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

Granny Zhang racked her brains and said, "How about we say that you have a few broken ornaments here, and we remembered that there are a few suitable ones in the storeroom that we would like to take them. We can talk about the others later?"

Zhao Ye and Madam Zhao exchanged a glance, their faces pale. With no other options, they waved their hands, signaling Zhang Mama to hurry up and go.

When Granny Zhang presented the pretext she had come up with to Cheng Nanzhi, she couldn't help but complain.

"Madam, why did you suddenly lock the storeroom? If you really wanted to take inventory, there was no need to lock it. Now it's inconvenient for the old lady to find things, and you're so tired that you had to get up to listen to this old servant's report."

Cheng Nanzhi said calmly, "It's my own storeroom. I can lock it if I want. Who do I need to ask for permission?"

Granny Zhang choked.

They were all used to going into Cheng Nanzhi's warehouse, so they naturally assumed that it was theirs too.

But even though I could think about it, I couldn't say it out loud.

Granny Zhang responded in a muffled voice and urged Cheng Nanzhi to have someone open the storeroom and get the items.

"What's the rush? Now that my mother-in-law is missing something, it's time for me, as her daughter-in-law, to take the initiative to show my filial piety." Cheng Nanzhi turned her head and called out, "Lianruo, go with Granny Zhang to Shou'an Hall and see what my mother-in-law is missing. Write it down carefully, and I'll pick something out for her then."

The lotus should be crisp and fresh.

Zhang Mama dared not ask Lianruo to go with her; wouldn't that expose their secret?

However, no matter what she said, Cheng Nanzhi did not change her mind. In the end, she angrily scolded her for talking too much, slammed the table and got up to go herself.

Unable to express her grievances, Granny Zhang could only make an excuse, saying that it was getting late and she would come to Cheng Nanzhi to get her things another day.

Cheng Nanzhi then sat down and feigned concern, urging Zhang Mama to come sooner.

When Zhang Mama went back and told them, Old Madam Zhao and Zhao Ye couldn't control their tempers anymore.

"That wretched woman! All I asked her for was something, why is she making such a fuss! I don't think she has any respect for me, her mother-in-law!" Old Madam Zhao felt deeply provoked.

Zhao Ye said with a gloomy face, "It seems that we can no longer get things from Cheng Nanzhi."

If they go too often, it will definitely arouse suspicion. If Cheng Nanzhi then questions them, they will be even more embarrassed.

That means Cheng Nanzhi's path is closed, and they'll have to find another way to pay for it themselves.

When Madam Zhao thought about the amount, she backed down.

"Ye'er, why don't we give up? We can have Cheng Nanzhi find another way to see Mr. Zhou later."

“No! It’s not about whether or not I can see Zhou Xiangru now, it’s about saving face! If this doesn’t work out, what face will I have in front of Cheng Nanzhi in the future? If word gets out, how much ridicule will I receive in the court!” Zhao Ye said.

Madam Zhao was even more troubled, but she really couldn't bear to spend so much money.

"There are only a few thousand taels of silver in the manor. You'll have to figure out the rest yourself. But you spend a lot of money every year just on bribing your way into a good official position, and you also need to spend money on Ze-ge and Yu-jie, so the shop can't be touched at all!"

Zhao Ye understood this as well, and said irritably, "I know."

Meanwhile, in the side courtyard.

Ye Ruyue unexpectedly learned that Chunyu was skilled at nail art, so she decided to have her do it. After it was done, her slender fingers, adorned with a light pink, crystal-clear finish, looked absolutely beautiful.

"Well done." Ye Ruyue casually took off her earring and gave it to her.

The spring rain quickly expressed its gratitude.

Ye Ruyue turned her head and happily put on her newly acquired gold and jade earrings.

Just then, Sanmei rushed in. "Chunyu, you can go out first. I have something to say to Miss Biao."

Chunyu was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Ye Ruyue.

Ye Ruyue remembered that she had asked Sanmei to keep an eye on things at Guantang Courtyard, so she whispered for Chunyu to leave.

Chunyu responded and glanced at Sanmei several times as she went out, wondering when she and Miss Biao had become so close.

"Miss, something terrible has happened!"

Sanmei stepped forward urgently.

"This servant has learned something about Guantang Courtyard. The young master is going to Xiangchun Tower to attend a poetry gathering the day after tomorrow. He should have booked his seat well in advance, but Madam has neglected to do so! Neither the old madam nor the master has done it either, and they are in a real panic right now!"

"Granny Zhang went to Guantang Courtyard several times, all to get things from Madam's storeroom to raise money, because Xiangchun Tower's location now needs to be changed, and it's no small sum! But Madam locked the storeroom, as if she didn't want to deal with it!"

"What?!" Ye Ruyue suddenly stood up. "Ze-ge'er called her mother, why didn't she care?!"

Sanmei shook her head; "This servant doesn't know either. Besides, when I came back, I passed by Guantang Courtyard and saw Granny Zhang and her confidante whispering. They said that if the old lady and the master couldn't raise the money, they would have to give up on this poetry gathering."

"How can that be allowed?!"

Ye Ruyue thought to herself, "If I miss this poetry gathering, who knows if I'll ever see Zhou Xiangru again, or if it will be easier for me to become his disciple?"

Moreover, she prepared so many poems, just waiting for her son to make a name for himself at the poetry gathering and lay a good foundation for his future!

Ye Ruyue said angrily, "She even said that Cheng Nanzhi would care about Ze'er, but how could she care! As expected, she won't care if it's not her own child! She's completely hypocritical and only knows how to say nice things!"

Sanmei looked at her in astonishment.

Why is Miss Biao reacting so strongly? It's like she treats the young master like her own son. Even if she has grievances against the madam and is nitpicking at everything, is it really necessary to go this far?

Sanmei sighed, "It's only natural for the lady to feel this way; it's certainly not a small sum. It's just a pity for the young master, though; I heard this poetry gathering is very important."

Without hesitation, Ye Ruyue said, "So what if it's not a small amount? Ze-ge'er is naturally intelligent and must be a great talent. He deserves it!"

Ye Ruyue thought about Old Madam Zhao's temperament and worried that the other party might really give up. Zhao Ye was alright; he might persist for the sake of face. But without money, there was no point in persisting.

No, she has to go and sound them out.

Ye Ruyue's eyes darted around, and she said, "Sanmei, go and find out where the master is now."

Sanmei went out and returned quickly.

"The master is in the study now."

Ye Ruyue quickly washed up, put on a cloak and a hot water bottle to warm her hands, and hurried off.

The side courtyard wasn't far away, and Ye Ruyue, being cautious, asked Qian Yidong, who was on duty, to go and inform Zhao Ye that she had arrived.

After a short while, the servants outside the study were dismissed, and Qian Yidong then came to take Ye Ruyue over.

"Ye Lang!" Ye Ruyue went straight to the point: "I heard that Cheng Nanzhi didn't reserve a table at Xiangchun Pavilion for Ze Ge'er. What do you plan to do?"

Zhao Ye was taken aback: "How did you know?"