With profit before one’s eyes, one forgets to draw back one’s hand; with no path behind, one thinks of turning back—but not everyone could be like Great Master, able to grasp and release, casting aside the wealth and glory of the Jiangnan Governor position!
Ninth Brother was the first to protest: “Father wanting to keep a low profile is indeed mature and prudent, but to claim illness and return home right after the change of heavens—isn’t that retreating too hastily? Those who don’t know might think that between the Eastern Palace and our Yang family—”
Great Master felt somewhat gratified.
At least Ninth Brother had been raised well!
He stroked his beard and smiled, but didn’t pick up Ninth Brother’s thread. Instead, he looked with concern toward Great Madam.
The couple had worked hand in hand, struggling together from the juren examination to today’s position. Though Great Master was an exceptionally capable official, Great Madam also deserved credit. Of course Great Master couldn’t fail to consider Great Madam’s attitude when speaking of claiming illness.
Great Madam’s expression was somber. She lowered her head in contemplation for a long while before raising it with a sigh. “Master is indeed mature and prudent… For the family’s major matters, you should still make the decisions.”
In the end, she was a noble family’s daughter—at critical moments, she could handle things!
Surveying the four children again, Fifth Miss looked completely bewildered, Sixth Miss bit her lower lip while calculating on her own, Seventh Miss showed a faint look of comprehension, and Ninth Brother also revealed a contemplative expression—none were those frivolous wastrels who clung to wealth and status, hastening to voice opposition upon hearing Great Master’s words.
Great Master’s heart immediately felt more comforted: having these children in this lifetime, he could be considered satisfied.
“Little Qi,” he nodded at Seventh Miss, “explain to your younger brother the intention behind Father’s move.”
Seventh Miss swept a glance at everyone. Seeing the siblings all looking confused, she couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
The sisters were fine—young in age and limited in experience. Not understanding was only natural. But Ninth Brother had grown up in a land of wealth and comfort. Though clever, sometimes he was too proud. When his blood ran hot, his usual cleverness and caution vanished, leaving only a hot-blooded youth…
Hot-bloodedness was certainly not bad in itself. Unfortunately, a hot-blooded youth was least suited for officialdom.
“Just looking at how the Eastern Palace laid such a vast net and game in Jiangnan without revealing a single word to our Yang family, even calculating the Yang family into it, one can know this noble person’s thoughts are deep and methods brilliant. He’s not someone to be manipulated by others and probably doesn’t obey his two adoptive mothers in everything either.” She slowly began. “When he was young years ago, he needed to rely on his adoptive mothers’ influence. Now that he’s grown, it’s not the two adoptive mothers protecting him, but him protecting the two noble ladies.”
With Noble Consort Xu’s influence weakening, the Yang family’s greatest protective umbrella in the capital was showing signs of fading.
“The relationship between our Yang family and the Eastern Palace is neither distant nor close—not comparable to the Xu family, Qin family, or Sun family. Since the Eastern Palace distinctly lacks trust in us and used the opportunity of laying out his game to plant people in Jiangnan with all his might, clearly he values this treasure land of Jiangnan extremely. This being so, with the Yang family being local powers who have operated in Jiangnan for many years, the Eastern Palace inevitably harbors wariness toward us. Once heaven changes, if the Yang family still clings to power and position, I fear the Eastern Palace’s methods will follow in succession, and stepping down would be too unseemly.”
“Better for Father to proactively yield the Jiangnan Governor position, allowing the Eastern Palace to employ his methods and digest Jiangnan at leisure. Thus between sovereign and subject, a thread of dignity remains. In the future, whether Father wants to serve again or reside at home in leisure, both are matters that can be discussed. Relatives in the capital and relatives in the Northwest will also think more highly of our Yang family… This move could perhaps be called advancing by retreating!”
The intricate and complex court situation with its interweaving interests, when explained and analyzed by Seventh Miss’s gentle voice, appeared orderly and perfectly clear. Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss both showed looks of sudden understanding.
But Ninth Brother was somewhat indignant. “Last year when they wanted our Yang family to exert effort and manipulate matters in the Salt and Iron Bureau, it wasn’t this kind of attitude! Burning bridges after crossing, honeyed words and a dagger in the belly…”
Speaking of it, the Crown Prince had indeed both deceived the Yang family into contributing effort while marginalizing them. Ninth Brother having this complaint was only human nature.
Great Master moved his mouth, wanting to scold Ninth Brother a few words. Looking at Great Madam and the daughters, he held back.
A fourteen-year-old young man wasn’t a child anymore… He needed to preserve some face for him.
But Great Madam replied to Ninth Brother: “This is the court, this is politics! If Ninth Brother still can’t see through this point, it would be better not to enter officialdom at all.”
The atmosphere in the room immediately became oppressive.
Fifth Miss’s expression changed several times before she hesitantly spoke: “Then Father’s meaning is, our family’s marriage alliance with the Xu family…”
Cutting straight to the point—this was indeed her style.
This time, the Yang family was truly comprehensively contracting. Once the Jiangnan Governor position was gone, their power would certainly greatly weaken. Affairs in officialdom were like this—when people leave, the tea cools. Though rising stars promoted by Great Master would still respect the Yang family’s dignity, wanting to maintain influence over Jiangnan’s three provinces after stepping down was a fool’s dream.
A woman’s face at her husband’s family was all supported by her maternal family, wasn’t it? The sisters married for many years were fine—after all, they had already borne children and established roots in their husbands’ families. But as Fifth Miss was about to marry as a new bride, with her maternal family contracting at this time, her position became somewhat awkward.
Great Master let out a long breath.
“If we had made this decision earlier, your mother and I would not have agreed to this marriage alliance with the Xu family. Duke Pingguo’s residence is currently enjoying great favor. That child Fengjia has good relations with the Crown Prince—from any angle, the Xu family’s prospects are brighter than the Yang family’s. Even now, you marrying into the Xu family carries a hint of marrying up, let alone after this change of heavens…”
The worry in his eyes as he looked at Fifth Miss was deep. “Little Fifth, remember Father’s words—a newly married bride suffering some grievances is inevitable! You’ve been pampered since childhood. When you reach the Xu family, you must change your willful temperament. Don’t rely on your mother-in-law being your aunt to throw tantrums. Fengjia might not hold it against you out of consideration for your cousin relationship. But inside the Xu family is definitely not calm either. If someone catches you by your weak points and Father and Mother aren’t in Jiangnan but have returned to the Northwest, we probably won’t be able to support you easily… Even if you suffer some grievances at the Xu family, don’t fuss over it. Once children are born, things will improve!”
Great Madam even more wanted to speak but stopped, her eyes full of apology as she looked at Fifth Miss.
Originally they were sending Fifth Miss to enjoy wealth and glory, but unexpectedly the political situation changed in an instant. By the time Fifth Miss married, her maternal family might no longer be so illustrious…
Fifth Miss took a deep breath.
She quietly nodded, straightening her back. “Father can rest assured! I won’t bring shame to the Yang family!”
Great Master looked at Fifth Miss with particular attention again, wanting to say something, but swallowed his words.
He only shook his head and looked toward Sixth Miss.
Sixth Miss was composed and calm, steadily meeting Great Master’s gaze, her lips even carrying a trace of a charming smile.
Great Master fell into contemplation again.
Great Madam looked at Sixth Miss, then swept a glance at Seventh Miss, consulting with Great Master: “This selection matter—should we still participate? Times have changed…”
The whole family focused their gazes on Sixth Miss.
Whether Seventh Miss married into the Quan family, Gui family, or Feng family… her marriage match would definitely have no connection with the imperial palace. Or rather, marrying into the imperial palace could no longer maximize Seventh Miss’s value.
As for Sixth Miss, taking a step forward meant becoming Crown Prince’s consort; taking a step back meant marrying into the Li family as Eleventh Young Master’s wife. One path was perilous, one path smooth. Behind both choices lay good reasons…
It depended on how Great Master chose!
But Great Master seemed to have drifted off, contemplating continuously. For a long time, he didn’t raise his head.
Great Madam’s gaze moved back and forth between Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss. Fifth Miss rested her chin on one hand, staring blankly at the ceiling beams. Sixth Miss was calm and composed. Though she didn’t chat and joke with Seventh Miss, she still smiled cheerfully looking left and right, appearing as if she didn’t take her lifelong major matter to heart.
Ninth Brother’s expression was unsettled as he also lost himself in thought, occasionally glancing at the serene-looking Seventh Miss: with great changes at hand, everyone in the room had their own thoughts.
Great Master slowly came to his senses. Looking at Sixth Miss again, he couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
Every one of the Yang family’s concubine-born daughters was exceptionally clever—only Fourth Miss was slightly more obtuse.