Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Therefore, Lady Wang has placed all her hopes on Yuan Chun.

She was planning to spend more money these days to have Dongfu Zhen'er try to influence Dai Neixiang's side, hoping to give the eldest maid a chance to receive favor from the emperor.

If Yuan Chun can successfully rise to the rank of imperial concubine, then her Bao Yu will be the emperor's brother-in-law, and she will be the emperor's mother-in-law.

By then, who cares if you're a marquis or a general? Can you be more important than the emperor's mother-in-law?

Once she becomes a member of the imperial family, she will naturally have her own reasons for being in the Rongguo Mansion.

Madam Wang examined the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her gaze becoming even more resolute.

She made up her mind that no matter what, she would never agree to take Yuan Chun out of the palace, and no amount of persuasion from anyone could change that.

Seeing Lady Wang's resolute expression, Grandmother Jia sighed deeply. She could only discuss this matter with the second branch of the family and could not force her.

Meanwhile, Feng Jie felt a surge of fear under Madam Wang's gloomy gaze, and the smile on her beautiful oval face vanished completely.

But after a moment, remembering that Madam Wang had asked Zhou Rui's wife to accuse him of lending money at exorbitant interest rates a while ago, he regained some courage.

He sneered and said:

"The eldest young lady has been in the palace for quite a few years. More than two years ago, there were rumors that good news was coming, but what happened? She's still just a lady-in-waiting all these years!"

"I see this young lady is getting on in years. If she delays any longer, even if she gets married, it might be difficult for her to find a husband! Her life will be truly ruined!"

The implication is clear: if she deserved to be favored, she should have been long ago. If she keeps waiting, she'll become an old maid and rot away in the palace!

Madam Wang's expression changed, she gripped the prayer beads in her hand tightly, and said coldly:

"The eldest daughter is my own daughter, and my husband and I will decide how to arrange things for her."

This statement naturally sidelined Sister Feng, as this was a family matter for the second branch of the family, and it was not her place to interfere in how it was decided.

Wang Xifeng's eyes flickered, a deep meaning flashing in her phoenix eyes. She inwardly felt a surge of satisfaction, smiled, and retorted:

"Bringing the eldest daughter out was my second brother's idea. It involves matters of the court outside, and the old lady also agreed."

"This is probably more than just a family matter!"

"Besides, even if the Second Madam wants to form a marriage alliance with the Emperor, she can't just disregard the safety of our entire household!"

Sister Feng's words were really harsh!

This directly demonstrates that receiving Yuan Chun was not merely a family matter.

It further exposes Lady Wang's hypocrisy; she only cares about her own wealth and status and has no concern for Yuan Chun at all.

Those present reacted with varying expressions as they watched the two exchange witty and pointed remarks.

Grandmother Jia's breath hitched, and she sighed again, feeling her headache, which hadn't recurred for many days, start to hurt again.

How could she not see the confrontation between Madam Wang and Sister Feng?

This wasn't the first time such a scene had unfolded in Rongqing Hall, and she had given stern warnings several times.

But the two of them seemed to have some kind of illness, and while they outwardly agreed to it, it was all fine.

But if they disagree on a few words in private, they can easily start hurling barbs at each other and competing with each other in their words.

Even though Grandmother Jia wanted to ease the tension between the two, she even spoke with Jia Zheng and Jia Lian, asking them to keep their wives in check.

But after several attempts, the results were minimal.

These days, all she can do is make sure there are no major mistakes, and that her uncles and nephews don't look down on each other. She's too lazy to bother with trivial matters like verbal squabbles!

At the same time, Grandmother Jia made up her mind that she could no longer have any daughters from the Wang family!

None of them are easy to deal with!

Aunt Xue, who was sitting to the side, was suddenly glanced at by Grandmother Jia and was somewhat puzzled.

She watched as Fengjie and Madam Wang exchanged barbs and veiled sarcasm, and hesitated to speak.

In terms of closeness, she was definitely on Madam Wang's side.

However, this was, after all, a matter concerning the Jia family, and as an outsider, she shouldn't interfere. Moreover, she didn't want to offend Sister Feng, who was about to become the heir to the Rongguo Mansion.

Sitting to the side, Baochai tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand. Her flawless, beautiful face, as delicate as the stamen of a crabapple blossom outside the hall, also held a complex expression.

She was thinking of herself.

If she hadn't failed to be selected by the palace, she would probably already be in that deep palace, spending her days idly serving those nobles.

I just don't know if her mother would have chosen to take her out then.

She empathized with Yuan Chun's plight to some extent, and she was also concerned for Yuan Chun's well-being.

Although she couldn't openly express her support, she secretly sided with Sister Feng in her heart.

Moreover, this was his idea.

It seems that a man as upright and honorable as him would disdain seeking favor through his sisters, which is why he wanted to bring Sister Yuanchun out!

Meanwhile, Tan Chun, after being in charge of the household for the past few days, has clearly gained more poise and authority.

At this moment, her bright eyes sparkled, and she was already thinking about whether she could find someone in the palace to make some arrangements to bring her eldest sister out as soon as possible.

Her third brother entrusted her with managing the household, so she should show some competence!

Daiyu's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her beautiful eyes narrowed, and her face showed a rare seriousness.

Her health has improved considerably these days, and her complexion has become rosier.

Having read many official gazettes and political articles, she could roughly understand Jia Jing's intentions and couldn't help but sigh slightly.

The ups and downs of officialdom probably require this kind of caution!

Third brother is probably worried about the Emperor Emeritus!

He is a trusted minister of the current emperor. If his elder sister is involved in the struggle for imperial power, he will be in a very difficult position!

A dazed look appeared on Xiangyun's round, apple-like face. Something seemed off between her second sister-in-law and second wife. Could they have fallen out?

Yingchun looked bewildered, feeling that she didn't quite understand what they were saying, yet also feeling that what the second wife and her sister-in-law said made sense.

However, she admired her second sister-in-law's courage, daring to argue with the second wife like that; she herself certainly wouldn't have dared to do so.

Xichun, on the other hand, was playing around with Xiaojiao'er by herself. She didn't want to get involved in the affairs between the elders in her family, but she missed her third brother a little.

Just as everyone in the hall was lost in thought,

Madam Wang's face was clouded with worry. She clutched a string of Buddhist prayer beads tightly in her hand, and the veins on the back of her hand were bulging.

He said angrily:

"No matter whose idea it is, even if the master agrees, I will never agree."

"Don't keep talking about my second brother. No matter how powerful or high-ranking he is, he has no right to interfere in the affairs of my second branch of the family."

"Yuan Chun is my daughter. If he dares to take Yuan Chun out of the palace without my consent and obstruct her future."

"I'll report him to the Empress herself and make sure he doesn't get away with it!"

Madam Wang spoke with exaggerated emotion, clearly showing that she was genuinely angry.

Grandmother Jia was absolutely at her wit's end!

Even though she was easygoing and had become more mature with age, she was still upset by the two of them, and her head was buzzing!