Later, Jiang's elder brother became the Salt Commissioner of Jiangnan, in charge of salt, iron, and silk in the region. This gave Jiang more money in hand. If it weren't for Xu Shao's dowry back then, Jiang probably wouldn't have lived so comfortably.
Ning had dealt with Jiang before. Jiang was a kind-faced but ruthless woman, a hypocrite. Xu Shao suffered a lot of mistreatment from her mother-in-law after marrying into the family. If Xu Shao hadn't given birth to her eldest son the year after her marriage, she would have suffered even more.
Zhao Ziqi, the heir of the Marquis of Yongning, was once a famous handsome young man in the capital. He was charming and suave and was loved by many young girls. Xu Shao was a woman who judged by appearances. She made a huge fuss to marry Zhao Ziqi because of his looks. To be honest, Xu Shao was somewhat wasted on Zhao Ziqi in terms of family background and talent. Unfortunately, no one could persuade her otherwise, and in the end, Xu Shao was allowed to marry him.
More than twenty years have passed since she married into the family, and Xu Shao has come to understand many things. When she saw Ning Shi's sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law coming with their children, Xu Shao stood at the gate of Jiang Shi's courtyard to greet them.
Ning was a very good person at enlivening the atmosphere. When she saw Xu Shao, she smiled from afar and said, "Oh dear, little sister, you're about to become a mother-in-law, so you'd better know how to act like one."
Xu Shao smiled and bowed to her two sisters-in-law, Ning Shi and Chen Shi. The others had to call Xu Shao "elder sister." After everyone had exchanged greetings, a nanny from Jiang Shi's courtyard led the group into the courtyard.
Over there, Ning had already instructed the maid carrying several red lacquer boxes to follow the nanny in Xu Shao's courtyard to Zhao Sixing's courtyard. She took Xu Shao's hand and said to her, "These things were prepared by our grandmother, mother, and aunt for Xing'er. They are given to Xing'er separately, so there is no need to submit a gift list."
Xu Shao agreed, this was a small token of appreciation from the elders in the family for their grandson, Zhao Sixing.
As they approached the main house of the Jiang family, a maid lifted the curtain, and an elderly nanny smiled and said, "Our mistress said she wanted to have a good talk with Madam Xu today, and it just so happens that Madam Xu has arrived."
Ning said with a smile, "Tomorrow is a big day for our eldest nephew. As his aunts, it's only right that we come and see if there's anything we can help with. We can be lazy about other things, but we absolutely cannot be lazy about this."
Chen Zhaoci always enjoyed going out with Ning Shi. Whenever Ning Shi was around, Chen Zhaoci didn't need to talk to anyone else.
Jiang sat back on the daybed, wearing a light blue headband and her gray hair was neatly combed. Hearing Ning's words, she chuckled and said, "Your family is so lively, with so many children. When they come, it's such a big commotion."
Ning said with a smile, "Our Xing'er is getting married soon, isn't he? Once Xing'er's wife enters the family and has several children, won't you have many children around you then?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang's expression softened somewhat. Ning didn't notice, and seeing Xu Shao's sister-in-law standing to the side, she smiled and said, "Second Madam, you look much better these past few days. I heard that you're currently looking for a wife for your eldest son. With your son's talent, he's sure to find a good wife he'll like."
Xu Shao's sister-in-law, the wife of Zhao Ziqi's younger brother from the same mother, started fighting with Xu Shao even before she entered the family. She thought that Xu Shao, this fool, was no match for her, but she had a headache with Xu Shao's elder sister-in-law from her maternal family. Whenever she encountered her, the second wife never won and was always being bullied by Ning Shi.
The two ladies said calmly, "Then we'll take Madam Xu's auspicious words as a bonus."
Jiang Shi was unaware that Ning Shi's words had struck a nerve, and now she really didn't want to stay in the same room with Ning Shi and the others anymore, so she asked Xu Shao to take her to her own courtyard.
Xu Shao couldn't wait to leave. She was annoyed by her mother-in-law's pretentious attitude. At her mother-in-law's command, she led her people towards her own courtyard.
To get to Xu Shao's courtyard, you have to pass through the back garden. It was already early winter, and there was really nothing to see in the garden. The flowers that bloomed in summer had long since turned into withered branches, and the plum blossoms that bloomed in winter were still brewing their proud demeanor under the wind, frost, and snow. Even in the small lotus pond, there were only a few withered lotus stems left, and occasionally you could see a few yellowish-brown lotus leaves floating on the somewhat murky water.
Ning and Xu Shao walked ahead, and as they walked, Ning whispered, "Mother asked me to come and ask you if there's anything we haven't prepared yet. Tomorrow's wedding is a major event in Xing'er's life, so we must make sure it's done well."
Xu Shao's eyes reddened instantly. She took Ning's hand and said, "Sister-in-law, I have done my best as a mother and mother-in-law. As for other things, Xing'er is the eldest son and grandson of their family. If he is not handled well, people will laugh at the Marquis's family, not at me."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ning knew that something had not been done properly, and asked, "Has something difficult happened?"
Xu Shao held Ning's hand and whispered, "When Xing'er got married, the kitchen shopping was handed over to my sister-in-law. The original plan was to spend thirty taels of silver per table. I went to the kitchen yesterday and saw that the materials they bought were of poor quality and the prices were inflated. They're using the reputation of the whole household to make money for themselves."
Upon hearing this, Ning frowned and said, "Didn't your mother-in-law say anything? Don't tell me she didn't know; she's still in charge of the household right now."
Xu Shao sneered twice and said, "People would love for her son to have more private savings."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ning smiled and said, "This is a matter of face for the Yongping Marquis's family. Don't be angry or argue with them. Everyone knows what each other did. Just prepare to be your mother-in-law. Let me tell you, your daughter-in-law who hasn't entered the family yet is indeed a good one. In the future, you'll have to rely on her to help you fight against your biased mother-in-law and shameless sister-in-law."
Xu Shao listened but did not say anything in rebuttal. After walking around for a while, she sighed and said to Ning Shi, "Sister-in-law, I now understand why Father and Mother did not agree to my marriage into this family. They must have realized long ago that I was no match for my mother-in-law. I would not even understand how I died fighting with her."
Ning said with a smile, "You can't beat her, so isn't this finding you someone who can? You've suffered at the hands of your mother-in-law. Your daughter-in-law is here to live a good life with Xing'er. If you treat her well, she will definitely treat you like her own mother. That girl from the Zhou family lost her mother when she was young. If you, as her mother-in-law, are even a little bit nice to her, she will repay you tenfold. Listen to your sister-in-law, she's right."
Since they had to pass by Zhao Sixing's new house first, Xu Shao led the way to take a look.
Zhao Sixing's new house was not in a good location in the mansion. It was originally a courtyard that had been abandoned for a long time. The parts that needed repairing were repaired and the parts that needed painting were painted, so it looked brand new. However, many places still showed signs of its original dilapidation.
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