Zhenguogong Mansion
Three bedrooms
Beneath the peach tree in the courtyard stood two bedsteads, on which Jin Linlin and Cao Jiao were dozing with their eyes closed. The maids tiptoed to the second gate to keep watch for their two masters.
Jin Linlin lazily rested her head on the hostess's arm and said in a delicate voice, "Sister, you are so nice. I just like staying by your side."
"Why are you calling me sister again?" Cao Jiao is usually cold, but when she looks at Jin Linlin, there is a hint of warmth in her eyes.
"It's so awkward to call me sister-in-law. You were born in 2053 and I was born in 2024. Calling me sister is just right." Jin Linlin said flatteringly, looking at Cao Jiao's fair and tender face and long legs.
Cao Jiao rolled her eyes at her and said angrily, "You're just a smooth talker!"
"Sister, I made some money last night. Here, you'll definitely like it." Jin Linlin said, handing the two boxes to Cao Jiao.
Cao Jiao opened the box and took a look, then asked in surprise: "Isn't this too expensive? I dare not accept these medicines, you'd better sell them!" Then she returned the box to Jin Linlin.
"You know how much I earned last night, so feel free to take it! This Lingxi Detoxification Pill, as the name suggests, is for detoxification; and this Rejuvenating Pill, no matter how serious your injury is, can save your life! It's very practical, take it back quickly." Jin Linlin pushed the box to Cao Jiao again.
"Then I'll accept it, thank you." Cao Jiao shook the box in her hand.
Jin Linlin started to act crazy about Cao Jiao again: "I'm crazy about my sister, I'm crazy about my sister, I'll bang my head against the wall for my sister!"
Cao Jiao glared at her impatiently, and Jin Linlin immediately became timid: "Can't I just shut up?"
The two of them lay back on the beauty couch.
"When paying respects today, grandma gave the first wife three concubines, saying they came from her hometown and were all concubines. The first wife has never gotten pregnant, and grandma is worried." Jin Linlin closed her eyes and said slowly.
"Concubines and maids are the source of chaos in a family. If the old lady does these things, the main house will probably be in chaos." Cao Jiao agreed.
She herself has no insights. As the wife of the family, she should train the next generation well. Now she only has eyes for the eldest brother. Do the brothers look like real brothers? "Jin Linlin said with disdain.
"The Duke Zhenguo's Mansion is on the decline. The lady-in-waiting is selfish, the male owner is incompetent, and Mrs. Zhuang is completely suppressed by the old lady. If this continues, there will be no such mansion in the upper class circle!" said Cao Jiao.
"We still have in-laws. Your family is a second-rank official, and our mother-in-law's family is the Princess's Mansion." Jin Linlin said calmly.
"Sister, I heard the border war is over. I guess our two cheap husbands are coming back. You have to be careful of your sister-in-law these days. She can't get pregnant herself, and she probably doesn't want me to get pregnant either."
"Yeah, I know." The two fell asleep while chatting...
Ci'an Hall
The old lady and the Duke of Zhenguo sat at the two ends of the Luohan bed
"Mother, the border war is over, and the second and third sons are probably coming back. I heard that they performed very well and may be given official positions. Our family finally has someone in the court. I am so happy!" The Duke of Zhenguo was overjoyed.
"Is it coming back? The eldest hasn't gotten pregnant yet, and the second and third are coming back. What should I do?"
"Mother, don't think like that. No matter who gives birth to the child first, they are all descendants of our Zhenguogong Mansion."
"How can it be the same?" The old lady was unhappy.
"What's the difference? Mother, you can't be so short-sighted. The children born to the second and third wives are all the eldest princess's bloodline. The eldest princess is the sister of the current emperor. If she helps the second and third wives, wouldn't it be easier in the court? It will only benefit our Zhenguo Mansion, and you have to think more about the mansion." The Zhenguo Duke persuaded his mother earnestly.
"Then the eldest daughter will be bullied by them. No, I have to think about it carefully."
The old lady and the Duke of Zhenguo disagreed and started arguing. The Duke of Zhenguo flicked his sleeves and turned away. The old lady was so angry that she slapped her chest and shouted "unfilial son"!
May 5th, the fifth year of the Dagan Chaochenhe era
The battles against the Dongjin Kingdom in the east and the barbarian tribes in the north lasted for three years, resulting in a resounding victory! The two armies returned to the capital to report, and the troops were stationed outside the city. The leading generals and meritorious officers were brought to the capital to receive their titles.
The women of the Zhenguogong Mansion also booked a private room and came out to watch the fun. The first wife, Gu, the second wife, Jin, the third wife, Cao, and the Zhenguogong's concubine, Jiang Shiwei, sat in the private room, drinking tea while watching the fun outside. Jin Linlin and Cao Jiao were whispering to each other when Jiang Shiwei smiled and called out:
"Second sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, come and see, I see my second and third brothers!"
Jin Linlin and Cao Jiao immediately ran to the window and looked down, only to see the two brothers. They were about the same height, one aloof and unapproachable, while the other had a beaming face, greeting people on both sides and looking quite lively. Although they looked identical, they were easy to tell apart!
"Let's go back! I guess he's going to the palace to be conferred a title. Mother is preparing a banquet, so he probably won't be back until the evening." Gu stood up and said to them! The maids and servants returned to the Duke's Mansion in a grand manner.
Ci'an Hall
In the main hall, the Dowager Lady and the Duke of Zhenguo sat at the top, while Mrs. Zhuang and the eldest wife sat at the bottom. Opposite them were Jin Linlin, the sisters-in-law Cao Jiao, Jiang Shiwei, the three-year-old fourth young master Jiang Yiyun, Mrs. Zhuang's one-year-old twins, the fifth young master Jiang Jingxing, and the third young lady Jiang Yi. The whole family gathered together in a lively atmosphere.
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