We Have to Step Forward Too

She didn't care about her reputation, but Lady Zhu did. Since she said that, Lady Zhu would definitely settle scores with the servants.

The servants of the Earl of Suiping's Residence still need to be disciplined.

Lady Zhu's expression was also very unpleasant.

Although the eldest son's family and the second and third sons' families had separated, most of the servants were born into the household and were related to each other. It was almost impossible for the eldest son's family to completely sever ties with the second and third sons' families.

"Don't worry, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Those with direct relatives over there will be given a choice, or they can be sold off directly. I will also strengthen the management of entry and exit in the future. Generally, they won't be allowed to leave the mansion unless there's a specific reason. Restrictions will also be placed on those who come to visit relatives."

Zhao Ruyu's Daya, Fushu, had her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law still living at the Earl's residence. She came to the Earl's residence under the guise of visiting her parents. Previously, she hadn't paid much attention to these matters, so Lady Zhu hadn't disciplined her much.

After listening to Zhao Ruxi's analysis of the overall political situation, Lady Zhu realized that if she didn't strengthen the management of her servants, trouble would inevitably arise sooner or later. Coupled with this incident, she decided to thoroughly clean up her servants.

Zhao Yuanxun entered the dining hall and overheard the conversation between the mother and daughter.

He agreed with Lady Zhu, saying, "It definitely needs to be cleaned up."

After the old lady arrived, the family finished their meal and moved to the old lady's main room to sit down. Only then did Zhao Ruxi tell the three elders what had happened that day.

If she gets into an argument with someone outside, she must tell the adults at home. Otherwise, if the family isn't prepared, problems could easily arise.

All three were startled, and then became very angry.

"How could this person do this? He used despicable means to drive the craftsman to desperation, and he still has the nerve to come to you and say such things! The Earl of Zhongqin's Residence isn't exactly a prestigious family. Aren't they afraid of bringing trouble to the family by raising a child like this?" The old lady was furious.

Lady Zhu then took immediate action, turning to Zhao Yuanxun: "Why don't you go to the Duke of Wei's Residence tomorrow and beg them to send someone to the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence to plead for her? Mister Kumu has gone to such lengths for Miss Xi, we as parents can't stand idly by! If we just cower in the background and let Mister Kumu stand up for Miss Xi, what will others think of us? They'll think we're stuck in a quagmire and can't get out, and anyone can kick us while we're down."

"Yes, yes, we must go. We need to deter these scoundrels, otherwise they'll think we're easy to bully," the old lady added.

This is also why she has stubbornly maintained the dignity of the Earl of Suiping's Residence all these years.

If you show any signs of weakness, others will think you're easy to bully, and then all sorts of monsters and demons will dare to covet your property. Their good estates and well-located shops will inevitably be forcibly bought by someone else.

Zhao Yuanxun was also aware of this.

He said, "Okay, I'll go tomorrow."

"Take the old ginseng you got last time," the old lady added. "Giving such a generous gift now will help us stay in touch."

"How can that be? That was specially sourced by our son for you; it was the only one available. If we give it away, you won't have any left." Zhao Yuanxun disagreed.

When his father passed away, he had used up all the good medicinal herbs the family had stored, and the family's situation was not as good as before, so it was not easy to collect good medicinal herbs to keep on hand. Seeing that his mother was getting older and older, although it was faked last time, the old lady's stroke still frightened Zhao Yuanxun quite a bit.

During this period, he sold some of his collection and spent a large sum of money to buy his mother a several-hundred-year-old ginseng, which he planned to use to save her life in a critical moment.

This is a rare find. Even if you have one, it's usually sent to top-tier wealthy families, since they can afford the price. He finally managed to acquire one, and if he gives it away, even if he has money in the future, he might not be able to buy such a good one again.

"Father, don't give away Grandmother's ginseng. See what you have at home, and just send a slightly more substantial gift," Zhao Ruxi said. "I think if the Duke of Wei's Residence wants to do us a favor, they'll send someone to speak to us even if you don't send a big gift; if they don't want to do us a favor, even if you send two ginseng roots, they won't change their minds because of the gift. It also depends on the position and allegiance of the Duke of Wei's Residence and the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence."

Zhao Yuanxun immediately understood. "If the Duke of Wei's Residence and the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence are on the same side, no matter how much we offer, they won't help us; if they are on the opposing side, they will want to kick the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence while it's down, even without offering gifts."

Zhao Ruxi nodded. "Exactly."

"But what if the Duke of Wei's Residence doesn't take sides?" the old lady asked.

Many families in the capital are unwilling to get involved in the struggle for the throne, and the Duke of Wei's Residence might be one of them.

"That depends on their relationship with our household. If they are, they will help us after we give them gifts; if they are not willing to help, we shouldn't have too high expectations of them in the future."

Lady Zhu concluded. "In short, you can find out a lot by giving a gift."

"That's right," Zhao Ruxi said.

"With your master's intervention, the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence should be punished this time, right?" Lady Zhu asked again.

Zhao Ruxi shook her head. "Not necessarily. I guess they'll just give me a scolding, nothing serious."

The three elders, whose mood had just begun to improve, sank again.

Zhao Yuanxun couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up. "Now, before curfew, I'll find some things and quickly deliver them to the Duke of Wei's Residence. If I deliver them first thing tomorrow morning, they still have to go to court and won't have time to deal with it. Who knows how long this matter will drag on. If they arrive too late, after the Emperor has already reprimanded the Duke of Duke of Wei's Residence, then it's pointless."

The old lady quickly said, "Go, go! Go to my storeroom and pick something out."

"No need, come to my place and choose." Lady Zhu also stood up.

The old lady and Zhao Yuanxun were both kind-hearted; they only touched things from the manor and their private treasury, rarely touching her dowry. Sometimes, if they had to use something, they would make up for it later. When it came to good things, she had the most.

"No matter where you are, just pick a suitable place and go quickly."

Zhao Ruxi didn't have anything good, not even a private treasury. She was also running low on silver and needed to make things and run a shop. She was powerless to help with the mess she had created.

However, she wants to use this incident to plan a bigger scheme, so she can only leave it at that for now.

After the couple left, the old lady asked Zhao Ruxi with concern, "Won't the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence really retaliate against us?"

"No. Everyone in the capital is watching. If anything happens to our family, they'll be the first to suspect them. They'll be too busy protecting us to retaliate."

The old lady was finally relieved.

"Grandmother, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to the courtyard." Zhao Ruxi stood up. "Jingtai is still painting over there."