The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

The Old Madam Gu dismissed the displeased Madam Gu, leaving her son to speak alone.

The Duke Zhongyong, seeing her unhappy expression, gently said, ”Mother, please don’t be angry. The Luo family has gotten quite stubborn with age in the past two years. I’ll have a good talk with her later.”

The Old Madam Gu sighed, ”I know she harbors resentment. She initially wanted to match her nephew from the maternal family with Qi’er, but Xiangyi wasn’t willing. Later, she tried to propose Ruoning and her sisters to the Song Family sons, but they were also refused. She’s unhappy, and I understand that.”

The Duke Zhongyong remained silent.

”To be honest, I’m somewhat upset too. A generation of marriage ties between the Duke Zhongyong Mansion and the Song Family was beneficial. Another union would solidify the relations between the two families, ensuring support in times of need. Unfortunately, Xiangyi’s side is uninspiring.”

Even if not everyone can be relied upon, in any family’s troubles, who hasn’t depended on marriage alliances for support?

Currently, the Marquis Mansion and the Song Family are allied by marriage, but in the future? The Madam of the Song Family will also grow old one day. A marriage bond fades with the person’s passing. To maintain generational closeness, it’s best to form another union, keeping ties through involvement.

”Don’t think I’m selfish. I’m considering the future prospects of the Marquis Mansion. If the Song Family were declining, it would be another matter, but they are thriving. For the sake of the family, forming another marriage alliance with the Song Family is beneficial. The Song Family has Yunzhi, who now holds a position, and he’s still young. As long as nothing goes wrong, wealth and honor are inevitable for him. Meanwhile, our mansion is falling behind. You must understand that tomorrow, this title could only be as a Lord.”

The Duke Zhongyong pressed his lips together.

His title is not heritable; it would be reduced. The next generation lacks outstanding members, although two in the grandchildren’s generation stand out.

This is also their concern; if the family members don’t measure up, sooner or later, they will squander the ancestral estate.

The Old Madam Gu looked at her eldest son’s expression and sighed, ”I suppose you also understand why I wish to form another marriage alliance.”

”But if Yunzhi is unwilling, there’s nothing we can do. You can’t force a cow to drink if it doesn’t lower its head.” The Duke Zhongyong said, ”Marriage should bring union, not enmity. Should we force it?”

”Isn’t that so?” The Old Madam Gu sighed deeply, ”We can’t impose desire. If our children were more outstanding, they would have caught his eye.”

The Duke Zhongyong was a bit taken aback.

”Let’s not dwell on that. Luo holds resentment, and you should remind her often. We can’t form the alliance, but we shouldn’t offend anyone either. Yunzhi is favored by the Emperor and holds a high rank with unlimited prospects. The Song Family can only be befriended, not offended.” The Old Madam Gu said, ”We’re not privy to the palace’s affairs, but we can’t feign ignorance either. We should keep an eye on the Song Family’s movements but not take unnecessary action. As I said, if it’s for Xiangyi’s sake, Yunzhi won’t ignore the Marquis Mansion. If there’s any real trouble, he’ll definitely inform us. As there’s been no word yet, it’s naturally not reached that point.”

The Duke Zhongyong nodded, ”Rest assured, Mother.”

The Old Madam Gu looked at him again, speaking meaningfully, ”I know you want to earn merits alongside the dragon, but this matter of choosing the heir is uncertain. No one is entirely confident, and a wrong move could marginalize the Marquis Mansion. You shouldn’t do anything rash. After all, the Marquis Mansion isn’t particularly close to any Prince, so any trouble wouldn’t directly involve us either. Let’s see how Yunzhi acts.”

This statement essentially indicated that they should follow Song Zhiyuan’s position, wherever he stands, the Marquis Mansion will stand.