Chapter 95 You are already taken
"At first I looked down on your small business, but I didn't expect it to be so fun." Chu Li took a candied fruit and soaked it in the tea, with a hint of admiration in his teasing smile.
As the wife of the prime minister, Ruan Qinghuan was able to convince her parents-in-law to set up a business, which many noble ladies in the capital were probably unable to do.
"I didn't think I could make much from it, but at least I have a way to make a living so my life isn't too boring." It took so long to prepare, and there were many twists and turns, but fortunately the shop opened smoothly, and she is really happy today.
Chu Li envied: "You always live a comfortable and happy life, and Lord Chengxiang treats you well. Ruan Qinghuan, what good things did you do in your previous life that God treats you so well?"
Ruan Qinghuan was amused by her: "You are the daughter of a duke and the cousin of the crown princess. You have a noble status, but you are still not satisfied. You are a bit greedy."
Chu Li couldn't refute this, but he felt a little uncomfortable.
I have been like this since I returned to Beijing. I feel depressed and can't muster any energy. "Maybe there are too many things going on recently. My cousin is going to hold a garden party the day after tomorrow, and in a few days, there will be an engagement at the Jiang family... I suddenly realized that there are so many happy events around me."
Ruan Qinghuan frowned: "I will go to the garden party, but as for the Qi family's engagement party, I don't plan to join in the excitement."
Chu Li raised his eyebrows when he heard this: "I don't want to go either. I don't like Qi Siwei's pretentiousness in the first place. She seduced Brother He some time ago. It's only been a short time, and she's suddenly going to marry the Dali Temple Minister."
He snorted coldly and said, "Who doesn't know the cat stuff in this?"
The Qi family is now like standing on the edge of a knife. If they are not careful, they will be doomed. It is self-evident what the purpose of Lord Qi's marriage to the Minister of Dali Temple is.
Ruan Qinghuan's understanding of Yu Qi Siwei mostly comes from the original plot. In the original drama, she is a complete cannon fodder, which makes it seem that even a woman like Qi Siwei is more knowledgeable and well-behaved than her.
However, there is not much introduction about Qi Siwei in the original book. We only know that she seemed to have an affair with the second prince. Later, when the second prince failed, she was also mentioned briefly.
And this Dali Temple Chief Justice has not appeared since those few words. Now, he who was once a steward has suddenly become the Dali Temple Chief Justice, which shows that his methods and strategies are not low.
What made Ruan Qinghuan angry was that he dared to openly oppose He An, forcing her to be on guard.
After all, when returning to Beijing, the emperor's attitude is clear, and his protection of his shortcomings might start with suppressing He'an.
"We don't have to go to the Qi family's engagement party, but you can't miss the garden party at the Prince's Mansion, otherwise I will be bored to death alone." Chu Li instructed.
Ruan Qinghuan's thoughts were pulled back, and he smiled and said, "I don't know how many young men and ladies flocked to the Prince's Mansion that day, how could it be boring?"
"That's different. They are all just playing for fun. To put it bluntly, they just want to take the opportunity to find their ideal husband. I don't want to be in cahoots with them."
Ruan Qinghuan nodded solemnly: "Of course, after all, you are already in a relationship."
Chu Li said angrily: "Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense. I asked the emperor for a divorce that day, but the emperor did not agree." After saying this, her expression became even more desolate.
Ruan Qinghuan did not try to persuade her. When it comes to love, the more outsiders get involved, the worse it will be. The knot in Chu Li's heart has to be untied by Ji Lingchuan himself.
**
When the shop opened successfully, Ruan Qinghuan and He'an returned to the Ruan family together. As soon as they entered the mansion, they heard a commotion in the inner courtyard, followed by crying. They knew it was the second aunt Zheng Qiaohui.
"Sister-in-law, this matter has already been decided. It will not help if you keep making a fuss all day long."
Zheng Qiaohui changed her arrogant attitude and said to her eldest sister-in-law, "Sister-in-law, we have lived together for nearly 20 years. You can't be so cruel. I don't ask for anything. As long as we don't split up the family, I promise to keep my duty in the future and never make trouble again."
It was the first time that Zhou Yunzhi saw her like this. She glanced at her mother-in-law who was supporting her, and the old lady's face did not look good at the moment.
When her second uncle was at home, she never dared to come over to make trouble. As soon as her second uncle left, she started to perform yangge and opera. Zhou Yunzhi felt exhausted.
Zheng Qiaohui was right. It was precisely because they had lived under the same roof for nearly twenty years that they knew each other too well. Given her personality, how could she change so easily?
"Mother, you can't be so cruel. Xiaoyue just got married. How will her husband's family view her if we separate the family now?" Zheng Qiaohui burst into tears. "And Xiaorou, she hasn't married yet, and Qingchi is so young. They are all your grandchildren."
The old lady sighed, and her heart softened a little when she mentioned her grandchildren.
Ruan Qinghuan stepped into the half-moon door, and the old lady breathed a sigh of relief: "Qinghuan, you and He'an are back just in time. How about we discuss the division of the family?"
Zheng Qiaohui didn't expect Ruan Qinghuan to come back today. Is he in a hurry to drive them out of Ruan Mansion?
She was angry but didn't dare to show it at all. She continued to act aggrieved and helpless, sobbing.
Zhou Yunzhi sighed and let her daughter support her mother-in-law and walk to the front hall.
Seeing this, Zheng Qiaohui had no choice but to get up and follow. Her mother-in-law had obviously softened her heart. As long as she tried harder, the family would not be divided.
After entering the flower hall and helping her grandmother to the main seat, Ruan Qinghuan's expression did not change. She knew that her grandmother loved her second uncle, and loved Xiaorou and Qingchi even more. So she had to be the bad guy.
From the moment Ruan Xiaoyue married Pei Chong, she became a threat to the Ruan family. She didn't want to see the Ruan family being controlled by the Pei family like in the original drama, and finally suffering a miserable defeat.
Although she was protected by He this time, as the saying goes, it is easy to dodge an open attack but difficult to guard against a hidden sword, so she still did not dare to let her guard down.
"Second Aunt, no matter where you live, Xiaorou and Qingchi are both grandchildren of Grandma. When Xiaorou gets married and Qingchi gets married, Grandma will not let them down in terms of dowry and betrothal gifts. But there is no room for maneuver regarding the division of the family property."
The old lady frowned when she heard that. Just as she was about to speak, Zhou Yunzhi whispered a few words in her ear. The old lady's face froze when she heard that, and a hint of surprise flashed in her cloudy eyes.
Zheng Qiaohui had been making a fuss the whole morning, and things were about to be done, but Ruan Qinghuan came back at this moment and left no room for leeway in his words.
Seeing this, she simply knelt down in front of the old lady and said, "Mom, we are the Ruan family. Please don't be so confused. Do you really want to drive your grandson out of the house?"
The old lady was upset and looked at her second daughter-in-law who was crying and making a fuss with disappointment. She signaled to Mother Liu and the eldest daughter-in-law to help her back to Jingxin Pavilion.
Zheng Qiaohui rushed forward and hugged the old lady when she saw this. The old lady trembled and would have fallen if someone hadn't supported her.
After calming down, the old lady sighed and said, "Let Qinghuan handle this matter. You shouldn't regret the path you chose."
At first, she did not agree with Xiaoyue's marriage with the Pei family, but she refused to listen and insisted on having her own way.
Mother Liu and the maid pulled Zheng Qiaohui away. Seeing this, she could not care less and said angrily, "Why should a married girl be in charge of the Ruan family? Mother is biased towards my eldest brother's family and doesn't care about our lives."
The old lady turned pale with anger when she heard this, and she kept knocking the ground with her cane: "You, you, you... you are really stubborn and refuse to repent. Even if Qinghuan gets married, she will always be my granddaughter, and the same goes for the children you gave birth to. You have come to this point today, and you don't think about your own mistakes. You keep shirking everything and are unreasonable. You are simply hopeless."
"It's settled."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Qiaohui sat down on the ground, her mind going blank in an instant.