Mrs. Yun's words put Mrs. Yun's head at ease. However, the certainty in her words made her hesitate. "But mother, how do I explain this to Shuhe?"
Old Madam Yun frowned. "What do you want to explain? The Yun family doesn't need to explain to anyone. The Su family wants to marry into our Yun family right now, but it's just that they've been tricked by the Yanbei Palace. They want to drag us into the same boat with them and give them a headache. Are the Yun family really that easy to use?"
"Mother, you mean that the Su family's accident this time was really caused by the Yanbei Palace..."
Old Madam Yun thought for a moment, then sneered, "I suspect it's pretty close. In recent years, the Su family has not only expanded its reach into Yanbei, but has also attempted to meddle in businesses further south. I'm afraid this has violated the taboos of the Yanbei Palace. The Su family rose to prominence following the old Yanbei King, Xiao Qishan. Back then, they were considered retainers of the Yanbei Palace. Anyone could have anything to do with the capital, except the Su family. Otherwise, do they want to be slaves of two families? That's a bit too ambitious. A master can't just leave a servant disobedient."
Madam Yun seemed to understand something: "No wonder you said that we are not on the same side as the Su family."
In the eyes of the Yun family, the Su family was nothing more than servants of the Yanbei Palace, while the Yun family was in-laws of the Yanbei Palace. The reason why the Yun family married into the Yanbei Palace was just a temporary measure to reconcile the conflict between the aristocratic families and the emerging nobles.
Old Madam Yun thought for a moment and sighed, "However, Shuhe is right in one thing. Our Yun family and the Yanbei Palace are not as close as they were when the old prince was alive. Otherwise, Ting'er and the princess's marriage wouldn't be so difficult. But some things are beyond our control. Our Yun family has been the most prominent family in Yanbei for decades, with countless families relying on us. With prosperity comes complexity. Take the last battle with the Su family for the Northwest Salt Fields. It's not that we won't retreat, but that we can't. If we retreat once, we'll retreat a second and a third time. Until there's no more room to retreat, and those below us lose heart. By then, the Yun family will be left to be exploited."
Madam Yun frowned and said, "Our Yun family has made great contributions to Yanbei over the years. If the day ever comes when we can no longer retreat, will the Yanbei Palace just stand by and watch us perish?"
Old Madam Yun chuckled and looked at Madam Yun and said, "You still didn't listen to what I just said."
"Mother……"
"I told you that the Yun family and the Su family are not on the same side. What do you think I meant? The Su family is a pawn of the Yanbei Palace, but the Yun family is not. Since we're asking the Yanbei Palace to give the Yun family a higher status, then the Yun family must have something to show for it. If that day really comes... if that day really comes, we can only blame ourselves for not being capable enough. So what if the Yanbei Palace stands by and watches? Even if they're attacked, you can't say they're wrong. If one Yun family is gone, there will be hundreds and thousands more to take its place."
Madam Yun's words trembled slightly in Madam Yun's heart. After a long silence, she finally spoke, "Mother, is the Yanbei Palace's reluctance to agree to Ting'er and the princess's marriage also a warning to our Yun family?"
This time it was Old Lady Yun's turn to remain silent.
Madam Yun waited for a long time, then opened her mouth to speak when Old Madam Yun spoke up, "Don't worry too much. The fact that our Yun family is the most prestigious family in Yanbei means we won't be easily defeated. Almost all the distinguished ladies from Yanbei have arrived for this banquet, and quite a few have visited the Yun family recently. Have you seen anyone you like?"
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