The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

To ensure wealth and prosperity, tireless and meticulous planning is essential; this is a truth everyone understands.

But the Duke Zhongyong Mansion, what has it lost?

Madam Song’s face was cold as she said, ”Is sister-in-law suggesting that the Duke Zhongyong Mansion is going to decline? Has the mansion suffered any losses? Ruoning is still engaged to a prominent family, and there is also the alliance with the Prime Minister’s Mansion. As long as the Prime Minister’s Mansion remains stable, how could the Duke Mansion not be well?”

”I was reminded by the Prime Minister before, and it’s not that I didn’t remind mother, don’t choose sides prematurely. If not, my brother might have aligned himself with Prince Xiao back then. Look at those courtiers who chose sides today, which one of them isn’t laughing more bitterly than crying?”

The Duke Zhongyong’s face showed some embarrassment as he said, ”Xiangyi, stop talking. Your sister-in-law has become quite stubborn in recent years.” Then he spat at Madam Luo, ”Go and pack my luggage. I need to go to the hot spring village for a soak.”

Madam Gu left reluctantly, under the glare of both her mother-in-law and husband.

Madam Song’s expression remained grim as she said, ”Mother, brother, securing wealth for the mansion isn’t solely dependent on forming ties with the Earl Anle Mansion. There’s hardly any reason for sister-in-law’s outburst.”

Old Madam Gu’s eyes flashed as she wanted to speak, ”That’s true indeed, forming ties with the Earl Anle Mansion, no matter how noble, it can’t surpass the Imperial Family.”

Madam Song was stunned: ”Mother?”

Old Madam Gu did not continue the topic, but the prayer beads in her hand started to slide again, a bit more briskly, as she looked at Madam Song and said, ”Your sister-in-law’s temperament has indeed become somewhat stubborn. Don’t take it to heart. As for Xiangyi, is there no possibility of the Duke Mansion and the Prime Minister’s Mansion forming another alliance?”

Madam Song remained silent, not because she intended to embarrass her mother, but because her own children, aside from the one still in diapers, were all married, leaving only those in the second and third branches, where she had no authority to decide.

”Mother knows, the parents of the second and third branches are present; it’s not appropriate for me to bypass them. Now that the Crown Prince is decided, aside from Zhao’er in the Northwest, Jie’er, who is the Crown Prince’s study companion, will certainly have involvement from the Prime Minister in the arrangements. Since he declined before, it’s inappropriate to mention it again.” Seeing Old Madam Gu’s disappointment, Madam Song quickly added, ”I’ll probe the Prime Minister’s stance on this matter again?”

Old Madam Gu nodded, ”Alright, we have many children in our family. If Yunzhi is willing, excluding Zi Ran, whether male or female, let him choose, even from your third branch’s children.”

Madam Song felt somewhat uncomfortable upon hearing this; her mother’s stance seemed too humble, just like how Song Ci acted when she was initially engaged years ago.

Now, it’s like, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west.

The Duke Zhongyong Mansion is unexpectedly lowering its stance to the Song Family, which has already set sail.

Madam Song felt a mix of emotions, unsure whether to feel proud or heartbroken.

Seeing the time was getting late, Madam Song bid farewell and left.

Old Madam Gu said to the Duke Zhongyong, ”Ruoning is about to get married soon. As this old woman will be lonely, there ought to be a child by my side to bring joy.”

”Mother’s intention?”

”Let the fifth girl from the second branch come and stay with me, accompany me in transcribing scriptures and chit-chat,” Old Madam Gu squinted as she spoke.

The Duke Zhongyong said, ”Fifth girl? Seems like she’s a concubine-born.”

”That’s right, the child is beautiful, pleasing to the eye. I can raise her for a few years, and it will be just right.”

The Duke Zhongyong’s mind turned, and his eyes widened as he looked at his mother, was she aiming for that intention?

The Crown Prince is decided, but what about the Crown Princess Consort?