After returning to her own courtyard, Hua Ruji immediately ordered the doors to be closed and locked, and no one was allowed to go out.

  The next day, when he got up early and went to the main courtyard to pay his respects, he saw Qi Zhen following behind Old Madam as expected.

  She understood in her heart that this matter was settled, and it wasn't a waste for her to show off a bit.

  Qī Zhēn secretly winked at her and immediately looked away.

  Hua Ruyi's expression cleared up, and Qi Zhen was telling her that Old Madam didn't blame her for meddling in other people's business.

  With a determined heart, I performed the rituals with greater sincerity.

  "Grandma is safe and sound."

  The old lady seemed unaware of the two people's exchange, and nodded slightly, saying: "Get up, you've come quite early today."

  "Yes, I remember bringing food for you, Yunshu."

  Yun Shu opened the food box and took out a bowl of porridge that had been stewed until it was soft and mushy, with red dates inside. Just looking at it made one feel hungry.

  She brought out a few more dishes and arranged them, then said: "These are all things that people from Yangzhou usually eat. Try some to see if you can get used to the taste. If it's okay, I'll have someone make them for you in the future."

  "What if you don't like it?"

  "Then I'll just have to try something else, there must be something that will catch your eye."

  "You're not one to give up easily." As he said this, his eyes took on a faint smile, and the fatigue on his face wasn't as noticeable anymore.

  Hua Ru was also unaware of "Has Grandfather finished his meal?"

  "No, he's used to going to the study early and sitting for a while. Let's wait, he'll be out soon."

  Just as she was speaking, footsteps were heard. After listening for decades, how could Mrs. Qi not know that it was the old master who had arrived? She hastily got up to welcome him.

  Others seeing this, swarmed forward.

  As soon as the old man entered the door, his eyes fell on Hua Ru Chu.

  I recalled what my wife said yesterday and couldn't help but think more of her.

  For a young woman to offend her mother-in-law, and with just one careless move, she would be accused of stirring up trouble, what is she thinking?

  For his younger sister, he has done this for the first time in his life.

  But as my wife said, it's a good thing to have this responsibility.

  What is the master of the house most afraid of?

  Afraid of taking responsibility, as soon as something happens, they panic and only know how to hide and escape, regardless of whether others live or die.

  No matter what disaster befalls, a wise head of the household thinks not of how to preserve himself, but rather how to preserve useful people, and keep alive the spark that may one day rise again.

  So for so many years he has been hiding his light and cultivating his son with all his might.

  Now it seems that this move was indeed correct?

  Even if everyone knows that the Qi Mansion is declining day by day, only Qi You can hold on, who else dares to insult him lightly?

  As long as Yu'er doesn't make a big mistake, the Crown Prince will treat the Qi family well.

  This was bought with You'er's sacrifice.

  The old man's heart ached as he recalled the resentment in the little child's eyes.

  Can only comfort myself in my heart, everything is for the sake of a big family.

  Old Master closed his eyes and sat down at the table, asking "How did Yu'er's wife come so early, has she had breakfast?"

  "Yes, my daughter-in-law has tried it out. Yesterday she promised her grandmother that she would send over some easily digestible dishes, and she sent them over early this morning for grandfather to try. If he thinks they're okay, I'll have the girls make more in the future."

  The old man looked at her again, nodded slightly, and then ignored her.

  "Let's eat."

  Xi Yi Zhen personally served them, and Hua Ru was as respectful as ever in serving the two elders. As soon as they glanced at a dish, it would already be in their bowls.

  Even someone with a bad temper can't find fault with him.

  After that, the old man did not leave as usual, but instead called out to Qi Zhen and said: "From now on, follow your grandmother, don't go to your mother's place for the time being, let her temper pass first."

  He paused for a moment, looked at Hua Ruochu and said, "Get closer to your sister-in-law."

  "Yes. Grandfather, granddaughter saved."

  She's a sensible child. Old Master Qi sighed, and his heart, which had been hardened for a lifetime, suddenly softened a little. "Don't worry, even if our Qi family falls further into decline, we would never use our daughter to gain benefits. Your grandfather will definitely arrange a good marriage for you. Forget all those things your mother taught you, you won't need them."

  Qī Zhēn's eyes turned red as she knelt down and kowtowed three times, "Thank you, grandparents, for your care."

  "Good child." The old lady helped her up, unable to say more.

  At this time, people from various rooms came one after another to pay their respects. It was a rare day off for the Qi family men, and they all arrived together.

  The old man stood up and looked at his three sons, "Follow me to the study."

  Every time they washed and dressed, the three of them would do so, and they were used to it. After asking their mother if she was all right, they withdrew and went out.

  Not seeing his sister-in-law, Qi Lin's wife couldn't help but ask: "Why hasn't big sister arrived yet? Big uncle is already here."

  The old lady replied calmly, "She's not feeling well and has already confessed to me. She'll be staying at home for the next few days, and let Qi Zhen take her place in serving me. You all can just stay with me these days, don't go disturb her."

  How does it sound like a warning? Qi Chen's eyebrows and eyes rose, although she didn't say anything, her disbelieving expression was evident.

  I thought Qi Zhen was just here to pay his respects, but it turns out he's actually staying on this side.

  However, being unwell is indeed a good excuse for everything.

  Hua Ru only quietly stood to one side, and not a single rumor about what happened in the main house yesterday had leaked out. It seemed that Old Madam still wanted to save face for the main house.

  Even for Qiyou.

  She glanced at Qi Zhen beside her, and coincidentally, she also looked over. The two exchanged a smile, and everything was understood without words.

  From this day on, Qi Zhen followed and served beside Old Lady.

  Yu was a gentle and kind girl, the longer she stayed, the more the old lady loved her filial piety and thoughtfulness, treating her well with potassium, making the second and third rooms jealous, this will not be mentioned.

  But in the study, Old Master asked Sancai about some court matters as usual, and then scolded Ercai again, finally leaving only Da'er alone.

  Qī Zhōng Rán was somewhat perplexed, but didn't dare ask more questions.

  After his future was blocked by others, he became much quieter at home.

  The old man looked at him for a long time, but his intention to scold him had dissipated. Since he couldn't place his hopes on him, he simply didn't hope anymore.

  "From now on, Qi Zhen will follow your mother. As for the reason, if you have a mind to know, go and investigate yourself. Get out!"

  Seeing the disappointment in his father's eyes, Qi Zhongyan felt a pang of sadness, but could only bow and retreat.

  There's a fire burning in my heart, what good deed has that stupid woman done again?

  It's not hard to find out, but when Qi Zhongyan learned the truth, his hands were shaking with anger.

  He thought of his mother's dignity and the two children, so he endured it with a hard heart.

  It's impossible for him to pretend he doesn't know anything at all.

  Mother's intention is not to let him divorce his wife, he won't divorce, but he thought of going back to that courtyard again.

  Since then, Qi Zhongyan has been living in the study or in the concubine's room.

  Qī Wǔ's family was so angry that their mouths were bitter, and they hugged their quilts and cried loudly for several times.

  The two had not shared a bed for many years, but after all, Zhong Ran still gave her face and came to sit with her every day, which also made her have the confidence to stand up straight.

  Now, he doesn't even give me this little bit of face.

  For a moment, she resented her mother-in-law for not keeping her word, as she had clearly said that she wouldn't tell Zhong Ran about it, but the next day she went ahead and told him anyway.

  After scolding her mother-in-law, she began to hate her daughter-in-law.

  She instinctively felt that this matter must have something to do with her daughter-in-law.

  If she hadn't said something, why would her mother-in-law suddenly come to her place?

  It must be her.

  The more he thought about it, the more Qi Wu felt that Hua Ru had been wronged, and his anger towards her grew.

  Hua Ru suddenly let out a strange sneeze. On such a hot day, this sneeze was quite unusual.

  Yun handed over the handkerchief. "Isn't your husband thinking of you?"

  She wiped her nose and threw the handkerchief back, almost covering Yunshu's face.

  "Don't worry about it. Maybe someone is scolding me? Hurry up and work, it's been several days, and just a few sets of clothes haven't been made yet."

  "You won't let the young maids do it, and relying only on me, Chunyu, and Xiaoyan, we will be slow."

  "This is the first time giving gifts to the elderly couple, being thoughtful can't go wrong."

  "The maid understands, so she has slowed down a bit, don't rush her. It will be done by tomorrow for sure."

  Hua Ru didn't bother with it anymore. She picked up the silk fan and fanned herself a few times, but the heat was still unbearable. It had been almost a month since it last rained.

  A few things she was worried about didn't turn out as expected, making her feel even more anxious.

  Zisha teapot kiln has been practiced several times but failed, not to mention the good-looking body of the pot, the inevitable cracks made Ge Yunjun worry so much that his hair turned white, but he also became more determined.

  He is really fond of making trouble deep down inside.

  The tea garden on that side also failed to produce new varieties of tea, and a lot of tea leaves were wasted. It is said that the prince also had some criticisms about it.

  It's different now than it was before.

  It was just presented to delight in the past.

  Now this thing can become silver, the nine major states, except for Yangzhou having a tea garden Huajia prepared for self-use, other places do not have such tea at all. If this business is done big, how much money can be made!

  The thought of that number makes the prince's heart hot.

  He also has many shops under his hand, but there is no unique business in the world. The more people do it, the more silver is divided, which can't compare with this tea. It's said that even if it's the only one in the world, it's not worth wasting a single cent. Even the prince feels heartbroken.

  Can't keep wasting like this, one reason is that the prince doesn't like it, another reason is that it's too eye-catching.

  If she were in Yangzhou, it would be all her own people and she could do whatever she wanted, but Jizhou was someone else's territory, and what she did was too showy, which wouldn't bring her any benefits, and might even get her into trouble.

  That's not what she wanted.

  She most wants to hide behind and make a fortune quietly.

  Turn over all the hidden cards, and let everyone know that she is powerful - Tao Jia.

  "Yun Shu, pass a message to Qiu Zhen, starting tomorrow, stop causing trouble, let them all withdraw and hand over the tea garden to the people sent by the Crown Prince."

  "Yes." Yun Shu knew this was best for Miss, but thinking of her recklessness in Yangzhou made him uncomfortable.

  If it weren't for the young lady's willingness to put in the effort, an entire tea garden's buds would have gone to waste, and how could this tea be made?

  There is no gain without loss, and the prince is too petty.

  The bamboo curtain was lifted, and a young girl rushed in with sweat, handing over the small box to Hua Ruochu.

  "Miss, Autumn Qian's sister has sent someone to return your things."

  "How can you sweat so much? It's just a few steps away, don't you know how to avoid the sun and go to a cooler place?"

  The people in the house have been following Hua Ruochu for at least two years and have long understood that she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

  The little girl was scolded but didn't feel wronged, instead she thought it was the young lady showing concern for her.

  "Go outside and wash up, if your clothes get wet, change into a new set. It's too hot today, don't catch a heatstroke." Yun Shu An comforted the little girl with a smile, then instructed others "Yan Er, tell the kitchen to prepare more mung bean soup, everyone drink a bowl to cool down."

  "Yes."

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