Jiang Guangcheng was well aware that his mother often slandered the Cui family, but he had been too indifferent to care. Now, such words struck him as particularly jarring. "The Fourth Prince's Consort is courageous and resourceful, her medical skills are exceptionally profound. I forbid you from speaking such words again."
Cui was stunned that her husband had taken the Fourth Prince's Consort's side.
Previously, her husband had never said a word when she spoke of the Fourth Prince's Consort.
"I know the Fourth Prince's Consort is different from other ladies in the capital, but in my opinion, women in the inner chambers should adhere to the teachings of virtue and propriety. To stubbornly insist on one's own way is merely to make a laughingstock of oneself." Cui had been raised as a lady in the capital and was aware of its rumors.
Ji Zizhao, while pleasingly called the Fourth Prince's Consort, was, to put it bluntly, once a notorious good-for-nothing in the capital.
Cui, having received a good education since childhood, refused to be outshone by a supposed weakling.
Jiang Guangcheng had only agreed to marry Cui because his mother had been overly insistent. After Cui moved in, she had upheld her wifely duties. Even if she occasionally gossiped, she had never done anything outrageous, so Jiang Guangcheng had turned a blind eye.
But now, Ji Zizhao's great benevolence and righteousness lingered in Jiang Guangcheng's mind, and looking at the short-sighted Cui before him, Jiang Guangcheng finally understood the disparity.
"The rumors about the Fourth Prince's Consort in the past were merely the misinterpretations of the common folk. If the Fourth Prince's Consort's medical skills were not the result of arduous effort, how could they be so profound? Do not utter such words again." Jiang Guangcheng frowned, his impatience evident.
Cui, brimming with grievances, could not comprehend. "If all the women in the capital were like the Fourth Prince's Consort, wouldn't the capital be thrown into chaos? What rules would there be to speak of?"
Jiang Guangcheng, seeing his wife's insistence on arguing, suddenly felt exhausted. Knowing that no matter what he said, they would not understand each other, he rose and went to his study.
Cui watched her husband's receding back, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Since their marriage, while her husband had not been overwhelmingly attentive, he had always treated her with respect. Regardless of what she said or did, he had never argued with her. Yet today, she had merely stated facts, and he had shown her displeasure?
The Cui family was not a prominent noble household in the capital, but it was a merchant family comparable to the Jiang family. Seeing Jiang Guangcheng leave so abruptly, Cui could not swallow her pride.
After much thought, Cui attributed the fault to Ji Zizhao. Otherwise, why would her husband have treated her differently today when she mentioned Ji Zizhao, when he had always treated her well before? Or was it that Ji Zizhao had not given up on her husband and was still entangled with him?
The more Cui thought, the more her heart tightened. She called for her dowry maidservant. "You go to the Ji family immediately..."
"Yes, miss."
The maidservant was efficient and soon arrived at the Ji family.
Ji Zizhao, having just returned to her courtyard after a conversation with her grandmother in the main courtyard, saw Cui's invitation. She didn't know whether to be angry or amused.
In Yulin, merchants ranked last among scholars, farmers, and artisans. Although the Ji family was no longer as prosperous as in the past, it was not for a mere Cui to act presumptuously.
Moreover, Ji Zizhao was now the Fourth Prince's Consort appointed by the Emperor.
Even if Cui had sent the invitation in the name of the Cui family, it would be up to Ji Zizhao whether to accept it or not, let alone the fact that Cui was now merely the second young mistress of the Jiang family.
"Jianqiu."
"Your servant is here."
"You go to the Jiang family yourself and ask Madam Jiang how she disciplines her daughter-in-law." Ji Zizhao had never met Cui and did not know Cui's purpose in inviting her. However, since Cui dared to send an invitation to her, she clearly did not take her seriously.
Ji Zizhao was not so benevolent as to allow others to slap her in the face!
Meanwhile, at the Jiang family, Madam Jiang was about to retire when she heard from the gatekeeper that someone from the Fourth Prince's Consort's residence had arrived. Although Madam Jiang harbored great resentment towards Ji Zizhao, she could not easily turn away the Fourth Prince's Consort.
Madam Jiang reluctantly asked her mammy to usher the visitor in. Just as she was contemplating how to subtly reprimand Ji Zizhao's attendant, Jianqiu entered and threw Cui's invitation at Madam Jiang.
Looking at the invitation, Madam Jiang felt something lodge in her throat, unable to go up or down, almost choking her to death.
No matter how insignificant Ji Zizhao might be, she was still a royal daughter-in-law. Even though she had not yet formally married, her status had been proclaimed to the world. Who was Cui to dare send an invitation to the Fourth Prince's Consort?
And looking at the content of the invitation, there wasn't even a single polite address. Was Cui insane?
"Our young lady says she wonders how your esteemed household disciplines its daughter-in-law, to have produced someone so lacking in manners. However, our young lady also understands Madam Jiang's kind heart and affection for her daughter-in-law. Since that is the case, our young lady is willing to personally help Madam Jiang in educating her daughter-in-law. Although it might be somewhat against the rules, it is because the Second Young Mistress of the Jiang family has overstepped first."
Jianqiu's words were like a slap across Madam Jiang's face!
If Ji Zizhao were to personally come and discipline Cui, what face would the Jiang family have in the future?
"Go and bring Cui here," Madam Jiang ordered, her face dark.
"Yes, Madam."
The servant left quickly, but it was a long while before Cui arrived reluctantly.
Upon seeing Cui, Jianqiu let out a light chuckle. "The descendants of the Jiang family are not of high rank, but they put on quite an air. Truly, Madam Jiang has disciplined her well."
Madam Jiang: "..."
She hadn't said a word, yet this slap landed on her face?
Before arriving, Cui had learned Jianqiu's identity. Now, she put on airs. "The servant of the Fourth Prince's Consort also has quite an air. Is this the upbringing of the Ji family?"
However, before Jianqiu could speak again, Madam Jiang angrily rebuked, "Kneel down at once!"
Cui looked at Madam Jiang in astonishment, completely unable to comprehend why her mother-in-law was losing her temper with her over a servant of an outsider.
Madam Jiang now deeply regretted her choice. At the time, she had only focused on the Cui family's influence and had not carefully considered Cui's temperament. While Jianqiu was insignificant, behind Jianqiu stood the late Empress Dowager.