Old Madam Yun's words completely reassured Madam Yun, yet the certainty in her mother-in-law's tone made her hesitate: "But Mother, how should we explain this to Shuhe?"
Old Madam Yun frowned: "Explain what? The Yun Family doesn't need to explain anything to anyone. The Su Family wanting to form a marriage alliance with us now is simply because they're resentful about being outmaneuvered by Yanbei Prince's Mansion and want to drag us onto their side to cause trouble for them. Do they think the Yun Family is so easily used?"
"Mother, are you saying that this trouble with the Su Family is really because of Yanbei Prince's Mansion..."
Old Madam Yun thought for a moment, then sneered: "I'd say it's almost certainly the case. In recent years, the Su Family has not only extended their reach further into Yanbei but also tried to get involved in southern businesses. They've probably crossed a line with Yanbei Prince's Mansion. The Su Family rose with Old Yanbei Prince Xiao Qishan—they were originally retainers of Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Anyone else could have ties to the capital, but not the Su Family. Otherwise, would they try to serve two masters? Their ambitions are simply too great. When servants don't obey, their masters naturally can't let them be."
Madam Yun seemed to understand: "No wonder you said we and the Su Family aren't on the same path."
In the eyes of the Yun Family, the Su Family were merely retainers of Yanbei Prince's Mansion, while the Yun Family were in-laws. The marriage alliance between the Yun Family and Yanbei Prince's Mansion had originally been a temporary measure by the prince's mansion to mediate conflicts between established families and newly risen nobles.
Old Madam Yun thought for a moment, then sighed: "However, Shuhe was right about one thing. Our Yun Family is no longer as close to Yanbei Prince's Mansion as we were when the old prince was alive. Otherwise, Ting'er's marriage to the Commandery Princess wouldn't be so difficult. But some things are beyond our control. For decades, our Yun Family has been the foremost family in Yanbei, with countless families attached to us. When branches grow thick, tangled and unruly ones are inevitable. Take the recent dispute with the Su Family over the northwestern salt field—it's not that we won't retreat, but that we can't. Retreat once, and you'll retreat a second and third time until there's nowhere left to retreat, leaving those beneath us disheartened. By then, the Yun Family would be reduced to being at others' mercy."
Madam Yun frowned: "Our Yun Family has contributed much to Yanbei over the years, if not through great achievements then through hard work. If it truly comes to that day when there's nowhere left to retreat, would Yanbei Prince's Mansion really stand by and do nothing?"
Old Madam Yun chuckled coldly, looking at Madam Yun: "You still haven't understood what I just said."
"Mother..."
"I said the Yun Family and the Su Family aren't on the same path. What do you think that means? The Su Family are dogs under Yanbei Prince's Mansion—the Yun Family are not. Since we demand a higher status from Yanbei Prince's Mansion, the Yun Family must have the capability to back it up. If that day truly comes... if that day truly comes, we can only blame ourselves for not being capable enough. What if Yanbei Prince's Mansion stands by and watches? Even if they add insult to injury, you can't say they're wrong. If one Yun Family falls, a hundred or a thousand others will rise to take its place."
Old Madam Yun's words struck Madam Yun deeply. After a long silence, she spoke: "Mother, is Yanbei Prince's Mansion delaying their approval of Ting'er and the Commandery Princess's marriage also a warning to our Yun Family?"
This time, it was Old Madam Yun's turn to fall silent.Madam Yun waited for a moment, opening her mouth to speak, but Old Madam Yun spoke first: "You need not worry too much. The fact that our Yun Family can be the foremost family in Yanbei means we are not so easily toppled. This Thousand Gold Banquet has brought nearly all the noble young ladies of Yanbei, and many have visited the Yun Family these past days. Have you seen any that are suitable?"
Old Madam Yun changed the topic so abruptly that Madam Yun was momentarily stunned: "There are indeed a few good ones. What does Mother mean?"
Old Madam Yun picked up her teacup, lowered her eyes to take a sip, and said slowly: "It is time to decide on a proper wife for Fang'er."
"Mother, didn't you say before that we should set aside Fang'er's marriage for now and focus on Ting'er first? There is an order of seniority..." Madam Yun hesitated.
Old Madam Yun shook her head: "I previously thought Fang'er's temperament was not yet settled, so I intended to let him be for a while. But now circumstances force our hand; Fang'er's marriage can no longer be delayed. The Su Family harbors wolfish ambitions; forming a marriage alliance with them would bring harm, not benefit. However, an alliance with another family could be worthwhile."
Hearing this, Madam Yun could not help but worry: "As Mother said, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion is already quite wary of our Yun Family's growing influence. If we form another marriage alliance with a prominent family, wouldn't that make the Yanbei Prince's Mansion even more intolerant of us?"
Old Madam Yun, however, smiled: "The Yun Family is related by marriage to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, and also to the Su Family. In critical moments, have you ever seen the three families united as one?"
Madam Yun fell silent, still somewhat unable to grasp Old Madam Yun's thoughts.
Old Madam Yun glanced at Madam Yun, sighed, and shook her head, thinking that although this daughter-in-law was usually capable, she ultimately lacked some experience.
"Our Yun Family has always formed alliances through marriage, not through power. That is why the Yanbei Prince's Mansion has been willing to intermarry with the Yun Family for generations. The family I choose for Fang'er is not for future unity, but because the Yun Family is now at a precarious height—unable to retreat. The only plan now is to pull another family up. This is also what the Yanbei Prince's Mansion wishes to see. If we do not do this, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion will do it for us."
With this guidance from Old Madam Yun, Madam Yun finally understood.
"Then, in Mother's opinion, what kind of family would be suitable for Fang'er?"
Old Madam Yun said calmly: "A Yanbei family with a good reputation."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yun could not help but mentally review the young ladies she had recently met.
Old Madam Yun sighed: "Originally, I had my eye on the Lei Family, but unfortunately, they have no daughters of suitable age. The two Lei brothers are one widowed and one unmarried, but it is a pity that with Madam Lei's passing, the two brothers must observe mourning. Moreover, although Lei Ting is young, his temperament is strong and not easy to deal with. Additionally, the sudden emergence of the Lei Family makes me feel rather uneasy."
Madam Yun thought for a moment: "I heard from Ting'er that Han Yunqian of the Han Family is quite a promising young man, and he has a sister. Unfortunately, their background is somewhat low."
Old Madam Yun nodded, then suddenly seemed to think of something and looked at Madam Yun with a half-smile: "Since the Han Family has been mentioned, is the Ren Family next?"
Madam Yun was startled, and after reacting, she hurriedly said: "Mother, please do not blame Fang'er. He is still young and used to being mischievous."
Old Madam Yun glanced at Madam Yun: "So you did know."
Madam Yun dared not speak further.Old Madam Yun gave a light snort. "Fang'er grew up by my side since childhood. I know exactly how many twists and turns are in his mind. Before, I just let him fool around because he was still young. But fooling around is one thing—he still needs to understand when it's time to be sensible. As his mother, you should keep a closer eye on him from now on. It's time he learned reason."
Upon hearing this, First Madam Yun couldn't help but grumble inwardly: You know your grandson's temper all too well. In front of him, you indulge him in everything, but when it comes to offending people, you leave it to me. Why don't you say this to him yourself?
Yun Wenfang had been raised by Old Madam Yun since childhood and was the apple of her eye. Since he wasn't the eldest grandson destined to inherit the family business, the old madam indulged his temperament and never uttered a single harsh word in his presence. The fact that Yun Wenfang had developed such a lawless personality was largely Old Madam Yun's responsibility.
"Mother, perhaps we should keep this matter from Fang'er for now. Otherwise, given his temperament, if he makes a fuss, the marriage arrangement might fall through." Recalling Yun Wenfang's previous antics, First Madam Yun felt utterly helpless.
Old Madam Yun thought for a moment and nodded. "Then let's keep it from him for now. After all, the wedding won't take place for another two years. He's still young now—he's just taken a fancy to that Ren girl because she's pretty. Keep an eye out, and if you see any maids who resemble Ren Fifth, buy them and bring them into the mansion to serve as his concubines. In a couple of years, once the novelty wears off, he won't be so fixated on her anymore."
At this point, Old Madam Yun seemed to recall something and chuckled. "You've raised a fine son with such high standards. I heard that Ren girl resembles Consort Wan, who was once the most favored in the imperial harem. Ren Fifth is still young and hasn't fully blossomed yet, but in three to five years, you'll see—she'll undoubtedly grow into a great beauty."
First Madam Yun responded with a bitter smile. Although there were many people in the world who looked alike, the task Old Madam Yun had assigned her was no easy feat. How could someone as beautiful as Consort Wan be found everywhere?
"There aren't any suitable ones in Yan Prefecture, but there are a few in other prefectures." First Madam Yun steered the conversation back on track.
"Tell me about them."
"The eldest legitimate daughter of the Guo family head in Weizhou, Eighth Miss of the Jiang Family in Shunzhou, and the second daughter of the Qiu Family in Jizhou." First Madam Yun listed the young ladies who had left a good impression on her during her recent visits.
"Second Daughter of the Qiu Family—Qiu Xinmin's granddaughter?" Old Madam Yun frowned.
The Qiu Family was Old Madam Yun's maternal family. Her father had been the previous clan head, but unfortunately, he had no sons. In the end, he adopted Qiu Xinmin, the son of a distant relative and the elder brother of Old Madam Ren, to succeed him as clan head.
However, by the time Qiu Xinmin was adopted, Old Madam Yun had already married out. Although she maintained social ties with the current Qiu Family head, they weren't particularly close.
Thank you to raei1976 for the pink ticket～
Thank you to Running Wild Onion, Mountains and Water Do Not Separate, Confused Again and Again, Wave Source, xiao Fan Says, and yulong7761 for the peace talismans～
^^~
Two updates today.
I heard that pink tickets are doubled on the 11th, so I’m popping up to ask for votes～
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