After Becoming the Villain Mother-in-Law, I Launch My Redemption Arc Chapter 261: She Guessed Right

The Imperial Concubine An sent a ssage to her sister-in-law, inviting her to the palace.

Since the main character of the banquet was Zhao Ting’s wife, she had to learn all about Zhao Ting’s wife. To know the enemy and oneself is the key to victory.

The result——

"Sister-in-law, do you really know nothing about Zhao Ting’s wife?"

Madam An nodded, "Wasn’t it said that the Grand Princess had feelings for General Zhao? How did he suddenly get a wife? Who did you hear this from? Is the news accurate?"

Who said it? The Emperor did! Do you think it’s accurate? The Imperial Concubine An thought to herself.

"Sister-in-law, do you have any contact with Zhao’s second and third wives?" the Imperial Concubine An asked.

"We occasionally et at banquets and exchange pleasantries," Madam An replied.

"Perhaps you could help find out more?" the Imperial Concubine An considered, realizing it would be inappropriate for her to abruptly summon the two won from the Zhao family to the palace.

"Alright, just find out about General Zhao Ting’s wife, right?"

After leaving the palace, Madam An did not delay.

She had a fairly good relationship with the sister-in-law of the Yu family elder brother, eting occasionally for tea.

Conveniently, they had a eting scheduled that day, and Madam An used the sister-in-law to arrange a eting with the Yu family.

Yu was puzzled, wondering why Madam An would seek her friendship. After all, with no Empress in the palace, the Imperial Concubine An was first in rank, automatically elevating the An family’s status.

Simply put, the Yu family and the An family were not on the sa level.

In the end, Madam An sought her to inquire about that countrywoman.

"She hasn’t even returned ho yet, we’ve simply t in passing. As for her personality, what can one tell from a single eting? However, both my mother-in-law and elder brother think highly of her," Yu considered, balancing between not disparaging yet not overly praising.

"Is that all?" Madam An seed a bit disappointed.

Yu thought it over, "The Emperor also sees her highly, gifting her many things, along with rewards for her son and daughter."

Madam An relayed the information she had gathered to the Imperial Concubine An.

The Imperial Concubine An appeared as if confirming her suspicions.

She was right; it was not General Zhao’s wife.

Clearly, she was the Emperor’s favorite.

The Elder Zhao and General Zhao valued her because they knew ng Yao was dear to the Emperor’s heart.

That she was not staying at the General Mansion further explained it.

Unexpectedly, there were children involved, too.

If this were to beco known in the palace, it would undoubtedly cause an uproar.

After all, several others also have sons.

Of course, as long as the Emperor does not decree an announcent to the world, she must help keep it under wraps. She must protect ng Yao and her children.

——

Looking at the invitation in front of her, ng Yao was a bit bewildered.

The Imperial Concubine An invited her to a banquet.

Did she know the Imperial Concubine An? No.

So, was it because of Zhao Ting?

After Zhao Ting got over the surprise, he was quite pleased.

The fact that the Imperial Concubine An invited Madam Zhao ant that Yaoyao’s status would beco widely known. This was good.

"Can I not go?" ng Yao asked.

"The Imperial Concubine An manages the Six Palaces, and there is no Empress or Imperial Concubine," Zhao Ting explained.

ng Yao understood that she could not refuse.

"You haven’t offended anyone, right? Or, to be more blunt, you haven’t offended the Imperial Concubine An, right? She doesn’t hold any grudge against you, does she? Zhao family and An family don’t have conflicts, do they?" ng Yao asked in rapid succession.

Between won, sudden interactions surely require a diator.

She and the Imperial Concubine An were unrelated, other than Zhao Ting, there could be no other explanation.

"Offended soone? Have I? I really wouldn’t know. No one has confronted directly. As for the Imperial Concubine An, your idea is too risky, she’s the Emperor’s woman!" Zhao Ting replied, "You can talk about it to , but that’s about it."

"I know the Noble Consort is Emperor Jing’s woman, but just because she is physically, doesn’t an she is spiritually," ng Yao said.

Sleeping together but dreaming different dreams, isn’t that quite normal?

"Stop it, I have no dealings with the Imperial Concubine An," Zhao Ting said.

The original Zhao Ting didn’t, and neither did he.

"And what about the An family?"

When he was the Prince, he and the An family’s heir were among the most notorious in the Capital City.

Among hedonists, either they sympathize with one another, or they find each other distasteful.

Between him and An Xieshu, it was the latter.

Whenever they t, eight out of ten tis, they’d end up in a fight.

But now, he wasn’t a prince anymore; he was Zhao Ting.

There was no interaction between Zhao Ting and An Xieshu.

Similarly, there was no old grudge between the Zhao family and the An family.

So Zhao Ting shook his head.

"Then I’ll have to play it by ear when the ti cos," ng Yao said.

After returning to her room, ng Yao listed several potential problems and ca up with solutions for each.

Should soone carelessly spill tea on her, she definitely wouldn’t foolishly allow soone from the palace to assist her to change clothes.

She planned to wear a dark-colored dress to the palace, so even if tea got spilled on it, she could dab it with a handkerchief and it wouldn’t be noticeable.

If soone still insisted she change clothes, then that person definitely had ulterior motives.

She’s watched plenty of palace dramas and rembered many of the devious tricks. She would counter each move without letting herself suffer.

After Madam Zhao found out ng Yao was going to the palace, she quickly sent Ming Cui to invite her to the mansion.

"New clothes and jewelry need to be prepared. Yaoyao, you’ve just arrived in the capital and are unfamiliar with many things. So, this old lady took it upon herself to arrange things for you, don’t overthink it," Madam Zhao said.

"You’re caring for , why would I overthink?" ng Yao said, "However, I’d like to choose my own clothes. I know soone from the Hundred Embroidery House. As for jewelry, I’ll trouble the old lady."

Madam Zhao indeed treated her well, never using the children to coerce her.

"Have Huang Ying and Ming Cui accompany you," Madam Zhao said, "These two girls have a good eye. First, try your luck at Yun Bin Shen Xiang. If you can’t find anything, go elsewhere. I’ll also pick a few pieces for you; when the ti cos, see if you like them. If you do, wear them; if not, just put them away and dispose of them as you wish later."

ng Yao agreed.

When going to the Hundred Embroidery House, ng Yao took Zhao Xiaohua with her.

The shopkeeper still rembered Zhao Xiaohua, and after Zhao Xiaohua introduced ng Yao’s identity, the shopkeeper’s eyes lit up.

Directly inviting ng Yao and her party to a private room.

"I’ve heard of Madam Zhao’s reputation for a long ti. Today, I finally have the pleasure of eting you, and you indeed have a splendid deanor," the shopkeeper remarked.

ng Yao modestly replied to the shopkeeper of the Hundred Embroidery House. Lilac the shopkeeper had told her that the Hundred Embroidery House had risen from the Capital City, and to beco the shopkeeper of such a place, one must not be an ordinary person.

Huang Ying and Ming Cui exchanged a look.

The great madam was indeed not an ordinary person, being treated so courteously by the shopkeeper of the Hundred Embroidery House. It’s well known that the capital is teeming with noble ladies, yet not many receive such enthusiastic hospitality from the Hundred Embroidery House shopkeeper!