Part 2
“Your Ladyship, it is almost noon and the weather is very hot. Drink a few sips of tea to cool down first.” Yunzhu poured a cup of tea and handed it over, her voice soft.
Zhao Yiyi lowered her eyes to take the tea cup, her brows furrowing slightly as she covered her lips and coughed twice.
Yunzhu couldn’t help saying, “Your Ladyship’s cough hasn’t fully healed yet, and yesterday you wouldn’t eat the stewed pears…”
“Alright, alright.” Zhao Yiyi smiled helplessly, pinching Yunzhu’s cheek. “I just choked and coughed twice, that’s all. Look at how nervous you are. If you keep talking this much, you really will turn into an old granny.”
She took a sip of tea and asked calmly, “What exactly did Father say that day?”
Yunzhu knelt beside her and recounted the events of that day in full detail. At that moment, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Marquis Manor.
Suddenly receiving news of the Empress’s arrival, the entire Huai’an Marquis Manor was thrown into a panic. After hurriedly preparing, everyone changed into their formal attire according to their rank and followed Zhao Weimin out of the manor to welcome the Empress.
Except for the day of her Guining (homecoming visit) two years ago, Zhao Yiyi hadn’t returned to the Marquis Manor for a long time. The current Huai’an Marquis Manor seemed both familiar and strange to her.
A crowd knelt on the green bricks before the steps. As Zhao Yiyi was helped out of the carriage by attendants, they cried out in unison, “Long live the Empress.”
Zhao Yiyi had come today specifically to back up her brother. Naturally, she wasn’t as gentle as before. She didn’t say “rise,” nor did her footsteps pause. She was led straight into the manor by the attendants.
Zhao Weimin was dumbfounded behind her.
He was still kneeling on the ground, head slightly lowered, eyes wide as he stared at the green bricks, his face full of disbelief.
It was only after the time it took to drink a cup of tea that a young page boy in green ran out from the manor and relayed the message: “Her Ladyship the Empress is considerate and orders you all to rise. Her Ladyship says we are all family; the sentiment is enough, no need to be particular about empty rituals. The Marquis is being a bit too cautious.”
Zhao Weimin looked dazed. He actually began to suspect if it was his own fault—was he truly being too cautious?
In a flash, he felt something was wrong. Her actions just now were wrong, and these words were very wrong. It didn’t sound like consideration; it sounded more like sarcasm. Today’s events were too strange. It really… didn’t seem like something his eldest daughter would do.
When everyone returned to the manor, Zhao Yiyi was already seated on the grand master’s chair in the main hall, being served tea by attendants. Catching a glimpse of everyone entering to pay respects, she ordered Zhao Duanduan and Zhao Chen to come forward and asked them some questions.
Zhao Duanduan was better off; she had more opportunities to enter the palace and wasn’t as restrained in front of Zhao Yiyi. She asked crisply, “This was Elder Sister’s first Sericulture Rite; was there anything fresh and new?”
Her eyes twinkled with curiosity. Zhao Yiyi couldn’t help but laugh, “What fresh things could there be? It’s just the usual. In two days, I will host the Laojiu (reward feast) for the accompanying titled ladies in the palace. You just come along.”
Zhao Duanduan agreed and leaned directly against Zhao Yiyi, refusing to move. “Elder Sister, I also made some scented sachets for you. I haven’t had the chance to give them to you. I’ve been hoping every day, and you actually came today! Is this what they mean by ‘what you think of by day, you dream of by night’?”
“What sachets? Bring them to me later.” Zhao Yiyi couldn’t help laughing and tweaked her ear. “You talk too much. You’re so big now; you should act the part.”
Though she scolded verbally, she wore a smile. Anyone could hear the Empress was teasing; no one felt she had any real intention to blame. The people standing in attendance all smiled along, speaking good words for Zhao Duanduan and urging the Empress to be happy.
But there was one person who couldn’t hear the tone.
To the side, Zhao Weimin said, “She is too naughty. Not as steady as Lianzhi.”
The smile on Zhao Yiyi’s lips faded slightly. She glanced at Zhao Weimin with an imperceptible coldness and whispered, “Is that so?”
A chill suddenly shot up Zhao Weimin’s spine. His face stiffened instantly, his expression freezing in a rare moment of awkwardness.
Glancing at him once more, Zhao Yiyi ignored him directly and turned to ask about Zhao Chen’s studies.
Zhao Chen rarely saw his eldest sister, and coupled with the difference in status, he was inevitably reserved. He only answered whatever Zhao Yiyi asked, speaking little and refusing to say more.
Everyone in the hall stood in attendance, watching the three siblings talk and laugh, smiling along with them.
After looking over both her younger brother and sister carefully, Zhao Yiyi looked at Zhao Weimin and asked with a smile, “Has the manor had the noon meal today?”
Zhao Weimin suddenly snapped back to reality and hurriedly replied, “Not yet, not yet.”
“That is a coincidence. I haven’t eaten either. Since that is the case, why doesn’t Father order the meal to be served?” Zhao Yiyi’s voice was gentle and soft, like a murmuring stream under the moon, making one feel comforted just listening to it.
During the meal, Zhao Yiyi naturally occupied the seat of honor. Only after she moved her chopsticks did the others follow suit.
At first, everyone tried to find topics to joke about with the Empress. However, realizing the Empress maintained a faint expression and had no reaction to their words, they gradually dropped the thought and lowered their heads to eat sheepishly.
Halfway through the meal, as a servant was ladling Yudai soup for Zhao Yiyi, she suddenly looked around and asked with a smile, “Why don’t I see Madam Xu today? Is she unwell?”
The hall went quiet. The sound of chopsticks hitting bowls ceased.
Zhao Weimin said, “Your Ladyship has forgotten. Your mother went to the mountain temple a few days ago to pray for your grandmother.”
“Look at my memory; I forgot all about it.” Zhao Yiyi put down her chopsticks, rubbed her temples, and shook her head. “I dreamt the other day that Grandmother said she wasn’t feeling well. I first thought of Aunt, after all, Aunt served Grandmother for a long time and knows her preferences. But Aunt is far away in Yuzhang; distant water cannot put out a nearby fire. That is why I thought of Madam Xu.”
“Exactly, exactly,” Zhao Weimin replied.
Zhao Yiyi continued, “I originally planned to go myself, but it coincided with the Sericulture Rite. The major affairs of the state lie in sacrifice and war; the Sericulture Rite absolutely cannot be neglected. I happened to remember that Madam Xu had never served her mother-in-law and must feel guilty in her heart, so I gave her this opportunity.”
The hall became even quieter.
“Look at my memory.” Zhao Yiyi sighed lightly and said softly, “I forgot that Madam Xu has been with Father for many years. If she had the heart, how could she have never served her mother-in-law? Most likely, I just forgot.”
She suddenly pointed out Xu’s status as an outside mistress, causing Zhao Weimin’s face to flash through five colors before turning entirely red.
The people in the hall wished they could shrink into a ball, daring not to breathe loudly.
She looked down at the lower seats and asked with a smile, “Could Father clarify for me, so I know if I have wrongly accused Madam Xu?”
In large households, even concubines—even if the mother-in-law was reasonable and didn’t require it—should still go to serve the mother-in-law occasionally just for appearances.
Those who had never served in front of the mother-in-law could be no one else but an outside mistress.
Zhao Weimin’s face turned even redder, and he couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
Did she come here today just to talk about these things?
After taking a deep breath, he said dejectedly, “Never.”
Zhao Yiyi put down her chopsticks, wiped her hands with a wet handkerchief, and said indifferently, “So, I remembered correctly. It is good to give Madam Xu this opportunity. Let her stay in the temple for a few more days to pray for Grandmother. By the way, Father must be worried. If you miss her too much, why not just go with her?”
📖 Advance Access: Complete Novel
- Option 1: Note your email on PayPal/Ko-fi.
- Option 2: Email proof to beezzzreads@gmail.com.
- Option 3: Comment below.
Recommended Reads
![[ABO] After Accidental Marking, I Became Everyone’s Darling](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ABO-225x300.jpeg)
