Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

The three returned to Songfeng Courtyard, and Yuanzhi asked about the third branch of the family.

Granny Zhao said, "When Master Xiao was alive, he established a rule that the descendants of the Xiao family were not allowed to take concubines. It was because of this rule that Madam married the Second Master."

"But the Third Master is different. He is a womanizer. If he can't take a concubine, he keeps women outside and won't listen to anyone's advice. The Third Madam is also confused and actually helps her mistress raise her daughter."

Yuan Zhi asked in surprise, "Which of Xiao Ling, Xiao Wei, and Xiao Xuan was born to a concubine?"

"Yes, all of them. The Third Madam has no children."

Yuan Zhi stood there stunned, while Luo Mei chuckled and stuffed the peeled orange into his mouth.

Yuan Zhi felt a chill in her palm and immediately came to her senses. She tasted a slice and found it very sweet.

She handed the oranges to Granny Zhao, thought for a moment, and said, "My mother-in-law won't let me greet the three sisters. Is it because she looks down on their background?"

Knowing that the young mistress was not born to the principal wife, and fearing that she might overthink things, Granny Zhao comforted her:

"Madam's family has been officials for generations, and as the eldest daughter, she is naturally a bit arrogant. Although the young mistress's background is not prominent, you are married to the eldest young master, so you are still the wife of a third-rank official. Once you leave the mansion, no one will dare to look down on you."

Yuan Zhi shook his head with a smile, "I don't care about that. In Shengjing City, there's always someone more powerful than you. No matter how high you climb in your official career, you'll still be suppressed by the imperial relatives. Can I expect the princes and princesses to think highly of me?"

"Dignity and face are earned by oneself. Only when you do not look down on yourself will others not look down on you."

Zhao Mama's eyes revealed admiration, "No wonder Yun-ge'er is so fond of you. Young Madam's insight surpasses that of all the women in the Xiao family!"

Yuan Zhi felt embarrassed by the praise and smiled awkwardly: "I made a big scene, and I thought the nanny would scold me for not knowing the rules."

"will not."

Granny Zhao patted the back of her hand, "Madam's management of the household is full of flaws. I've long hoped that Yun-ge'er could marry a virtuous wife to relieve him of his worries. Seeing you so successful today, I am overjoyed!"

Yuan Zhi suddenly recalled Qin Shi's gaze and tentatively asked, "Speaking of your mother-in-law, is there any misunderstanding between you and her?"

"What makes you say that? How could a servant like me have a misunderstanding with my master?"

Granny Zhao withdrew her hand and vehemently denied it.

Yuanzhi could tell that she didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't ask any more questions. The two sat and drank a cup of tea, and then Granny Zhao left.

As noon approached, Yuan Zhi felt sleepy and said to Luo Mei, "The food has been delivered, you eat first, I'm going to take a nap."

The plum blossoms should fall.

The midday sun was warm, and sunlight streamed through the gauze window, illuminating Yuanzhi's piled-up clothes.

She lay half-upright, her fair face shrunk into a ball from her sleeping position, her breath coming in soft gasps, deep in a sweet dream.

When Yuan Zhi woke up, it was already afternoon. She stretched and called out, "Luo Mei, I'm hungry."

Luo Mei came in from the outer room and placed a plate of oranges in front of her, looking troubled:

"Madam said you disobeyed your mother-in-law and forbade the kitchen from sending food to Songfengyuan. Why don't you take this to tide you over for now?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhi's anger flared up instantly.

"Has no one in Songfengyuan eaten?"

"Ah."

"Ah!"

Yuan Zhiqi laughed. She and Luo Mei had eaten noodle soup in the morning, but everyone in Songfeng Courtyard had worked all day on an empty stomach. Anyone would have cursed in that situation!

Qin was determined to make her isolated and helpless, abandoned by everyone!

"Luomei, tell everyone to go back and rest first."

"Yes."

Yuan Zhi took out a silver note and a few taels of loose silver from the bottom of the box and handed them to Luo Mei who had returned.

"Take the silver notes and buy some wine and meat on the street. As for the loose silver... never mind, I'll go with you."

Yuan Zhi took another silver note and hurriedly walked out with Luo Mei.

The gatekeeper hurriedly bowed upon seeing her, "Is the young mistress going out?"

"We're about to go back to our parents' home, so we're going to the market to buy some things. My husband can't go anyway, and if the gifts aren't complete, people will say the Xiao family doesn't know any manners!"

The gatekeeper had intended to use the madam to put her in her place, but the young mistress turned out to be one step ahead.

If he doesn't let them pass, he'll be letting the world criticize the Xiao family behind their backs—a grave sin!

"Young Madam, you flatter me. Please, please!"

As soon as the two left, the gatekeeper hurriedly ran to inform the lady.

Yuanzhi and Luomei split up; Luomei went to buy food, while Yuanzhi went to buy gifts for the homecoming banquet.

An hour later, the two returned.

Qin, along with Xiao Rong and a group of servants, blocked the front yard.

There are so many things that Yuanzhi and her maid can't carry them all; the shop's servants will definitely have to bring them back. If they catch one of them, they can accuse Yuanzhi of being unfaithful and having an affair, and then their son will surely divorce her!

Qin's plan was flawless, but little did she know that Yuan Zhi had bribed the guards at the back gate with silver. By the time Qin realized what was happening, the servant had already unloaded the goods and left.

The Qin family returned empty-handed, and the people of Songfeng Courtyard closed the courtyard gates and began to feast.

Luo Mei was entrusted with an important task by Yuan Zhi. After a few cups of wine, she quickly became friends with the maids and servants.

She knew exactly who was good at what and how many people were in their families.

On the day of the bride's return visit to her parents' home, early in the morning.

The kitchen still hasn't delivered food, but luckily I bought a lot of food yesterday, enough to last for two days.

It seems that as long as Xiao Zong doesn't return, the Qin family will continue to oppress Songfeng Courtyard.

If he goes out all the time, won't Matsukazein starve to death?

Money and dowry are all finite and will eventually run out. Yuanzhi didn't want to sit around and do nothing, nor did she want to wait for death. She needed an opportunity.

An opportunity to seize control of the family!

*

The Yuan family mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and drums and music resounded. The whole family gathered in the main hall, waiting for the commander and his wife to arrive.

The curious neighbors stood at the base of the wall, craning their necks to look into the alley.

"The Fifth Miss, a maid born to a concubine, is so lucky to be favored by a high-ranking official of the third rank and become his principal wife."

"That may be true, but look at Fifth Miss's appearance. She doesn't look like a mistress at all. She's clearly a seductive concubine! If it weren't for the Xiao family's ancestral rules, could she have become the eldest young mistress?"

"Keep your voice down, or the commander will hear you and you'll be dead."

When the carriage arrived at the gate of the Yuan residence, Luo Mei helped her young lady out of the carriage. Hearing whispers in the crowd, she shot a sharp glare at them.

Everyone fell silent, and Yuan Zhi led his servants inside.

She wore a long, gold-embroidered dress in pomegranate red with phoenix patterns. Her figure was graceful, and her skin was as white as snow. With every smile and frown, she seemed like a goddess from Mount Guye.

The man who had just belittled Yuan Zhi now had shining eyes. "So beautiful!"

"Beauty isn't yours either!"

"Tch, if I can't have it, can't I even look at it? Where's Commander Xiao? It wouldn't be right for my husband not to come to the homecoming banquet!"

Yuan's father had the same question as the man, and Yuan Zhi replied, "My husband is away on business and is not in the city."

Yuan Pu was displeased, "You can't even attend the homecoming banquet, what kind of job is so important?"

As a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, he was well-informed. He hadn't heard of any major events occurring in the prefectures and counties surrounding the capital that required the deployment of the Leopard Guard.

Fourth Sister Yuan Ying walked over gracefully, "I think it's because Fifth Sister lost favor as soon as she married into the family. Your brother-in-law is unwilling to come back with you. What 'running errands' is just an excuse you made to save face!"

Yuan Zhi smiled, "How strange, Fourth Sister, an unmarried woman, knows so much about my husband's family and son-in-law. Could it be that you are fond of my husband and that's why you keep an eye on him?"