Madam Hao breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile to Madam Hou, "The ritual has been successfully completed. It's cold and windy outside, so we shouldn't stand in the wind. Madam Hou, please move to the front hall."
Originally, the Qin family and the Jiang family were related by marriage, and Hao should have addressed them as in-laws. However, seeing their superior attitude, she felt it was difficult to say it.
Lady Hou looked at Jiang Huaiyu in the courtyard, "I heard that the second young lady of the manor was not born to your in-laws?"
"That's right. This girl's birth mother was originally my wet nurse. We got along very well. Her birth mother died early, so I took her in and raised her."
This is the consistent narrative the Jiang family presents to the outside world, and the Hao family handles it with ease.
Lady Hou nodded slightly and said in a gentle tone, "Your in-laws do indeed love your daughter very much. I heard that this daughter-in-law has been frail and sickly since childhood and has lived in a country estate for a long time. Seeing her demeanor now, she is indeed very well-maintained."
With a forced smile, Madam Hao said in a slightly bitter tone, "Her father and I, out of pity for Shuqin's frequent illnesses since childhood, did not discipline her much, which led to her developing a somewhat spoiled personality, causing a lot of trouble for the Marquis's mansion..."
Lady Hou waved her hand gently, her tone indifferent: "Not at all, not at all. A spoiled personality can be gradually tempered, and a lack of knowledge can be made up for through learning. These are just a matter of taking a little time and are not difficult problems."
These words were like a resounding slap in the face to Mrs. Hao.
Lady Hou stated almost bluntly that Jiang Shuqin had not satisfied her.
Madam Hao looked embarrassed and was at a loss for words. Fortunately, Madam Hou did not intend to continue the topic. As she turned to leave, she casually said, "I heard that the eldest daughter of the Jiang family married a scholar from another place. Since she rarely comes home, why not invite her over for a chat?"
Hao was immediately relieved and replied, "Okay, I'll send someone to invite them right away."
In the front hall, beside the warm charcoal stove, Jiang Huaiyu stepped across the threshold, first taking off her cloak, and then bowing to the Lady of the Marquis.
"Greetings, Lady Hou."
Her elegant and graceful demeanor, and her dignified and proper manner of bowing, immediately caught the eye of the Lady of the Marquis.
Although this adopted daughter of the Jiang family did not come from a prominent family, she possessed a calm and composed demeanor, which made her appear exceptionally poised. No wonder the Lady of the Marquis fell in love with her at first sight.
"No need for formalities, Miss, please have a seat."
Jiang Huaiyu sat quietly in the corner, leisurely sipping her tea. She did not speak unless someone asked a question.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Hao, Lady Hou got down to business.
“My dear in-laws, now that Shuqin has married into the Marquis’s household, she is a member of our Qin family. However, she has been living at her parents’ home all this time. Wouldn’t this make outsiders laugh at our Marquis’s household for not following the rules?”
As the head of the Marquis's family, Lady Hou naturally exuded an unquestionable authority in her words and actions, which made Madam Hao feel somewhat uneasy.
“Madam Hou, Jiang Shuqin’s actions were indeed impolite, and I have already reprimanded her, but… she also had her own hidden troubles…”
“Suffering?” Lady Hou raised her eyebrows slightly. “My dear in-law, please speak frankly. What kind of suffering does she endure?”
Hao was filled with bitterness. The Lady Hou knew perfectly well what was going on, but deliberately pretended not to know, putting Hao in a dilemma.
How could she possibly reveal such private matters in front of everyone?
Besides, if it were exposed, wouldn't it bring shame to the Marquis's mansion? If the Qin family were to become enemies with her family because of this, how would she deal with the storm?
Hao hesitated, struggling with her inner turmoil, but Jiang Shuqin suddenly stepped forward and said firmly, "Mother-in-law, it's not that I don't want to return to the Marquis's mansion, but given the young master's situation, am I to be left here to grow old alone and live a life of widowhood?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Hao was shocked and both angry and worried about her daughter's recklessness. She quickly signaled the servants to leave.
"Madam Hou, Shuqin is young and ignorant. She acted impulsively and spoke without thinking. Please don't take her words to heart..."
Lady Hou remained calm, gently picking up her teacup, blowing lightly on the foam on the surface of the tea, taking a sip, and then slowly speaking: "Her words, though rough, revealed the truth. The young master does indeed have some unspeakable hidden ailments. However, I do have a question I would like to ask you."
Seeing that she was not angry, Madam Hao was slightly relieved and asked softly, "What does Madam Hou wish to know?"
Lady Hou remained calm and composed, saying in a measured tone, "Back then, when the Crown Prince was critically ill, his marriage proposal was common knowledge. This marriage was originally intended to bring him good fortune. Otherwise, with the Jiang family's status, how could they have had the opportunity to marry their daughter into the Marquis's household? Since you agreed to this marriage, you should have understood the risks involved. The worst-case scenario was that the Crown Prince might not recover, and the bride would have to remain a widow in the Marquis's household. Now that the Crown Prince is gradually recovering, the bride no longer needs to remain a widow. You should be relieved, so why are you going back on your word?"
These words were indeed reasonable, and Hao was speechless for a moment, unable to find any words to refute them.
They were initially drawn to the splendor and prestige of the Marquis's mansion, which led them to recklessly risk their lives to enter into this marriage. However, now they are too ashamed to criticize the mansion's flaws.
However, her own daughter, still young and vibrant, was forced to endure a lifetime of loneliness, facing the prince's indifference, and unable to even have a child to rely on. How could this mother bear to watch her daughter suffer such hardship?
"Madam Hou..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lady Hou interrupted her, "What dissatisfaction does my daughter-in-law harbor?"
She maintained a polite smile, but her eyes revealed a chill. "Our Qin family is seeking your hand in marriage openly and aboveboard, and you yourselves personally agreed to this marriage. How come it seems as if our Marquis's mansion is bullying you now?"
She sneered contemptuously, "Do you think I don't know what you're plotting? You just want to use this marriage to climb the social ladder by attaching yourself to the Marquis's family. I can understand that kind of thinking. I've tolerated your willingness to betroth your daughter to the Marquis's family, and even your unconventional act of changing your mind at the last minute to change your marriage partner."
"Moreover, since Madam Jiang entered the Marquis's mansion, I have bestowed upon her the honor and glory of the heir's wife. Her father-in-law's official rank had not been promoted for more than ten years, but he was promoted two ranks because of this marriage. I would like to ask, with the Qin family showing such sincerity, what additional demands does the Jiang family intend to make?"
Cold sweat beaded on Hao's forehead, which she quickly wiped away.
This was the first time she had faced the Marquis's wrath directly, and she couldn't help but feel flustered and at a loss.
Jiang Shuqin was also terrified. She stood to the side with her head down and her lips tightly pressed together. Having grown up in the countryside, she was naturally straightforward and unpretentious, and she was naturally terrified of her mother-in-law, who was so authoritative.
"Madam Hou..."
Hao forced a smile, "We don't have any unreasonable demands, but if Shuqin has no children to accompany her in the future, what will become of her for the rest of her life? You are also a mother, you should be able to understand my feelings..."
"That depends on what kind of life she is pursuing."
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