The new sister-in-law was so arrogant that after Shen Canghui led the people back to the Count Xiangning mansion, Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu had to tell Madam Su about their grievances. But they didn’t directly say that Pei Meiniang was not good. Mrs. Liu said, “It’s my fault. I'm not thoughtful enough. I believe that teasing the bride and the bridegroom in the bridal chamber is the tradition; otherwise, the wedding is not happy and lively enough. But I didn’t expect the fourth sister-in-law was too tired after the day's business. Although the fourth sister-in-law didn't blame me, I should ask for your forgiveness because of my inconsideration.”

Mrs. Duanmu, who was irritated by Pei Meiniang, held a handkerchief with a look of concern and said, "First sister-in-law is right, and this fourth sister-in-law has reminded me that since the second aunt passed away early, the fourth sister-in-law will be in charge when she marries. However, the fourth sister-in-law is so weak that she can't even finish a wedding ceremony. How can she be in charge of the household affairs in the future?"

Although Wei Changying also believed that Pei Meiniang was a little proud, she was too lazy to handle it since Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu had already retaliated against Pei Meiniang. So she just sat there quietly, drinking the tea.

Madam Su looked at the three daughters-in-law and asked blandly, "So, in your opinion, what should we do now?"

Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu looked at each other and said together, "For the health of the fourth sister-in-law, some more people should be added to help her." They intended to persuade Madam Su to stuff a few clever concubines into Shen Canghui's branch.

"What kind of people should we choose?" Madam Su patiently asked, "Are they managers and servants, or someone else?"

Hearing that Madam Su's tone was unusual, Mrs. Liu was busy smiling obsequiously, "We just advise, and the mother should determine. But the fourth sister-in-law is not in good health. It is better not to make her exhausted."

"Cangzhu was once in charge of the family. If Meiniang can't handle it, Cangzhu will help her." Madam Su took a sip of tea, raised her eyes, and looked at the first daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law, snorting, "Canghui is the son of your Second Uncle! Your Second Aunt passed away early, so I raise him for a few years. Although people say that the gratitude of upbringing is more important than that of giving birth, I can’t take advantage of his gratitude because he is my linear nephew! Since there is a new hostess in Count Xiangning mansion now, we shouldn’t interfere too much, let alone send some people there! It’s only a few days since Pei Meiniang married there, so why do you think she can't take the responsibility well? Even if it was true, we didn't have the right to intervene unless they asked. I warn you! Your father and your Second Uncle have a deep brotherhood and hope that their descendants will be in harmony from generation to generation. If you make the brothers enemies for some trifles, don't blame us elders for reproaching your parents with their bad parenting! Do you understand?"

Before Wei Changying married here, she had heard that Madam Su was very disciplined. After she joined the family, she thought that although her mother-in-law could not be as kind as her biological mother, she was a polite mother-in-law, who would save the faces of her daughters-in-law. It was the first time that she had heard Madam Su scolding her daughters-in-law. Although this time Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu were blamed, seeing Wei Changying stand by and watch her sisters-in-law scheming their younger sister-in-law, Madam Su coldly glanced at her. So Wei Changying had to apologize with her sisters-in-law, "It's the daughters-in-law who are confused! Mother should punish us!"

After they knelt for a while, Madam Su said coldly, "I will let you go for the time being, and if there will be another time, I shall never be merciful! Take care of the things in your branch! Are the people in this Grand Preceptor mansion so idle that as soon as your sister-in-law married, you couldn’t wait to scheme her? You haven't handled your branch well, but you can’t wait to intervene in your sister-in-law’s branch! Fortunately, you know that you should mention it after your husbands return first. Otherwise, in front of them, there is no need for me to be polite! They will discipline you first!"

The words made the three daughters-in-law flush with awkwardness. Then, Madam Su let them go.

Wei Changying originally wanted to ask if she could visit her eldest aunt Wei Shengxian tomorrow, but she didn't dare to mention in this situation and had to retreat disappointedly.

After they went out, Mrs. Liu's expression of reverence changed to be cold and evil. Seeing that there were only the three sisters-in-law and their servants, Mrs. Liu sneered and said, "The fourth sister-in-law is so proud and honorable! As soon as she married, she disregarded us! Now the mother even blamed us seriously for her! I have never heard the mother say such rigorous words since I joined the family ten years ago! Although our fourth sister-in-law is not of noble birth, we can't judge her by appearance!"

Mrs. Duanmu pulled the handkerchief and said coldly, "First sister-in-law, don't say that! It's us who have irritated our mother, and the third sister-in-law does not mean to offend the fourth sister-in-law. Your words could make the third sister-in-law embarrassed. Should she follow your opinion or persuade you?"

The two sisters-in-law echoed with each other, forcing Wei Changying to declare where she stood. Wei Changying was not comfortable after she was scolded by Madam Su for the sake of Pei Meiniang, thinking that when she returned to Jintong Courtyard, she would discuss with Mrs. Huang how to treat Pei Meiniang in the future. Now forced by the two sisters-in-law, she also felt disgusted and said blandly, “Anyway, the fourth sister-in-law is separated from us in another branch. I think our mother doesn’t like us to discuss the branch of Second Uncle, but she doesn't force us to have a good relationship with the fourth sister-in-law. Since we don't like her, we should have little contact with her. After all, we don't go there every day."

Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu were discontented with her answer. Mrs. Duanmu sneered and said, "Third sister-in-law, before you married, I heard that you were very spoiled when you were at home. I thought you should have some temper. But I didn’t expect that you are so docile. Leaving me aside, you and the first sister-in-law have been busy with her wedding these days. The first sister-in-law even neglected Shu Ming. Although you have been married for a month, you still have a lot of things now; but you can't handle your affairs and even can't visit your eldest aunt, who has not been seen for many years, just for the sake of Pei Meiniang! But she didn't care about our kindness at all and instead caused us to be scolded by our mother. You can even endure such things. What a good temper!"

"I don't feel fatigued these days. What's more, I just married and don't know the household affairs. Before the mother asked me to help shoulder the responsibilities of the two sisters-in-law to manage the family, I didn't know what to do or how to do it either," Wei Changying said blandly, "During the wedding of the fourth brother, I have learned a lot from the mother and first sister-in-law. Thanks for the mother and first sister-in-law to give me advice." Her remarks were sincere since Mrs. Liu had experienced several marriages and was very familiar with the process.

But Wei Changying was young, and she didn't understand such traditional codes of conduct much. It was not that she hadn't learned it well before she married. After all, most things didn't need a Miss to intervene. This time when Shen Canghui married, she assisted Madam Su and Mrs. Liu and also learned a lot of tactics.

So thinking about it peacefully, Wei Changying was no longer as angry as Mrs. Liu, because she had benefited from managing Pei Meiniang's marriage. Now she took this to rebuke Mrs. Duanmu, who mocked her for fearing Meiniang.

It was just that her words of "managing the family" made Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu serious, and they didn’t even think about how to avenge Pei Meiniang. They all thought, “Yes, the mother has let us divide the power of management to her. At that time, she began to seize power smoothly. Later, during the marriage of the fourth brother, she assisted in Count Xiangning mansion and didn’t care about things here. Now Mrs. Pei has joined the family, and it seems that Mrs. Wei is going all-out to seize power. No wonder that she refuses to care about Mrs. Pei!"

Of course, a moment of anger weighed less to the power of management. Thinking that their power would be lost, Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu were sacred and suddenly was in no mood to deal with Pei Meiniang. They returned to their rooms after saying something perfunctorily, finding their confidants to discuss how to handle this matter.

See this situation, Mrs. Huang said, "When the first young madam and the second young madam negotiate to deal with the fourth young madam, why bother to mention managing the family at this time? Then they won't be concerned with the fourth madam and must be thinking about how to deal with you."

Although Wei Changying left the two sisters-in-law, she was not in a good mood, snorting and saying, "So what? I don't like Pei Meiniang either, but if it weren't for the two sisters-in-law, who schemed to add some people to Fourth Brother, how would I cause my mother to be angry with me? It is their fault. The mother said that we shouldn’t interfere with the branch of Second Uncle, but they didn’t obey and wanted to involve me in. Don’t they know that the mother is still informed of everything when they are in charge of the family? If I follow them to deal with Pei Meiniang, I will probably be pushed by them to act as a shield!"

Mrs. Huang said, "Alas, young madam, I don't mean to let you follow the first young madam and second young madam. If you don't want to pay attention to their discussions, you can just walk away for any reason. Why bother to mention managing the family?"

"If I don't mention it, won't they be wary of me in the future?" Wei Changying was obviously in a bad mood, and lost her patience to Mrs. Huang, sneering, "They involved me in and caused me to be scolded by my mother. Can't I irritate them? Granny Huang, are you afraid of my sisters-in-law by saying so?"

Mrs. Huang heard her annoyance and hurriedly said, "How come? I just..."

"Then what are you worried about?" Wei Changying snorted and said, "Do you think I should listen to their sour words and not rebuke?"

"I'm wondering... wouldn't it have been better if you didn't remind the first young madam and the second young madam but let them fight with the fourth young madam?" Mrs. Huang defended herself and smiled bitterly.

Wei Changying said coldly, "The two sisters-in-law are very cunning. The mother has just commanded us not to intervene in the affairs of Fourth Brother, but they got angry as soon as they left the room. Who knows if they did this on purpose to get me tricked? Besides, even if they were irritated and lost their head, after returning to their rooms, calming down and considering carefully, I don’t believe they dare to defy the mother! Do you think they will fight with Meiniang? Even if they would, it would not happen now! Otherwise, the mother will be burned up!"

Mrs. Huang had nothing to say, so she had to apologize, "I'm stupid, but I think myself smart. Young madam, please punish me."

Wei Changying said impatiently, "Go back then!"