"The Wei family's daughter is to be married soon, likely within these few days."
"Oh? I haven't heard anything about it."
"I only returned to the prince's manor a couple of days ago and overheard my mother speaking privately. I heard that the Ninth Prince was rewarded by His Majesty for his meritorious service in quelling the rebellion, bestowing upon him a princely manor. Consort Wei has also gained considerable favor in the palace, even being granted the authority to oversee the affairs of the six palaces. With such immense power, it's natural for them to seek further joy. After all, the First Prince's consort is pregnant again, possibly with His Majesty's eldest grandson. Yet, this Ninth Prince doesn't even have a proper consort. How can Consort Wei not be anxious?"
The eldest aunt, Madam Lin, nodded with understanding. It was indeed shrewd of Duke Wei to plan so far ahead. If the Ninth Prince were to ascend to power, the Wei family's influence would undoubtedly grow even stronger by marrying their granddaughter to their grandnephew.
As they spoke, Mama Lin from outside lifted the curtain and entered, holding a gilded invitation.
"Madam, the Wei family has sent an invitation, requesting your presence and that of the young ladies at their manor in three days for a snow viewing and banquet."
They've arrived!
Madam Lin and Princess Wenyi exchanged glances. The snow viewing banquet was indeed timely. It was likely that this happy occasion would be announced at the gathering.
"Understood. Send someone to the adjacent courtyard to inform the Third Madam and the Second Young Lady to also prepare. Don't they wish to climb higher? At the Wei family's banquet, even royalty will be present. Let's see how capable she is then, whether she can even be a prince's consort!"
Mama Lin's expression was displeased, but she said nothing further. She left the invitation and departed respectfully.
Madam Lin, however, took the invitation in her hand. After uttering harsh words, her face held no hint of satisfaction. Instead, a bitter smile played on her lips.
Feng Jin Yao looked puzzled and asked, "What's wrong, Eldest Aunt?"
Princess Wenyi understood the situation and the frustration in her sister-in-law's heart, so she offered words of comfort.
"After the New Year, their family will naturally return to Qiongzhou. Sister-in-law, please bear with these few days."
"How can I bear it? Those mother and daughter pair are using the Bai family's name every day to associate with noble families. They shamelessly say such things. If I were the Eldest Aunt, I would have already had them flogged. Instead, they are treated so kindly."
The speaker was Bai Si Ruo, who had just entered. Her face was filled with indignation. When she mentioned her third aunt and cousin, she gritted her teeth in hatred!
"Don't speak nonsense! As a junior, how can you speak ill of your elders in private!"
Princess Wenyi reprimanded her, but saw her biting her lower lip, her usually pleasant face contorted in a frown, making her look less charming.
Feng Jin Yao quickly stepped forward to comfort both of them.
"Let's discuss this later. Don't upset the aunts."
Hearing her words, Bai Si Ruo suppressed her anger. She curtsied to her Eldest Aunt and sincerely apologized.
"Get up, get up. Sister-in-law, you too, why are you scolding Si Ruo? What wrong has she done? If you don't cherish her, send her to me as your daughter. I dote on her dearly."
Saying this, she beckoned Bai Si Ruo to come closer.
She pushed the food box on the table towards her. "I know you love Chen family's cherry preserves and Xichuan milk candy, so I specifically asked Mama Lin to find someone to buy them. They're still warm. You and A Yao go eat in the side room. I'll speak with your mother about something else."
She spoke as if coaxing a child, her eyes full of affection.
Bai Si Ruo nodded. She had a lot she wanted to say to Feng Jin Yao anyway. So, she pulled her into the adjacent side room.
After the two left, Madam Lin began to speak privately with Princess Wenyi.
"I've been observing these past few days. Our third sister-in-law and second young lady have very high aspirations. They look down on my Lin clan, but they're quite keen on the threshold of your Kang Wang manor. Be careful of your maternal uncles. If they get entangled with that mother and daughter pair, it will be very troublesome."
Madam Lin's expression was quite grim as she said this, but upon closer inspection, her eyes were glistening with tears.
Princess Wenyi also sighed in agreement.
A few days prior, Madam Shen, using the Bai family's name, had attended a banquet at the Zheng State Duke's residence.
After a few rounds of drinks, whether intentionally or due to the influence of alcohol, she began to criticize the young princes and nobles of Dongdu City.
In an effort to curry favor with the Kang Wang Consort, she deliberately sowed discord between Madam Lin and Princess Wenyi.
She claimed that after marrying into the Bai family, Madam Lin only cared about power and neglected childbirth, and that she was jealous and forbade the Eldest Master from having concubines. This was why the Eldest Branch, at their current age, remained childless. She also alleged that Madam Lin constantly schemed against the Princess in the inner courtyard, which was why the Princess had only one daughter over the years. She belittled Madam Lin to no end, and implicitly touched upon her sore spot.
How could Lin Wai Sheng tolerate this? He stepped forward to defend his own family. However, he was not as eloquent as Madam Shen. After several exchanges, he not only failed to protect his aunt's reputation but also got himself into trouble. Madam Shen seized the opportunity and hinted to everyone that Lin Wai Sheng was lusting after her daughter, like a toad trying to eat swan meat. This angered Madam Lin so much that she had been bedridden for days.
When the Kang Wang Consort sent a message, Princess Wenyi was stunned. Her third sister-in-law was truly audacious. Anyone in Dongdu City could attest to the harmonious relationship between her and her Eldest Sister-in-law over the years. Where was this scheming?
"Sister-in-law, please don't worry. My mother has already arranged marriages for all the younger ones, except Mu Qian who is not yet engaged. We are planning to keep him in the Capital Garrison. Today, I came to trouble you, Sister-in-law, to ask your maternal brother to help him."
"You don't need to say that to me. It's just a word."
Just as she finished speaking, Madam Lin exclaimed and put away her recent melancholy. With a hint of teasing, she asked, "Tell me honestly, do you have other intentions for this nephew of yours?"
She left the sentence unfinished, but the teasing in her eyes was undeniable.
Since they were family, Princess Wenyi did not hide anything.
"Yes, I think this nephew is quite good. He has elder brothers, so the heavy burden of the Kang Wang manor will not fall on him. Si Ruo will just be a leisurely second mistress after marriage. My Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law are also kind people, and my mother has always doted on Si Ruo. I am not worried that she will suffer in her husband's family."
A mother's heart, visible to the gods.
Madam Lin also felt it was good upon hearing this. She had no sons or daughters. For so many years, there was only Bai Si Ruo in the manor, whom she doted on dearly. Although she was not spoiled, she had never experienced the intricacies of the inner courtyard. If she were to marry into a wealthy family with a complicated household, her life would likely be difficult. Therefore, marrying into the Kang Wang manor was a good choice. Not only would it be a close family tie, but it would also protect her for a lifetime.
Thinking of this, Madam Lin said solemnly, "Sister-in-law, please rest assured. I have heard about your maternal nephew's character. He is a good child. I will speak to my Eldest Brother. The Capital Garrison is not like other places; it relies on true ability. If he is truly capable, he will not be overlooked."
Princess Wenyi nodded. Her Eldest Sister-in-law's words struck a chord with her.