Chapter 3: People Under the Roof

Zhao Ziyi was somewhat moved, "It's my fault as a father, letting you and your mother suffer so much."

Turning to the old lady, he continued, "Our Zhao family owes them too much. This child has suffered a lot outside. Since she's back, we should make it up to her properly."

The old lady nodded and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, "Child, you should get up first."

Only Xu, who was overwhelmed by resentment, still had a cold smile, "Without a proper status, her mother can't even be considered a concubine of the Zhao family. What qualifications does she have to be a daughter of the Zhao family? If she stays, she can't be recorded in the family genealogy, nor can she share the marriage dowry with the legitimate daughters."

Zhao Ziyi said expressionlessly, "Her mother and I had a formal marriage agreement years ago. How can it be considered improper? Since she's back in the family, she should rightfully be a daughter of the Zhao family. As for the dowry, if the lady is concerned, I can use my own salary and not touch the public funds. I've been an official for many years, and I'm not worried about marrying off a daughter."

"You—"

Xu's calm emotions were stirred up again.

"Xuan'er!"

The old lady also became anxious, "You should consider Yanyan's situation!"

Zhao Ziyi smiled slightly, "Mother, both of them are my children. How can I favor one over the other? I know Yanyan's marriage is approaching, and you're worried that this matter will affect her marriage. Although the rules of seniority cannot be changed, plans can be adjusted. I'm ready to have both sisters participate in the marriage ceremony next month."

Zhao Chengyan, who was watching nearby, was anxious.

Suddenly, a half-sister emerged and not only took away her father's favor but also wanted to share the family's honor and benefits!

She furrowed her brows slightly and persuaded Xu, "Mother, this matter has reached the palace. We can only minimize the impact. If it becomes a big issue, it will lead to gossip outside, and how can father maintain his position in the court?"

The old lady nodded in approval, "Yanyan's words make sense."

Having received her grandmother's approval, Zhao Chengyan turned to her father, "Xiao Mei is father's child and naturally should live in the Zhao residence. But father, as the current prime minister, and mother coming from the imperial family, it's understandable for mother to have concerns for the greater good."

She analyzed the situation from a political perspective, "Even if mother agrees, it's probably difficult for the maternal side to accept. Moreover, even if they don't mind, can the Empress Dowager ignore it? If the Empress Dowager forms an opinion about you, father, it will be difficult for you in the court."

She then held Zhao Ximei's hand and said, "If sister causes father trouble, she probably won't be happy either."

Zhao Ximei instinctively looked up and saw her perfectly timed smile.

"In my opinion, it's better to bring back the memorial tablet of Xiao Mei's birth mother and place it in the ancestral hall as her mother's identity. As for Xiao Mei, she can be listed as the eldest daughter under her mother's name, with the same provisions for clothing and living expenses as me."

"In this way, it won't cause trouble for father or anger mother, and Xiao Mei's birth mother can also receive the recognition she deserves..."

Zhao Chengyan smiled slightly, thinking that by openly bringing in her birth mother's memorial tablet, Xiao Mei would never surpass her as a concubine's daughter!

She then coquettishly asked her grandmother, "Grandmother, what do you think of my suggestion?"

"I think it's very good."

This struck a chord with the old lady, who immediately expressed her approval, "Yanyan has thought it through. Let's do it this way!"

Xu opened her mouth to object but was given a discreet signal by Zhao Chengyan. Although she didn't understand the reason, she had to nod, "That would be excellent."

The old lady nodded in satisfaction and looked at her son, "Xuan'er, what do you think?"

Zhao Ziyi's gaze fell lightly on Zhao Chengyan. Her intelligence and wisdom followed him, but her mindset followed her mother.

But he also knew that Zhao Chengyan's words made sense.

The Emperor was weak, the Empress Dowager held power, and the Crown Prince had lost his mother at a young age, while the influential Pei family was becoming restless.

As the Prime Minister, Zhao Ziyi had to constantly balance the forces and maintain his independence, not being used by any faction.

If this matter wasn't handled properly, it would inevitably be used against him...

After pondering for a while, he made a decisive decision, "We have to make do with this."

Seeing him compromise, Xu asked in a somewhat pleasing manner, "Then where should she be placed?"

Zhao Ziyi straightened his sleeves and casually said, "You can handle it, but I think the Jingmo Pavilion in the East Garden is suitable."

Xu was taken aback.

The Jingmo Pavilion was warm in winter, cool in summer, and had good lighting. Most importantly, it was a main courtyard house!

And now he was giving it to an illegitimate daughter to live in so easily!?

Thinking that her husband valued the child of an old flame so much, Xu felt a surge of bitterness. She blurted out, "She's just a concubine's daughter, how can she live in the main courtyard?"

"Didn't I just say that Xiao Mei's living expenses will be the same as the legitimate daughters?" Zhao Ziyi raised his eyebrows.

"You—"

Xu gritted her teeth in anger.

Seeing that her parents were about to argue again, Zhao Chengyan tugged at Xu's sleeve and said, "Mother, I think it's good for sister to live in the Jingmo Pavilion."

She then gave a meaningful look, "Moreover, since Xiao Mei is new here, there are many things that we need to take care of for her."

Just an illegitimate daughter raised outside, wanting to dominate and act arrogantly over them?

Letting her live right under their noses would make her understand the rules of a large family!

She then coquettishly asked her grandmother, "Grandmother, what do you think of my suggestion?"

"I think it's very good."

This struck a chord with the old lady, who immediately expressed her approval, "Yanyan has thought it through. Let's do it this way!"

Xu opened her mouth to object but was given a discreet signal by Zhao Chengyan. Although she didn't understand the reason, she had to nod, "That would be excellent."

The old lady nodded in satisfaction and looked at her son, "Xuan'er, what do you think?"

Zhao Ziyi's gaze fell lightly on Zhao Chengyan. Her intelligence and wisdom followed him, but her mindset followed her mother.

But he also knew that Zhao Chengyan's words made sense.

The Emperor was weak, the Empress Dowager held power, and the Crown Prince had lost his mother at a young age, while the influential Pei family was becoming restless.

As the Prime Minister, Zhao Ziyi had to constantly balance the forces and maintain his independence, not being used by any faction.

If this matter wasn't handled properly, it would inevitably be used against him...

After pondering for a while, he made a decisive decision, "We have to make do with this."

Seeing him compromise, Xu asked in a somewhat pleasing manner, "Then where should she be placed?"

Zhao Ziyi straightened his sleeves and casually said, "You can handle it, but I think the Jingmo Pavilion in the East Garden is suitable."

Xu was taken aback.

The Jingmo Pavilion was warm in winter, cool in summer, and had good lighting. Most importantly, it was a main courtyard house!

And now he was giving it to an illegitimate daughter to live in so easily!?

Thinking that her husband valued the child of an old flame so much, Xu felt a surge of bitterness. She blurted out, "She's just a concubine's daughter, how can she live in the main courtyard?"

"Didn't I just say that Xiao Mei's living expenses will be the same as the legitimate daughters?" Zhao Ziyi raised his eyebrows.

"You—"

Xu gritted her teeth in anger.

Seeing that her parents were about to argue again, Zhao Chengyan tugged at Xu's sleeve and said, "Mother, I think it's good for sister to live in the Jingmo Pavilion."

She then gave a meaningful look, "Moreover, since Xiao Mei is new here, there are many things that we need to take care of for her."

Just an illegitimate daughter raised outside, wanting to dominate and act arrogantly over them?

Letting her live right under their noses would make her understand the rules of a large family!