Old Madam Yun’s words put Eldest Madam Yun completely at ease, though the certainty in Old Madam Yun’s tone made her somewhat hesitant: “But Mother, how should we explain this to Shuhe?”

Old Madam Yun frowned: “Explain what? The Yun family doesn’t need to explain anything to anyone. The Su family’s current desire to form a marriage alliance with our Yun family is nothing more than their refusal to accept being outmaneuvered by the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion. They want to drag us onto the same boat so the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion will have a headache. Does the Yun family exist to be used so easily?”

“Mother, do you mean that what happened to the Su family this time was the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion—”

Old Madam Yun thought for a moment, then sneered: “I’d say my guess is eight or nine parts correct. In recent years, the Su family has not only extended their reach throughout Yanbei but also wanted to get involved in southern business, probably touching the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion’s taboos. The Su family rose alongside the old Prince of Yanbei, Xiao Qishan, and were originally considered household retainers of the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion. Anyone else could have connections with the capital, but not the Su family. Otherwise, would they want to serve two masters? Their ambitions are far too great. When servants don’t obey, their masters naturally cannot let it slide.”

Eldest Madam Yun seemed to understand: “No wonder you said we and the Su family aren’t on the same path.”

In the Yun family’s eyes, the Su family was merely household servants of the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion, while the Yun family was in-laws to the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion. The original reason the Yun family formed marriage ties with the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion was merely because the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion wanted to reconcile conflicts between established noble families and newly risen aristocrats—it was an expedient measure.

Old Madam Yun thought for a moment, then sighed: “However, Shuhe did say one thing correctly. Our Yun family’s relationship with the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion is nowhere near as close as it was when the old prince was alive. Otherwise, Wenting and the princess’s marriage wouldn’t be so difficult. It’s just that some things aren’t within our control. Our Yun family has been Yanbei’s foremost noble family for decades, with countless families depending on us. When branches multiply, tangled growth is inevitable. Take the recent dispute with the Su family over the northwestern salt fields—it wasn’t that we didn’t want to yield, but that we couldn’t. Yield once, and there would be a second and third time, until there’s nowhere left to retreat, leaving our subordinates disheartened. At that point, the Yun family would be nothing more than meat on someone else’s chopping block.”

Eldest Madam Yun frowned: “Our Yun family has contributed so much to Yanbei over the years, even if not in merit, then in hard work. If we truly reach the point of no retreat, surely the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion wouldn’t stand by and watch us die?”

Old Madam Yun snorted and looked at Eldest Madam Yun: “You still haven’t listened to what I just said.”

“Mother—”

“I said the Yun family and Su family aren’t on the same path. What do you think I meant? The Su family is the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion’s dogs, but the Yun family is not. Since we demand that the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion give the Yun family a superior status, the Yun family must have the capability to back it up. If that day truly comes… if that day truly comes, we can only blame our insufficient abilities. What if the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion stands by and watches? Even if they kick us when we’re down, we couldn’t say they’re wrong. Without one Yun family, there would be hundreds and thousands more Yun families to take our place.”

Old Madam Yun’s words left Eldest Madam Yun’s heart trembling slightly. After a long silence, she finally spoke: “Mother, is the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion’s continued refusal to agree to Wenting and the princess’s marriage also a warning to our Yun family?”

This time, it was Old Madam Yun’s turn to remain silent.

Eldest Madam Yun waited for a long while, opening her mouth to speak, when Old Madam Yun finally said: “You needn’t worry too much. Since our Yun family can be Yanbei’s foremost noble family, it shows we won’t be so easily crushed. This Thousand Gold Banquet brought all of Yanbei’s noble young ladies. Quite a few have come to pay respects to the Yun family these past days. Have you seen any you find suitable?”

Old Madam Yun’s topic change was so abrupt that Eldest Madam Yun was momentarily stunned: “There are indeed several good ones. Mother, do you mean—?”

Old Madam Yun picked up her teacup, lowered her eyes to take a sip, then said slowly: “It’s time to decide on Wenfang’s principal wife.”

“Mother, didn’t you previously say to set aside Wenfang’s marriage for now and focus on Wenting’s first? There’s proper order between elder and younger—” Eldest Madam Yun hesitated.

Old Madam Yun shook her head: “I previously held back because I saw Wenfang’s character wasn’t settled, thinking to let him be for now. But current circumstances are pressing, and Wenfang’s marriage can’t be delayed. The Su family has wolfish ambitions—marriage ties with them would be harmful without benefit. However, if it were other families, we could form such connections.”

Eldest Madam Yun couldn’t help but worry: “As Mother said, the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion already finds our Yun family’s power quite threatening. If we form marriage ties with other prominent families, wouldn’t that make us even less tolerable to the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion?”

Old Madam Yun laughed: “The Yun family is in-laws with the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion, and also in-laws with the Su family. At critical moments, have you seen our three families standing united?”

Eldest Madam Yun was at a loss for words, unable to fathom Old Madam Yun’s thoughts.

Old Madam Yun glanced at Eldest Madam Yun and sighed, shaking her head, thinking that while this daughter-in-law was capable in daily matters, she ultimately lacked experience.

“Our Yun family has always formed marriage ties but not power alliances—this is also why the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion has been willing to intermarry with the Yun family generation after generation. The in-law family I’m selecting for Wenfang isn’t so we can stand united with them in the future, but because our Yun family is already suffering from the loneliness of heights, unable to retreat. The only plan now is to pull other families up with us. This is also what the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion wants to see—if we don’t do it, the Prince of Yanbei’s mansion will do it for us.”

With Old Madam Yun’s guidance, Eldest Madam Yun finally understood.

“Then, in Mother’s view, what kind of in-law family would be suitable for Wenfang?”

Old Madam Yun said flatly, “A Yanbei noble family with a good reputation.”

Upon hearing this, Eldest Madam Yun couldn’t help but mentally review all the young ladies she’d recently met.

Old Madam Yun sighed: “Originally, I had my eye on the Lei family, but unfortunately, they have no daughters of suitable age. The Lei brothers—one widowed, one unmarried—but they must observe mourning for Madam Lei’s death. Moreover, although Lei Ting is young, his character is strong and difficult to get along with. Plus, the Lei family’s sudden rise makes me feel rather uneasy.”

Eldest Madam Yun thought: “I heard from Wenting that Han Yunqian of the Han family is quite good, and he has a sister, though her birth is somewhat humble.”

Old Madam Yun nodded, then suddenly seemed to think of something, looking at Eldest Madam Yun with a half-smile: “Since we’ve mentioned the Han family, should we discuss the Ren family next?”

Eldest Madam Yun was startled, then quickly said after realizing: “Mother, please don’t blame Wenfang. He’s still young and used to being willful.”

Old Madam Yun glanced at Eldest Madam Yun: “So you did know.”

Eldest Madam Yun didn’t dare make a sound.

Old Madam Yun snorted lightly: “Wenfang grew up by my side since childhood. I know exactly how many schemes he has in that head of his. Previously, I just let him be willful because he was young. But there’s a time for play and a time to understand. As his mother, you need to watch him more closely in the future—it’s time he learned some sense.”

Eldest Madam Yun couldn’t help but complain silently: You know your grandson’s temperament perfectly well. In front of him, you indulge his every whim, leaving me to do all the unpleasant tasks. Why don’t you tell him these things yourself?

Yun Wenfang had been raised by Old Madam Yun since childhood and was the old lady’s treasure. Since he wasn’t the eldest grandson who would inherit the family business, Old Madam Yun indulged his temperament and never spoke a harsh word to him face-to-face. Yun Wenfang’s current lawless character was largely Old Madam Yun’s responsibility.

“Mother, perhaps we should keep this matter from Wenfang for now. Otherwise, given his temperament, if he makes a fuss, the marriage arrangement might fall through.” Thinking of Yun Wenfang’s previous tantrums, Eldest Madam Yun felt helpless.

Old Madam Yun considered this and nodded: “Then let’s keep it from him for now. After all, the wedding won’t be for another two years. He’s young now and has simply taken a fancy to that Ren family girl’s looks. You should pay careful attention—if you see any girls who resemble Ren Fifth Miss, buy them back to the mansion and place them beside him as bed warmers. After a couple of years, once the novelty wears off, he won’t think about her anymore.”

At this point, Old Madam Yun seemed to think of something and smiled: “You’ve given birth to quite a son—his standards are incredibly high. I hear that Ren family girl resembles Noble Consort Wan, who was once the most favored in the imperial harem. Ren Fifth Miss is still young and hasn’t fully developed yet. Wait another three to five years and see—she’ll be a stunning beauty.”

Eldest Madam Yun could only smile bitterly upon hearing this. Although there were many similar-looking people in the world, the task Old Madam Yun had given her was difficult indeed—beauties like Noble Consort Wan couldn’t be found just anywhere.

“There aren’t suitable ones in Yanzhou, but there are several in other prefectures.” Eldest Madam Yun brought the topic back on track.

“Tell me about them.”

“The legitimate eldest daughter of the Guo family head in Weizhou, the eighth miss of the Jiang family in Shunzhou, and the second miss of the Qiu family in Jizhou.” Eldest Madam Yun mentioned several young ladies who had made good impressions on her during this period.

“The Qiu family’s second miss—Qiu Xinmin’s granddaughter?” Old Madam Yun frowned.

The Qiu family was Old Madam Yun’s natal family. Her father had been the previous clan leader, but unfortunately had no sons, so he adopted Qiu Xinmin, a distant relative’s son who was also Old Madam Ren’s biological older brother, to succeed as clan leader.

However, when Qiu Xinmin was adopted, Old Madam Yun had already married out, so although she maintained cordial relations with the current Qiu family clan leader, they couldn’t be called close.