Chapter 54 Adoption Dispute 2
However, if Lu Yunzhang becomes the adopted son, most of these practical benefits will fall on his head. To put it bluntly, if the old lady wants to marry off her daughter with a generous dowry, or if Lu Yunchu wants to have a grand wedding with a ten-mile-long procession, she will have to get his approval as the adopted elder brother.
As the saying goes, wealth can move people's hearts. With such a huge temptation in front of them, people from the second and fourth wives' families would naturally be tempted. Otherwise, they would not have been willing to adopt their eldest son.
However, Madam Ning was unwilling, which is why she promised before the wedding that she would choose a stepson for her to adopt after she married into the family. When both families proposed to adopt their sons to Madam Ning with obvious motives, Madam Ning naturally refused.
Yu Qingci felt a bit overwhelmed after figuring out all these issues. She had thought that she had found a good way out for herself in this life. As long as she behaved herself after marrying into the family, she could live a comfortable life. Three years later, when the young general returned safely, everyone could get a peaceful divorce, and she could return to her mother's side and enjoy the happiness of family life.
It seems I oversimplified things.
Granny Pei comforted her, "Young Madam, please don't worry. Although the Old Madam is a bit more lenient, she shouldn't be a person who breaks her promises. Besides, adopting a son is a big deal and we can't rush it. You've only just entered the family, so we're not in a hurry. Even if others are in a hurry, they have to hold back."
Yu Qingci nodded, then remembered something and instructed Granny Pei, "I can't go back to my parents' home tomorrow, and I'm afraid I'll have very few opportunities to go out in the future, but you can. Why don't you take Lianqiao back to Liuli Lane to see my mother tomorrow?"
Mother must be worried about me a lot these past few days. Go back and tell her how I'm doing here; that will put her mind at ease. Also, remember to bring plenty of gifts for your return visit.”
Her current status is that of a widow. Since she has married into the family, she must abide by the strict rules for widows. From now on, she cannot leave her husband's family home unless there is something particularly important. Therefore, she cannot have the opportunity to return to her parents' home for three days like other brides.
Granny Pei nodded in agreement: "What the young mistress says is true. That's what I was thinking too. The madam must have been very worried about the young mistress these past few days."
Yu Qingci: "You should say nice things to your mother and tell her not to worry. Don't say anything nonsense."
Granny Pei smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know what to say."
The next day, when Yu Qingci went to Songbai Hall to pay her respects, she told Old Madam Ning that she wanted to ask Granny Pei to go back to Liuli Lane to visit her birth mother.
Su Chengniang's current status is rather awkward. She is said to be the first wife of the Marquis of Nanping, but Qiao has been the mistress of the Marquis's mansion all these years. Now that Su Chengniang has returned to the capital, she is observing mourning outside and does not enter the Marquis's mansion. People outside will inevitably have all sorts of speculations about her, let alone associate with her.
Unexpectedly, Madam Ning did not show displeasure after hearing this. Instead, she smiled and comforted her, "It is time to send someone back. Your mother will be more at ease knowing that you are doing well here."
As she spoke, she specifically instructed the head maid beside her to prepare an extra gift to send over.
Yu Qingci was grateful for her mother-in-law's thoughtfulness.
Yu Qingci: "My elder brother came to Guanlan Temple to see me yesterday."
What?
Madam Ning's face instantly darkened: "What did he want with you?"
Yu Qingci was certain that she would confront Old Madam Ning about Lu Yunzhang's visit to Guanlan Courtyard. After she finished speaking, Old Madam Ning sighed deeply: "Are they really that impatient?"
Madam Ning remained silent, while Yu Qingci waited quietly to the side. After a long while, Madam Ning spoke up: "Qingci, there is something I need to tell you in advance, so that you can have a plan in mind."
Before you married into the family, I promised your family that I would give you an adopted son after you entered the household. Yunqi is no longer here, and our Lu family can't let you live alone in misery. Having a child by your side will not only ensure the continuation of the family line, but also provide for you in your old age.
As the ancients said, of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is having no descendants. Madam Ning only gave birth to Lu Yunqi and Lu Yunchu, a brother and sister. Now that Lu Yunqi has died on the battlefield, the eldest branch of the family is essentially without an heir. Therefore, establishing an heir is an inevitable path.
Madam Ning: "As for the adopted child, of course we will choose a suitable one from the grandchildren of our Lu family. The second and fourth branches are both prosperous and have many children and grandchildren. They are also brothers, so it is reasonable to consider adopting a child from these two branches first."
Your second and fourth uncles had mentioned this to me before. I originally intended to choose a suitable child from among their grandchildren and register them under your and Yunqi's names, but I didn't expect them to…”
The old lady Ning found it difficult to speak next, so Yu Qingci simply took over the conversation: "They don't really want to adopt a child for the eldest son's family, but rather they want to adopt my eldest cousin into your name, Mother."
My eldest cousin is already married with children and is an adult. If he were adopted by my mother, all she would need to do is submit a petition to the court requesting an official title, and my eldest cousin could rightfully inherit the title of General Ningyuan and become the new head of the General's Mansion.
Madam Ning looked at the woman in front of her in surprise: "You knew everything?"
Yu Qingci nodded: "If we adopt my eldest cousin, outwardly the eldest branch of the family will have an adult male, and the reputation of the General's Mansion will seem to be preserved. But inwardly, we, the elderly, weak, women and children of the eldest branch, will have to rely on my eldest cousin to make all the decisions. Mother is getting old, so will the management of the household be handed over to my eldest cousin's wife? In the future, Yun Chu's marriage will also have to be arranged by my eldest cousin's wife, and even Yun Chu's dowry will not be something Mother can decide."
After all, giving Yun Chu a large dowry would infringe upon the interests of her eldest cousin, her adopted son.
Madam Ning remarked with emotion, "I never imagined you had thought things through so clearly."
Yu Qingci: "So, that's why Mother has always refused to agree to them. Isn't what my daughter-in-law said right?"
Madam Ning sighed deeply: "I am gentle by nature, but not foolish. Of course I can see why they are so determined to adopt Yunzhang, which is why I have always been unwilling to agree."
"Besides, I promised the Marquis of Nanping that I would give you an adopted child after you married into the family. Your family is so righteous; you were willing to marry your daughter into the family under these circumstances, so naturally I wouldn't be a treacherous person who breaks his promise."
Yu Qingci felt a little relieved. She was really worried that the old lady would be indecisive on such an important matter and be fooled by the second branch of the family into adopting a son she couldn't control at all.
Unless Lu Yunzhang is a virtuous and reliable gentleman.
At present, it seems that this needs to be considered.
Yu Qingci: "But do Second Uncle and Second Aunt have such plans? And are Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt also willing to adopt my eldest cousin instead of their fourth branch's child?"
Faced with conflicting interests, Yu Qingci did not believe that the second and fourth wives could truly unite as one.
Madam Ning: "Of course, it's not just your second uncle's branch of the family that has this plan. Your fourth uncle and the others are following suit and also want to adopt Yunyi to me."
Lu Yunyi?
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