Actually, Minister Zhuo and I Are Not That Magnanimous

"From Charles Zhu's family." At this moment, the Zhu Family Matriarch spoke up. "You’ve been here for months now. Still haven’t found a house?"

"We really haven't found anything suitable yet," Aunt Leah replied, her face full of grievance.

"Then hurry up and keep looking," the Zhu Family Matriarch said. "I’ll talk to Minister Zhuo later, maybe he can help Charles Zhu get a job."

Aunt Leah forced a smile. "Thank you, Mom!"

......

Grace could sense that Aunt Leah really didn't want to move out.

The Zhu Family wasn't short on money, so it definitely wasn't about trying to save on rent.

So... was it because of Evan Xiao?

Trying to take advantage of being close to the action?

Grace pondered for a moment, then went to find her dad and told Minister Zhuo about how Queenie Zhu tried to confess to Evan Xiao yesterday.

Minister Zhuo listened, then turned to Charles Zhu and told him he’d arranged a job for him and that he should hurry up and find a new house. It’s not proper to keep living in someone else’s estate.

Grace thought, with things said so bluntly, shouldn’t they know their place by now?

Unexpectedly, not only did they not know their place, but they even took the initiative to break the ice.

Aunt Leah directly called the Matriarch and Lena together, proposing that Queenie Zhu become a concubine for General Evan Xiao.

...General Xiao will take concubines sooner or later. Instead of letting girls from other families compete for his favor, why not let our sisters support each other? Mom, Lena, what do you think?

Grace arrived at the door just in time to hear this.

She was furious and burst in, saying, "Even if someone’s going to be sent to the Xiao family as a companion, it absolutely won’t be Queenie Zhu!"

She stared straight at Aunt Leah, saying, "Ever since I could walk, Queenie Zhu has bullied me every day. If I have to see her face all the time, how could I possibly live happily?"

Aunt Leah’s expression changed. "Why are you here? This is a discussion between elders. You shouldn’t get involved."

"What? I can’t even speak up about my own marriage?" Grace asked.

"Since ancient times, children’s marriages were arranged by their parents and matchmakers," Aunt Leah said. "As long as Mom and Lena agree, your objection doesn’t matter!"

Aunt Leah looked at Lena, the easiest to persuade. "Lena, among Zhu family girls, Queenie Zhu has the most talent—she can help Grace in the future. If you send one of those weaklings, they’ll just get bullied by the other concubines and drag Grace down!"

She added, looking apologetic, "Of course, they fought as kids, but that was just childish squabbling. They’re grown up now—they won’t act like that anymore!"

Lena paused and said, "Aunt Leah, honestly, Minister Zhuo and I aren’t that forgiving."

Aunt Leah was stunned. "What?"

"Minister Zhuo has already found you a new house. Move out today!" Lena said coolly.

"Move out?" Aunt Leah’s voice was piercing. "What do you mean by that?"

"Our Loyal Marquis Estate may have plenty of empty rooms, but we won’t house people who want to meddle with my son-in-law," Lena said.

"You... Mom!" Aunt Leah cried, looking insulted. "Listen to what Lena’s saying! I’m only thinking of Grace, and she says this about me!"

The Matriarch turned her prayer beads around and around, her face stern and silent.

"Mom, I’ll take my leave now!" Lena stood up, pulling Grace away with her.