Empress Dowager Yang was a person with a firm determination and liked to make her own decision. This might have something to do with her past. Empress Dowager Yang could be said to have a very smooth life. As a girl, she was born into a well-off family and grew up with no worries. Later, she was chosen to enter the palace during the palace selection, and continued to live in luxury.
After entering the palace, although the previous Emperor's favor was mediocre, she had good luck. After a limited number of visitations, she became pregnant, and later gave birth to the eldest prince. Mother's status rose with her child, and thus Yang family's daughter was named Empress. After a few years, the arrogant and domineering Noble Consort, who was most favored by the previous Emperor, also gave birth to the second prince.
The second prince was titled Rong Wang at a young age. The previous Emperor loved this child so much, and even thought of making him a crown prince. However, due to the ancestral rule that said, "When there is a di son, make the di son the heir. In the absence of a di son, make the eldest son the heir" and a large number of protest from scholar-officials, this idea was delayed. After giving birth to the eldest prince, Empress Dowager Yang, who was still an Empress at that time, quickly adapted to the palace's cruel means. She vigorously promoted her younger brother and started a fierce battle against Noble Consort and Rong Wang's faction.
When deities fought, mortals suffered. Even among imperial princes, there were differences in status and treatment. Kang Wang Li Huan, whose biological mother was just a low-ranking palace maid, was obviously of low status. Empress Yang originally never paid attention to Kang Wang, who was merely an unfavored prince with no talents. He was titled early, then departed to the vassal land to start a family, which was his greatest contribution to the court.
But no one expected the thing that happened next. The crown prince who fought hard against Rong Wang suddenly died in an accident. The previous Emperor was furious. Both Empress Yang and her brother Yang Fucheng were unwilling to give up. They made a fuss, and the result of the investigation finally showed that the crown prince's so-called accident was actually an assassination by Rong Wang.
As a result, Rong Wang was demoted to a commoner, and the powerful Noble Consort also collapsed. The previous Emperor lost his two sons one after another. After dealing with Rong Wang's aftermath, his body collapsed.
Empress Yang finally got her revenge against the enemy of the greatest half of her life, but her son would never come back. After some contemplation and upon Yang Fucheng's suggestion, she summoned Kang Wang, who was living in his vassal land at the time, back to the capital.
The throne shouldn't fell into the hands of others. Instead of letting the ministers choosing a prince with a strong maternal clan as the next Emperor, it was better to choose herself and made the next Emperor owe the Yang family. Empress Yang finally chose Kang Wang Li Huan. But before he arrived in the capital, the previous Emperor couldn't hold it anymore and passed away without seeing this unfavored third son for the last time.
After that, Empress Yang arranged the previous Emperor's funeral and Li Huan's enthronement ceremony, and she was also promoted to Empress Dowager. Her power in the inner palace quickly expanded, and reached its peak when another Yang family's daughter, her niece, became the current Empress.
At the same time, the Yang family's people also received rapid promotions. Yang Fucheng controlled the cabinet and basically became the actual master of the country, standing above millions and only below one person.
Although Empress Dowager Yang had experienced many twists and turns in her life, everything generally developed according to her expectations, so she became obstinate and stubborn. Once she made her decision, no one dared to refute her.
Empress Dowager Yang had made her words. She wanted to visit the temple in person to offer her gratitude to the Boddhishattva. Regardless of the feasibility of going out of the palace during the winter of the twelfth month, regardless of how much money and material resources it would take, and regardless of how many people would be involved, since she said so, it had to be done. And this time, even the Emperor also followed Empress Dowager's whim and wanted to accompany her to the temple. Both the Ministry of Rites and Yulin Army had to work in a hurry to prepare the travel plan and clean the road before the twelfth month.
A few days into the twelfth month, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's procession set off grandiosely from the palace towards the Xiangji Mountain Temple.
When the Empress Dowager traveled, her procession expanded for ten miles, with all kinds of retinue, servants, guards, and countless belongings. The Imperial Regalia Guards, who were tasked with opening the road ahead, had already left the city. But the carriage that brought Her Majesty Empress Dowager was still in the palace gate. All the accompanying madams and young misses had to wait in the palace since early in the morning. When the sun shone high, they only moved a few steps forward.
The Empress Dowager herself was accompanied by female officials, palace maids, and eunuchs. The accompanying madams and young misses also brought their own servant girls. But those servant girls of high-ranking families were almost half a noble miss and didn't do rough works by themselves. Therefore, they also had to bring rough work servants, handymen, etc...one personnel after another, plus various luggage. One could imagine how huge the final procession was.
Cheng Yujin was also part of the accompanying party. Although it was exhausting, she didn't have to do anything at all. It wasn't her role to accompany the Empress Dowager to chat or listening to the sutra. Those positions had been filled with Yang family's relatives and other prominent people. Yichun Marquis Manor had no sense of existence and also with no prominent relatives or friends. Even if they joined the procession to Xiangji Temple this time, their only role was just adding the numbers.
Cheng Yujin couldn't help but sigh in her heart. She was the dignified young Miss of a marquis manor, yet she had been this tired. She couldn't imagine how hard it was for the officials in charge and the servants below.
The one on the top opened their mouth, and the people below had to rush until their legs were broken. But there was no way. Cheng Yujin didn't dare to express any complaint. She still smiled politely and went to the lounge to pay respect to Old Madam Cheng.
Xiangji Temple occupied a vast area, but it was still not an easy job to arrange the places for so many madams and young misses. Because of the limited space, the largest and most spacious prayer room was naturally reserved for the Empress Dowager, followed by the Yang family's madam, the wife of Senior Grand Secretary Yang Qian-shi. Afterward, there came Yang family's daughters-in-law and married daughters. Only then came imperial relatives and powerful official madams. When it came to ordinary nobles, only second-class rooms with five to six people per room were left.
However, it was good enough to be able to crowd in a prayer room. Some lesser-ranked madams didn't get a room and had to stay outside. On top of that, they were not allowed to sit outdoor on this kind of important occasion and could only stand all the time. Old Madam Cheng was fortunate enough to enter a guest room to rest because of her old age and seniority. As for Qingfu Junzhu, although her husband was useless, she was still an imperial Junzhu after all. With the honor of an imperial clan member, she also had a seat.
This occasion probably saw the highest concentration of imperial family, nobility, and high-ranking official families all in one place. The madams who usually were pampered in daily life had to endure being crowded in small rooms. When juniors from the families came to pay respect to their elders, everyone naturally began to comment together.
This exactly was Cheng Yujin's purpose. She especially made a visit to show her face to the madams. Taking advantage of today's good opportunities, she could show her talents and build her reputations. Maybe, this would lead to some good marriage chances.
Following an apprentice monk's direction, Cheng Yujin walked to the room where Old Madam Cheng was sitting. Today was an excellent social platform. No one would give up such a great opportunity. Everyone stayed in small groups, socializing. Old Madam Cheng also moved from group to group. Cheng Yujin followed Qingfu Junzhu and was separated from Old Madam Cheng. When she wanted to go back now, she had to ask an apprentice monk for direction.
As she walked along, Cheng Yujin passed by many praying rooms. If she met an acquaintance, she had to stop and have a chat. Halfway through, she happened to see Cheng Yumo.
Cheng Yujin didn't want to waste time with Cheng Yumo. Old Madam Cheng has a high level of seniority. Other high-ranking old madams would direct their juniors to Old Madam Cheng for a greeting. It was such a great opportunity. If she stopped by to talk to Cheng Yumo, it would delay her time to meet people and also affected her chance to choose a prospective mother-in-law.
However, it was too late for Cheng Yujin to avoid Cheng Yumo. Cheng Yumo was attending to Huo Xue-shi. Her mother-in-law was chatting, while she stood behind and had to stay silent. Cheng Yumo was bored. She turned her eyes and saw Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yumo was stunned for a moment before calling: "Eldest sister?"
Cheng Yujin sighed. It seemed that she couldn't pretend of not seeing. No matter what she thought, however, Cheng Yujin always put on a perfect smile. She turned her head upon the call, as if just seeing Cheng Yumo, then walked over and greeted amiably: "Second sister."
Huo Xue-shi and other madams who were talking just now paused and looked back at the person who came over. Cheng Yujin slowly approached, and the madams finally saw her face clearly. They were surprised, and curiously waited for Huo Xue-shi's introduction.
Huo Xue-shi was a little annoyed that Cheng Yumo interrupted her chat. When she looked over, Huo Xue-shi saw it was Cheng Yujin, and her expression became even uglier. Everyone was looking at her. It wasn't good for Huo Xue-shi to not give Cheng Yumo a face in front of so many eyes, so she said insipidly: "This is Cheng family's eldest young miss. My daughter-in-law's clan sister."
"Cheng family? Is it the Cheng family of Yichun Marquis Manor? "
Cheng Yujin answered elegantly: "Exactly." She then proceeded to salute the madams one by one. "Greetings to the Madams. This little girl pays respect to you."
Cheng Yujin's tone, movements, and manners were impeccably perfect. The madams looked at each other in shock: "So you are Cheng family's eldest miss. Your family's second young lady married into Jingyong Marquis Manor. Why doesn't eldest miss come to Jingyong Manor often? We never saw you there."
Cheng Yujin's smile was unchanged: "Madam is correct. However, my second sister is just get married, and there are many things she doesn't understand and needs Madam Huo to teach. Grandmother afraid that if our family visits too often, it will trouble Madam Huo, so we don't go."
This rhetoric was brilliant. In fact, the madams' circle in the capital was not that big. Everyone had heard about what happened between the Cheng family and the Huo family, including why Cheng Yujin, the eldest sister, was still unmarried when Cheng Yumo, the younger sister, had been married into the Huo family. These madams all had their own understanding. However, everyone held onto the pretense and tacitly didn't mention a word.
In fact, the Madam who made the question already regretted her words. Why did the Cheng family's eldest Miss never come to Jingyong Marquis Manor? It clearly was because of her canceled engagement and also because she had to observe mourning. However, none of these reasons could be said out blatantly. The Madam asked this, was no different than making it difficult for Cheng Yujin.
However, Cheng Yujin's reply was unexpectedly very clever. She didn't mention anything about broken engagement or mourning period and instead used the reason of Cheng Yumo having to serve her mother-in-law. This way, Cheng Yumo didn't lose face, and Huo Xue-shi also looked good. Moreover, Cheng Yujin also accidentally revealed Cheng Yumo's filial piety, serving her mother-in-law wholeheartedly after getting married. As Cheng Yumo's natal family, this gained Yichun Marquis Manor a good reputation.
The madams present were pleasantly surprised and took another look at Cheng Yujin, this time with admiration. Huo Xue-shi noticed several people glanced at her in secret, their gaze was probing. Even without asking, Huo Xue-shi could guess what they were thinking about. It was nothing more than wondering about the decision she made. Cheng Yujin's appearance was excellent, had a good personality, and clever. Why did Huo family break the engagement?
Huo Xue-shi felt suffocated, and her mood plummeted even more. Huo Xue-shi, who was widowed at a young age, actually cared so much about public opinion. She broke the marriage contract with Cheng Yujin and replaced it with Cheng Yumo, which was not commendable. This already annoyed Huo Xue-shi. But others reminded her again and again, which only made her even more irritated.
Cheng Yujin was a daughter from someone else's family, and Huo Xue-shi had no right to scold her, so she poured all her anger on Cheng Yumo instead. Not to mention, Huo Xue-shi's opinion about Cheng Yumo was getting worse and worse after she married in. Especially seeing her acted weakly in front of Huo Changyuan, crying in every turn and chance. This only fueled Huo Xue-shi's anger.
Huo Xue-shi said: "Of course it won't be a trouble. Now this marriage has been a forgone conclusion. Since she married into our Huo family, even if she cannot do something properly, I can always teach her slowly. Even if it takes years to come, we are not in a hurry. If eldest Miss Cheng and Old Madam Cheng really have something to say with your younger sister, there is no need to delay."
Cheng Yumo lowered her head silently, biting her lip in frustration. Huo Xue-shi was always very harsh and demanding, and never said a good word to herself. At home, Cheng Yumo could still bear it. But be told like this in front of so many outsiders, especially in front of Cheng Yujin, Cheng Yumo was extremely embarrassed.
Because they needed to go into the palace today, Cheng Yumo got up before dawn, earlier than usual. She was so hurried that she didn't even have time for morning meal and had to serve Huo Xue-shi getting up and dressed. Afterward, she naturally didn't have time to rest, and followed her mother-in-law into the palace before departing to Xiangji Temple. Time had passed noon, but Cheng Yumo hadn't taken a rest since she opened her eyes this morning.
She worked so hard, but still get scolded by her mother-in-law. Cheng Yumo's face was pale. Her lips were bloodless, and she looked very pitiful.
Cheng Yujin frowned secretly. She knew that Huo Xue-shi was a difficult mother-in-law. But was she this harsh before?
Cheng Yujin represented the Cheng family, but Huo Xue-shi dared to say badly about Cheng Yumo. In private, how much meaner was she?
Cheng Yujin glanced at Cheng Yumo slightly. This road was Cheng Yumo's choice. She didn't sympathize with Cheng Yumo. However, Huo Xue-shi spoke this way in front of herself and so many people clearly did not give Cheng family a face. Cheng Yujin couldn't overlook this matter.
Cheng Yujin smiled beautifully: "If there is something my second sister is not good at, it is naturally our Cheng family's fault for not teaching her well. It seems that we have troubled Madam Huo. It happened that grandmother was also asking about second sister's situation. She is the youngest daughter at our home, pampered for so many years. We are afraid that she might be wronged outside, but didn't expect to give Madam Huo troubles. Madam, please be assured. I will bring second sister to grandmother, so grandmother can teach her properly."
Cheng Yujin's words were so polite, as well as her tone. But the implied meaning was full of attack. Huo Xue-shi's expression suddenly became very ugly. After Cheng Yujin finished speaking, she didn't wait for Huo Xue-shi's reply and immediately said: "Grandmother has been waiting for us for a long time. This little girl shouldn't linger too long. Second sister and I will retire first. Madams, have a good day."
Cheng Yumo was secretly happy, but she was afraid that Huo Xue-shi would be offended and retaliated against her once they were back home. Cheng Yumo hesitated. She didn't know whether she should follow Cheng Yujin along or not. Of course, she wanted to see her family. But her mother-in-law...
Huo Xue-shi felt humiliated by Cheng Yujin's mockery, not to mention those words were said by her daughter-in-law's sister. Huo Xue-shi felt that she had lost so much face. At this time, in front of so many people, if she stopped Cheng Yumo from seeing her natal family, wouldn't it just confirm her reputation as a harsh mother-in-law?
Huo Xue-shi forced out a smile and said kindly: "Since Yumo married Changyuan, I have treated her as my own daughter. Because of deep love and responsibility, I have been stricter with her. It seems that I talked too hastily, and let everyone misunderstood. How can I bear to scold Yumo? I love her so much."
After that, Huo Xue-shi spoke to Cheng Yumo with a superficial smile that didn't reach her eyes: "Blame me. I forget that the in-law's family must miss their daughter. Since Old Madam Cheng is waiting for you, just go with your sister. Come back early."
Cheng Yumo was overwhelmed by this sudden kindness. She didn't believe it was true until Huo Xue-shi repeated her words once again. Cheng Yumo quickly bowed her head and followed behind Cheng Yujin.
After she was out of Huo Xue-shi's sight, Cheng Yumo felt truly relieved from all the pores on her body. As soon as she raised her eyes, she saw Cheng Yujin walking in front of her, feeling mixed.
In her previous life, Cheng Yujin had never complained to Cheng family, so Cheng Yumo always thought that Cheng Yujin's marriage life must be very smooth and comfortable. It wasn't until it was her turn that Cheng Yumo knew the actual suffering.
Cheng Yumo had to serve Huo Xue-shi all day long. From the early morning, Huo Xue-shi got up until she went into bed in the evening. During that time, Cheng Yumo had to serve tea and water, massaged her legs, and serving her meals. Even on the rare days when Huo Xue-shi showed great compassion and didn't make Cheng Yumo work, she still had to stand from morning to night and only sit during the brief mealtime.
Standing for a whole day, day by day, how was it a trivial matter? Cheng Yumo was accustomed to Huo Xue-shi's tyranny, but she never expected that it would be Cheng Yujin who would stand up and speak in her defense.