Chapter 428: A Proposal of Marriage

Zhu Shi, by the end of her speech, couldn't help feeling aggrieved for her own daughter.

However, her meaning was clear: she could praise Baoyu a thousand times, but marrying into her own household was absolutely impossible!

Jia Mu, not in the mood to play riddles with Zhu Shi, asked:

"Who is it? Huan brother, Cong brother, it can't be Lan brother, can it?"

Could it be that the Wang Family, to climb Jia Jing's high branch, wants to marry their legitimate daughter to their own illegitimate grandson as a wife?

If that were true, aside from Huan brother being a bit of an obstacle, the others might not be impossible!

Zhu Shi smiled, sizing the Tan Chun opposite her, and said:

"Madam, does it have to be only a Wang Family girl marrying into the Jia Family, and not a Jia Family girl marrying into our Wang Family?"

"I'll be straightforward: the Third Miss in the household is quite excellent, shrewd and capable; my husband has recently heard of her reputation for managing the household well."

"Moreover, I have heard that the Duke of Jing also values this illegitimate younger sister highly, with much praise."

"Therefore, I came today specifically for the Third Miss; I just spoke with her mother, and she had no objections."

"I originally planned to visit in a few days to propose marriage, but it seemed a bit abrupt, so I took this chance to ask the Madam's opinion!"

With those words, the many women in the hall were startled; this meant a marriage proposal for Tan Chun had arrived!

Lady Wang was the first to nod, indicating Zhu Shi's words were correct and that she indeed agreed!

Or rather, this was her own idea from the start.

Our own illegitimate daughter always opposes me in the household; she's scheming in her heart.

Last time she even caused our Baoyu to receive thirty lashes, nearly being beaten to death, losing his legitimate‑son privileges and the Spirit‑communicating Baoyu.

Even I, the second‑branch wife, was punished to copy a thousand characters daily from the "Four Books for Women" for self‑reflection, utterly losing face.

All these things have made her feel increasingly aggrieved over the past month, increasingly uncomfortable; one asks, which family would allow an illegitimate daughter to climb over the legitimate mother and son and wield power?

And the root of all this disaster lies in the untrained Third Little Miss and that trouble‑making spirit Lin Little Miss!

If we don't give them retribution soon, it's bound to be said that both my and Baoyu's lives will eventually be ruined by them!

After much deliberation, Lady Wang decided to use the legitimate mother's authority to arrange a "good marriage" for Third Little Miss!

As long as she is sent back to her natal family, not only does the household lose a troublemaker, but it also makes it easier later to give her a taste of power,

so she knows that this legitimate mother has plenty of means to control her illegitimate daughter, and that merely attaching herself to that short‑lived illegitimate son won't make everything fine!

As for whether this marriage can be sealed, she is fairly confident!

Tan Chun is her daughter, and marrying back into her own natal family; alliances between Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue families are commonplace.

As long as it's decided in front of the Madam, that short‑lived illegitimate son has no reason to oppose.

Even the Madam might not be displeased to see it succeed!

Sure enough, Jia Mu thought for a moment, her expression softened, and in a hoarse voice said:

"Third Little Miss is indeed a good match; you all have a knack for choosing…"

In Jia Mu's view, Tan Chun marrying into the Wang Family would also be a fine choice!

First, although Wang Ziteng claims he currently holds no office, there will be opportunities for reinstatement later.

Moreover, the Wang Family's estate is substantial; Tan Chun, though of illegitimate birth, becoming a primary wife wouldn't be a grievance.

Second, if Tan Chun can marry into the Wang Family, it would peacefully and properly resolve the legitimate‑illegitimate discord within our second branch.

Ultimately, the main conflict in the second branch actually lies with Tan Chun, or rather with the household manager authority she holds.

As long as Tan Chun marries out, Zhao Concubine and Huan brother alone lack the ability and the right to contest anything with Lady Wang and Baoyu!

However, she originally intended to later find a chance to give Tan Chun to her own natal Shi family.

After all, producing such a magnanimous, decisive, sensible granddaughter is not easy; the rich water does not flow to outsiders.

But now that the Wang Family has put it forward first, and Lady Wang agrees, she finds it hard to intervene again.

Considering this, Jia Mu glanced at Tan Chun, whose face was becoming fuller, figure more plump, perfectly suited for a household, and in a hoarse voice said to Zhu Shi:

"On another day, you take Yi brother to meet Baoyu's father; if he has no objection, you may discuss and finalize this matter!"

In the Wang Family, according to the order of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust, Wang Ren is Wang Xifeng's elder brother, while Wang Yi and Wang Li are Wang Ziteng's sons.

Wang Yi is the legitimate eldest son, and Wang Li the legitimate second son.

Jia Mu's meaning was, of course, that she had no objection; as long as Jia Zheng also agrees, the matter will be settled!

"Yi… Yi brother??" Zhu Shi began stammering again.

"What? Isn't it Yi brother, or could it be Li brother? Isn't Yi brother not yet betrothed?" Jia Mu asked with a frown.

Zhu Shi smiled and whispered:

"Madam, your Third Miss may be fine, but she is still of illegitimate birth; my Yi brother is the legitimate eldest son who will inherit the family estate, so the two families are mismatched."

"Allowing her to become Li brother's primary wife, both Li brother and I are not very willing; it's only because the master insists…"

Zhu Shi wore a strange expression of 'If he insists, I have no choice' and 'Your family has already taken a huge advantage; don't overreach.'

With those words, the people in the hall instantly showed varied expressions!

Feng Jie's mouth cornered with a hint of sarcasm, her delicate phoenix eyes shimmering with a half‑smile, glanced at Lady Wang and Tan Chun.

Originally, Tan Chun's marriage out was a good thing for her, because with Tan Chun gone, the household manager authority would inevitably return to her.

But hearing Zhu Shi say that, she realized this marriage proposal was doomed!

She couldn't help recalling a phrase she had recently learned: "Pursue great deeds while sparing oneself, see small gains and forget righteousness."

Daiyu's lacquered bright eyes, like stars, quietly glanced at the Tan Chun beside her,

but saw that Tan Chun's normally handsome and grand visage, once rosy as sunrise, now bore a few shades of melancholy, her cherry lips tightly pursed for unknown reason.

In fact, when Zhu Shi brought up Tan Chun's marriage, Tan Chun wasn't very worried, because Jia Jing was there.

Jia Jing had once told her that he would take charge of any future marriage matters, so she need not worry when managing the household.

What truly left her disheartened was that this matter was clearly being pushed by Lady Wang behind the scenes, intending to marry her back to her natal family, and the motive was far from benevolent!

Moreover, this Li Ge'er, she certainly knows what kind of person he is!

Between mother and daughter, even if there are temporary conflicts, it does not reach the point of needing such ruthless scheming!

And Jia Mu, seated on the high couch, was almost driven to death by Zhu Shi's fury.

Li Ge'er may also be a legitimate son, but the disparity each time is far greater than a mere speck!

And Zhu Shi even wears that expression as if you all have gotten a great profit!

She won't even open her dog eyes to look: the Jia Family is a ducal lineage, while your Wang Family now has no offices or titles; later you'll still have to depend on the Jia Family's power!

Moreover, Tan Chun is a sister that even Jing Ge'er, the duke's son, holds in high regard!

Aren't you willing to go ahead?!

What about a concubine daughter? A concubine daughter is also someone your Wang Family's legitimate eldest son can never aspire to.

Giving your Wang Family this third maid is already a disaster! It would be better to reserve her for the Shi Family as the future Lady of the Marquis of Baoling or the Marquis of Zhongjing!