Chapter 199

So, Lady Wang had placed all her hopes on Yuan Chun.

She intends these days to take more money to let Dong Fu's Zhen Ge'er go about with the inner minister, to see if the eldest maid can get a chance to receive favor from above.

As long as Yuan Chun succeeds in rising to become a consort, her Baoyu will be the prince consort, and she will be the emperor's mother-in-law.

By then, what marquis or general could still be greater than the emperor's mother-in-law?

Once she becomes a relative of the imperial clan, she will naturally have her say in the Rong Guo Mansion.

Lady Wang turned the prayer beads in her hand, her gaze growing a bit more resolute.

She secretly resolved that, no matter what, she would never agree to have Yuan Chun taken out of the palace; no one could persuade her otherwise.

Jia Mu saw Lady Wang's determined expression, sighed deeply, and said this matter could only be discussed with the second branch; she could not force it.

Meanwhile, Feng Jie, under Lady Wang's gloomy stare, felt a surge of apprehension; the lovely smile on her melon-seed face vanished completely.

But after a moment, recalling how Lady Wang had gotten Zhou Rui's family to nag her into lending out private money, she regained some courage.

She gave a cold laugh and said:

"The eldest lady has been in the palace for quite a while; over two years ago rumors said good news was coming, but look—she's still just a palace lady!"

"I think the eldest lady is no spring chicken; if we delay any longer, even if she leaves the palace it'll be hard to find a match—her life would really be ruined!"

The implication is naturally that she should have gained favor early; dragging it on, becoming an old maid, would truly rot her away in the palace.

Lady Wang's expression shifted; she clenched the prayer beads in her hand and spoke coldly:

"The eldest lady is my own daughter; how she is arranged is for me and her father to decide."

This remark naturally told Feng Jie to step aside; this is a domestic matter of the second branch, and it's not her place to interfere.

Wang Xifeng's eyes flickered, a hint of depth flashing in her phoenix eyes; she inwardly felt relieved, smiled, and retorted:

"Bringing the eldest lady out is Second Brother's idea; it involves external court affairs, and the matriarch also agrees."

"This matter is probably not merely a domestic affair!"

"Besides, even if Second Madame wants to ally with the emperor, she can't treat the safety of our entire household as trivial!"

Feng Jie's words were harsh!

Not only did she directly state that bringing Yuan Chun out is not merely a domestic matter,

but she also exposed Lady Wang's single-minded pursuit of her own family's wealth and honor, a hypocritical facade not truly for Yuan Chun's sake.

Those present saw the two exchanging words laden with hidden tension, their expressions varied.

Jia Mu's breath caught; she sighed again inwardly, feeling her head, which had not acted up for days, begin to ache once more.

How could she fail to see the tit‑for‑tat between Lady Wang and Feng Jie?

This was not the first time such a scene had played out in Rong Qing Tang; she had warned them harshly several times before.

Yet the two seemed afflicted with some ailment, agreeing readily on the surface.

But a few discordant words in private easily turn their speech into barbed exchanges, laced with force.

Even if Jia Mu wanted to ease their relations, she had specially consulted Jia Zheng and Jia Lian, asking them to keep their wives in check.

But after several attempts, the results were invariably minimal.

Now she can only guard against major mistakes; she won't bother with uncle‑nephew or brotherly squabbles, or petty quarrels.

At the same time, Jia Mu made up her mind: from now on, no more daughters of the Wang family will be taken in!

Not a single one is a thrifty lamp!

Xue Yima, sitting nearby, suddenly caught Jia Mu's glance and felt a bit puzzled.

She watched Feng Jie and Lady Wang's words flash like swords and spears, hiding sharp intent, wanting to speak but holding back.

In terms of closeness, she certainly leans toward Lady Wang.

But since this concerns the Jia family's domestic affairs, as an outsider she ought not to interfere, and she also does not wish to offend Feng Jie, who is about to become the mistress of the Rong Guo Mansion.

Baichai, sitting nearby, clenched her handkerchief; her flawless, jade‑white face, like a hall‑outside crabapple blossom, likewise showed a hint of complexity.

She was thinking of herself.

If she had not been passed over by the palace selection, she would likely now be inside that deep palace compound, idly serving those nobles.

She only did not know whether her mother would then choose to bring her out.

She felt some empathy for Yuan Chun's situation and could also consider Yuan Chun's interests in her heart.

Although she could not openly voice support, she secretly sided with Feng Jie in her heart.

Moreover, this is his intention.

One would think a man of his stature, upright and steadfast, would scorn using his family's sisters to seek external noble ties, which is why he likely wants to bring Elder Sister Yuan Chun out.

Moreover, Tan Chun, having managed the household these past days, now bears a noticeably greater air of dignity and authority.

At this moment her bright eyes gleamed; she was already calculating whether she could find someone to pull strings in the palace so as to bring her elder sister out swiftly.

Third Brother entrusted her with managing the household; she must also show some capability.

Daiyu's knitted brows furrowed slightly, her lovely eyes focused, her face uncommonly bearing a touch of solemnity.

These days her health has improved considerably, her complexion growing a bit more rosy.

Having read many gazettes and current‑affairs articles, she could roughly grasp Jia Jing's intent, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

In the sea of officialdom, one must generally be this cautious and careful.

Third Brother is probably worried about the Retired Emperor's side!

He is a trusted minister of the present emperor; if the eldest sister becomes involved in imperial power struggles, he would likely be put in a difficult position.

Xiang Yun's round, apple‑like face showed a bewildered look; the second sister‑in‑law and second madame seem at odds—could they have fallen out?

Yingchun wore a blank expression, feeling she didn't quite grasp what was said, yet sensing that both the second madame and the second sister‑in‑law made sense.

Still, she somewhat admired the second sister‑in‑law's daring to argue with the second madame; she herself would surely not dare.

Xichun was playing with Xiao Jiaoer, not wanting to concern herself with the elders' affairs; she merely missed Third Brother a little.

Just as everyone in the hall was lost in their own thoughts,

Lady Wang's face was already clouded with gloom; she clenched a string of Prayer Beads tightly in her hand, and the veins on the back of her hand bulged.

She shouted angrily:

"No matter whose intention it is, even if the Lord has agreed, I absolutely will not agree."

"You also keep your mouth shut, second brother. No matter how great he is, how high his rank, he has no right to meddle in the affairs of my second household."

"Yuan Chun is my daughter; if he dares to take her out of the palace without my consent, he will hinder Yuan Chun's future."

"I will even report him to the Empress herself and make sure he does not get away with it!"

Lady Wang said with a raised voice and expression, clearly showing genuine anger.

Jia Mu's head was practically exploding!

Even though she is broad‑hearted and stout, and many things have become easy to accept with age, at this moment she was harassed by the two, feeling agitated and her mind buzzing!