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

The next day, the Zhao family was busy from early morning.

Cheng Nanzhi didn't get much sleep either. She got up early to prepare and ordered someone to remind Zhao Shize and Zhao Huaiyu about etiquette and manners. She even squeezed in time to ask Qingdai how the arrangements were going.

"Don't worry, Miss, I've done everything. The poems have been circulating since last night. We'll spread the word widely as soon as the banquet starts today, making sure all the guests who arrive later know about them. We'll also have the servants spread the word among themselves," Qingdai said.

Cheng Nanzhi nodded in satisfaction and summoned Jian Lanlian to help her wash and change her clothes, using the items she had bought from Jinxiu Pavilion.

Qingdai no longer found them objectionable: "Indeed, free things are the freshest."

Things bought with that woman Ye Ruyue's money are more worthwhile and pleasing to the eye.

After the apprenticeship banquet, we'll pawn it and use the proceeds to buy bird's nest and ginseng for the young lady to nourish her body!

While adjusting Cheng Nanzhi's skirt, Lianruo said, "Sister Qingdai, you must be confused by your busy schedule. Madam's outfit cost a lot of money; it's not free. But for a beauty like our Madam, using the most precious things is not an exaggeration."

Qingdai and Jianlan smiled without saying a word.

Cheng Nanzhi glanced at Lian Ruo and simply smiled.

Inside Shou'an Hall, Old Madam Zhao was grumbling and complaining, dissatisfied with everything that Zhang Mama brought out, and finding nothing she liked no matter how hard she looked.

"It's all Cheng Nanzhi's fault for being irresponsible. She even ruined the jewelry that Yue'er bought for me, so now I don't have anything presentable to show off."

Zhang Mama said, "Madam, I think this gold and jade set is quite nice. Why don't you use this one? Your noble bearing is evident in your attire; a little dressing up is enough. You don't need to wear something vulgar like Madam does."

Only then did Madam Zhao's face light up with a smile.

Feeling dissatisfied, Madam Zhao had an idea: "When the apprenticeship banquet is almost over, and when nothing happens that will affect Ze Ge'er, you can have someone cause some trouble."

Granny Zhang immediately understood: "You want to set some rules for Madam?"

Madam Zhao sneered, "I let her have her way before because of Ze'er. Now that Ze'er's matter has been settled, how can I allow her, a daughter-in-law, to step on my face? It's time for her to understand who she should listen to most in this household."

She had had enough of living a life where she always went along with Cheng Nanzhi.

Zhang Mama's eyes gleamed, and she immediately agreed.

In the side courtyard, Ye Ruyue was also making plans, especially after she couldn't come up with an outfit suitable for attending the banquet no matter how hard she tried.

The only presentable items were the hairpin and earrings given to me by Zhao Ye.

Although Madam Zhao had Zhang Mama send some more, the styles were still old-fashioned and outdated; she would be ridiculed if she wore them out!

Chunyu observed her expression and said, "Miss, you are naturally beautiful, and you will stand out no matter how you dress up. However, in my opinion, you would be better off dressing simply and plainly."

Ye Ruyue said unhappily, "The guests here today are all distinguished. If I act like that, wouldn't I be ridiculed? If you can't speak properly, then shut up."

Chunyu said, “It is precisely because the occasion is important that most of the guests are dressed in formal attire. While one or two people might stand out, if there are too many, people will get tired of looking at them. If you were to appear in a fresh and natural style, you would definitely leave a deep impression among such a group of people.”

Chunyu then took out a bundle that she had prepared long ago and opened it.

"This servant has taken the liberty of altering your favorite light blue dress. Fortunately, I have some decent embroidery skills, and I hope they will catch your eye, Miss, and spare me from punishment."

She quickly unfolded her dress.

The green bamboo and white lotus on the skirt are so lifelike that they don't look out of place together; on the contrary, they look novel. The swaying skirt almost makes lotus flowers bloom.

Ye Ruyue's face had already darkened, but her eyes brightened slightly upon seeing this.

Hearing Chunyu's words again, his expression softened even more.

Chunyu pressed her advantage, saying, "If Miss trusts me, why don't I do your hair and makeup?"

Ye Ruyue glanced at her and nodded.

Chunyu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got to work.

A quarter of an hour later, a graceful and beautiful woman was reflected in the bronze mirror. Her hair was styled in a bun with only a hairpin that Zhao Ye had bought, which complemented her earrings perfectly. With a few stray hairs framing her forehead, she was charming and lovely.

Ye Ruyue was overjoyed: "Chunyu, I never knew you had such good skills."

"I'm glad you like it, Miss." Chunyu said respectfully.

Ye Ruyue generously took out the loose silver that Zhao Ye had given her and rewarded Chunyu with it.

This was the first time Chunyu had received a reward from Ye Ruyue in this way.

Her eyes flickered slightly, and she became even more certain that she had done the right thing. She should fight for herself and not be as humble as she had been before!

It was almost time, and the Zhao family prepared to welcome their guests.

"Madam, the old lady has sent word that she requests you to come to the front hall to receive the guests," said the old woman who came from Guantang Courtyard.

Cheng Nanzhi put down what she was doing and asked, "Where is the master? Is he in the manor now?"

"Reporting to Madam, the master left early this morning."

On such an important occasion as today, the master of the Zhao family must all make an appearance, and the servants must also pay close attention to their master's instructions, so their master's whereabouts are no longer a secret.

"The master said he would personally invite Mr. Zhou to his residence, and he should have arrived at the inn where Mr. Zhou is staying by now," the old woman said respectfully.

Cheng Nanzhi twitched the corner of her mouth, impressed that Zhao Ye valued Zhou Xiangru so much that he went to such lengths.

It's good to take this seriously.

Cheng Nanzhi quickly finished her work and instructed Jianlan and Lianruo to keep an eye on the servants to prevent any mistakes. She then took Qingdai to the front hall.

Several guests had already arrived in the front yard, and Cheng Nanzhi happened to run into them, greeting them with a smile.

Cheng Nanzhi was a well-known noblewoman in the capital, and everyone knew her. Those men recognized her at a glance and warmly greeted her.

Upon arriving at the front hall, I saw several elderly ladies talking to Madam Zhao.

They were initially lukewarm towards each other, but as soon as Cheng Nanzhi appeared and they recognized her, their attitude changed immediately, and they became as close as family.

"I heard that Madam Zhao left earlier to recuperate. I wonder how she is now?"

Cheng Nanzhi smiled calmly and said, "I'm much better now, otherwise my mother-in-law wouldn't have let me handle this family banquet all by myself."

"No wonder the Zhao residence is so grand today; it was all arranged by you. Madam Zhao, you are truly blessed to have such a capable and noble daughter-in-law as Madam Cheng. I wish my son could have such a virtuous wife as well."

Madam Zhao was somewhat displeased by their drastically different attitudes, and said with a forced smile, "Not at all."

She glanced at Cheng Nanzhi, hoping that Cheng Nanzhi would be sensible and speak well of the Zhao family, so that the guests would only know her and forget the purpose of their visit today.

To everyone's surprise, Cheng Nanzhi seemed to be blind and didn't see it at all. She chatted with the guests with ease, rarely mentioning her husband's family, and didn't know how to win over her husband's family!

Old Madam Zhao looked at her with a stern face, determined to set some rules for her.