Even Madam Shen herself did not expect that this was the second time Shen Wangqiu had contradicted her.
The first time was for Jiang Shi, and the second time was for Shen Liyue.
Madam Shen would not blame her son, but she felt more and more that Jiang and Shen Liyue were two disasters.
But Madam Shen was determined to make this happen, so she said, "Why not? The He family may not be as wealthy as the Shen family, but they are still considered a noble family. Why can't they be a good match for Yue'er?"
"A noble family?" Jiang asked. "Would a noble family send their concubine's daughter to be a concubine in the home of a 40- or 50-year-old official?"
He was also shocked when she heard this. She looked at He Zhen, and He Zhen's face suddenly turned red.
What my mother did was excessive, but she also secretly sent the person there in a sedan chair in the dark of night and no one knew about it. How did Jiang know about it?
Jiang snorted coldly, "If you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself. The He family's actions are unacceptable, not to mention they are a noble family. Even a conscientious mistress wouldn't do such a thing. A teenage girl as beautiful as a flower marries off to become a concubine in such a family. These dirty deeds are enough to reveal a person's character. We absolutely cannot marry into such a family."
Although He Zhen was not confident in her heart, she still had to argue a few words: "Mrs. Shen, please don't slander me! You must provide evidence when you speak!"
Jiang didn't indulge him either. "You can ask for evidence, but I don't know if your He family's reputation will be preserved once you produce it."
He Zhen felt guilty and did not dare to contradict Jiang at this moment. After all, what his mother did was true, and his several concubines were indeed married off to officials as concubines.
Moreover, his mother said that marriage is a matter of parents' decision and matchmaker's words. Even if his concubine sisters are unwilling, they have to obey their parents. Besides, marrying his sisters to these families will pave the way for his future, and he is looking forward to it.
Having said that, He Zhen also felt that he could no longer stay in the Shen family.
"I've been humiliated twice, is this how the Shen family treats guests? It seems the Shen family's status is too high, and the He family can't afford to be with them. Goodbye!"
After saying this, He Zhen turned away, and He Shi quickly got up and followed after him.
Jiang glanced at him with disdain and was about to leave, but was stopped by Old Madam Shen.
"You all stay!" Old Madam Shen said, "Li Yue stays too."
He had already walked to the door of the hall, and after hearing what she said, she had no choice but to turn around and sit down.
"It doesn't matter if the He family's marriage doesn't happen, but what exactly are your plans in mind?" Old Madam Shen frowned and looked at the couple from the first house.
"My husband and I only have this one son and one daughter. We must find her a husband she is willing to marry. If there is no other husband, she can remain single for the rest of her life, and my Shen family can still support her."
"Nonsense!" Old Madam Shen slammed the table. "Throughout history, has there ever been a woman who didn't marry? If she doesn't marry, what will happen to the other girls in my Shen family?"
"Yes, Jiao'er is about to reach the age of marriage, and Yue'er is older than her. If she doesn't get married, even if Jiao'er's marriage is settled, she can't get married. Isn't this a sudden delay?" He couldn't help but interrupt. She couldn't let Shen Liyue delay her daughter's marriage.
She has also seen the attitude of the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion towards Jiao'er. Originally, the Yong'an Marquis' Mansion agreed to this marriage just to save the situation. If it is delayed for a long time, more trouble will inevitably arise. She doesn't want to see all this happen.
"Besides, what's wrong with the He family? Even though they sent away some concubines, it also shows the majesty of the mistress. When Yue'er marries, she will be the mistress of the house. Even if Zhen'er marries a concubine and has a concubine's son in the future, her status will not surpass Yue'er."
Jiang glared at He when she heard this. "I didn't know the Second House's reach was so far-reaching. It's not enough for them to worry about their own children, they also worry about my First House's affairs!"
"The Second House has good intentions," Old Lady Shen said. "Besides, she has a point. Even if Yue'er never marries, the younger sisters will eventually get married."
"Then Yue'er will go to the nunnery to become a nun, and it will definitely not delay the marriages of my sisters." Shen Liyue said.
"Nonsense." Old Madam Shen frowned. "If a nun appeared in the Shen family out of nowhere, I don't know what people would say."
"If mother is so worried that Yue'er will drag down the Shen family, then why not just separate the family?"
When Chen Wangqiu spoke, it was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing thousands of waves.
"No!" He was the first to shout.
Although she wasn't the head of the household, she knew the Shen family's situation. The second and third wives held only sinecure positions in the government, their daily expenses relying on the first wife's monthly stipend. If the family split up, her husband's meager salary wouldn't even cover his own extravagant lifestyle, let alone support her and their children. Even if they could get a share of the public treasury, with more outgoings than income, a split would mean nothing more than living off the wealth.
Chen Liyue was also shocked. She didn't know the reason for the separation in her previous life, but this time, her father had proposed it, two years earlier than in her previous life. Was it because her rebirth had changed the course of history? Chen Liyue didn't know, but she also knew that although her father had proposed it, the possibility of the separation being successful was extremely small.
Except for the first wife, the second and third wives, including Old Madam Shen, would not agree.
Mrs. Shen was obviously very angry after hearing what Shen Wangqiu said, and the nanny beside her hurried over to help her calm down.
Madam Shen stretched out her hand, her fingertips trembling as she pointed at Shen Wangqiu: "I'm still alive, and you want to divide the family? Are you hoping that I'll die soon?"
"My son doesn't dare." Shen Wangqiu lowered his head, but his tone was firm. "Mother is afraid that Yue'er will drag down the Shen family, but Yue'er is also our own flesh and blood. I can't let Yue'er suffer any injustice, but I also can't let the Shen family be shamed because of her. Separating the family is the best option."
"Besides, even if we split up, we will still fulfill our filial duties. If Mother is willing to live with us, we will still serve her well. It will be the same after the split up as it was in the past, and we will never deduct a single cent from her."
Only then did He think of Old Madam Shen. Old Madam Shen still had a private property in her hands. Although there had not been any big income in recent years, the amount was still considerable for the second house.
He secretly made a plan in her mind. Even if she wanted to divide the family, she had to win over Old Madam Shen.
As for the servants she mentioned, she could just arrange for a few maids to take care of them. She hadn't been asked to serve her personally in all these years. Even if Old Madam Shen became ill in the future, she wouldn't really be asked to take care of her excrement and urine. However, she was indeed jealous of the private treasury in Old Madam Shen's hands.
If the family does not split up, this money will inevitably be confiscated and divided equally among the three families. If the family really splits up, and Old Madam Shen is willing to follow the second branch, then this money will belong to the second branch, right?
Thinking of this, He stopped talking.
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