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Tragic Death and Rebirth, The Entire Empire Kneels and Calls Me Ancestor Chapter 181

Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone

The Old Madam of the Fuchang Marquis looked at her daughter-in-law and asked, “What do you think of this matter?”

Fuchang Marquis Madam smiled, “It’s nothing but a small quarrel, just a few words exchanged, what’s the big deal? Mother, you don’t need to worry. I’ll speak to Duchess Cao properly. Miss Li is well-educated and understanding, so making fun of someone’s pain must have been a thoughtless mistake.”

Madam Xiao sighed with relief after hearing this. Her mother always spoke in a gentle manner, but she knew she was angry—otherwise, she wouldn’t have spoken in such a sarcastic tone, mentioning how well-educated Miss Li was.

Fuchang Marquis Madam nodded, “There are still guests outside, you should go ahead and take care of things.”

She stood up, “You rest well. Leave the matters outside to your daughter-in-law.”

Fuchang Marquis Madam reminded her daughter to take care of her grandmother before hurriedly leaving.

Madam Xiao spoke softly, “Grandmother, why don’t you rest for a while? You’ve been busy all day.”

The Old Madam waved her hand, “Though I’m old, I’m not so useless. You did the right thing today. You must protect your own family. Ever since the Duke Gao had an Empress, their behavior has become too arrogant.”

“Miss Li’s actions towards Mingxi today may not be simple. You must warn her to be cautious. If the Li family still had some reservations before, today Miss Li openly humiliated Mingxi. When you return, inform your husband and have him look into it.”

Madam Xiao nodded, “I understand, Grandmother.”

Women in the inner quarters don’t receive as much news as the men, and when it comes to Mingxi, they need to be extra cautious.

Didn’t the matter with the Deqing Marquis’ household serve as a warning?

It started as a domestic affair, but the Zhang family insisted on taking it to court, and now the Deqing Marquis has set a precedent for such things.

While the men fight outside, the women need to defend the home.

Li Peilan’s actions today may seem trivial, just a few taunts, but what if it represents the attitude of the Duchess Cao?

That would be a serious matter. Duke Cao is backed by the Empress and the Crown Prince, while Mingxi is supported by Duan Wang and Consort Shu. One wrong move, and it could lead to a deep abyss.

Madam Xiao helped her mother send off the guests, then was called into her mother’s room to talk.

“We’ve been busy all day and haven’t had a chance to talk,” Fuchang Marquis Madam said, showing some signs of exhaustion.

Xiao Lin was playing with Duan Huirou and others, which gave them some time for mother and daughter to chat.

“I’ll massage your shoulders.”

Madam Xiao was about to get up to help, but her mother held her hand, “No need for that. I’ve already spoken to the Duchess Cao. Her words were pleasant, but I could tell she doesn’t have a good attitude towards Mingxi. When you return to the manor, inform your elders, especially Mingxi. Be sure to remind her to be cautious.”

Madam Xiao frowned, “I knew it, there’s always someone behind Miss Li’s arrogance.”

“The things we can do are limited. This seems to be related to the palace, and in that case, we can’t interfere,” Fuchang Marquis Madam said seriously.

Madam Xiao frowned, “I will inform the elders.”

After discussing Mingxi’s matter, Fuchang Marquis Madam looked at her daughter with concern, “Have you heard any news?”

Madam Xiao’s face turned pale as she shook her head silently.

Fuchang Marquis Madam patted her daughter’s hand sympathetically, “If there’s no progress and your mother-in-law presses you, perhaps you should let one of your maids stay in your room. It’s always better to have your own people around.”

Madam Xiao didn’t want to, “I’ve consulted doctors and had the imperial physician check on me. They all say my health is fine.”

So they would have to wait and see.

Fuchang Marquis Madam thought for a moment, then said, “As a future mother-in-law, I understand how your current mother-in-law feels. But you must be clever. Just agree to her requests, and let your husband talk to her later. There’s no overnight grudge between mother and daughter, but between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, things are different. It’s better if your husband speaks to her, it will be less risky.”

Madam Xiao’s relationship with her husband was good. Even though he hadn’t been diligent in the past, he had always been considerate toward her.

Thinking of this, Madam Xiao whispered to her mother, “My husband has been busy with government affairs. This month, he’s spent more than half of it in the study handling official matters. Now he’s hardworking and progressing. How could I drag him down, constantly making him busy with those matters in the courtyard?”

Fuchang Marquis Madam was surprised, “He’s really working that hard?”

Her good son-in-law had always been capable, but before, he had been lazy and content to do just enough.

Madam Xiao smiled, “With Grandfather and my older sister keeping an eye on him, he has no choice but to stay diligent. He’s finally trying hard, and I can’t let him slack off now.”

She didn’t want to mention it to her mother, but when her husband returned to the courtyard, he was usually exhausted and fell asleep immediately. Seeing him so tired, she felt it wasn’t right to bring it up.

Fuchang Marquis Madam had heard her daughter talk about Mingxi’s capabilities, and after seeing her today, it was clear she wasn’t a child raised in a merchant’s house. Mingxi’s demeanor was on par with that of the noble young ladies raised in the capital.

She didn’t expect Mingxi could even manage her son-in-law. She was impressed.

“I didn’t expect it. Son-in-law is afraid of this younger sister.”

Madam Xiao never spoke of how her husband got his official position. Even though her maternal family was close, once she married, she was considered part of her husband’s family. Even if her in-laws weren’t ideal, one day she would be the one to manage the household.

Mingxi’s ability to secure official positions for her brother and uncle was impressive, but such news spreading wasn’t necessarily a good thing for her.

Madam Xiao suppressed her desire to show off and steadied herself before saying, “It’s not about being afraid, he is just feeling guilty and wants to make up for it. When Mingxi first returned to the manor, as the older brother, he didn’t handle things very well. It’s only natural for him to feel guilty, and when he sees others, he feels inferior. Of course, he should make up for it.”

Fuchang Marquis Madam thought about it and smiled, “No matter what, his current efforts are a blessing for you. Regarding your mother-in-law’s pressure for children, you should talk to him about it.”

“I understand,” Madam Xiao said. She knew her mother was right. Though she felt somewhat inferior to her mother-in-law, her husband was her direct son, so some things were easier to talk about.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to have children, but her husband’s family background was poor, and now he was busy catching up on his work. He had no time for such matters.

Madam Xiao returned to her husband’s household with her sisters and first went to greet her grandmother. After briefly sharing some amusing details of the birthday banquet, she dismissed the younger sisters and then talked to her grandmother about Li Peilan’s behavior.

“Duke Cao’s household?” The old madam couldn’t recall any past conflicts with them.

The Duke Cao’s family, with the Empress and the Crown Prince behind them, was arrogant due to their status. The Marquis’s household had little connection with them.

“I’ll speak to your grandfather about this. You did the right thing today,” the old madam said coldly. “No matter how powerful Duke Cao’s family is, our Dingyuan Marquis’s household has no weakness they hold. We have nothing to fear.”

“That’s what I think too. My eldest little sister is going to be Duan Wangfei, and if we let Li Peilan step over us today, how will she hold her head up in the future?”

After saying this, Madam Xiao hesitated before looking at her grandmother, “Grandmother, I’m just worried that with Li Peilan acting this way, there might be someone behind her targeting Mingxi.”

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Tragic Death and Rebirth, The Entire Empire Kneels and Calls Me Ancestor!

Tragic Death and Rebirth, The Entire Empire Kneels and Calls Me Ancestor!

Status: Ongoing
After Duan Mingxi married Gao Zhan, she followed the rules diligently, adhered to the three obediences and four virtues, and showed respect and filial piety to her parents-in-law. Gao Zhan helped the new emperor ascend the throne, earning the merit of following the dragon (supporting the new ruler). His first action was to divorce her under the pretense of disrespecting his parents-in-law and having no children. He then petitioned the emperor to grant him a marriage with the woman he truly loved. After ten years of marriage, she remained a virgin yet was burdened with the disgraceful reputation that could drive someone to their death! Enduring a decade of humiliation had become a cruel joke. Presented with a letter of divorce, she plunged a dagger straight into Gao Zhan’s chest and set a blazing fire to burn the entire Duke Gao mansion—those who had feasted on her misery—into ashes. She vowed to drag the entire Duke Gao mansion down with her in death! When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the time before she married Gao Zhan. She was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Dingyuan Marquis household, who had been lost outside for over a decade. Upon being reunited with her family, she faced a cold and unloving mother, an indifferent father, a malicious younger sister, and a worthless brother. This time, she tore apart everyone’s schemes, rejected the marriage proposal from the Gao family, and instead aligned herself with Rui Wang. Everyone said she was ruthless, heartless, and utterly devoid of morality—a venomous lotus who lied through her teeth and committed countless wicked deeds! Duan Mingxi was determined to see for herself how Gao Zhan could gain favor without the rich dowry she once provided. Without the wealth of her adoptive parents, how could the Dingyuan Marquis household repeat the splendor and glory of the past? In this life, the Gao family could forget about achieving the merit of following the dragon. She would support the crown prince’s greatest rival to ascend the throne. The merit of following the dragon? She will claim it for herself.   And the future emperor? He will be hers too!

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