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

The group was surprised that she had heard them, and hurriedly agreed, attracting the attention of Ye Ruyue inside.

Chunyu suppressed her emotions and went inside, finding an excuse to explain.

Ye Ruyue didn't seem to care much and said, "Sanmei, the old lady has been having a good appetite lately. Go to the kitchen now and get some lotus seed and yam soup to whet your appetite. You can come with me to pay your respects to the old lady later."

Chunyu, as if possessed, said, "Miss, why don't I go? I'm meticulous, I'll make sure the soup isn't spilled or cold."

Ye Ruyue was used to Sanmei's name and did not respond.

Sanmei suddenly said, "Miss, Chunyu, please go in my place. I'll help you change your clothes first."

Ye Ruyue frowned: "I've already changed, where would I still be..." She suddenly realized that there was something outside to talk about, so she nodded.

The maids standing nearby exchanged bewildered glances.

Chunyu pursed her lips, accepted the task that Sanmei didn't want, and went out.

Ye Ruyue then dismissed the maids.

Sanmei immediately knelt down: "Miss, last night I took it upon myself to sneak into Guantang Courtyard to inquire."

Ye Ruyue was taken aback: "Why are you going to inquire about it? There's nothing urgent right now."

Sanmei spoke earnestly: "It's alright now, but there's no guarantee that something won't happen since you took that risk to find Steward Wang. I thought it was better to take the initiative than to passively wait for an opportunity, so I went to inquire when Steward Wang would come to report to you, so that you could do your job in time! But I overheard something else!"

"What?" Ye Ruyue's heart skipped a beat.

"This servant's abilities are limited, and I haven't found out the specifics. I only heard that Madam said she would invite many people from high-ranking and noble families to attend the apprenticeship banquet. If she could befriend two or three of them, it would be extremely beneficial for her in the future. Even if something happened to her, these people would be there to help her."

“If Madam really has these helpful connections, will what you’re trying to do still succeed? I’m afraid it will backfire on you.” Sanmei said, feigning concern for her. “Miss, we’ve already done all this, why don’t we just add more and disrupt Madam’s plans to make connections?”

Ye Ruyue was slightly taken aback and almost agreed without thinking, but she quickly came to her senses: "No, this is Ze Ge'er's apprenticeship banquet, and there can't be any mistakes. Let's talk about it after the banquet. Even if she really does make a buddy, I can find a way to ruin it!"

Sanmei had a sudden inspiration: "If Madam can make friends, why can't you?"

Ye Ruyue was taken aback.

Sanmei said, "That's right, Miss, you should seize this opportunity to plan for yourself. That way, you'll have a good future and be able to marry into a good family!"

These words moved Ye Ruyue: "You're right."

Over the years, she had indeed fallen for Zhao Ye. But liking someone can't put food on the table, and she couldn't just focus on Zhao Ye alone; she needed to think of other options.

Who knows whether Zhao Ye will ultimately be willing to actually harm the Cheng family and kill Cheng Nanzhi to make way for her position?

Sanmei got up and stepped forward, massaging Ye Ruyue's shoulders with moderate force, and said earnestly, "This is a good opportunity, you must not let it slip by."

"You're right," Ye Ruyue said thoughtfully.

Sanmei said, "In that case, Miss, you must dress up nicely and make sure you outshine everyone at the apprenticeship banquet! I'm not exaggerating, you're very beautiful, and if you take good care of yourself, you'll look like a fairy descended from heaven!"

Ye Ruyue couldn't help but laugh at the praise: "It's not as exaggerated as you say."

Sanmei pressed her advantage: "Then when you go to see the old lady later, you should tell her that you want to meet her at the apprenticeship banquet. The old lady dotes on you and will definitely give you a nice headdress and fine fabric to make clothes."

"This won't work!"

Ye Ruyue immediately denied it.

Old Madam Zhao knows she's Zhao Ye's person. If Old Madam Zhao finds out she wants to go for a marriage proposal, she'll skin her alive! Zhao Ye will definitely be furious and won't let her off the hook either.

Sanmei was taken aback: "But if you don't go to the old lady, where will you get the money to buy clothes? Could it be..." She paused, "You're going to use the money you've saved these past two days? But didn't you say that money was to be saved for important matters in the future and shouldn't be touched easily?"

Ye Ruyue hesitated upon hearing this.

Making a name for oneself and building connections at the apprenticeship banquet is an important matter, and using the money earned is not out of the question... but Ye Ruyue felt that it was not the right time yet.

She thought for a moment, "I'll go and pay my respects to the old lady first."

She's Zege'er's birth mother, so it's perfectly normal for her to want to look her best at the banquet. Surely the old lady won't refuse to give her something. Once she sees Zhao Ye, she can ask him for something, and then she'll have the outfit she needs!

Chunyu quickly returned with the soup, but her expression was indignant. "Miss, you have no idea how disrespectful those people in the kitchen were to you. They were so embarrassed when they saw me..."

"We'll talk about it later." Ye Ruyue had important matters on her mind and didn't have the patience to listen any longer. She told Sanmei to take the soup and leave.

Chunyu's words caught in her throat as she stared at their slightly intimate backs and pursed her lips.

When Ye Ruyue arrived at Madam Zhao's place, she was surprised to find Cheng Nanzhi there as well.

Cheng Nanzhi had already prepared a guest list for the apprenticeship banquet and presented it to Madam Zhao for her review.

Having lived in the capital for many years, Madam Zhao knew quite a bit about the high-ranking families there. She immediately recognized that Cheng Nanzhi had put a lot of thought into her preparations, inviting only distinguished guests. However—

"Will all of these people give us the courtesy of coming?"

Among them were even high-ranking officials and marquises who would deign to attend the apprenticeship banquet of a seven-year-old child?

Madam Zhao has confidence in her grandson, but not to this extent.

Cheng Nanzhi said, "My husband has a bright future ahead of him, and my family is not to be underestimated. How could they not agree? After all, even if we don't become friends, it's still good to establish a good relationship for the future. It won't hurt us."

Ye Ruyue sat up straight opposite him.

Sanmei's inquiry was correct!

Cheng Nanzhi actually invited so many people to Ze Ge'er's apprenticeship banquet. It's clear she valued it, but if you say she didn't have her own agenda, not even a dog would believe it!

“Mother-in-law, your daughter-in-law will be helping my husband with the preparations for receiving guests, but I’ve been used to a simple life these past few years and don’t have any fashionable jewelry or clothes. I’m afraid I’ll be laughed at. I’ll leave the mansion this afternoon to go to Jinxiu Pavilion to make some.” Cheng Nanzhi suddenly said.

Jinxiu Pavilion is the largest and most famous jewelry shop in the capital. The jewelry it sells is all of the highest quality, exquisite and dazzling. Even the Seventh Princess of the Imperial Family, who has extremely high standards and is very picky, praised it highly. Therefore, it is very popular among women in the capital.

Ye Ruyue unconsciously gripped the armrest of the chair.

"Alright, go ahead." Old Madam Zhao was pleased to see how much Cheng Nanzhi valued it. The more Cheng Nanzhi valued it, the more glamorous and respectable her beloved grandson would be.

Madam Zhao also looked at Cheng Nanzhi expectantly, as she was also going to attend the banquet. According to Cheng Nanzhi's usual style, she would definitely prepare a set of jewelry for her as well.

However, Cheng Nanzhi didn't even glance at the old lady and simply left.

Madam Zhao was very disappointed, but she didn't want to say it directly, so she told Ye Ruyue to leave with a stern face.

Ye Ruyue stepped forward and poured tea for the old lady, saying, "Old Madam, what about Yue'er? Yue'er will be attending the banquet, but she has no money and nothing of value to use. What should we do?"

Madam Zhao waved her hand: "I'll have Zhang Mama pick a few things out of my dressing table for you."

That must be so old and worn out, how could it be suitable for such a beautiful young woman like her!

Ye Ruyue said coquettishly, "But Madam always goes to Jinxiu Pavilion to choose jewelry. Yue'er also wants to be as presentable as Madam, so that when she is presented to others in the future, she will not embarrass Ze Ge'er and Yu Jie'er."