I was reborn before the divorce

The next morning, Zhao was summoned by the eldest lady of the Xie family to the East Courtyard.

Zhao was surrounded by two maids and servants in front and behind, all of whom had puzzled expressions on their faces. Madam Xie probably didn't want to meet Zhao, who was the most favored in the inner house, so she exempted her from the morning and evening visits a long time ago.

But today he sent his trusted maid to summon her in person.

As soon as Zhao entered the room, Madam Xie asked everyone in the room to leave, leaving only the two of them.

Zhao sat at the bottom of the table. Seeing that the eldest lady hadn't spoken for a long time, she felt a little nervous. After hesitating for a while, she finally smiled tentatively and said, "I remember that the eldest lady will be getting married in a few days. The whole family is busy these days, and I am also busy. Although I am busy, I am really happy in my heart."

The eldest lady smiled and said, "According to my opinion, there is no need to do this. If you refuse to listen, I can only follow your will, so as to avoid being blamed by you behind my back for not fulfilling your wish to be your brother and sister-in-law."

Zhao avoided looking at him. Xie Yunqi was the youngest daughter of the Xie family. Now the Xie family only had this one matter to deal with. Since the death of Master Xie, the Xie family had become increasingly decadent. According to her opinion, she could have just sent her away casually. However, her second daughter-in-law, who had money but nowhere to spend it, insisted on taking on such a big responsibility.

Zhao straightened her back subconsciously and said with a smile, "No way. This is what we should do as a brother and sister-in-law."

Madam Xie blew away the foam on the tea, took a sip, and suddenly said, "I remember you have a niece, she must be sixteen or seventeen now. If a girl doesn't get married at this age, she will become an enemy. You should keep an eye on her, and if you find a suitable family, marry her off."

Zhao was stunned.

At that time, men were usually married at the age of 18 or 19, and women at the age of 14 or 15. It was extremely rare for someone like Zhao Panyan to be married at the age of 17 or 18 and not yet married, unless there were other reasons, such as physical illness or ugly appearance, or poverty that could not afford a dowry.

Zhao was extremely favored in her early years. Once she became a concubine of a wealthy family, she naturally had to help her natal family. She wanted the Zhao family's daughter to marry into the Xie family so that the aunt and niece could take care of each other. However, matters like marriage still needed the approval of her wife.

Just a moment ago, I was still thinking about this, and suddenly I heard the eldest lady calling me to talk about this. My heart skipped a beat and a look of embarrassment appeared on my face.

"Why are you not talking? Is it that your brother's family can't find a suitable family, or can't afford the dowry? If it's inconvenient, I'll go find someone, and I'll pay for the dowry."

Zhao's family was a servant of the Xie family. According to etiquette, Madam Xie was the legal wife of the Xie family and had the right to interfere.

When Zhao was thinking about countermeasures, she heard the eldest lady say this slowly. She raised her eyes and met her gaze. Because she had been afraid of her for several years, she felt very uneasy and forced a smile: "How could it be this reason! Madam should know that Yun'er and Panyan grew up together. The whole family has always regarded Panyan as Yun'er's concubine. If she is married to someone else, it may be a little inappropriate..."

Madam Xie said, "The servants are ignorant. As half the master of the Xie family, you should not discipline her, but why are you being led by the servants? In a family like ours, even if a man wants to take a concubine, he still has to follow the etiquette. First, there is no etiquette, and second, there is no status. When did Pan Yan become Yun'er's roommate?"

Zhao hesitated for a long time before saying, "Madam, you don't know, I have already discussed this matter with Yun Ge'er, and Yun Ge'er didn't say no, but he has been away from home before, and now he has just returned to Beijing and married a new wife, so it is not appropriate to bring this up right away. We will get it done after some time."

Madam Xie snorted with laughter: "I heard that Yun'er clearly said he didn't want to take a concubine, and the daughter of the Shen family didn't want to either, but you were determined to make it happen. The daughter of the Shen family didn't want to deal with it and went back to her parents' home."

Zhao screamed in surprise. She didn't expect that Madam Xie knew about this. She dared not say a word and just tightly twisted her handkerchief.

Madam Xie's expression softened. "You kept Zhao Panyan by your side because you loved her. But even if you love her, it will only ruin her life if you continue to be so foolish. It's not my business. I just want to remind you."

Zhao sighed in embarrassment, "I will follow Madam's instructions when I return and find a suitable family for Pan Yan. I dare not delay any longer."

Mrs. Xie changed the subject, "Is the Shen family's daughter back now?"

Zhao said anxiously, "My mother-in-law is ill, so my second daughter-in-law needs to stay with her for a few more days..."

Mrs. Xie's tone was gentle, but she could not deny it: "Mrs. Shen and I haven't talked for a long time. I want to go and see her tomorrow. You can go with me."

Zhao left the East Courtyard and went back crying, all her resentment was directed at Shen Lingyi. She did not blame her son for not agreeing to let her niece marry into the family. The Shen family was powerful, and her son would inevitably have concerns.

She had originally wanted her son to marry her niece, but Pan Yan's family background was not good enough, and she knew that the elders of the clan would never allow it. So she had to settle for the next best option, hoping that her son would take her as a concubine. In this way, not only would the Xie and Zhao families be closer, but she would also have her own person in the Xie Mansion.

Unexpectedly, the daughter of the Shen family was usually quite nice, but her true colors were revealed when it came to serious matters. It was just to add a maid to help her take care of her son, but she dared to run back to her parents' home in disdain!

After returning to the west courtyard, he dismissed the servants and told Zhao Panyan what Madam Xie had just told him.

Zhao Panyan was stunned. Slowly, her eyes turned red. She knelt down crying and grabbed the hem of Zhao's skirt, saying, "Aunt loves Panyan so much. Panyan will repay you in the next life... It's better for me to leave early, so as not to wait any longer and make Aunt worried!"

Zhao was always particularly caring towards her relatives. Before Mr. Xie became a monk, she pestered him to arrange all the good jobs in the mansion for her relatives. Moreover, she firmly believed what the Immortal Lan said and determined that Zhao Panyan was her benefactor who could help her control the Xie family.

Seeing Zhao Panyan was so upset, he felt very distressed. He hurriedly helped her stand up and comforted her, "Don't be sad. I was just pretending to be there with the old woman just now. I have already regarded you as my daughter-in-law. How could I arrange for you to marry someone else?"

Zhao Panyan's sobbing gradually subsided: "My niece is useless. Staying in the Xie family like this, my status is low, and people talk about me. These are nothing. As long as I can serve my aunt for the rest of my life and repay her love, Panyan doesn't mind anything."

"But now my sister-in-law can't tolerate me. How can I make things difficult for my aunt? It's better for me to marry someone, whether as a concubine or a servant. I don't care..."

"Nonsense! How could my aunt bear to do that?"

Zhao quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, hugged her and comforted her softly, saying, "Don't worry, I will delay the madam's request by saying I will find a suitable man. I don't think she will dare to make trouble right away. As for the daughter of the Shen family, your aunt will think of a way for you to marry into the family as soon as possible. I will never marry you off like this."