Lady Nangong’s expression darkened. Although she didn’t know what her daughter was going to say, the fact that Jiujiu had just defended her daughter and granddaughter, only for her daughter to make a request immediately afterward, was truly ignorant of proper etiquette. She resolved to properly instruct her daughter later.
Noticing Nangong Lingyao’s intentions, Yang Mengchen silently shook his head, though on the surface he smiled and said, "Whatever the matter is, let’s talk about it after Sixth Brother and his bride’s wedding is over."
Nangong Lingyao choked.
She had thought that by Yang Mengchen speaking up for her in public like this, he was giving her support, so it would definitely not be a problem for her to secure a good official position for her husband. She wondered how her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law would dare to act arrogantly in front of her from now on.
She hadn’t expected that before she could even speak, Yang Mengchen had already refused her, albeit not explicitly, the implicit meaning was clear.
How could this be?
Sister Duan, who stood behind Nangong Lingyao, subtly tugged at her sleeve.
Though Nangong Lingyao was meek and yielding, she had one good quality – she was receptive to Sister Duan’s advice. Feeling the reminder, she closed her mouth and said no more.
After glancing at Sister Duan, Yang Mengchen turned to look at the other ladies with a smile and said, "Don’t worry, my dear cousins and sisters-in-law. If you have daughters, I will likewise prepare a dowry for each. But I must make one thing clear in advance: all the girls in our family are treasures that must be properly educated and protected from a young age. Especially before they reach fourteen years of age, marriage should not be discussed, and within three generations, there shall be no marital relations."
"Princess, why no marital relations within three generations?" Not just Wu Licheng’s wife, Madam Zhong, but everyone looked at Yang Mengchen with puzzled faces.
Wu Licheng, Liu Zijun, and Shen Yuzhe had chosen to serve outside the capital, consistently achieving excellent performance evaluations every year.
Their wives were dignified and virtuous, well-educated and polite, and they had harmonious relationships with their in-laws.
These three daughters-in-law were well aware of their husbands’ and in-laws’ close relationship with the princess, and so treated the princess with natural closeness amidst their respect.
At the wedding of these three relatives, Yang Mengchen had not attended in person, but had sent significant gifts.
Yang Mengchen smiled and explained, "Close blood relations are not good for the offspring; severe cases may impact the children’s aptitude, meaning the descendants might not be very intelligent. Milder effects could lead to poor health in offspring, and increase the chance of miscarriage. Of course, this is not absolute, but the probability is higher compared to those with more distant blood relations."
The crowd was dumbfounded.
Many matriarchs of famous aristocratic families thought about strengthening bonds through marriage within the family – first, to consolidate their position, and second, because nieces from the maternal side were easier to get along with. Women harbored the same thoughts, as marrying into relatives’ homes felt more secure; even common folk believed that cousins who grew up together would have a better relationship.
If being closely related by blood could hinder offspring, then...
While the others were somewhat better off, Madam Zhong was particularly struck: "May I ask, Princess, where did you hear such rumors?"
Her sister-in-law was her own first cousin, and after marrying her elder brother, had been pregnant three times to no avail. The doctor said it was due to her sister-in-law’s frail health, yet she had always been quite healthy before.
Yang Mengchen replied with a smile, "I read it in an ancient medical text. I happened to encounter a family where the eldest child was mentally challenged, the second was crippled, and the third was deformed. Upon detailed inquiry, I learned that the couple’s parents and grandparents, including themselves, were all cousins with very close blood ties, which led to these outcomes. However, this is not absolute, but in our family, we definitively will not marry within three generations."
She knew that in this time, many people married close relatives. She couldn’t stop others, but of course, she would prevent it within her own family.
"My maternal aunt’s daughter married her cousin, miscarried twice, and only with difficulty gave birth to a son who is frequently ill and relies on medicinal soups to survive," Lady Luo suddenly realized. "Now that Mengmeng mentions it, it seems to make quite a bit of sense."
At first, the crowd had doubts, but after hearing what Lady Luo said and thinking of those around them who were married to close relatives, they realized that not many had favorable outcomes. Thus, those who had considered marrying within the family developed reservations; after all, the matter of heirs was of crucial importance and not to be taken lightly.
Considering Yang Mengchen’s journey had been taxing, the group chatted for a while before dispersing.
Yang Mengchen specifically asked Lady Nangong, Sister Duan, and Hao Mingzhu’s nurse, Sister Qi, to stay. She glanced at Sister Jin, who then accompanied Nangong Lingyao, while Bai He took Hao Mingzhu away.
Casting a glance at Hai Tang, Hai Tang handed Sister Qi a brocaded box. Yang Mengchen spoke kindly and softly, "Sister Qi, as long as you guide Mingzhu well in the future, even if the Nangong family does not mention it, I, the princess, will ensure that you have nothing to worry about for the rest of your life." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
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