Cui had never really paid much attention to Madam Zhang, but when she suddenly became serious, Madam Zhang was not about to submit and immediately rebuked her sharply.
"Let's see who dares to touch me!"
Don't forget, you'll all be working for my son's family from now on, so don't ruin your own future!
Upon hearing Madam Zhang's words, the servants immediately hesitated. Seeing their attitude, Madam Cui coldly gave the order.
"Where are the guards? Drag Zhang into the ancestral hall."
These servants will have their monthly wages confiscated as a warning to others!
Tie those two girls up and take them to the living room. When the master and young master return, bring them over directly!
As soon as Madam Cui finished speaking, two guards grabbed Madam Zhang and dragged her to the ancestral hall.
The two young maids who had accompanied Madam Zhang were bound hand and foot and thrown into the reception hall. The servants who had been fined were filled with remorse, wishing they could do it all over again. They would definitely distinguish between the princes and the nobles and never make the same mistake again!
It's also because Zhang Shi is always too eager to show her presence, and Cui Shi turns a blind eye to it, which makes some people lose sight of the relative importance of the two. Cui Shi's tough attitude has awakened some people.
So what if Madam Cui doesn't have a son? Her family is a century-old family with several direct descendants serving as officials in the capital, and both of her daughters married into powerful and influential families. Madam Zhang can't compare to her with just one son!
Didn't you see that the power to manage the Grand Tutor's mansion has always been in their hands? Even if Grand Tutor Zhou doted on Madam Zhang, he never dared to say that Madam Zhang should manage the household.
The young master also goes to pay his respects to his stepmother, Madam Cui, every morning and evening. Even if the young master takes over the family in the future, his birth mother can never surpass his stepmother, not to mention family background, the law simply doesn't allow it!
Through this incident, which was neither too big nor too small, Cui served as a wake-up call to everyone in the household. Those who had previously seen Zhang Shi's favored status and the presence of her son reconsidered their attitudes toward the two masters.
After giving her instructions, Cui went straight back to her own courtyard to admire the flowers and feed the fish. It wasn't until the afternoon, when Grand Tutor Zhou and Zhou Yi'an returned from their official duties and were invited to the reception room, that Cui leisurely went over.
As soon as he entered the reception room, Grand Tutor Zhou said
"I heard you locked up the Zhang family?"
She's always been quick-tempered and outspoken; why bother arguing with her!
Zhou Yi'an also hurriedly paid her respects to Madam Cui, and then pleaded for Madam Zhang's life.
“Mother, I apologize to you on behalf of my mother. Please don’t hold it against her! Your son is willing to take the punishment in your place!”
Looking at the father and son pleading for Zhang, Cui casually took a sip of tea and said...
“I’ve never liked to argue with Madam Zhang, but this time, she not only disgraced the Grand Tutor’s Mansion, but also dragged my Cui family down with her. She can’t escape punishment!”
Moreover, she disregarded her reputation and caused a scene at Princess Jingde's residence. Because they cared about their reputation, they sent her back to me for handling. If I didn't punish her, how could I explain it to the princess's residence?
As for you two, I tend to turn a blind eye to things unless they escalate to my level, so everyone can have some peace and quiet. But don't push your luck; if things really get out of hand, it won't look good for anyone!"
"What? She caused a scene at Princess Jingde's residence?"
"My mother went to the princess's residence?"
As soon as Cui finished speaking, the father and son grasped the key point and asked in unison.
"Hmph! Not only did he go, but he also spouted nonsense, angering Xie Yushu, and was brought back by her!"
She has utterly disgraced the Grand Tutor's mansion!
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi'an asked anxiously.
"What did my mother say? How did she anger Xie Yushu? She clearly told me she had no objections!"
Seeing Zhou Yi'an's dejected expression, Cui didn't waste any words with him. She directly ordered the two maids to be brought over and said to them...
"You two went with Madam Zhang. You should repeat what Madam Zhang said to your young master!"
Don't even think about keeping it a secret for the Zhang family. Things have escalated to this point; you can't just cover it up and suppress it!
The two maids knew that the people from the Princess's residence had personally brought them back, and if the young master wanted to investigate, he could simply ask them there; there was no need to hide anything. So they told them everything.
"Madam Zhang felt that Xie, no, Princess Jingde, had some unclear rumors about her relationship with General Xiao, and her reputation was not good. She was also showing her face in the Imperial Hospital, which was outrageous."
The lady said that such a woman with a tarnished reputation was not worthy of the young master, so she wanted to give her a warning and let her know her true identity.
After one girl finished speaking, another added.
"The lady also said that if Princess Jingde learns how to be filial to her parents-in-law and raise her children well at home, she can be given a chance to become the young master's concubine!"
Zhou Yi'an's head was buzzing after hearing what the girl said.
Grand Tutor Zhou also sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.
Cui sneered
"This is the kind of thing you've spoiled Mrs. Zhang into!"
A concubine, utterly ignorant of her place, dared to approach a first-rank princess and give her the opportunity to become her son's concubine!
She has such a big face!
The fact that she didn't order someone to kill him outright shows that the princess was giving me, the matriarch, face!
I didn't beat her to death out of consideration for her being Zhou Yi'an's biological mother. But after starving her for a few days, you still have the nerve to plead for her!
"Instead of wasting your time, you should be thinking about how to explain this to Princess Jingde!"
Cui's barrage of questions left Grand Tutor Zhou utterly ashamed, and he sighed.
"Madam is right to punish her. Madam Zhang is becoming more and more unruly. I will restrain her from now on!"
"I'm so sorry to have troubled you, Madam!"
Cui snorted coldly, flicked her sleeves, and left.
Zhou Yi'an turned around and ran out. Grand Tutor Zhou called out to him twice, but he ignored him. Grand Tutor Zhou had no choice but to send his personal servant after him.
Zhou Yi'an's mind was in a mess. She ran wildly all the way to the gate of Xie Yushu's mansion, but then stared blankly at the gate, not knowing how to explain to Xie Yushu.
The thought of his mother shamelessly asking Xie Yushu to be his concubine, to grovel before his parents in their household, made his face burn with embarrassment.
He never dared to imagine that Xie Yushu would cook for him. He thought that if he really married Xie Yushu, he would cherish her and treat her like a treasure. Who knew that his mother would go directly to her residence and say those unrealistic things to her.
Zhou Yi'an felt like crying but had no tears left. He was both angry and anxious, but it was his own mother who had done all this, so what could he do to her?
After much internal struggle, I finally mustered the courage to knock on the door of the princess's mansion.
When Xie Yushu heard that Zhou Yi'an had arrived, she felt it was necessary to clarify some things with him, so she had someone bring him in.
Zhou Yi'an felt somewhat ashamed upon seeing Xie Yushu, but still sincerely apologized to her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know my mother would come and say some impolite things to you. I apologize on her behalf!"
After speaking, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xie Yushu.
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