How could a countrywoman suddenly obtain a noble title? None of them had a noble title. Now, wouldn’t that countrywoman be above them? "What, are you displeased?" Zhao Old Madam lowered her face, "Your elder brother has contributed so much to this family. Don’t you have any notion of it in your hearts?" "Happy, happy, it’s just such a big event, how come not a whisper was heard beforehand..." Yu-shi hurried to inquire. Not happy, but dare not say so. Zhao Old Madam snorted, "This is a happy occasion, you, as sisters-in-law, should express something when you know about it. Moreover, your elder brother has sons and daughters now. Three sons, one daughter. You ladies as aunts should prepare some greetings gifts, right?" Yu-shi and Xie-shi were in a daze, not knowing how they parted ways with Zhao Old Madam. The second branch has one son and one daughter. The third branch has just one son. Adding them up, the children aren’t as many as the eldest branch. In the future, won’t they have to look up to the eldest branch? "Second sister-in-law, what should we do?" Xie-shi asked Yu-shi. "What to do, what can we do? Didn’t mother say it? We should send gifts." Yu-shi replied. Whether she’s resigned to it is another matter, but since the mother-in-law has spoken, if they do nothing, she certainly won’t let it go. "Second sister-in-law, what does that Meng-shi mean? Why hasn’t she returned to the mansion?" Xie-shi asked again. "How would I know?" Yu-shi couldn’t understand either. The matter of being a live-in son-in-law was not mentioned by Zhao Old Madam, Yu-shi and Xie-shi hadn’t a clue. As for Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua, Zhao Old Madam kept it tightly under wraps, Yu-shi and Xie-shi were unaware. As a result, when they met Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua afterward, they were dumbfounded. "Second sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, what is this?" Zhao Ting, sickly leaning on the Arhat Bed, asked in confusion. By rights, they should have been entertained by A-Yao. However, since A-Yao hadn’t engaged with them, he could only be the one to step in. Yu-shi quickly regained composure, awkwardly smiled, "The nephew and niece look so much like the elder brother." "Really? I think so too." Zhao Ting replied. "Turns out father looked like a servant." Zhao Dahe said expressionlessly. Zhao Ting was befuddled, "What do you mean by this?" "Second Madam and Third Madam have always thought of me as a servant." Zhao Dahe said. Yu-shi was even more awkward, she hadn’t thought Zhao Dahe would be so blunt, saying this directly in front of Zhao Ting. "This, this is a misunderstanding." Yu-shi forced a stiff smile, "Miss Du didn’t clarify at the time..." Zhao Dahe suddenly understood, "So it was Auntie Du’s fault, not Second Madam’s." "Dahe, the previous matter was Second Aunt’s mistake, Second Aunt apologizes to you, look, here’s a gift from Second Aunt, don’t hold it against her." Yu-shi was flexible, at least in front of Zhao Ting, she had to behave well. "Third Aunt was also at fault." Xie-shi rarely followed suit, carefully aligning herself with Yu-shi apologizing. Having known about this earlier, Meng Yao, but given Zhao Dahe hadn’t suffered any real harm, she hadn’t said much. Now these two showed up, she knew they weren’t genuinely willing, but at least the surface was well presented. One doesn’t hit a smiling face. "Dahe, quickly thank your two aunts." Meng Yao intervened. Zhao Dahe naturally listened to Meng Yao, accepted Yu-shi and Xie-shi’s gifts, expressed thanks, and withdrew to the side. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽 Next came Zhao Xiaohua’s turn to receive gifts. Finally, it was Meng Yao’s turn to receive gifts. Logically, the congratulations gifts should have gone to Meng Yao first, then to Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua, but due to Zhao Dahe’s interruption, the order was flipped. Once the gifts were collected, the atmosphere became a bit awkward. Meng Yao didn’t speak, and Yu-shi and Xie-shi didn’t know what to say. After all, Meng Yao came from the countryside. They had no experience dealing with countryfolk. If they said something wrong, wouldn’t it be even more embarrassing? "Madam, my head is starting to hurt again." Zhao Ting spoke weakly. Upon hearing this, Yu-shi and Xie-shi quickly stood up to leave, saying they wouldn’t disturb Zhao Ting’s rest and would visit another day. Meng Yao courteously tried to retain them, then instructed Huang Ying to escort them out. Once the people left, Zhao Ting instantly became lively. Zhao Dahe exchanged a glance with Zhao Xiaohua, she understood instantly, the two of them hugged their gifts and went back to their rooms. "A-Yao, wasn’t I clever!" Zhao Ting said with a cheeky grin. "Zhao Ting, my place is small, can’t accommodate you." Meng Yao continued from the previous topic, she never expected Zhao Ting to be so brazen, directly coming over and refusing to leave. "I occupy little space, just need a spot to sleep." Zhao Ting said, "Now, our matter is out in the open, it doesn’t sit well not living together." "It’s not like it’s a matter known to all, what’s so unacceptable?" Zhao Ting’s eyes turned, "A-Yao, are you trying to evade responsibility for me? Our marriage is a live-in son-in-law marriage. In life, I’m yours, in death, I am your ghost." A strong woman fears a persistent suitor. "Zhao Ting, you know my background, I know yours, so don’t use those things as an argument." Meng Yao said. Meng Yao admitted that she had considered this before. But now she no longer thought about it. It’s not that she’s being difficult, she realized being Zhao’s wife would bring many troubles. The Great Princess is no easy character, and as for that Emperor, he seems impartial, but in reality, he’s protective of his elder sister. Moreover, today’s visit from Yu-shi and Xie-shi, although well-disguised, Meng Yao knew the two of them wouldn’t settle down in the future. These were just the immediate difficulties to be faced. She still couldn’t do it for one man to fear nothing. Zhao Ting was taken aback, truthfully, he wasn’t experienced in charming a girl before, did not have competence in this respect. As for the memories in his head, those were the original Zhao Ting’s and Meng Yao’s interaction patterns. Not necessarily suitable for them now. Furthermore, a subconscious resistance to that interaction pattern existed within him. Meng Yao was different from that Meng Yao. He was different from the original Zhao Ting. "A-Yao, our affair, His Majesty knows, moreover, you’ve been granted a noble title, our relationship isn’t easily changed right now." Zhao Ting sighed, "His Majesty thinks I might soon pass away, so even if I plead with him, he certainly wouldn’t agree." "How about, I recuperate a bit, until I’m somewhat better, then plead with His Majesty?" "Then you can completely return to your General Mansion." Meng Yao frowned and said. "I can’t resist my mother." Zhao Ting sighed, "She said, unless you accompany me back, there’s no need for me to return either. My son’s weight in her heart now is far less than yours." Zhao Ting wasn’t sweet-talking to impress Meng Yao; it was simply the truth.