Chapter 3 As the legal wife, I should be generous
Chu Yian and Zhao Shuning knelt in the front row, and the others also knelt down. The eunuch who announced the decree read it aloud with a smile on his face.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor summons the daughter of the Zhao family, a woman of superb medical skill and both ability and virtue. During the Battle of Xiping, she provided a prescription that saved soldiers and civilians from danger, performing a great deed. Therefore, she is appointed a female physician, and is also given a pair of jade ruyi, a pair of night-shining pearls, a box of agate, and ten pieces of Shu brocade..."
Listening to the series of reports from the eunuch who announced the decree, the eyes of everyone in the Marquis' Mansion lit up, and a hint of pride appeared on Zhao Shuning's face.
"Commander Chu Yi'an, descendant of Marquis Xuanping, is unparalleled in bravery and distinguished in battle. He and Zhao are a match made in heaven. Now, Zhao is granted the title of Fifth Rank Consort, and is granted a certificate and clothing, to be commemorated in the code of etiquette. I decree this."
The imperial edict has been issued and everything is settled.
Chu Yian and Zhao Shuning looked at each other and smiled. There was an unbreakable tenderness in their eyes, and they could not tolerate anyone else.
The eunuch who announced the decree said with a smile, "Doctor Zhao, please accept the decree."
Zhao Shuning then withdrew her gaze and said in a clear voice, "I accept your command and thank you!"
A ray of scorching sun cast a faint halo on her body, and her face was full of pride.
She glanced in Lu Zhiran's direction, with undisguised contempt in her eyes.
Marquis Chu Dingfeng quickly ordered someone to give the eunuch who announced the decree a heavy purse, and personally escorted the person out with a very attentive attitude.
Chu Yian's sister Chu Yunqing stepped forward and affectionately took Zhao Shuning's arm.
"Sister Shuning, you are really amazing. We women should take you as an example and learn from you."
Chu Yian corrected her, "You should call her sister-in-law."
Chu Yunqing looked in Lu Zhiran's direction and said, "I'm afraid someone might be unhappy."
Chu Yian's face immediately showed displeasure, "What right does she have to be unhappy?"
Madam Jiang smiled and stepped forward to hold Lu Zhiran's hand, saying lovingly, "Zhiran is very sensible and generous. She's certainly not the kind of jealous person who only cares about sourness."
"From now on, Yi'an and Shuning will be on duty outside, bringing honor to the Marquisate, while you will be in the inner house, taking care of the chores. We can help each other and live in harmony as a family. How wonderful it will be."
Lu Zhiran pulled back her hand and said calmly, "I fell into the water yesterday and I'm not feeling well. I was just about to ask for leave from my mother. I'll hand over the household supplies to her later."
This mansion was already an empty shell, and in order to provide for the food, clothing and other expenses of her family, she could only use her dowry to fill the gap.
She would never do this hard job that was not worth the effort again for a day.
Upon hearing this, Jiang's smile remained unchanged.
"You're able to get out of bed now, and it seems that nothing serious has happened to you. You've been in charge of the household chores over the years, so I'm relieved to leave it to you."
Lu Zhiran's attitude remained indifferent. "Mother, do you know that I almost died once? The only reason I can get out of bed now is because of the imperial decree. Mother has always loved me, so please let me rest for a while."
Jiang's expression paled a little.
Zhao Shuning said with a half-smile, "You don't have to play hard to get. My world is not confined to this small inner house. I will not compete with you for the right to control the household expenses."
Zhao Shuning expressed what everyone was thinking.
No one thought that Lu Zhiran was really willing to give up power. Everyone believed that she was using this as a pretext to make everyone want to keep her so that she could save face in front of Zhao Shuning.
Chu Yian looked at her with even more disgust.
"Since you are so delicate, take good care of yourself. I won't bother you with the household chores from now on."
Chu Yunqing looked at her with schadenfreude, as if he was enjoying a good show.
Seeing this, Madam Jiang spoke slowly, "An'er, what are you talking about? Zhiran has taken care of the house and the outside world very well over the years. Even if she has no merits, she has worked hard."
He looked at Lu Zhiran again and said soothingly, "I know you are indeed tired. You should take a good rest these few days. When you have rested well, I will hand over the household affairs of this mansion to you. You can rest assured about this."
Jiang spoke in a reassuring tone, thinking that Lu Zhiran would be grateful, but she refused to budge.
"My daughter-in-law is of low status and has little talent or knowledge. I'm afraid I can't handle this important task. I really don't want to be disgraced by this position. So I'll have the maid hand over the key to the pair of cards to my mother."
Jiang's face gradually turned cold.
I offered her a way out, but she didn't take it? She's totally ungrateful.
Jiang's eyes became more serious.
"Zhiran, you've always been sensible, why are you so petty today? As the legal wife, you should be magnanimous."
"Shuning saved An'er's life and was praised by the Emperor himself. She is a role model for women. You should put aside your grudges and accept her generously."
"You two are An'er's wives. If you live in harmony, An'er can concentrate on building his career in the former dynasty."
Lu Zhiran lowered her eyelids slightly, with a hint of deep sarcasm at the corner of her lips.
In her previous life, her mother-in-law also used these words to persuade her to be open-minded and tolerant.
She endured it, but what did she get in return?
Lu Zhiran smiled softly, "Mother, you're absolutely right. When a new bride arrives, the daughter-in-law should consciously give way to the younger one. This is the only way to demonstrate my tolerance and generosity. What do you think, mother?"
Jiang was completely stifled by her words.
Chu Yian said, "Shuning is not good at this..."
Lu Zhiran raised her eyebrows slightly. "She is a concubine and has been granted a fifth-rank imperial title, but she can't even take care of household chores. She's so incompetent that if people tell others about it, they'll laugh at her."
Zhao Shuning's eyes darkened.
"I'm different from you inner-house ladies. I disdain your convoluted schemes."
This statement also belittled the Marquis' wife, Mrs. Jiang.
Zhao Shuning spoke again, his tone impatient, "I've already said that I don't want to compete with you for the power of the family. You and I have nothing to do with each other. There's really no need for you to act so hypocritically and only annoy others."
Lu Zhiran asked back, "Do you not want to, or do you not dare?"
Chu Yian angrily scolded, "Lu Zhiran, have you had enough of this? Shu Ning took the initiative to give in, so why are you being so aggressive?"
"Besides, mother gave you the household chores as a sign of respect. How could you be so unreasonable?"
What they meant was that they could not give her this right, but if they gave it to her, she would have to appreciate it and work hard for the Marquis's Mansion.
Lu Zhiran's eyes were dark as she looked straight at him. "Didn't my husband just tell me to have a good rest and not worry about the food and clothing?"
Chu Yian is confused.
Madam Jiang said with a sullen face, "Alright, there's no need to argue anymore."
Her eyes fell on Lu Zhiran, and she warned him, "Zhiran, do you really not want to take care of the household affairs in the mansion anymore?"
Lu Zhiran said without hesitation, "My daughter-in-law is not talented enough to take on such a big responsibility."
Anger flashed across Jiang's eyes, and her tone became completely cold.
"In that case, you should take a good rest."
Everyone could hear that Jiang was angry, and they all fell silent.
Lu Zhiran didn't care. After she finished what she wanted to say, she didn't stay any longer, bowed and left.
Chu Yunqing didn't react for a long time. She was really stunned by the fact that Lu Zhiran, the eldest sister-in-law, had a completely different personality from before.
"Mother, she, she, how dare she disobey you?"
A layer of frost covered Jiang's face. "It won't be long before she bows down before me."
Chu Yunqing gloated, "When the time comes, mother will definitely give her a good beating!"
When Jiang thought of this, her anger subsided a little.
Zhao Shuning's contempt for Lu Zhiran was even greater.
He is indeed a brainless person.
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