The old lady, upon learning of the matter, flew into a rage and summoned Qi Tianming and Madam Xiao Qin to Chaohui Hall.
"Such a significant event, and you didn't even discuss it with me? Do you have no respect for me as your elder? When did Mingzhu get engaged, and I was unaware? Yes, I tacitly agreed to your intercepting Zhenzhen's marriage prospects, but you couldn't go so far as to ruin her completely. Zhenzhen, no matter what, is of the Marquis's bloodline. How can you bear to harm her like this?" the Old Madam reprimanded with great sorrow.
"Mother, setting aside other matters, consider the status of the Duke's mansion. Apart from royal residences, what other family in the capital can compare to the Duke's mansion? Although Gu Sinian caused some trouble, it's common for young men to be reckless. Who knows, perhaps after our Zhenzhen marries him, he'll turn over a new leaf? For Zhenzhen's status, to secure such a good marriage, this is a tremendous fortune," Madam Xiao Qin said with a placid face.
"You speak more sweetly than you sing. You are clearly being selfish, coveting the young master from the Lu family," the Old Madam stated without concealment.
Madam Xiao Qin still maintained a smiling face. "A family like the Lu family, marrying a concubine's daughter to them is already an imposition on the Lu family. Now Zhenzhen has also spent several years in the countryside, exposed to the elements. The Lu family would find out about such matters with a simple inquiry. The Lu family, out of respect for the Marquis's mansion's reputation, might not be too critical of a concubine's daughter. But a concubine's daughter with a poor reputation, Mother, do you think the Lu family would tolerate it? Even if the Marquis's mansion used its influence to force the Lu family into this marriage, Mother, do you think Zhenzhen would have a good life in the Lu family?" Madam Xiao Qin presented herself as someone acting for the good of the Marquis's mansion and Zhenzhen.
The Old Madam understood in her heart that her anger stemmed from the fact that the prospective groom was Gu Sinian.
Although Qian Yuanbao's reputation was similar to Gu Sinian's, with Madam Qian there, the Old Madam could believe that Qian Yuanbao was not an unbearable person.
In contrast, in the Duke's mansion, the current Duke doted on his concubines and neglected his wife. Years after his concubines passed away, he even brought his sister-in-law into the mansion. This person's character was problematic, and the rot from the top would affect the bottom, as the old saying goes. It was highly likely.
"I don't care if you want the marriage with the Lu family, but Zhenzhen cannot marry Gu Sinian! I don't care what methods you use, this marriage must be called off," the Old Madam said coldly after taking a deep breath. "I have my own arrangements for Zhenzhen's marriage, so you two don't need to trouble yourselves."
"It is known to everyone outside that the Duke's mansion and the Marquis's mansion are discussing marriage. How can it be called off? It concerns the reputation of both mansions, and it cannot be done so rashly," Qi Tianming shook his head.
"The Duke's mansion clearly does not agree to use Zhenzhen to replace Mingzhu. We should just comply," the Old Madam said. "If we offer a sincere apology, the Duke's mansion will not dwell on this matter too much."
Qi Tianming looked troubled. "Mother, we have no room to maneuver in this matter. If the Duke's mansion insists on breaking the engagement, then the marriage naturally cannot proceed. But..."
Qi Tianming found it difficult to speak.
Setting aside other matters, with Gu Sinian's reputation, which noble daughter in the capital would be willing to marry him? It was precisely for this reason that Gu Sinian, approaching his majority, was still unmarried. Other noble sons of his age, let alone married, already had several children. Was the Duke's mansion not anxious? Was Gu Sinian himself not anxious? The answer was affirmative!
Therefore, although the Duke's mansion was displeased, upon careful analysis, they had no choice. If they missed Zhenzhen, to resolve Gu Sinian's issue, the Duke's mansion could only marry a daughter from a humble family without status. Comparing the two, the difference in status was clear.
Qi Tianming remained silent, and the Old Madam immediately grasped the crucial point: it was likely impossible to break off this marriage.
Recalling the look of dependence Zhenzhen had on her, the Old Madam's heart ached. And the matter with the Qian family that she had agreed to...
"If this marriage cannot be called off, then Zhenzhen must have the same dowry as Mingzhu. Immediately request the enfeoffment of Yi Ge'er as heir apparent, and promote Madam Yun to the rank of secondary wife," the Old Madam said. "Otherwise, I will do everything in my power to destroy this marriage."
"Alright."
"No!"
Two voices sounded simultaneously. The one agreeing was naturally Qi Tianming, who already felt apologetic towards Qi Zhenzhen and Madam Yun, and was struggling to find a way to compensate them. At this moment, his mother's proposed conditions were the best form of compensation.
"Why not?" the Old Madam asked coldly. "This marriage was facilitated by you. It cannot be too shabby. For a family like the Duke's mansion, if they are treated negligently, what will they think? Besides, as you said, Zhenzhen is now registered under her嫡母 (di mu - legitimate mother). She is, in essence, a legitimate daughter. When a legitimate daughter marries, she naturally cannot be treated according to the specifications of a concubine's daughter. Furthermore, among the younger generation in the mansion, Yi Ge'er is the only one, and he is promising. This Marquis's mansion will naturally be handed over to him in the future. Requesting the enfeoffment of heir apparent is not wrong. It would also sound bad if the birth mother of the heir apparent was a mere concubine."
The Old Madam's words were reasonable, but this would mean the Marquis's mansion would be dominated by Madam Yun and that little bastard.
"He is, after all, a concubine's son. I, I'm not saying I can't have more children, but the fortune of having children has not arrived yet. The heir apparent should ultimately be succeeded by a legitimate son," Madam Xiao Qin said.
"That's simple. If you can give birth to a legitimate son, then you can submit a petition to change the heir," the Old Madam said indifferently.
Madam Xiao Qin gritted her teeth, wanting to retort, but found no words to do so. It was simple to say, but once someone became the heir apparent, how easy would it be to replace them?
Considering the benefits Zhenzhen would receive by marrying into the Duke's mansion, Madam Xiao Qin now hoped that the Duke's mansion would break off this marriage. Then, if they subtly spread rumors, the reputation of that little slut would worsen, and she might not find a suitable husband.
"Tianming, what do you think of Mother's suggestion?"
Qi Tianming nodded without a second thought. "Zhenzhen's dowry upon marriage will be according to the specifications of a legitimate daughter. However, the夫人's (fu ren - wife) dowry does not need to be supplemented to Zhenzhen. How about this: in addition to the public allocation, I, as her father, will contribute a portion. She must enter the Duke's mansion with great prestige. A generous dowry will bring face to both families, and upon entering the Duke's mansion, Zhenzhen's back will be straighter."
The Old Madam exhaled the turbid air from her chest. "Since it's settled, let it be done. Of course, this is on the condition that the Duke's mansion acknowledges this marriage."
After speaking, the Old Madam, impatient to bicker with them further, waved her hand and dismissed them.
Qi Tianming went to the front courtyard after leaving Chaohui Hall, while Madam Xiao Qin returned to Jinghua Courtyard in a huff.
The furnishings in the room were naturally not spared, and most of them were smashed.
"Requesting the enfeoffment of heir apparent. If the heir apparent is enfeoffed, what hope is there for us, my son and I? If the Marquis's mansion is handed over to that little bastard in the future, how will we live? Where will the Marquis's mansion be Mingzhu's reliance in the future?" Madam Xiao Qin roared angrily. "And that bitch Yun, after being promoted to secondary wife, who knows how smug she'll be.嬷嬷 (momo - wet nurse/nanny), did you see the Marquis's attitude? As soon as the Old Madam spoke, he agreed. They mother and son are probably colluding to play me for a fool!"