Favoring a concubine and destroying the wife? I'll abandon my husband and children and wipe out

Zhao Ye and Madam Zhao's expressions softened, and they took their seats together.

Zhao Ye naturally sat in the main seat.

When Madam Zhao habitually tried to sit in the main seat, she noticed that Cheng Nanzhi was blocking her way, so she looked at Cheng Nanzhi.

To everyone's surprise, Cheng Nanzhi, who was usually respectful and perceptive, showed no reaction at all and said, "Miss Ye is a relative of my mother-in-law, so we must treat her well. I wonder if the accommodations prepared for Miss Ye are adequate?"

Madam Zhao was too embarrassed to ask Cheng Nanzhi to give up her seat, so she had to take the guest seat and said unhappily, "Of course, Yue'er will stay with me in Shou'an Hall."

"Is that so?" Cheng Nanzhi said, "Daughter-in-law, your cousin is just the right age. If she stays in Shou'an Hall all day, accompanying her mother-in-law to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, wouldn't that be a bit of a burden and a constraint on her?"

Ye Ruyue immediately looked up: "What... Sister-in-law, have you misunderstood?"

Why would she suddenly become a vegetarian and chant Buddhist scriptures? Living there is clearly a convenient way for her to see her two children often and meet with Zhao Ye, so as not to arouse Cheng Nanzhi's suspicion!

Cheng Nanzhi exclaimed in surprise: "Is it a misunderstanding? Shou'an Hall is different from other places in the mansion. It has a separate small Buddhist hall. I thought my cousin had suggested that she wanted to stay there to pray for her deceased relatives, and also to express her gratitude to her mother-in-law."

Old Madam Zhao subconsciously looked at Ye Ruyue.

Ye Ruyue was caught in a dilemma and could only say, "My cousin does have this intention, but she hasn't had a chance to tell my aunt yet."

Madam Zhao was immediately gratified.

Zhao Ye also looked at Ye Ruyue tenderly.

As expected of his Yue'er! She's so kind.

Cheng Nanzhi then instructed, "Qingdai, since my cousin is so filial, go to her residence immediately and make up for anything that is missing. But if there is anything that hinders her filial piety, take it away as well."

Qingdai understood immediately upon hearing this.

To show sincerity, one must not be extravagant or offend the Bodhisattva.

"Yes, this servant will certainly do her best!" Qingdai left happily, as if the wind was blowing through her feet.

"and many more!"

Ye Ruyue understood perfectly well. But she was just saying it; she couldn't possibly endure a life of vegetarianism, chanting Buddhist scriptures, and living a life of hardship!

“Sister-in-law, Aunt has already arranged for things to be prepared for Yue’er. If we move or change the arrangements, wouldn’t that be letting Aunt down?”

Madam Zhao felt a little uncomfortable upon hearing this.

Now she is in charge of the inner quarters of the mansion, but Cheng Nanzhi is overstepping her bounds and even thinks she is not as meticulous and thorough as her?

Zhao Ye didn't think much of the deeper meaning and simply went along with his beloved, "Madam, Mother must have arranged everything according to my cousin's preferences, so there's no need to change it."

Cheng Nanzhi, however, did not respond: "But my mother-in-law did not know that my cousin wanted to pray for blessings when she made the arrangements. What if something happens that offends the Bodhisattva during the prayer, and the Bodhisattva sees it and is displeased, thinking that my cousin's heart is not sincere?"

"The Zhao family's prosperity over the years is surely due in no small part to the blessings of the Bodhisattva. Husband, you're currently in a promotion, so please be careful. I'm sure your mother-in-law and cousin will understand."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ye fell silent.

Old Madam Zhao always valued her son's future above all else. Having been a Buddhist for many years and a believer in deities, she immediately changed her mind: "Then let's do as you say! Right now, the most important thing for our Zhao family is Ye'er's promotion. We can't afford any mistakes!"

Ye Ruyue thought to herself, "Where in this world are there ghosts and gods? It's utter nonsense!"

But she couldn't say anything more, and could only pretend to be understanding and considerate as she thanked Cheng Nanzhi for her advice.

Taking the opportunity, Cheng Nanzhi reprimanded Ye Ruyue in a concerned tone, saying that her demeanor was too petty and that she should be careful in her words and actions in the future, so as not to tarnish the reputation of the Zhao family. She also mentioned the taboos and conventions in the capital.

Ye Ruyue's expression wasn't very good, but Zhao Ye and Old Madam Zhao both nodded in agreement.

Zhao Ye said, "Nan Zhi is a noble lady from a high-ranking family, and her words and actions are impeccable. Cousin, you should learn from her; it will benefit you as well."

This will also help her to take over as Madam Zhao from Cheng Nanzhi in the future, and to be more adept at socializing with other families.

Ye Ruyue understood, so she forced a gentle smile and listened to Cheng Nanzhi's teachings, which sounded like a scolding.

Finally finished speaking, Cheng Nanzhi picked up her teacup and took a sip to moisten her throat.

Madam Zhao seized the opportunity: "Nanzhi, Yue'er is new here and will inevitably have things she doesn't understand. Why don't you take her with you and teach her?"

Cheng Nanzhi's eyes turned cold.

They finally couldn't hold back and brought it up!

In the dream, they first used this excuse to get Ye Ruyue to stay by her side. After she and Ye Ruyue became close, they took the opportunity to suggest that Ye Ruyue was lonely and pitiful and might be looked down upon when it came to marriage proposals. They suggested that she should recognize Ye Ruyue as her adopted sister to raise her status!

In her dream, she genuinely cared for Ye Ruyue, so she agreed.

Little did they know that it was precisely this title of sworn sister that later made it easier for Ye Ruyue to marry Zhao Ye!

Because Ye Ruyue was nominally the adopted daughter of the Cheng family, no one mentioned that she was not worthy of the Zhao family's social standing!

Ye Ruyue bowed and smiled, "I feel so close to you, sister-in-law. I hope you won't find me unpleasant."

Cheng Nanzhi suppressed a cold laugh, not directly refusing, lest they think she was suspicious.

“As you know, my mother-in-law, I am not in good health and I really do not have the energy to take care of my cousin. If I were to accidentally catch her illness again, it would be an even greater sin.”

She sighed, "It's all my fault for being useless; I haven't been able to recover the vital energy that was damaged by the arrow wound three years ago."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ye recalled the thrilling experience of the autumn hunt.

Cheng Nanzhi instinctively dodged, but seeing him in danger, she stood in front of him without thinking.

Zhao Ye softened for once, which was rare for him.

"My dear wife, please don't think like that. It's my fault for not protecting you properly. Let's talk about this again when you're feeling better."

Ye Ruyue refused to give up, for who knows what changes might occur in the future!

She pressed a little too hard on Madam Zhao's shoulders.

Just as Madam Zhao was satisfied with Ye Ruyue, she said, "It would be good to let Yue'er visit you often to relieve your boredom."

[After spending more time together, why worry about not getting along well enough to agree?]

Zhao Ye thought it was a good idea and nodded in agreement.

Cheng Nanzhi smiled enigmatically: "I'm afraid my daughter-in-law won't have the time. After all, she's still a member of the Zhao family. When I have some free time, I'll take over the household management again and share my mother-in-law's burdens."

The three of them felt a chill run down their spines.

【This is not possible! 】

[If we call housekeeper Cheng Nanzhi, it will be difficult to get it back!]

[If she discovers any discrepancies in the Zhao family's accounts over the past three years, it will only jeopardize our plans!]

Cheng Nanzhi unconsciously sat up straight.

Are there still problems with the Zhao family's public accounts? Is it related to what Zhao Ye has done over the past three years?

"Nanzhi, wait until you're fully recovered before thinking about anything else. There's no rush," Old Madam Zhao quickly said.

As for when things will get better, or whether there will even be a good day, who knows! 】Old Madam Zhao thought to herself.

Ye Ruyue also didn't want to talk to the housekeeper Cheng Nanzhi, saying, "Sister-in-law, you don't look well. You must be tired. Why don't you go back and rest?"

Cheng Nanzhi narrowed her eyes as she looked at the three of them, and nodded after a moment. She didn't want to face Zhao Ye anymore: "Husband, you stay here with your mother-in-law and cousin, there's no need to see me off."

Zhao Ye feigned concern and asked a few questions.

After everyone left, Zhao Ye said, "Mother, please be careful in the future, so that Cheng Nanzhi doesn't have a chance to seize on a mistake and actually take the housekeeper back."