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

After leaving Shou'an Hall, Cheng Nanzhi told Zhao Shize to go first, then called out to Zhao Huaiyu, turned a corner, and went for a walk with her in the backyard.

"Don't be nervous, Mother is just having a casual chat with you." Cheng Nanzhi told the servants to step back a few paces to create some distance, and her gentle voice made Zhao Huaiyu unconsciously relax.

What did you think of today's poetry gathering?

"It's very lively!"

"What do you think of Zege'er?"

"My brother is amazing."

To put it bluntly, Zhao Huaiyu was stunned by the talent Zhao Shize had displayed today. She never expected that her brother, who used to be ignorant and only knew how to drag her around and play around, was actually so intelligent.

Cheng Nanzhi probed subtly without making a sound.

“You and Zege’er started your studies at the same time. Since Zege’er is so talented, I suppose you are too. Yu’er, then you should also recite a poem you wrote for your mother.”

At Shou'an Hall, Cheng Nanzhi did not stop Zhao Shize from talking about the poetry gathering; in fact, she flattered him to please Old Madam Zhao. Her intention was to test Old Madam Zhao's reaction to the poetry gathering and to discern from her inner thoughts whether she knew that Zhao Ye had a capable person by his side.

As a result, Old Madam Zhao knew nothing about Zhao Ye helping Zhao Shize cheat, nor did she know who this capable person was.

Zhao Shize was unaware of this either. He believed that Zhao Ye had done all of that and he greatly admired Zhao Ye.

Fortunately, she did gain something—she confirmed that her ability to read minds did not fail with Old Madam Zhao and Zhao Shize as it did with Zhao Ye.

Now she needs to confirm this with Zhao Huaiyu.

Zhao Huaiyu became embarrassed upon hearing this and stammered, "Mother, I don't know."

"No way? Ke Ze'er is so capable, you two are from the same mother, you should have some of his intelligence." Cheng Nanzhi pretended to be surprised and puzzled.

Zhao Huaiyu felt very uncomfortable listening to this. "My brother used to be about the same age as me! I don't know why he suddenly became so good... I've got it! It must be that my brother drags me around to play during the day, but secretly studies at night!"

Thinking about it this way, Zhao Huaiyu became very angry.

Okay, brother must have done it on purpose, just wanting to be praised for his progress while she looks stupid in comparison, right?

But who can my brother study with at night?

Could it be... that his father secretly taught him at night?

Zhao Huaiyu recalled the closeness and unspoken understanding between Zhao Ye and Zhao Shize at Xiangchun Tower, and confirmed his guess.

She was immediately indignant. Why did her father only teach her brother and not her?

Cheng Nanzhi confirmed that Zhao Huaiyu also did not know.

It seems that only Zhao Ye and Ye Ruyue in the entire mansion know about this.

It seems her ability to hear thoughts only fails for Zhao Ye? Or perhaps it hasn't failed for others yet.

Cheng Nanzhi put the matter of probing Zhao Ye's true feelings into the agenda to find out why it had failed.

Looking at Zhao Huaiyu, she said, "Mother knows. It seems that Zege'er is indeed naturally intelligent. You and Zege'er are not quite the same. So, we can't find a tutor for you according to Zege'er's requirements."

"Why can't I be like my brother?" Zhao Huaiyu looked up at her abruptly. "Mother, do you, like Grandmother, think that I am destined to marry and therefore cannot be like my brother?"

Cheng Nanzhi's affability and care over the past few days had given Zhao Huaiyu the illusion that Cheng Nanzhi was the most supportive of her. Hearing her words so suddenly now, Zhao Huaiyu felt very wronged.

Cheng Nanzhi seemed taken aback. "How could you think that way? Your mother has never thought that way. In your mother's eyes, you and Ze'er are both worthy of the best. The teacher is the best too."

Zhao Huaiyu immediately asked, "Really?"

Cheng Nanzhi's voice was gentle: "When has your mother ever lied to you?"

"But you just said that my brother and I are different!"

“Silly child, your mother just feels that your academic foundation is a bit weaker than Ze’er’s, so you need a teacher who can patiently teach you from the beginning. Your mother never said that she wouldn’t find you a good and suitable teacher.”

Seeing Zhao Huaiyu's face light up with a smile, Cheng Nanzhi calmly added, "Actually, Mother's expectations for you are higher than those for Ze'er."

Zhao Huaiyu opened her eyes wide.

Cheng Nanzhi said earnestly, "The world is indeed different for men and women. It is always more difficult and harsh for women. If a woman wants to make a living, it is not easy. It seems that she can only rely on men. This makes it seem that the best outcome for a woman is to marry a good husband."

"But your mother tells you today—no. There are many ways for a woman to establish herself, and there are many things she can do. As long as she is not afraid of hardship and has the ability, a woman can also live the life she wants."

"That's exactly what your mother wants you to do."

Zhao Huaiyu's pupils contracted slightly, stunned by Cheng Nanzhi's words, and he stared at her blankly and helplessly.

“But…that’s not what Grandmother said. She said I must find a good husband to help my brother in the future.”

"Of course, this is also a path, a path to give back to family and loved ones after enjoying years of wealth. It's not that it's bad, it depends on the person. This person may be suited to this path, but that person may not be."

Cheng Nanzhi paused, then said softly, "Your mother only asks you whether you would rather help your older brother rise to prominence and rely on him, or inherit the family business and carry forward the Zhao family tradition like him."

Zhao Huaiyu stared blankly at Cheng Nanzhi and said, "But I am a girl and cannot inherit the family business."

"Who said that?"

“Grandmother, Father, and Brother said the same thing. Grandmother also said that everyone else does too.”

"But my mother is different."

Cheng Nanzhi smiled slightly at Zhao Huaiyu, "Mother only hopes you are happy. If you want to inherit the Zhao family business like Ze'er, Mother will support you. If Grandmother and the others don't agree, then you can prove with your actions that you are more capable and intelligent than Ze'er, and make them value and appreciate you more, wouldn't that be enough?"

"So I can compete with my brother after all..." Zhao Huaiyu was deeply shocked.

Cheng Nanzhi naturally agreed.

Seeing Zhao Huaiyu standing there dumbfounded, Cheng Nanzhi didn't rush to say anything more, saying, "It's still early, take your time to think it over. If you have an idea, then do it. You still have several years to achieve your goal."

Zhao Huaiyu nodded as if he understood, but was still somewhat dazed.

Cheng Nanzhi then ordered her servants to escort her back to her residence.

"...Miss, why bother saying so much to Miss?" Seeing that Lan had arrived long ago and had walked quite a distance with her, Cheng Nanzhi didn't try to hide from her or ask her to go far away, so she heard everything clearly.

She was also shocked by Cheng Nanzhi's remarks.

That's too unconventional! If outsiders find out, it will definitely damage her reputation. In more serious cases, people might not even know if she can find a good family. They might think she's not a good wife.

Seeing that Lan dared not think about it further, she was now even more worried.

"If the adults and the old lady knew what you were teaching the young lady, they would probably be very angry with you!"