Chu Ruoyan immediately recognized this as someone coming to pick a fight.
Yet the matter concerning Imperial Son-in-law Cao weighed heavily on her mind, leaving her no patience for such games. She rose and walked toward Chu Ruolan’s side.
Madam Kong, feeling ignored, flushed with anger. "What? Is this how the young ladies of the Duke of Chu's Mansion are raised? Daring to ignore their elders when spoken to?"
Chu Ruoyan paused mid-step. "What words does Madam Kong wish to hear?"
Her tone was indifferent, her expression faintly impatient. Madam Kong felt insulted. "You—"
Before she could finish, Xue Ling, hearing the commotion, hurried over to mediate. "Third Aunt, please don’t be angry. Cousin Ruoyan isn’t feeling well today—she didn’t mean to slight you..."
Her intervention only stoked Madam Kong’s fury. Pointing at Xue Ling, she sneered, "What business is it of yours? A worthless girl even the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion didn’t want—did you think your twice-married mother could help you climb into our Cao family? Dream on!"
Xue Ling’s face instantly paled. Her position in the Cao household was already precarious, and Madam Kong’s words left her utterly humiliated.
But then Chu Ruoyan arched a brow. "Oh? So my cousin’s mother remarried—then what does that make you, the one who stole her own sister’s betrothal and forced her to marry a poor scholar?"
Madam Kong’s expression twisted. "Y-You—what nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Wasn’t I clear enough? Was it you who was originally engaged to Third Master Cao? Shouldn’t it have been your half-sister Kong Xiu who married Scholar Gao?" Chu Ruoyan’s lips curled in mockery.
This marriage of Madam Kong’s had been snatched from her half-sister.
Initially, she had looked down on Third Master Cao, so when the families arranged the engagement, it was between him and Kong Xiu, the Earl of Zhongyuan's illegitimate daughter.
At the time, Madam Kong had set her sights on Gao Yi, a scholar from a humble background, expecting him to rise in the imperial exams—only for him to barely scrape by as a lowly graduate.
Meanwhile, Cao Yang of the Cao family soared through the ranks, eventually becoming the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a prestigious third-rank official. Realizing the Cao family’s promising future, Madam Kong had forced Kong Xiu to swap marriages with her.
This was a tightly guarded secret of the Earl of Zhongyuan's Mansion—how did a sheltered girl from the Chu family know about it?
Madam Kong, unsettled and suspicious, turned to leave.
"Stop."
Chu Ruoyan’s voice halted her. "Wh-What else do you want?"
"You insulted my cousin and my aunt. Did you think you could just walk away without an apology?"
Madam Kong’s face darkened, but she bit back her anger. "Fine, I misspoke. Satisfied?"
With that, she stormed off. Madam Wang couldn’t help exclaiming, "Heavens, this is the first time I’ve seen Third Sister-in-law admit she was wrong!"
Those nearby who had witnessed the exchange regarded Chu Ruoyan with admiration.
Everyone knew Madam Kong, relying on her family’s influence, acted like a tyrant in the Cao household.
Though the family had divided estates, she frequently returned under the pretense of visiting, only to exploit the household for personal gain.
With the eldest master unmarried and Old Madam Cao rarely intervening, the servants had no choice but to endure her behavior in silence.
Seeing her humbled today brought them immense satisfaction.
Xue Ling whispered, "You stood up for me again... Ah..."
Chu Ruoyan patted her hand. "We’re family—no need for such formalities. But Cousin, you weren’t like this before. The Xue Ling I remember was bold, outspoken, and free-spirited. Not someone who hesitates at every turn!"
Xue Ling froze, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "Ruoyan... I no longer have the confidence I once did..."
Back then, she was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Chengen, doted upon by her parents—they had been her foundation.
But after her father disowned her, she followed her mother into remarriage at the Cao family...
Though Cao Yang always shielded her, she was still a Xue by name—forever a guest in another’s home...
Chu Ruoyan understood her worries. With a sigh, she squeezed her hand. "Cousin, your confidence shouldn’t come from anyone else—it should come from yourself."
"Whether as the Marquis of Chengen's daughter or the eldest miss of the Cao family, you are worthy. Don’t belittle yourself. Remember what you once told me—life is about living freely. But now, tiptoeing around everything—are you truly happy?"
Xue Ling fell silent, lost in thought.
Seeing this, Chu Ruoyan didn’t press further, giving her space to reflect.
Soon, the evening banquet began.
Imperial Son-in-law Cao and Princess Ansheng had yet to arrive.
Since this was a family gathering, strict separation between men and women wasn’t observed.
Cao Yang and the other men drank in the main hall, separated from the women by a row of curtains.
Chu Ruoyan sat at a table with Chu Ruolan and the others, picking at vegetarian dishes, when her father’s booming laughter echoed from the hall.
"Old Cao, old Cao! Back in the day, we argued till we were red-faced in court! I even thought—who’d be unlucky enough to marry into your blockheaded family? And then, in the blink of an eye, you became my brother-in-law! Hahaha!"
Cao Yang, distracted by Imperial Son-in-law Cao’s situation, didn’t respond.
The Marquess of Zhongyuan, Kong Qin, quickly interjected, "This was destiny’s doing! Come, let’s toast to the Duke of Chu!"
Outside, cups clinked and laughter flowed.
Chu Ruoyan watched, a pang of sorrow in her heart—how long would this fleeting harmony last?
Inside, Old Madam Cao held Chu Jing’s hand, beaming. "Let me tell you all—Jing was meant to be part of our Cao family! Back then, when my eldest son told me the Marquis of Chengen and his wife were at odds, I was so thrilled I skipped a meal just to push him to intervene! We even had the divorce papers drafted by an official from the Ministry of Revenue, copying the Xue family’s handwriting five or six times—finally, they came in handy!"
The old lady spoke with pride, her grandchildren gazing at her adoringly.
"Then what, Grandmother? Did Eldest Uncle marry Eldest Aunt?"
The question came from Cao Xin, Madam Wang’s only daughter. Though already seven or eight, an illness in her childhood had left her with the mind of a toddler.
Madam Wang hastily covered her daughter’s mouth. "Xin’er, don’t speak out of turn..."
Old Madam Cao shot her a glance. "We’re all family—no need for such caution. Xin’er, come here, to Grandmother."
Cao Xin obediently went to her and was pulled into an embrace.
"Your eldest uncle did marry your eldest aunt. Only after marriage can you call her that, understand?"
Cao Xin nodded vaguely, though it was clear she didn’t fully grasp it.
Old Madam Cao frowned and turned to Madam Wang. "Has Chief Physician Zhang examined her condition?"
Madam Wang wiped her tears. "He has. Eldest Brother arranged it long ago, using his credentials to summon Chief Physician Zhang. But he said Xin’er’s illness damaged her mind—he could only try his best, not cure her completely."
Chu Jing, recalling something, perked up. "Fourth Sister-in-law, Ruoyan knows an old physician with remarkable skills. Why not ask him to examine Xin’er? You know how my health was ruined after childbirth—my hands and feet would turn icy when the weather turned damp. But after two doses of his medicine, I improved greatly."
Madam Wang’s eyes flickered with hope before dimming again. "Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law, but it’s no use. Over the years, we’ve consulted nearly a hundred physicians for Xin’er—all said there’s no cure. We’ve accepted it..."
Just as Chu Jing was about to persuade her further, Cao Yi’s voice rang from outside the hall.
"Imperial Son-in-law Cao and Princess Ansheng have arrived—"
