The young master put down his rice bowl and said, "Don't rush Hua'er's marriage. As you know, Hua'er is our eldest son. The wife he marries will be the matriarch and manage the household affairs. We must be careful in choosing her. Hua'er only has the title of Xiucai now. Although our Hua'er doesn't need to rely on the imperial examination to pursue an official career, having a title always gives him more options."
Ning nodded, ate a couple of bites of rice, and looked up to ask, "Father, do you have any thoughts on Hua'er's marriage?"
The prince smiled and said, "Di Ge'er is Father's eldest grandson. Have you seen what Father said about his marriage? Father's intention has always been that as long as the girl is of good character, as long as our children like her, and the two of them can live a good life together in the future, family background is not the first priority. When you are looking for Hua'er, don't always focus on those high-class families. As long as the girl is a good person, it doesn't matter if her family background is a little poor."
Ning felt a little uncomfortable. She actually had a competitive mentality. Why could other families marry daughters from noble families, while her daughter-in-law had to be chosen from some humble families?
But she couldn't say this to the heir apparent. Ning Shi also felt conflicted about this issue. So what if they were from noble families? Did they live as comfortably as they did? But she herself came from a prominent family, and there was always this one stubborn thought in her mind that she couldn't quite grasp.
After taking a couple of bites of food, the prince thought of his second daughter and asked, "Has Yao'er written anything these past two days?"
Ning shook her head and said, "No, it's been almost a month since the last letter. I don't know what the child is busy with all day. Even if I wanted to send someone to check on him, I couldn't keep getting news."
The young master recalled the news he had just heard in the Marquis's study and said, "I heard that our Yao'er went to Miaozhou with her husband? I heard they went to deliver grain and medicine."
Upon hearing this, Ning's face gradually turned ugly. She put down her chopsticks and said to the young master, "What do you think our young lady is thinking? I haven't noticed anything with the other sisters, but look at Ninth Sister. Whenever something happens, she's always asking for silver notes, grain, and medicine. What is she planning to do? During the New Year, she left the children at home and went to the capital with 100,000 taels of silver notes. How could she be so bold? Just talking about it makes me so angry."
The prince advised, "Aren't you happy that the sisters get along well? Our Yao'er has been away for a few years, and she's become more ambitious and wild. It's not a big deal that she gets along well with Ninth Girl. Ninth Girl and her brother are both capable and shrewd people. How could she not remember the kindness our Yao'er shows her? The children are all grown up and have their own ideas. We shouldn't interfere with them."
Ning said angrily, "Are you blaming me? I'm a mother, I don't think about anything else, I just want my child to be safe and sound. Am I wrong?"
The prince, seemingly provoked by a single remark, remained lost in thought for a long time before finally uttering in a low voice, "At this time, where can anyone find peace and safety?"
Upon hearing this, Ning's face darkened further. Grabbing the young master's sleeve, she gritted her teeth and asked in a low voice, "Young master, you dare not hide anything from me? Is something about to happen?"
The prince patted Ning's hand and comforted her gently, "Don't worry. His Majesty has not yet established a crown prince, and there is still the Spring and Autumn period. At this time, even without wind, waves can rise three feet high. Our family, whether it is Father or Third Brother, is extremely favored by the Emperor. We are currently in the eye of the storm. Fortunately, Madam, you are an extremely clear-headed person."
Hearing the Crown Prince praise her like that, Ning Shi said somewhat shyly, "Your Highness, how could I be as good as you say?"
The prince smiled and said, "This is not what I said, but what my father said. He said that you are a very sensible and discreet person, and he is very at ease entrusting you with the management of the inner quarters."
This was the greatest praise for Ning Shi. Ning Shi suddenly felt that all the hard work and grievances she had endured over the years had not been in vain. The dissatisfaction in her heart vanished in an instant, and she felt refreshed.
The prince smiled as he watched his wife's transformation, feeling a mix of emotions. His wife had barely settled in after entering the household, yet she was already managing the entire family's needs. Despite her imposing presence outside, the prince had witnessed and remembered all the hardships she endured, the tears she shed in secret because of her poor performance. A kind and understanding man, he knew Ning's struggles and had always been tolerant of her assertiveness. Having lived together for over twenty years, their bond had naturally deepened.
The Crown Prince whispered to Ning Shi, "Miaozhou is the focus of everyone's attention right now. Rumors are flying that Chu Huaigui secretly kept a book of accounts for disaster relief funds and grains over the years, which is also evidence of corruption from the Ministry of Revenue to the local Miaozhou authorities. However, Chu Huaigui committed suicide halfway through, and this book has never been found. The Chu family has been thoroughly investigated, both openly and secretly. His Majesty is really angry this time. He lost his temper with the people from the Dali Temple at the Grand Court and ordered them to investigate thoroughly, no matter who they find. Since Chu Huaigui, the person involved, is gone, we can only find Chu Huaigui's book as evidence. Therefore, the situation in the capital is still very tense. You must make sure that the people in the family do not make a fuss outside and keep a low profile. Right now, the capital is like a pot of hot oil that has been boiled. A drop of water can make the pot ripple."
Ning nodded repeatedly, already pondering how to pass on the matter.
Fortunately, none of the Xu family members were spoiled brats. From the Marquis down to Xu Hua's cousins, they were all very low-key people in the capital. Moreover, Xu Hua and the others had been sent to Tai'an to study. Ning Shi had originally planned to bring Xu Hua and the others back for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but now she was thinking that it was better not to bring them back. She would discuss it with her sisters-in-law and send them more Mid-Autumn Festival gifts.
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