirked and said softly, “Sister-in-law, don’t be angry with me just yet. Tomorrow you will be taking Xuanyi to go boating with Lady Wu'an. The young master of Duke Wu'an is handsome and the son of a count, who knows, Xuanyi might really have taken a liking to him. Sister-in-law knows Xuanyi’s temper; when she likes someone, she must get them, and if she can’t, she throws a tantrum. You should talk to Xuanyi clearly first and let her be more clear-headed tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Zhang's face turned pale with regret. She wished she had consulted her mother-in-law before making the decision. Now that she had already made an agreement with Lady Wu An to go boating tomorrow, it was too late to back out. If Xu Yi didn't go, she would be playing tricks on Lady Wu An, which could lead to a feud.

Seeing Chen's gleeful expression, Zhang became even more furious.

Meng Jiny Yao silently followed behind them, not saying a word. She didn't want to cause trouble and get caught in the crossfire. The conflict between sisters-in-law was none of her business; she just wanted to stay neutral.

Just then, a maid rushed over to them. Seeing them, she hurriedly bowed and curtsied before saying to Zhang Shi, "Madam, it's not good! The young mistress is back, but she fainted at the front door."

Zhang froze. Her mother-in-law had taken ill, and the eldest daughter-in-law had gone back to her parents' home a few days ago to visit her mother. How could she faint right at the doorstep when she returned Hadn't she been tending to her illness diligently and worn herself out That wasn't likely either, as Madam Jiang was doing well, not so delicate that she would collapse like this.

In an instant, she hurriedly asked: "Madam, why did you suddenly faint if nothing was wrong"

The maid shook her head gently: "This servant doesn't know either, she just fainted as soon as she got off the carriage, and she's unconscious."

Upon hearing this, Zhang's brow furrowed, and she felt a mix of anxiety and unease. Truly, one wave had not settled before another arose. Her daughter's matter was unresolved, and now her daughter-in-law had met with misfortune. She spoke in a low voice, "Quickly, summon the imperial physician to attend to the eldest mistress."

The maid replied, "Madam, someone has already gone to fetch the family doctor."

Zhang nodded, intending to have someone go to the academy and bring her eldest son back. But her son wasn't a doctor, so coming back wouldn't help. It would be better not to interrupt his studies, so she decided to go see her daughter-in-law herself.

Chen and Meng Jinping glanced at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. They nodded in agreement and followed suit.

This time, Chen didn't confront Zhang. Instead, she comforted her and said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry too much. Xiu Yuan's daughter-in-law has always been in good health. There shouldn't be any problems. I heard that Mrs. Jiang fell ill, so Xiu Yuan's daughter-in-law went back to visit Mrs. Jiang. Perhaps she was busy taking care of Mrs. Jiang these days and overexerted herself, which caused her to faint.

Zhang only felt that Chen's words were insincere. She paused her steps, glanced at Chen, then continued on her way. She finally held back and didn't argue further with her, after all, a daughter-in-law is important.ngning smiled again: “However, my mother said I've become much calmer and finally matured. I don't run outside all day anymore, and even my grandmother praised me for becoming more sensible. The only...