Qin Residence, specifically Jingchen Courtyard, serves as Minister Qin's living quarters.
The First Madam of the Qin Residence, Third Madam Qin, and Third Master Qin have gathered here.
Minister Qin's primary wife passed away many years ago, leaving only two concubines by his side.
Currently, the head of the household at Qin Residence is the First Madam of the Qin family.
The First Madam and the Third Madam are the legitimate wives of Minister Qin, while the Second and Fourth Madams are concubines.
With a total of four wives, there are over a dozen legitimate descendants from the Fourth Madam alone. If we include the illegitimate ones, the household can be considered prosperous in terms of population.
Among the younger generation, Minister Qin holds a special fondness for Qin Chuyuan, his fifth son. Qin Chuyuan is intelligent, steady, decisive, and possesses foresight.
Today, they have gathered to discuss the marriage alliance between Qin Chuyuan and the Lin family.
Minister Qin, dressed in official attire, sits at the head of the main hall. He has a medium height and a face that, despite not being young, exudes an air of dignity.
His sharp and piercing eyes involuntarily instill a sense of awe in others. It is the aura of authority that comes from occupying a high position for a long time.
"Why have you all come to me today?" Minister Qin inquired.
"Father, a message arrived from the Lin Residence a few days ago. They suggested expediting the marriage arrangement between the Qin and Lin families. We have come seeking your advice," the Third Madam, seated on the left, addressed Minister Qin.
The alliance between the Qin and Lin families has always been Minister Qin's preference. Both sides have long expressed their intentions to marry, and it was planned to finalize the marriage arrangement before Qin Chuyuan turned twenty.
"Hmm, regarding this matter, you and your eldest sister-in-law should discuss and handle it together."
"Yes, Father," both the First Madam of the Qin family and the Third Madam replied in unison.
As the conversation was underway, the voice of the steward came from outside, "Master, Young Master Five has arrived."
"Perfect timing. Let him have a clear understanding of this matter. Let him come in," Minister Qin commanded.
"Very well."
Not long after, Qin Chuyuan entered and paid his respects to everyone in the room. Then he spoke, "Father, the marriage alliance with the Lin family is not appropriate."
"Oh? What is unsuitable?" Minister Qin was taken aback by Qin Chuyuan's refusal and asked.
"Father, our Qin family has stood firm in the capital for a hundred years, with deep roots. And you, as the Prime Minister, standing above ten thousand men, if we were to form a marital alliance with the Lin family, a powerful clan with control over the military, how do you think His Majesty would view it?"
"The surface of the world may seem calm, but underneath, there are already hidden currents surging," Minister Qin responded.
"Father, His Majesty is no longer the young boy he once was when he ascended the throne."
Minister Qin pondered. The current Emperor was no longer the same as the young boy who sought his counsel on everything. After more than a decade of maturation, he had transformed into a formidable beast. Though he appeared gentle on the surface, his mind was cunning, and his strategic acumen ran deep. Minister Qin found it difficult to read him now.
"Xin Zhang, what are your thoughts?" Minister Qin asked.
"Father, Qin Chuyuan's words hold merit. His Majesty is indeed intentionally or unintentionally suppressing the various powerful clans. If we were to form a marital alliance with the Lin family, it is likely that even before we reach that point, the Qin family would already be destroyed," Third Master Qin expressed.
"Moreover, Grandfather, the Lin family is ultimately an unpredictable wolf. They may appear friendly on the surface, but behind the scenes, they have long surpassed the Qin family. They have reached out to both the Sixth Prince and the Crown Prince, intending to participate in the struggle for the throne. Associating with such individuals will ultimately lead to our own downfall."
"But Ah Yuan is so outstanding. How can an ordinary girl from another family be worthy of him?" Third Madam Qin said.
"Third Sister, even if Ah Yuan is excellent, we cannot disregard the interests of our family. Do you want the century-old foundation of the Qin family to be destroyed?" First Madam Qin said.
"I... I didn't mean that."
"Alright, let's set aside the marriage between the Qin and Lin families for now. We'll discuss it after the competition in the capital ends."
"Yes." Everyone took their leave.
"Just now at your Aunt Weng's place, I couldn't ask you directly. Do you have feelings for that female prison guard from the Gong family? Is that why you deliberately said those things?" Third Madam Qin asked Qin Chuyuan in a low voice after First Madam Qin had walked far away.
Qin Chuyuan had a headache. His mother's thoughts were always so peculiar.
"Mother, why do you think that?"
"You have repeatedly broken your own principles to help that woman from the Gong family. That was something unimaginable in the past."
"Mother, you're worrying too much. It was only because of Zichen's plea that I did so."
Third Madam Qin stared at Qin Chuyuan, looking for any change in his expression. She hoped that she was just overthinking it.
The next day, at the back gate of the Qin Residence.
Gong Xiaohua carried a basket of braised dishes for her uncle. This time, she brought quite a lot, packed in a small bamboo basket.
There were mainly two pounds of pig offal, half a pig's head braised in soy sauce, as well as half a basket of lotus root slices, baby bok choy, and white radish.
Her older brother and sister disagreed. They couldn't even have enough to eat themselves, yet she insisted on bringing food for others.
Who would pay attention to their small household's meager food? Those noble and prestigious families would probably look down on them and maybe even mock them behind their backs.
The servant at the door saw that it was a Gong family girl and knew that she had come to deliver something. He looked embarrassed and said, "Miss Gong, I'm sorry, but I can't help you deliver these inside. We've been instructed not to allow Miss Gong to enter the Qin Residence or bring anything inside."
It had been a month since she had any contact with the Qin Residence. She thought hard.
Except for Third Madam Qin, there was also an unknown young girl in the Qin family. She didn't seem to have offended anyone from the Qin family, right?
How naive this beauty's mother was!
The servant beside her advised Gong Xiaohua, saying, "Miss Gong, I suggest you go back for now and ask about the situation when Xiao Li returns from his vacation. It won't be too late."
Gong Xiaohua had no choice but to give up. It was a good thing; she could keep the food for her own family to eat.
As soon as Gong Xiaohua left the back gate, Third Madam Qin left in a horse-drawn carriage from the main gate, heading to the Lin Family.
On the way, she happened to see Gong Xiaohua. Although the girl had become thinner, it didn't affect Third Madam Qin's ability to recognize her at a glance.
After thinking for a moment, she instructed the coachman to stop the carriage in front of Gong Xiaohua.
Gong Xiaohua saw a carriage with the Qin emblem blocking her way and then saw a maid stepping down from the carriage, walking directly towards her.
"Miss Gong, our madam invites you to have a conversation," the maid said.
Gong Xiaohua looked at the carriage with the Qin emblem. Oh? Madam Qin wants to see her? She walked up to the carriage window and knocked on the side.
Madam Qin heard the sound but didn't open the curtain. She remained seated inside the carriage and said:
"Gong Xiaohua, a person must always remember to recognize their own worth and be with the appropriate partner according to their status. Don't covet things or people that don't belong to you."
Gong Xiaohua was confused. What kind of idea was Third Madam Qin coming up with again?
First, she was not allowed to go to the Qin family, and now on the street, Third Madam Qin was saying inexplicable things to her.
"Madam, I didn't understand what you meant. Have I done something to offend you recently?" Gong Xiaohua asked.
A cold snort came from the carriage:
"Don't play dumb with me. It's best for you to have no further contact with A Yuan. You are not worthy."
After saying that, she turned to the coachman and said, "Let's go."
Leaving Gong Xiaohua standing there, utterly perplexed. What a mess. I'm not worthy? Not up to your son? How presumptuous.
