The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 479: Chapter 470: I Am the Vicious Aunt-in-Law 57

The Empress Dowager was especially delighted, as it was her very first time successfully making a match.

Anning, without leaving any traces, flattered her several times; this made her even more pleased, and she chatted with Anning at length.

When Anning left, the Empress Dowager bestowed upon her many gifts and mentioned that if Minlan were to marry, she would add to her dowry.

Returning home, Anning began to ponder over Minwu’s marriage prospects.

After inquiring about many candidates, she ultimately arranged a betrothal with the granddaughter of Imperial Censor Hu for Minwu.

Following Minwu’s engagement, Anning sent a letter to the third branch, urging Xu Zhiqin and his wife to hurry to the Capital.

That year, Min Ying married the Empress Dowager’s grand-niece Ye Zhenzhen, while Minlan was wed to the household of Prince Su.

With all the children’s matrimonial affairs settled, Anning felt a weight lifted from her shoulders.

Not long after Ye Zhenzhen married into the Xu Family, Anning entrusted her with managing the household affairs and comfortably assumed the role of the Old Sealed Lord.

Before her marriage, Ye Zhenzhen was actually quite frightened.

She was quite fond of Xu Minying and naturally hoped to live in harmony after their marriage and to get along well with her mother-in-law.

But she was also aware that Anning had become a widow at a young age, and had not found it easy to raise two children single-handedly. She had heard that widowed mothers-in-law can be quite demanding and possessive over their sons, causing her to fear conflicts with Anning.

At her family home, her mother had also advised her to be sensible, to serve and honor her mother-in-law well, and to tolerate even the slightly unreasonable demands if possible.

Ye Zhenzhen had resolved to endure minor grievances for the sake of Xu Minying.

However, she did not expect her mother-in-law to be so kind to her.

On her first day after getting married, Ye Zhenzhen woke up late and rushed to offer morning greetings and tea to her mother-in-law, fearful of her disapproval.

To her surprise, when she arrived, Anning had not yet risen.

After a while, Anning got up and saw her, appearing rather embarrassed.

During meals, when Ye Zhenzhen stood by ready to serve, Anning told Minying to pull her down to sit, and pleasantly said to her, ”Our family doesn’t practice these formalities; you don’t need to wait on me. You are the Xu Family’s bride, not a servant, so you should sit and eat with confidence.”

Furthermore, Anning asked about Ye Zhenzhen’s dietary preferences and instructed the kitchen to note them, to be mindful when preparing meals in the future.

Ye Zhenzhen never expected that, just days into her marriage, the family meals began to cater to her tastes, leaving her feeling somewhat embarrassed.

After gaining control of the household, Ye Zhenzhen specifically inquired with several long-serving servants and found out that Anning had managed the Xu Family’s inner house in an orderly fashion, with each servant fulfilling their duties, hardly requiring any supervision.

Upon organizing the accounts, she discovered that the Xu Family’s books were different from others’. The bookkeeping method was simple, yet the records were exceptionally clear, providing an immediate understanding to anyone looking at them.

The more Ye Zhenzhen noticed the differences between the Xu Family and others, the more she admired Anning.

Life in the affluent household was typically dull. With the Xu family having few masters, and Xu Minying often at the Hanlin Academy for his duties, the home was left mostly to Ye Zhenzhen and Anning. In her free time, Ye Zhenzhen would often talk and chat with Anning.

The deeper their conversations, the more respect Ye Zhenzhen had for her mother-in-law.

She found that Anning’s talents, character, and open-mindedness were unmatched by those of the women living in the inner houses of her time; not to mention the officials at court, of whom very few could compare with Anning.

Ye Zhenzhen liked Anning and gradually learned many things from her.

Apart from that, Ye Zhenzhen also found that Anning enjoyed having fun.

She was not confined to the inner house; she would go shopping or visit theaters and other places when she had nothing else to do.

Not only did Anning like to have fun, she would also take Ye Zhenzhen out with her. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law often went shopping together, designed clothes, made rouge and face powder, and crafted jewelry together.

After spending a few months in the Xu Family, Ye Zhenzhen had put on some weight, and she looked exceptionally spirited. She felt that being married was even better than being a daughter in her parental home; it was more comfortable.

Most importantly, Anning didn’t interfere with Ye Zhenzhen’s visits to her family home.

Others’ mothers-in-law were afraid of their daughters-in-law going back to their natal families, barely allowing them to visit even a few times a year, but Ye Zhenzhen frequently returned home, and Anning never said a word against it.

Ye Zhenzhen’s mother even felt embarrassed and scolded Ye Zhenzhen several times to be more restrained.

Of course, when the Ye family saw that Ye Zhenzhen was even less restrained after marriage and became more radiant by the day, they were happy and also breathed a sigh of relief.

When Lady Ye went to the palace, she even thanked the Empress Dowager, saying that the match the Empress Dowager had arranged was excellent, and the Xu Family was indeed an excellent marital connection.

Ye Zhenzhen was living a good life, and Xu Minlan was also having a comfortable life in Prince Su’s Mansion.

She was personally sought after by the Heir of Prince Su, and after the marriage, the Heir to Prince Su was naturally very accommodating to her. Prince Su was someone who didn’t bother with affairs, leaving the management of the household to Xu Minlan and not intervening.

The Heir of Prince Su also didn’t have many duties and would stick to Xu Minlan every day.

He, like Emperor Pingle, had an appreciation for calligraphy and painting. Xu Minlan was good at painting and calligraphy, and they would discuss painting and calligraphy every day.

Moreover, she had learned excellent embroidery skills from Anning, and whenever the Heir of Prince Su created exceptional artwork, Xu Minlan would want to embroider it.

This young couple lived harmoniously, and they enjoyed their days together.

Anning was living happily and comfortably, while Xu Er Ya, who had gone with Prince Shun, was not having a good time at all.

Prince Shun was ambitious. The former Crown Prince had left him a way out, having sent some servants and loyal followers to an island overseas, where they prepared funds and arms necessary for an uprising.

After Prince Shun and Xu Er Ya arrived at the island, they started to settle down.

Once their life stabilized, many conflicts arose. Prince Shun’s followers were not united; they had their factions and fought for their own interests.

To maintain balance, Prince Shun naturally took in several concubines, and furthermore, he married a Princess.

This was unbearable for Xu Er Ya, who had devoted her heart to Prince Shun.

Prince Shun would comfort her, saying that she was the only one in his heart and that the current situation was just a strategic move. He promised that once the uprising was successful and he ascended to the throne, he would make Xu Er Ya the Empress.

Prince Shun, being of the Royal Family and quite strategic, sweet-talked Xu Er Ya, and she truly believed him.

She began to wholeheartedly assist Prince Shun, helping him manage the island and providing various ideas.

Prince Shun found that Xu Er Ya indeed made for an excellent strategist. Whenever he was at a loss with affairs, a few words from Xu Er Ya would give him the inspiration he needed.

With Xu Er Ya’s help, Prince Shun managed the island well, and the population there gradually increased.

Fearing that Xu Er Ya would slip from his control, Prince Shun made her his concubine after she came of age.