The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

Inside the old lady's courtyard, in the inner hall.

A mother and daughter knelt before the old lady, not daring to raise their heads, sweat pouring down their faces.

Despite her advanced age, the old lady's voice was as loud as a bell: "Lin, I know perfectly well what your second branch of the family is thinking. If you want to curry favor with the powerful and seize benefits, you'd better see if you're qualified enough. Don't ruin the future of my Dingyuan Marquis's mansion because of you!"

The second wife knelt there, without uttering a word.

"You dare to order around the servants of the Rong Prince's residence? What makes you think you can do this? As for the matter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, I don't care what your connection is, do you think the Rong Princess is unaware of it? Fortunately, Nian'an stepped in and resolved the matter. Otherwise, if the guests knew that you, as a member of the Dingyuan Marquis's residence, had done such a despicable thing, where would you put the face of the entire Marquis's residence!"

The second wife's tears fell: "Mother, I truly knew nothing about Lord Zhou's matter. I was simply bewitched, heartbroken for my daughter, and didn't want more people to see her after she fell into the water, so I ordered the servants of the Rong Prince's mansion to do that... Please understand, Mother."

The old lady's cane struck heavily, with a "thud," making the floor tremble slightly.

"How dare you mention your daughter! Your daughter is always spoiled and arrogant, which is fine in your own household. What's worse, after she fell into the water, she struggled in the pond, and everyone heard her crying out the name of the eldest son of the Duke of Qi! The Marquis's family is probably going to lose all face."

Your falling into the water and losing your composure has also tarnished the reputation of the Marquis's mansion. You and your daughter almost ruined the friendship between the Rong Prince's mansion and the Qi State Duke's mansion! Fortunately, you are only from the second branch of the family and have no connection with the eldest branch of the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion.

The old lady was so angry that she rubbed her temples. "You two are to be confined to your quarters for three months. You are not allowed to leave your courtyard. Your meals will be delivered by servants. You are also to copy the 'Admonitions for Women' a hundred times."

Ruolan is hereby confined to her quarters for six months to reflect on her actions. During this period, she is forbidden from leaving the manor to attend banquets. If your second branch of the family continues to cause such damage to your reputation, you should move out of the Dingyuan Marquis's residence and make other plans! Don't let your efforts to help the Marquis's family lead you into an abyss instead.

The second madam and Wei Ruolan were half-dragged, half-pulled out of the old madam's courtyard by the servants. The old madam also ordered that all their food, clothing, and daily necessities be reduced and that the two of them be strictly forbidden from leaving the mansion.

Jinxiu, the old lady's maid, was a thoughtful girl and was massaging her temples.

Over there, Wei Jun walked over, looking travel-worn.

He changed into casual clothes and gave a slight bow when he met his grandmother.

Looking at her eldest grandson, so handsome, and remembering how he had stepped in to resolve the trouble at the Rong Prince's mansion's flower-viewing banquet, the old lady couldn't help but feel much happier.

"Today, the second wife's family has caused you trouble."

Wei Jun's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled calmly: "We're all family, talking about these things would only create distance. How have those centuries-old families managed to stand the test of time? Ultimately, it's because they share the family's honor and disgrace."

The old lady sighed. This "sharing of honor and disgrace" was exactly what she had been seeking. Of her three sons, the eldest had fought bravely on the battlefield, earning the title of Marquis of Dingyuan, and then died in battle, along with his eldest daughter-in-law who was in charge of the household.

Now only two sons remain, but one is cunning and the other is mediocre, both holding insignificant official positions with no achievements. One only knows how to take shortcuts and climb the ranks through crooked means; the other has no ambition whatsoever.

She certainly wished for family harmony and mutual support among the different branches. But when faced with the prospect of personal gain, even with only three sons, it was inevitable that their hearts would be scattered by self-interest.

She knew that some things had to be put to rest.

"I heard today that you met with Princess Shuran, the daughter of Prince Rong, is that true?"

"Yes."

The old lady smiled and nodded: "What do you think of Shuran?"

Wei Jun's brows furrowed with a hint of detachment: "My grandson and Shuran only met a few times when they were young. After they grew up, they had little contact. It's neither good nor bad."

The old lady said, "That's true. Marrying a princess means you'll be on Prince Rong's side. Prince Rong and Prince Sheng are currently fighting each other. If you marry Prince Rong's daughter, you'll be drawn into the future political infighting at court. It's a really difficult situation."

Seeing that Wei Jun had not yet expressed his opinion, the old lady became anxious.

"Nian'an, however...Grandmother wants to ask you, what is the stance of the Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion in this factional struggle? Do you support Prince Rong or Prince Sheng? Grandmother trusts your judgment and insight," the old lady asked tentatively.

As a woman, she could only glean information from her maidservants; she had never truly stepped into the court or interacted with the officials. The intrigues and complexities of the court were far beyond the comprehension of a mere woman.

Wei Jun was different. The old lady had personally raised and nurtured him into adulthood.

"Until the very last moment, I dare not make any judgments. Besides, His Majesty is still alive. How the two princes will contend is still unknown. As a courtier and a subject of His Majesty, my primary duty is naturally to be loyal to His Majesty."

The old lady sensed the ambiguity in his words. He didn't want to reveal his true thoughts.

Her grandson was very farsighted from a young age, but as he grew older, he stopped sharing these thoughts with her.

"Very well. Then go and see the daughters of the Duke of Qi and the Duke of Wen, and see if there are any you like. I will send someone to draw their portraits and send them to your courtyard on a chosen day. If you agree, I will find a way to select a suitable person as the mistress of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion," the old lady said in conclusion.

"Hmm." Wei Jun was clearly a little absent-minded. After asking a few more questions about the old lady's health, he found an excuse to leave.

A few more white hairs had appeared among the old lady's locks. In the spacious inner hall of the small courtyard, she sighed as she looked at the slowly rising stove used for warmth.

"As he grows older, he talks less, but he knows more, and he chats with me less often. The thoughtful, sensible, and innocent Nian'an of the past is slowly disappearing."

The maid Jinxiu said softly, "The eldest young master is aware of the old lady's concern for him. However, men don't easily shed tears, and he keeps these feelings to himself, not knowing how to express them."

The old lady smiled knowingly: "You are so thoughtful. But what I am most worried about is the future mistress. The second and third wives have found quite a few maids for him, but he has not taken a liking to any of them. I have also sent one or two over, but he has not touched them even once... According to Nian'an's age of coming of age, she should be full of vigor."

Jinxiu is twenty-three years old this year and has been serving as the old lady's maid for quite some time. At this age, she should have been married long ago, but Jinxiu has never mentioned it, perhaps because she already has someone she likes.

"Perhaps the young master has never tasted fish, which is why he doesn't know the aroma of meat," Jinxiu whispered.

The old lady understood immediately and looked with satisfaction at her young, graceful maidservant.

"I don't trust anyone else with this matter. If the maid gets pregnant prematurely, wouldn't it be a laughing stock? Only you are the only one who can put my mind at ease."

"This matter will be entrusted to you."