Chapter 241: Chapter 241

"Madam is truly wise. This servant was too short-sighted, having earlier thought Madam was displeased because of the person chosen by the old lady's side!"

She carefully combed through her mistress's thick, long hair.

As Madam Cui's personal matron who had accompanied her as part of her dowry, their master-servant relationship had always been close, so she spoke without reservation now.

Indeed, the woman before her showed no anger upon hearing this.

Casually toying with the incense tongs in her hand, Madam Cui's tone remained placid:

"No matter how dissatisfied I am, since it has become settled matter, why should I trouble myself with unnecessary worries?"

If she were to act petty and deliberately target her daughter-in-law over just this, it would be utterly unnecessary and lacking in grace.

Even though this Young Lady Yang had never been within Madam Cui's considerations for a daughter-in-law from the very beginning.

Yes, even previously, this daughter-in-law had never caught Madam Cui's eye.

Admittedly, her manners were thorough and she carried herself with dignified propriety, that was true. However, the problem lay in how this person was excessively "perceptive" in social interactions, and too artificial.

In Madam Cui's view, the term "snobbish" wasn't necessarily derogatory, especially in current official circles. Showing deference to those in higher positions and adjusting behavior according to status were common practices. Social connections among inner court ladies were mostly about seeking mutual benefits and profiting one's family.

Three parts genuine feeling, seven parts benefit—this had long become ordinary in social interactions.

However, as the saying goes, everything in excess becomes a fault.

Emphasizing benefit was originally not blameworthy, but once the sense of proportion was lost, one became like a fence-sitter who could tip over with any shift in circumstances. No matter how thorough one's actions might be, scholars still emphasized moral integrity—dare we ask how women should be any different?

Tell me, would such a person have truly trusting friends or even allies to whom they could entrust their back?

When it didn't affect their own interests, the young ladies and madams of the capital all maintained harmonious appearances on the surface. In their comings and goings, they naturally interacted harmoniously, calling each other "sister" with cheerful familiarity.

But if you truly believed this was genuine friendship, you would be greatly mistaken.

Recalling that day's awkward incident, Madam Cui couldn't help but shake her head, her pale fingertips occasionally toying with the jade tongs in her hand:

"As the saying goes, if you want to see a person's true social ability and human relations skills, you shouldn't look at when they're successful and smooth-sailing, but when that person is frustrated and fallen into decline..."

Even though that day contained elements of her deliberate arrangement, when it came down to it, for biological sisters to reach such a state.

"What a true pity..."

"Ah, isn't that right!" The matron at her side similarly sighed: "Full sisters sharing the same mother, and also a future princess consort, a favorite in the Empress Dowager's eyes. If only..."

"This servant has also seen that Third Miss Yang. Like that Madam Yang, she's utterly simple—a crystal-clear person!"

Coupled with such beautiful features, even Matron Sun couldn't understand how her young madam had managed her relationship with such lively, delightful sisters to reach this state.

"However, Madam, this young madam is not without her merits." Perhaps sensing her mistress's displeasure, after a slight pause, Matron Sun continued gently:

"Earlier, I heard from the maids in the east courtyard that the young madam is extremely attentive to the eldest young master..."

"The east courtyard has been quite orderly lately. After all, she was personally raised and educated by the Old Madam Yang—she doesn't lack household management abilities."

Hearing this, Madam Cui only smiled, her typically gentle features still maintaining an air of indifference upon closer inspection.

Even carrying a hint of mockery.

Considerate? Household management?

A foolish creature who appears clever but can't even grasp the fundamental principles of establishing herself...

On the incense burner, wisps of curling incense smoke occasionally rose. Moments later, they only heard the visitor say slowly:

"The young madam is new here and inevitably inexperienced in handling affairs. Some matters still require you stewards to take more care. Remember, the household rules absolutely cannot be broken."

Without further questions, Matron Sun hurriedly nodded in agreement. Thinking to herself: it seems her madam has completely given up on expecting anything from this eldest daughter-in-law.

Indeed, with the young madam's temperament, she truly isn't someone who can be worked with strategically. Rather than this, it's more secure to keep the authority temporarily in the madam's hands.

Unaware of her eldest sister's misfortunes, An Ning was beautifully enjoying summer retreat at the estate with her mother and Little Brother Yang, who had insisted on tagging along.

Since the imperial marriage decree was announced, the number of invitations delivered to An Ning daily had increased considerably. Among them were even some from prominent noble families.

During this period, An Ning had even caught sight of that cheap second sister from her original body once or twice.

After many days apart, Yang Yuan—no, she should now be called Jiang Yuan—actually appeared more composed than before, her attire as opulent and magnificent as previously.

Currently wearing a large-sleeved gown with gold-printed peony jacquard, her originally delicate features appeared increasingly blurred under heavy makeup.

During the banquet, although she couldn't avoid being avoided by everyone, it had to be said that this cheap second sister from her original body indeed had some remarkable qualities.

While chatting with her close friend, An Ning personally witnessed how this person could maintain composure while socializing with smiles everywhere under everyone's varied gazes, remaining unperturbed even when facing occasional veiled attacks. Even when meeting An Ning, her former sister, aside from a barely noticeable complexity in her eyes, her entire expression didn't change one bit.

This demeanor caused those who had planned to watch the drama to lose interest.

After all, she still held the title of Young Master's Wife. Before the empress's faction completely lost power, everyone still had to show some courtesy, especially since His Second Highness had genuinely achieved some concrete accomplishments over the past six months.

Because of this, recent court discussions had inevitably grown more enthusiastic.

"This... this... even without the system, this person can still bounce back!"

Witnessing this scene, the most surprised was undoubtedly the system. It had thought that after this ordeal, having lost her value, this person would be completely abandoned by the Duke of Cheng'en's household.

"Huh? Host, you don't seem surprised?"

Lightly biting into a crystal grape freshly peeled by a maid nearby, An Ning only nodded casually, her gaze not settling on that person:

"Haven't you noticed? The servants of the Cheng'en household before us, including the previous Miss Huang Third, though they show avoidance and fear in their eyes, don't carry heavy contempt. Probably, Jiang Yuan still has some use to the Duke of Cheng'en's household so far."

Just look at the various excellent strategies proposed by His Second Highness in court over the past six months.

Although in An Ning's view, this seemed heavily like mechanical application of textbook knowledge, it had to be said that the court didn't lack capable people. After various refinements, when actually implemented, they still had some effect!

"It must be said, this second sister of the original body is actually quite clever..."

Hearing her host's words, the system couldn't help but sigh.

Yes, An Ning similarly nodded in agreement. Even as an inner chamber woman, upon truly obtaining an opportunity, she knew what to learn that would be most valuable.

Not far away, watching Jiang Yuan smiling slightly and speaking softly to Miss Huang Third—her own sister-in-law who clearly showed fear and resistance—without changing expression.

Then thinking about the Zhenbei Marquis heir who similarly suddenly lost his system—though still maintaining his heir position, just without his innate talent—yet remained depressed to this day.

An Ning thought to herself: besides being clever, this person is also exceptionally resilient...

"Then host, will you..."

"If I'm not mistaken, we should soon get to watch some good drama!"

Thinking of the scent she inadvertently caught when the other approached earlier, An Ning couldn't help but gently shake her head.

Facts prove that seeking advantages from dangerous situations is never that easy!

Especially when one's own advantages or even firepower are severely insufficient.