Upon hearing her daughter's answer, Yao felt somewhat lost and a sense of panic gradually crept into her heart. She realized that she had indeed overlooked the most important thing.

Madam Yao held Xu Tao's hand and said earnestly, "Child, you can't think like that. Life isn't just about living alone; it's about living with your husband. After you marry into the Feng family, you not only have to live well with your husband, but you also have to get along well with your mother-in-law and future sisters-in-law. You are the eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, you will still be the matriarch of the Feng family. Tao'er, there are many things you need to know, and you need to know how to solve problems when they arise."

Upon hearing Yao's words, Xu Tao's expression became even more confused. She said, "Mother, are there really so many things I need to do? But I'm just marrying the eldest son of the Feng family. I'll be living with him from now on. What do their affairs have to do with me?"

Madam Yao felt even more panicked. The wedding was just around the corner, yet her daughter had no idea what she would be facing in the future. Madam Yao knew her daughter was quiet and taciturn, but she never imagined that because she had been so protective of her child, her child would be so ignorant.

Suppressing her inner turmoil, Madam Yao said, "Tao'er, I originally thought that the Feng family was a simple family, and that Minister Feng was just a vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel. I thought that if we married into such a family, you would only need to serve your mother-in-law well and have a good relationship with the eldest son of the Feng family. Who would have thought that the Feng family would be different now because of Minister Feng's promotion? Tao'er, the Feng family is now the Minister's mansion. After you enter the family, you will be the eldest daughter-in-law, and there will be many things in the family that you need to help your mother-in-law with."

As Xu Tao listened to Yao's explanation, her heart felt like it had fallen into a bottomless abyss. Everything around her was cold and icy, and she swayed back and forth, not knowing when she would finally reach the bottom.

Seeing her daughter's pale face, Yao pulled Xu Tao to her feet and said, "Come on, come with me to your grandmother's place, and let her have a good talk with you."

Xu Tao didn't want to go. She had been in a bad mood lately because of the wedding, and she knew it herself. Her complexion was not good, and she was afraid that if she went like this, the old lady would worry.

Yao didn't care about anything else. She grabbed Xu Tao and hurriedly walked out, which startled the nanny who was guarding outside.

The old woman quickly stopped her and asked in a low voice, "Fourth Madam, what are you doing?"

Madam Yao said, "Granny, I'm taking Tao'er to pay my respects to the Old Madam. You can come with me."

The old woman naturally knew what Yao was thinking, and whispered, "Fourth Madam, we still have to consider the Second Miss's feelings."

Madam Yao's face grew even more anxious. She said, "Granny, this is an extremely urgent matter. I can't worry about anything else. You must come with me."

The old woman had no choice but to instruct the maids and servants who served Xu Tao to change her clothes. If Xu Tao were to wear those worn-out clothes to the old lady's courtyard, who knows what rumors would spread throughout the mansion.

Although the Marquis's mansion was a relatively harmonious family, each family still had their own little schemes. They were all in the same boat, and as long as they didn't embarrass themselves, watching others make a fool of themselves was always a source of amusement. Many people in the Marquis's mansion were naturally no exception, especially some of the servants. Xu Tao had already been the subject of gossip in the mansion because of her preparations for her dowry. If something like this happened again, it would not be a good thing for the second young lady.

Only then did Madam Yao realize her mistake. She bit her tongue to calm herself down. After Xu Tao had finished getting ready, she took her nanny and accompanied Xu Tao to the old lady's courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, Granny Shen was already waiting at the door. Madam Yao smiled and said, "Granny Shen, please wait here. Our second young lady has some matters to consult with the old lady."

Granny Shen smiled and said, "Fourth Madam, the Old Madam arranged for me to wait for you here after you left, saying that you should invite the Second Miss over to talk together. I've been waiting for quite a while now, and you've finally brought the Second Miss over."

Madam Yao quickly grabbed Granny Chen's hand and said, "Granny, I can't accept such a compliment. Grandmother is already waiting. Let's go in quickly."

Upon entering the old lady's room, the old lady was still sitting on the large kang (heated brick bed) in the banquet area. However, the items on the kang table had been changed to several snacks suitable for young girls, along with a pot of ginger and jujube tea. Seeing Xu Tao following behind Yao Shi, the old lady poured a cup of tea with a deep red color and the sweet aroma of jujubes, and said, "Child, come and sit with your grandmother."

Xu Tao bowed to the old lady from under the kang (a heated brick bed), then took off her shoes and sat down next to her.

Granny Shen had already taken all the servants out of the room, leaving only the old lady, Madam Yao, and Xu Tao inside.

The old lady looked at Madam Yao, who said, "Grandmother, it was my oversight. Originally, the Feng family was not prominent, so there wasn't much for our Tao'er to do after she married into the family. I thought that the eldest son of the Feng family was a kind and honest person. He could study hard with my father for a few years and then be sent to a post outside the capital. The young couple could then live their own lives. But now, Lord Feng has been promoted, and the Feng family has moved to a new house. The most important thing for our Tao'er now is not her dowry, but how she will survive in her husband's family after she marries into the family."

Looking at Xu Tao, who kept her head down, the old lady felt a little sad. Many things should have been taught from a young age, but when it came time to use them, she realized that she hadn't been taught well. Now, being anxious was of no use.

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