In the main room, Xie was no longer as gentle and amiable as before.
She stared at Ma, "Sister-in-law, please be more careful with your words in front of the children. You just keep saying all sorts of nonsense. Aren't you afraid that the children will laugh at you if they hear you?"
Ma was not afraid of Xie, "I am the elder, who can laugh at me?"
"Because you are the elder, you should pay more attention to your words and actions, set a good example for the children."
Ma was a little unhappy, "Third sister..."
"Don't call me third sister, call me aunt." Xie interrupted Ma in a harsh voice.
Ma hummed twice and muttered, "My aunt's temper is getting worse and worse."
Xie heard this.
Xie's temper flared up. "I'm like this because of you guys. Do you know how hard it's been for me lately? Isn't it hard enough for me, Big Brother?"
My master has long said that the Gu and Xie families will not marry. I made it clear when I last visited my parents' home, and yet you're asking again today.
Or ask in front of the children. Sister-in-law, are you deliberately trying to embarrass me?
Ma said hurriedly, "How could I embarrass you? Didn't your eldest brother say that the Gu and Xie families are even closer, and we will help each other in the future, forever."
Xie snorted coldly, "Marriage? No way. My master is still furious. Big brother, you're dreaming of marriage."
Ma chuckled, "Don't worry about Master Gu. Your eldest brother said he will take care of it."
Xie frowned, "What does big brother want to do?"
"How would I know? Your elder brother only told me to come here today to discuss the children's marriages with you. He didn't say anything else. You know I don't understand official affairs, and I can't cause trouble for your elder brother, right?"
Mrs. Xie stared at Mrs. Ma, "Is that all you said, brother?"
Ma nodded repeatedly, "Yes. Auntie, I didn't hide anything from you. I told you everything I know."
Xie frowned.
Ma probably didn't lie. As for what Xie Mao was thinking, Xie couldn't guess.
However, the ultimate goal is definitely to support His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne smoothly, and he will then be considered to have the merit of following the dragon.
However, the emperor was a strong and powerful man, while the prince had a different personality and temper than the emperor, so he was not liked by the emperor.
It is not an easy task for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to succeed to the throne smoothly.
Xie rubbed her eyebrows.
When Lord Gu comes back in the evening, she will have a good talk with him.
Ma asked, "Madam, should our two families marry? Please give me a definite answer."
Xie glared at Ma. "This concerns the children's marriages, how can we just casually decide on it? You have to make a promise. Go back and tell my eldest brother to stop playing tricks. If you make me angry, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Ma shuddered. "Madam, you have such a bad temper that you even threaten your eldest brother. Don't you think you don't take the Xie family seriously? Madam, don't forget that without the Xie family, you wouldn't have everything you have today. If the Xie family is doing well, you can do well too."
Xie laughed sarcastically, "I understand everything, no need for you to remind me, sister-in-law. In short, just tell my brother exactly what I said, without hiding anything."
Ma was stunned. She didn't expect Xie's attitude to be so tough.
Her eyes rolled around.
Ma had no idea what the conflict was between Xie and Xie Mao.
Judging from Xie's attitude, the conflict should be quite significant.
Just like the last time Xie returned to her parents’ home, the atmosphere was not very good.
Ma thought about it for a while and came up with an idea. "Don't worry, Madam. I will definitely tell your eldest brother what you said and I won't exaggerate anything. Besides, I heard that the girls in the Marquis' Mansion haven't found their spouses yet."
Xie's eyes widened as she stared at Ma in disbelief. "Sister-in-law, are you crazy? How dare you covet the girl from the Marquis's Mansion?"
What is the Xie family? They are just nouveau riche. The Marquis' Mansion is a noble family with a history of a hundred years. How could the Xie family possibly reach such heights? You are simply, simply daydreaming."
Ma thought otherwise. "When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, our Xie family will have the opportunity to become a century-old family. By then, it's uncertain who will marry into the family."
Xie snorted coldly, "Then wait until His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, then come and tell me."
Ma smiled awkwardly, "A legitimate daughter of the Marquis's mansion is out of our reach for the Xie family, but a concubine's daughter should be fine."
Xie's eyebrows moved.
Ma knew there was a way, and hurriedly said, "Madam, think about it, if our Xie family married into the Marquis's Mansion, wouldn't you be tempted by the benefits?"
Xie scoffed, "What benefit can I get from marrying into the Marquis's Mansion?"
Ma came closer and said to Xie, "If the two families marry, the Xie family will be related to the Marquis's family.
From now on, the Xie family will be looked up to by others, and even the aunt will be valued more and more by Lord Gu.
Secondly, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will have an extra helper, and his hope of becoming the crown prince will increase a bit.
Once His Royal Highness the Crown Prince successfully ascends the throne, the Xie family will have the merit of following the emperor, so how can the aunt be inferior?
By then, with your elder brother's support, Lord Gu will surely have a bright future. Even the Marquis' Mansion will invite you as a guest of honor."
After hearing what Ma said, Xie couldn't help but look at Ma a few more times.
I really didn't expect that my sister-in-law, who has always been rude and unrefined, could actually say such a thing.
Xie was curious: "Did your elder brother teach you this?"
Ma smiled and covered her lips. "I can't rely on your elder brother to teach me everything. What I just said was something I figured out on my own."
Xie raised her eyebrows and couldn't help but look up to Ma.
Xie pondered for a moment and asked, "Is it your idea to marry into the Marquis's Mansion, or is it my eldest brother's idea?"
Ma smiled and said, "Your elder brother and I have the same opinion."
Xie's eyebrows twitched. Seeing Ma's smugness made her feel unhappy.
She coughed lightly and asked, "Which girl in the Marquis' Mansion have you taken a fancy to? Which child are you planning to marry?"
Ma said hurriedly, "I heard that the fourth daughter of the Marquis's Mansion, although born out of wedlock, was raised by her mother since childhood and is a remarkable talent. Madam, have you met the fourth daughter of the Marquis's Mansion? What do you think of her?"
Xie frowned and thought about the girls in the Marquis' Mansion.
The fourth young lady is named Gu Qin. She is the illegitimate daughter of the eldest wife in the Marquis's Mansion. She has indeed been raised by her stepmother since she was a child, and has been in and out of the house with the eldest young lady Gu Mei.
Xie said softly, "The fourth girl's name is Gu Qin. She is outstanding in appearance and well-educated. If she gets married, the Marquis's Mansion will have to prepare a dowry of at least 10,000 taels."
"Tsk tsk, this is indeed a marquisate, and they're willing to prepare a dowry of ten thousand taels for a concubine's daughter. In our family, marrying off a concubine's daughter and giving her a dowry of one or two thousand taels is already a great favor."
Ma was both impressed and disgusted. She despised the Marquis's lack of knowledge of how to manage a household. For a illegitimate daughter, giving her such a large dowry was simply a waste, in her opinion.
If this illegitimate girl with a dowry of 10,000 taels marries his own son, that would be a different matter.
By then, Ma would definitely not despise the Marquis's family for not knowing how to manage the household, and would wish the Marquis's family would give her more dowry.
Xie's eyebrows twitched, and she couldn't stand Ma's petty face.
The dignified Young Secretary of the Eastern Palace only prepared a dowry of one or two thousand taels for his daughter's marriage. Does he have any shame?
Even if he married a girl born out of wedlock, it would still be too mean.
Xie didn't want to blame Ma. That was the Xie family's family affair, and it was not appropriate for her, a married woman, to interfere.
Xie reminded her, "Sister-in-law, you haven't told me which child you're marrying off to the Marquis's daughter yet?"
Ma said immediately, "I'm planning to marry Dalang off to the fourth daughter of the Marquis's family. Madam, what do you think of this idea? It wouldn't be considered too high a marriage for my eldest son to marry a daughter of a concubine from the Marquis's family. If the Marquis's family weren't blind, they would know that this marriage is perfect."
Xie had to remind Ma, who was feeling good about herself, "Girls from a marquis' mansion will never have trouble finding a husband. Even if they are born out of wedlock, they can still marry into a wealthy and powerful family."
Ma curled her lips in disdain, "So what if she married into a wealthy family? What future can a concubine's daughter marrying a concubine's daughter?
When the elders passed away and the family split up, the illegitimate children who left the house were worse off than families like ours.
It’s different if you marry my Dalang. He’s the legitimate eldest lady and can manage the household after you marry him.
When the family is divided, she can also get the largest share of the property. No matter how you compare, it is better to marry my Dalang."
Xie couldn't stand Ma's smug look and sneered, "Your eldest son is such a good man, why haven't you seen him marry a concubine's daughter from a marquis's mansion in all these years?"
Ma was choked and said weakly, "It's because no one is acting as a matchmaker."
Xie Maogui was the Junior Secretary of the Eastern Palace, so he should have had many opportunities to build close relationships with nobles and military generals.
It’s a pity that the prince is close to civil officials and cannot win the hearts of the nobles and military generals. In fact, many of the nobles and military generals are firmly against the prince.
Because the nobles and military generals knew that once the prince came to power, those of them who had made their fortunes through military merit would definitely be banished to the cold palace.
At that time, the army will be disbanded and the noble generals will have no wars to fight.
Noble military commanders who have no wars to fight will collapse within twenty years.
Twenty years, a whole generation.
Twenty years is enough for civil officials to ride roughshod over military generals.
The nobles and generals could not afford such consequences.
Therefore, the nobles and military generals were secretly rebelling against the prince.
Even if he didn't rebel against the crown prince, he would still stay away from the Eastern Palace.
For example, the neighboring marquisate will not rebel against the prince, nor will they support him.
The position of the neighboring Marquisate was very firm, and they would support whoever became emperor. Even if the person sitting on the throne was a dog, as long as the throne was legitimate, the neighboring Marquisate would support it.
To put it bluntly, this stance is no stance at all.
Even if Xie Mao had a thousand tricks, under such circumstances, as long as he was an official of the Eastern Palace, he would never be able to establish any relationship with the nobles and generals.
However, Xie Mao has a sister named Xie who married well. As long as Xie is willing to help, maybe the Xie family and the Pingnan Marquis Mansion can really establish a relationship.
Xie sneered, "Before, I was away from home with my master and was not in the capital for a long time, so there was no one to help you two get together.
The saying that your eldest son is well-off and can marry any girl from a noble family is nothing but empty talk.
Now that I have returned to the capital, you and your elder brother have become more active and are trying to form a marriage with the Marquis's family through me.
Sister-in-law, do you think I have that ability? I’m afraid that as soon as I open my mouth, the Marquis’ Mansion will kick me out. I won’t do such a thing that would offend others.”
Ma was anxious. "Madam, how can you back down before you even start? If you don't give it a try, how can you know if it will work?"
Xie secretly rolled her eyes. "Sister-in-law, don't waste your time. What do you mean by giving it a try? If it works, you'll benefit. If it doesn't, you won't suffer any loss, but I'll be in dire straits. By then, the Marquis' Mansion won't like me, and neither will you. I won't do such a thankless task."
Ma said, "Aunt, my Xie Shi is your nephew."
Xie sneered and said sarcastically, "He's a nephew, not a biological son. When Big Brother was plotting against me, he never considered that I was his biological sister."
"How could my aunt be so cruel?"
Xie snorted coldly, very unhappy, "If you are here as a guest, I will treat you well. If you are here to cause trouble, don't blame me for disregarding our kinship."
Ma was speechless. She didn't expect Xie to turn against her so suddenly.
When she came, she had it all in her mind. Whether it was marrying into the Gu family or the Marquis family, she had to get a firm answer.
In the end, he didn't get what he wanted, but was ridiculed by Xie.
Ma's eyes rolled around, and after thinking for a while, she said, "Auntie, why don't you marry your eldest daughter into my family and become my daughter-in-law?"
Gu Zhen?
Xie frowned, "Don't waste your time, sister-in-law. The Marquis' Mansion is helping to arrange Gu Zhen's marriage."
Ma was surprised because Xie didn't mention this matter when she returned to her parents' home last time.
She hurriedly asked, "Which young master is the Marquis' Mansion looking for?"
Xie thought about it and decided it wouldn't hurt to tell Ma, so she said, "The young master of the eldest wife's family in the Haixi Marquis's mansion."
"ah!"
Ma cried out.
Xie frowned and looked at Ma with dissatisfaction.
Ma said hurriedly, "Madam, you probably don't know what kind of family the Haixi Marquis's is. How could such a good family give away a concubine's daughter so cheaply?"
Isn’t Yue’er’s marriage not settled yet?
Why not marry Gu Zhen to my family and Yue Er to the Haixi Marquis’ Mansion? I heard that the eldest son of the Haixi Marquis’ Mansion is still unengaged.”
Xie raised her eyebrows, her eyes flickering.
Seeing that there was a chance, Ma continued to promote the idea, "Haixi Bo has military merits and is favored by the emperor. He is a legitimate son of a handsome and talented man, both civil and military.
Many families with daughters in the capital had their eyes on the legitimate son of the Haixi Marquis's mansion. Matchmakers would come to the door every few days.
This is a first-rate family, and Yue Er should marry into it and become the mistress of the house. Gu Zhen, that illegitimate girl, must not be allowed to get away with it."
Xie frowned and asked, "Is the Haixi Marquis's Mansion really as good as you say?"
Ma said quickly, "If you don't believe me, you can send someone to ask around on the street. Or you can ask the wives of the first wives in your house; they will definitely know.
Madam, I'm not saying anything bad about you. You haven't been in the capital for years and don't understand the current situation there. How could you be so careless about your children's marriages? You almost let that illegitimate girl, Gu Zhen, take advantage of them.
No, no, this marriage is absolutely not going to happen. Aunt, you have to think about your daughter Yue'er quickly. If you miss this opportunity, you won't be able to find another one.
As for Gu Zhen, she should marry my Erlang. A concubine's daughter marrying a concubine's daughter is just right."
Various thoughts flashed through Xie's mind, and finally she said indifferently: "I know about this. Thank you, sister-in-law."
that's all?
Ma was stunned, unable to believe it. Xie's reaction was too cold. Could it be that Xie didn't listen to what she said?
No, she clearly saw that Xie was moved.
How come in the blink of an eye, it seems like he doesn't care at all.
Ma's eyes moved left and right, and his thoughts were spinning rapidly.
Her heart moved slightly, and an idea suddenly popped up in her mind. Before she could grasp it, she heard Xie's voice sounded in her ears.
"Speaking of the children's marriages, my second daughter, Gu Jiu, has my eldest sister-in-law found a good family to introduce her to? Don't even mention your children. Gu Jiu was born to my first wife, and my master will never agree to marry Gu Jiu into the Xie family."
Ma asked, "What kind of family does Auntie want to find for Gu Jiu?"
Xie raised her eyebrows and smiled, "It would be best if it were a family with strict rules, a large family, and sisters-in-law of noble status.
Also, don't choose the eldest son, the second son is better. The second son is not as good as the eldest son in both civil and military skills, but he always dotes on girls.
I always feel pity for any pretty maid or concubine. Sister-in-law, is there a family like this?"
Ma laughed and said, "Yes, there is one that meets your requirements, Auntie."
Mrs. Xie was surprised. "Sister-in-law, tell me, which young master is so suitable?"
Ma smiled and said, "The grandson of the Crown Prince's guest, Lord Liu, is handsome, talented, and romantic. He is a perfect match for your second daughter, and together they are an absolute perfect couple."
Xie was happy, but then a little disappointed.
"He's an official from the Eastern Palace, I'm afraid my master won't agree."
"Everything depends on human effort. Madam, don't give up so early. Just like the marriage between our Xie family and the Marquis' Mansion, even though Madam rejected me, I still didn't give up."
Xie was furious. "Sister-in-law, stop thinking about the Marquis' Mansion. It's impossible for the Marquis' Mansion to do that. You'd better give up on this idea as soon as possible."
Ma was not angry either. She asked, "Master Liu's grandson, would you like me to introduce him to you?"
Xie said, "I'll think about it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
