Old Madam Zhao listened to Huang Ying’s words and sneered repeatedly, "It’s my fault for always being too indulgent with them." Huang Ying hung her head low. It was her duty to report what she heard to her mistress. But that didn’t mean she could speak badly of the Second and Third Madams. While she could rant privately, she must never speak it aloud. "Just now, the Second Madam said she let a servant settle Dahe casually." Old Madam Zhao remarked. "I found the person in the duty room of the gatehouse servant, and there was only a cup of plain water in front of the young master." Huang Ying said. "Alright, alright. Let’s not even mention that Dahe is not a servant. Even if he were, he was brought by a guest, and as hosts, we should entertain him properly. Sending him off casually—doesn’t that slap our guest’s face? This is making enemies for our Zhao Mansion!" Old Madam Zhao snorted coldly. The two brainless ones actually thought she intended for Ruyi to enter the house. Old Madam Zhao certainly didn’t mean to look down on Du Ruyi. On the contrary, if it weren’t for Meng’s family and the children, as long as her son was willing, she wouldn’t oppose Ruyi entering the house. Even though Ruyi had been married, what of it? In terms of characteristics, she’s much better than the two daughters-in-law. Bold and responsible—this is what the head mistress of a house should be, not someone short-sighted, only caring about some small immediate benefits. Didn’t they think who Zhao Mansion relied on to have this current stature? Lack of gratitude is one thing, but they even scheme. Though the second and third sons are filial children, in terms of officialdom and their abilities, they can’t compare with Ating. Back in the day, those two relied on Ating to each become a minor official, the kind who would never make a mistake by being cautious and by-the-book. Later, His Majesty promoted the two of them. She knew this was exchanged by Ating’s life-and-death situation. Though the promotions were not high, they were enough to support Zhao Family’s name, preventing it from declining because Ating was no longer present. Without His Majesty’s and Ating’s favor, with just those two, the Zhao Family would have long declined. Yu Shi and Xie Shi, as their wives, didn’t know how to be grateful unexpectedly. "Huang Ying, prepare three gifts and send them to Du Mansion." Old Madam Zhao massaged her head, instructing, as the headaches resurfaced with her thoughts. "Do you want me to call a doctor?" Huang Ying asked. Old Madam Zhao waved her hand, "No need, you just go about your business, I’ll feel better after lying down for a while." The headache acted up, it just needed to be unleashed after seeing her sons. Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu went straight to Songhe Hall as soon as they returned to the mansion. Each of them carrying just-baked pastries from Hundred Flavors House and some candied fruit from a century-old shop. "Mother, your sons have returned from duty." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁 Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu said in unison. Old Madam Zhao weakly responded, "I’m not feeling well today, so I won’t keep you to talk." Old Madam Zhao already wore a forehead cloth, her brows furrowed, occasionally rubbing her temples. "Mother, where’s Huang Ying? Why isn’t she attending to you?" "Mother, should I go call the doctor?" "Where’s Yu Shi, mother’s headache has acted up, where has she gone?" Zhao Tang frowned. "Yes, and where’s Xie Shi? Why aren’t they attending to mother either?" Zhao Lu grumbled, feeling the wife he labored outside for couldn’t even attend properly to his ailing mother. Mother had a headache, yet she wasn’t present. "Huang Ying went to Du Mansion with something to apologize on my behalf." Old Madam Zhao weakly said. Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu were a bit puzzled, "Mother, why do we need to apologize to Du Mansion? We two brothers have been extremely cautious with our actions, and haven’t offended Du Mansion!" "I know the two of you mean well, and you haven’t offended them, but Yu Shi and Xie Shi did. Now, we can only hope that Du Mansion, for the sake of past relations, won’t fuss over it with them, otherwise, mother fears it could affect your political performance reviews." Old Madam Zhao sighed. Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu looked at each other in dismay, their wives offended Du Mansion? Before they could ask, Old Madam Zhao slowly explained how Du Ruyi came to the mansion, and how they behaved. "Ruyi was not dismissed, but rather divorced her husband. Moreover, she helped your elder brother with a task entrusted by His Majesty. If she hadn’t helped, your elder brother’s task wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. After it’s done, there might even be a commendation. As a result, your two wives made up a good story about her." "Thankfully Ruyi isn’t a petty girl, otherwise, she might have ended in shame, seeking death!" After speaking, Old Madam Zhao sighed heavily again. Zhao Lu, with a hasty nature, said, "Mother, I’ll bring Xie Shi here and make her apologize to Miss Du." Zhao Tang also said, "I’ll also call Yu Shi." "Alright, you two are both fathers now. Can’t you handle things less rashly? If you storm back , aren’t you asking for laughter from the servants? Moreover, what would your wives think of me doing this? Say I’m fomenting discord? Causing marital strife? Even if they go to apologize, they’d still harbor resentment, grumbling against me. This old woman wouldn’t tolerate such a reputation." Old Madam Zhao’s words made Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu feel severely ashamed. "Mother, it’s our failure to manage our wives, making you worry." Before their elder brother left, he instructed them to take good care of their mother, but the result... They let down their mother and their elder brother. After returning to their quarters, they must ensure to manage their wives properly. "Enough, you two don’t have to wear that look, acting like I just scolded you. Brought snacks back? Bring them over, let me have some; maybe after eating, my head won’t hurt anymore." Old Madam Zhao, having said everything, felt relieved. Back in no time, both Yu Shi and Xie Shi wouldn’t escape either, and her headache eased a bit. Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu hurriedly unwrapped the snacks and candied fruit, attentively serving Old Madam Zhao as she ate. "Still warm, it tastes better than the cold ones." Old Madam Zhao said contentedly after eating a piece, "Second son, you have a heart." Zhao Tang grinned, "Today was my lucky day; when I arrived, Hundred Flavors House just baked a batch of pastries." "Mother, try this candied fruit; it’s a new variety. If I hadn’t preordered it, it wouldn’t be available." Zhao Lu wasn’t willing to be outdone. "Good, good, you both have the heart." Old Madam Zhao graciously ate one more piece of candied fruit but was mentally planning to have Huang Ying buy some and send them to her grandchildren after she returned. They had just come to the capital, and they probably hadn’t tasted the local flavors yet. Suddenly recalling Xiaohua saying Li’s Cloud Cake would be perfect with one less degree of sweetness, she added, "Go to the kitchen later and inform Li to make some Cloud Cakes with slightly reduced sweetness. As soon as it’s done, bring it to me." Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu agreed. "Alright, you two have had a long day. After passing the message, quickly get some rest. Spend more time with the children, monitor their studies. They need to understand that their future prospects depend on their own abilities." Old Madam Zhao advised.