Chapter 20: Mrs. Chi’s “Outspoken Loyalty”

Madam Guo?

Who knows how long this will drag on—wouldn’t it be far easier to marry straight into the Qiao family!

But with that said, Madam Guo dared not speak recklessly, fearing that her mother-in-law might detect her selfish intentions. Instead, she spoke with a hint of grievance.

“Mother’s reasoning is sound, of course, but Second Miss is still young and inexperienced. I worry that even if she marries into the Lü family, she won’t be able to contribute much. Our eldest daughter has a stronger background; the Marquis Hai’s household surely won’t neglect her. With them involved, Lü’s consort in the palace will likely rise quickly. The Lü family understands this too, which is why they cling stubbornly to the match with our eldest daughter.”

“When have the ladies of the Chi family ever been chosen by the Lü family? Accepting this marriage is already generous of us. Do you want the Minister’s residence to be dominated by a family with no official rank or title? Yunjing.”

The matriarch of the Chi family did not respond directly to Madam Guo. Instead, she put pressure on her own son.

Indeed, Chi Yunjing often considered his future with cautious calculation. After his mother’s pointed remark, everything suddenly became clear to him.

“Moreover, if the Marquis Hai’s family learns you intend to marry our eldest daughter to the Lü family, won’t they cause a fuss? Son, don’t be foolish—offending the Marquis Hai’s household and the General’s family over the Lü family is unwise. Their influence in Bianzhou far surpasses that of the Lü.”

“I understand, Mother. Thank you for your guidance.”

Madam Guo listened anxiously. She had originally intended to secure the eldest daughter’s marriage with the Lü family, never expecting this old woman to turn matters around so completely.

In just a few words, the hot potato was tossed onto Second Miss’s shoulders.

Of course, she refused to let her daughter marry down, but now she couldn’t find a good reason to refuse. She could only silently wait to devise a plan once she returned home.

The Chi matriarch saw through her thoughts and regarded them with disdain.

A girl from a small, narrow-minded household only ever wanted the best for her own children, forgetting the simplest truth: only when the family thrives does talent within it flourish.

“I suddenly crave plum blossom cakes. Guo, send someone to buy some for me. Also, there are still some trivial matters in the courtyard that need your attention. I will speak with Yunjing.”

Madam Guo could tell her mother-in-law was trying to send her away and complied obediently.

Once she left, the Chi matriarch snorted coldly and voiced her displeasure.

“A shortsighted woman, only thinking of stirring up trouble to satisfy her selfish desires. If she hadn’t secretly gathered the Lü family here, you wouldn’t be in such a predicament.”

Chi Yunjing was slightly surprised. “How could that be?”

“It’s quite a coincidence. That day, Nurse Zong went out shopping with Tenth Aunt, and they happened to see the ornate screen accompanying Madam Guo entering the Lü family’s side gate. The Lü family might not have thought much of the betrothal otherwise. They all live in Bianzhou, yet only when the eldest daughter’s match was confirmed did they suddenly appear. Someone is clearly acting with intent.”

Hearing his mother’s words, Chi Yunjing’s expression darkened.

He had little affection for Madam Guo, valuing only her docile nature and ability to manage household affairs. He never expected she had such capability; he had underestimated her.

“The eldest daughter is digging that pit for the Lü family just to pave the way for her second sister. The Qiao family’s match is coveted by all, yet she foolishly places everyone in our household behind the second sister. If she replaces the eldest to marry into the Qiao family, son, do you believe you’ll soon face accusations from all sides for neglecting your late wife’s wishes and harming your rightful children? What will become of your future and the Minister’s household then?”

The Chi matriarch’s analysis was ruthless, causing cold sweat to break out on Chi Yunjing’s brow.

“That ignorant woman—son will deal with her immediately!”

Chi Yunjing was nearly ready to overturn the table in anger. It wasn’t for Chi Guiwan, his late wife, but because if this leverage were used against him, how could he advance in his career?

“Enough. It’s useless to argue with a mere woman of the inner chambers. Since the Lü family has come knocking, this matter must be handled properly. The trouble she invited should be resolved by her own second daughter. Also, Zhao’er is our only son. You must watch over him carefully. If his mother leads him astray, all the wealth and glory before us will vanish like smoke. Understand?”

“I understand, Mother.”

The Chi matriarch nodded, then added as if recalling something.

“Though the Lü match isn’t ideal now, its future prospects are uncertain. Since the Lü consort bore the Seventh Princess, it shows she’s healthy—just less favored these years, which is why she’s neglected. If we seize the opportunity to produce a male heir, son, this could be our family’s blessed chance to rise. With your position, becoming the tutor to a prince is well within reach. When you rise to prominence, would you still worry about your place in court? Even if the Lü consort fails, our family loses nothing—at worst, we just increase the dowry for Second Miss.”

Chi Yunjing felt enlightened. He had always worked diligently at court but lacked opportunities. His mother’s reasoning was sound. After all, it was just a daughter’s marriage, but one that could secure a grand future. Naturally, he was willing.

He stood and respectfully saluted his mother.

“Mother’s wise counsel is firmly remembered. I will arrange everything at once. Both the Qiao and Lü families are respectable; if our second daughter marries in, she will live well.”

Mother and son spoke cheerfully, while outside, Madam Guo, still burdened by trivial matters, dealt with the tasks the matriarch had assigned, her face full of worry.

Compared to ordinary families, the Lü family was indeed excellent, but they were not a match for the Minister’s household. Her second daughter had been carefully raised from childhood and could have been a secondary consort in a prince’s residence. Why settle for a small household and a hard life?

She refused, and Second Miss would refuse!

Thus, her mind raced to find countermeasures, her demeanor growing increasingly gloomy.

In the Shijin Courtyard.

Lingyi He looked at her mother’s knees with an indescribable ache, but she knew this was the price her mother had to pay for her mistakes. While helping to apply medicine, she recounted everything that had happened in the household today.

“Fortunately, Nurse Zong’s hint made me think to use the matriarch to remind Minister Chi. And the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue was something I had someone retrieve from the storage. I hope Eldest Miss Chi won’t blame me for acting first and reporting later.”

“Nonsense. You solved such a huge problem for me—I’m more delighted than anyone, how could I blame you? But I am curious—how did you know Grandmother would persuade Father to marry Second Miss into the Lü family?”

How did she know?

Of course, she knew. The Chi matriarch was deeply secretive. Though she appeared devoted to Buddhism, she was greedy beneath the surface. When she gave the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue, she had specifically hinted:

“Since the Qiao family has accepted Eldest Miss as their daughter-in-law, they will surely send many more gifts in the future. If they are offended or replaced, such gifts will cease.”

One phrase held the matriarch firmly in check. Why wouldn’t she speak up?

Hmph. Human nature—truly the easiest thing to manipulate!