Chapter 60: A Duel

The Zhao family had finished their tea and were now seated for a celebratory dinner.

Zhao Guogong inquired about whether Madam Xue would like to drink.

Xue Qingyin assumed Madam Xue wouldn’t, but to her surprise, Madam Xue hesitated before saying, “A little sip wouldn’t hurt. Today is a joyous occasion.”

This pleased Zhao Guogong. He slammed his fist on the table and ordered wine.

However, he drank strong liquor.

Madam Xue was served fruit wine.

She couldn’t help but marvel again at the thoughtfulness of the Zhao family.

She realized she hadn’t felt this kind of smooth sailing, this meticulous care, in years.

Why?

She was the mistress of the Xue family, and Xue Qinghe had to watch her every move. Why did she still feel like she was constantly struggling?

It was even worse outside the Xue family. She knew that besides the Imperial Censor’s wife, no one else liked to associate with her, and naturally, no one would treat her with such consideration.

Thinking about this, Madam Xue raised her glass and took a sip.

“The wife of the Xue Minister is a bold and heroic woman! Good! I’ll drink with you!” Zhao Guogong hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. He was a bit tipsy and poured himself two more cups of strong liquor, downing them in one go.

Zhao Xufeng, sitting beside him, followed suit.

No one stopped him today.

Only Xue Qingyin sipped water, sweetened with brown sugar.

What a healthy lifestyle!

Xue Qingyin also took two large gulps.

The other Zhao family members, regardless of their expressions, were unable to participate in the conversation and could only sit awkwardly.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Guogong looked around the room and said in a stern voice, “From now on, Miss Xue will be the third mistress of the family.”

The Zhao family understood that this was a warning not to disrespect Miss Xue.

“Of course, she’s A Feng’s adopted daughter. How could we be disrespectful?”

“Yes, yes. We hope that Miss Xue, no, Qingyin, will spend more time with us relatives in the future.”

Xue Qingyin simply smiled and raised her glass without speaking.

To be smart, she should avoid interacting with the Zhao family’s relatives. Firstly, to avoid being implicated, and secondly, to avoid misunderstandings from Zhao Guogong.

Zhao Guogong discreetly observed Xue Qingyin’s actions and nodded silently.

As a father, it’s inevitable to think ahead and worry about every detail.

He didn’t want Xue Qingyin to be too cunning, but he also didn’t want her to be too naive, easily manipulated, and unknowingly harm Zhao Xufeng in the future.

So far, she was…

Flawless.

The banquet soon ended.

As they were leaving, Zhao Guogong had two large chests of gifts carried out.

“The family doesn’t have any female members, so these things were originally Pearl’s dowry. They’re yours now, just in time.” He paused and said, “Pearl… was my wife. You should call her ‘Grandmother.'”

“Thank you, Grandfather, and Grandmother.” Xue Qingyin said softly.

The mention of his deceased wife seemed to make Zhao Guogong quiet for a moment. Hearing Xue Qingyin still remember to thank Pearl, even though Pearl couldn’t hear it, a faint smile appeared on Zhao Guogong’s lips. He instructed Zhao Zongguan, “Have the guards escort Madam Xue and Qingyin back.”

Zhao Zongguan replied, “You’ve had quite a bit to drink today. Just rest with the young master. I’ll take care of the young lady.”

Zhao Guogong nodded.

The Zhao family mansion suddenly felt cold and quiet again. He turned and walked inside, taking Zhao Xufeng’s hand.

Zhao Xufeng reluctantly looked back at Xue Qingyin.

Xue Qingyin thought, if only they could be happier as father and son.

“Miss, please.” Zhao Zongguan’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Xue Qingyin nodded and boarded the carriage with Madam Xue.

Once settled, Madam Xue looked at her with a smile of relief and affection. “Qingyin, I only realized today that you’ve truly grown up. You’re even better than your mother.”

Xue Qingyin didn’t know if she was drunk, so she snuggled into her embrace and whispered, “In my heart, Mother will always be the best.”

Madam Xue laughed heartily, her laughter filled with joy and contentment.

Unfortunately, this happiness didn’t last long.

They returned to the Xue family.

The Zhao family’s guards carried the two large chests of gifts inside.

The Xue family servants were astonished by the sight.

Madam Xue was helped inside by a maid.

The maid frowned, “Madam, why did you drink so much? Even if the owner of Ruixiangji came to make clothes for the second miss, you shouldn’t have gotten so upset.”

Madam Xue stopped in her tracks. “What?”

The maid slapped her own forehead. “I forgot, you left first. How could you know that Ruixiangji came?”

Madam Xue wanted to hear more, but then she thought it was pointless to dwell on these trivial matters. She said coldly, “The second miss is old enough to have some nice clothes made. Go ahead.”

“Madam, you’re not going to do anything about it?” the maid asked in surprise.

“Do what? Do you want people to say that the mistress is intolerant? Qingyin is getting better every day, and An Ning is about to take the spring examinations. The rest doesn’t concern me.”

“Then…” the maid was anxious, “The master asked the steward to give the second miss two shops to practice with. You don’t care?”

“What?” Madam Xue’s face instantly changed.

It was fine if it was just clothes.

Suddenly giving Xue Qinghe shops… it made sense if it was for her to manage her own household after marriage.

But why did these two things happen on the same day?

Anyone with eyes could see that this was a deliberate attempt to compete with the eldest daughter!

Or, if you think about it more deeply…

Xue Chengdong was telling them, mother and daughter, that without his approval, without his authorization, the title of mistress and the right to manage the family business… meant nothing. Qingyin had just defied him, and he could easily elevate the second daughter?

Maybe it was the alcohol.

Maybe it was because she was blocked outside that day, and the resentment had been building up until now…

Maybe she had a sudden realization during the dinner today.

Madam Xue smashed her teacup, “Xue Chengdong!” she gritted out the name.

Her mind was in chaos. “Go call the second miss! Go to the Ministry of Revenue and ask for the master!”

She didn’t want to hold back today.

She wanted to vent her anger, to tear Xue Chengdong apart.

At this moment, Xue Qingyin couldn’t help but sigh.

She pressed her temples, but she actually felt this was a good thing.

“Mother, don’t do this.” Xue Qingyin supported her.

“Qingyin, we can’t be soft on this matter. I know you’re afraid of this kind of situation, go back to your room, I’ll handle it.” Madam Xue said coldly.

Xue Qingyin was calm and collected, her voice still soft, “Father’s personality, don’t you understand? Mother, you just reprimanded Xue Qinghe in anger today, father will think you’re deliberately trying to humiliate him, and then…”

“Then what?”

“He’s the head of the family.” Xue Qingyin stated the fact rationally.

A woman follows her husband.

What’s the use of the title of mistress? If the husband wants to take it away, can she expect her merchant family to stand up for her?

Madam Xue gritted her teeth, “Just like back then, maybe we can still fight back.”

“It’s different, Mother. Back then, I was poisoned and almost died. But today, father is deliberately trying to teach me a lesson. What excuse can Mother use to fight back?”

Madam Xue fell silent.

Her eyes were bloodshot, and her facial muscles were twitching slightly.

Xue Qingyin hugged her with pity, “Mother, let’s go.”

“…Where?”

“Back to my maternal grandfather’s house?”

Madam Xue finally regained her senses from the shock and nodded heavily. “Okay.”

Xue Qingyin knew very well.

He Songning and Xue Chengdong have too many similarities in their personalities. To deal with people like them, the only way is to retreat.

If they fought back fiercely, it would only make them more antagonistic.

And Madam Xue had already been burdened with the reputation of being “jealous” and “cruel” for too long. She couldn’t bear any more accusations.

She wanted the day when Xue Chengdong would come to beg Madam Xue to return.