Chapter 3: Offering Tea Without Kneeling

Yu Yuanzheng stepped forward, standing straight and poised, neither humble nor arrogant, her bow perfectly executed.

Her movement drew the attention of everyone present.

Yu Yuanzheng’s eyes were clear and bright, her demeanor elegant.

Hearing this, the princess’s heart settled somewhat.

Yu Chaoyang was surprised: When did this timid younger sister develop such presence?

“Is this true?” Prince Rong’s attitude toward her gained a hint of appreciation.

“Truly. I know my status isn’t worthy of the heir apparent; even my elder sister’s status might not be enough. But now that things have come this far, why not give each other a chance? Perhaps the outcome will be different.”

Yu Yuanzheng’s words were pleasant to hear, leaving room for both sides.

Her two sentences improved the princess’s impression of her considerably.

“Then so be it, offer the tea,” the prince commanded.

Shangguan Zishu and the other knelt on the ground and offered tea first.

“Please, Father, Mother, have some tea.”

Prince Rong accepted briskly and drank, while the princess reluctantly took the cup and sipped.

Following tradition, the meeting gifts were presented.

Though unwilling, the princess maintained her composure as the leading lady of the manor.

“This is a small screen embroidered by your daughter-in-law. We hope Father and Mother will like it.”

Yu Chaoyang also took out gifts prepared for the prince and princess.

They were two exquisite embroidered screens: one depicting a fierce tiger descending a mountain, the other blooming peonies symbolizing wealth.

Yu Yuanzheng stood aside, rolling her eyes.

Those two embroidered screens were made by the original owner; Yu Chaoyang couldn’t sew, her needlework barely enough to make an undergarment.

However, the original family had to live under the main branch’s authority and endured oppression.

Then the two knelt before the second matriarch and respectfully offered tea.

“Good, good, good! You two are truly a match made in heaven. Work hard to produce heirs for the manor soon. Your eldest brother is unreliable in this regard; the manor’s descendants depend on you two. Here, Chaoyang, take this—Grandmother specially prepared it for you.”

The second matriarch smiled sweetly as she drank the tea and took a brocade box from the tray, opening it to reveal a finely crafted twelve-piece jewelry set, clearly prepared with great care.

She even called herself “Grandmother.”

“Thank you, Second Matriarch.”

They then offered tea to the secondary consort.

“My son has found a good match. You two must live well and let the secondary consort hold a grandson soon,” Luo Xinyi said with a toothy smile, also presenting an exquisite set of jewelry.

They continued offering tea to several other elders.

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The second master and his wife of the manor.

Also, two couples of cousins once removed.

To each, they presented a delicate embroidered screen, all crafted by Yu Yuanzheng.

Everyone watched the couple, all smiling, while Yu Yuanzheng seemed forgotten.

Finally, after they had greeted all juniors, the prince spoke.

“You should offer tea as well.”

This was consent for her to temporarily act as the heir’s wife.

Yu Yuanzheng obediently stepped forward and knelt on the cushion before the prince and princess.

“Please, Father, Mother, have some tea,” she respectfully offered.

They did not make things difficult and gave her the same gifts as Yu Chaoyang.

Out of respect, Yu Yuanzheng approached the second matriarch, but did not kneel.

Instead, she held the tea and bowed slightly. “Second Matriarch, please have some tea.”

“You dare stand to offer me tea? Where do you get the nerve?” The second matriarch, angered by Yu Yuanzheng’s attitude, abruptly grabbed the teacup and smashed it fiercely on the floor.

“Clang!”

The shattered sound pierced everyone’s ears.

The prince and princess stared at Yu Yuanzheng in disbelief.

“Second Matriarch, if I recall correctly, you are neither the late prince’s original wife nor his official secondary wife, and my current status is that of the heir’s wife.

Among the women of the manor, except for the princess, I should rank second. Am I to kneel before you?

Father, Mother, is my statement correct?”

Yu Yuanzheng sought confirmation from the highest-ranking figures.

“You are right. The second matriarch has no formal title; you indeed need not kneel to her.”

The princess’s heart warmed seeing Yu Yuanzheng like this; much of her dissatisfaction vanished, and she supported her.

Perhaps this girl was truly her son’s destined match.

“Second sister, how can you be so disrespectful to your elders?” Yu Chaoyang scolded Yu Yuanzheng, frustrated as if angry at iron that wouldn’t become steel.

“Elders are many; not all require kneeling.

The law states that one must kneel before the monarch, and usually before parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Others have no such requirement.

Of course, kneeling out of respect is another matter, but as the heir’s wife, it is inappropriate for me to be overly eager.”

Yu Yuanzheng spoke with logic and reason.

“You… you unfilial wretch!” The second matriarch flushed red with anger.

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“Enough. If the heir’s wife does not wish to kneel, then she shall not. Don’t upset yourself; she is not your biological granddaughter-in-law,” the second master Shangguan Hongchen comforted the second matriarch.

As the younger brother, he had to live under the prince’s shadow and could only appease the second matriarch since the prince remained silent.

The second matriarch glanced at her son, then at the prince, and finally gave up.

Yu Yuanzheng resumed her composure, lifted another cup of tea, and handed it to the second matriarch.

The latter hesitated but endured the heat.

“*Cough cough!*” The prince cleared his throat lightly.

Only then did she accept it.

Then she snapped, “Did you want to burn me to death?”

“Apologies, Second Matriarch, I didn’t realize your hands were so delicate. I thought I could bear it,” Yu Yuanzheng replied coolly, infuriating everyone.

Yu Yuanzheng chose to confront the second matriarch not out of desire, but because she had sensed the latter’s contempt from the moment she entered.

She never humiliated herself to please those who bore ill will.

“You… you…” The second matriarch was nearly beside herself with rage.

“Prince, this unfilial daughter-in-law should be dismissed at once,” the second matriarch challenged the prince.

“Continue offering tea,” the prince said coolly, casting a glance at her.

Yu Yuanzheng ignored the second matriarch and approached Luo Xinyi.

“Secondary Consort, please have some tea,” she said, bowing lightly while standing and handing over the cup.

Luo Xinyi was pleased with her good daughter-in-law and did not make things difficult, accepting directly.

“You and Chaoyang are sisters in this family. Support each other in the manor. As the elder sister, she will naturally care for you,” Luo Xinyi said plainly, clearly implying that her son would be the heir.

To other elders, Yu Yuanzheng also bowed slightly and offered tea, then accepted the meeting gifts and presented her own gifts for the new daughter-in-law.

“Esteemed elders, I am newly entering the manor. I humbly ask for your guidance.

The gifts are modest, all purchased directly.

But the elder sister’s gifts are heavier, and the meeting gifts you received from her were embroidered with my help.

Accepting her gifts is also accepting my intentions.

Elder sister and I are one family, no distinctions.”

“You…” Yu Chaoyang was taken aback that Yu Yuanzheng would sabotage her at the end, grinding her teeth in anger.

She would see how to deal with her from now on.