Princess Menglang is hard to change, the whole capital is embarrassed for her

"Back then, Chu Hengsheng asked you what you thought and told you to stay in the capital with your brothers and the others, so you wouldn't have to go to that wild land with your family and suffer." The old lady straightened up and looked down at her. "What did you say then?"

"You keep saying that husband and wife should share joys and sorrows, and be together through thick and thin. But what's the reality?"

"Ever since entering the northern border, Heng Sheng and his men have been engaged in battle with the Northern Di people. When have you ever shown any concern for their progress? When have you ever applied medicine to him or brought him hot soup? When the army was on edge, you were busy packing up your valuables, constantly contemplating retreat. Do you realize how much your actions have damaged the morale of the troops?"

"My son was so angry that he wanted to kill you to appease the army. It was my two sensible grandchildren who pleaded for you and finally spared you. They privately asked you why you insisted on going to the border if you didn't want to suffer. What did you say?"

"You said you didn't know the situation at the border was like this at the time. The reason you insisted on going to the border with your entire family was, firstly, to prevent your concubine from following you and stealing Chu Hengsheng's favor, and secondly, you miscalculated. You didn't expect Chu Hengsheng to stay for so many years. You thought you could just endure two or three years, then you could earn a sense of shared suffering in front of me and my son, and no longer be inferior to me because of what happened back then. From now on, no matter what you do, the Chu family cannot divorce you or treat you poorly. If you do, the spit alone will drown the Chu family."

"Am I right? Have I wronged you?"

Cui's heart began to beat violently again, making her feel a little dizzy.

"me......"

Chu Qianxue wanted to say a few words for her mother, but when she saw her grandmother's stern face, she shuddered and swallowed her words.

"Are you wondering why I know everything that happens around you?"

"I'm not afraid to tell you that ever since my grandson was born, I saw the loving care you showed as you personally nursed him, and I decided to spare your life. I never again mentioned divorcing you and sending you back to your parents' home. But I still know that your knowledge is unworthy of the Duke's wife. To prevent any omissions, I have placed a few of my own people in your courtyard. This is to ensure that I know your actions in a timely manner, so as to avoid further damage if I fail to investigate."

"For so many years, you haven't done anything outrageous. I've considered your jealousies and petty calculations harmless, so I haven't bothered to lecture you. But I didn't expect that just a few days after returning to the capital, Xue'er would cause so much trouble. You didn't even take advantage of the situation to guide her or correct her. Instead, you encouraged her, letting her continue to believe that she was right and that everyone else was wrong."

"Ms. Cui, I told you you're not up to par, but you're still not convinced. Tell me yourself, other people's daughters can let go of trivial matters, so why can't your daughter do the same? Why? Is it because she has a mother like you, a mother who dwells on trivial matters, full of jealousy and revenge. Yet you insisted on raising your daughter by your side, and this is what she ended up with?"

Madam Chu slammed the table loudly, and at the end, she almost yelled, "If I had known you couldn't teach me well, I would not have left you any children and sent them all to the Wang Clan of Langya. I wouldn't have raised such a brainless child. From today on, both of you will reflect on yourselves at home. When you realize where you went wrong, you can come back and talk to me. Otherwise, don't even show up at a palace banquet, let alone a banquet between high-ranking families. If I get angry, after the New Year and the winter snow melts, I will send you both back to the northern border to save you from embarrassing yourself here."

Cui suddenly fell to the ground and it took her a long time to catch her breath.

No, she absolutely could not go back to Northern Frontier. She would never want to go back to that damn place even if she was beaten to death.

Chu Qianxue finally stopped screaming, as if she was frightened by her grandmother's aura. She stared blankly at her grandmother, then at her mother, not daring to breathe.

"Come here, send them both back and keep them confined to their respective courtyards. They are not allowed to go out to see guests unless necessary." The old lady gave an order, and Nanny Ping brought in two servants. The servants were strong and powerful and came from the old lady's courtyard.

When they came to Cui, they didn't say anything and just stretched out their hands. Cui didn't dare to say a word of resistance and stood up obediently with the help of their hands.

Seeing Chu Qianxue still in a daze, clearly disbelieving that the servant dared to touch her, Cui quickly winked at her daughter and said softly, "Xue'er, hurry up and listen to your grandmother. She's doing this for your own good. We should think carefully about how to act after returning to the capital these few days. Otherwise, we'll always make a fool of ourselves and bring shame to the Duke's Mansion. How will your father and brother face anyone else?"

She then bowed respectfully to the old lady and said, "Mother, please calm down. I am teaching you that your daughter-in-law is dull and stupid. If she is willing to listen to your teachings, I will explain it to Xue'er with all my heart. Please don't be angry, and take good care of yourself."

Chu Qianxue had no choice but to stand up with the help of the old woman. At this time, a little girl ran into the yard, bowed at the door, and said, "Old Madam, a letter has been sent from the Guanyong Marquis's Mansion."

"Bring it in." said Nanny Ping.

"Yes." A maid came out of the room, took the note, went back into the room, and handed it to Nanny Ping.

The old lady frowned, and the servants quickly grabbed Cui and Chu Qianxue's arms and helped them out of the house.

When the noise outside faded away, the old lady took the note and opened it. When she saw it, she couldn't help but frowned.

The Guanyong Marquis's mansion boasted a vast plum grove in its backyard. The plum blossoms were in full bloom, their fragrance enchanting, making it a perfect time for flower viewing. Coincidentally, the women of the Zhenguo Duke's residence had returned to the capital, and before any banquets had begun, the Guanyong Marquis's mansion wanted to be the first to host a welcoming reception for them.

I have sent you a special invitation and will visit you tomorrow to discuss the banquet arrangements with the old lady and the Duke's wife.

The old lady put the invitation down and said to Madam Ping, "Go and tell the Marquis of Guanyong that I will be waiting for you at the mansion tomorrow."

Nanny Ping also saw the content of the post. After hearing what the old lady said, she hesitated for a moment and said, "Then, how should we tell the lady?"

"Don't tell her," the old lady rubbed her brow and said, "Just pretend the servants didn't know about the secret letter they sent to her. Don't tell them here, just let them worry for a few days."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, Nanny Ping went out personally and said to the little maid outside who was waiting for a reply, "Go tell the people in Guanyong Marquis's mansion that they thank the old lady and the wife for their kindness. The old lady was very happy to hear about the plum blossom viewing banquet. She will be waiting at the mansion tomorrow and welcomes you."

Her voice was loud, and not only the maids sweeping the snow in the yard heard it, but also the maids sweeping the snow outside.

Sure enough, someone went to Cui's yard and reported the news to her.