When Ji Shiyou's mother had just died, Ji Dechun brought Zhao Xinning and her two children home, intending to recognize them as family.
Ji Shiyou strongly opposed this, but after Ji Dechun's pleading and the persuasion of Old Mrs. Ji, he reluctantly agreed.
However, he laid down two conditions. First, for Zhao Xinning to be accepted into the family, she had to kneel and kowtow before his mother's memorial tablet, offering tea as a concubine.
This meant that Zhao Xinning would only be a secondary wife from then on.
Second, Zhao Xinning and her two children were only allowed to occupy the first and second floors of the Ji family's old mansion, and were forbidden from entering the third floor or above.
The entire villa was divided into four floors. The first and second floors were for the servants' rooms, while the third and fourth floors were the masters' bedrooms.
This was clearly intended to humiliate Zhao Xinning and her children, treating them like servants. Ji Shiyou did not want them to have access to his mother's belongings.
A normal person would never accept such conditions.
But Zhao Xinning only wanted to enter the Ji family; she coveted the status of the Ji family's mistress, so she readily agreed.
People are never satisfied. Not caring at the time does not mean they won't regret it later.
In the days that followed, Zhao Xinning came to regret it and tried to access the third floor.
Even when Ji Shiyou was not home, Old Mrs. Ji warned her.
She said that if she dared to violate the agreement, she would be kicked out of the old mansion.
To live in the old mansion was to be a true member of the Ji family, and the status of the Ji family's mistress benefited her greatly.
If she were expelled from the old mansion, the ladies in their social circle would surely scorn her.
Old Mrs. Ji was known for her unyielding nature, so Zhao Xinning dared not test her again.
However, seeing Ming Yue, a country bumpkin, move about the villa without restriction.
She could go wherever she pleased, and a flame of jealousy burned fiercely in her heart.
She wanted to cause trouble for Ming Yue and put her in her place. But Ming Yue had not come downstairs for the past few days.
Zhao Xinning had no right to go upstairs, so she had no opportunity. Now, Ming Yue was about to leave.
This was exactly what Zhao Xinning, sitting in the living room, noticed. She deliberately picked a fight, wanting to assert her authority in front of Ming Yue.
"Are you talking about me?"
Ming Yue was a little taken aback. She was a country bumpkin? She had never heard that before.
She recognized the middle-aged woman before her; she was her future father-in-law's second wife.
The Ji family's lineage was not complicated. Old Mrs. Ji had explained everything clearly to her on the way from Qixing Mountain.
At the same time, she had solemnly told her that after marriage, she would be the legitimate mistress of the Ji family.
She was told not to pay attention to Zhao Xinning and her mother-in-law, and if they were foolish enough to provoke her, they could be kicked out at any time.
But seeing Zhao Xinning's arrogant demeanor, it didn't seem like it at all!
Ming Yue didn't know if Old Mrs. Ji had been telling the truth.
"No manners, calling me 'you.' I am your mother-in-law.
You must speak to me with respect, using 'you' (您). Have you, coming from a humble background, never even been to school?
Our Ji family is one of the foremost families in the capital, and indeed in all of China. Do you understand what a prominent family is?
Your status is not even fit to be a servant in our household. If it weren't for Xiao You being on his deathbed, would you be able to enter the Ji family?
Today, I will teach you some manners. You disrespect your elders, so first, slap yourself ten times.
Otherwise, this marriage will be called off, and you will leave the Ji family immediately!"
Zhao Xinning dared to yell at Ming Yue like this because Old Mrs. Ji was not at home.
She had taken everyone with her to prepare for the wedding tomorrow, even calling He Ling to help.
However, she considered He Ling a mistress and unlucky, and excluded her from the wedding of the Ji family's eldest grandson, fearing bad luck.
Thus, she left Zhao Xinning, the nominal mistress of the Ji family, at home. This was also a source of her anger.
Moreover, in her heart, she believed that Ming Yue's agreement to marry a dying man must have been because the old woman had promised a lot of money.
Ming Yue would definitely not leave if she wanted the money, and would therefore be at her mercy.
"So, if I don't slap myself, the marriage will be canceled? Do you stand by your word?"
Ming Yue was regretting agreeing to the marriage and wanting to leave, but she was a person of her word, her promises were golden.
Besides, the wedding was tomorrow, and the preparations were already underway. If she broke off the engagement now, it would be too unrighteous.
She had originally planned to propose a divorce after the wedding, so as not to embarrass the Ji family at tomorrow's ceremony.
But Zhao Xinning's words made her heart stir. If the Ji family proposed to cancel the marriage, then she could leave without any burden.
If they were unwilling, she would leave legitimately, not because she broke her word.
"What is that look on your face? Do you doubt me? I am the mistress of the Ji family.
Everything in the Ji family requires my approval. If what I say doesn't count, whose does?
Don't waste time. If you want to marry into the Ji family, this beating is unavoidable.
With a single word from me, tomorrow's wedding will be canceled.
If I dislike you, you will have no good days in the Ji family."
There was no panic on Ming Yue's face; her gaze was full of doubt, which ignited Zhao Xinning's anger.
This country bumpkin actually looked down on her! If she didn't subdue Ming Yue today, wouldn't she be bossing her around in the future?
Therefore, she spoke recklessly and threatened her without regard for consequences, thinking that this country bumpkin wouldn't leave for the sake of money.
"Great, I won't slap myself, so cancel the marriage."
Ming Yue felt a wave of relief. This was not her breaking her promise. She disappeared like a gust of wind and went upstairs to get her luggage.
Zhao Xinning hadn't even reacted when Ming Yue reappeared at the door with a backpack.
Since being brought here from Qixing Mountain, she had only brought a few changes of clothes and toiletries.
She hadn't brought much, so packing was easy; she could just put it on her back and leave.
"She's leaving, leaving? She doesn't want the money anymore?"
Ming Yue's actions completely surprised Zhao Xinning, who stood there stunned.
She couldn't understand why Ming Yue would leave when she hadn't even received the money yet.
"Oh no, this country bumpkin must not have left. She's gone to complain to the old woman."
Judging others by herself, Zhao Xinning suddenly realized something was wrong. She might have fallen into a trap.
She suddenly thought that Ming Yue might not have left but had gone to complain to Old Mrs. Ji.
So she immediately got up and wanted to go out to stop Ming Yue.
She decided to use coercion and enticement to silence Ming Yue, even if it meant giving her some money.
Ji Shiyou was about to die soon, and only his son, Ji Shigong, remained as a male heir in the Ji family, who would inherit the Ji Corporation.
At this time, she couldn't afford to offend the old woman, as she would need her help later to deal with the shareholders.
Zhao Xinning felt annoyed, wondering why she had been so impatient earlier and stirred up trouble for no reason.
She also cursed Ming Yue in her heart, thinking that this peasant girl was quite cunning.
After Ji Shiyou died, she would dismiss Ming Yue and make sure she didn't get a single cent.
The Ji family's money was hers, and no one would ever take it away.
With these chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind, Zhao Xinning ran to the door. As soon as she opened it.
"Slap!" A sound rang out!
Zhao Xinning felt a burning sensation on her face, stars exploded in her eyes, and she had been slapped.