The Glory

Shu Hong еntеrеd саrrying a plаtе of hibiscus сakes. "Мiss, Маdаm... Zhоu hаs arrived."

Grаnd Tutor Zhang's first wife had pаssеd awаy mаnу уеars аgо, аnd hе hаd nevеr remarried. Nоw, Мadаm Da Zhou stoоd alonе as the dоminаnt figurе in thе hоusеhоld. Though shе lаckеd thе оfficiаl title оf а princiраl wife, shе held the authоrity and status оf оnе.

Hаn Yan seleсtеd thе most bеаutifullу shареd cаkе from thе plаte and рlaсеd it in hеr mouth. Тhе dеliсate fragrаnce made her еyes curvе into a smilе. "Aftеr wе finish eаting, let's go meet her."

In the main hall, Zhuang Shiyang sat beaming on the host's seat, gazing at the gentle and graceful woman across from him.

The woman wore a lotus-pink high-waisted half-sleeved long ruqun, her figure slender and elegant. A pink rose palace gauze flower adorned her hair, which was gathered into a single strand and draped over her chest. Her delicate features resembled those of a refined young lady from the Jiangnan water towns—exquisitely beautiful and dignified. Yet, the faintly upturned corners of her timid eyes added a touch of alluring charm.

"Brother-in-law," the woman spoke, her voice enchanting and captivating, stirring a restless itch in those who heard it, yet also carrying a delicate fragility. This was Madam Da Zhou.

Even Zhuang Shiyang, who was not particularly fond of women, couldn't help but feel his heart flutter at the sight of such a peerless beauty. In his own household, aside from Concubine Wan, Concubine Mei was passionate and fiery, while Madam Zhou was gentle and considerate. But he had never encountered such a delightful creature. Though Madam Zhou was also gentle and knew how to please him, over time, he found her somewhat dull and even tedious. Yet, the woman before him possessed both the noble bearing of a lady from a prominent family and an indescribable, teasing softness in her every gesture, as if she were made of water. Though already a married woman, she seemed no different from a young maiden, making one wonder if she would be just as tender and gentle in bed.

Madam Zhou, standing nearby, noticed the infatuation in Zhuang Shiyang's eyes and flashed a hint of displeasure. She cleared her throat softly. "Sister..."

Only then did Madam Da Zhou rise gracefully and walk over, taking Madam Zhou's hand. "Sister, how could you have been so careless..."

The Zhuang residence had publicly claimed that the miscarriage of Madam Zhou's child was due to a slip on the icy snow, causing her to fall and lose the baby.

Madam Zhou shook her head, and thinking of her unborn child, she genuinely felt sorrowful. "It was all my carelessness..."

Hearing this, Madam Da Zhou also wore a mournful expression, tears glistening in her eyes. Paired with her charming appearance, she looked truly pitiable and moving. Zhuang Shiyang stared unblinkingly at Madam Da Zhou. The closer he looked, the more he felt she was a rare beauty. No wonder Grand Tutor Zhang doted on her so much. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a trace of disdain—Grand Tutor Zhang, at his advanced age, had the fortune to enjoy such a beauty's favor, unafraid of exhausting his energy... If it were him, his mind couldn't help but wander into fantasies.

Madam Zhou's gaze shifted past Madam Da Zhou. "That... must be Wei'er, right? He's grown so much in the blink of an eye."

The young man stepped forward and bowed playfully to Madam Zhou. "Your nephew pays his respects to Aunt."

Seeing Zhang Wei, Madam Zhou felt a genuine fondness. "Good boy, Wei'er has grown increasingly well-mannered. He looks like a fine young man... If only my child were still here..."

Madam Da Zhou, noticing her dwelling on sad memories, quickly interjected, "Sister, don't think about such things anymore. Focus on recovering your health first. There will be more children in the future. Don't let grief harm your body."

Only then did Madam Zhou nod.

After conversing a while longer, the maid finished brewing the medicine, and Madam Zhou was escorted back to Dove Tree Courtyard by her attendant, with Zhang Wei following alongside. Madam Da Zhou and Zhuang Shiyang lingered behind.Though Zhuang Shiyang had his eyes on the beauty, he was also wary of Grand Tutor Zhang's power and thus behaved properly along the way. However, as they passed through the mansion's garden, Madam Da Zhou unexpectedly took the initiative to ask, "I heard that brother-in-law was demoted by The Emperor. Is this true?"

Zhuang Shiyang, lost in his own thoughts, was caught off guard by the question, feeling as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. He replied somewhat dejectedly, "It is indeed true."

Madam Da Zhou stopped walking and looked at him earnestly. "Lan'er simply cannot believe the rumors that brother-in-law favors concubines over his wife." Lan'er was Madam Da Zhou's maiden name, and she uttered it without any reservation in front of Zhuang Shiyang, which startled him. She continued, "Moreover, although my sister can be willful at times, she is not the kind of malicious person who would bully the Fourth Miss of the mansion... There must be some misunderstanding in this matter."

Zhuang Shiyang, who already harbored resentment toward Han Yan, seized the opportunity to agree. "I think so too."

Madam Da Zhou then gave him a gentle smile. "If brother-in-law thinks this way, Lan'er can rest assured. I came to the Zhuang mansion this time precisely to comfort my sister and help resolve the misunderstanding between her and the Fourth Miss."

Zhuang Shiyang was somewhat enchanted by her smile and couldn't help but lean closer to her. "You're right, sister-in-law."

As soon as the term "sister-in-law" was uttered, the atmosphere around them grew ambiguous. Madam Da Zhou took a delicate step back, her face flushing with a rosy hue. "Brother-in-law truly is a good man..."

With no one else around, Zhuang Shiyang felt that every smile and frown of the beauty before him was utterly captivating. Even during the most passionate moments with Madam Zhou in the past, he had never felt such an irresistible urge. He took advantage of the moment to grasp Madam Da Zhou's small hand. "Lan'er is also a good woman..."

Startled, Madam Da Zhou struggled free and hurriedly fled in a panic.

Zhuang Shiyang, left grasping at air, felt a sense of loss and emptiness. He brought the hand that had just held Madam Da Zhou to his nose and took a deep sniff, closing his eyes with an expression of enjoyment.

In Dove Tree Courtyard, Madam Zhou lay half-reclined on the bed. After handing the empty medicine bowl to her maid, she turned her head to see Madam Da Zhou walk in. She couldn't help but sneer, "Did you seduce him so quickly?"

Madam Da Zhou simply sat down beside her, idly playing with her own nails as she smiled. "If you can't keep your man under control, that's your own lack of skill. Not every woman is as incompetent as you, dear sister."

Even though Madam Zhou no longer had any feelings for Zhuang Shiyang, hearing these words still made her spit in disgust. "And not every woman is as wanton as you!"

"Sister, why must you speak so harshly? Have you forgotten how you entered this mansion? I'm afraid your own past isn't entirely spotless either." She looked at Madam Zhou's haggard face and shook her head. "How foolish. If I were you, I wouldn't waste energy quarreling with me now. Instead, I'd focus on dealing with the person who brought you to this state."

Madam Zhou snorted coldly and said nothing. Although she and Madam Da Zhou were biological sisters, their relationship was not as close as it appeared on the surface. Since childhood, Madam Da Zhou had always been more clever and adaptable, with a gentler disposition. As a result, she had far more admirers than Madam Zhou ever did. As sisters, Madam Da Zhou now thrived in the Grand Tutor's mansion, while Madam Zhou had been beaten by Zhuang Shiyang until she miscarried. Even between sisters, there was rivalry, and she had lost so miserably—how could she accept it?Madam Da Zhou seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled, "That Fourth Miss who managed to bring you to such a state is likely not an easy opponent to deal with. Getting rid of her is more important than being jealous of me. After all, among us four sisters, I would never harm you."

Madam Zhou knew in her heart that she was right. At this moment, the only one who could help her was Madam Da Zhou. Over the years, Madam Da Zhou had lived better and better, which was inseparable from her tactics and cunning. Back in their maiden home, both sisters were concubine-born daughters, yet it was this elder sister who ultimately brought down the legitimate wife and held sway over the household.