Dream of the Red Chamber: Madam, please have some self-respect!

"Being able to bend and stretch, and to endure what ordinary people cannot endure, is true talent. If Yun-ge'er had continued to make a fuss today, or had actually gone to the authorities in a fit of pique, I would have looked down on him and thought he was just a reckless man who couldn't stand being bullied."

But he just... just had to pull this stunt! Beaten half to death, yet he could drag his wounded body to his knees, return the treasure he'd just acquired, and take all the blame upon himself... At such a young age, to possess such cunning, such decisiveness, such ruthlessness, is truly...”

Grandmother Jia suddenly opened her eyes, as if she could see the small, thin figure lurking in the courtyard under the west corridor.

"This boy is no ordinary person, nor is he one to be subservient to others. I think... he is truly beyond redemption. Today, Yun-ge'er endured this great humiliation for the sake of his future. If he gains power and influence in the future, I'm afraid no one in this manor will be able to control him. The more submissive he is now, the more terrifying his backlash will be in the future."

The old lady seemed to have made up her mind, and her tone became resolute.

Then Grandmother Jia leaned back on the brocade pillow, while Yuanyang massaged her legs lightly beside her.

The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense. The old lady had her eyes half-closed and was slowly turning the warm sandalwood prayer beads in her hand.

She mentally reviewed each of the eligible girls in the manor as if counting the treasures in a storeroom.

To truly win over Yun-ge'er and make him wholeheartedly serve the Jia family, relying solely on the authority of elders and the constraints of the family is not enough; we need to take some drastic measures to bind his heart.

And this "powerful medicine" is none other than a perfectly timed marriage.

The original intention behind having Jia Yun teach the girls to read was this, but to everyone's surprise, they remained completely unmoved.

An idea gradually became clear in her mind.

She slowly opened her eyes and whispered to Yuanyang, "Go, invite the First Madam here first."

The mandarin ducks accepted the order and left.

Before long, Madam Xing arrived. She was always somewhat timid in front of Grandmother Jia. After paying her respects, she sat down cautiously at the lower end of the table, wondering why the old lady had suddenly summoned her.

Grandmother Jia didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "I called you here because I need to ask your opinion on something. I think Yun-ge'er is a very good boy, ambitious, handsome, and reliable in his dealings with others. His future looks promising. Ying-ya'er is also getting on in years, and she's gentle and obedient. I'm thinking that if we were to marry her to Yun-ge'er, it would be a stable and peaceful marriage. You are her mother, what do you think?"

At that moment, no one noticed that right behind Grandmother Jia's inner room, Yingchun was standing there with her maid Xiuju.

She had come to pay her respects to Grandmother Jia, but happened to overhear a message being delivered inside, so she subconsciously stopped and listened attentively.

When she heard Grandmother Jia mention her name and Yun-ge'er, her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she unconsciously clenched her handkerchief tightly between her fingers.

Her mind immediately conjured up Jia Yun's handsome and upright figure, and his gentle and polite manner towards her during their occasional encounters... Yingchun even began to imagine what a blessing it would be if it were truly possible...

However, upon hearing this, Madam Xing's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

She quickly began to calculate in her mind: Jia Yun is good, talented, and handsome, and may really have a bright future.

But precisely because he is "promising" and quick-witted, he doesn't seem like the kind of pushover who can be easily manipulated and blindly obeyed.

If Yingchun were to marry him, would this son-in-law be able to be controlled by his stepmother, with whom he has no blood relation and is not particularly close?

Not only could they not be an asset, but they might also give Yingchun something to rely on, causing her to slip out of her control. She didn't want to see her pawns develop rebellious tendencies, nor did she want to provide assistance to others.

Moreover, people with the same surname cannot marry, and Jia Yun is still within the fifth degree of kinship.

Thinking of this, Madam Xing put on her usual somewhat fake smile and rubbed her hands together.

"Grandma's judgment is undoubtedly excellent! Everyone praises Yun-ge'er. It's just... it's just that our Ying-chun is a bit too dull and weak-willed. I'm afraid she's not a good match for a talented boy like Yun-ge'er. Yun-ge'er is destined for great things, and he'll need someone shrewd and capable to help him. Ying-chun... I'm afraid she can't shoulder that responsibility and might hinder Yun-ge'er's future. Besides, she was raised by me, and I really can't bear to see her marry so young. I'd like to keep her for a couple more years."

"Besides... we can't marry people with the same surname, and Yun-ge'er isn't even beyond the fifth degree of kinship yet."

Madam Xing's words, while belittling Yingchun and appearing "benevolent," clearly expressed her rejection, and she even brought up Yingchun's family background at the end.

The blush on Yingchun's face vanished instantly. The budding hope that had just risen within her vanished as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head.

Her stepmother's casual words pierced her heart like needles.

So... in my mother's heart, I am so worthless?

What kind of person was Grandmother Jia? How could she not see through Madam Xing's selfish intentions?

She snorted inwardly, not particularly surprised, much less disappointed.

Yingchun is indeed too timid, and she might not be a good match for Jia Yun, who is now showing his talent. She was just asking casually to test the waters.

So the old lady said calmly, "I will discuss the issue of sharing the same surname with the Imperial Clan Court. As for the fifth degree of mourning... Yun-ge'er's branch of the family was descended from cousins ​​of the Rong and Ning Dukes, and shared the same ancestor as Tan-chun. They were already beyond the fifth degree of mourning, but were later incorporated back in. However, since you have put it that way, then so be it. You may stay a little longer."

After dismissing Madam Xing, Grandmother Jia pondered for a moment and then thought again.

Xichun? The thought had barely crossed my mind when I immediately dismissed it. She was Jia Zhen's own sister, a member of the Ningguo Mansion.

Now that things have come to this point with Jia Zhen, betrothing Xichun to Jia Yun would not be a marriage alliance, but an enmity alliance, adding chaos upon chaos, and it is absolutely unacceptable.

Daiyu? Baochai? She loved both of these children dearly, especially Daiyu, who was her most beloved granddaughter.

But precisely because of this, their marriages involve too many people.

Daiyu is physically weak and has a heavy heart. Jia Yun is currently in a difficult situation and needs someone to stand by her side and help her through thick and thin, rather than someone who needs her constant care and might attract attention to the Lin family's past.

What about Baochai? The Xue family are imperial merchants, rich but not noble, and Xue Pan is an incompetent man who can offer little help to Jia Yun's career. Moreover, Baochai is deep and calculating, and may not be someone as ambitious as Jia Yun would want to accept.

More importantly, she knew a little about what the two girls were thinking. Although she felt the hope was slim, it was not time to give up completely.

After much thought, the old lady's gaze fell on Tan Chun.

This girl is outstanding in appearance, exceptionally talented, decisive and efficient in her actions, and her mind and insight are far beyond those of ordinary young ladies.

Although he was born out of wedlock, being raised under Lady Wang's name elevated his status, especially since Jia Yun was from a collateral branch of the family.

Although Aunt Zhao is not respectable, this is a good opportunity to manipulate her. Most importantly, Tan Chun's personality is both resourceful and resilient, which can be a great help to Jia Yun. She will definitely become Jia Yun's virtuous wife in the future and can also bind Jia Yun more firmly to the Jia family's cause.

Having made up her mind, the old lady no longer hesitated and said to Yuanyang, "Go and call Aunt Zhao here."

The mandarin ducks accepted the order and left.

Before long, Aunt Zhao arrived, trembling with fear. As soon as she entered the door, she timidly bowed.

Her eyes flickered, wondering why the old lady had suddenly summoned her. Her heart was in turmoil, fearing that she had done something wrong again and displeased the "old lady" of the mansion.

Grandmother Jia had her sit on a small stool at the lower end of the table. Without beating around the bush, she went straight to the point: "I called you here because I need to ask your opinion on something. I think Yun-ge'er is a very good child—ambitious, handsome, and with a promising future. Tan-ya'er is also getting older, and I'm thinking that marrying her to Yun-ge'er would be a good match. You are her birth mother; what do you think?"

The old lady repeated her question verbatim.

Aunt Zhao was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and then her heart skipped a beat!

Although she was dull-witted, she was exceptionally sensitive when it came to matters concerning her own vital interests.

In recent days, how could she not have noticed that her proud and arrogant daughter spoke of Yun Ge'er with a tone and eyes that were different from usual?

She hadn't dared to think about it before, since Jia Yun, though from the main family, was from a collateral branch and didn't hold a high position.

Now that Grandmother Jia has brought it up so bluntly, she was overjoyed at first—if Tan Chun could really marry Jia Yun, this "newly rich" man who was about to flourish, wouldn't her status as his birth mother in the mansion rise accordingly?

No more having to put up with Madam Wang's fake, serious expression!

But Aunt Zhao didn't dare show too much on her face, only saying with a mixture of flattery and probing, "The old lady's judgment is definitely not wrong! It's just... but Tan Chun, after all, was raised under the Second Madam's name, while... although Yun Ge'er has passed the county-level imperial examination, his status is still somewhat lacking... If he could pass the provincial-level imperial examination, that would truly be icing on the cake, a perfect match! But... they share the same surname and are from the same clan..."

Aunt Zhao wanted to marry into this family, but she was also worried that Jia Yun's foundation was still weak, so she wanted to wait and see and try to gain a bigger advantage.

Moreover, Jia Yun's background is also a major problem.

Grandmother Jia snorted coldly, pausing her prayer beads. She glanced at Aunt Zhao with slight disdain: "A scholar? Hmph, once he actually passes the imperial examination, won't all those powerful and influential families outside be scrambling to marry their daughters to us? At that time, how many vixens and enchantresses will be chasing after him? Will our family even have a chance? Besides, Yun-ge'er is so handsome; even now, many people are probably eyeing him! I'm just taking advantage of my proximity, and it's also for the good of the maid! As for the claim of sharing the same surname, I will explain to the Imperial Clan Court. There's no need to worry about the claim of being from the same clan; he's already beyond the fifth degree of kinship. If you feel it's inappropriate, then so be it!"

Aunt Zhao trembled at Grandmother Jia's sharp and persuasive words. She dared not be presumptuous any longer and quickly stood up, saying hastily, "Grandmother's considerations are correct! I was too naive! It's all up to you, Grandmother! Grandmother's willingness to arrange such a good marriage for Tan Chun is a blessing for her, and also a blessing for me!"

She was overjoyed, as if she could already see the day when she could finally hold her head high thanks to her son-in-law.

When Grandmother Jia saw that she had agreed, her expression softened slightly, and she said calmly, "Since that's the case, I understand. Don't make a fuss about this yet, go back now."

Aunt Zhao thanked them profusely and left, feeling as if she were walking on cotton, lightheaded and dazed.

However, there are no secrets in the Rongguo Mansion.

This conversation between Grandmother Jia and Aunt Zhao was overheard by some informant, and within half a day, it was embellished and relayed to Lady Wang.

With a loud crash, a fine, multicolored covered clock was smashed to the ground in Madam Wang's room, shards of porcelain mixed with hot tea splashing everywhere.

"This is outrageous! This is outrageous!" Madam Wang was so angry that she trembled all over and her face turned ashen, completely losing her usual compassionate demeanor as a vegetarian and Buddhist.

She pointed at a young maid kneeling on the ground and yelled, "Get out! All of you, get out!"