Chapter 186 A Joke
Seeing Zhang's haughty attitude, Su Chengniang smiled faintly, her expression calm:
"Is the old lady questioning His Majesty's ability to judge character?"
Zhang blurted out, "What nonsense are you talking about? When have I ever questioned the current emperor?"
Su Chengniang held the imperial edict high in her hand and said, "His Majesty just conferred upon me the title of Second Rank Lady. The edict is still in my hands and I haven't even warmed it yet. The old lady says that I am not worthy of it. Isn't this questioning His Majesty and showing contempt for the laws of the court?"
Or is it that the old lady believes the Emperor is wise and powerful, but has misjudged him in this particular matter?
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang's face darkened even further. She hadn't expected that after more than a decade, Su Chengniang's temper was still as foul and stubborn as ever. She was so sharp-tongued in front of her, and even accused her of questioning the Emperor and showing contempt for the court. It was infuriating!
"You, you..."
"Mother!"
Uncle Nanping interrupted the old lady to stop talking. He couldn't afford to offend either his own mother or his wife, so he could only step in and act as a peacemaker.
He had actually anticipated this scene before bringing his wife back home, but he never expected it to happen so soon after they arrived.
Frowning helplessly, he spoke to Madam Zhang:
"Now that Chengniang has been granted an imperial title, she will undoubtedly be the mistress of my Nanping Marquis's mansion. As for managing the household affairs, Mother can give them to whomever she prefers."
"Mother, please treat Chengniang a little better in the future, for your son's sake. Chengniang is kind-hearted and will surely repay you with even greater respect and filial piety. Your son will also be eternally grateful to you."
After speaking, he bowed deeply to Madam Zhang.
He straightened up again and looked around with a dignified gaze. His words were not only for his mother, but also for all the servants around him. Cheng Niang had just returned to the manor, and he had to make his stance clear to everyone so that no one in the manor would dare to look down on her.
Su Chengniang naturally understood her husband's attitude, and her dissatisfaction with him subtly lessened. As long as the man's heart was with her, she had nothing to fear.
Madam Zhang glared at her son angrily: "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm a wicked mother-in-law who will mistreat her? Fine, fine, fine, if that's the case, then she shouldn't come running around in front of me unless it's absolutely necessary. I can't accept her morning and evening greetings. Can you rest assured that we'll each live our own lives?"
After saying this, Madam Zhang didn't want to see those two dogs... her son and daughter-in-law anymore. Besides, the imperial decree had already been issued, so there was no point in opposing it. She had to save face for her son. In the end, she glared at Su Chengniang hatefully and returned to her Shouyin Hall with the help of her nanny.
The Earl of Nanping looked at everyone and said, "Alright, that's all. Everyone, please disperse. Qiao, you must be tired after a busy morning. Let Qingying accompany you back to rest. Chengniang has just returned and won't compete with you for anything. From now on, you'll have to work hard to manage the household affairs."
After saying that, he left with Su Chengniang.
Qiao watched silently for a long time. She thought that her mother-in-law's attack on Su would help her get revenge, but she was defeated in just a few words. She was really useless.
Watching her husband and Su Chengniang walk away side by side, and then looking down at the imperial edict for a fourth-rank concubine in her hand, she immediately felt a tightness in her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.
After more than a decade of hard work and more than a decade of living alone, all she got in return was the position of a secondary wife and the title of a fourth-rank concubine.
Hehehe.
Qiao suddenly burst out laughing; she felt like she was a joke.
Yu Qingying was taken aback when she saw her mother suddenly laugh out loud, and timidly asked:
"Mother, what's wrong?"
"Madam, are you alright? Let this old servant help you back to rest."
Granny Wu also stepped forward with concern.
After laughing enough, Mrs. Qiao finally let out a breath and said, "I'm fine, let's go back."
Granny Wu and Yu Qingying helped Qiao Shi leave, one on each side.
Uncle Nanping and Su Chengniang stood in front of a grandly decorated courtyard. At a glance, they could tell that the interior was meticulously built, with pavilions, towers, lush flowers and trees, winding paths, carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an air of wealth and grandeur.
The Earl of Nanping admired his work with satisfaction and nodded, saying:
"This is it, Chengniang. The Begonia Courtyard where we used to live, hasn't it been Qiao Shi living there all these years? It's not appropriate to ask her to move out again now. Even if she does move out, I know you feel uncomfortable and don't want to live there anymore. Let's just renovate this Linglong Pavilion instead."
It's been expanded quite a bit on the original land. While the location isn't as nice as the Begonia Courtyard, the size and decor are far superior. Are you satisfied with what you see?
Su Chengniang slowly moved inside without answering Nanping Bo's question, but the relaxed expression on her face showed that she was satisfied with the courtyard.
What she was most satisfied with was the location of the courtyard. After all, she had lived here before and knew that the courtyard was quite far from the main buildings of the Earl's Mansion. For example, it would take at least fifteen minutes to walk from here to the Shouyin Hall of the Zhang family.
Just then, Madam Zhang had angrily told her that she didn't have to go to Shouyin Hall to pay her respects every day, so she took that seriously.
Therefore, unless Madam Zhang sent someone to invite her, Su Chengniang would never take the initiative to visit Madam Zhang morning and evening to pay her respects, for fear of displeasing the old lady and committing a sin.
Of course, that's a story for another time.
Oh, right, we're still missing a good name. The name "Linglong Pavilion" isn't grand enough, let's change it. What do you think would be a good name?
Su Chengniang: "It's just a name, I'm too lazy to think of anything. Let's just call it Mingyueju, the same name as the courtyard we live in in our old home in Youyang."
The Earl of Nanping was very supportive: "Mingyue Residence is great! Let's keep calling it Mingyue Residence then. I remember you were the one who came up with that name. From now on, this place will be called Mingyue Residence. Chengniang, let's go inside and take a look. I've decorated it all according to your preferences. Are you satisfied with what you see?"
As they spoke, the two stepped into the courtyard together.
The situation in the Earl's mansion was constantly changing, and the second branch on Yongsheng Street was never quiet either.
For two consecutive days, Madam Wei and the Second Master, together with Madam Yue and Lu Yunzhang, first ransacked their second daughter-in-law Ye's place, then decided to sell Lu Yunbo's house. After counting the money they had, they found that it was still far from five thousand taels, and they were so angry that they beat their chests and stomped their feet.
Madam Wei and the Second Master went to the General's Mansion again, and just as Lu Yunzhang had said, no matter how much they threw a tantrum, rolled on their knees, and begged, they couldn't even get through the gate and had to come back and figure out a way themselves.
With a heavy heart, he sold two shops and the largest estate in the family, and forced his eldest son and his wife to hand over a sum of their private savings, finally managing to gather all the money.
The family was so heartbroken they almost vomited blood.
Three days later, the Second Master and Lu Yunzhang took the collected silver notes to Furong Tower and redeemed Lu Yunbo.
Lu Yunbo was imprisoned for a few days. Apart from being mentally exhausted, he was not seriously injured. The first thing he did after gaining his freedom was to go to the Court of State Ceremonial to find Minister Wen.
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