These female relatives were not as close as the Qin family of the Grand Tutor's mansion in their daily interactions, but since they were all members of the Xu family, they could not be ruthlessly driven away if they came to visit during festivals.

The person who spoke had previously mentioned to Madam Yang that she wanted to marry her niece from her maternal family into the family so that their branch of the family could also move into the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. Since the two families shared the same surname, they would be even closer.

The abacus beads were simply placed right in front of Yang's eyes, and not only did Yang disagree, the matter was not even brought up.

I didn't expect to be brought up again today, and to have to criticize Li Shiyue.

The female relative spoke with a smug look on her face, completely unaware that Yang's expression was not very pleasant. The person sitting closest to her quickly gestured for her to stop talking, and then followed the gaze of the others to look over.

No one spoke, all carefully observing the changes in Yang's expression. After all, their own lives depended on the Duke's mansion for support. They didn't want to end up losing more than they gained by trying to steal a chicken, and becoming the sinners when they returned.

The woman who had been talking the most enthusiastically earlier fell silent. When she saw Yang looking over, she said sullenly, "I was just thinking of our Duke's mansion. It's already a blessing that a woman surnamed Li could marry into the Duke's mansion. She should give birth to a son."

The woman surnamed Li that she mentioned was the beloved granddaughter of Old Madam Xu, and also the only daughter left behind by the only aunt of the Duke's mansion.

Madam Xu, the Vice Minister of Works, sat on the other side of the chair. Madam Xu was also Xu Wan's mother. She knew that Xu Wan got along well with Li Shiyue and the others. Hearing what this female relative said, she felt a little uncomfortable.

“You’re wrong to say that. My aunt’s daughter is naturally the apple of the old lady’s eye. You’re making it sound like my elder sister-in-law is a mean-spirited mother-in-law who has a problem with her new daughter-in-law.”

"Today is the Lantern Festival, a day for family reunion, and you have the audacity to go to someone's house and speak ill of the bride."

Madam Xu, the wife of Vice Minister Xu, came to the mansion early this morning. Unlike the other families who lived far away, she was arranged to stay in the West Garden last night, so she didn't know that the women in the West Garden had made even more offensive remarks than this.

She had always respected and obeyed Madam Yang. Having spent quite some time with her, she had long noticed the slight impatience on Madam Yang's face, but she probably didn't directly express it because of the kinship.

But she's different. Putting aside her fondness for the younger Li Shiyue, and the fact that Li Shiyue is on good terms with her own daughter, how could she be such a despicable person in the eyes of these people?

The woman beside Vice Minister Xu's wife had also arrived early this morning. She was a distant relative of the Xu family. Hearing what Vice Minister Xu's wife said, she nodded in agreement: "The young couple is still young. As for when they want to have children, the eldest sister-in-law hasn't said anything yet. Let's not say anything and cause trouble for their children."

"What's that saying again? Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Before Erlang got married, didn't my elder sister-in-law often say that? She was broad-minded and in a good mood. I noticed that my elder sister-in-law looks even better after recovering from her illness. What kind of magic pill did she take?"

Madam Yang smiled and waved her hand: "There are no magic pills or medicines. It's all thanks to Yan Yan's thoughtfulness. I'm a very picky eater, and she was worried that I wouldn't be able to swallow the medicine, so she went to the palace to see Yuan Niang. The two children then discussed having the imperial physician prescribe a medicinal diet for me."

"The herbal medicine is too bitter and hard to swallow. The medicinal food is different. After eating it for a while, people do have more energy. If you ask me, Yan Yan is a worrier. Not to mention me, after we got married, she has to do everything herself for Erlang."

"I've also handed over the management of this household to her, and she's managed it quite well. I only get involved during the New Year and Lantern Festival period; otherwise, I'd be free to go to Shousong Hall to chat every day. She also personally handles matters for the elders, and there's nothing wrong with her doing anything."

After speaking, Madam Yang paused slightly, picked up the teacup beside her, and glanced indifferently at the female relative who had spoken earlier, as if she had just remembered something.

“Oh right, you just said that the young couple still want to have a child, and Yan Yan thinks so too. But the Duke and I aren’t stubborn. Whether we have a son or not, or whether it’s a girl, they are all children of the Duke’s mansion.”

“But Yan Yan is still young, and she wasn’t around when she was little, so her body is very weak. It’s only been a couple of years since she’s gotten a little plumper. I’ve also given birth, so I know how much suffering it takes. I think we should wait a couple more years before Yan Yan and Erlang have children.”

"Hey, I heard your new bride is pregnant? I remember she's only eighteen this year, still too young. If you ask me, you really don't know how to treat people well. Every new bride is a precious daughter in her family, and there's no reason for her to suffer in our home and let outsiders laugh at the Xu family's reputation."

Yang spoke slowly and deliberately. As soon as she finished speaking, her gaze swept over the other silent women, who had all echoed the group of relatives who had just spoken.

She spoke in a gentle tone and at a slow pace, yet she managed to keep those people from lifting their heads.

She knew the temperaments of these ladies from the past; this wasn't the first time she'd encountered them.

Yang was seriously ill, and after recovering, she wasn't stupid or forgetful. If she believed them with just a few words, she would turn around and cause chaos in her own family. It's a shame that she managed the affairs of the Duke's Mansion for decades and was still the matriarch of the Xu family.

She has a husband and a daughter-in-law, and she can't stand people who marry other people's daughters-in-law and then use their status as mothers-in-law to bully their new wives. People who take advantage of others' kindness are mostly useless.

They still dare to covet the Rongguo Duke's Mansion? Don't they even know if they're worthy of it? Madam Yang's gaze swept over them indifferently, noticing that the ladies were humiliated and couldn't lift their heads.

She took a leisurely sip of hot tea, coughed lightly, and said, "The Xu family is a well-known, century-old family in the capital. Relying on the little power of the matriarch, they insist on giving the younger generation attitude. Do they think they're going to live a long life?"

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and we don't necessarily have to interfere in their private lives. It's better to let go. If a young man of age still only listens to his parents' ideas, how will he establish himself and start a family?"

“We’ve been sisters-in-law for decades, and I don’t want to say anything too harsh, just to save face for each other. Don’t treat people like fools. I’m not like you, using my position as mother-in-law to bully the new bride. It will either cause discord between the young couple or estrangement between mother and child. You can think about it yourselves.”

Yang's gaze fell on the female relative: "As for wanting to place someone by Erlang's side, I can't make that decision. You should ask him yourself."