Chapter Twenty-Four: Relatives

  It didn't mention the old lady's doubts, although the old master of the duke's mansion was said to be not as romantic as his ancestors, he had several concubines who were already old and had long since retired from worldly affairs, the old lady was disgusted with them, so she exempted the older generation of concubines from paying respects in the morning and evening, they quietly disappeared in the mansion, although they were concubines, except when receiving their monthly allowance, who would remember them?

  Several daughters-in-law took on the responsibility of serving the old lady, although the third wife, Tong Jia's wife, wanted to please the old lady, but she was unwilling to do dirty and tiring work. The fourth wife followed in Tong Jia's footsteps and would not do it either. As a result, many things fell on the shoulders of the widowed eldest daughter-in-law, Nala's wife. As for the aunts of the various masters, even if they wanted to please the old lady, they were also unable to get close to her.

  Guar Jia led Shu Yao to sit under the old lady, which was originally the position of San Tai Tai. However, San Tai Tai Tong Jia Shi only slightly yielded with courtesy, and Guar Jia Shi smiled and accepted it, feeling complacent. Shu Yao felt that the old lady had glared at Tong Jia Shi for being incompetent, and secretly found it amusing. E Niang had never learned to be humble and courteous, and Guar Jia Shi would not yield an inch when it came to what was rightfully hers.

  It's not just the old lady who is uncomfortable, Guwalgiya is full of regret, Shuyao sees Tongjia's irritable wiping of her sweat, while her own mother leisurely sips tea, looking at the old lady with a gaze that treats her as nothing. Shuyao can tell that the old lady wants her to pour the chamber pot, and it serves them right for secretly being angry, which is why there are fewer people serving Guwalgiya, clearly the old lady is not among them.

  The old lady Nala went out to pour the night pot, and Guale Jiasi put down her tea cup. "Sister-in-law, just stand for a moment."

  "Does Second Brother and Sister have something going on?"

  "Although serving the madam is what we should do as daughters-in-law, but this matter... isn't there a servant? The duke's money wasn't given for nothing, you're so diligent and hardworking, knowing to call yourself filial, those who don't know would think that the madam is being overly demanding of her daughter-in-law, treating her like a servant, it really damages the madam's reputation."

  The little girl beside her hurried forward and knelt down: "Let me take care of it, madam."

  Nala let go of her hand and subconsciously looked at the old lady. Gualjia got up slowly, "Elder sister-in-law is the elder daughter-in-law, she should sit in the upper seat."

  Nala was at a loss, Gualjia shook her head secretly. She was really too oppressed. The days of guarding the widow were not easy to pass, but she needed to be strong and self-respecting. Gualjia glanced at Shu Yu, who was also lowering his head and being honest, the eldest granddaughter of the Duke's Mansion, but she taught her that she was not as good as a concubine, and in two years, it would be the selection of the imperial concubines. If she couldn't smoothly borrow the identity of the Duke's Mansion's granddaughter to arrange a marriage, with the temperament of an old lady, she would randomly marry Shu Yu off. As someone who raised daughters, Gualjia sympathized with Nala's lack of contention and pitied her misfortune, which was why she mentioned it to Nala today.

  "Follow your daughter-in-law's words and do as she says. She comes from a noble family of the Eight Banners, so she understands etiquette more than you do." The old lady's words were laced with hidden meaning, clearly hinting that Gua'erjia was just starting to see some good fortune in her life, yet she already thought of herself as a noblewoman?

  Gua Lian smiled: "The air is born with style, and the rules are later."

  Guar Jia gave up her seat to Nala, and the third wife could only stand up and give up a seat, almost strangling herself with her handkerchief. They all said that their husbands were acting as eldest sons, but the old lady did not change Zhi Cheng's name under hers. If it wasn't for Zhi Yuan becoming the real eldest son, how would she have been bullied by Guar Jia? Could she still be suppressed by a unlucky elder sister? When going out to visit relatives and friends, she was the dignified wife of the Duke's heir. Tong Jia scolded the old lady, saying that she only spoke nicely but didn't want to give up her power, wanting to be the one on top, not giving any benefits, just drawing a big cake to fill her hunger?

  Tong Jia's only legitimate son, Shu Jie, was raised by the old lady from a young age and became distant from his own mother. At first, Tong Jia thought of gaining benefits from the old lady, but now she realizes that even if her husband inherits the dukedom, she will still be a powerless duchess. Her son will be more filial to the old lady, making Tong Jia's back run cold with sweat. The cunning old lady has been in control for most of her life and still refuses to relinquish power even in her old age.

  Although Tong Jia's legitimate eldest daughter, Shu Wan, was still by her side, that girl had an ordinary appearance and temperament. She didn't like reading or painting, but instead excelled at needlework, which was of no use. Tong Jia's youngest daughter, Shu Jing, was indeed born with a good appearance and had a lively personality, but she was also being raised by the old lady. The ones who were often in front of Tong Jia were the two illegitimate children born to her sister-in-law, Shu Yong and Shu Hua, as well as an illegitimate daughter named Shu Xin. Whenever Tong Jia thought about it, she felt disgusted - how could she have feelings for children who weren't her own?

  Tong Jia's wife was relatively kind to her stepmother, having a son and daughter of her own by her side. She treated the two illegitimate children fairly well, especially Shu Xin, who had a gentle appearance and was likable, often alleviating Tong Jia's loneliness. For the sake of her reputation as a virtuous woman, she truly loved Shu Xin. Tong Jia's wife viewed Shu Wan and Shu Xin almost equally, and the relationship between the two sisters was not bad either.

  Although she was surnamed Tongjia, she had no connection with the birth mother of Emperor Kangxi, Empress Xiaokang Zhang. Because of this, she was tightly controlled by the old lady and couldn't move. Gualjia didn't have a daughter's special ability, but after glancing at Tongjia, she knew what Tongjia was thinking. Gualjia curled up her mouth, and Tongjia knew to reflect on herself, which was not bad. Gualjia just wanted Tongjia and the old lady to be estranged, waiting for the old lady to lose her power, and seeing what other tricks she could play.

  Gua Erjia saw it too clearly, the old lady never considered him as her son from the beginning, but only pretended to be a fake eldest son out of desperation. The old lady was concerned about the wealth and power of the Duke's mansion, and there was one more person... who could give the old lady face and was expected by her - her granddaughter Li Ziqing. However, the old lady was really muddled, even if the nobles in the palace liked Li Ziqing, even if Li Ziqing was raised by the Duke's mansion, even if Li Ziqing's status as a great-granddaughter was higher than that of the Duke's mansion, it couldn't change the fact that Li Ziqing had a low birth. Not to mention that she didn't meet the standards for selecting concubines, could the old lady not see this clearly?

  Liu Jia's gaze swept over the fourth lady, Liu Jia, who was the only one from a Han military background among the duke's daughters-in-law. Although she wasn't from the Eight Banners, her family was of high social status, with her father and brothers being provincial governors. Her position in the duke's household was solid, but unfortunately, she had only given birth to two legitimate daughters, Shu Ping and Shu Ying. It was said that she had damaged her body during childbirth and found it difficult to conceive again. Liu Jia took a straightforward approach and directly promoted one of her maidservants to the position of wet nurse, who gave birth to a son named Shu Bin before passing away. Liu Jia then acknowledged Shu Bin as her own son, not just raising him as a legitimate child but actually adopting him under her name. This move effectively made Shu Lin, the son born to the duke's concubine Bai Shi, become the eldest illegitimate son. It seemed that Liu Jia was not as simple as she appeared.