Chapter 155: Undercurrent between Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law
"Okay, Chunhua, stop being unreasonable!
Don't let outsiders laugh at the jokes of our four close attendants!"

Chunhua was about to fight desperately when she was stopped by Dongxue who suddenly appeared.

Chunhua, who was only at the peak of the first-rate level and was very emotional, with her attention not on Dongxue, was naturally "ambushed" by Dongxue, who was at the first-rate level.

After defeating the enemy with one move, Dongxue said so.

"Dongxue, you..."

Chunhua couldn't understand why Xia Yu insulted her like that, and Dongxue didn't stop him at that time.

As soon as she took action, Dongxue took action.

Chunhua forgot that when she first criticized Xia Yu for being "hypocritical", she was actually criticizing Dongxue, who had no grudge against her.

Although Dongxue is a martial arts fanatic, apart from practicing martial arts and doing his duties as a close attendant, he hardly communicates with the other three close attendants.

But Dongxue is not a "saint" who does not fight back when being bullied.

I will not offend others unless they offend me, but I will offend them if they offend me!
This is Dongxue’s style!
This is also the reason why Dongxue can maintain her independence and avoid being excluded or bullied.

Plus, warriors are naturally hot-tempered!

Chunhua used all her strength to attack her as well.

Dongxue naturally wanted to take sides and side with Xiayu, letting Chunhua know the consequences of launching a conspiracy and involving her.

"See? This is what it means when you are in the right path, you will have many supporters, but when you are in the wrong path, you will have few!"

The spring flowers were restrained by the winter snow, and the summer rain began to show off in front of the spring flowers.

"Okay, Xia Yu, stop talking!

Chunhua, calm down too!

Look around carefully. Didn’t you notice that people from the Marquis’ Mansion have appeared around us and started pointing fingers at us?

Do you really want us four attendants to become the laughing stock of the mansion?"

Seeing that Chunhua's expression began to change again as Xia Yu spoke again, the conflict between Chunhua and Xia Yu was likely to escalate again. Qiuyue, who had been standing aside and watching, finally couldn't help it.

You know, as Zhu Chengwu's close attendants, they are very much watched by the outside world and other people in the Marquis' Mansion.

Now that they had made such a big noise, human figures were already looming around this corridor which was originally deserted.

If Chunhua and Xiayu continue to confront and quarrel, their four attendants will really become a joke.

“This is not my responsibility!
Whether it was verbal or physical attacks, it was Chunhua who started it first!"

As Qiuyue spoke, Xia Yu also noticed the looming figures around him, and his tone began to weaken.

As a first-rate person, he still needed the reminder of Qiuyue, who was at the top of the class, to discover the gossipy figures looming around him.

This shows how focused Xia Yu was when he was arguing with Chunhua.

Sure enough, only familiar people can make people truly angry and break their defenses.

If Xia Yu could use this concentration on cultivation, perhaps the most diligent practitioner among the four great attendants would not be Dong Xue, but her, Xia Yu.

"Xia Yu, stop talking!

The Marquis has just decided to promote you, and you've made such a big fuss!
Are you trying to slap yourself in the face? Or are you trying to slap the Marquis in the face? "

Although Xia Yu's tone weakened, as long as Xia Yu opened his mouth, it would be the cause of the conflict.

Qiuyue's words made Xia Yu shut up.

“And Chunhua, there are problems with your words too.

Xia Yu and Dong Xue are now our superiors and their positions are above ours.

We should and must respect them.

This respect is not only for them, but also for ourselves, and even more so for the Marquis!
Also, the butler Gao you mentioned has no control over what the four great attendants say.

Are you trying to bring disaster upon the four of us?
If you are dissatisfied with Xia Yu, Dong Xue and others, or even with Manager Gao!

So instead of making a fuss here, you might as well find a place to practice hard in seclusion, and strive to achieve first-class status as soon as possible.

Only when you achieve first-class results, even better than Xia Yu, Dong Xue and Manager Gao, will you be qualified to tell them that they can't control you!

In Fu'an Marquis Mansion, martial arts comes first! "

After suppressing the summer rain, the autumn moon did not let go of the spring flowers.

Although Qiuyue's position is not as high as Xia Yu and Dongxue's, Qiuyue knows that the best option now is for her to step forward and cut the Gordian knot.

Chunhua and Xiayu have a conflict, and now it has become like this.

No matter who of them speaks, the other one will not listen and will only sing the opposite tune.

And looking at Chunhua and Xiayu's states, they don't seem like they can calm down anytime soon.

As for Dongxue, she is a pure martial arts fanatic.

Her emotional intelligence is so low that Qiuyue cannot expect her to suppress the dispute between Chunhua and Xiayu.

It’s good enough that Dongxue’s action did not exacerbate the conflict!
After all the calculations, Qiuyue was the only one left.

Although Qiuyue did not achieve first-class achievements and her status and position were low.

But after all, they have worked together for more than ten years, and Qiuyue believes that she can still temporarily suppress the dispute between Chunhua and Xiayu.

Qiuyue’s goal is not high either!

Just suppress it briefly and don't let Chunhua and Xiayu continue to quarrel and argue, which will shock the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion and make the Marquis furious.

Let Chunhua and Xia Yu handle the rest of the matter privately!

Qiuyue can't control it, nor does she want to control it.

Everything happened as Qiuyue expected. After she said, "In Fu'an Marquis Mansion, martial arts come first," Chunhua also calmed down.

After all, Chunhua’s inferiority in martial arts is the fundamental reason why she falls behind Xia Yu in the competition.

It’s also true!

As Chunhua and Xiayu calmed down one after another, Qiuyue signaled Dongxue to leave with her and Chunhua and Xiayu.

It would not be a wise move to continue staying here and waiting for others to see the joke between the four attendants.

But even Qiuyue’s response was very timely!
The news of the conflict among the four close attendants still spread within the Marquis of Fu'an's mansion.

Although, conflicts among the four close attendants, especially between Chunhua and Xiayu, were not new news in the Marquis Fu'an's Mansion.

But this time they almost came to blows, which still caused a lot of discussion in the Fu'an Marquis's mansion.

After all, before, because of face concerns, although Chunhua and Xia Yu did not get along with each other, it was all private and rarely made it public.

This time, however…

This news eventually reached Zhu Chengwu's ears.

As the absolute ruler of the Fu'an Marquisate, Zhu Chengwu highly praised the guards and servants who came to report the news to him and gave them many rewards.

After all, Zhu Chengwu doesn't want to become the legendary blind and deaf superior who is completely unaware of the chaos below him.

The closer they are to him, the more Zhu Chengwu encourages outsiders to supervise them.

Of course, the news must be accurate and true, and cannot be slanderous. Otherwise, Zhu Chengwu will severely punish the slanderers.

However, after learning about the internal conflict among the four close attendants, Zhu Chengwu did not reveal anything, let alone express his position...

Zhu Chengwu needs to know this news.

However, Zhu Chengwu had no intention of getting involved in the infighting among the four close attendants.

Because these internal struggles were insignificant details in Zhu Chengwu's view.

The content and intensity of their dispute were not enough to warrant Zhu Chengwu's intervention.

Zhu Chengwu only hopes that this kind of disputes and infighting among the four close attendants can play a role of healthy competition, allowing the four close attendants to work harder in martial arts training and achieve higher achievements.

Just when Zhu Chengwu was making major changes to the military and internal affairs of the Fu'an Marquisate, Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin also arrived in the capital.

This time, Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin went to the capital, and only more than ten people accompanied them.

Each of them is a master of the mainstream level or above.

In addition, the mount is the top-grade thousand-mile horse in the Fu'an Marquis Mansion, which is capable of traveling a thousand miles a day.

Without interference from the large army and without having to match the marching speed of the large army, Cui Shuyun, Zhu Xiumin and others arrived in the capital in just a few days.

When Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin arrived in the capital, the people sent by Zhao to guard the city gate checked several times before finally confirming their identities and welcoming them.

Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin came to the capital this time at a very fast speed, even faster than the speed of information transmission, and it was also too undignified, with only more than ten horses, no ceremonial guards and no carriages.

The people that Zhao had sent to the various city gates in the capital to keep an eye on people coming from the direction of Xuzhou City almost made a misjudgment.

Fortunately, some of them knew Zhu Xiumin, the Princess of Min'an who had lived in the capital for a long time. In addition, there were people from the Cui family at the scene, and they recognized the eldest daughter Cui Shuyun.

This way I didn't miss Cui Shuyun, Zhu Xiumin and their group.

Led by Zhao's welcoming staff, Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin first went to the Zhao Mansion to meet Zhao Yuguang and a dozen core members of the Zhao faction, and then went to the Ming Palace to pay a visit to Zhao Yushan.

Of course, Cui Shuyun took time to return to the Cui family and met her mother and her eldest and second brothers whom she had not seen for several years.

As for mourning for King Ming, Zhu Xiumin and Cui Shuyun put it at the end.

This was not only because Zhu Xiumin and King Ming did not have a deep relationship, and Cui Shuyun had never met King Ming, but also because of their positions.

Even if the large army of the Marquis of Fu'an was blocked at Yantai Pass and returned, and even if Zhu Chengwu decided not to enter the capital for the time being after being stopped by the three great monks, how could a truly discerning person not know what it meant for Zhu Chengwu to leave his fiefdom without permission and march towards the capital?

Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin, who stood on the side of Marquis Fu'an, were not on the same page with Prince Ming and the Crown Prince.

This time, I came to pay my respects to Ming Wang and attend his funeral, only because of his status as Ming Wang's father, father-in-law, and king.

It is difficult to expect Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin to attach great importance to, respect and grieve over the funeral of King Ming.

"Shuyun and Xiumin are here!"

In the Jiaoshu Palace, Zhao Yushan saw Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin following behind the leading palace servants, and greeted them in a bored tone.

Unlike Cui Shuyun and Zhu Xiumin, although Zhao Yushan has a different stance from King Ming, they have not had any contact in recent years.

But after all, they have been married for more than 30 years and have lived a harmonious life.

Now that King Ming has really passed away, it is a big blow to Zhao Yushan.

In the ten days or so after King Ming's death, Queen Zhao seemed a little listless and bored.

"Mother~"

Zhu Xiumin called Zhao Yushan softly in a comforting voice.

"The unfilial daughter-in-law Cui Shuyun pays homage to the Queen Mother!
On behalf of the Marquis, I wish the Queen Mother well! "

Compared to Zhu Xiumin's casualness, Cui Shuyun seemed much more serious.

But it was this unfamiliar solemnity that brought back Zhao Yushan's mind.

After all, she was a queen for more than 30 years.

Relying on the power behind her, Zhao Yushan even dared to confront King Ming head-on for quite a while.

How could such a person be affected by sadness for too long?

It's okay to be decadent for a while, but it's impossible to be sloppy for a lifetime.

Cui Shuyun's unfamiliar and solemn greetings made Zhao Yushan reflexively enter "combat mode".

"An! This is the first time I've seen Shuyun's daughter-in-law! She is indeed naturally beautiful, no wonder Wu Ge'er went to such great lengths to marry her!"

Zhao Yushan sat upright, looked at Cui Shuyun carefully, and said so jokingly.

"Queen Mother, please stop making fun of your daughter-in-law! You should know the purpose of the Marquis marrying your daughter-in-law!"

Cui Shuyun seemed indifferent to Zhao Yushan's praise, and even smiled bitterly.

This bitter smile and this tone make her sound like a woman who is deeply in love but cannot be loved by her husband.

"No matter what the purpose of marriage is, as long as they are married, husband and wife are the strongest alliance!
Moreover, in the past three years, everyone knows that Shuyun's daughter-in-law is deeply loved by Wu Ge'er, so much so that Wu Ge'er has only had one wife and no concubines in these years!"

There was a sigh and a temptation in Zhao Yushan's words.

I sigh because it is not wrong to say that husband and wife are the most solid allies!

Just like King Ming and Queen Zhao!

More than 20 years ago, when the Zhu family was at its lowest point, Zhao Yushan more than once extinguished the Zhao family's ambition to fight to the death and replace the Zhu family.

Compared with the queen, queen mother, princess, county princess, etc., it goes without saying which one is more honorable!

Moreover, Queen Zhao did not think that the Zhao family had much chance of success.

Even if they succeeded by chance, the Zhao family's strength would not be able to withstand the counterattack of the conservative forces.

It was precisely because of the lack of strength that Zhao Yushan was able to suppress the ambitions of the Zhao family!

Otherwise, if the Zhao family really had enough power, why would they change because of Zhao Yushan, a daughter who married out?

The so-called signs of ambition are nothing more than tests!
Test Zhu, and also test Zhao Yushan, the daughter who married out and Zhu's daughter-in-law.

But although it is said that "as long as they are married, husband and wife are the strongest alliances", from Zhao Yushan's personal experience, even the strongest alliance between husband and wife cannot withstand the erosion of time and changes in the world.

Just like Queen Zhao and King Ming.

A strong relationship between a husband and wife is time-limited.

That time limit is the children!

As children are born and grow up, especially sons with inheritance rights, the alliance between husband and wife will be challenged and even cracks will naturally appear.

This is Zhao Yushan’s true feeling.

As for the temptation in Zhao Yushan's words, it was because of Zhao Qingya.

Just as alliances between husband and wife have time limits, alliances between mother and child also have challenges.

The most direct inducement for that challenge was his son’s wife!

"My daughter-in-law has also heard that cousin Qingya has a close personal relationship with the Marquis, and my mother once hoped that cousin Qingya would become the Marquis's principal wife.

If the Queen Mother still has intentions, Shuyun is willing to divorce the Marquis and help cousin Qingya and the Marquis be together!"

How could Cui Shuyun not hear the temptation and accountability in Zhao Yushan's words?

But Cui Shuyun also has her own ideas and responses to this.

Cui Shuyun and Zhu Chengwu had been married for more than three years, but they had never slept in the same bed or consummated their marriage.

Combined with what Duke Yan once said in Xuzhou City and Zhu Chengwu's style of doing things.

Cui Shujun could already vaguely sense that Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an, might have married her as a cover.

Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an, probably never thought about consummating his marriage and losing his virginity.

It is very likely that Zhu Chengwu created some magical skill that is more powerful than ordinary magical skills and requires one to remain a virgin forever, which is why he has to remain a virgin forever.

Of course, it is definitely not the "Tiangang Boy's Kung Fu" mentioned by Duke Yan.

Even though "Tian Gang Tong Zi Gong" is a magical skill, it is enough to achieve great success if it reaches the Grandmaster level.

After the boy's skill is perfected, he can lose his virginity.

But after Zhu Chengwu achieved the Grandmaster level, he showed no sign of consummating his marriage with Cui Shuyun.

The reason why Cui Shuyun and Zhu Chengwu have been able to live in peace for more than three years is not because of their deep and affectionate feelings as rumored by the outside world, but on the contrary, it is because there is no love or affection between Cui Shuyun and Zhu Chengwu.

If there is no emotion, there will be no disturbance to each other.

Nature can also live in harmony.

Zhu Chengwu might not be willing to accept a clingy girl like Zhao Qingya, whose heart is entirely with him.

And even if Zhu Chengwu accepted it, that would be perfect.

Cui Shuyun can now retire and realize her own ideals.

Therefore, Cui Shuyun, who had no feelings for Zhu Chengwu, responded to Zhao Yushan's temptation very strongly.

Of course, there is another important reason why Cui Shuyun treats Zhao Yushan like this, and that is her elder brother Cui Ronghe.

It was also during this return to the capital that Cui Shuyun learned that Cui Ronghe, who had been rumored to have helped Zhu Xiumin escape from the palace and was saved by Queen Zhao, was not as the outside world had rumored.

Cui Shuyun's elder brother Cui Ronghe was castrated.

The reason why King Ming castrated Cui Ronghe was that Cui Ronghe stayed overnight in the harem and was in a melon field or a plum tree.

Faced with the heavy pressure from King Ming and faced with such reasons, Queen Zhao, who had made a promise, did not fully fulfill her promise!
She retreated!

Cui Ronghe was castrated.

After hearing the news from her mother at Cui's house, Cui Shuyun became extremely angry towards King Ming, Queen Zhao, and even Zhu Xiumin, with whom she had maintained an intimate relationship for three years.

Especially when she thought of her mother's tears and her elder brother's grief and shame... Cui Shuyun was furious.

Before she got married, when she was at home, her elder brother Cui Ronghe treated her very well.

Fortunately, my eldest brother had already been married and had a daughter before he was castrated.

Otherwise, Cui Shuyun's attitude towards Zhao Yushan would have been even more explosive.

(End of this chapter)