Looking at her son’s serious expression, the Pingnan Princess Consort understood his meaning almost instantly.

He was actually threatening her, his own mother!

What did he mean by “cannot properly fulfill the role of prince’s heir”?

This was clearly reminding her that the prince’s manor would depend on him in the future.

This unfilial son!

The Pingnan Princess Consort was so angry smoke seemed to pour from her seven orifices. She wished she could immediately call for the family rod.

But that day when Wei Feng was punished, his rebellious and untamed appearance flashed through her mind, and that surge of fury suddenly became stifled.

This unfilial son… wasn’t entirely wrong either.

The eldest son had become Crown Prince, the prince had become this way—who could the prince’s manor depend on if not this unfilial son?

This scoundrel had seen through this point precisely, daring even to threaten her, his own mother consort.

The Pingnan Princess Consort’s fingertips turned cold, her entire body trembling. Those stern words didn’t burst forth as they had in the past.

She thought her attitude toward her second son needed to change. At least she needn’t make every interaction so tense and confrontational.

The Pingnan Princess Consort calmed herself.

“Feng’er, have you truly taken a fancy to Third Miss Wang?” The Pingnan Princess Consort discreetly observed Wei Feng’s reaction.

If her son showed that he was determined to have Third Miss Wang, she would rather select another beautiful noblewoman than allow a seductress through the door.

Seeing the Pingnan Princess Consort’s attitude soften, Wei Feng said casually: “Not exactly taken a fancy—just that Third Miss Wang is more pleasant to look at than First Miss Wang. Actually, your son doesn’t want to marry so early at all. If you don’t approve of Third Miss Wang, why not wait another two years—”

“Absolutely not!”

Wei Feng quietly regarded the Pingnan Princess Consort.

The Pingnan Princess Consort’s expression changed several times before she finally sighed: “Fine. Since you fancy Third Miss Wang, we’ll do as you wish. Just remember what you said today. Stop being as willful as a child in the future and shoulder your responsibilities as prince’s heir.”

“Your son understands.” Wei Feng smiled with curved lips.

After parting at Dafu Temple, Director Wang’s household fell into anxious waiting, to the point that First Miss Wang’s wish to take her sister to You Jian Tavern for a meal couldn’t be fulfilled.

In Old Madam Wang’s words, these few days they should all stay obediently at the residence and not cause any trouble.

However, when Old Madam Wang said this to First Miss Wang, her tone was very gentle.

In her view, the Pingnan Princess Consort’s reaction at parting suggested she was satisfied with her eldest granddaughter. Now they just waited for confirmation from the prince’s manor.

The First Madam summoned Third Miss Wang to her room and asked about the Dafu Temple matter in minute detail.

“So you’re saying the Pingnan Prince’s Heir was very pleased with you?”

Third Miss Wang nodded with flushed cheeks.

Brilliance flickered in the First Madam’s eyes as she drew Third Miss Wang into her embrace: “San’niang, you truly haven’t disappointed Mother.”

Just as she herself had done years ago.

She, a juren’s daughter, had managed to make the master marry her as his second wife less than half a year after losing his first wife, relying precisely on this beautiful face.

Now her daughter’s starting point was far higher than her own had been. Naturally she should marry even better.

However, Third Miss Wang was quite uneasy: “Mother, the Princess Consort preferred Elder Sister more.”

Though she had confidence, the other party’s status was truly too high, inevitably diminishing her confidence.

Because she cared too much, she became anxious about gains and losses.

The First Madam curved her lips in a smile: “There’s no mother who doesn’t dote on her son.”

If the prince’s manor looked down on Director Wang’s household, then nothing need be mentioned. But if they didn’t mind the disparity in family status, how much difference could there be between the eldest and third daughters?

As long as the Pingnan Prince’s Heir persisted enough, why would the Pingnan Princess Consort disappoint her son?

“These few days say little and do little. Best not to even leave your courtyard much. Just wait peacefully for a few days.” The First Madam gently patted her daughter’s hand, her eyes turning slightly cold.

Even if the prince’s manor didn’t favor her daughter, she had means to sabotage her stepdaughter’s marriage prospect. She absolutely wouldn’t allow her stepdaughter to rise above her daughter.

Director Wang’s household temporarily harbored various thoughts, the atmosphere subtly tense.

After enduring several days this way, they finally received news from Pingnan Prince’s Manor.

“What? They fancy San’niang?” Old Madam Wang thought she had misheard. Even after the messenger left, she still hadn’t quite processed it.

Initially, the hints from the prince’s manor had clearly been about meeting with Yuan’niang. She hadn’t even planned to bring San’niang along…

Surprise aside, Old Madam Wang quickly accepted this reality and became delighted.

Whether the eldest granddaughter or the third, both were her granddaughters. Whichever could become the heir’s consort would bring glory to Director Wang’s household.

However, having first mentioned the meeting to her eldest granddaughter, now that the prince’s manor had chosen San’niang, if she didn’t explain clearly, it would inevitably leave Yuan’niang harboring resentment.

Old Madam Wang first sent a maid to invite the First Madam and Third Miss to come, telling them this joyful news.

The First Madam couldn’t hide her joy, smiling: “I never expected San’niang to have such good fortune. It’s all thanks to Old Madam’s excellent guidance.”

Old Madam Wang found these words pleasing. For a time, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law atmosphere was very harmonious.

Third Miss Wang’s cheeks flew with rosy clouds, her mind filled with that figure in blue.

On their way back, mother and daughter encountered First Miss Wang heading toward Old Madam’s courtyard.

“Mother.” First Miss Wang curtsied.

The First Madam now looked at her stepdaughter as if she were dust. Even her desire to torment her had faded. Looking down from above, she nodded: “Since Old Madam summoned you, go quickly. Don’t make Old Madam wait long.”

Better to learn early that the marriage prospect had fallen through.

Coldly watching First Miss Wang walk forward several steps, Third Miss Wang called out “Elder Sister” with a beaming smile.

First Miss Wang stopped and looked back, also smiling: “Is there something Third Sister needs?”

Seeing her stepmother and third sister’s reactions, it seemed they had gotten their wish.

And she—her luck had finally been good for once.

Third Miss Wang stared at that faint smile on First Miss Wang’s lips, finding it glaring. She curved her lips: “When we next go to Dafu Temple to offer incense, let’s go together, Elder Sister and I.”

“Fine.” First Miss Wang responded coolly and moved forward.

The First Madam smiled as she chided her daughter: “San’niang, you’re different now from before. Don’t compete with her superficially.”

Previously she had competed relentlessly because her daughter was inherently half a step below the legitimate eldest daughter—she had to compete.

But now, there was no such necessity.

“Daughter understands.” Third Miss Wang’s lips curved lightly upward.

First Miss Wang received the news from Old Madam Wang. Her heart finally settled completely, though her face showed nothing as she lowered her head in silence.

Seeing her eldest granddaughter’s appearance, Old Madam Wang couldn’t help feeling some pity. She sighed: “Each has their own fate—don’t envy others. You must not harbor resentment toward your third sister because of this.”

“Your granddaughter won’t.”

“That’s good then. Didn’t you say you wanted to take Er’niang to You Jian Tavern for a meal? Draw one hundred taels of silver from my private account and go.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

Walking on the road to Qingxing Street, Second Miss Wang was still somewhat dazed: “Grandmother just gave Elder Sister one hundred taels of silver like that?”

First Miss Wang smiled: “Yes, I lost such a good marriage prospect. How pitiful.”

Second Miss Wang curled her lip: “Third Sister got the advantage. From now on she’ll probably be smug every day.”

Having said this, she linked arms with her sister and smiled again: “Forget it. Without her, Elder Sister’s trouble wouldn’t have been resolved. Let her be smug.”

Ahead, the blue wine banner before You Jian Tavern fluttered in the cold wind. Falling into the sisters’ eyes, it was nothing but warmth.

That was You Jian Tavern opened by Miss Luo, where one could steal a moment of freedom.