Chapter 75 It's Better to Divide the Family

Granny Pei smiled wryly and said, "You two ladies are joking. How can this be?"

Wei Ge'er was pushed over with a bewildered look on his face, clearly not understanding what was going on. However, when he looked at Yu Qingci, he raised his little face and showed an innocent smile, which softened Yu Qingci's heart.

However, even if she is soft-hearted, it is only towards the children, and has nothing to do with the actions of Wei and others.

Just then, Granny Wang arrived.

Looking at the people in the room, Granny Wang spoke up: "The old lady said that each family should take their own children back home. If they keep making a fuss, the old lady will go to the clan elders tomorrow and select a few more children from the clan to bring to the mansion to raise. Who knows, maybe one of them will catch the young mistress's eye."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei and Madam Ma became anxious. They absolutely would not allow anyone from their clan to interfere in this matter. Seeing that Granny Wang looked unapproachable, they had no choice but to get up and leave with their children.

As Madam Ma was leaving, she eagerly pulled Rui'er along, saying that she would take her back for her third aunt.

Rui'er glanced at the stern-faced Granny Wang and dared not cry anymore, letting Madam Ma lead him away.

After everyone had left, Granny Wang stepped forward and said to Yu Qingci, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, young mistress. If you ever act so unreasonable and irrational again, just send someone to call me over. I'm old and not afraid of offending anyone."

Yu Qingci: "Thank you, Granny Wang. I understand. I will definitely not let them succeed."

No sooner had Granny Wang left than Ye, the second wife's daughter-in-law, quietly arrived alone, without even bringing a maid.

Yu Qingci guessed that she had something to say to her, so she didn't urge her. She had Tong'er bring over hot tea and sat down opposite her.

After a moment of silence, Madam Ye said softly, "Today, my mother-in-law took Wei-ge'er away from me again, presumably to visit his sister-in-law."

Yu Qingci nodded.

Ye's words became urgent: "Good sister-in-law, it's not that I'm stingy, I only gave birth to Wei Ge'er, he is my own flesh and blood, I would never be willing to give him away, it's just that I am of low status and I can't make decisions for my parents-in-law in this matter."

Even with Second Master, I'm not afraid of my sister-in-law laughing at me, I would never dare to contradict him. I know I'm weak and incompetent, but for my Wei-ge'er, I have no choice but to come and tell you this.

He cautiously observed Yu Qingci's expression, and seeing that she wasn't displeased, he gritted his teeth and continued:

“I can tell that my sister-in-law doesn’t really want to have a child with her so soon. But with her family backing her up, she’s not afraid of anything.”

Yu Qingci listened quietly. In fact, when Madam Ye suddenly came alone in the dark, she had already guessed Madam Ye's meaning. She had never intended to establish an heir, so after Madam Ye finished speaking, she directly said:

"Second sister-in-law, don't worry, I understand what you mean. I'll say it again: I've only been in the family for a short time, and the matter of establishing an heir is still a long way off. It's just that some people are only enthusiastic about it."

Now that I know your feelings, I naturally won't force someone else's child upon me. Besides, I see that Wei-ge'er is very attached to you as his mother."

Madam Ye looked at Yu Qingci gratefully: "With your words of comfort, I'm relieved. I came here without telling them, and it's getting late, so I need to hurry back. If my mother-in-law finds out I came to talk to you privately, then…"

Yu Qingci: "Second sister-in-law, don't worry. My servants here are very discreet. No one will tell anyone. You're just here to persuade me to spend more time with Wei-ge for the sake of your son's future."

Upon hearing this, Madam Ye felt even more grateful.

After seeing off Madam Ye, Yu Qingci leaned wearily against the chaise lounge and closed her eyes to rest. She felt that the farce just now was even more tiring than learning to manage the household and keep accounts with her mother-in-law.

Granny Pei waved for the maids to leave, then walked over and gently massaged Yu Qingci's shoulders, saying carefully as she spoke:

"It seems we were too naive. Delaying won't quiet these people down for long; in fact, it'll only make them more agitated. If we send them away today, who knows what kind of trouble they'll cause tomorrow?"

Yu Qingci deeply agreed and asked, "What do you think we should do, Granny? Although I am already a daughter-in-law, I am still young and really cannot shoulder the responsibilities of being a mother. I really don't know what to do."

If she truly knows nothing about her future life, then she might be more concerned about the matter of choosing an heir.

But now she knows that the young general is still alive and she is in a hurry to establish an heir for him. If the young general returns in three years, it will probably be more troublesome for her to leave.

Most importantly, she didn't want any of the children under her nose. No matter which one she chose, there would be a group of her own elders who were eyeing her covetously and ready to leech off her at any moment. Why would she want to create such a big trouble for herself?

Granny Pei: "There is actually a ready solution right now. The General and the Young General have not been dead for a year yet. According to the rules, the General's Mansion is still in the period of mourning. Previously, because the whole family had to break some rules to hold a wedding for the Young General and the Young Mistress, now that the Young Mistress has entered the family, the matter of mourning must be brought up again."

The current emperor governs the realm with filial piety in mind. Now that the Grand General has departed, everyone in the General's household who has benefited from his kindness should uphold filial piety. For three years, they should keep their doors and windows closed, eat simple food and wear plain clothes, abstain from alcohol and meat, and even suspend the marriages of their younger generations for three years.

Yu Qingci listened silently to Granny Pei's analysis, and her mind gradually cleared up as if the clouds had parted.

This is indeed a good idea. The eldest branch's matriarch, Madam Ning, and Yun Chu would certainly be willing, but the second and fourth branches might not be.

Putting everything else aside, they would not agree to the three-year suspension of marriages alone.

There was no other reason than that both families had younger relatives who were ready to be married.

Yunli, the second cousin, is the fourth daughter of the second master and Wei. She is seventeen years old this year and is engaged to the youngest son of a fourth-rank official in the city. The wedding date is next year.

The future in-laws of the fourth son and fifth cousin are also officials in the capital, and the two families have already set a wedding date. They would definitely not agree to postpone the wedding to observe mourning for the eldest son.

Yu Qingci already had a plan in mind, but she still needed to carefully consider it.

Seeing that her young mistress's bright eyes seemed to be slightly moved, Granny Pei calmly stated her idea:

"Those families have all relied on the General's Mansion for their livelihood over the years. It is only right and proper for them to observe mourning for the General. It would be absolutely unreasonable for them to be unwilling to abide by the rules of filial piety."

However, if they no longer reside in the general's residence, then the matter of observing mourning cannot be forced.

Yu Qingci: "Are you saying, Granny, that we should separate the family?"

Granny Pei nodded: "Yes."

Yu Qingci fell silent. Wasn't this a good idea? Rather than letting these people run around under her nose every few days, it would be better to find a way to let them go out and live on their own, and then all would be over.

Once we move far away and want to come back for a visit, I'm sorry, but we are currently in mourning and cannot accept any relatives who wish to come.