Sister-in-law, Save Me

Lady Su was shocked. "What are you doing?"

Matron Ruan pointed to a few servants and laughed, "If Third Madam Zhao wants to enjoy this kind of treatment, feel free to shout. Anyway, this place is far from the main hall, so even if you shout your lungs out, no one will hear you."

The Earl of Suiping's Residence was large, with the front courtyard serving as a study and guest rooms. To reach the main hall, one had to walk through a long corridor, so even if Lady Su made a scene here, the people inside wouldn't hear it.

Lady Su's expression changed several times before she finally sighed, "Why bother? I didn't come here to cause trouble. The Third Master forced me to come; I had no choice. I'm just here to go through the motions."

Matron Ruan didn't believe her and pointed to a road ahead, saying, "Then Third Madam Zhao, please sit in the guest courtyard for a while. Third Madam Zhao can return after the young lady's coming-of-age ceremony."

"Okay." Lady Su nodded readily.

Without needing Matron Ruan to urge her, she walked straight down that road, saying as she went, "However, I would like to see the First Madam. After the coming-of-age ceremony, could I see her?"

Matron Ruan waved her hand, signaling the servants to escort Lady Su's maids and attendants to follow, before replying to Lady Su, "I can't make that decision. However, I will report it to Madam."

Lady Su didn't say anything more and obediently followed Matron Ruan to a secluded guest courtyard.

This place is quite far from the main road. Even if the guests leave the Earl of Suiping's Residence after attending the coming-of-age ceremony, Lady Su will not be able to go to the road to cause trouble.

At the other end of the main hall, Zhao Ruxi changed into a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and bowed to her parents to express her gratitude for their upbringing.

The Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence washed her hands again and began the second round of additional rituals.

She took the hairpin from Zhao Ruyu's plate and recited aloud. "On this auspicious month and day, I present your attire. Respect your dignity, be virtuous and cautious. May you live ten thousand years and forever enjoy blessings."

She walked up to Zhao Ruxi, removed her hairpin, and put a hair ornament in her hair.

Xiao Ruotong stepped forward and symbolically straightened the hairpin.

Zhao Ruxi rose, bowed, and went back to the east room to change into a flowing robe that matched her hairpins. She then came out to thank Kang Shilin and Madam Cui for their guidance.

The Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence washed her hands again, removed Zhao Ruxi's hairpins, and put on a hair ornament. Zhao Ruxi went to the east room to change into a long-sleeved formal dress. She then bowed and expressed her gratitude to the imperial palace.

The coming-of-age ceremony was not yet over; there was still a toast, the parents bestowing a name upon her, and she receiving instruction.

Although etiquette dictates that parents bestow a name upon Zhao Ruxi, Kang Shilin had already given Zhao Ruxi a name. Moreover, a teacher for a day is a father for life, and Kang Shilin was highly respected and had shown Zhao Ruxi immense kindness. Therefore, Zhao Yuanxun asked Kang Shilin to bestow a name upon Zhao Ruxi, and Kang Shilin wrote the two characters "Zhiwei".

After the ceremony, Zhao Yuanxun led the male guests to a side hall and hosted a banquet for them. Today happened to be a day off, but Wu Huaisi and Gong Cheng Yamen still had matters to attend to, so they had taken time out of their busy schedules to come today. They hadn't eaten yet and took their leave.

Wu Zong, on the other hand, stayed with his master at the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

The female guests were led into the inner courtyard by the old lady and Lady Zhu, where they ate in the main hall. After the meal, everyone chatted for a while before taking their leave.

Lady Zhu had all the gifts moved into Zhao Ruxi's room, instructing her, "Register all these gifts and lock them in the storeroom and safe."

"Yes, Mother," Zhao Ruxi said enthusiastically.

Although it took time, she still really enjoyed unwrapping the gifts.

Yicui stood there for a long time, listening to Dianjiang read out the gift list, Zhao Ruxi examine the gifts, Qingfeng register them. She estimated the price of each gift, and finally couldn't help but click her tongue. She said to Zhao Ruxi, "Miss, all these gifts together must be worth tens of thousands of taels of silver. No wonder wealthy families love to hold banquets."

Although banquets are held to entertain guests, the chicken, duck, fish, and meat are all sent from the estate; even if some expensive ingredients are purchased, plus all other expenses, it won't cost more than a thousand taels of silver. Receiving just one gift is enough to break even. Everything else is pure profit.

Hearing these childish words, Matron Yuan couldn't help but laugh.

"It's true that hosting banquets and receiving gifts makes money, but you haven't even factored in the gifts we give out when we attend other people's banquets."

She pointed to the booklet in Qingfeng's hand. "Why do you need to keep a booklet? One reason is to know how many valuable things I have, so that I don't get robbed without even knowing. The second reason is to keep track of favors I owe. All the gifts you've received, young lady, will have to be returned in the future."

"Leaving aside everything else, just consider the Duke of Wei's Residence. Every year, for the Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence's birthday, as well as for their weddings, funerals, and various banquets, the lady gives away countless gifts. This gift they sent this time is only a partial return; our mansion is still at a loss."

"Then our old lady and madam can also hold a birthday banquet," Yicui said.

Matron Yuan sighed, "Our household can't compare to theirs. That's why our gifts are expensive, and their return gifts are ordinary—that's in accordance with our status. This time, their gifts are quite expensive. Do you know why? It's just because they see our young lady is promising and might even respect us more than they do in the future. They're starting to show her some respect now."

Upon hearing this, not only the two maids, Yicui and Dianjiang, but even Qingfeng was startled. However, he also felt it was quite normal.

Isn't that just how things are? The Duke of Wei's Residence is considered relatively good; some people are even more opportunistic.

Praising the powerful and belittling the weak is the norm in circles of the powerful and wealthy.

Zhao Ruxi smiled and said, "That's not entirely true. At least it's not like that with my master, senior brother, Sister Ruotong and the Xu Family, my two older sisters and my uncle's family."

"That's true," Matron Yuan quickly replied, "These people genuinely care for you, Miss, and want what's best for you. Their gifts are all heartfelt."

In the guest courtyard, Lady Zhu sat opposite Madam Lady Su, looking at Lady Su with a shocked expression. "Are you serious? Is he really that heartless?"

Lady Su cried uncontrollably, "I never expected this. We've shared a bed for over ten years. He used to pretend to be so affectionate, coaxing me into giving him money and helping him get a government job. When he ran out of money, I even went back to my parents' house to ask for more. We even have two children. I never imagined that he would be so heartless as to try to kill me just to covet my dowry."

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief to prevent herself from wailing. "If it weren't for Nanny Sun reminding me, I really wouldn't know how I died."

Lady Zhu and Nanny Sun was standing behind Lady Su, exchanged a glance.

Nanny Sun was Lady Su's personal maid and was very loyal to Lady Su, so Lady Zhu naturally couldn't directly bribe Nanny Sun. But that didn't stop her from talking to Nanny Sun separately when the family was divided, giving her a heads-up, telling her to keep an eye on Zhao Yuankun, and to guard against him becoming a high-ranking official and looking down on Lady Su, and using tricks against Lady Su.

Nanny Sun was loyal to Lady Su and knew Lady Zhu's character well. Even if there were conflicts between the two households, Lady Zhu wouldn't say such things without reason. So she took these words to heart and carefully guarded against Zhao Yuankun after the family division.