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

Having been away from the capital for three years, Cheng Nanzhi doesn't know many officials' wives anymore. She only became acquainted with the wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel at the last apprenticeship banquet.

Therefore, before attending the banquet, Cheng Nanzhi first had a servant from the Marquis's residence take her to meet the wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

"I knew you were coming, and I was just waiting for you. Sure enough, you were here!" The wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, whose husband's surname was Yang, was a very straightforward and clever woman.

Cheng Nanzhi smiled and said, "Thank you for waiting for me, Sister Yang. If it weren't for you, I would really feel uncomfortable here. I wouldn't even know who to talk to."

Madam Yang said with a smile, "Since I brought you here, I will take good care of you. Don't worry, the wife of the Marquis of Wu'an is a very easy person to talk to and get along with. She has heard of you for a long time and is just waiting to meet you."

After saying that, he was about to take Cheng Nanzhi to meet the host of the banquet when he noticed Ye Ruyue and Zhao Huaiyu behind Cheng Nanzhi.

Cheng Nanzhi then took the opportunity to introduce the topic.

It was the first time Zhao Huaiyu had faced the wife of a high-ranking official, and he was so nervous and awkward that he even stuttered a little.

Ye Ruyue bowed gracefully, appearing as a delicate and pitiful beauty, but the sharp glint in her eyes made Madam Yang instantly realize her intentions.

Madam Yang smiled and offered a few polite compliments.

Cheng Nanzhi understood, "Follow the servants to your seats. Don't wander around, lest you accidentally bump into someone important. I'll be there shortly."

Zhao Huaiyu timidly agreed.

Ye Ruyue, however, was somewhat dissatisfied: "Sister-in-law, how can we, as guests, not go and meet the host? That would be far too impolite."

Cheng Nanzhi raised an eyebrow: "Does my cousin really want to go?"

Ye Ruyue nodded eagerly.

Cheng Nanzhi then instructed Qingdai to stay close to Zhao Huaiyu, and let Ye Ruyue go with her.

Madam Yang seemed hesitant to speak.

Ye Ruyue noticed it, but didn't pay much attention to it. However, she soon understood Madam Yang's deeper meaning.

Lady Wu'an was in the main hall of the inner sanctuary, surrounded by the wives of various marquises and noblewomen. They were all extremely dignified, and their gazes towards others carried an unspoken disdain and arrogance.

Upon seeing Cheng Nanzhi, Lady Wu'an and her entourage stood up to greet her warmly. As for Ye Ruyue, upon hearing that Cheng Nanzhi said she was a cousin from her husband's family who had come to seek refuge from afar, she only gave a polite nod and then ignored her, focusing her conversation solely on Cheng Nanzhi.

Cheng Nanzhi was like a fish in water, and soon became friends with the ladies, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.

This made Ye Ruyue, who was sitting alone to the side, look both embarrassed and pitiful.

Ye Ruyue stared at Cheng Nanzhi, hoping she would lead her into the conversation.

Cheng Nanzhi seemed completely oblivious and continued chatting with the ladies.

Ye Ruyue was so angry that she almost ground her teeth to powder.

Cheng Nanzhi must have done it on purpose!

But she really misunderstood Cheng Nanzhi; it wasn't that Cheng Nanzhi intentionally wanted to isolate her.

The social circles of wealthy women in Beijing have their own set of rules and practices, which are no less effective than the sycophancy and flattery prevalent in official circles.

The ladies of families favored by the emperor and those in high positions are always very popular, and it's inevitable to have dealings with them and to curry favor with them. As for those who are less important, it's already considered good if you can just give them a friendly face and not offend them.

Zhao Ye is not prominent in the court now, but Cheng Nanzhi is the youngest daughter of the Cheng family and has grown up in the Prince of Anyang's mansion since childhood, so her status cannot be taken lightly.

If she wanted, there would be plenty of ladies who would be on good terms with her.

After exchanging pleasantries, Cheng Nanzhi was deeply moved.

In her dream, she was utterly humiliated by the Zhao family. All she wanted was an explanation and justice, yet she still harbored a sliver of hope that they would compensate her or admit their mistakes. So she turned the Zhao family upside down, leaving her battered and bruised, with no energy left to cultivate her own network, circle, relationships, and so on.

By the time she came to her senses, her reputation, innocence, and honor had been completely destroyed by the Zhao family. No one was willing to reach out to her, and no one wanted to get close to her. Loneliness and a lack of understanding drove her to become even more hysterical.

She was determined not to end up like the one in her dream!

This time, she wants to cultivate her reputation and relationships before she breaks ties with the Zhao family, so that everyone will support her and everyone will condemn the Zhao family, making them taste the bitterness she has always dreamed of!

"It's about time, let's go to the banquet. I've specially invited a famous chef from Jiangnan this time, and I hope all the ladies will be satisfied," said Lady Wu'an with a smile.

She married into the Marquis of Wu'an's household two years ago, becoming his second wife.

Marquis Wu'an already has a son and a daughter, while she has no children of her own. However, she gets along very well with Marquis Wu'an's children, and consequently, she also enjoys a harmonious relationship with Marquis Wu'an and his wife. In the capital, she is widely praised for her virtuousness, kindness, and skill in managing the household; she is a rare find among matriarchs.

Everyone gave her face, smiling and complimenting the chef she had found, and they all went to the front hall together.

Ye Ruyue called out to Cheng Nanzhi, who was with her, and then fell a few steps behind.

"Sister-in-law, you've gone too far! My aunt told you to take good care of me, and this is how you take care of me? You have no idea how uncomfortable I was sitting there just now. You should have taken the initiative to introduce me to someone!" Ye Ruyue couldn't hold back any longer.

Since arriving at the banquet, she hasn't found the slightest opportunity to chat with the ladies of power and wealth! What's the point of all her elaborate dressing up?

“Cousin, what are you saying? Didn’t I introduce you in the first place? The ladies were mostly friendly to you, and you haven’t made any mistakes. If this isn’t taking care of you, then what is?” Cheng Nanzhi was absolutely unyielding when she needed to be cold.

"Does my sister-in-law have to nag you like a street vendor? Cousin, you're still an unmarried young woman. Besides, you're getting older. If they talk about you, they'll inevitably bring up why you're still single. How will you face that?"

"Outsiders can't understand you as well as your sister-in-law; there will always be gossip!"

Ye Ruyue was speechless and her face turned pale and then red.

Cheng Nanzhi said, "This is not a place you should be. It's good enough that you're here to show your face. Don't ask for too much, or you'll lose your composure and dignity."

Ye Ruyue was about to retort when Cheng Nanzhi changed the subject and said, "Although this is not a place for you, there will be a suitable occasion for you later. There will be poetry and drinking games at the Spring Banquet. Cousin, since you are so talented, why don't you join in and play with the younger generation?"

Ye Ruyue was immediately overjoyed.

Cheng Nanzhi walked out, pretending to sigh, "Sister-in-law is so devoted to you, but who would have thought you would misunderstand her like that."

Ye Ruyue didn't care about saving face at that moment, and after saying a few flattering words, she followed along, unable to hide her joy.

However, he did not notice the coldness in Cheng Nanzhi's eyes.

Do you really think she's being so kind as to let her come?

When it came time to appreciate the scenery and compose poems, she was determined to have someone test Ye Ruyue, and she was sure she could find out who the capable people around Ye Ruyue were this time.

The two quickly caught up with the ladies who had walked away.

By this time, most of the guests had arrived. As they entered the front hall, Lady Wu'an was about to announce the start of the banquet when a servant reported that several daughters of wealthy families were fighting in the side hall!

"They are the daughters of Minister Zhao, the Vice Minister of Rites, and the daughters of the Left Prime Minister!"

"I heard it was over a few pieces of jewelry that they argued, and it escalated into a fight. The daughter of the Left Prime Minister was even shoved hard, and her palm was scraped!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent, and everyone turned to look at Cheng Nanzhi.

Lady Wu'an's expression changed slightly. "How is the Left Prime Minister's daughter? Is she alright?"

The servant said with a pained expression, "The Left Prime Minister's daughter is crying in pain."

Lady Wu'an's face darkened further, and she abruptly stood up.

"Madam Zhao, please come with me and give me an explanation!"