Chapter 1464: A Hint to Take Sides
Chapter 1464: Chapter 1464: A Hint to Take Sides
Lord Dingguo’s sudden change of topic left Madam Guan momentarily stunned; how did the An Yang Marquis Mansion come up all of a sudden? Wasn’t that the Empress’s maiden family?
"Why did you bring up the Empress’s family?" Madam Guan envisioned a young girl, saying, "The legitimate daughter of the second Master Gongsun, I’ve seen her in the Empress’s palace. She hasn’t come of age yet, but she’s quite a lovely and charming young girl."
"What do you think about proposing her for our Yi son?"
Madam Guan’s pupils constricted as she looked into her husband’s eyes, asking if he was serious.
She tried to detect any hint of jest in his eyes but found none. His eyes were entirely serious, indicating deep thought rather than a mere spur of the moment decision.
The couple shared the same bed almost every night, and they had discussed their children’s marriages before. Their youngest son’s marriage had not been settled, partly because he had not matured yet, and partly because they hadn’t found a suitable match, so they weren’t in a hurry.
She had never heard Lord Dingguo mention the lady from the An Yang Marquis Mansion before, so why bring up the girl now?
Could it be that the future father-in-law mentioned something?
Madam Guan was no fool; as the Duke’s wife, she had her insights. If it was indeed suggested by Song Zhiyuan, why this particular girl?
Furthermore, the Empress’s family was a sensitive clan that they hadn’t really considered.
Could the father-in-law be hinting that it’s time for them to choose sides?
Madam Guan’s mind raced as she whispered, "Lord, is it time to pick a side? Is the Emperor favoring his legitimate son?"
Lord Dingguo also lowered his voice, nodding slightly, "I guess so. Song Yunzhi is considered family to us; he wouldn’t lead us astray. I even suspect that the Emperor might intend to build a faction for the legitimate heir and hinted this to Yunzhi."
Madam Guan drew in a sharp breath. If so, the Emperor’s mind runs deep indeed.
Song Zhiyuan: No, you’re overthinking it!
Emperor Chu: That’s exactly my intention.
Madam Guan said, "If the Emperor truly favors the legitimate heir, then the An Yang Marquis Mansion will indeed rise to great wealth and power."
Between maternal and imperial clans, there lies a significant difference; producing an Empress is one thing, but not every family can produce an Empress Dowager!
With the An Yang Marquis Mansion having produced an Empress, if her legitimate son is established as Crown Prince and ascends the throne in the future, the An Yang Marquis Mansion would undoubtedly become an imperial clan with immense wealth and power, wouldn’t it?
"Our Duke Mansion does not necessarily seek such wealth and power; it’s about picking a side for the future," Lord Dingguo said. "The Emperor’s legitimate son is still young and needs teaching and nurturing, which the Emperor will surely prioritize. If the Emperor’s control over Chang’an persists, then so be it. But if it happens again like before..."
"Lord!" Madam Guan exclaimed softly, shaking her head with a pale face.
Lord Dingguo waved his hand, saying, "In such a case, if the Crown Prince ascends, he’ll greatly require the support of noble factions like ours, who have chosen a side. At that time, we will certainly earn merits, and the Guan Family could maintain its wealth for another twenty to thirty years."
Even for the Duke Mansion, future planning is essential. Wealth and power, if they are to last, require painstaking effort, and so choosing a side becomes necessary for them too.
"But don’t we hold military power? Could it be too conspicuous?"
"It’s not an issue. Our focus is on the youngest son; he won’t draw too much attention. By the time any suspicion arises, it won’t last long," Lord Dingguo said meaningfully.
Madam Guan’s heart pounded. If the Emperor suspected the Guan Family, that would already prove that the Crown Prince had grown his wings fully.
"Shall I find an opportunity to have a look?"
The couple exchanged a glance, both seeing the answer in each other’s eyes.