Cheng Yujin noticed Cheng Yumo's gaze. She gave Cheng Yumo a slight glance, and guessed what's probably in her mind.
Now there was no other person here, it was impossible for Cheng Yujin to stay silent. Out of politeness, she asked: "Second sister, how are you doing?"
Cheng Yumo sighed. She was about to speak, but finally stopped in time. "Good or bad, it doesn't matter. No matter what, life still has to go on."
Seeing Cheng Yumo's expression, Cheng Yujin asked again with a sigh: "How does Madam Huo treat you?"
This sentence exactly hit Cheng Yumo's sore spot. She fell silent for a while before finally whispered: "My mother-in-law is very demanding of me...she keeps saying that Huo family has a strict family style. They don't indulge younger generations as others do, so the daughter-in-law has to follow the mother-in-law all the time to learn the rules. My mother-in-law gets up at the hour of the rabbit (5-7 am) every day, so I have to get up even earlier, wait outside her room, and go in to serve her as soon as she wakes up. If my mother-in-law wakes up and I haven't arrived yet...she will get angry and punish me to copy the Admonishment For Women or confine me in my room. In the morning, my mother-in-law will have a housekeeping meeting with the servants in charge, so after I serve her the morning meal, I have to follow and listen to her preaching to the stewards and female managers. The time they arrive is fixed. As a young madam, I cannot be late, so I don't even have enough time to eat my meal. I don't like to eat in my room just after getting up in the morning. It was still so dark outside, and I don't have an appetite..."
It seemed that Cheng Yumo rarely found a person to vent. Before Cheng Yujin could reply, Cheng Yumo already continued: "I have to stand up hungry behind my mother-in-law all the morning. When it is finally time for the noon meal, she still doesn't allow me to sit down. I have to wait until the Marquis and my mother-in-law finish their meal before I can finally eat my meal in the ante-room. My meal has been separated in advance and kept warm on the stove. Only when taking the noon meal can I take a breather for half an hour. If I'm lucky, my mother-in-law will take a nap, and I can also take a longer rest. After my mother-in-law wakes up, I have to stand behind her to learn the rules again."
"At night, after everyone had the evening meal and my mother-in-law retreated to bed, only then she allowed me to go back to my room. But I don't have time to do anything because I have to get up early the next day. Back in my room, I take a quick bath and hurriedly go to bed so I won't get up late."
Cheng Yujin merely asked one word, but Cheng Yumo, seemingly found a long-awaited exit, began to pour her bitterness like a torrent. Cheng Yujin had some conjecture beforehand, but when she really heard it, she was still speechless in astonishment.
Cheng Yumo's life was too miserable. From a pampered boudoir girl to a new bride, everyone had to adapt to great changes and endure hardships. However, Cheng Yumo's situation, where she had to spin everywhere without resting all day, couldn't even eat and sleep well, was rare.
Cheng Yujin recalled her situation in her previous life. Although she never truly 'experienced' the previous life, she could draw a conjecture based on the few fragments she saw in her dream. Based on those vague recollections, the 'Cheng Yujin' from the previous life should also be subjected to the same rules when she married into Huo family. However, Cheng Yujin was good at playing the rules and more importantly, had a brain. She never been entirely compliant, and used many tricks to make her life easier. In the end, she only went to Huo Xue-shi right before the morning meal, which was around the hour of the dragon (7-9 am), so she had plenty of time to have her meal in her own room and wouldn't stand hungry all morning.
After the morning meal, like Cheng Yumo, Cheng Yujin also had to attend Huo Xue-shi's housekeeping meeting. Huo Xue-shi was not a good matron in charge. After she was widowed, her methods became increasingly meaner and harsher. This was true for her daughter-in-law, and was equally so for the servants below. For example, every steward and female manager had to gather in her courtyard every day and listen to her preaching. She could preach for more than an hour. Not only the servant girls by Huo Xue-shi's side felt tired and bored, but the stewards and female managers who were being preached also complained in secret. One day, two days, they could still bear it. But who would be willing to endure every day? They still had plenty of works to do.
To put it bluntly, Huo Xue-shi's management method was simply stupid. She didn't know how to use both punishments and rewards to manage the subordinates and only knew how to preach, set rules, and punish harshly. Cheng Yujin followed behind Huo Xue-shi, listening attentively and at the same time, carefully observing the servants below. In less than a month, she had figured out Huo family's household situation.
Cheng Yujin endured for three months before her chance finally came. There was a big ceremony that Huo Xue-shi simply couldn't handle, so Cheng Yujin took the initiative to manage it in Huo Xue-shi's place. In the end, she did it thoroughly and perfectly. Huo Xue-shi breathed a sigh of relief. Afterward, due to the lack of skill and energy, Huo Xue-shi finally relegated the more trivial matters of household management to Cheng Yujin. Gradually, the housekeeping power of Jingyong Marquis Manor fell completely into Cheng Yujin's hand.
After Cheng Yujin took over the housekeeping, Huo Xue-shi's daily preaching session was naturally canceled. On the ground of "too busy with the housekeeping matters," Cheng Yujin also stopped learning the rules in the afternoon. Gradually, she also stopped waiting upon Huo Xue-shi in the morning and only went to pay daily respect.
With power in her hands, her living standard naturally rose. The servants knew in whose hands their wages and foods came from and knew who they should please the most. And thanks to Huo Xue-shi, this terrible predecessor, the servants of Jingyong Marquis Manor were extremely fond of Cheng Yujin. They didn't dare to deliberately make things difficult for her, for fear that the new Young Madam would no longer be in charge and return the household management to the Old Madam.
After all the calculations, in the end, Cheng Yujin had only attended to Huo Xue-shi for the first three months. After that, everything went according to her plan, and her life became more and more comfortable. Moreover, even during the initial period when Cheng Yujin still had to learn the rules with Huo Xue-shi every day, she never did the hard works personally. At least, she never let herself be as tired as Cheng Yumo.
Listening to Cheng Yumo's complaint made Cheng Yujin truly speechless. Even if she had a few things to say, there were too many to point to that she didn't even know where to start. After all, she and Cheng Yumo were different. It took Cheng Yujin only a bit of listening to acutely aware that something was wrong.
Cheng Yujin stared at Cheng Yumo for a while. Cheng Yumo, who was immersed in her bitter thoughts, noticed her sister's gaze. After a pause, she couldn't help touching her own face and asked: "Eldest sister, why are you staring at me like this?"
Cheng Yujin felt that she had found the root of Cheng Yumo's problem. She asked: "Second sister...how are you and Marquis Huo?"
"Me and the Marquis?" Hearing Cheng Yujin suddenly mentioned Huo Changyuan, Cheng Yumo was taken aback for a moment. She then lowered her head and pursed her lips: "Of course the Marquis treats me very well. Why does eldest sister ask me this?"
In fact, it was not as good as Cheng Yumo said. At least, their present relationship was incomparable to that of her previous life. Since getting married, Huo Changyuan always seemed to be in the wrong state. He often sat in a daze, staring at a distance. When Cheng Yumo came and interrupted his daze, he was momentarily confused and then looked at a loss, even disappointed, upon seeing her. It was as if he was immersed in an illusion, and mistaken the person he saw in reality.
Because of this matter, Cheng Yumo made a fuss with Huo Changyuan several times. However, the more fuss she made, the more estranged the husband and wife became. Maybe Huo Changyuan secretly felt guilty, but he began to treat Cheng Yumo better than ever. However, Cheng Yumo, who had a memory of a lifetime, could easily distinguish between fake and true affection. She clearly sensed the deliberateness in Huo Changyuan's intimacy, and his lack of sincerity.
But there was no way Cheng Yumo would say that honestly to Cheng Yujin. She lowered her head and said with a soft voice: "Although my mother-in-law is harsh, the Marquis treats me very well. He knows that I have to learn the rules with my mother-in-law every day and will send someone to call me back earlier at night. Sometimes, he even comes to pick me up in person."
Hearing this, Cheng Yujin became even more speechless. So, this was the crux of the problem. Huo Xue-shi was originally a harsh and demanding woman, but she was obviously too harsh to Cheng Yumo, far above what Cheng Yujin saw in her previous life's memory. Sure enough, the root still lay in Huo Changyuan.
In her previous life, after Cheng Yujin noticed Huo Xue-shi's unusual possessiveness towards her son, Cheng Yujin deliberately alienated Huo Changyuan. At least on the surface, they were simply respectful to each other, even indifferent. Later, after Cheng Yujin showed her excellent housekeeping skill and kept a distance from Huo Xue-shi's baby son, Huo Xue-shi became more and more lenient, and Cheng Yujin's life was improved.
In contrast, Cheng Yumo didn't notice these things at all. Huo Xue-shi deliberately detained Cheng Yumo until late at night because of her desire not to see Cheng Yumo and Huo Changyuan lived their married life as a couple. Yet, Cheng Yumo even complained to Huo Changyuan, letting him sending people to urge Huo Xue-shi to let her go back early and sometimes even came in person. Wasn't this precisely poking Huo Xue-shi's sore spot? No wonder her actions became more intensified.
Cheng Yujin paused for a while before saying tactfully: "Second sister, Marquis Huo has to go to the court every day, and he also has to go to the army barrack to train the soldiers. He must be very tired. If he waits for you to come back so late at night, it will be detrimental to his health in the long run. You may as well let Marquis Huo go to bed earlier without waiting for your return."
Cheng Yumo immediately frowned. She glared at Cheng Yujin and said vigilantly: "Eldest sister, what do you mean by this?"
Alright then. Cheng Yujin no longer said anything. Today she was rarely in a benevolent mood and was willing to offer some advice. Since Cheng Yumo didn't appreciate it, then she wouldn't bother to say more. Cheng Yujin's proposed method was very subtle yet clever. If Huo Changyuan no longer waited for Cheng Yumo every night and instead went to bed in time, the news would quickly reach Huo Xue-shi's ears. Huo Xue-shi's glaring enmity towards Cheng Yumo, which mostly stemmed from her possessiveness towards her son, would eventually be lessened. Moreover, newly-married couples usually were not allowed to sleep separately. If Cheng Yumo returned late, Huo Changyuan would already have been sleeping. He would inevitably be awakened by Cheng Yumo getting in and out of the room, removing makeup, changing out of clothes, and taking a bath. After a few times, Huo Xue-shi would feel sorry for her baby son and would allow Cheng Yumo to return earlier.
Unfortunately, Cheng Yumo didn't understand, and even suspected that Cheng Yujin maliciously wanted to destroy her relationship with her husband. Cheng Yujin was too lazy to care, and she simply stopped talking.
The two fell silent again. Fortunately, they soon arrived at the praying room where Old Madam Cheng was assigned. Cheng family's servant girl who was guarding the door smiled upon seeing them and went inside to announce: "Old Madam. Eldest miss and second young lady are here."
Cheng Yujin has put on her gentle and amiable facade again. With a 'good wife and loving mother' smile, she walked inside and curtsied to Old Madam Cheng: "Grandmother."
After Cheng Yujin entered the room and saw the people inside, she raised her eyebrows indiscernibly. She had expected Old Madam Cheng to entertain some guests, but why was Old Madam Zhai also here?
Cheng Yujin had a bad hunch.
Cheng Yujin had a bad hunch, but she didn't show her feelings outwards. She greeted the guests one by one in a perfect manner. Cheng Yumo followed afterward and also made her greetings.
Although Cheng Yumo was married and already got a court title as Marchioness Jingyong, on such a public occasion, she was greatly suppressed by Cheng Yujin's momentum and could only follow from behind. All the madams present obviously noticed this, including Old Madam Zhai.
Today, Old Madam Zhai specially came to chat with Old Madam Cheng was of course not for reminiscing the past. Because of their seniority, both of the old madams rarely had to leave their houses, and the chance of meeting at normal banquets or social events was close to zero. Therefore, Old Madam Zhai deliberately came today was to see Cheng Yujin in person. This was his son's second wife candidate who would raise her most beloved grandson, a major task concerning both the future of their duke manor and Zhai Qing. Old Madam Zhai couldn't be at ease to leave such an important matter to her second daughter-in-law, so she came personally.
With such a condescending thought, Old Madam Zhai came to meet the Cheng family. Unexpectedly, she found out that Cheng Yujin was taken by her mother, Qingfu Junzhu, to greet the imperial clan elders. In fact, Qingfu Junzhu only wanted to bring her baby son, but Cheng Yujin took the initiative to follow.
But outsiders didn't know such a truth. What Old Madam Zhai saw was that Cheng Yujin was born in a marquis household, and her legal mother was an imperial clansman. She could even show her face in front of other imperial relatives, her vision and knowledge were surely extraordinary.
Old Madam Zhai opened the conversation, but Old Madam Cheng was also an expert in speaking in roundabout manners. The two elderly women were exchanging polite remarks one after another when a servant girl came in, announcing that eldest Miss was here.
Old Madam Zhai raised her head and saw a beautiful girl walked from the door, followed by another girl in a married woman's hairdo and gorgeous dress. The two's facial features were somewhat similar, but no more than ordinary sisters. Cheng Yujin's facial features certainly were more exquisite, and her skin was also whiter and brighter. At a glance, Cheng Yujin attracted much more attention.
If not for knowing in advance, no one would ever think that they were twins. When Old Madam Zhai saw Cheng Yujin curtsied elegantly, she felt satisfied.
Her manner was excellent, and her conduct was also very good. It could be seen that this girl didn't become arrogant because of her beauty. But when Old Madam Zhai saw Cheng Yujin for the first time, she subconsciously frowned. Cheng Yujin was too beautiful, far beyond Old Madam Zhai's initial expectations. Of course, the future Duchess Cai couldn't be ugly, but choosing someone as beautiful as Cheng Yujin might not be a blessing either.
The new wife was so beautiful and ten years younger. It was easy for an older husband to pamper a young wife, especially a very beautiful one. Zhai Yanlin might get his mind taken away by Cheng Yujin. No wonder Zhai Yanlin, who showed little interest in remarrying, suddenly changed his mind after seeing Cheng Yujin once at Yichun Marquis Manor.
Fortunately, Cheng Yujin had good manners, a calm temperament, a gentle disposition, and was likable. Old Madam Zhai had seen plenty of beautiful women, who were so spoiled that they became extremely arrogant. But seeing Cheng Yujin's disposition, Old Madam Zhai was relieved.
Seeing two young girls came in, the madams in the room let them joined the conversation. Cheng Yujin was not shy nor obnoxious. She didn't rush to get attention, nor did she become nervous when the focus turned to herself. If the person next to her were stunned and couldn't continue the conversation, she would assist from the side, letting the flow uninterrupted.
In short, all the madams present were very satisfied with Cheng Yujin. Old Madam Cheng sat on the side, slowly turning the prayer beads in her hand with a smile on her face.
Old Madam Zhai watched with cold eyes for a while, but couldn't find a single place to nitpick of. According to social rules, unmarried girls were usually treated as children, and they couldn't speak a word in a gathering unless an elder talked to them. By any standards, Cheng Yujin's younger sister, Cheng family's married second daughter and the new Marchioness Jingyong, should be the madams' peers. But when the two sisters were sitting at the same place, everyone subconsciously ignored Cheng Yumo, and all their eyes fell on Cheng Yujin so naturally.
Old Madam Zhai was originally very confident about this marriage, even contemptuous. Her son was Duke Cai; would a decaying marquis family refuse to marry their daughter to him? It was even proper for the other party to hurriedly came over and offered their daughter. But after seeing Cheng Yujin with her own eyes today, Old Madam Zhai was no longer so confident.
Could their Cai Duke Manor really afford such a woman?
Old Madam Cheng had waited enough. Now that the other side had seen her granddaughter, it was time to raise the price. She spoke: "Eldest girl, it is rare for you and second young lady to meet. You sisters should go on a stroll and have a good chat."
Cheng Yujin knew that the Old Madam was driving them off in disguise. She stood up and smiled well-behavedly: "Yes, grandmother."
Cheng Yumo also got up and followed Cheng Yujin out. Once she was outside, Cheng Yumo smiled bitterly. She thought that she could complain her bitterness to her natal family. But from the beginning to the end, Old Madam Cheng didn't even ask a single word about her situation at Huo family.
It was ridiculous to think. In the whole Cheng family, the only one who was willing to listen to her grievances was Cheng Yujin.
One of Old Madam Cheng's servant girls led Cheng Yujin and Cheng Yumo. She said to them: "Eldest miss, second young lady, Xiangji Temple's plum blossoms are blooming right now. Do you want to go to the garden and have a look?"
Cheng Yujin had no objection. Cheng Yumo also didn't want to return to Huo Xue-shi's side, so she agreed.
The servant girl led them to the garden. They walked through several corridors and pathways. Suddenly, Cheng Yujin noticed that Cheng Yumo had disappeared, leaving her alone on the roofed corridor. Cheng Yujin immediately had a bad feeling. But before she could open her mouth, the servant girl who led her here suddenly hastened her pace and disappeared through a gate.
At the same time, a familiar voice came from behind: "Eldest Miss Cheng, how do you do?"
Cheng Yujin's smile disappeared, and she slowly turned around.
It was Zhai Yanlin.