Inside the main room, Xie shi no longer maintained her usual gentle and kind demeanour.
She fixed her gaze on Ma shi. “Dasao, mind your words in front of the children. You speak without care, throwing out all sorts of nonsense. Aren’t you afraid the children will laugh at you?”
Ma shi was unfazed. “I’m the elder; who dares to laugh at me?”
“Precisely because you’re the elder, you should be mindful of your behaviour and set a good example for the children.”
Ma shi was displeased. “San meimei…”
“Don’t call me san meimei. Call me gu taitai,” Xie shi interrupted sternly.
Ma shi let out a couple of hums and muttered, “Gu taitai‘s temper is getting worse.”
Xie shi heard that.
Her temper flared instantly. “You think I became like this on my own? Do you know how difficult things have been for me lately? Hasn’t da ge already caused me enough trouble?
“My family’s laoye made it clear long ago—there will be no marriage alliance between the Gu and Xie families. I already stated this when I visited my maiden home last time, yet today, you’re bringing it up again. And in front of the children, no less! Dasao, are you deliberately trying to embarrass me?”
Ma shi quickly responded, “How could I want to embarrass you? This was your da ge‘s idea. He said that a marriage alliance between the Gu and Xie families would strengthen both sides, helping each other for generations to come.”
Xie shi scoffed. “A marriage alliance? Not happening. My family’s laoye is still angry. If my elder brother thinks he can force this, he’s dreaming.”
Ma shi chuckled. “There’s no need for you to worry about Gu daren. Your elder brother said he’ll take care of it.”
Xie shi frowned. “What is he planning?”
“How would I know? He only told me to discuss the children’s marriages with you today—nothing more. You know I don’t understand politics, and I wouldn’t meddle in your da ge’s affairs, right?”
Xie shi stared at Ma shi. “That’s all he said?”
Ma shi nodded repeatedly. “Yes. Gu taitai, I’m telling you everything I know.”
Xie shi frowned.
Ma shi was probably not lying. But what was Xie Mao really thinking? Xie shi couldn’t tell.
His ultimate goal, however, was clear—to support the Crown Prince’s smooth ascension, earning himself merit for aiding the future emperor.
Yet, the Emperor was strong and vigorous, while the Crown Prince lacked his father’s temperament and was not favoured. Securing the Crown Prince’s succession would not be easy.
Xie shi massaged her temples.
She would have to discuss this with her husband when he returned in the evening.
Ma shi pressed, “Gu taitai, give me a definite answer—are our families going to form a marriage alliance or not?”
Xie shi shot her a glare. “Marriage is a serious matter. How can it be decided so casually? If you want an answer, the answer is no. Go back and tell my brother to stop his scheming. If he provokes me, don’t blame me for turning my back on family.”
Ma shi shivered. “Gu taitai, you have quite the temper, threatening even your own elder brother. Are you disregarding the Xie family? Don’t forget—without the Xie family, you wouldn’t have everything you have today. If the Xie family prospers, so will you.”
Xie shi smirked mockingly. “I don’t need you to remind me. Just relay my exact words to my brother—without any embellishments.”
Ma shi was stunned. She hadn’t expected Xie shi to be so resolute.
Her eyes darted around as she thought.
She wasn’t sure what kind of conflict existed between Xie shi and Xie Mao, but judging by Xie shi‘s attitude, it was no small matter.
Even during Xie shi’s last visit to her maiden home, the atmosphere had been tense.
After some contemplation, Ma shi came up with an idea. “Don’t worry, gu taitai. I will pass on your words to your elder brother exactly as you said. Also, I heard that the daughters of the hou fu are still unmarried.”
Xie shi‘s eyes widened in disbelief. “Dasao, are you out of your mind? You dare to set your sights on the hou fu‘s daughters?
“What is the Xie family? A newly risen household. The hou fu is an aristocratic lineage with a century of history. Do you think they are within our reach? This is pure delusion!”
Ma shi thought otherwise. “Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, our Xie family has the chance to become a noble lineage as well. By then, who is marrying up would be a different question.”
Xie shi snorted. “Then come talk to me again once the Crown Prince ascends.”
Ma shi grinned sheepishly. “If we can’t marry the di daughters, we can at least consider a shu-born daughter, right?”
Xie shi‘s expression flickered.
Ma shi sensed an opening and quickly added, “Gu taitai, think about it. If the Xie family forms an alliance with the hou fu, wouldn’t that benefit you?”
Xie shi sneered. “And what benefit would I get from this marriage?”
Ma shi leaned in and whispered, “If we form this alliance, the Xie family will gain prestige by association. People will regard us more highly, and even Gu daren will hold you in greater esteem.
“Additionally, the Crown Prince will gain another powerful supporter, increasing his chances of succession.
“If he ascends the throne, the Xie family will have contributed to his success and will be duly rewarded. Gu taitai, wouldn’t that secure an even brighter future for you?
“By then, your da ge can help elevate Gu daren’s position, ensuring his career flourishes. Even the hou fu would welcome you as an esteemed guest.”
Hearing Ma shi’s words, Xie shi scrutinised her sister-in-law closely.
She hadn’t expected this ordinarily crude and tactless woman to have such insight.
Curious, Xie shi asked, “Did my brother instruct you to say this?”
Ma shi covered her mouth with a laugh. “I can’t rely on my husband for everything. These thoughts are my own.”
Xie shi raised an eyebrow, slightly impressed.
After mulling over the matter, she asked, “Is this idea of marrying into the hou fu yours or my brother’s?”
Ma shi smiled. “My husband and I are of one mind.”
Xie shi twitched at Ma shi‘s smug expression, finding it irritating.
Clearing her throat, she asked, “Which daughter of the hou fu are you targeting, and which of our children do you plan to marry them to?”
Ma shi quickly replied, “I heard that hou fu’s fourth daughter, shu-born, was raised by the main wife and is an exceptional young lady. Gu taitai, you’ve met her before—what do you think?”
Xie shi frowned, recalling the daughters of the hou fu.
The fourth daughter, Gu Qin, was from the main branch but shu-born. However, she had been raised by the main wife and often accompanied the eldest daughter, Gu Mei, in social circles.
Xie shi murmured, “The si guniang’s name is Gu Qin. She is beautiful and well-educated. If she were to marry, the hou fu would likely prepare a dowry of at least ten thousand taels of silver.”
“Tsk tsk, no wonder they’re the hou fu. Even for a shu-born daughter, they’d provide such a lavish dowry. In our family, we’d be generous to give a shu-born daughter a mere one or two thousand taels.”
Ma shi clicked her tongue in both admiration and disdain—disdain for what she saw as extravagance.
However, if such a wealthy bride married into her family, she certainly wouldn’t complain. She would instead wish the hou fu would be even more generous.
Xie shi twitched at Ma shi’s petty mindset.
A dignified high-ranking official of the East Palace marrying off his daughter with only one or two thousand taels? How shameless.
Even if it were a shu-born daughter, such stinginess was disgraceful.
Still, this was Xie family’s internal affair. As a married-out daughter, it wasn’t her place to interfere.
Xie shi reminded her, “Dasao, you haven’t said which child you want the hou fu guniang to marry.”
Ma shi quickly responded, “I plan for my eldest son to marry the hou fu’s fourth daughter. Gu taitai, what do you think? My di eldest son marrying a shu-born daughter of the hou fu—surely that’s not too ambitious? As long as the hou fu family isn’t blind, they should see this is a great match.”
Xie shi reminded her, “The hou fu’s daughters have no trouble finding good matches. Even shu-born daughters can marry into distinguished families.”
Ma shi scoffed. “Marrying into nobility? Shu-born daughters only marry other shu-born sons—what future do they have? Once their elders pass away and the family splits, those shu-born children who were once in noble families will find themselves worse off than us.
“But if one marries my eldest son, she will be the official wife, managing the household and securing a large share of the family’s wealth. How is that not a better deal?”
Xie shi found Ma shi’s smugness insufferable and retorted, “If your eldest son is so desirable, why hasn’t he married a noblewoman yet?”
Ma shi hesitated before murmuring, “Because no one helped make the connection.”
Xie Mao, as an official valued in the East Palace, should have had plenty of opportunities to forge closer ties with the noble military officials.
Unfortunately, the Crown Prince favoured civil officials and failed to win the loyalty of the military nobles. In fact, many of them were staunchly opposed to him.
These military nobles knew well that once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, those who had risen through military achievements would be cast aside.
The army would be downsized, leaving the military nobles with no battles to fight.
Without wars, the military nobility would crumble within twenty years.
Twenty years—a whole generation.
In twenty years, civil officials would be trampling all over the military class.
Such an outcome was unacceptable to the military nobles.
Thus, they secretly opposed the Crown Prince.
Even those who did not outright oppose him kept their distance from the East Palace.
Take the neighbouring hou fu, for example. They neither opposed nor supported the Crown Prince.
Their stance was clear—they backed whoever sat on the throne. Even if it were a dog, as long as it was the rightful emperor, they would support it.
In essence, their stance was to have no stance at all.
No matter how skilled Xie Mao was, as long as he remained an official of the East Palace, there was no way for him to form ties with the military nobles under such circumstances.
However, Xie Mao had a sister who had married well, Xie shi. If she was willing to help, perhaps the Xie family could establish a connection with the Pingnan hou fu.
Xie shi let out a cold laugh. “In the past, I traveled with my husband and was away from the capital for years. There was no one here to make introductions for you. Now that I’m back in the capital, you and my brother suddenly want to use me to arrange a noble marriage? Dream on.
“Dasao, do you really think I have that kind of influence? I’d probably be kicked out of the hou fu the moment I open my mouth. I’m not about to do something that will offend others.”
Ma shi grew anxious. “Gu taitai, you haven’t even tried yet. How can you give up so easily? If you don’t try, how will you know whether it will work or not?”
Xie shi secretly rolled her eyes. “Dasao, stop wasting your efforts. ‘Trying’ only benefits you if it succeeds, but if it fails, you won’t suffer a thing—while I’ll be left in an impossible situation. If the hou fu no longer welcomes me, and you don’t either, I’ll be the one suffering. I’m not foolish enough to take on a thankless task like this.”
Ma shi said, “Gu taitai, my son Xie Shi is your own nephew.”
Xie shi sneered mockingly. “A nephew, not my own son. When my brother schemed against me back then, he didn’t care that I was his biological sister.”
“How can you be so heartless?”
Xie shi let out a cold snort, clearly displeased. “If you’re here as a guest, I will entertain you properly. But if you’re here to make trouble, don’t blame me for disregarding family ties.”
Ma shi was left speechless. She hadn’t expected Xie shi to turn hostile so quickly.
Before coming, she had thought things through carefully. Whether securing a marriage alliance with the Gu family or the hou fu, she needed a clear answer.
Yet, instead of getting the confirmation she wanted, she was ridiculed by Xie shi.
Ma shi’s eyes darted around as she quickly reconsidered. After a moment, she said, “Gu taitai, how about marrying your eldest daughter into my family as my daughter-in-law?”
Gu Zhen?
Xie shi frowned. “Dasao, stop wasting your time. The hou fu is already arranging a match for Gu Zhen.”
Ma shi was surprised. Xie shi hadn’t mentioned this when she last visited her maiden home. She quickly asked, “Which family’s shaoye are they considering?”
Xie shi thought for a moment. There was no harm in telling her, so she replied, “The eldest son of Haixi bo fu’s main branch, though he is shu-born.”
“Ah!” Ma shi exclaimed in shock.
Xie shi frowned and looked at Ma shi with displeasure.
Ma shi quickly said, “Doesn’t gu taitai know what kind of family the Haixi bo fu is? How could such a good family settle for a shu-born daughter? Hasn’t Yue’er’s marriage not been decided yet?
“Why not marry Gu Zhen into my family and have Yue’er marry into Haixi bo fu’s main branch instead? I heard that the eldest di young master of Haixi bo fu’s main branch has yet to be engaged.”
Xie shi raised an eyebrow, her eyes flickering with thought.
Seeing an opportunity, Ma shi continued to persuade her. “Haixi bo fu has earned military merits and enjoys the emperor’s favour. His di son is handsome, skilled in both literature and martial arts.
“Many families with daughters in the capital have their eyes on him. Matchmakers visit his household every other day. A first-class family like this is perfect for Yue’er, making her the household’s mistress. It would be a great loss if that shu-born girl, Gu Zhen, were to take this opportunity.”
Xie shi frowned and asked, “Is Haixi bo fu really as good as you claim?”
Ma shi quickly responded, “If gu taitai doesn’t believe me, you can send someone to ask around in the streets, or inquire with the da taitai in your own fu—they must know. Gu taitai, if I may speak bluntly, you’ve been away from the capital for years, and you don’t understand how things are now. You can’t afford to be careless with the children’s marriages.
“You nearly let that shu-born girl, Gu Zhen, take advantage of this opportunity. No, no, this marriage must not happen. Gu taitai, you must consider Yue’er’s future carefully—opportunities like this don’t come often. As for Gu Zhen, let her marry my second son. A shu-born daughter marrying a shu-born son—it’s a perfect match.”
Many thoughts flashed through Xie shi’s mind, but in the end, she remained indifferent and simply said, “I understand. Thank you, dasao.”
That’s it?
Ma shi was stunned. She couldn’t believe how cold Xie shi’s reaction was. Did she not take her words seriously?
That couldn’t be—she had clearly seen Xie shi’s interest just moments ago.
So how had it turned into indifference in the blink of an eye?
Ma shi’s eyes darted around as her mind raced, a new idea suddenly forming. Just as she was about to grasp it, Xie shi’s voice rang in her ears.
“Speaking of marriage, my second daughter, Gu Jiu—does dasao have any good matches to introduce? But don’t mention any of your own children. Gu Jiu was born to my husband’s first wife, and he would never agree to marry her into the Xie family.”
Ma shi asked, “What kind of family is gu taitai looking for?”
Xie shi raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Preferably one with strict family rules, a large household, and noble sisters-in-law. Also, I’d prefer a second di son rather than the eldest. The second son is usually overshadowed by the first but tends to be kind to women. He always takes pity on beautiful maidservants and concubines. Dasao, do you know of such a family?”
Ma shi laughed. “Yes, I happen to know a perfect match for your requirements.”
Xie shi’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Please tell me—who is this young master?”
Ma shi smiled and said, “The grandson of Liu daren, an official of the Crown Prince. He is handsome and charming—an excellent match for your second daughter. Together, they would make a perfect couple.”
Xie shi was pleased but soon felt a tinge of disappointment. “Another official from the East Palace… I fear my family’s laoye won’t approve.”
“Everything can be negotiated, gu taitai. Don’t give up so easily—just as I haven’t given up on the marriage between the Xie family and the hou fu, despite your rejection.”
Xie shi was furious. “Dasao, stop thinking about the hou fu. It’s not going to happen. Give up on that idea as soon as possible.”
Ma shi remained unfazed and asked, “Shall I introduce Liu daren’s grandson to gu taitai?”
Xie shi replied, “I will consider it.”
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