Whether it was the Dayu Dynasty or the previous dynasties, women adhered to the concept of obeying their fathers at home, their husbands after marriage, and their sons after their husbands' deaths.
Many families believe that once a daughter is married, she is no longer considered family; whoever she marries belongs to that family.
However, this does not apply to the luxurious Kyoto, especially to the Toyo family.
Women are not as noble as men, but they can bring marriage alliances, become the link between two families, have the right to receive protection, and are the source of confidence for small families to stay in the capital.
They often teach girls that no matter where they marry, they should never forget their parents' home. Their parents' home is their warmest harbor and their strongest support. Only when their parents' home is doing well can they do well.
When it became fashionable for women from lower social classes to marry into higher social classes, small families found a shortcut to upward mobility.
"But isn't Fengjing the place that places the most emphasis on marriage between people of equal social standing?" Jiang Sheng asked, resting her chin on her hand.
Madam Jiang chuckled, "Then let me ask you, how can a prince and princess be considered a good match?"
The royal family was already the most prestigious entity in the Dayu Dynasty, and apart from marriage alliances with foreign countries, they could not find a truly suitable match anywhere else.
Even the seemingly well-matched aristocratic families of Fengjing were merely trying to win them over and exchange resources.
For example, the Zhu family and the Tao family, or the Yao family and the Jiang family.
“Nothing is absolute in this world. Married women often take care of both their husband’s and their own families, and it’s common for them to occasionally favor their own family.” Old Madam Jiang was used to it. “It also happens often that the decline of the wife’s family can affect the married woman.”
It can be said that married women are not severed from their natal families after marriage; on the contrary, they become even closer and form a community of shared interests.
"From the perspective of family ties, how unfilial and heartless it is for parents who have raised you for more than ten years to become like strangers just because you get married," Madam Jiang sighed. "When your natal family is torn apart and your husband's family can't integrate into your family, that would be truly lamentable and tragic."
Like Zhang Xianglian, she lost her home after getting married.
Jiang Sheng felt a little sad and awkwardly patted Old Madam Jiang, saying, "Grandmother, don't be sad. You still have me."
The child must have misunderstood.
Madam Jiang suppressed a smile and said, "Don't worry, my dear, I'm fine. The Jiang family and the Yao family have a close relationship and are always on the same page. Although the Yao family's development is not as strong as the Jiang family's, as long as I am alive, the Yao family's position will be as solid as a mountain."
Although she and Liao were both daughters-in-law of the Jiang family, Jiang Yao had accompanied the old general to the battlefield, raised the great general who fought on the battlefield, handled the funeral of her parents-in-law, and personally saw the old general off to his death.
As long as she doesn't make the grave mistake of overthrowing the dynasty, the Jiang family will only have the obligation to be respectful.
On the other hand, it's not wrong for the Liao family to marry above their station. It's acceptable for them to offer gold and silver to help the Liao family. The Jiang family is even willing to help take on the work of selling lychees, which clearly shows that they are prepared to lend a helping hand to the in-laws.
She shouldn't have confused the Jiang family bloodline, shouldn't have switched the prince with a cat, shouldn't have treated Jiang Sheng coldly, and yet she still had the audacity to argue without remorse.
Madam Jiang did not immediately throw away the letter of divorce for three reasons: first, she could not find conclusive evidence; second, she wanted to save face for Jiang Chengyuan; and third, she wanted to wait for General Jiang to handle the matter personally.
However, the Liao and Jiang families will absolutely not provide any further assistance.
"Madam, there's something I've been holding back for a long time..." Tan Yue tried to hold back, but couldn't help it, "Why did the Jiang family arrange a marriage with the Liao family in the first place?"
The older generation of the Jiang family always chose marriage partners from families of the Yao caliber, so why did they switch to the Liao family in General Jiang's generation?
Even Madam Jiang, the second wife of the woman in the west courtyard, was not from a prestigious family; she was just an ordinary merchant's daughter.
It's understandable that Jiang Jizong was an illegitimate son, but General Jiang, as the legitimate son of both the Jiang and Yao families, could have married a princess, let alone a mere Liao woman.
After pondering for a long time, Madam Jiang said, "Because of the Jiang family's status, it cannot continue to grow stronger."
Military power attracts attention.
Throughout Fengjing, no military commander, after gaining control of a large number of troops, would dare to recklessly engage in marriage alliances, continuously expand his power, and simultaneously allow his ambition and desires to swell.
General Fang of the Fang family was merely a man who married the legitimate daughter of a minor family in Anshui County.
How could Madam Jiang dare to arrange for General Jiang to marry a woman from a prestigious family and find him a powerful and influential father-in-law?
The Liao family was a small household, running a few shops, and had no connections or influence in the imperial court. Lady Liao was a beautiful and charming woman in her youth, and she was upright and steady in her conduct. She caught the eye of General Jiang, and that's how this marriage was arranged.
Unfortunately, eighteen years later, Liao proved with her actions that General Jiang had misjudged her back then.
"If the general knew this, he would probably be very sad," Tan Yue said with sympathy.
Old Madam Jiang glanced over and said, "He already knew."
In May, the Jiang family sent a letter to the frontier. Although no reply was received, the General was reported by his spies in the palace to be preparing to apply for a transfer order back to the capital.
Yes, this is also the tragedy of being a general.
Because he held military power and was stationed on the frontier, he could only return home once every three to five years. Not only did he have to make arrangements for defense in advance, but he also had to apply for a transfer order. He was not allowed to return to Beijing without permission.
When the old general's parents passed away, he was unable to attend the funeral in person due to the intense war, so Madam Jiang had to handle the arrangements.
In the future, when she dies, her son will probably not appear; only her grandchildren will be able to send her to the old general's side.
This is a family of military generals, this is sacrifice, this is the reason for the Jiang family's glory!
There are no top-tier families that exist without reason, and there is no power that comes easily. Even civil officials have to scheme and fight, while military generals truly fight their way to the top with their blood.
"It's a pity that the Jiang family has no one to carry on the family line," Old Madam Jiang sighed.
From a compassionate perspective, she should be happy because her descendants will not need to risk their lives or their lives.
She was deeply saddened by the overall situation; the Jiang family's pride, which had endured for over a century, was ultimately about to end here.
A faint sadness filled the air. Jiang Sheng nuzzled her fluffy little head against the wall, trying to ease the atmosphere.
Old Madam Jiang patted her, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Liao's words seemed like she was taking her anger out on someone, but they made no sense. Why did she have to involve the Yao family in the relationship between the Jiang and Liao families? What else was there that she didn't know?
"Grandma, Grandma, don't think about it anymore," Jiang Sheng said coquettishly. "Grandma, look at me, look at me."
The round-faced little girl deliberately poked her nose up, revealing her round nostrils like a little pig, and even twitched them a couple of times, making her look even more like one.
Tan Yue burst out laughing.
Madam Jiang was helpless and at a loss for words.
The gloomy atmosphere was finally dispelled, and the entire room was filled with joy and happiness.
Everything was fine, except that Zheng Ruqian, who had been waiting outside the Jiang family's house for a long time and whose legs were trembling, was a little frustrated. "Where's my sister? Is my sister lost? Why hasn't she come out yet?"
If you don't come out soon, the ice will melt!
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