"How are you not young anymore? Standing with this young lady, you look like sisters." Zhao Old Madam said cheerfully, "This young lady is quite lovely too, truly beautiful, just looking at her makes you feel joyful." Unlike her two daughters-in-law, as soon as Zhao Old Madam saw Zhao Xiaohua, she knew this was not a maid brought by Du Ruyi. Not to mention the clothes the young lady was wearing, just the way Du Ruyi carefully and purposely seems to protect her, it clearly wasn’t a master-servant relationship. Moreover, the young lady’s eyes were clear and bright, which is not a look a maid could have. As Zhao Old Madam spoke, she took another look, why did she feel so familiar? "Isn’t she beautiful? Come on, Xiaohua, greet the madam." Du Ruyi took a small step to the side and raised her hand to slightly push Zhao Xiaohua forward. Following the teachings of Du Ruyi, Zhao Xiaohua bowed respectfully to Zhao Old Madam. Feeling somewhat strange, Zhao Old Madam couldn’t understand why she felt inexplicably happy looking at this young lady. "Good child, no need for too much ceremony. Come, since this is our first meeting, take this Jade Pendant and keep it." Zhao Old Madam took off the Jade Pendant from her waist and personally placed it in Zhao Xiaohua’s hand. This stunned both Yu Shi and Xie Shi. The Jade Pendant from their mother-in-law had a backstory. When the eldest brother went missing, the Emperor already presumed him dead. To console the mother-in-law, many treasures were sent, and this Jade Pendant was one among them. The mother-in-law had worn it for many years, and now she casually gave it to a little maid? Are they, as daughters-in-law, not as important as a maid? Yu Shi and Xie Shi looked simultaneously at Du Ruyi. If Du Ruyi was a person of standards, she should have immediately refused at this moment. On what grounds does the maid she brought deserve such an honor? Du Ruyi stepped forward with a bright smile, "Xiaohua, what are you standing there for? When the elders bestow something, you cannot decline. Properly accept it. Look at this Jade Pendant, it’s obviously a good item, even the Second Lady and Third Lady’s eyes are almost popping out looking at it." Zhao Xiaohua instinctively turned her head to look at the two ladies. Yu Shi and Xie Shi never expected Du Ruyi to be so casually indifferent to the norms. If not following the usual conduct was not enough, her words were so direct. Their expressions didn’t withdraw in time, being scrutinized by Zhao Xiaohua, how awkward it was. Read full story at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥 Zhao Old Madam’s face darkened, these two daughters-in-law were becoming increasingly superficial, day by day just eyeing her few possessions. She was not partial, things of hers were shared among all the children. However, how to distribute, she would decide. And not for them to casually covet. "You both go mind your own business. Ruyi and Xiaohua can keep me company." Zhao Old Madam waved her hand. Yu Shi and Xie Shi were not content, but now, they dared not defy their mother-in-law. They had to bow and withdraw. "Letting Ruyi and Xiaohua laugh at them." Zhao Old Madam said. "Not at all, it’s us younger ones being too straightforward. Don’t blame me, Aunt. I’ve been living outside the capital these years, indulging my nature, I haven’t adjusted back yet." Du Ruyi appeared slightly embarrassed. "At my age, I now prefer things straightforward. Beat around the bush, it’s mind-boggling." Zhao Old Madam said. "Is that so?" Du Ruyi was very pleased, "I thought elders usually wouldn’t like someone like me." "How could that be! I like it, I do." Zhao Old Madam chuckled, "This young lady, what is she to you?" Zhao Old Madam turned the topic to Zhao Xiaohua. "She, ah, is my niece." Du Ruyi said. "Your niece? How come I’ve never known you had such a beautiful daughter from your brother?" Zhao Old Madam was surprised. "I don’t only have one brother." Du Ruyi said. "Didn’t your father only have you and your brother as children?" Zhao Old Madam was a bit confused. "Isn’t Zhao Dage my brother? I still remember aunt asking Zhao Dage to take me to play, and when he didn’t, I just wouldn’t call him older brother." Du Ruyi said slowly. Zhao Old Madam was already bewildered. Was she hearing things, or was her brain not working? Why did she seem to understand from Du Ruyi that this young lady is Zhao Ting’s daughter? "Ruyi, I’ve grown old, my mind doesn’t think as clearly now. Just tell me directly, whose daughter is this young lady?" Zhao Old Madam hadn’t noticed her voice carried a tremor. "I say she is Zhao Ting’s daughter, Aunt, do you believe?" Du Ruyi said. Zhao Xiaohua was a bit nervous. Zhao Old Madam stood up, circling Zhao Xiaohua twice. The more she looked, the more familiar it seemed. Wasn’t it? This appearance, was so much like her Ah Ting, no wonder she thought it was familiar. The sudden delight left Zhao Old Madam not knowing what to do. Previously worried about her son’s lifelong matters, now there was suddenly a child, how could it not bring joy? "Good child, come sit." Zhao Old Madam pulled Zhao Xiaohua onto the Arhat Bed, "Is your father really Zhao Ting?" "He says he’s Zhao Ting, my dad." Zhao Xiaohua replied. "You’ve met your father? Where is he? Such a big matter, he didn’t even inform me, what’s it with getting older and more foolish." "He went to find my mother." Zhao Xiaohua answered honestly. "Mother? Where did she go?" Zhao Old Madam asked. "Sister-in-law went to handle affairs for Brother Zhao." Du Ruyi replied. Being captured by someone wasn’t a good reputation, Du Ruyi responded for Zhao Xiaohua. This way, Zhao Old Madam would know Ms. Meng is a worthy wife. Zhao Old Madam knew her son left the capital this time not just to avoid the Grand Princess, but secretly to handle matters for the Emperor. "You say this child, such a major thing, why would he keep it from me?" Zhao Old Madam sighed, "I’ve been worrying daily about his lifelong matters." "Aunt, you really can’t blame Brother Zhao for this. He also just found out he has a wife and children." Du Ruyi said. "No need to cover for him. That rascal thing, when he’s back, I’ll definitely give him a proper lesson." Zhao Old Madam said angrily. Forgetting he had a wife and children, she wasn’t buying that. "Brother Zhao was previously missing, lost his memory, saved by Sister-in-law, then the two got married. Later, Brother Zhao got injured, regained his previous memories, but lost those related to Sister-in-law and the child." Du Ruyi said, "This time arriving at Qingzhou Prefecture, he accidentally saw Sister-in-law accompanying their son for the State examination, which jogged his memory." Zhao Old Madam was utterly shocked, "There’s a son too?" Du Ruyi counted on her fingers, "Not just one son, there are three sons!" This is what heaven-sent joy is. "Where are the other children?" Zhao Old Madam asked. "Just the second child and Xiaohua came to the capital this time. By the way, no one told you yet, the second child took the top place in the State examination this time." Du Ruyi threw in another piece of joyous news.