At noon, Mrs. Xie ordered the kitchen to prepare a banquet to entertain the Xie family.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, showed up, exchanged a few words with Mrs. Ma, drank two glasses of wine, and then left.
Ma and Xie murmured, "Your sister-in-law has a reputation and is not someone you can easily mess with."
Xie snorted coldly, "She's not easy to mess with, but am I someone who can be bullied?"
Ma said cheerfully, "That's what a lady should do. You must not let Zhang take advantage of you and act recklessly. Your two families haven't separated yet, so you can't let Zhang hold on to the power of the housekeeper."
"Sister-in-law, have a drink."
Xie picked up the wine glass and poured it into Ma's mouth, blocking her mouth neatly.
Mrs. Xie was very annoyed, but Mrs. Ma had no tact at all, and kept doing this and that, which made her even more unhappy.
Xie poured Ma glass after glass of wine, and soon Ma became drunk and stopped talking about those messy topics.
Instead, she talked about her children.
The two sisters, Gu Yue and Gu Shan, are responsible for greeting the three girls from the Xie family.
Gu Yue looked down on her cousins from the Xie family, and coupled with the fact that she had said something wrong in the side room before, she could only smile awkwardly.
"Sisters, please eat your food."
Xie Yuan kept her head down, and her expression couldn't be seen. She must be unhappy.
Anyone who is said to by Gu Yue in that way, such as "Sixth brother will suffer a great loss if he marries Sister Yuan", will be angry.
Xie Yuan still had a good temper and did not quarrel with Gu Yue on the spot, but she also ignored what Gu Yue said.
Gu Shan wanted to ease the atmosphere, but the three Xie sisters refused to give her any face.
The meal was so awkward.
Gu Shan sighed repeatedly, her head aching.
Gu Yue's problem of speaking without thinking is probably incurable.
Only Gu Jiu, Gu Zhen and Gu Lin were not affected and continued to eat and drink as usual.
Gu Lin also invited the three sisters of the Xie family to drink.
The three sisters of the Xie family drank two cups reluctantly, and then refused to drink any more no matter what.
The men's table wasn't quite as awkward. Everyone was polite and toasting each other.
After the banquet and a short rest for an hour, Ma set off for home with her children.
As soon as she got on the carriage, Xie Yuan threw herself into Ma's arms and burst into tears.
"What's the matter? What's the matter?"
Xie Yuan kept crying and didn't say a word. It was obvious that she had been wronged.
Ma frowned and asked Miss Xie Ping, "What's going on? Did Yuan'er suffer any injustice?"
Xie Ping hurriedly said, "Madam, when we were talking to the Gu sisters in the wing room earlier, cousin Gu Yue said something very unpleasant, and we were all very angry."
"What did you say?"
"Cousin Gu Yue said, 'Sixth Brother is at a disadvantage if he marries Sister Yuan.' It was a very awkward situation. Sister Yuan had suffered a great injustice, yet she had to force herself to save face. Furthermore, cousin Gu Yue never apologized to Sister Yuan. It was cousin Gu Shan who apologized on her behalf."
When Ma heard this, she was immediately furious.
She gnashed her teeth and said, "Gu Yue, that little bitch, has no control over her mouth. How is my Yuan'er unworthy of Gu Cheng? This is too much."
Xie Ping nodded repeatedly, "That's right! The Gu family is really going too far. Madam, will you still visit the Gu family in the future?"
Ma was furious. "Of course I have to go. The Gu family looks down on our Xie family, so I insist on becoming relatives with the Gu family and want Yuan'er to marry Gu Cheng. Then I want to see who dares to gossip."
Xie Yuan shook her head repeatedly. "Mother, I won't marry Cousin Gu Cheng. I don't want to marry someone who looks down on me. I can't afford to lose face, and I can't bear this injustice."
"Okay, okay, I'll do as you say. I won't marry you to Gu Cheng, or anyone else in the Gu family. Your father and I will definitely find you someone better than Gu Cheng, and we'll definitely crush him."
Ma coaxed Xie Yuan and finally made her stop crying.
Xie Ping suggested, "If Sister Yuan doesn't want to marry the young master of the Gu family, you can let your eldest brother marry a girl from the Gu family."
Ma nodded secretly, "Gu Yue, that little bitch, looks down on our Xie family. Then let her marry into the Xie family. When she enters my family, she will have to obey my orders about life and death, happiness and misfortune."
Xie Yuan was speechless. "Mom, this isn't good."
Gu Yue is such a talkative person. If Big Brother marries her, Xie Yuan won't know whether it will be a blessing or a curse. Don't let her end up being a troublemaker. A good family will be ruined by Gu Yue.
Ma laughed, "Yuan'er, don't worry. I know Gu Yue's abilities very well. No matter how much trouble she makes, she can't get out of my control."
Xie Yuan looked hesitant and did not try to persuade him any further.
Xie Ping looked very happy, it was really gratifying.
The last time Gu Yue visited the Xie family, Xie Ping couldn't stand Gu Yue's arrogant and contemptuous attitude.
It’s just backed by the Marquis’ Mansion, what’s so great about that?
Xie Ping smiled secretly. If Gu Yue really married into the Xie family, she would definitely bully her severely and let her know the consequences of looking down on others.
…
Xie was tired and sat in the room to rest.
Chun He came in to report the situation, "Madam, Mrs. Xie and her family have already left."
Xie nodded and rubbed her eyebrows.
Chun He continued, "For the lunch banquet, the kitchen collected twenty taels of silver, saying it was a custom in the mansion. Whoever arranges the banquet has to pay the kitchen extra money."
Xie jumped up when she heard this. "Three tables of banquets cost twenty taels. Why don't they just go and rob the money?"
Chun He lowered her head and waited until Xie's anger subsided a little before she said, "I've inquired and found out that this is the custom in the mansion. The price is not a problem. Even if the eldest master prepares a banquet, he still has to pay extra."
Xie was stunned for a moment when she heard this, "Is that really the case?"
Chun He nodded. "I heard that this is a rule set by the eldest lady. It's to prevent people from deliberately treating us to meals and drinks and causing losses to the public treasury."
Mrs. Xie snorted coldly, "I knew Mrs. Zhang was a miser. She's still calculating even the smallest amount of money for the banquet. It's not like the mansion doesn't have income. I wonder how much money she's embezzled from those farms and shops over the years."
Xie was furious and vented her anger, then asked Chunhe, "Do you know where the eldest wife is now?"
Chun He said, "The eldest lady should be in the meeting hall right now."
"Come on! Follow me to see the first lady."
Chun He was worried, "Madam, it's just twenty taels of wine and banquet money, there's no need to go see the eldest lady specially."
"Who said I went to see her for twenty taels of silver? Do I need that twenty taels of silver?"
Chunhe shook his head repeatedly, thinking that the Xie family was definitely not short of money.
Over the years, Xie followed Mr. Xie in doing business and made a lot of money.
Xie came to the meeting hall with her maids and servants.
"Sister-in-law is busy!"
In the meeting hall, the old women were reporting back on the matter.
When the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, saw Mrs. Xie coming, she immediately laughed.
"My sister-in-law is here. What a rare guest. You all leave. Shaoyao, serve tea to the Second Madam. Second sister-in-law, please take a seat."
The housekeepers left one by one, and Shaoyao arranged for the little maid to make tea.
Mrs. Xie sat down on the chair and turned her head to look at Mrs. Zhang, the eldest wife. "Sister-in-law, you have worked hard over the years."
The eldest wife, Zhang, raised her eyebrows and said, "Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law. Fortunately, I have gotten used to it and don't find it hard at all."
Mrs. Xie looked around and asked, "Was my sister-in-law doing housework just now?"
Madam Zhang nodded, "That's right. Is there something that brings you here, sister-in-law?"
"There is indeed something I want to ask my sister-in-law."
Mrs. Zhang, the eldest wife, raised her eyebrows slightly, a little surprised. She looked at Mrs. Xie with a half-smile, "It's really rare that my sister-in-law would ask me for advice."
At this time, the little maid came in with tea.
Shaoyao took the tray and placed the teacup in front of Mrs. Xie, "Second Madam, have some tea."
Mrs. Xie looked at Shaoyao and said with a smile, "What a charming maid! I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry her."
Shaoyao was very graceful and smiled as she retreated without saying anything else.
The eldest wife, Zhang, smiled and asked, "Have all your sister-in-law's family members left?"
Xie nodded, "Just sent him away."
"oh!"
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, smiled meaningfully.
Xie took a sip of tea and went over what she was about to say before speaking, "Does sister-in-law know anything about the Haixi Marquis's Mansion?"
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, suddenly understood.
"Sister-in-law, you are so thoughtful. You have been so worried about Zhen's marriage."
Xie smiled and said, "Although Zhen is not my daughter, she still calls me mother. This is a matter of life and death for her, so of course I can't be careless."
"What my sister-in-law said is true. When talking about the Haixi Marquis' Mansion, we have to start with the previous generation of Haixi Marquis."
"Please give me some advice, sister-in-law."
The eldest wife, Zhang, smiled and said, "The previous generation, Haixi Bo, was a great follower of the emperor. He was originally a guard, and later joined the Western Army. He made many contributions and was promoted several times. Later, he died while saving the emperor.
The emperor, mindful of his outstanding military achievements and his loyalty, bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Haixi.
The title was inherited by the eldest son, who is now the Marquis of Haixi. This Marquis of Haixi, who has inherited the throne from his ancestors and is deeply favored by the emperor, is a rare minister who has a say in the affairs of the emperor."
Hearing this, Xie's eyes lit up.
This Haixi Earl's Mansion is truly no ordinary Earl's Mansion. It is much better than some Marquis' Mansions and Duke's Mansions that are not favored by the emperor.
They can be considered a first-class good family.
Ma really didn't lie to her.
Giving such a good family to Gu Zhen is really too cheap.
Gu Zhen is just a concubine's daughter and really doesn't deserve such a good family background.
Xie asked, "How many children does Haixi Bo have? Are they married?"
The eldest wife, Zhang, pursed her lips and smiled. "Haixi Bo has three sons and four daughters. Dalang and Erlang are both legitimate sons, while Silang is a concubine's son. Besides Dalang, who is already married, the other two sons are still unmarried. Of the four daughters, only the youngest is still unmarried."
Xie was delighted that her second son was still unmarried, which was great.
The eldest wife, Zhang, took a sip from her teacup and continued, "Haixi Bo has two younger brothers. The three brothers share the same mother, and because the old lady is still alive, they haven't split up the family.
The second and third branches of the Zhao family all have some conflicts with the eldest brother, Hai Xibo.
I heard that when the three brothers inherited the title, they caused a lot of trouble.
The old lady felt sorry for her youngest son, and the third master was a hopeless person.
Of the three brothers, the most capable is undoubtedly the Second Master. My sisters-in-law, you know that the current Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice is the second brother of the Earl of Haixi.
Xie was surprised.
The eldest wife, Zhang, added, "It is rumored that this Lord Zhao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, has always wanted to fight for the title."
"ah!"
Xie was horrified, as if she couldn't believe it.
The eldest wife, Zhang, smiled and said, "Do you think that the title has already been decided, and it is useless for the second and third branches of the Zhao family to fight for it?"
Xie nodded, "Shouldn't it be like this?"
Not everyone can compete for the title, what a joke.
The eldest wife, Zhang, said, "The situation in the Haixi Marquis' Mansion is somewhat different. Rumor has it that the previous Haixi Marquis received an imperial decree granting him a title before his death, and at that time he left a will, wishing to pass the title on to the second son."
"That's impossible." Xie didn't quite believe it.
"So it's just a rumor. But it gives that Minister Zhao, the Minister of Justice, enough reason to fight for the title."
Xie frowned, "So, the Haixi Marquis's Mansion is in chaos?"
The eldest wife, Zhang, smiled and said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. I've said it before, this generation of Haixi Earl is deeply favored by the emperor, and his title cannot be taken away by others.
The Zhao Silang that Zhen Yatou is proposing to marry is the eldest wife's son, so there is even less to worry about.
"Once the Marquis's Mansion has made arrangements, my sister-in-law will take Zhen to see him. As long as he likes her, the marriage will be a done deal."
Mrs. Xie nodded. "What my sister-in-law said makes sense. But Zhen is a bit weak. I'm worried that she can't handle the situation in the Haixi Marquis' Mansion."
The eldest wife, Zhang, put down her teacup and smiled, "Sister-in-law, let me say something unpleasant. Zhen is marrying a young master born out of wedlock, so there's no need for her to be in charge of the household. Even if something does happen, it won't be her turn to step in. Don't worry."
Mrs. Xie also laughed and said, "Thank you for your advice, sister-in-law. I understand."
After Xie got the information she wanted, she stood up and said goodbye.
Zhang sent Xie out the door, "Have a nice day, sister-in-law!"
After Xie left, the maid Shaoyao whispered to the eldest wife Zhang, "The second wife is so kind that she went to ask you about the situation in the Haixi Marquis' Mansion for the sake of the eldest daughter's marriage."
The eldest wife, Zhang, smiled faintly, "Of course she doesn't have such good intentions. But this has nothing to do with our eldest wife's family, so let her do whatever she wants. Once she gets frustrated, she'll realize how deep the waters of the capital are."
Xie returned to Furong Courtyard and leaned back on the soft couch.
She thought again of what Ma had said to encourage her to marry Gu Zhen to the Xie family and then marry Gu Yue to the Haixi Earl's Mansion.
The more Xie thought about it, the more she felt that what Ma said made sense.
How could the first-class family background of the Haixi Marquis' Mansion be given to a concubine's daughter like Gu Zhen?
Chun He walked in from outside, "Excuse me, Madam, the Sixth Young Master, the Third Young Lady, and the Fourth Young Lady are here."
Xie sat up and said, "Let them in."
The three siblings walked into the main house and paid their respects to Mrs. Xie first.
Gu Yue was the most considerate. "Is mother tired? Is aunt too noisy and disturbing mother?"
Mrs. Xie waved her hand and said, "Don't say that about your aunt. She is your elder."
Gu Yue nodded first, then continued, "But my aunt has no sense at all and even said she wants to marry into our family. Mother, you won't really agree to my aunt's request, will you?"
Mrs. Xie looked at her three children and asked, "Why are you all here for this?"
The three of them nodded in unison.
Gu Cheng said, "Mother, I don't think it's appropriate to marry into my uncle's family."
Xie frowned, "Why? Do you despise your uncle's family for being nouveau riche?"
Xie's tone was obviously unhappy.
Gu Cheng said seriously, "My son doesn't dislike my uncle's family."
After a pause, he continued, "Uncle, as an official of the Eastern Palace, according to what my son has learned, the situation of the Eastern Palace is not very good.
If I marry into my uncle's family at this time, it will only affect my father's career and may even affect the Marquis's Mansion.
My son thinks that, for the sake of safety, we should just maintain ordinary relations with my uncle's family. As for marriage, let's not talk about it anymore."
Mrs. Xie frowned, "It's not as serious as you say. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascended the throne, and that's a legitimate matter."
"Mother!"
Gu Cheng's expression was serious. "Our marriage is a big deal, and we must have our father's consent."
"Of course." Xie snorted coldly, "Do you really think I would bypass your father and arrange a marriage for you? In your eyes, am I so foolish?"
Gu Cheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "In this case, my son has nothing to worry about."
Xie snorted coldly, "Cheng'er, you are prejudiced against your uncle's family."
Gu Cheng frowned and defended himself, "My son has no prejudice against my uncle's family, we just have different ideas."
Xie was annoyed. "Are you deliberately arguing with me?"
Gu Yan pursed his lips and stopped talking.
Xie's anger suddenly flared up.
At this moment, Gu Yue suddenly said, "Mother, I don't want to marry into the Xie family."
Mrs. Xie said with a stern face, "I didn't ask you to marry into the Xie family, why are you in such a hurry?"
Gu Yue immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Xie rubbed her brows and looked at Gu Yue. She suppressed the matter of Haixibo Mansion and decided not to tell Gu Yue for the time being.
Otherwise, Gu Yue, who has a big mouth, might accidentally let something slip and cause trouble again.
Xie waved her hand with a look of disgust, "Everyone, please leave now."
"Take care of yourself, mother."
The three siblings left one after another.
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