It is a big taboo to talk to seniors who are not the speaker. If you are not careful, you will be accused of talking too much and being unfilial. Xu Ruolan looked at Princess Zhao and then at Xiahou Mei, lowering her head and not daring to speak.
Princess Zhao knew that Xu Ruolan didn't dare to talk nonsense, so she felt better and immediately said proudly: "As you can see, Mrs. Xu can't even say it herself, which proves that I have never harshly abused her. Where did you hear this from?
Who are you here? If I find someone who fabricates right and wrong like this, I will definitely beat him to death with sticks!"
"Why did mother-in-law say that word again?" Mrs. Fang said immediately, then made a few bows and continued to comfort her, "Don't be angry, it's not worth it to be so angry!"
Princess Zhao pursed her lips, looked helpless, and said aggrievedly: "They are making such a fuss, don't they just hope that I will die soon? Is there anything else I dare not say?"
Zhong Yuqing's head suddenly felt as big as a bucket. She thought to herself that these mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are really good at diverting attention. They cooperate so seamlessly. It was obvious that their daughter was wrong first, but now it seems like she is forcing her. No wonder they can control so many daughters-in-law.
Eat to death!
Xiahou Mei also secretly scolded Princess Zhao for being an old slippery person, she was slipperier than a loach!
She glanced at her daughter with hatred, and said with a sneer: "My Ruolan has always followed the rules and treated others generously. Even if she was wronged, she kept it in her heart and never liked to talk about it. You have noticed this clearly.
, that’s why you bullied her!”
The implication is that just because Xu Ruolan didn't tell them, it doesn't mean that they don't, but that Xu Ruolan has a good education and saves face for them in front of everyone.
"Who bullied her?" Princess Zhao was proud for a moment, but after hearing these words, she couldn't help but asked with a straight face. She thought to herself that this family is like dog skin plaster, which sticks to their bodies and can't be shaken off!
"Yes, Mrs. Rongan, there are so many people watching. What you said is unclear. Doesn't it make people make wild guesses? If the word spreads, we will lose our face. How can you be better? In the future, the three brothers and sisters
She still has to live with us day and night, how can you teach her how to handle herself?" Mrs. Fang also followed suit.
"You mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can shirk it!" Xiahou Mei said angrily, "My Ruolan has no fault at all, why is it difficult for her? It is you two-faced people who should be embarrassed! You have taken advantage of her again and again.
If you are trying to save face, do you really think that we dare not break up with each other?"
Fang was vaguely aware that Xiahou Mei was irritated, and was afraid that if the quarrel continued, it would not end. She secretly considered the pros and cons, and quickly smoothed things over: "We are all relatives. If you have anything to say, we will talk about it later. Today is the day.
With so many people in front of you, you can't talk nonsense and let people misunderstand you. I think it's almost time, why don't we go outside to listen to some music in the garden first."
"Bah!" Xia Houmei spat at her and couldn't bear it anymore, "What kind of show are you watching and what music are you listening to? Your mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can sing and act much better than the actors on the stage. They are so perfect! How dare you do this today?
The stage is set up in Ningshou Hall, everyone should come and take a look!"
"Mrs. Marquis Rong'an!" Madam Fang called her out angrily, "Just tell me what you say. My mother-in-law is Princess Zhao. Even Your Majesty wants to call her aunt when you meet her. Please be careful what you say!"
Xiahou Mei sighed again and continued: "You are so shameless that you used my Ruolan's dowry, and yet you dare to mention your majesty to save face! What about Princess Zhao? Your majesty is wise, if I know your shameless behavior,
I will also be ashamed of you!"
As soon as Xiahou Mei finished speaking, everyone present was stunned.
Zhong Yuqing and Princess Gong's hearts skipped a beat at the same time. Didn't they agree to talk in private later? Why are they so impatient?
The Zhong sisters were so frightened that the situation had developed beyond their imagination.
Xia Houshu stood in the center of the storm and laughed to himself, this matter must be caused in public! Let everyone see what kind of wealthy wolves and leopards the so-called royal family members are.
The other guests first suspected that their ears had heard it wrong. But the person who said this was Mrs. Ronganhou, the married daughter of the Xiahou family, Xu Ruolan's biological mother, and there were also many in-laws of the Xiahou family here, so they shouldn't.
As for being confused and talking nonsense, right?
From this point of view, the Zhao Palace may have really used the daughter-in-law's dowry.
Princess Zhao relied on her being a royal family member and had never suffered a loss in front of many in-laws. Xiahou Mei was manipulated by her, so she was not worried that one day she would resist, and she even did not hesitate to expose the secrets of Prince Zhao's family in public.
scandal
, at this moment, she was in a panic. She was going to deny it to her death. Xiahou Mei, a marquise, couldn't really do anything to her, but when she saw the guests in the hall whispering, she knew that this rumor could not be stopped. She had to think of something.
There is a solution!
But how to solve it?
She couldn't help but look at Mrs. Fang, whom she had trusted for a long time, and then looked at Mr. Huang, who was standing next to her and looked like it had nothing to do with her. She felt that Mr. Fang was more popular with her.
Fang herself was once a victim, but in the past few years since she took charge of the family, the dowry she was forced to pay out has been doubled, and many of her sisters-in-law's dowries have even ended up in her hands.
, so she didn’t want to expose this matter, lest it be implicated too much and affect her own interests.
Mrs. Fang was very embarrassed when she saw Princess Zhao. She thought that all the efforts she had put in to keep the power of the housekeeper and the smiles she had given her over the years could not be undone. She gritted her teeth and explained hard: "Thanks to my mother-in-law's trust, I have already
Match the palace's cards
Leave the key to me for safekeeping. Nowadays, if I can make the decision on the big and small things in the house, I will do it smoothly. If I can't make the decision, I will ask my mother-in-law to make an idea. What Mrs. Rong'an Hou said, my mother-in-law, she
She is completely ignorant! You really wrongly blamed her!"
What's wrong with this family? Why can't they always distinguish the situation? Those who should come forward don't come forward, but those who shouldn't come forward are going to the edge of the knife one by one?
Xiahou Mei was very curious about this, glanced at Fang in confusion, and said as she wished: "You just said that Princess Zhao doesn't know about the house, which means you are in charge of the house, so you know about it, right? Then you can tell me
Tell me, how did Prince Zhao’s Mansion spend all my Ruolan’s dowry?”
Fang had long expected that if she stepped out to block the gun, Xiahou Mei would definitely not let her go, so she hurriedly said: "How could such a thing happen? The dowry of the third younger brother and sister was spent very quickly, maybe she bought something herself. Third
My sister-in-law is very discerning, and she doesn’t like ordinary things. If she likes something, it must be worth a lot of money. No matter how much money you have, you can’t afford such a squandering!"
Fang smiled kindly, and suddenly thought of something again, and continued, "By the way, the third brother and sister have been making arrangements for the third brother to take concubines in recent years. Have they spent their time on this?"
Then her eyes glanced at Xu Ruolan intentionally or unintentionally.
Xu Ruolan was confused and immediately retorted: "Sister-in-law, you have to speak with your conscience. When did I take the initiative to take concubines for my husband? Those people are not only you and my mother-in-law, but also my sister who insists on inserting them.
Is it from our yard? He also said that if I don’t accept it, I will be jealous, unfilial, and not considerate of the heirs of Prince Zhao’s palace. How come it’s my idea now?”
Xu Ruolan, who usually kept silent, became extremely tough and resolutely defended her own interests. Princess Zhao, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law did not expect this.
Princess Zhao opened her mouth, but in the end she said nothing.
Fang didn't react for a while. She paused for a while before stammering: "Then... isn't that what you agreed to?"
Xu Ruolan had been aggrieved for so many years and could no longer bear it. She replied: "I gave birth to two sons after I entered the house. I originally had a harmonious relationship with my husband and had no quarrel. If you hadn't forced me, how could I have agreed to give my husband so many concubines?"
?Moreover, you never took care of them after you brought them in. Now I provide for their food and clothing, and now they are no longer mine. What is the truth of this?"
"This..." Ms. Fang was completely stunned. She had been sister-in-law with Xu Ruolan for seven years and took advantage of her. She never knew that she was an articulate person. She didn't expect that she would also make a mistake one day. Could it be because
Is it because her family members are present today?
Fang couldn't help but look at Xiahou Mei and others who were ready to go. She instantly felt that she had hit a hard nut this time and did not dare to provoke her again. She turned to Princess Zhao for help: "Mother-in-law, it's all my fault that my daughter-in-law is incompetent.
Such a big day brings embarrassment to you and brings shame to the family. It seems that I can't manage this family well. Mother-in-law should find another smart person to take charge of the house!"
Princess Zhao frowned and thought to herself: If you don't care, why don't you let me, a sixty-year-old old woman, take care of it? Where can I find so much money to feed you?
Princess Zhao was already used to having an eldest daughter-in-law who was always trying to please her and provide her with extravagant pleasures. She didn't want her good life to be interrupted. After careful consideration, she decided to appease her eldest daughter-in-law first and then talk about the rest.
Princess Zhao then pulled Fang and said earnestly: "You are the eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law of our Prince Zhao's house, and the concubine of the prince. You have always been smart, virtuous and capable. If you are not allowed to take charge of the house, who will take charge of it? Is it me, the old woman? Or is it me?
The Huang family, or the Xu family? Which one of them is better than you?"
Fang received the affirmation from her mother-in-law, and she felt a little comforted. She felt that the grievances and fatigue she had suffered over the years were worth it. But when she thought of facing these difficult female fighters in front of her, she felt a tremor in her heart.
She backed down and had no choice but to hold one of Princess Zhao's arms and continue to pretend to cry.
Huang, who was suddenly mentioned by name, rolled his eyes without any trace.
Huang's natal family was an imperial merchant. They were well off and very wealthy. Apart from their birth status, they were not as noble as these so-called officials. They were also not good at reciting poems and composing poems, which are the things that nobles like. However, looking at accounting and money management,
In terms of accounting skills, even the accountants specially hired in Prince Zhao's Mansion are not as good as her. It's just that
She had been married into Prince Zhao's house for more than ten years, and she had long understood what kind of family this was, and how mediocre and happy their children and grandchildren were. She didn't want to go to all the trouble and waste her family's wealth.
Filling the bottomless pit of Prince Zhao's Mansion. Therefore, she has no interest at all in the stewardship of Prince Zhao's Mansion.
If her husband, Dugu Huang, could be tougher and not worry about the fact that she was a merchant and would be looked down upon when proposing marriage to her children in the future after leaving the protection of the Zhao Palace, she felt that their family could still live with their children.
Feel more comfortable. Xu Ruolan's trouble was a good start for her to propose a family separation.
However, everyone's attention was focused on Princess Zhao's mother-in-law and Dugu Tan, although they did not notice the flash of disgust and a little pleasure in Huang's eyes.
Xia Houmei couldn't stand Fang's coy look, and mocked: "Mrs. Fang is almost forty and has become a grandmother. She cries in front of so many people. How can she have the decency of a royal concubine?"
Those who didn’t know thought she was a new daughter-in-law from some family.”
After hearing this, Mrs. Fang didn't know whether to continue crying or laughing.
Xiahou Mei was not idle, and continued: "I know that you are making a lot of money now, and you don't care about the life and death of other sisters-in-law. But do you think you can get away with it all if you cry and make a fuss? You
Since you are in charge of the inner chamber of Prince Zhao's Mansion, you will have to share in the misappropriation of my daughter's dowry!"
