Chapter 983: Chapter 830, Differential Treatment

The death of Princess Consort Ma not only stunned everyone in the Prince Residence greatly, but the rest of Beijing was also quite shocked and astonished.

Even Guo Ruomei was taken aback for a while upon hearing the news.

She still remembered the scene when the Prince led her into the Prince Residence back then, that frail and helpless appearance; even now, thinking about it was suffocating.

This woman was adept at playing the victim, feigning weakness, with a vitality tougher than a cockroach–how could she just die like this?

Worried about Xiao Yeyang and Daohua being implicated, Guo Ruomei immediately dispatched servants to inquire, and only after learning that the death of Princess Consort Ma had nothing to do with either of them did she rest easy.

The main gate of the Prince Residence was already adorned with white banners; by this time, families had started to come to pay their respects and set up roadside offerings.

Madam Jiang and Madam Ji, having suddenly gained the butler’s authority, both wanted to hold on to it tightly. Therefore, they were exceptionally concerned about the funeral affairs of Princess Consort Ma, each using all their wits to show off.

Seeing that all affairs were being handled in an orderly manner, Daohua only took responsibility for receiving the female guests who came to the Prince Residence, ignoring all other internal arrangements.

“Why are you here? Didn’t Father tell you to rest in your room?”

Seeing Luo Qiong enter the mourning hall pale and with red eyes, Xiao Yechen did not show much emotion on his face; on the contrary, he even looked slightly dissatisfied and resentful and did not come forward to help her as she knelt before the coffin.

Luo Qiong didn’t mind, “As a daughter-in-law, it is my duty to keep vigil for my mother-in-law.” Saying so, she knelt beside Xiao Yechen.

Xiao Yechen, looking at Luo Qiong, once again found the thought surfacing in his mind: ‘If it weren’t for Luo Qiong going to the temple to offer incense, Mother wouldn’t have died.’

Just then, Daohua came in with several ladies.

After offering incense, the ladies first spoke a few words of ‘bear your sorrow with composure’ to Xiao Yechen and Luo Qiong, then praised Luo Qiong while holding her hand.

They said how commendable it was for her, pregnant and yet insistent on coming to keep vigil for Princess Consort Ma, truly filial…

Daohua stood by listening, taking a moment to carefully observe Luo Qiong’s expression, watching her face appropriately displaying sadness and grief, and couldn’t help but mentally note, ‘What good acting.’

At the same time, she understood why Luo Qiong had insisted on keeping vigil.

This woman was here to bolster her reputation!

She was pregnant and had previously had a pregnancy scare; even if she hadn’t come, no one would have blamed her, but she insisted on being present.

Thinking of what Xiao Yeyang had previously told her, she couldn’t help but look at Luo Qiong with admiration.

This woman was truly… ruthless!

Not only had she made her husband a cuckold, but she also rendered him infertile, and now she was eyeing her in-law’s family property, wanting her child to inherit everything from her in-law’s family.

She really dared to think and act!

Daohua did not continue watching Luo Qiong’s performance but excused herself saying she was going to greet other ladies and left.

The Yan Family also sent someone: Madam Li came with Han Xinran and Yan Yishuang.

Daohua led the three to offer incense and then took them to Pingxi Hall.

Yan Yishuang, walking at the back, surreptitiously surveyed everything around her, looking at the stunningly beautiful, majestic, and opulent courtyard, silently masking the envy in her eyes.

Thinking about Yan Yile who had not been brought this time, her gaze became even more lucid.

The stepmother’s actions were becoming increasingly assertive nowadays; she could not afford to offend her. Yan Yile was foolish, thinking that securing a good match meant everything was set, but Yan Yishuang knew that marriage was just the beginning, and being able to establish oneself in an in-law’s house was critically dependent on the support of the parental home.

And then there was the eldest sister, an existence that one could only be on good terms with and not afford to offend.

Daohua, regarding Madam Li bringing only Han Xinran and Yan Yishuang this time, did not ask about anything else, merely engaging in some small talk.

After entering the main room, Madam Li finally looked towards Daohua: “These days must have been exhausting for you, haven’t they?”

Daohua smiled and shook her head, “The affairs of the funeral are being managed by the two Madams, so I’m just assisting with receiving guests on the side, not tiring at all.”

Madam Li nodded her head, “Yeyang and that person don’t get along, but the deceased must be respected. During this time, you all must not conflict with Xiao Yechen and his wife, to prevent giving others an opportunity to gossip.”

Daohua laughed, “Mother, rest assured, we know our limits.”

Afterward, the group chatted about family matters for a while. Daohua looked at Yan Yishuang, who was seated below, and smilingly asked, “How are the preparations for third younger sister’s marriage coming along?”

Madam Li glanced at Yan Yishuang, who had been quite well-behaved and obedient in recent years, and smiled, “Everything is almost ready.”

Daohua said, “A few days ago, I acquired a new self-ringing wall clock. This item isn’t suitable for overt gifting, but with mother coming today, it’s just the right time to take it back and add it to third sister’s dowry.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yishuang immediately stood up to express her thanks, “Thank you so much, eldest sister.”

Wall clocks were scarce imported goods, not available for purchase even if one had the money. That her eldest sister could give her one was truly unexpected.

Daohua smiled, “There’s no need for formalities between us sisters. If you are regarded highly by your husband’s family, it reflects well on the Yan Family too.” Then she continued to speak with Madam Li:

“This year’s Dragon Boat Festival will not be celebrated at the Prince Residence anymore. Mother should also take the Dragon Boat Festival gifts back with her later.”

As Daohua still had guests to attend to, Madam Li and her party did not sit for long before rising to return to the Yan Residence.

The self-ringing wall clock given to Yan Yishuang by Daohua was over a meter tall and exquisitely made. Once it was brought back to the Yan Residence, everyone couldn’t help but gather around for a closer look.

When Yan Yile learned that it was Daohua’s addition to Yan Yishuang’s dowry, she immediately pursed her lips in discontent.

Seeing this, Madam Sun quickly glared at her daughter and said with a smile, “Yiyi is so fond of her sisters, giving Yishuang such good things for her dowry. I wonder if Yile will have her share when she gets married?”

Madam Li heard this but did not even lift her eyelids, simply raising her teacup and pretending not to hear.

Zhu Qiyun saw that her mother-in-law was about to continue probing and promptly diverted the conversation.

During the last road ritual at the Prince Residence, her aunt had not brought a single person from the second branch, showing her deep dissatisfaction with them. Although her in-laws had been more restrained since arriving in Beijing, they still hadn’t changed their habit of taking advantage. She and her husband had really spent a lot of energy to keep an eye on the two.

Moreover, last time, her younger sister-in-law had completely offended her eldest sister-in-law.

In the past, during festival exchanges, her eldest sister-in-law treated all branches of the Yan Family equally, with similarly valued gifts. But the Dragon Boat Festival gifts for the second branch were much inferior to those for the big and third branches.

Her eldest sister-in-law was no longer impartial and had begun to differentiate in her treatment.

…

The weather in May had already grown very hot. They buried the Princess Consort after mourning for fourteen days.

With the funeral rites concluded, everyone at the Prince Residence breathed a sigh of relief.

Because of the death of the Princess Consort, Daohua had been unable to visit Gu Jian at Four Seasons Manor for the Dragon Boat Festival. As soon as the mourning period ended, Xiao Yeyang accompanied Daohua there.

Before leaving, they inquired with Prince Pingxi.

Prince Pingxi, considering Xiao Yechen who had just lost his biological mother, did not accompany them.

In the carriage leaving the city, Daohua handed a slice of watermelon to Xiao Yeyang, “Since the Princess Consort’s death, father has become increasingly fond of Xiao Yechen. I’ve heard from the servants that whenever father gets his hands on something good, he sends it to Chen Courtyard immediately.”

Xiao Yeyang, looking at the secret letter sent by the Hidden Guard, grunted nonchalantly, his mouth still filled with watermelon. Once he finished, he opened his mouth again towards Daohua.

Daohua smiled upon seeing this and handed him another slice, “Sometimes I think, Xiao Yechen is quite pitiable.”

Xiao Yeyang finally reacted, looking up at Daohua, “Xiao Yechen’s current plight fully illustrates the importance of choosing a wife. It’s his own fault for being blind and marrying a venomous woman like Luo Qiong.”

Saying that and thinking of how Luo Qiong had poisoned Xiao Yechen with a medicine to ensure he could have no heirs, he couldn’t help but offer a silent condolence.

…

Four Seasons Manor.

Daohua was helped down from the carriage by Xiao Yeyang and saw Dong Yuanyao and Sun Changze waiting in the manor. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness.