Chapter Fourteen: She Was Not Simple

This was not a good sign; this probably wasn't the eve before a storm."When the daughter-in-law saw her mother-in-law, she bowed respectfully to the elderly lady and asked anxiously, 'Mother, what is...Since this incident, the servants at Weiruixuan looked at Meng Jinyang with different eyes and immediately became respectful.

Who would have thought that the seemingly delicate madam, was actually quite cunning She punished two maidservants in front of the Marquis, sending them to the country estate. She even received the Marquis's support.

The commotion at Wei Ruixuan's place naturally reached the ears of the first, second house, and even the old mistress.

Madam Zhang frowned and asked the maid who brought the message, "Are you sure the Marquis was there at the time"

The maidservant nodded and replied, "It is said that when the Master returned, he saw the maid being punished and, after inquiring about what had happened, supported Madam's decision. He slapped her twenty times and banished her to the manor."

Zhang Shi waved her hand, signaling the maidservant to retreat. After the maidservant left, she turned to look at her husband Gu Jing Sheng and said, "Husband, it seems our third younger sister-in-law is not simple."

Gu Jing Sheng waved his hand dismissively: "She's just a sixteen-year-old girl, two years younger than our Xiu Yuan. What's there to be simple or not simple about that"

Seeing her husband's lack of awareness at this moment, Zhang felt a surge of anger. She said with frustration, "She just got married, and her mother already gave her the heirloom bracelet. Even her third younger brother helped her establish authority! You have to know that her third younger brother never interferes with matters in the inner house, but in just one night, he has become her protector."

Gu Jing Sheng pondered for a moment, revealing a ambiguous, even somewhat vulgar smile, and chuckled softly: "Men, as long as the pillow wind blows well, their ears won't be so hard. Third brother never goes near women, but suddenly there's a beautiful wife. Even if he himself is useless, he can still find pleasure in other ways. Perhaps it's third sister-in-law's skills that are impressive, making the third brother obediently at her beck and call"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shi glanced at her husband and fell into deep thought. In truth, her husband's words weren't unreasonable. Her husband was often captivated by the allure of young and beautiful concubines. After all, men are all the same, easily swayed by beauty.

A moment later, Zhang Shi raised another question: “Third brother's courtyard has many beautiful maidservants. If he wanted to find some pleasure, why didn't he take action before”

Gu Jing Sheng thought for a moment, and replied: "Before, I probably wasn't enlightened. Besides, he was useless on his own and couldn't be a real man. He was so insecure in his heart that he never thought about it. So ah, we three siblings are still the most capable."

Zhang's sense of crisis grew stronger, and she worried, "My husband, it seems that the household tribute will fall into her hands in just a few days."

Gu Jing Sheng said matter-of-factly, “The third brother is the legitimate son, and she is the Marquis's wife. It’s very normal for the middle-channel funds to end up in her hands, isn’t it”

Zhang listened to her husband's words, and she was so angry that it hurt her liver. Everyone said the eldest son was simple, the second was shrewd, and she was married to the eldest. He was a fool, not as smart as the second son, nor as capable as the third.

She whispered a low analysis of the pros and cons: "Husband, I have been in charge of the household finances for over ten years, and my second sister-in-law has also assisted me. We keep each other in check, so neither of us can benefit from anything unfair. But it's different when the third sister-in-law takes charge. Mother won't let me or the second sister-in-law help her; she will let her take complete control. It will be difficult for her to benefit the third house then Once she is in charge, we will be even more disadvantaged."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingheng felt a sudden clarity. Of the three brothers, he was the least capable and had only secured a leisurely position thanks to his family's protection. His second brother, Ren Libu Langzhong, held a relatively low official rank but at least it was a real position. His youngest brother, Ren Dali Temple Qing, held a high position among the nine ministers at a young age.

Now the power of feedback is in the hands of the First House, and the Second House only assists. Therefore, they have confidence when the First House speaks and acts. If they lose the right to feedback, the First House becomes the weakest, even inferior to the Second House.

Gu Jing Sheng said in a low voice, “Madam, this tribute must not fall into her hands.”skills are superior. I admit defeat."Gu Jingxi replied, "Actually, Madam's chess skills are not bad either. She is just too cautious and misses many opportunities."He finished speaking and glanced at...