Chapter 589 - 235 Say people
After Madam Tang took over as the steward, she still followed the rules set by Zhuang Ruolan, and everything was orderly, bringing a sense of harmony throughout the mansion. Lady Cheng tried several times to seize the steward duties from Madam Tang but was deflected each time by Madam Tang’s firm yet gentle resistance. Eventually, Ma Yue spoke up, and only then did Madam Tang loosen her grip, although she only relinquished the handling of some trivial matters. Madam Tang would not let go of the major affairs. It wasn’t that she clung to power, but rather she dared not let go. This mother-in-law lacked discernment, and if she were in charge of the mansion, it would certainly fall into chaos, and she would undoubtedly be blamed.
Su Zhu felt somewhat suffocated, "Madam, the Old Madam is too..." The word "shameless" was too harsh for Su Zhu to say outright.
Ever since his grandson’s accident, Ma Chengteng elevated everyone’s titles. Ma Chengteng was now referred to as Old Grand Master, and Ma Chengteng and Ma Peng as Great Grandfather and Second Master, respectively. When Yueyao heard this, she was speechless; people usually gained the title of Old Grand Master when they had great-grandchildren, but here they were, declaring it with just three generations. Yueyao was filled with silent ridicule.
Madam Tang smiled, "It doesn’t matter, things will settle down in a few days. Once Eldest Madam is out of her confinement, I’ll hand over the steward duties." She would not concern herself with the minor power of the steward’s position; rather than overseeing that, it was better to encourage her husband to be ambitious and to care properly for their son.
Su Zhu expressed her worries, "Madam, you’ve given birth to a son, and Eldest Madam to a daughter; everyone in the mansion says that Eldest Madam is discontented." The most important thing was the vastly different attitudes the Old Grand Master showed towards his grandson and granddaughter.
Madam Tang was also helpless about this. It should have been a good thing for her father-in-law to dote on her son, but his behavior seemed a bit excessive. However, she had no place to voice her concerns.
Su Zhu mentioned, "You should know, Madam, that you have also sat through forty-five days of confinement."
Madam Tang shook her head and laughed, "My health is good; thirty days were enough for me." Even if she wanted to sit through forty-five days of confinement, she didn’t have the circumstances to do so.
Zhuang Ruolan indeed felt discontent, even voicing to Ma Peng that Yanqi was being treated unfairly. Holding his daughter, Ma Peng said with a laugh, "As long as we cherish her, that’s enough. If Father wants to indulge Congxie, we should just go along with his wishes." He spoke these words with such equanimity as if he were commenting on good weather.
Zhuang Ruolan was taken aback by his attitude; it was wrong! Naturally, she no longer pursued this topic with Ma Peng, but privately, she sent Cai Yun to inquire about Ma Peng’s past in the Ma’s Mansion with Granny Liu.