Worried that the Shi family might not adapt well to life in the Duke's residence and to show their regard for them, Lady Shi, the elderly matriarch, arranged for them to dine at the Yi Xiang Hall for a whole month.
"Your elder brother and sister-in-law have their duties to attend to. It would be inconvenient for them to keep coming back and forth. So, it's better for them to have their meals in their own courtyard. On special occasions and family matters, we can all gather together."
"Since you've just returned, you might not be familiar with the matters in the estate. Zhang Mama is from my side of the family, and she's well-acquainted with these matters. If you're uncertain about anything, you can ask her."
Lady Shi carefully explained to Lady Jin, and she also summoned Zhang Mama to ensure proper care for them. Afterward, she turned her attention to Shi Zhenghe and his family.
"Tomorrow, your second sister, third sister, sixth sister, and your older brother's family with their children will all come back. It will be a good opportunity to get to know each other."
Shi Zhenghe nodded in acknowledgment.
Leaving the Yi Xiang Hall and returning to the Yi Gui Courtyard, Shi Fuxin pondered for a moment and looked at Zhang Mama. "Zhang Mama, can you tell us more about our uncles' families?"
Normally, Lady Shi should be the one to inform them, but for some reason, she hadn't. Also, when she mentioned their three aunts who were married off, she didn't seem very enthusiastic.
Zhang Mama promptly shared what she knew, "Second Madam married into the prestigious Zan Ying family—Wei family. The Wei family has produced a Grand Tutor before, and many of their male members hold official positions in the court. Second Master currently holds the position of Fourth Rank Minor Official in the Ministry of Central Provision."
"Third Madam married the youngest son of the Pan family. The Pan family consists of outside court officials who have been in the capital for only two generations. The Pan family's senior patriarch is currently a Fifth Rank Gentleman in the Ministry of Rites, and Third Master doesn't hold any official position."
"Sixth Madam married into the merchant Yuan family. The Yuan family originally hails from the Jiangnan region and specializes in silk trade. Fourth Miss Yuan is the second son of the Yuan family and is helping manage the family's business in the capital."
"Eldest sister married into the Han family. Although the Han family's background isn't prominent, Eldest Brother-in-law is capable. At a young age, he joined the Palace Guards and has become a Sixth Rank Fourth Class Guard, responsible for safeguarding the court."
Shi Zhenghe and his family listened carefully, meticulously noting down information about each family.
However, Shi Fuyin furrowed her brows, puzzled, as she looked at Zhang Mama. "Why is there such a stark difference in the families our aunts married into?"
Even though the third and sixth aunts were born from concubines, they were still daughters of the Duke's household. They shouldn't have married into such low-status families. Especially marrying into merchant families—this didn't align with what should be expected of a noble house.
Zhang Mama hesitated momentarily before answering, "Second Madam and Second Master were betrothed since childhood, and that's how she was able to marry into the Wei family. As for Third Madam and Sixth Madam, they married during a difficult period for the Duke's household. The Pan and Yuan marriages were secured with great efforts on the part of Lady Shi."
This revelation was quite significant. Shi Zhenghe and his family exchanged glances.
Shi Fuxin inquired, "What do you mean by 'a difficult period'? Was there something that happened to the Duke's household?"
This question went beyond Zhang Mama's scope of knowledge, and after a moment's thought, she replied, "I'm not sure about everything, but the Duke's household was implicated in the Regent Prince's case in the past and fell out of favor with the late emperor."
Hearing this, Shi Fuxin's eyes widened with realization. She had previously sensed that the Duke's household wasn't as illustrious as it seemed. But to think that it had faced such a predicament was unexpected.
Shi Zhengxuan then asked, "What's the current attitude of the current emperor towards our family? How does he view the Duke's household?"
This question was difficult to answer for Zhang Mama. After pondering for a moment, she replied, "Your Fourth Uncle—no, your father, Shi Zhengkun, has entered the Hanlin Academy. To become a Jinshi, he would have needed the emperor's approval. So, I believe the emperor doesn't hold any prejudice against the Duke's household."
At these words, Shi Zhengxuan and Shi Fuxin exchanged another meaningful glance. They seemed to understand why Patriarch Jiang valued Shi Zhengkun so much.
Shi Fuyin remarked, "Zhang Mama, we don't have any more questions for now. You can go about your duties."
Zhang Mama nodded and quickly left the room. She stood under the eaves for a moment, contemplating, before calling for a maid to keep watch and hurried off to the Yi Xiang Hall.
Inside the hall, with no outsiders present, Shi Fuxin sighed, "The situation in the Duke's household isn't quite clear now."
Shi Zhengxuan questioned, "Can we still rely on the family's connections?"
Shi Fuxin mused, "We can still rely on them to some extent. After all, we are a noble family, and there should still be some heritage left. But considering that the new emperor has only been on the throne for four years and the Duke's household has been suppressed for so long, our resources might be limited."
With a sigh, she added, "I thought that becoming a young lady of the Duke's household would bring us good days."
Upon hearing Shi Fuxin's words, Jin Yue'e immediately responded with displeasure, "Fifth Miss, Xin Jie, you should dismiss the idea of getting something for nothing. Relying on others is unreliable; in everything, we must rely on ourselves."
"While we've come back to the Duke's residence with your father, we shouldn't depend on the Duke's household for everything. Relying too much on them might make us burdensome and annoying."
Quickly, Shi Fuxin said, "Mother, I was just talking casually. I know that we have to work hard for everything."
Jin Yue'e didn't say much after that.
Meanwhile, at the Yi Xiang Hall, Zhang Mama repeated the conversation she had just had with Shi Fuxin and the others to Lady Shi.
Upon hearing it, Lady Shi's expression didn't change much; she just smiled and asked, "Did Xin Jie ask about the families our three aunts married into?"
Zhang Mama nodded.
Lady Shi chuckled, "I'm aware of this." She then instructed again, "As for the Lee family, Fourth Madam just arrived at the Duke's residence, and she's not familiar with many things. You should guide her more."
Zhang Mama replied promptly, "Rest assured, Old Madam. I will do my best."
Lady Shi nodded, "Unless it's a matter that Fourth Madam can't handle, you don't need to come and inform me about every little thing. Your current main focus is Fourth Madam."
Zhang Mama's expression turned serious, "I understand."
"You may leave."
Once Zhang Mama left, An Mama immediately replaced her with a fresh cup of hot tea. Seeing that Lady Shi was in a good mood, An Mama smiled and remarked, "Second Lord was right. Miss Liu resembles you quite a bit."
Lady Shi sighed with a smile, "She does have some cleverness in her. On her second day back at the Duke's residence, she's already showing a knack for uncovering our household's situation."
As she lifted the teacup, Lady Shi continued, "With them like this, I'm somewhat relieved."
Teeth and lips often clash, let alone in a household as populous as the Shi family's.
Given that Shi Zhenghe's family didn't grow up with the rest of the household and lacked emotional connections with the others, even with her guidance, Lady Shi couldn't control how others would treat or perceive them.
Many matters and relationships would have to be managed and maintained by themselves.
Cleverness was a virtue. Clever people understood the importance of situations, knew when to advance and when to retreat. With her guidance, Shi Zhenghe's family should be able to establish themselves in the Duke's residence.
On the third day after their return, the three married daughters and the eldest daughter of the Shi family, along with their respective husbands and children, arrived at the Duke's residence.
The first to return were the eldest daughter and her Han husband.
"Greetings to Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt!"
At the Yi Xiang Hall, the eldest daughter and her husband bowed respectfully to Shi Zhenghe and Jin Yue'e.
Shi Zhenghe quickly had them rise, and Jin Yue'e took two prepared pouches from a maid's hand and handed them to the eldest daughter. "They're nothing special. Hui Jie, please don't mind."
With a smile, the eldest daughter accepted the pouches, saying, "Thank you, Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt. I really like these pouches." She then wore one of the pouches around her body and handed the other to her husband.
The Han husband also graciously put it on.
This gesture pleased Shi Zhenghe and Jin Yue'e greatly.
Watching from the side, the fourth siblings felt their goodwill towards this couple increase.
After introductions, the Han husband was led to a side hall by the Duke, while the eldest daughter sat beside Lady Shi, engaging in casual conversation with everyone.
Not long after their chat began, the eldest daughter and Lady Shi left. Seeing this, everyone smiled—they knew that mother and daughter had private matters to discuss.
Once outside the Yi Xiang Hall, the mother and daughter didn't go far; they strolled in the nearby courtyard.
"Did the prescription I gave you for conceiving a child work?"
In front of her mother, the eldest daughter didn't need to force a cheerful smile. With a subdued tone, she said, "I've been drinking that medicine every day for the past few months, but it's still not working."
Her mother, worried, responded urgently, "Has the Han family been causing trouble for you?"
The eldest daughter forced a bitter smile, "Mother-in-law just keeps setting rules for me in front of her, but there's nothing else."
The mother's expression turned stern, "You've been keeping this from me. Nian Rui already told me that your mother-in-law wants to bring someone into your husband's room."
The eldest daughter's expression grew even more bitter, "There's no other choice. I can't give birth, so I have to let someone else do it."
Her mother scolded angrily, "What nonsense are you talking? You're so young. How can you say you can't give birth?" Seeing her daughter's distressed expression, she felt both anger and heartache.
Unfortunately, the current situation at the Duke's residence was challenging. Even if she wanted to support her daughter, she lacked the ability to do so.
"Don't worry, my good child. Don't be anxious. Mother will find a solution for you. Your grandmother has been thinking about this matter as well."
The eldest daughter nodded with remorse, "I've been unfilial. After getting married, I'm still causing my grandmother and mother to worry about me."
Her mother scolded her with a glare, just about to say something, when a maid reported, "Third Madam and Sixth Madam have returned."
Hearing this, the mother and daughter stopped discussing further and tidied up their appearances. They quickly made their way back to the Yi Xiang Hall.
As concubine-born daughters, Third Madam and Sixth Madam had married into families with relatively lower status. Third Madam's husband had no official position, and Sixth Madam's husband was a merchant. As a result, their attitudes towards Shi Zhenghe and Jin Yue'e were more amiable, and there were no inappropriate behaviors.
When Jin Yue'e handed them the pouches, everyone accepted them with smiles.
Sixth Madam's husband, Yuan Yingbo, was smooth-talking and skilled in social interactions. His arrival raised the atmosphere in the Yi Xiang Hall, causing everyone to burst into laughter from time to time.
After observing Yuan Yingbo's easygoing conversation for a while, Shi Fuxin whispered to Shi Dinghao, "This Sixth Uncle is quite interesting. You should try to interact with him more."
People who could bring laughter were usually well-received no matter where they went.
Shi Dinghao nodded, "I find his discussions on people and affairs quite intriguing."
While observing the crowd, Shi Fuxin suddenly noticed that the smile on Lady Shi's face seemed somewhat forced. After a brief thought, she understood why.
It was almost noon, and yet their second aunt, who was her father's biological sister, hadn't arrived yet.
After waiting a while longer, when the smile on Lady Shi's face was nearly impossible to sustain, the Shi family's second aunt, Shi Yuhua, and her family finally arrived.
Everyone in the Shi family was accustomed to this.
Every time the Shi family gathered or had an event, Shi Yuhua's family was always the last to arrive.
"Mother, we're late," Shi Yuhua apologized as they entered.
Before entering the hall, Shi Yuhua's voice reached them.
Once inside, Shi Yuhua paid no heed to anyone else and headed straight for Lady Shi. She bowed slightly and then smiled at the unfamiliar faces in the room.
"So this is Fourth Brother, right? I'm really sorry, my husband had some last-minute matters that delayed us. Please don't be angry."
Before Shi Zhenghe could respond, Lady Shi spoke up, "Your Fourth Brother doesn't have the leisure to be angry with you." After that, she didn't pay much attention to Shi Yuhua and instead smiled at Wei Yuzhe and his grandchildren, who were entering a few steps behind.
"This is your Second Brother-in-law."
"Yuzhe, this is your Fourth Brother and his family."
Wei Yuzhe was still respectful towards Lady Shi. He quickly smiled and greeted Shi Zhenghe and then instructed his children to come forward and pay their respects.
After the exchanges of courtesy, just as Jin Yue'e was about to hand over the pouches, Shi Yuhua, in a somewhat exaggerated manner, said, "Oh my, I should be punished. I actually forgot to prepare a gift for this meeting."
She laughed while looking at Jin Yue'e.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, I'm truly sorry. I didn't prepare a gift, so it's really embarrassing for us not to reciprocate."
While Shi Zhenghe's family didn't openly show their displeasure, declining in front of so many people was quite humiliating.
Jin Yue'e was completely caught off guard by this situation. She stood there holding the pouches in a daze.
Lady Shi's chest heaved with anger. She was about to say something when she noticed Shi Fuxin walking up to Jin Yue'e with a smile.
"Second Aunt is right. Although these pouches are a token of our goodwill, it's indeed impolite for Second Aunt not to receive a gift in return. It's our fault for causing such an offense right after meeting Second Aunt."
With a light chuckle, Shi Fuxin took the pouches from Jin Yue'e's hands and handed them to Jin Gui. "Take them back to the Yi Gui Courtyard."
Shi Fuxin's intervention left everyone momentarily stunned.
Jin Gui, holding the pouches, felt extremely nervous being called out by her young mistress in front of everyone. She hesitated for a moment until she heard a slight cough from Lady Shi, at which point she quickly turned and left.
Seeing Jin Gui not following her words made Shi Fuxin somewhat irritated. She looked at Jin Gui's retreating figure with a hint of displeasure before turning her gaze back to Shi Yuhua.
Shi Yuhua, with a smile on her face, but a cold glint in her eyes, said, "So, this is Fourth Brother's youngest daughter. Indeed..." She paused, wearing a knowing smile.
Shi Fuxin laughed, "Indeed what? Lacking in manners? I grew up on the border, so I certainly can't compare to Second Aunt. As a daughter of the Duke's residence, you are indeed well-mannered. Today has truly broadened my horizons."
Shi Yuhua was taken aback. She hadn't expected Shi Fuxin to openly speak like this. Feeling a surge of anger, she was about to retort when Lady Shi suddenly stood up.
As Lady Shi rose, the others had no choice but to stand up as well.
Lady Shi glanced at Shi Yuhua and then at the still smiling Shi Fuxin. She spoke softly, "It's already noon, and everyone is hungry. Let's proceed to the dining hall."
Shi Yuhua sensed her mother's genuine anger and shot a glare at Shi Fuxin. Realizing that further words wouldn't be wise, she held her tongue.
Shi Fuxin returned her glare with a defiant look and even raised an eyebrow.
The provocation in her expression caused the others to exchange glances with twinkling eyes.
Lady Shi watched Shi Fuxin until the smile on her face slowly faded. Then, she extended her hand towards Jin Yue'e. "Daughter-in-law, help me up."
Jin Yue'e quickly stepped forward to assist Lady Shi.
As everyone accompanied Lady Shi to the dining hall, Shi Fuxin approached Shi Fuxin and whispered, "Weren't you supposed to act like a proper lady of the family? Is this how you do it?"
Shi Fuxin shrugged, "What can I do? It's just too infuriating." Seeing her sister still about to scold her, Shi Fuxin hurriedly linked her arm with Shi Fuxin's.
"Sister, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"Well, initially, I thought that coming back to the Duke's residence would allow us to bask in its prestige. Even if the family members said some offensive things, enduring it would be worth it. After all, we've gained an advantage."
"But you heard what Zhang Mama said. Given the current situation at the Duke's residence, who's benefiting from whom is uncertain. So why should we swallow our pride?"
"If they dare to mistreat us, we'll dare to show them our strength. We'll let the Shi family know that we're not to be trifled with."