RPAGF Chapter 218 Do you dare to drink the tea that my husband and I served?
Chapter 218 Do you dare to drink the tea that my husband and I served?
The Marquis of Anyang's mansion welcomed a new mistress. On the second day of her marriage, it was customary to serve tea, but others would serve it to her, and she would be responsible for drinking it.
Chu Ruohan looked at that youthful face, yet it tried hard to put on a dignified appearance; it was the same girl she had seen on the Lantern Festival.
Did the Marquis of Anyang begin making plans long ago?
Aunt Zhao, dressed in plain clothes, knelt on the ground, holding a teacup high with both hands, her voice tinged with humility: "Serving tea to the mistress."
Su Wanniang sat upright in the seat of honor, her expression calm. She reached out and gently took the teacup, then took a red envelope from the maid and handed it to Aunt Zhao.
"Thank you ma'am."
Aunt Zhao took the red envelope, paused briefly, and then presented the prepared account book for managing the household affairs.
Seeing this, Su Wanniang pretended to decline, saying, "Aunt Zhao, you have always managed the household affairs very well. I am new here and I am afraid I am not up to the task."
Aunt Zhao quickly lowered her head and said earnestly, "It is only right for the mistress to manage the accounts. I was just managing them on her behalf before. Now that the mistress has entered the household, the account books should naturally be handed over to you."
Su Wanniang's lips curled up slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes, before she took the account book and gently placed it aside.
When it was Yang Zhaozhao's turn to serve tea, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
Yang Zhaozhao held the teacup and knelt down respectfully, a fawning smile on her face: "Mistress, Zhaozhao is serving you tea."
Su Wannian did not reach out to take it. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes scanning Yang Zhaozhao's face, a faint, cold smile playing on her lips.
Yang Zhaozhao was left kneeling. The hall fell silent instantly.
Everyone looked at each other, puzzled as to what Su Wan Niang meant by this.
Yang Zhaozhao's smile gradually froze on her face, her hands began to tremble slightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
She secretly glanced at Su Wannian, her eyes filled with pleading and fear, but Su Wannian remained unmoved.
This was a direct challenge to Yang Zhaozhao from the start. Aunt Zhao was old and fat, so she didn't need to put in much effort.
"I think Aunt Yang has something she wants to say to me?" Yang Zhaozhao's words were loaded with meaning, and her gaze fell back on Yang Zhaozhao.
Yang Zhaozhao's heart tightened, and she hurriedly said, "Mistress, I am new to the Marquis's mansion and am ignorant in many ways. If I have offended you in any way, I hope you will forgive me. I will serve you wholeheartedly in the future without any complaints."
As she spoke, she moved the teacup forward again, her hands trembling more noticeably.
Su Wanniang nodded in satisfaction, slowly reached out, took the teacup, and took a small sip.
He then put down his teacup, took a red envelope from the maid's hand, but did not hand it directly to Yang Zhaozhao. Instead, he gently placed it on the table.
He said meaningfully, "In this Marquis's mansion, those who know the rules and keep to their place will naturally reap the rewards."
Yang Zhaozhao hurriedly kowtowed to express her gratitude before daring to reach out and pick up the red envelope. She stepped aside, her face still pale and her heart still pounding.
Chu Ruohan saw everything. This woman is no simpleton!
After the concubines of the Marquis of Anyang finished serving tea in turn, it was the children's turn to come forward.
Inside the hall, everyone's eyes were focused on Chu Ruohan, and a maidservant handed her a cup of tea at the right moment.
Chu Ruohan took it steadily, but before she could take a step, an arm suddenly reached out and Gu Junze stopped her.
This sudden action instantly created a tense atmosphere in the hall, and everyone's gaze seemed to be drawn by an invisible force.
The teacup was moved from Chu Ruohan's hand to Gu Junze's cold and stern face.
Song Wanniang, who was sitting upright in the main seat with a dignified smile on her face, couldn't help but raise her eyes, a hint of surprise and displeasure flashing in them.
Her tone carried a hint of accusation: "Your Highness, what does this mean?"
Gu Junze stood tall and straight, with a cold and aloof expression, exuding an aura that kept people at a distance.
He tilted his head slightly, looking directly at Song Wanniang. "Although you are my father's second wife and have the title of elder, my birth mother is Princess Anyang, the God of War of the Great Jin Dynasty."
“I am also considered half a member of the royal family. Do you dare to drink the tea that my wife and I offer?” His voice echoed in the hall.
He wouldn't serve tea to the wife of the Marquis of Anyang; they weren't worthy...
Upon hearing this, Su Wanniang felt a surge of anger rising from the bottom of her heart. She had married into the Marquis's mansion with dignity and should have been able to smoothly receive everyone's respect during the tea ceremony, but instead, she was openly provoked by her stepson.
Having made her lose face in front of everyone, Su Wanniang took a deep breath and suppressed her displeasure.
She had only been married into the family for one day, and if she were to clash with the Marquis's children at this very moment, it would be extremely detrimental to her position in the Marquis's household.
She could only suppress her anger and force a gentle and magnanimous smile onto her face.
“Your Highness is too kind,” Su Wanniang said softly, her voice tinged with helplessness and restraint. “I am new here and may have done something inappropriate. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
"This tea ceremony is meant to be an opportunity for family members to connect. If it causes the young master to feel dissatisfied because of me, then it would go against my original intention."
As she spoke, she bowed slightly, adopting a humble posture. She really knew how to bend and stretch!
The tea-serving ceremony continued until everyone had finished serving tea.
Su Wanniang stood up, glanced around, and said in a clear yet authoritative voice, "From today onwards, I am the mistress of this Marquis's mansion. I hope everyone will work together to handle all matters, big and small, in the mansion. If anyone breaks the rules, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Yes……"
Gu Junze showed her no mercy and left with Chu Ruohan.
He completely ignored Su Wan Niang's increasingly gloomy expression behind him.
Su Wanniang watched the two figures leave, and although she was filled with hatred, she could only endure it.
It's okay, there's plenty of time...
Ever since Su Wanniang entered the household, Yang Zhaozhao has completely fallen out of favor and can't even get an audience with the Marquis of Anyang.
Yang Zhaozhao sat in front of the bronze mirror, letting the maid do her hair and makeup, but her eyes were empty and lifeless as she stared blankly at herself in the mirror.
The makeup that was once meticulously applied now appears dull and lifeless.
"Has the Marquis mentioned me these past few days?" Yang Zhaozhao's voice broke the deathly silence in the room.
The maid paused, her eyes darting away, and replied softly, "Replying to Madam, I have not heard the Marquis mention it."
Yang Zhaozhao gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white.
She knew all too well that in this deep and secluded mansion, losing a man's favor was like losing her very foundation, and her future days would likely be filled with hardship.
She couldn't help but feel anxious, because apart from the Marquis of Anyang, she had nothing else.
She had to find a way to re-attract him...