."Her face grew darker, “The old woman who came from the palace clearly didn’t learn proper etiquette. You are a guest in my house. Have you ever heard of guests pointing at their hosts and cursing I...Finally, Lian Shi persuaded Yun Chen to leave. 。When she came back, she saw Zhu'er pressing her eyes. She quickly asked, "What's wrong Looking at your strength, it's like you're going to squeeze out your eyeballs!" Zhu'er: "My eyelid keeps twitching. It is said that the left eye twitches for wealth and the right eye for disaster. My right eyelid is twitching, what should I do" She looked back at the palace and muttered to herself, "There won't be any disasters in Yanhuagong. Could it be...that something happened to the General's Mansion" First-Rank General's Mansion>。The old lady has moved back to Fu Lu Courtyard. This place has been renovated, although it no longer has the gold bricks floor, it uses high-quality stone with inlaid patterns of prosperous peonies in the middle. 。But the old madam was still not very satisfied. She felt that jade would be better, as it could more clearly display the status of a general's wife. 。Unfortunately, there are no jade bricks in the mansion. It's not suitable to make a big fuss and buy them right now. Besides, even if we could buy them, the government wouldn't have the money. 。The old madam felt a pang of unhappiness in her heart. How could the General's mansion, a first-rank Duke's mansion, possibly be short of money 。In the past, General He's manor was so magnificent. Mu controlled the household accounts. Although she wasn't happy about it deep down, she was honest and straightforward. When Mu managed the finances, the manor had everything it needed. 。Like jade bricks, if she wants them, someone will immediately go out to buy them. 。Now it was Xiao's turn to manage the finances, but even she couldn't get enough silver from home to repair her ancestral grave. This made her very angry. 。But this matter cannot be inquired about, because the Xiao family has it, and the Mu family has kept a record. Since she took charge of the public house, every expense and income has been recorded in detail, down to what each person ate for three meals a day, any extra meals, all remembered clearly and plainly. 。It even includes the amounts of money that the elderly Mrs. Mu repeatedly gave to the Jiang family, all documented in black and white! Besides these, Mu Shi also remembered how many times she had helped support them financially... 。The dowry she brought on her wedding night, when she married into the Ye family, had mostly been used to fill the coffers of the First Rank General's Mansion after being continuously swindled by Ye Lianchuan. 。Although the Xiao family doesn't state it directly, the old mistress understands. The reason why the prestigious general’s mansion, once wealthy and powerful, has fallen into disrepair is because of her. 。She had been constantly subsidizing the Chiang family, with money flowing out continuously. Although each time wasn't a large sum, the sheer number of times made it significant. Like a bottomless pit, it gradually emptied the General's Mansion. 。The old mistress was very upset, especially when she looked at her younger sister-in-law Tang sitting beside her, her anger grew even more. 。If it weren't for the fact that Chiang's family members were all incompetent, she wouldn't have unwittingly sunk so much money into this. 。Why would he spend the money like that He could use it to build a house, buy a shop, and leave his second son a fortune. 。It's a pity that she didn't spend the money herself, and her second son couldn't get his hands on it either. It all went to the Chiang family, what a sin! 。Tang watched as her eldest sister-in-law's face grew increasingly grim, occasionally glaring at her. Knowing that this was a result of jealousy and resentment, Tang felt a sense of unease. The feeling that the Jiang family had somehow wronged their own intensified in her mind. 。Tang shi was also not in a good mood. She wasn't the type who could stomach such things. Seeing the old madam constantly giving her the cold shoulder with her eyes, she asked, "Sister, is your eye bothering you Why are you always rolling your eyes like that This isn't good, you should really get a doctor to take a look." 。Don't you dare not love hearing my words, what kind of person rolls their eyes Only those who are about to die. 。" That's infuriating! The old man slammed his fist on the table, ready to explode. " 。Tang quickly said, "Sister, don't get so angry. These years, you've become unhappy whenever you see the Jiang family. We all understand why." 。Don't you think we're always asking the General's Mansion for money, living off handouts 。"Tang came here and started wiping tears, her face full of grievance. "Older sister, you mustn't think that way..." 。All the descendants of the Chiang family are promising. When her father-in-law was alive, he carefully cultivated both his sons and daughters. Otherwise, how could you have been so fortunate to marry into the prestigious home of a first-rank general in Lin'anThe old madam followed her train of thought. Indeed, the Chiang family was well-known in Xiushan County back then. Her father had passed the imperial examination and become a top scholar. On his way home, he coincidentally saved the previous commander of the Ye family, who was also her future father-in-law, Ye Zhenwei's father. 。That wasn't a simple act of kindness; it was bringing someone home and caring for them diligently for three whole months, pulling them back from the brink of death. 。For this, his father missed the inauguration date and was reprimanded by the Emperor, and the title of second-place scholar was also revoked. 。The old general, in order to show his gratitude to the Chiang family, proactively revealed his identity and proposed a marriage alliance. 。Thus, she married into the household of a first-rank general, becoming the wife of Ye Zhenwei, who was still a general at the time. 。Later, the emperor also learned about the reason and took the initiative to reinstate her father's official position. 。But his father refused. As a first-rank general, he held military power in his hands. He was a high-ranking scholar, and in the future, he would definitely be highly valued by the imperial court. 。Two families joining through marriage, one from literature, holding a place in the court, and the other from the military, controlling heavy troops, this cannot work, this will sooner or later lead to trouble. 。The Chiang family took the initiative to withdraw, settling in Xiushan County and never again thinking of entering the capital. 。She owes the Chiang family, so these years whenever the Chiang family asks for something, she can't refuse. Whenever they reach out, she has to give it to them. 。When her father passed away, her brother became the head of the family. Whenever she tried to speak up about these things, he would use them to silence her. She always had no words to say. 。Seeing the old madam fall silent, Mrs. Tang stopped complaining and instead reached for her arm, acting very considerately: "Sister, we are closest kin, the Jiang family will always be your family, no matter what." 。A woman always needs a family to rely on, no matter how strong-willed or dependable they are. At least when you're facing hardship in your husband's family, you can have someone from your own family stand up for you. 。"Sister, aren't you getting this So, we can't start fighting amongst ourselves. Wouldn't that be a joke to others!" She said this while jutting her chin forward towards the door. 。This is the time of morning and evening devotion. The old lady, looking up, saw that Mu shi and Xiao shi and others had already arrived. Several young ladies in the family were also there, as well as Liu shi and Xi Chun who followed Xiao shi and entered together. 。Mrs. Tang withdrew her hand from the elderly madam's grasp, straightened her posture, cleared her throat, and then sat upright, accepting the greetings of these elders along with the elderly madam. 。Now that the Xiao family has a matriarch, it is natural for her to lead the ceremony of greetings. 。After seeing the old lady and Aunt Tang, she turned back to Night Chu Lian standing behind her and said, "Fifth Miss hasn't met your aunt yet, right This is Xiu Shan County's relative, your father's paternal aunt. Come here quickly and greet your aunt!" Night Chu Lian hurriedly stepped forward, still with that timid look. She bowed without daring to raise her head, and even when she asked, "Greetings, Aunt," it came out in a stammering rush, her voice very 。Tang looked at it and felt annoyed, she turned to the old lady: “A concubine’s daughter is a concubine’s daughter, no matter how you cultivate her, she doesn't have the air of a legitimate daughter, she can't even show face...” 。A girl like that is unmarriageable and would only bring shame to her family. 。He glanced back, his eyes landing quickly on Ye Qingmei. 。"Well, the eldest daughter is indeed tall and graceful, but her face isn't good. Her eyes droop at the corners, giving her a look of hardship. A face like that would likely be looked down upon by her in-laws if she were to marry." 。Ye Qingmei felt a tightness in her chest upon hearing this, but she didn't dare to do anything. She had to bow and pay her respects, saying, "Greetings, Aunt." 。" The soup maker scoffed softly, and the old lady also rolled her eyes, looking annoyed. 。Ye Qingmei moved half a step to the side, allowing Mu Shi to block herself halfway. 。Mu was just about to greet Tang, but Ye Lianmian, who had arrived with them, strode forward quickly, wearing a bright smile and warmly greeting Tang: " Grandmother, Aunt-in-law." 。
Aunty, did you sleep well last night I've been thinking about you constantly! Since you are our grandmother’s family, you are also part of our family. We, your juniors, must treat you well.
Although Ye Lianmian had done a foolish thing yesterday and was scolded by the old madam, today's scene was a bit cold. Besides Xiao Shi, others were somewhat indifferent to Tang Shi. This made Tang Shi's face hang awkwardly. 。And the endless heat of the night stood in stark contrast to this coldness, giving the unwilling Tang family a few more points of confidence. 。"Okay, that's fine" 。Sleep well and eat well. 。Your grandmother is my aunt, which is practically the same as my own sister. That's why I managed to get face and stay here, just so I could spend more time with your grandmother. 。After all, there's still a major mourning at home, and your grandmother isn't feeling well. 。Alas, get up, you children. Among all of you, only the second young lady is the most sensible and knows how to be close to people. 。It's much stronger than your older siblings. 。"Tang looked at the long night, smiling like a flower." 。Ye Lianmian was also happy, but Mu shi was not happy. She opened her mouth and asked, "I dare to ask my aunt, what happened to Lianmian's elder brother and sister" Tang shi heard this and frowned, "Really doesn't know the rules" 。Now you're not even the mistress of the house, how dare you interrupt the elders I don't know what rules the Ye family has set, in the capital, there should be more rules, why is it not as well-behaved as a wife from a rural place like our Xiushan County" Mu Shi clasped her hands together inside her sleeves, clenched them tightly for a moment, and then said: "If my niece-in-law thinks I'm doing poorly, I will definitely accept it." 。But the children did nothing wrong, they were always well-behaved, so when my mother-in-law compared them to others, I as a mother had to ask more about it. 。Could you please tell me what they did wrong I want to correct them when I go back. 。"Just listen to what the elders say, there's no need for so many words," The old lady disliked Mu's attitude the most, nor did she like listening to Mu speak. But ironically, Mu always loved to find trouble now. 。"Neither age nor status matters anymore. Is this how the Mu family educates you to speak to elders This old woman was truly blind back then, how could she have allowed her eldest son to marry you"
Tang shi glanced back and saw that no one else had entered, so she sneered and asked: "Eldest daughter-in-law, why is someone missing from your family"Thank you, and thank your father for not forgetting our family."Jiang Wanting smiled, "Old Madam, don't be so polite, just take it. With this little gift, I'll also send some rice and noodles to Ye We...