The Survival Rules of an Unfavored Daughter

  After Ruoxin handed over the power to Yuexue again, Yuexue did a good job. He was also very diligent in serving Zhīyì and Ruoxin. Whenever Ruoxin had any requests or wanted to eat or do something, Yuexue would satisfy her immediately. Linglong couldn't help but praise Yuexue, thinking that he must have really changed his ways.

  Zhi Yi saw Yu Xue and was truly at ease, but he also praised her a few words. However, his tone suddenly changed as he turned to Chao Yun and Yu Xue: "You two have been serving me for so long, always keeping your place and never making mistakes. By rights, promoting you to be my concubines is what everyone expects. However, in order to respect the mistress, whether you continue to stay or are reassigned out of the manor, it's all up to the mistress to decide."

  The snow was so thick that it was like a sudden clap of thunder, and for half the day she couldn't utter a word. It was also quite embarrassing, as her brother's private affairs were not something a young unmarried girl should get involved in. But Guan Shi was too reckless, speaking of such private matters right in front of her.

  Yu Xue's face was dull and stupid, unable to speak for half a day. Chao Yun also looked like a wooden chicken, not saying a word until after a long while, when she asked in a wooden tone: "Master... are you planning to let the mistress deal with us sisters?" Chao Yun's eyes were red from holding back tears, and even Ruyi felt a pang of sympathy. However, she replied calmly: "You two have been serving me for many years, without merit but with hard work. I won't neglect you. When the new mistress enters the house, if you stay, I'll promote you to be a lady-in-waiting. If you're dismissed, I'll take charge and arrange another marriage for you, or return your sale contract and give you a generous sum of silver."

  Chao Yun slightly regained his composure, bowed to Zhiyi, and said in a soft voice, "It's entirely up to the master and mistress to decide." As he spoke, it was clear that his tone was insincere.

  Wiping away her tears, she stiffened up and curtsied, forcing a smile, "Master's kindness, I'm fortunate for three lifetimes."

  "After these two withdrew, Qing said, 'Brother, are you really going to send them out of the mansion?'"

  Zhī yì shén sè bù biàn, "zhè shì méi fǎ zi de shì. Shuí jiào tāmen zǒng shì bù ān fèn."

  Translation:

  "Zhiyi's expression didn't change, 'This is a hopeless case. Who made them always so restless.'"

  "Are they really that calm? Could it be that brother is still holding a grudge against the things he did to his sister in the past?"

  Knowing the meaning but not responding.

  Yu Qing said, "Brother's affairs are not convenient for me to ask about as a younger sister. Whether Xue Chao Yun stays or leaves depends on brother and sister-in-law's decision. However, if brother does this, isn't it..."

  Zhi Yi glanced at her lightly and said, "Do you think keeping them here and making them concubines is for their own good?"

  With a look of being choked back, Zhiyi said: "Having many women is not necessarily a good thing. If your sister-in-law has a hard heart, it will be their loss. On the other hand, it will make distinctions between superior and inferior unclear, didn't you also suffer when you first came here?"

  As the emotions are silent, the meaning is understood too thoroughly. When the hostess is fierce, the concubines below dare not be presumptuous and even have to suffer. If the temperament is weak, relying on the snowy temper, it's estimated that they will ride on their heads.

  The main room's overbearing behavior is detrimental to the children, especially the illegitimate ones. However, if the concubine were to overpower the main room, it would be even more likely to give rise to great chaos. Neither scenario is beneficial for the family or future generations. With a discerning eye and a deep understanding of the situation, one might think: "Although Zhang's concubine is detestable, her existence has provided later generations with further enlightenment and educational significance, which can be considered a meritorious act."

  After learning about Chao Yun's fate, Ru Qing became more sympathetic and friendly towards them. Chao Yun's smile on her face became less frequent, but she was increasingly flattering to Ru Qing, having turned into a bootlicker. Ru Qing naturally knew the reason, but pretended not to know. As for Chao Yun's words that wanted Ru Qing to plead on her behalf in front of the new madam, she also pretended not to hear or just laughed it off.

  Although the disappointment on Chao Yun's face was so obvious, Ruqin still hardened her heart and refused to pay attention. What could she do about what happened in her brother's room? Besides, if she helped her, it would only cause more trouble for the new sister-in-law. Such a foolish thing she wouldn't do. At worst, when the new sister-in-law drove them out of the house, she would help to make things easier for them.

  Unlike Chai Yun's gloominess, Yuanxue was energetic and lively, showing extra care to Ruoqing and being increasingly kind to the servants. According to Zhou Mama's private account, Yuanxue had lost her previous arrogance and was extremely friendly and gentle to the servants. The housekeeper's salary had increased from two taels of silver to four taels in just a couple of months, while Cheng Mama, the head of the inner quarters, saw her pay rise from half a tael to one tael. All the other maids received double their original wages, and the servants were overjoyed. They praised Ruoqing's kindness and virtue, and began to look up to Yuanxue, who had suddenly become generous.

  Linglong is a cold outside and hot inside person, seeing Yuexue like this, thinking of her future fate, couldn't help but say: "What's the point of this? Does she think that by pleasing both the young lady and the servants, she can make the new mistress like her? I don't think so."

  Zhou's mother was also speculating about Ruan Xue's intentions, "Usually too capable, a concubine with prestige among the servants is the first target to be eliminated by the new mistress. Could it be that she still wants to rely on her daughter and the servants' support to contend against the new mistress?"

  Chen Xiang furrowed his brow and also expressed his own speculation, "Her clever plan is indeed good, but our girl won't fall for it. As for the servants, it's really hard to say."

  But even if the servants liked her, they couldn't possibly go and kneel down in front of the new mistress to beg for mercy.

  No matter how hard they tried, no one could guess what was on Ruo Xue's mind, so they simply stopped thinking about it and waited to see what would happen.

  Soon after, the imperial court issued a clear order and sent Fu Yuan, the eldest son of the late General Fu, who was now appointed as the Left Pillar General of the First Rank, to take over as the commander-in-chief of the three armies. Meanwhile, Li Xiong, the King of Jing, had accomplished his mission and would set out on his journey back to the capital immediately.

  As soon as she heard the news of Li Xu's return to Beijing for the first time, she was almost excited to jump up.

  Finally this plague god is going to roll away, if it weren't for the circumstances, she would have really let loose and celebrated.

  It was just a joke, but somehow it reached Zhiyi's ears. That evening, during dinner, Zhiyi smiled and said to Ruoqing, "I've already asked the housekeeper to buy a basket of firecrackers, you can set them off in the courtyard later. Just be careful."

  Like a clear sky, the double row of teeth was struggling with a piece of beef jerky. Upon hearing this, she almost choked to death. She painfully swallowed the whole piece of beef jerky, patted her chest and looked at her brother with tears in her eyes, still expressionless. "Brother, it's now the fourth year of Tianqi, third month, no festivals outside, no happy events inside, why are you setting off firecrackers?"

  Zhi Yi took a sip of the old plum wine, the faintly sour taste mixed with the mellow and strong liquor, it was extremely refreshing to drink. "For my sister, Li Xiang leaving Datong, and being jilted by the future mother-in-law, should be considered a huge joyous occasion, right?"