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

Since there was nothing more to do, Cheng Nanzhi simply went to sleep.

Zhao Ye and Ye Ruyue, however, stayed up half the night without sleeping.

As dawn broke, we finally found some clues, just as Qingdai had arranged!

Ye Ruyue was furious.

It's all because of her vegetarianism and Buddhist chanting! How much she's suffered because of it since she entered the manor!

Zhao Ye roared, "How are you doing your jobs! Guards, everyone in the kitchen will have their salaries reduced by half a year! And the maids who serve Miss Biao are not doing their jobs properly, drag them out and give each of them ten strokes of the cane!"

Everyone was shocked and hurriedly kowtowed and begged for mercy.

The servants obeyed and forcibly dragged the maids away.

Sanmei, out of fear, pleaded with Ye Ruyue for mercy.

Ye Ruyue didn't notice her at all. Seeing that there were only a few outsiders left, she seized the opportunity to coax Zhao Ye: "Ye Lang, look, I haven't even started chanting Buddhist prayers yet, and this has already happened. It's clear that I'm incompatible with this, and it's not suitable for me to do it! How about letting me move to another room?"

The thought of mice having been on her bed gave Ye Ruyue goosebumps; she absolutely couldn't stay there any longer!

Seeing that his beloved's eyes were red and tearful, Zhao Ye's heart softened and he nodded.

Just then, Granny Zhang arrived. She felt that Zhao Ye's handling of the situation was inappropriate; such an excessive approach might arouse Cheng Nanzhi's suspicion.

Zhao Ye scoffed: "What's this! The servants were so negligent, causing Yue'er to suffer a fright all night. They deserve to die! I've already shown them leniency!"

Zhang Mama said, "But what about Madam..."

“I will tell her myself,” Zhao Ye said. “It is clear that Yue’er is not suitable for praying for blessings, so let’s just drop it. Granny, please have someone prepare another room for her and make sure it is well-arranged.”

Seeing that Zhao Ye's expression was not good, Zhang Mama had no choice but to swallow her words.

Ye Ruyue was overjoyed and said with a sweet smile, "I knew Ye Lang was the best to me! Even when I'm elsewhere, I always think of Ye Lang's promotion and safety. The Bodhisattva will surely bless Ye Lang when he sees my sincerity."

Zhao Ye was overjoyed and took a lot of things from his private stash to give to Ye Ruyue.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Ye went back to change into his official robes for court.

Ye Ruyue didn't want to follow him, so she pretended to be reluctant and waved her handkerchief to see him off. Then she happily went to see her new things and her new place to live.

At present, Shou'an Hall does not have many temporary accommodations, and Zhao Ye has instructed that good ones be provided. After much consideration, Zhang Mama took Ye Ruyue to a small side courtyard in the backyard of the old lady.

This is a separate residence, small but exquisite and complete in every detail, and it is also close to Tingzhu Pavilion where Zhao Ye lives.

Ye Ruyue was very satisfied: "Thank you for the arrangement, Granny." She casually stuffed the small half-bag of loose silver she had received from Zhao Ye into Granny Zhang's hand.

Ye Ruyue gave the money readily, even though it wasn't her own.

Granny Zhang gently tossed the child, and her fatigue and impatience dissipated, revealing a smile.

"Miss Ye, you're too kind. From now on, you'll be a member of this household, so it's only right that this old servant do things for you."

These words truly resonated with Ye Ruyue.

That's right, she'll definitely become the mistress of the Zhao family in the future!

"Miss Ye, please rest for now. This old servant will arrange for a few more maids to serve you," said Granny Zhang.

Ye Ruyue hesitated for a moment, "Let's find someone else, so as not to cause misunderstandings and make people dislike me for meddling. Actually, the one last night seemed quite clever; he came in immediately when he heard me call him."

Granny Zhang was happy to save herself the trouble, so she pointed out a few maids and servants to clean the small side courtyard, then took her leave.

Since Madam Zhao lived nearby, this commotion could not be kept from her.

What's going on outside?

The maid went to find Granny Zhang and told her what had happened that night.

Madam Zhao's first reaction was anger, "How could such a thing happen in the manor? What are the servants doing!"

The rat probably escaped from near her kitchen, which makes her lose face.

She still has a lot of valuable tonics and medicines stored in her kitchen. What if the rats gnaw on them?!

The more Madam Zhao thought about it, the angrier she became, and she wanted to punish the servants.

Granny Zhang stepped forward to massage Old Madam Zhao's legs, saying, "Old Madam, please calm down. The master has already punished you."

Madam Zhao was taken aback, a subtle displeasure rising in her heart.

"Ye'er cares about that woman so much that he can even punish the people in my courtyard over my behalf!"

As soon as Zhang Mama received Ye Ruyue's money, she chimed in, "What happened last night was indeed sudden. The master originally wanted to inform you before making a decision, but Miss Ye was concerned about your health and didn't want to disturb your rest. The master also felt it was reasonable out of filial piety, so he made the decision."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao's expression softened somewhat.

Granny Zhang still had concerns, "Madam, how should we explain this to Madam?"

Madam Zhao waved her hand and said, "She always listens to Ye'er, what objections could she possibly have? Just do as Ye'er says."

In Guantang Courtyard, Qingdai waited until Cheng Nanzhi woke up naturally before reporting the outcome of last night's events.

Perhaps fearing that Cheng Nanzhi might become suspicious, Zhao Ye ultimately didn't make a big fuss and instructed the servants to keep quiet and not let the information leak out into Guantang Courtyard.

But Qingdai had already planted someone in Shou'an Hall before taking care of her business last night, so everyone knew about it.

After listening, Cheng Nanzhi sneered, "He really cares about Ye Ruyue. He rushed over without saying a word and even punished her with a board to intimidate all the servants and make them realize Ye Ruyue's status."

“The servants who were serving her were punished and can no longer serve her for a while. He is afraid that he will have to find new servants to serve her, for fear of neglecting her.”

“Miss, I heard that only one new one has been found, and the previous ones are still around,” Qingdai said.

Cheng Nanzhi was slightly surprised, "After being punished, you still expect them to serve you?"

Qingdai said, "I inquired and found out that this was the woman's own suggestion! Although those people were given ten strokes of the cane, the executioners were unsure of the situation and didn't use too much force. So after a day of rest and some medicine, they can still work."

Cheng Nanzhi was a little puzzled. Was Ye Ruyue doing this because she was afraid that Cheng Nanzhi would overthink things and discover something she shouldn't have? Or was she keeping old acquaintances around so that she could do something caring later to gain a good reputation?

Cheng Nanzhi seemed to be thinking about something, then suddenly said, "It's good that you stay. Qingdai, when we go to Shou'an Hall to pay our respects later, have Jianlan take some good medicine and secretly check on those people."

She beckoned Qingdai closer and whispered a few words in her ear.

Qingdai was taken aback: "Miss, why do you want people to know...?"

"You don't have to worry about it."

"Such an important matter still requires this servant to do it personally..."

"I'll see Lan; I want to see if she's suitable," Cheng Nanzhi said.

In her dream, she saw that the two maids, Lan and Lianruo, were quite well-behaved and obedient. Unlike Qingdai, they did not act against her, nor did they do anything to betray her, so she didn't remember them very well.

But she has so much to do in the future, she can't rely on Qingdai alone.

If she could confirm that these two were truly loyal, her actions in the Zhao household would be much easier.

Otherwise, she would have to find a way to bring the people left for her by the Cheng family into the mansion.