Her hair was cloud-like and beautiful! She opened her eyes and found herself back in the third year

Chapter 213 Everyone has their own way of surviving

Zhao Rushan was a rough and strong man, but he was very thoughtful and a man of conscience. Knowing his wife's worries, he took the opportunity to comfort her.

Sure enough, Zhu's attitude towards Zhao Rufang was much better the next day.

Often, tense relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, or between sisters-in-law, are due to the man's inaction. Sometimes, just a few words from both sides can prevent many disputes, but he seems to be blind and deaf to them.

The three of them discussed Zhao Rufang's marriage arrangements together. They were very grateful to learn that Qin Yizhen would prepare a dowry for Zhao Rufang.

"After I pay my respects to the Marquis and the Princess today, I will rent a courtyard, and then your sister-in-law and I will escort you to your wedding," Zhao Rushan said.

"Rent a courtyard?" Zhao Rufang frowned upon hearing this. "Won't I be getting married at the Marquis of Pingxi's residence?"

“How can that be?” Zhao Rushan immediately shook his head. “Even if the princess cares about you and wants you to marry into the Pingxi Marquis’s mansion, the Zhao family cannot agree to it.”

"Why?!" Zhao Rufang's voice rose slightly, clearly dissatisfied. "Could it be that my brother can't stand to see me doing well? Wouldn't it be more prestigious and glorious for me to marry into the Marquis of Pingxi's mansion?"

"Brother, do you simply not want me to be happy?!"

Zhao Rushan was annoyed by her nagging: "When have I ever been unhappy about you? It is indeed a good thing that the princess has bestowed her favor upon you, and it will make you very famous. But don't forget your brother's former comrades."

"You've gained this glory, and they all want it too. Wouldn't that put the princess and the marquis in a difficult position? Besides, even if the princess and the marquis don't think it's a big deal, and they only show you favor because they like you, something others can't ask for, what will my comrades think of me?"

“Little sister, you are young and impetuous, and you may feel that you are in the midst of glory and success. Now that you are about to marry into the He family, you may not think that the dissatisfaction of your brother’s comrades is a big deal. But I still have to be a decent person.”

“I and my comrades are brothers who have been through thick and thin together. The princess took pity on you and gave you a dowry, which is the princess’s business. But if you marry into the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion, then it is the Marquis’s business.”

“If they also make this request in the future, wanting to obtain this glory for my younger sister’s daughter, and the Marquis disagrees, they may not dare to hold a grudge against the Marquis, nor will they hold a grudge against me, but they will definitely have a rift with me and will no longer have any dealings with me.”

“I disagree. Firstly, because of my friendship with you all, and secondly, because there may be times when our Zhao family needs their help. You are in Qindu, and I am not here. If you have any problems, we can’t always ask the princess and the marquis for help.”

"Listen to your brother. When you get married, I will take you and your husband to visit him. If you get along well, you can treat him as a relative or friend."

“They are happy to associate with you, and they can also say a few words to the Marquis.”

The Marquis of Pingxi's mansion has many personal guards, but each one is selected from among thousands of soldiers, and some even hold official positions.

“Yes,” Madam Zhu agreed repeatedly. “You’ve already received all the real benefits. There’s no need to be too extravagant about appearances. With the Zhao family’s status and position, it would be entirely beneficial if we aroused jealousy.”

"But the He family..."

“You’re getting married from the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion. The He family might look at you with more respect, but that’s about it. I heard you say that the eldest young mistress of the He family wasn’t very satisfied with you to begin with. If you continue to be so high-profile, she might hold a grudge, sow discord, or even frame you. You never know.”

"Auntie, listen to your sister-in-law's advice. For families like ours with shallow roots, the safest thing to do is to keep a low profile and maintain good relationships with relatives and friends."

Zhao Rushan added, "However, telling you to keep a low profile doesn't mean you should swallow your grievances."

"If it's a trivial matter, you can return it yourself. If you can't handle it yourself, go and find the sisters-in-law and aunts in your brother's family and ask them for advice."

"Remember, unless it is a matter of life and death, do not disturb the Marquis and the Princess."

Everyone has their own way of surviving. They start from humble beginnings, carefully climbing upwards, wanting to gain benefits without attracting attention or incurring resentment.

Zhao Rufang was somewhat reluctant, but she felt that her brother and sister-in-law made some sense, so she had no choice but to agree in the end.

That evening, Cheng Yan returned from his shift and met Zhao Rufang and Zhao Rushan, a married couple, in the main courtyard with Qin Yizhen.

Zhao Rushan first bowed to the two and apologized: "My younger sister was reckless and ignorant, causing trouble for the princess and the marquis."

"She's a bit stubborn, but we didn't have to worry about her much." Qin Yizhen smiled. "It was my decision that she stayed, so you don't need to make things difficult for her. She got this marriage on her own initiative."

Zhao Rufang is indeed somewhat selfish and greedy. Qin Yizhen doesn't particularly like her, but she doesn't hate her either. As long as she doesn't hurt others and wants to live a better life for herself, she allows it all.

"Your arrival is just in time. I will send someone to inform the He family so that your two families can meet first, and then we can begin exchanging gifts. If there are any requests, your two families can discuss them together. I will also send Granny Jin to make the trip."

"Thank you, Princess." Zhao Rushan hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude. "Your kindness to the Zhao family is as heavy as a mountain. The Zhao family will remember it in our hearts and is willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness and the Marquis."

"You flatter me." Qin Yizhen helped him up. "You are a hero who has been on the battlefield, and you lost a hand for my husband. Whether for public or private reasons, I am willing to make arrangements for you. If you can live a good and peaceful life, that is better than anything else."

“Yes, Princess.” Zhao Rushan helped his wife up and then said, “Tomorrow I will find a house and bring my little sister there. If the He family wants to come, we will have to wait a few more days.”

“No need.” Cheng Yan glanced at him and said, “The Pingxi Marquis’s residence has another house not far from here. You can move there and Miss Zhao can get married there.”

"If anyone asks about this matter again in the future, you can get married in that house."

"I have discussed this with the princess. All my personal guards will receive an additional 20 taels of silver for a wedding in their family, and 50 taels for any family member who has died or been wounded in battle."

"Of course, if you can win the princess's favor, the princess's reward will be a different story."

This is indeed the best arrangement.

Zhao Rushan was overjoyed: "Your subordinate thanks you, Lord Marquis."

Zhao Rushan was no fool. Since he had already received the offer, he naturally couldn't refuse. Moreover, if the Zhao family set a precedent, anyone who benefited in the future would remember the good deeds done by the Zhao family if they had a conscience.

For the Zhao family, this is entirely beneficial!