Mother Xu kept on nagging, and the theme was to let Eleventh Lady take in a concubine while Qiao Lianfang was pregnant and could not sleep with her in order to win Xu Lingyi's heart. This was to prevent the young and beautiful Qiao Lianfang from having a sudden rise in status in Xu Lingyi's heart after giving birth to a son, and depriving her of her right to speak in the Xu Mansion, thus failing to protect Zhun Ge's safety and safeguard his interests.

Since the goal is there, the process of achieving it is not important!

Eleventh Lady interrupted Mother Xu with a smile: "Mother Xu, Zhun will be seven years old in the spring, and it's time for enlightenment. Because he was raised by the Madam, he has learned fifteen sentences of the Three Character Classic. He can tell his younger brother the story of Meng's mother moving three times and Huang Xiang warming the bed. The brothers are friendly and respectful to each other. I don't know how much the Madam and the Marquis like it! Even the second young master Yu Ge'er would praise Zhun for his magnanimity. Don't worry, mother. You are not in good health, and you need to rest more. My eldest brother and sister-in-law will worry about the family affairs, you can just enjoy a few years of peace and happiness!"

These words left Mrs. Xu stunned.

The eldest wife looked at the calm Eleventh Lady and thought about her heart-wrenching words. She became so angry that her face turned red. She twisted her mouth, pounded the bed, and yelled at her.

The atmosphere in the room became a little funny.

The grandmother looked embarrassed and came out to smooth things over.

"Eleventh Aunt is a smart person. We are just worried that you are confused and don't understand. Since you know it, we won't say anything else." After saying this, she winked at Madam Xu, then turned to Eleventh Lady and smiled, "Eleventh Aunt hasn't gone to see Fifth Lady yet, right? Fifth Lady has been eating well and sleeping well these days, and she has become much plumper..." After saying this, she stood up, "Why don't I accompany Eleventh Aunt to visit Fifth Lady?"

After hearing this, Mrs. Xu hurried forward to help the first wife wipe her saliva, thus blocking her angry gaze.

Eleventh Lady didn't want to continue to have a rift with the First Lady over this matter, so she took this opportunity to back down. She and the First Lady went to the Fifth Lady's place.

On the way, the eldest grandmother whispered, "Don't be angry, aunt. You know my mother's temper. But what she said makes a lot of sense. Please consider it." After saying that, she paused and looked at Eleventh Lady with some worry, "It would be different if you could have a brother..."

Eleventh Lady didn't want to cause a rift with the eldest grandmother, so she perfunctorily said, "I appreciate the kindness of the eldest sister-in-law. But as for whether to take a room or a concubine, even if I have the intention, I still need the consent of the Marquis." As she said this, she couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Mother called me back like this and forced me to express my opinion. How do you want me to answer?"

Hearing her say this, the eldest grandmother didn't know what to say. She smiled and said, "We didn't think it through! After all, this is the Xu family's business. If our Luo family interferes like this, not only will it be difficult for you to answer, but even the Marquis will probably not like it." She smiled again, "For example, your eldest brother hates it most when Brother Xiu's uncle asks him about his family's affairs..."

Eleventh Lady responded with a smile while going to Fifth Aunt's place with the Grandmother.

The Fifth Aunt was doing needlework on the big kang by the window in the inner room. When she saw the First Lady and the Eleventh Aunt come in, her face was filled with surprise and joy: "When did the Eleventh Aunt come back? Why didn't she tell me?" She hurriedly invited them to sit on the kang and asked the maid to pour tea and serve snacks.

Eleventh Lady exchanged a few pleasantries with Fifth Aunt and then asked about Fifth Aunt's health.

"I'm fine, don't worry." When there are outsiders around, Fifth Aunt always speaks very little and looks very reserved.

The eldest grandmother thought that it was difficult for the two of them to talk because of her presence, so she got up and said goodbye, making the excuse that she had something important to talk to the fourth grandmother about.

Eleventh Lady also wanted to talk to Fifth Aunt alone, so she exchanged a few polite words and asked the maid to send her out.

Fifth Aunt hurriedly pulled Eleventh Aunt's hand and said, "I heard from Shanhu that your Aunt Qiao is pregnant, and the first wife wants you to keep someone in your room. Did you come back this time for this matter?"

I found out so quickly.

Even if I deny it, it will spread in a few days. It is better to talk to Fifth Aunt.

"That's exactly why." Eleventh Lady smiled, "But don't worry. I know what's going on."

"How can I not worry!" Fifth Aunt sighed, "You and the Marquis are a couple who got married later in life. There is neither 'poverty at first and wealth later' nor 'three years of mourning'. The grace is thin to begin with. If you can't please the Marquis, how will you live in the future?" Seeing Eleventh Lady leaning on the big pillow, wearing a chestnut mink coat, her face was as white as powder, beautiful and elegant, like a white magnolia that has just opened its buds, she couldn't help but sigh, "Wait until you are older in two years... You have to get through these days. You should listen to the first wife and get someone in the house!"

Eleventh Lady did not expect that even Fifth Lady would say such a thing. It can be seen that everyone has the same understanding of this matter.

She laughed and joked, "It would be better to just bring in a few concubines for the Marquis. Anyway, too many lice won't itch, and too many debts won't worry you. No matter whether the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind prevails over the east wind, there will always be people who want to attack Wei to save Zhao and maneuver through various strategies. I can get the best of both worlds and stand firm in the wind!" As she said this, she also found it funny and laughed.

Unexpectedly, the Fifth Aunt thought about it seriously for a moment and said, "That's a good idea. If it's true, it's somewhat similar to our family."

Eleventh Lady laughed.

"Eleventh Aunt, I'm just talking seriously." Seeing that she didn't take it seriously at all, Fifth Aunt said angrily.

Eleventh Lady couldn't bear to make fun of her, so she sat up straight and said, "I thought about it carefully when I first got married. Although the Marquis and I are a married couple, as long as I don't disobey the elders, alienate my brothers and sisters, stir up trouble among my sisters-in-law, and gossip, the Marquis will give me some respect no matter what. Don't worry! Nothing will happen."

"That's right!" Fifth Aunt pondered, "The Marquis has both a son and a daughter. If you behave yourself, he will naturally give you some respect. We don't want wealth and glory, we just want to live an honest life."

* * * * * *

To invite a married aunt to her parents' home, you usually need to report to her mother-in-law a few days in advance, agree, and set a date before she can go back. Of course, this is the general case. If there are special circumstances, such as parents being sick or someone suddenly getting old at home, then everything should be kept simple.

Anyone would find it odd to suddenly call Eleventh Lady back like this.

Xu Lingyi was quite patient and didn't ask anything along the way.

Did he already know from Luo Zhenxing? Or was he simply not interested in the matter of the first wife looking for him? Or was he pretending to be profound and waiting for him to ask questions?

Eleventh Lady guessed and wanted to sit with him in silence under the lotus flowers. But when she thought of the earnest advice and concern from the Madam when she came, she lost her temper - when she returned later, she couldn't just tell her grandma "Mother asked me to go back and discuss the matter of getting a concubine for the Marquis"? What's the difference between that and Madam Qiao sending a tent to Qiao Lianfang?

"My Lord... Mother asked me to go back. Is she going to discuss something with me?"

"Oh!" Xu Lingyi responded indifferently, without moving his eyes or eyebrows, as if he was completely uninterested in it.

Eleventh Lady had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "...Mother said that I was young and ignorant, so she asked me to marry a concubine to the Marquis!"

On the afternoon of the day when Qiao Lianfang showed signs of pregnancy? Then he suddenly remembered that Shiyi Niang was still young, so he wanted to take a concubine for himself?

After listening to this, Xu Lingyi looked at his mother and raised his eyebrows: "You are young and ignorant, so I asked you to take a concubine for me?" His tone was quite sarcastic.

When Eleventh Lady was suddenly called back, he knew that something bad was going to happen.

It’s not enough to take care of one, but I have to take care of this… There is really no peace…

"What do you mean?" Xu Lingyi asked, and simply threw the ball to Shiyi Niang.

You ask me? If I say I don't agree and you don't agree, then I said no in vain.

"I said, I'll listen to what the Marquis says!" She kicked the ball back to Xu Lingyi.

"Yes!" Xu Lingyi nodded, "Got it!"

And then there was no further news.

that's all!

Eleventh Lady was stunned.

Then I felt relieved.

Anyway, I have said everything I should say. As for what to do... since I said "listen to the Marquis", then I will just listen to him when the time comes.

Thinking of this, she leaned back and relaxed on the large pillow behind her, listening to the sound of horse hooves as she returned to the lotus flowers.

Xu Lingyi spoke before she did: "...said he wanted to see Eleventh Lady. Mother-in-law has been ill for a long time, and her temper is not very good. The family members dare not disobey her. But we rushed there without asking clearly, and made a joke."

When people are sick, they usually think about the person they miss the most. It's not Zhun Ge, but Shiyi Niang... The lady smiled and pretended to be confused.

"Fortunately it was a false alarm. You guys should go down and rest soon!"

The two returned to their own courtyard. Chief Steward Bai rushed over immediately: "My Lord, Mr. Xi, the man introduced by Prince Shun, is here! He has been waiting for you for more than an hour."

Xu Lingyi explained to Shiyi Niang: "I'm asking someone to find a teacher for the children."

Eleventh Lady had something to say to Mother Tao, so it was good for both of them to get along. She hurriedly smiled and sent Xu Lingyi out the door.

Mother Tao did not evade the question: "Madam, I was the one who told the first wife about this matter." As she spoke, her eyes turned red. "Madam, after all, you are young and don't know how serious some things are. I have seen so many of them. I couldn't persuade you, so I had to ask the first wife to help persuade you." As she spoke, her face turned a little pale. "Madam, I was wrong about this. But I can swear to God that I have no other intentions towards you, and I have never told anyone about what happened in this room..."

What I fear most is that some people think they are not wrong, feel justified, and stick to one path to the end.

"Since you call me Madam, then I am the one who is in charge of this household!" Eleventh Lady's voice was a little sad.

Mother Tao stared at her in a daze.

"You are an old man left by my eldest sister, and we each have our own standpoints. I don't want to embarrass you, nor do I want people to see our Luo Mansion as a joke, and I don't want to make Zhun brother sad. So this time I just want to ask you: Do you want to stay with me and watch Zhun brother grow up, get married and have children, and manage the inner courtyard for him? Or do you want me to send you to the farm to live with your son?"

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There will be another update in the evening, but it's a little late, so don't wait...