The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

At her mother-in-law’s command, Madam Song dared not refuse, and even proactively added some items, all after consulting with Song Ci, thereby respecting her mother-in-law’s face.

”There’s another matter. On the fourth, we’re having a year banquet at our mansion. The Prime Minister mentioned inviting that Yuan Liren from the Qingcheng Marquis Mansion. Mother, you’re aware of Yuan Liren’s situation, right? Now, with two wives, although it hasn’t been publicly stated who is the principal, according to the order of entry, Luo entered the household first and chose to remain true to her widowhood, she should be the principal. But Yuan Liren has always treated Li as his principal wife. Mother, whom should we invite to the year banquet?”

Madam Song hesitated. According to Song Zhiyuan, Yuan Liren has already informed the Emperor and is preparing to enter the Ministry of Industry as an official, so his wife will have to interact socially. But whom to interact with is a complicated matter.

Song Ci’s scalp tingled as she listened. She looked at Nanny Gong and said, ”Nanny Gong, what do you think?”

Should we invite Luo? She is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Qingcheng Marquis and his wife, but without children, and it’s uncertain if they even consummated the marriage.

Invite Li, then? But Luo entered the household first, and those who like to criticize by wielding rules would attack our family for not understanding etiquette.

So no matter whom we invite, we’re bound to offend the other.

Nanny Gong said, ”You definitely can’t ignore Luo. She entered the Yuan Family as a widow, and that Chastity Arch is still enshrined in the Luo Family. If you disregard her, those Confucian scholars might seize the chance to criticize.”

”So we invite her?” said Madam Song. ”I’ve heard that Yuan Liren went to Sichuan for many years, married Li, and to this day, they don’t have concubines, only a son and a daughter, which shows the couple’s love. If she’s left out of the banquet, we might offend this couple.”

Song Ci thought for a moment and then said, ”Invite them both. Prepare two invitations, one for Madam of the Qingcheng Marquis Mansion, who should decide who will attend with her, and another for Yuan Liren, inviting the couple, letting him decide whom to bring.”

”Will this work?”

”Why wouldn’t it? The choice shouldn’t be ours. It’s up to the Qingcheng Marquis Mansion and Yuan Liren. Just deliver the invitations, whoever wishes to come can come. They can come together, it doesn’t matter.” Song Ci was tired of the whole matter.

Madam Song and Nanny Gong exchanged a somewhat helpless glance.

Indeed, the situation with Yuan Liren is quite awkward. Now, it’s impossible to send Luo back home because, given that Luo came across as a widow, it shows she’s strong-willed. Sending her home would be like sending her to her death.

Madam Song couldn’t think of a better solution and just followed Song Ci’s suggestion, sending out the two invitations.

Yuan Madam received the invitation and then heard that her eldest son also received one, which made her dissatisfied, thinking the Song Family didn’t understand the rules, and they should be respecting the approval of them as elders.

The Qingcheng Marquis said, ”If it were you, how would you invite them? By our approval? What about the old one’s feelings? He is the one destined to manage things in the future. After we’re gone, his household will be under his control, and he truly loves Li. When socializing, he will certainly take who he acknowledges, not to mention, she’s the mother of two children.”

Yuan Madam was speechless, saying, ”But Luo is the properly wedded eldest daughter-in-law.”

The Qingcheng Marquis sighed, ”Now we can only play dumb. Bring Luo, and if the eldest wants to bring Li, let him.”