Chapter 1486: Retort
Chapter 1486: Chapter 1486: Retort
Madam Song felt somewhat displeased, thinking that her sister-in-law’s resentment was rather inexplicable and was just short of directly venting at her.
It really was unreasonable. Regarding the marriages of the two nephews, she had brought them up before, and Mother and she had agreed that the children were too young to discuss such matters. Yet now she’s being blamed?
"The Earl Anle Mansion has always been an influential outsider, and their daughters have consistently been in the spotlight. Mother and sister-in-law, you have both always been in the capital. If you had any such intentions, you could have spoken about it long ago. For so many years, you have been observing. Now that the flowers have been picked by others, you’re blaming me instead?"
Madam Song said with a stern face, "As for me not taking care of the marriage arrangements for the two nephews, back when Qi’er was young, I suggested maybe Zi Ran and them. Sister-in-law, you didn’t say anything at that time. A few years ago, when she came to the Marquis Mansion to celebrate Mother’s birthday, you even brought your nephew from your maiden family directly in front of her, clearly showing you never considered this. Now saying I didn’t look after them, is it not going a bit too far?"
Madam Gu, with her face turning green and blue, said, "I meant, the son-in-law didn’t even inform us, the Emperor favors the legitimate Prince."
Madam Song sneered, "The Emperor’s heart is unfathomable. Until he speaks, even the Prime Minister can only guess; how dare anyone assert who he favors? The Prime Minister’s Mansion can only gamble. Brother, if the Prime Minister gave Duke Dingguo Mansion the heads-up, he really didn’t inform you?"
Marquis Loyal and Brave said, "Yunzhi didn’t explicitly say, but he hinted a bit, only..."
He glanced at Old Madam Gu and didn’t dare to say more.
Old Madam Gu’s prayer beads stopped as she sighed, "There’s no need to say more, it all blames me. After all, I am old, and being overly cautious has made us miss the opportunity."
"Mother!" Madam Gu frowned.
Old Madam Gu waved her hand: "Zi Ran is eighteen this year. I was thinking it’s better to have his status established before deciding. The Earl Anle’s daughter is not suitable for him, after all, she is still young. But if it’s Zi Qing, the legitimate daughter of the Uncle’s Mansion, her identity is noble. In the event the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law isn’t noble enough, it might be disadvantageous to family harmony."
Madam Gu’s face turned green. The eldest son’s marriage, which the Old Madam had said she would arrange, ended up missing opportunity after opportunity.
Old Madam Gu said, "Though Earl Anle Mansion is noble, after all they are outsiders. In the future, they will be imperial in-laws. Noble as they are, the risks are also substantial. If the marriage doesn’t work out, at least we’ve made a business deal."
Marquis Loyal and Brave said, "Exactly, we have to thank Yunzhi for that."
Madam Song had a sudden realization and said, "Is it the fur trade?"
"That’s right, our Marquis Mansion also holds a share dividend." Marquis Loyal and Brave said, "In fact, our Marquis Mansion doesn’t mind this share dividend, it’s just about building a connection, getting on the ship with the Crown Prince. As Yunzhi said, we remain neutral, not choosing sides, focusing on supporting the Emperor, which is more stable."
Madam Song breathed a sigh of relief.
Madam Gu pouted, "But it doesn’t quite work like that. Our Marquis Mansion, even if neutral, isn’t as influential as the Prime Minister’s Mansion, with a study companion to the Crown Prince!"
Madam Song’s face, having just cleared, turned cloudy again. Was her sister-in-law determined to confront her today?
"Madam Gu, mind your behavior!" Old Madam Gu sternly scolded, "In the palace, you spoke without considering the occasion, and now you do the same. Is this how you, as the Marchioness, should behave?"
Marquis Loyal and Brave also glared at her warningly.
Madam Gu said aggrievedly, "I am just feeling a bit indignant. To preserve our Marquis Mansion’s wealth and honor, shouldn’t we strategize?"