PDLP Chapter 172 My sister-in-law not only knows me, but is also familiar with my elder sister.
Chapter 172 My sister-in-law not only knows me, but is also familiar with my elder sister.
Fortunately, there is always a way out. When she was most helpless, Qiuyao took the initiative to find her and was willing to give her great wealth.
Thinking of this, Ji Ruyun glanced in the direction of the Prime Minister's Mansion, with undercurrents surging in her eyes.
At the same time, in the court.
With the downfall of Prime Minister Guo Zhong and a number of prominent families, many positions in the court became vacant. Prince Yong secretly recruited troops and placed his own people in various important departments.
He also took advantage of his position to amass wealth. After the fall of the Guo family, many of their assets were gradually swallowed up and devoured by Prince Yong's faction.
Although the court seems calm, there are actually undercurrents.
……
In the blink of an eye, two months passed, and soon it was the day for Qiu Shaoheng and Ji Ruyun to get married.
The wedding of the eldest son of the prime minister's family was naturally held to the highest standards in terms of specifications and ceremony. This wedding was jointly organized by Zhang and Qiu Ning. Fortunately, the whole process went very smoothly without any unexpected problems.
The next day, as the new bride, Ji Ruyun had to serve tea to Zhang and the elders in the mansion.
In the morning, Prime Minister Qiu and Zhang waited for half a cup of tea before they saw Ji Ruyun coming late, following behind Qiu Shaoheng, with a lowered brow and a submissive look.
"Hello, father and mother. It's all my fault for being too indulgent last night. That's why I was delayed. I hope you won't blame me."
As soon as Qiu Shaoheng came up, he took the lead in taking the blame for Ji Ruyun, fearing that Zhang would make things difficult for Ji Ruyun.
However, Qiu Ning and her two half-sisters were also present, and after hearing this, they couldn't help but blush.
"boom!"
Qiu Xiang placed the tea bowl in his hand on the table without any hesitation and said dissatisfiedly, "How dare you! Are you confused? Several unmarried sisters are still here. Listen to what you are saying."
Qiu Shaoheng raised his head and glanced around, then he suddenly realized that his words and actions were inappropriate, and immediately bowed to Qiu Xiang.
"I apologize for my words, I hope my father and mother will forgive me!"
Seeing this, Ji Ruyun, who was standing by, also bowed and saluted behind Qiu Shaoheng.
At this time, Zhang came out to smooth things over when she saw this.
"Well, today is the first day of your big wedding, so don't say these unhappy things, and start serving tea."
After Zhang finished speaking, she told Mother Luo behind her to bring a tray with two red envelopes on it.
Seeing this, Ji Ruyun first looked at Qiu Shaoheng. After receiving encouragement from the other party, she walked forward leisurely, knelt respectfully, took the teacup from the maid, and offered tea to Zhang.
Zhang was a kind person to begin with and had no intention of making things difficult for her. She gave her a few symbolic instructions, took off the red envelope and a jade bracelet from her wrist, and handed them to Ji Ruyun.
"This is the Qiu family's heirloom bracelet. Please keep it safe. From now on, you will be the eldest daughter-in-law of our Qiu family. I hope you can abide by the rules of being a wife, manage the household chores, and support Shao Heng and spend your life together."
Zhang's eyes were gentle yet solemn as she gently handed the warm, lustrous, and exquisitely carved bracelet to Ji Ruyun.
Ji Ruyun took the bracelet with trembling hands, tears of excitement and joy flashing in her eyes. She knelt down and saluted, saying:
"Don't worry, mother. Your daughter-in-law will do her best to live up to your and the Qiu family's kindness." Her voice was slightly choked, and her face showed a longing for a happy future.
Qiu Shaoheng on the side watched the scene quietly with a smile on his face.
Soon, Zhang introduced the other people in the Prime Minister's Mansion to Ji Ruyun. When it was Qiu Ning's turn, Zhang introduced:
"This is your second sister Qiu Ning, two years younger than you. She is in charge of all matters in the mansion now. If there is anything missing in the inner courtyard in the future, you can discuss it directly with An Ning."
Ji Ruyun had a perfect smile on her face and was about to greet Qiu Ning, but when she looked up and saw Qiu Ning's appearance, she couldn't help but be stunned!
"It's you?"
The night before the last Qiqiao Festival, a woman bought her sachets and fans on the street and placed a huge order with her, but hurriedly canceled it the next day.
Unexpectedly, she is the second daughter of the Qiu family?
Is there such a coincidence in this world?
Do not?
This is probably not a coincidence, but man-made!
In other words, Qiu Ning knew her identity from the beginning and did this on purpose in order to humiliate herself and highlight her sense of superiority.
At this moment, Ji Ruyun felt a surge of anger at being deceived. She stared at Qiu Ning in a daze, not saying a word.
Instead, it was Qiu Ning who broke the silence first.
"Hello sister-in-law, it's been a long time since we last met. I hope you are well!"
There was a hint of politeness and distance in Qiu Ning's voice, as if he really treated the other person as just an old friend he hadn't seen for a long time.
Zhang on the side was puzzled.
"Did you two know each other before?"
Ji Ruyun was about to answer, but suddenly heard Qiu Ning answer:
"Of course I have. Last time at the banquet at Duke Cheng's Mansion, I saw my sister-in-law from afar. My eldest sister happened to be there at the time."
"Sister-in-law not only knows me, but is also familiar with my eldest sister, right, sister-in-law?"
Qiu Ning intentionally mentioned Qiu Yao at this moment in order to test Ji Ruyun's reaction.
Sure enough, when she mentioned Qiuyao, the fleeting embarrassment and panic on the other person's face did not escape Qiu Ning's eyes.
In other words, Ji Ruyun and Qiu Yao must have reached some kind of agreement long ago. She was really bewitched and deceived by Qiu Yao when she married into the Xiangfu.
Qiu Ning's heart sank slowly.
She had just entered the palace and met the Imperial Concubine yesterday. She also learned from her that Prince Yong seemed to be showing signs of rebellion, and the Emperor and Gu Li were also secretly planning something.
This time, Qiuyao used Ji Ruyun to marry into the prime minister's residence and become the eldest daughter-in-law. What is she trying to plan?
Qiu Ning looked at Ji Ruyun with a sharp look in her eyes. She said, "Sister-in-law, why are you silent? Speaking of which, at the banquet hosted by the wife of Duke Cheng, it was my elder sister who tried her best to bring you and my elder brother together. Otherwise, why would I do this to a complete stranger?"
Qiu Ning appropriately raised the doubts in her mind, which really made Zhang and Qiu Xiang suddenly remember that at the banquet, Qiu Yao had indeed spoken well of Ji Ruyun.
They said that the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's family was worthy of Qiu Shaoheng, and that Ji Ruyun was gentle, dignified, and kind-hearted. She had come into contact with a man from outside the family in public, and if the Prime Minister's Mansion did not respond, the other party might be upset.
Now that I think about it carefully, if Qiuyao had known Ji Ruyun for a long time, then it would make sense for her to speak up for her.
"Is this true? Ji, since you know Yao'er, why have I never heard you mention her before?" Zhang asked.