The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 241 - 213, Zhao Douan: How should people like you change?
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The atmosphere of this family banquet had subtly changed without anyone noticing.
Zhao Douan watched calmly, his ability to read people almost as clear as daylight when it came to the hearts and minds of the You family.
In his view, You Zhande’s family had been quietly probing from the moment they entered, adjusting their attitude toward the Zhao family.
It was obvious that You Zhande’s sudden visit was due to the news of Zhao Douan’s rise, as the saying goes: From rags to riches, and now distant relatives would come knocking.
The You family considered the Zhao family to have value worth befriending and clinging to, yet they couldn’t quite gauge how significant this value was.
In Xiping Road, You Zhande, though not the main line of the You clan, was still a family head of a sort, not a bumpkin or poor relative.
How to handle the relationship with the Zhao family, maintaining the right level of respect and hierarchy, was quite vital.
Upon entering the city, they tried to inquire about Zhao Douan’s current status, testing the waters.
Visiting, observing the house size, the number of servants... all were methods to gauge the Zhao family’s strength.
Of course, most importantly, was observing the "people."
Thus, while the You family seemed to be commenting on the cook, the tableware, the niece’s clothes and jewelry... in truth, they were also watching the Zhao family’s reaction.
If You Jinhua were arrogant, Zhao Pan ostentatious, Zhao Douan imposing and unyielding, it would naturally be a display of "confidence."
Yet, the current demeanor of the Zhao family caused some misunderstandings for them.
In the eyes of these three, the niece was all smiles, seemingly weak and easy to bully, showing great respect to them.
Zhao Pan was silent, appearing modest and without a trace of arrogance typical of a young lady of status.
As for the reputedly arrogant and domineering great son of the Zhao family, he also appeared to be good-tempered, smiling and amiable.
Couple this with the Zhao family residence being no better than their own, needing people to be hired for meals, antiquated utensils, good clothes worn all at once...
This all made them fall short of the mark of a "wealthy family."
Unconsciously, those who had a touch of humility upon entering, now had their backs straightening, and their awe of the Zhao family steadily decreased.
Zhao Douan watched this scene with keen interest, yet what was going on in his mind was unknown.
The conversations and catch-ups continued.
But the topic had quietly shifted to a middle-aged woman’s lectures and criticisms of You Jinhua’s family.
...
...
"... So, Jinhua, don’t think that just because you’ve had a child and run the household, you’re the mistress now. It’s fine for small families, but for truly great houses, being the mistress is quite difficult,"
The You matron’s manner was arrogant, her lips curled with the habit of educating younger ones:
"Like your aunt, I have to manage the entire domestic affairs of the back courtyard, supervising dozens of household servants in an orderly manner. If there’s anything you don’t understand, your aunt will teach you.
For example, when we entered, that old servant leading the way truly was ignorant, not even knowing courtesy. Such servants should indeed be properly disciplined."
An old Versailles.
You Jinhua looked embarrassed, glancing apologetically at her stepson.
Zhao Douan maintained his usual calmness, giving her an assuring look that said, "don’t worry."
The You matron got more carried away as she continued:
"And also Zhao family great son... We heard when we entered the city..."
Next to him, the portly middle-aged You Zhande frowned and interrupted:
"Say a few words less."
Then he turned and smiled at Zhao Douan:
"Great son, don’t take offense to my wife’s words."
Ha... Why didn’t he stop her before? Now he realized it was inappropriate... Zhao Douan smiled, pretending not to see through the couple’s double act, appeared humbled, and said:
"No offense, rather let you see the joke, my reputation, well, it really isn’t very pleasant."
Zhao Pan looked at him curiously, wondering why this guy had changed his temperament today?
With his previous temper, wouldn’t he have been angry already?
He even displayed a humble and ashamed junior demeanor... Was it to save his mother’s face?
The young girl bit her lip, somewhat moved.
Seeing Zhao Douan’s meek appearance, You Zhande felt even less awed.
He also assumed a slight manner of a senior, earnestly advised:
"Great son, now that you are fortunate to be appreciated by the Saint, being slandered by some petty persons is unsurprising. As they say, not being envied means you’re mediocre... However, this reputation of yours, mind it a bit, otherwise, if bad words reach the Saint’s ears, it might affect your career."
He always remembered hearing about Zhao Douan being thrown into jail, and the Three Agencies holding a trial.
The version You Zhande heard was during the trial by the Three Agencies, a big figure from the Ministry of Justice got inadvertently involved in an old case, allowing Zhao Douan to be released.
Afterward, the formerly rampant Yama Zhao suddenly lowered his profile.
As for the details, with his status, he still couldn’t access them.
Thus, combining the humble and low-key demeanor of Zhao Douan in front, You Zhande had it figured:
It must be that Zhao Douan had fallen out of favor, hence the change in demeanor.
This left him quite disappointed—fallen gigolos, how much influence could they exert?
"Hehe, actually..."
Zhao Douan just as he was about to speak, suddenly, a scream sounded beside him.
Zhao Pan sprang up in shock, glaring at the chubby boy sitting at the table, her face darkening as she covered her disheveled hair:
"What did you do?!"
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Everyone hurriedly looked over, only to see the previously quiet You Luer, having somehow stood up and sidled over to the girl, with a plump hand gripping a golden hairpin.
It had been stealthily pulled out of Zhao Pan’s hair while nobody was paying attention.
He nonchalantly said:
"I just took it to see if it was gold-plated, why are you yelling?"
Zhao Pan’s carefully braided hair from the morning was in disarray, her eyes like autumn water filled with disbelief, her pretty face chilled, her cheeks turned pale with anger, snatched back the hairpin, and shouted:
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