Xu Shao's mother-in-law is not old and in good health. It is said that her parents were both long-lived. Most importantly, they are willing to do all sorts of things, even risking a fuss, as long as it makes them happy. As for Xu Shao, she is always busy and overthinking, which is affecting her lifespan.
Ning pulled Chen Zhaoci toward the study in the front courtyard. That was the Marquis's territory, and normally no one in the manor could come here without a reason. But today, without the Marquis's permission, the eldest and third mistresses of the manor came over hand in hand. Jing Que and Ming Chan, who were guarding the entrance to the study, were momentarily at a loss as to what to do first.
Ning said to the two men, "Please go in and inform our father that we have something important to discuss with him."
Jingque hurriedly agreed and turned to run inside. She heard Qingfeng's scolding voice coming from inside. After Jingque told him that two people at the door were requesting an audience with the Marquis, Qingfeng didn't care about scolding Jingque for being unruly. He quickly went in to inform the Marquis and then personally came to the door to invite Ning Shi and Chen Zhaoci.
Ning entered the study and immediately knelt on the ground, which startled Chen Zhaoci.
Chen Zhaoci was torn between helping Ning Shi up and kneeling down with her. Just then, he heard the Marquis come out from the inner room and ask, "What are you doing? Get up quickly."
Ning said, "Father, your daughter-in-law was forced into this situation and had no other choice but to come to you for justice. Please forgive your unreasonable behavior."
The Marquis said unhurriedly, "If you have something to say, get up and answer. Mingyue, serve tea to the eldest mistress and the third mistress."
After the Marquis turned around and went to the side hall where guests were received, he sat in the main seat. Chen Zhaoci quickly grabbed Ning's arm and pulled her up, leading her to the side hall.
Upon entering the side hall, Mingyue had already placed two cups of hot tea on a high table on one side, with two official hat chairs on either side. Chen Zhaoci pulled Ning Shi to sit down on those two chairs.
The Marquis said, "What brings you two here in such a hurry?"
Ning stood up and was about to kneel down again when Chen Zhaoci grabbed her arm and said, "Sister-in-law, Father is asking you a question, so hurry up and speak."
Ning looked at Chen Zhaoci, then stood up instead of kneeling, and said, “Father, do you know why my eldest sister came back to see Mother today? She actually wants Mother to marry Yao’er to Xing’er. Father, I will never agree to this. Even if Yao’er can’t find a husband, I will support her. I will not let her become my eldest sister’s daughter-in-law.”
The Marquis exclaimed in surprise, "Such a thing actually happened?"
Ning gritted her teeth and said, "Father, it is true. My third sister-in-law and I came from Mother's courtyard. My eldest sister said that our Yao'er is an unwanted girl. She is Yao'er's own aunt. Would she harm her own niece? She insists that I marry Yao'er to her as my daughter-in-law. Father, not to mention that Xing'er is several years older than Yao'er, do you think these two children are suitable to be together?"
Upon hearing this, the Marquis frowned, seemingly lost in thought. Ning wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "Father, I know that our Yao'er is a willful child. She made mistakes before, but she has already realized them. I sent her to Liaodong for so many years so that she could know where she went wrong, so that she could travel and see more, broaden her mind, and not be saddened for the rest of her life by the mistakes she made in her youth. I have done so much and put in so much effort, not so that my child could come back and marry into her aunt's family and become her aunt's daughter-in-law."
The Marquis nodded and said, "I understand. You may all go back now. I will handle it."
To everyone's surprise, Lady Ning immediately knelt before the Marquis, her face covered in tears, and said, "My lord, even if you send my child to a nunnery in the mountains, I will never let her marry into the Yongping Marquis's household."
Seeing the Marquis's grim expression, Chen Zhaoci quickly helped Ning Shi up by the arm and said, "Sister-in-law, get up quickly, get up! What are you doing? Aren't you making things difficult for Father?"
The Marquis's face was gloomy. Chen Zhaoci stole a glance and was startled. She had been here for so many years, and this was the first time she had seen the Marquis and his wife look so bad. She quickly gritted her teeth and helped Ning Shi up from the ground.
Ning lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. The Marquis said to Chen Zhaoci, "Take your sister-in-law back. None of you need to worry about this. I have my own plans. As for Fourth Sister's marriage, with me here, how can I allow others to interfere?"
Chen Zhaoci agreed and half-supported, half-dragged Ning Shi out of the courtyard of the Marquis's study.
Ning stood by the roadside wiping away her tears. Chen Zhaoci sighed and said, "Sister-in-law, you should stop crying quickly, it won't look good if someone sees you."
Ning wiped away her tears and said softly, "So what if I saw it? I've worked hard for this household all day long. Even if I haven't done anything great, I've still put in the effort. But my mother-in-law is so shameless. Her daughter comes over and cries a bit, and she expects my daughter to cover for her daughter's mistakes. She has such a big face."
Chen Zhaoci gently patted Ning Shi's back and said, "You know, why are you crying like that? This mansion isn't ruled by those two. Putting aside the current situation of the Yongping Marquis's mansion, with your eldest sister's character, would Father let his own granddaughter suffer with her? Don't worry, Father will always give you an explanation."
Ning wiped away her tears, sighed, and said, "Third sister-in-law, you don't know how much I've been worried about Yao'er's marriage these past few days. Yao'er is already sixteen years old, and she still hasn't found a husband. How many young ladies in the capital are like Yao'er? When I go out now, what I fear most is someone asking me how Yao'er's marriage is going. I really have no face to say it."
Chen Zhaoci comforted her, saying, "Sister-in-law, you're not right. What's wrong with our Yao'er? Our Yao'er is perfectly fine. So what if he's not married yet? So what if he's being raised at home? He's not eating their rice or drinking their water. Don't worry about things that aren't your business!"
Upon hearing Chen Zhaoci's words, Ning's expression softened slightly. Seeing this, Chen Zhaoci quickly helped her walk towards the backyard, saying as they walked, "Let's go to the Fourth Miss's courtyard first. With such a commotion in her grandmother's courtyard, the child must be feeling very upset. Let's go see her and comfort her properly."
Ning nodded and said, "Third sister-in-law, I really admire you and your third brother. You two are willing to give up anything for your child, even offending princes without hesitation. What other family has such courage?"
Chen Zhaoci laughed and said, "Sister-in-law, please shut up. We are just reckless. It was only by chance that we met Brother Zheng and remembered the marriage we made for our children when we lived next door to Master Chen a few years ago. Otherwise, we would not have dared to marry our children off to just anyone."
Chen Zhaoci helped Ning Shi walk towards the inner courtyard, with several servants following far behind. Who would have thought that such a thing would happen at home after they had just sent Xu Di to the examination hall?
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