At the beginning of the dynasty, Emperor Gaozu was eager to attract talents, and the only benefits he could give were power.

Therefore, these strange benefits are smashed on the founding fathers desperately, for example, the Marquis of Zhenyuan can keep more than half of the spoils by himself, and the Marquis of Zhenyuan is allowed to have 8,000 elite Shen family troops in his hands.

Think about it, the current old emperor was also pitted by his ancestors.

Therefore, relying on women to ascend to the throne is the tradition of the marquis.

It's just that the current Marquis of Dingguo is very promising, and his step-family married his true love.

Gu Jinzhen's vein is a little-known vein in the Gu family, if it weren't for the ancestors who were good at drilling, entered the first Dingguo Marquis's Mansion, and gave birth to a son to inherit the title, the people in the clan would not suddenly realize that there was still this person.

This ancestor, once attained his ambition, was "ssigned" by the patriarch and had high hopes, and suddenly swelled a lot, as if he regarded himself as an important person in the clan, and gave the benefits of "charity" to the people in the clan like a nouveau riche to maintain his vanity and self-esteem.

And the people in the clan also lived a life of superiority because of the "relief" of this ancestor.

So, it's a win-win situation.

It's just that human ambition and greed are endless.

The people of the clan are accustomed to being pampered, and the silver taels and benefits they need every year are not enough.

The current Dingguo Marquis has inherited the inferiority complex of his ancestors.

Isn't it inferiority, if it weren't for inferiority, how could it be once powerful, and look like a "charity" in front of the clansmen.

Each takes what he needs, and the marquis of Dingguo gets along with the clansmen very well.

But this does not mean that the so-called patriarchs and elders of the clan have a good face for the female dependents in the Dingguo Marquis's Mansion.

After several generations, the people in the clan have long forgotten how this "Dingguo Hou" came about, in their eyes, the ancestors of the Gu family have great military achievements, and their strength is worthy of this title, if there is no ability of the Gu family's men, this title will not be hereditary until now.

The people of the Gu family, who are also inflated, completely regard themselves as masters, and they don't look down on the Feng family and other female dependents at all, but they are just vassals of the Hou Mansion.

It can be seen that between the "Dingguo Hou" and the "Gu family", the latter is the absolute status.

There is another reason why the Gu clan is so confident.

Even after Shen Yuan entered the door, she was also courteous to the clansmen of the Gu family, abiding by her duty and being the daughter-in-law of the Gu family in peace.

Who is Shen Yuan?

The only concubine of the Marquis of Zhenyuan!

There is an edict in the body.

Such a woman has to bow her head in front of the clansmen of the Gu clan and follow her not noble status in the clan.

Therefore, the elders of the Gu clan are very confident.

Later, let alone when the Feng clan entered the door.

What kind of thing is Feng?

A steproom, or a steproom of a small family, if you really want to count it, you can't even enter the family tree.

As for Chang Yulian, although she is the daughter of Shangshu, she does not abide by women's morality, she wants to climb the high branches of the Third Highness, and creates a lot of rumors in the market, seeing that there is no hope of entering the door, she seduces Gu Jinxuan, and she can't wait to climb into Gu Jinxuan's bed on the side, and is caught and raped, and even hurts Gu Jinxuan. With such a woman, allowing her to enter the door is already a great gift, and the Feng family actually let her manage the backyard of the Hou Mansion!

I don't know what this stupid woman is thinking.

Qiao Lixi?

Oh, that's not to mention.

A merchant girl.

Or a merchant girl from the countryside!

I don't know what the scheming Marquis Zhenyuan was thinking, and he actually let Gu Jinzhen marry a businesswoman.

Even if it's what Gu Jinzhen likes?

My mother's family doesn't have any strength, how can I help Gu Jinzhen?

However, this is also what the people of the tribe would like to see.

Gu Jinzhen is at odds with the people of the Dingguo Hou Mansion, and the Dingguo Hou Mansion is really going to be in the hands of this little rabbit cub, and they are afraid that they will not be able to make any gains.

When Qiao Lixi arrived at the flower hall, Chang Yulian was making the final preparations, and when she saw Qiao Lixi, she immediately greeted her.

"Sister-in-law."

To tell the truth, Qiao Lixi is four or five years younger than Chang Yulian, and it takes courage for Chang Yulian to call Qiao Lixi so without changing her face.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

Chang Yulian immediately glared at her with disgust, "You also know that you are late, and you hid in Zhuangzi a few days ago, leaving me alone in a hurry." ”

Qiao Lixi got goosebumps.

Anyway, we're not familiar with it, okay?

But Chang Yulian didn't want to let go of Qiao Lixi, "Sister-in-law, you come and help me take a look." ”

As he spoke, he shook the list in his hand.

Qiao Yixi's eyes rolled and walked over.

only took a cursory glance, "I don't know much about these, you have been taking care of the backyard all the time, and you have a lady teaching you hand-in-hand, it must be no problem." ”

"But I'm still nervous, when I didn't leave the cabinet, although I also learned a lot from my mother's side in my mother's house, but this is the first time I've presided over such a big thing, and it is inevitable that there will be negligence. I originally thought that pulling you along would always complement each other, but you left without saying a word, leaving me busy alone. ”

"I can't help at all, and it's a mess." Qiao Lixi's little heart trembled, she didn't know when her relationship with Chang Yulian was good enough to speak in such a mournful tone.

"Let's go, let's go to the kitchen."

The kitchen is the highlight of today, Chang Yulian didn't dare to be sloppy, and wanted to check it out in person.

Qiao Yixi thought that she had nothing to do anyway, so she should complete the task.

On the way, when passing by the West Courtyard, Chang Yulian couldn't help but glance inside, with envy and expectation.

"It's still a good relationship between sister-in-law and eldest brother." Chang Yulian said inexplicably.

Qiao Lixi didn't answer.

Chang Yulian said with deep feelings: "I and the second master are also in love, otherwise I wouldn't have done such a thing," ...... wry smile, Chang Yulian buried her head and said, "I don't know when rumors began to spread that I am the princess of the Third Highness." Oh, it's just that there are people who are interested in targeting my father, against me, my father is loyal in the court, and has made many enemies, and those people are trying to use such rumors to sow discord, so that the Holy Lord will be suspicious of my father, and let the Third Highness deliberately keep a distance from my father. As for me, I'm just an innocent person. They don't know, I admire, there has always been only the second master, in order to smash the malicious rumors, I did not hesitate to use such a decisive way to tell the world my thoughts about the second master, although I was notorious because of this, but I don't regret it, I am with the second master, isn't it? ”

After a pause, thinking that Qiao Lixi would not say anything, Chang Yulian said again: "No one would have thought that the second master would hurt his body......"

It's hard for Qiao Yixi to accept this, this is a matter of the second room, and it also involves privacy, and she can't do anything as a sister-in-law.

Chang Yulian lowered her eyes and smiled, "I envy Aunt Wen, and I am even a little jealous, no matter whether she gives birth to a son or a daughter, she is the child of the second master, and I will not be able to give birth to a child for the second master in my life." ”

With all that said, Qiao Lixi felt that if she didn't say something, wouldn't it be good?

After thinking about it, he finally squeezed out a few words, "Every family has a scripture that is difficult to read." ”

Chang Yulian choked and nodded, "I understand all this, and I accept it, that is...... Unwilling. ”

Looking at Qiao Lixi, Chang Yulian said very sincerely: "Sister-in-law, I don't mean anything else, I don't complain about anyone, I am, I am, I ......."

Qiao Yixi nodded, "I know, it's okay, you are the mother of the second room, and how you place the concubine in the second room is your business." Aunt Wen is my sister, but the Qiao family has been separated, and we are just sisters in the next room, and the relationship, well, is not very good. Moreover, now I am the daughter-in-law of the Hou Mansion, and the 'Wutong Pavilion' is where I have a foothold, and the only thing I maintain is naturally my man. ”

"It's good that my sister-in-law can understand, I'm worried that my sister-in-law will be angry with me because of some people and things."

Qiao Lixi waved her hand indifferently, "You are a young lady of the family, whether it is means or thoughts, you are far better than me, how to manage the backyard, you are more experienced than me." Besides, this is a matter of your second room, so you can do whatever you want. ”

"With the words of my sister-in-law, I am relieved."

The two talked all the way, and when they got to the kitchen, it was the busiest time in the kitchen.

Some dishes, such as soup stock, have to be boiled in the middle of the night, so the big kitchen is basically a continuous rotation, and there is no time to relax.

It's still winter, and everyone in the big kitchen is sweating profusely.

Qiao Yixi calculated the time, according to the modern timekeeping method, it is almost eight o'clock in the morning, a short time before the arrival of the guests, the kitchen has been preparing since midnight, obviously, the Feng family attaches great importance to today's guests.

Think about it, they are all members of the Gu family, the Feng family married the Marquis of Dingguo, but the status of the Marquis of Dingguo in the Gu family is not high, she can't be a clan wife, she can only work hard to get the approval of the patriarch and elders.

The Feng family knows how to forbear, can please, and while pleasing him, he also has to ensure his dignity and maintain his dignity.

It's a technical job.

The clansmen don't look down on the Feng family, the stepfamily, and the Feng family doesn't look down on the Gu family who depend on the Dingguo Marquis Mansion to survive, but the apparent peace must be maintained, which is also what makes the Feng family the most annoyed.

Making a table of high-standard New Year's dinners and holding Mrs. Hou's shelf in front of the clansmen, the Feng family could barely find a little psychological balance.

After dealing with the kitchen matter, Chang Yulian summoned a few more housekeepers, and after instructing them, Chang Yulian's tense face eased slightly.

At this time, the Feng family came.

It's just that before the three of them could say a few words, the first guests arrived.

How did the maid report, Qiao Lixi didn't listen carefully, but looking at the Feng family's attitude as if facing a great enemy, the person who came was afraid that his status in the clan was not low, and he pulled the corner of his skirt, and Qiao Lixi followed the Feng family and Chang Yulian out of the door.

When the group reached the second gate, they saw an old woman surrounded by a group of female dependents.

Taking advantage of the distance between the two teams, Qiao Lixi carefully looked at the old woman led by her.