After breakfast, Xie Yunzhen and Ji Mingzhu were going to take the two children to the Prince Mansion to visit relatives.

It was Princess An He’s natal family.

In order to spend more time with her grandchildren, Princess An He decided to follow them back to her family for a visit.

The gifts to be brought to the Prince Mansion were already arranged by Xie Yunzhen.

Without delay, the group directly left the Duke Mansion.

The old madam, who hadn’t had enough time with the two little ones, waited anxiously at Crane Dance Hall only to receive the news that they had already left.

She was so angry she almost couldn’t catch her breath.

"An He is arrogant and domineering, Ji Mingzhu is dismissive. What did the Xie family do in their past life to deserve such a daughter-in-law!"

Mrs. Guan brought her daughter-in-law to pay respects and, upon hearing the old madam’s complaints, quickly spoke up for Ji Mingzhu.

"You just saw Zimu and Zishan yesterday. Afraid they would disturb you, Ah Zhen didn’t bring them to Crane Dance Hall."

Even if Mingzhu is dismissive, it’s Ah Zhen who indulges her; if there’s an issue, go to him.

And not to blame Mingzhu.

The old madam understood the underlying meaning of Mrs. Guan’s words.

Her murky eyes fixated on Mrs. Guan, "Ji Mingzhu has bewitched all of you, making you all side with her!"

Then she turned to Mrs. Li, "Your sister-in-law is formidable; you have to guard against her to avoid being plotted against, lest you end up with nothing."

Mrs. Guan’s face darkened, "Mother-in-law, you are truly muddle-headed to speak like this. We are all one family. Ah Zhen is paving the way for Brother Xuan, helping him rise step by step. We are grateful and too late to repay them, putting thoughts on Mingzhu is just ungrateful."

"Besides, Mingzhu grew up under my watch. She is honest and kind, a rare virtuous woman who would never do anything to ruin someone’s life. You shouldn’t speculate about her this way."

These words were meant for both the old madam and Mrs. Li.

As Brother Xuan’s partner, there are some things she may see.

Everyone has their own little thoughts; she can be dissatisfied with Brother Xuan, and they can argue privately, just don’t resort to underhanded tactics.

Mrs. Guan’s gaze fell on her daughter-in-law.

She said, "Mingzhu and Ah Zhen have a good relationship. For so many years, their feelings haven’t cooled even a bit. Afraid of hurting Mingzhu, Ah Zhen doesn’t even want to take a concubine. His feelings for Mingzhu are as clear as the sun and moon. Mingzhu isn’t stupid, why would she plot against others?"

"Anyone who harbours ill intentions towards Mingzhu with Ah Zhen’s level of care for her will meet a bad end."

Mrs. Li knew these words from her mother-in-law were intended to warn her.

She subconsciously tightened her grip on the handkerchief.

She was also quite anxious.

She had never met Lord Duke, but his reputation she had heard from the early years.

He was known as a Living Yama.

Clearly born noble, yet his methods were extremely ruthless, completely different from the elegant sons of noble families elsewhere.

For Ji Mingzhu, he even shaved his head once.

It was said that when Ji Mingzhu was about to marry, he was so disheartened that he was preparing to become a monk!

With such a fiend backing Ji Mingzhu, how could she dare to plot against her?

It wasn’t like she was tired of living.

Moreover, with so many people in Duke Mansion siding with Ji Mingzhu, she wasn’t blind or stupid, why bring trouble on herself?

Look at the old madam, just because she doesn’t like Ji Mingzhu, see how deserted Crane Dance Hall has become?

Opposing Ji Mingzhu offers her no benefit at all.

Even if she temporarily won the old madam over, in the long run, she would still suffer losses.

Since marrying into the Xie family and becoming Mrs. Xie, she never thought of leaving.

Therefore, she must live peacefully, securing her position as Second Madam Xie.

She curtsied slightly, smiling as she said, "I’ve long heard that my eldest brother and sister-in-law have a good relationship, and seeing it with my own eyes yesterday, it is indeed so. Eldest brother has countless battle achievements, what good things hasn’t he brought back for sister-in-law? My meagre possessions probably wouldn’t catch her eye."

Mrs. Guan was satisfied in her heart.

Women in the inner courtyard having schemes is a good thing.

For one, it’s for self-preservation.

Second, they won’t do foolish things that could bring disaster to the family.

As long as they don’t use their scheming against their own people, Mrs. Guan won’t interfere much.

She didn’t continue lecturing Mrs. Li, merely making her point.

The old madam had thought she could provoke a rift between the two granddaughters-in-law, adding a little anger to Ji Mingzhu.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Li was also not up to the task.

Frightened by Mrs. Guan into doing nothing, not even daring to speak ill of Ji Mingzhu.

Truly useless!

The legitimate children were more rebellious by the generation, making the old madam think of those born from concubines.

Had they not been disrupted by the madwoman in the main house, by now her family would be filled with children and grandchildren, who knows how blessed that would be!

Not getting what she wanted from Mrs. Guan and Mrs. Li, the old madam no longer wanted to see them.

She waved a hand, "I’m tired, you two can go back."

Mrs. Guan was only too glad.

She didn’t enjoy coming to Crane Dance Hall to listen to the old madam "pointing fingers at mountains".

Old people should enjoy their peace and blessings, and stop meddling in the affairs of the young.

Otherwise, they will only end up becoming annoying.

"Mother-in-law, you rest well, we will come again tomorrow to chat with you." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The old madam, though annoyed, had to put on a good face for Mrs. Guan and directly set a task, "Bring the two darling children along next time."

Among the principal ladies of Duke Mansion, it was undoubtedly Mrs. Guan who had the most influence with Ji Mingzhu.

As long as she said to bring Zimu and Zishan to Crane Dance Hall, Ji Mingzhu wouldn’t refuse.

Mrs. Guan hesitated.

"You are Zimu and Zishan’s great-grandmother, it’s only right for them to come and chat with you, but Mingzhu hasn’t been back to the capital for three years; she probably needs to take the children to pay respects to her deceased parents."

"Then come after the visit."

Zimu and Zishan, being the legitimate bloodline of Duke Mansion, and also a pair of dragon-phoenix twins with significant meaning, naturally received the old madam’s special affection.

They rarely returned to the capital, and the old madam just wanted to see more of them.

"When Ah Zhen returns next time for his duty report, it could be another three years, I... don’t know if I’ll live till then."

Life and death occur for everyone, and looking forward to seeing her great-grandchildren was already a blessing to the old madam.

Three years and three more, she really didn’t know how long she could last with her old bones.

"Mother-in-law, you’re in good health, don’t say such discouraging things. We should eat and drink well, and when Ah Zhen brings the children back next time, we’ll go to the gate and welcome their family of four."

Mrs. Li chimed in, "Grandmother, you’ll surely live a long life, please don’t dwell on such thoughts, it’s bad for the spirit."

The old madam shook her head, "I know my own body; who knows when I might leave this world. While I’m still somewhat energetic, I just want to see those two children a bit more."

Issues of life and death are significant matters.

With the old madam speaking this way, how could Mrs. Guan hesitate further?

She quickly said, "After they visit Mingzhu’s parents tomorrow, I’ll bring Zimu and Zishan to Crane Dance Hall."

The old madam wanted to suggest that if the children were too young to walk the mountain path, they should stay at the household.

But in her heart, she knew Ji Mingzhu would not agree.

Her parents hadn’t even seen Zimu and Zishan.

Sighing, she said, "Don’t fool me again and make this old woman wait in vain another day."