The maid's road to success

The Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion has always been keen on doing charity. The charity hall at the foot of Guanshan Temple was built with money from the old ancestor and the first lady. They allocated three to five hundred taels of silver every year. In order to prevent embezzlement, they would personally check the account books and inquire about the children in the charity hall every year when they stayed at Guanshan Temple.

Therefore, the Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion has an excellent reputation in the capital. Whenever there is anything happening in the Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion, the people will gather in the streets and alleys to watch, making it extremely lively.

Chen Luoxi looked at his second brother's over-indulgent smile and felt a little annoyed. Another young girl in her prime had fallen into the hands of his second brother.

Chen Luoxi himself usually loved to play and joke with the maids in the mansion, but he knew that he was a man and should not indulge in momentary pleasure. If he did harm the girl, he would feel guilty towards his future wife and regretful towards the women who followed him.

So he always treated these girls well, gave them small gifts, and often chatted with them. Others said that he was too indulgent towards these girls and they dared to show their displeasure to their master.

But he was willing to do so, unlike Chen Luoan, who would take advantage of those girls by coaxing and deceiving them, and would take care of the ones he always thought about, or just keep them in his yard. If he got what he wanted and found them boring, he would just give up.

In the past two years, many girls had their innocence ruined by him and were sent away with no result by their second aunt with an excuse.

This year alone, the four people who were involved in the mansion were either chased away or injured, and only Chuncao was blessed by the ancestor and was promised to someone else.

So what if the third young lady has entered the mansion now? With Chen Luoan’s personality, how long can he spoil her? In less than a year, the house will be filled with a bunch of beautiful girls.

What's more, the reputation of Zhou family's daughter has been damaged. Then she will be an object for Chen Luoan to control at will. Thinking that many young ladies will be harmed by Chen Luoan, Chen Luoxi frowned.

When his fifth brother saw this, he quickly touched him with his arm, and Chen Luoxi smiled again. After all, he had followed the wedding procession and successfully brought Miss Zhou San home.

Through the thin red gauze, you can vaguely see the bride's beautiful face, tender skin, tall and delicate nose, small and rosy cherry lips, and the exposed skin on the side of her neck as smooth as white jade.

Her fingers were as slender as green onions, and she wore a pair of white jade bracelets with a hint of purple on her wrists. The luster of the jade bracelets could not hide the delicate beauty of her wrists.

The old ancestor's smile froze ever since the incident of the eldest sister of the Zhou family eloping with someone.

The Zhou family kept several girls strictly at home and rarely let them go out. It was heard that all the girls in the Zhou family were stunningly beautiful. They would only come out at banquets where there was a blind date component, and they would stay in their boudoirs at other times, and even the maids could not send them away.

When I saw her today, she was really too outstanding. She had a well-proportioned figure, was boneless, had fair skin, and her movements were more seductive than those of ordinary people.

No wonder outsiders implicated all the children in their family just because their daughter eloped.

This color is so hard for men to take their eyes off. Who can be assured of keeping it in their home?

The Zhou family was calculating, so they slightly changed the portrait of their daughter they sent over. Although she was still beautiful, she was a bit rigid and boring. When I saw her today, she was no longer the person in the painting, but the enchanting beauty that could captivate people's souls.

There are not many such stunning women even in the palace. Even when the most favored Concubine Zhen and Miss Zhou San are put together, they each have their own merits.

The girl from the Zhou family has now become the daughter-in-law of the Huaiyuan Marquis. Given that man's personality, who knows if other troubles will arise.

The old ancestor was no longer as happy as before. He reluctantly accepted the gift from the newlyweds and returned to his own Fu Shou Tang. The eldest lady obviously had the same sorrow. She looked at the marquis, suppressed her desire to ask more questions, and went to entertain the guests first.

"Yulan, have you seen what your second grandmother looks like?"

Yulan nodded without showing any abnormality on her face, and the old ancestor sighed.

"He is impeccable in government affairs, he is swift and resolute, but he is a little confused when it comes to women. Concubine Zhen is so spoiled that even the Empress can't control her. The Zhou family didn't send a daughter like this to the palace, but instead married her to my family. I'm afraid he will think too much."

Yulan stroked the old ancestor's back and waved her hand for everyone to leave.

The old ancestor has become increasingly frail in recent years and is not on guard against the people in the courtyard at all. He even dared to let the servants hear these words.

"Grandfather, don't worry too much. After all, our family was tricked by the Zhou family and we married their daughter-in-law. We didn't want to do that either. The emperor can find out by investigating. Besides, Concubine Zhen is favored now, so how could she be willing to have someone share her favor? If Concubine Zhen finds out, she will keep it a secret. Let's let the Second Madam control the Second Wife. The Zhou family was able to keep it a secret in the past, so we can keep it a secret too."

The old ancestor nodded. She was really old and was afraid of everything.

In the evening, when the guests had left, Yulan tried to coax the old ancestor to eat more food, but she became impatient and was about to pick up her chopsticks to eat more when the Marquis and the First Lady arrived.

"Mother is eating now?"

The old ancestor took the big bowl of soup handed over by Chunlu and asked the two of them to sit down and eat together.

"You should sit down and eat something with us. There are many old sisters of mine among the guests attending the wedding. We talked for a while and now I have time to eat something in peace."

The eldest lady sat down and looked at Chen Yuanzhi. When the old ancestor saw their expressions, he knew that something might be wrong, so he quickly put down his bowl and asked Chunlu to take everyone away.

Yulan and a few maids stood guard around the courtyard, leaving a place for the masters to talk quietly while also preventing anyone from overhearing.

"What's wrong."

Chen Yuanzhi had a gloomy face. He didn't expect that despite being so careful, he would still be tricked in his nephew's marriage.

"As soon as we saw Zhou today, we realized something was wrong. Zhou is so beautiful, even if her reputation is not good, she shouldn't be unmarried."

"I was worried and sent people to inquire about it carefully. Until I met a nanny who was demoted to the Zhou family's farm earlier. She said that the girl of the Zhou family did have an affair with someone, but the family reputation and years of training meant that it was impossible for her to elope. The Zhou family saw that their daughters were becoming more and more beautiful, and they were afraid that they would be taken into the harem and become a source of contention."

"She deliberately let her eldest daughter run away. Now she is settled in a state capital in the south close to the capital. She is often supported. As for the remaining girls, only the second girl is not so beautiful, so she found an opportunity to marry into the Bai family."

"The remaining two are actually more beautiful than each other. Madam Zhou is worried every day. She is also on good terms with Princess Fu'an, so she asked her to help keep it secret. Concubine Zhen was also recommended to His Majesty by Princess Fu'an, so she doesn't want another one to compete for His Majesty's favor."

"I never thought that Luo An saw it and insisted on marrying her. The Zhou family knew that it was our family that liked her, so they would never let her go. She wouldn't have to be sent to the palace for torture, and she could still marry into a good family."

The old ancestor's face was filled with anxiety after hearing this. The Zhou family was actually scheming against people in this way. Aren't they burying the disaster in the Huaiyuan Marquis' Mansion?

"This Zhou family is so shameless that they dragged us into this for the safety of their daughter."

The eldest lady was also full of resentment. She had never imagined that the Zhou family was so insidious. They had framed her own family, causing her second brother to be laughed at by others, and now they were harming her own husband's family.

Knowing that the people in the palace are very concerned about women, he still dares to send such people into the palace. Even if the emperor takes his ministers and their wives into consideration and does not really do anything, there will still be a thorn in his heart.

"I was saying that Concubine Zhen's family was just a businessman, and they were lending money at interest, but they were able to enter the palace, and they were able to become a concubine even though they didn't have any children. How can their Zhou family have a better reputation than Concubine Zhen's family? If they really want to worry about their daughter not being able to get married, wouldn't it be a good idea to send such a beauty to the palace? With the left and right queens and four concubines, they can't do anything, so there's nothing to worry about with such a good reputation. It turns out that they just care about their own comfort and deliberately spread the rumor."

The old ancestor has always had a good temper, but this time he got angry and slammed the table angrily.

"My Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion has stood for a hundred years, and we are not pushovers. The Zhou family has been scheming against us and harming us, so we can't just let it go. Yuanzhi, go find the Zhou family and make them realize their mistakes no matter what. My eldest daughter-in-law, you should control the people in the second house. From now on, Zhou Shi can't go out anymore. Just treat her as house arrest. If the Zhou family comes to make trouble, just send the portrait of their youngest daughter to the palace. I don't believe that we can't punish them."

Chen Yuanzhi nodded. After all, the old ancestor was once the daughter of a marquis, and then the mistress of the Huaiyuan Marquis's Mansion. She was in charge of household affairs for many years, and only after she got married did she slowly let go and enjoy her life.

However, the methods used were somewhat narrow and not enough to intimidate the Zhou family.

Chen Yuanzhi instructed the eldest lady to take good care of the ancestors, and personally asked his chief steward to bring people to lock up all the dowry servants of the Zhou family. He wrote a letter to the Zhou family overnight, and also sent several letters secretly to officials who were on good terms with him but were unknown to the public. He would impeach the Zhou family early the next morning for several crimes including lack of personal ethics, lax discipline, and disregard for human life.

The crime was not punishable by death, but it was enough to make the Zhou family pay. The eldest lady also sent a message back to the Bai family, explaining the Zhou family's affairs to the old patriarch. While helping the Bai family to mend their relationship with the second brother, she also asked the second brother to punish the second daughter of the Zhou family.

Arrows were fired at the same time. Within three days, the Zhou family was demoted from the Minister of Justice to the Vice Minister, and 30% of their property was confiscated. The second daughter of the Zhou family was placed under house arrest. The eldest daughter of the Zhou family did not have peace either. A group of people poured feces on her door for three days.

This last trick was the fourth young master's idea. He knew it without any hesitation, and he spent money to hire three or five beggars to throw feces, and they would do it for another ten days or half a month.

Zhou Guangxiu, the head of the Zhou family, calmed down for a night and thought of Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion. He rushed into Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion with his wife.

"My Lord, I don't know how I have offended you and made you spend so much time and energy to deal with our Zhou family."

Chen Yuanzhi was sitting upstairs. The eldest lady and the old ancestor had already sat behind the screen and were listening. Seeing that Zhou Guangshu dared to question him verbally, they immediately put down their tea bowls heavily.

"Master Zhou, let's not beat around the bush. What is the inside story of your eldest daughter's elopement? What does your daughter look like? Do you need me to tell you?"

Zhou Guangshu stood there in a daze, and immediately understood in his heart that the Huaiyuan Marquisate had understood the Zhou family’s plan and the danger involved.

This is another warning to the Zhou family.

"Your second young master has taken a fancy to my daughter, otherwise how can my daughter marry into your family?"

Mrs. Zhou is extremely beautiful. Even though she is in her fifties, one can still see the face of her youth.

"Oh, do you think that everyone in the world has to listen to your family? Because your family doesn't want to enter the palace, you conceal the truth and harm our mansion? Does Lord Zhou think I'm a fool?"

Zhou Guangshu pulled Mrs. Zhou, who was about to say something, lowered his head, sighed, stood up, and bowed forward deeply.

"Brother Yuanzhi, this is my fault. I have no words to say."

Mrs. Zhou's eyes were red as she pulled at her husband's sleeve. When the eldest lady saw this, she could no longer hide the contempt on her face.

She was arguing with her husband in public. No wonder Zhou Guangshu only stayed with her for so many years. He didn't take a concubine even though they had four daughters. He must have schemed against so many people for his daughters.

"Master Zhou, you have such evil hearts. If this gets out, my mansion will be in trouble, and you will be dragged into it."

Madam Zhou sobbed and cried, looking at Marquis Huaiyuan with tears in her eyes.

"We didn't think of getting close to you at first. It was your second young master who fell in love with my daughter and insisted on marrying her."

After all, Chen Yuanzhi was a man, so it was inconvenient for him to argue with Mrs. Zhou. The eldest lady sitting behind the screen spoke up.

"Mrs. Zhou, please be careful of your manners. Even though my family proposed to marry her, your family repeatedly prevented us from seeing our daughter. I don't need to tell you what the intention behind the portrait you sent me is. I don't really plan to ask you to do anything today. I just want to inform you that the second wife of the Huaiyuan Marquis's mansion has been damaged and cannot meet guests. She can only be raised in the mansion. Don't send a letter to see our daughter. A daughter who is married off is like water spilled. If you cause trouble to us, we will have to send your daughter back to educate her properly."

Madam Zhou glared with her eyes, and even with anger, there was an alluring charm in her eyes, which made the eldest lady more certain that her decision was correct. What kind of daughter could a seductive mother teach? If she did it a few more times, she could fan the flames and make Luo An fall in love with her. It would be fine if outsiders didn't know about it, but if it got out, it would incur the wrath of God.

"Mrs. Zhou is angry. We are both wives, but your tricks don't work on me. No matter your background, you are not qualified to make a fuss in our family. If you do it again, I will let you know how powerful the Bai family and the Huaiyuan Marquis' Mansion are. They dare to plot against us. Now the future of your two daughters is in my hands, as well as your unmarried little daughter. From now on, you'd better pray every day and don't anger us."

This was the first time that the eldest lady spoke to someone in such a harsh tone. Over the years, the family had been in disharmony because of the second daughter's plot against the second brother. Every time Madam Zhou met her daughter, the second brother would inevitably have an argument and move out. It was all instigated by the mother.

Mrs. Zhou's background was not good, even a little shameful, but Zhou Guangshu abandoned his family and insisted on marrying her. I don't know how much effort he had done to cover it up for her over the years.

But the old ancestor was old and had been immersed in the inner palace for many years, so he naturally knew something. Seeing how despicable the Zhou family was, he was also furious.

When Zhou Guangshu found out that what Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion knew was right, he realized that he had calculated the wrong person this time. However, things had come to this point and he could not regret it. He could only obey the orders of Huaiyuan Marquis Mansion and cover up the matter together.

Otherwise, the second and third daughters would be very miserable in the hands of others, and even Mrs. Zhou would be stripped of her good looks and her shameful history would be exposed to the world and criticized.

What's more, how could their youngest daughter, the most beautiful daughter in the family, let the emperor know that the Huaiyuan Marquis' Mansion was completely angered by them? They only hoped that their daughter would be cautious and protect her own life.

We can only be safe when the current emperor abdicates.

After seeing off Zhou Guangshu and his wife, there was a commotion in the second house. When Miss Zhou San saw that all her dowry members had been taken away, she suppressed her temper and waited until the next day. Only when she finally became the second young lady did she cry and complain to Chen Luoan about the matter.

Chen Luoan had just married his beautiful wife and was trying his best to please her, but then he heard that his uncle's men had kidnapped all of his wife's dowry and saw his beloved daughter crying, which made him feel heartbroken.

He immediately put aside his fear of the Marquis and took the servant to ask for the person.

"What's the fuss about?"

When Chen Yuanzhi arrived with the first lady and the old ancestor, he saw Chen Luoan pulling the collar of the steward Zhou who was sitting in front of him, with a vicious expression on his face, and actually started to insult the steward Zhou.

"Uncle, you came at the right time. Steward Zhou actually took away Yan'er's dowry. Yan'er just got married, and he has the right to act wildly if she has done anything wrong."

Chen Yuanzhi looked at Chen Luoan with only disappointment. His family was now in a state of panic, all because of his rudeness intruding into Princess Fu'an's flower banquet, running into Miss Zhou San, and insisting on marrying her.

According to the intention of the person in the palace, such a beauty must be sent to the palace. Now, the emperor didn't get to touch her, but she was eaten in the mansion of Marquis Huaiyuan. If people knew about this, they would have to file a complaint with the emperor.

Now he still has no brains and is making a fuss.

"I had someone capture him. Just ask your father to come and ask for him, and I will give him the explanation."

Chen Luoan didn't expect that the person who came with Miss Zhou San's dowry would be involved with the Second Master. Thinking of how he had been beaten up by him before, he still had a headache. He didn't really dare to call him. He just ran back and carefully comforted Miss Zhou San.

"My uncle personally ordered it to be taken away. I can't bring it back for the time being. Just wait while I go and get it back slowly. Don't cry, darling."

Miss Zhou San saw Chen Luoan flattering her and his crazy words and actions towards her yesterday. She thought that if she asked for the moon in the sky, Chen Luoan would find a ladder to pick it for her. Unexpectedly, she was scared back by just a few words from the Marquis.

I just felt sad. Is there really no one in the world who treats my mother wholeheartedly like my father? Her daughter has a hard life. Her father has to scheme against her to get married in order to ensure her future safety.

I originally thought that with the help of my sisters, I would be able to turn bad times around, but I never thought that these men were so stupid, not even as stupid as my father.

All her plans last night had failed. Thinking of this, Miss Zhou San became even sadder and sobbed on the couch. Chen Luoan just coaxed her patiently, but he didn't get to the point. The second room was filled with subtle and tortuous crying sounds.

The second wife's originally happy mood was also annoyed by the crying. She kept cursing Miss Zhou San to her maid, saying that she was ignorant of etiquette and cried on such a happy day.