bayedsolid Chapter 221 Lessons Learned
Chapter 221 Lessons Learned
Li smiled and agreed, knowing that Mu Xin Nuan was worried that Jin Shi might cause some trouble at the banquet. This arrangement was perfect.
The entire Mu family was overjoyed, as this was a source of pride for the entire Mu clan. For several days in a row, a considerable number of people came to offer their congratulations!
Besides Madam Jin, there was another person in the household who was unhappy: the Old Madam!
The old lady rarely left Rongyuan. Ever since the old master had said those harsh words to her, she had been sullen and melancholy. She truly never imagined that after decades of marriage, at her advanced age, she would still be verbally abused so harshly!
The old lady was feeling annoyed and frustrated, but Jin Shi on the other side was also unhappy. Since the two of them were sitting together, it was impossible for them to say a good word about Mu Chang'an.
"Mother, isn't it just because my eldest brother is the eldest son of our family that he got this opportunity to enter officialdom? The old master went to great lengths for him back then. Look at him now, he's been granted a title by the emperor and promoted. I wonder how the word 'favor' is written?"
As Jin spoke, she secretly observed the old lady's expression. "No matter what, it was you, Madam, who gave birth to him. But look at this whole eldest son's family now, all they do is greet and send off guests outside. Which one of them comes to pay their respects to you? They clearly don't care about you at all."
"Enough!" The old woman's eyes darkened slightly. "You came here just to spout this nonsense?"
The old lady's sharp gaze made Jin tremble involuntarily. "Of course not! Your daughter-in-law came to ask what you think would be a suitable birthday gift for the old master, my husband and I?"
"Have you all always known the old master's preferences?" the old lady said coldly.
“Mother, I know that, but the old master likes antiques and collectibles. Now, how can our second branch afford to give him something so valuable?” Jin’s eyes darted around. “To be honest, I’m just here to ask you for a suggestion, to see what to give him so that I can show my filial piety without losing face.”
"So you mean you want to spend less money and still get the old master's praise, is that it?" The old lady glared at her fiercely. "What a shallow-minded person! Do I, an old woman, need to calculate how much wealth your second branch of the family actually has?"
Jin's face stiffened, her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a single word. In the end, she could only manage a couple of awkward, dry laughs.
"The matter of Changping still depends on the old master and Chang'an. Now Chang'an has been promoted to Grand Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, a second-rank official. There are very few people in our Great Yong who can reach this position at his age! Moreover, Chang'an was promoted from the position of Minister of Works, which shows that he has done a very good job, which is why the Emperor values him. I also know a little about the dike repair work last year. He was away from home for half a year before he achieved what he has today. Otherwise, do you think his achievements came from thin air?"
"Yes, Mother is right." Madam Jin lowered her head, not daring to utter another word of dissent.
“I know what you’re thinking. You all feel that Chang’an is only benefiting because he’s the eldest son. But have you ever considered whether Changping could have done the same? Chang’an is wholeheartedly dedicated to sharing the Emperor’s burdens, which is why he’s doing this. But what about Changping? She’s always thinking about those benefits. What abilities does she have?”
“Mother, you don’t know, life isn’t easy for us when we’re serving in the government! If you don’t accept the gifts from the people below, it’s like slapping them in the face. But if you do accept them, you’ll inevitably worry about being watched by the censors! The most important thing is, it doesn’t matter whether you accept the gifts or not, but you have to give them!”
Seeing that the old lady's expression had softened considerably, Madam Jin said, "Without money, nothing you say will work when it comes to smoothing things over with higher-ups!"
“I, this old woman, am well aware of your difficulties! But don’t forget, whether it’s a reward, a favor, or a punishment, it’s all the Emperor’s grace! Go back and have a good talk with Changping. She needs to understand what her role is in that position. She must first relieve the Emperor’s worries before thinking about herself. That way, even if she really makes a mistake, will the Emperor not show her any mercy?”
“What Mother said is true. It was all due to the negligence of my daughter-in-law and husband. After we got back, my daughter-in-law told him all this.”
"You! You're supposed to be clever, I thought you had a brilliant mind, but now I see you're just an ordinary person!"
"Please enlighten me, Mother. If your daughter-in-law has done anything wrong, you may scold her directly." Madam Jin was adept at acting and behaving subserviently. It wasn't that she couldn't, but rather whether she was willing to or not!
"Hmph! What's wrong with giving that Yang woman a few more days? She'll be giving birth in a few months. Then, you can do whatever you want with her, won't you?"
The old lady's words were cryptic, but Jin's eyes lit up immediately. Yes! Childbirth is like a woman walking through the gates of hell; whether she lives or dies is not solely up to fate!
When the time comes, as long as I use a little bit of my own methods, then killing the mother and keeping the child, or even killing both mother and child, will be an easy thing.
"My mother's suggestion is correct, and I've taken it to heart."
"I can't control anything else, just remember not to harm my grandson. The second branch's offspring aren't that numerous either, only two legitimate sons and one illegitimate daughter. It's not as good as the first branch! In the past, I always said that Chang'an's offspring were not plentiful and advised him to take a concubine. Second son's wife, you're a smart person, you should know what to do, right?"
"Yes, Madam, I understand."
As Jin spoke, she felt a chill run down her spine! The old lady was clearly warning her not to have any designs on Yang's belly! But at the same time, it also showed that the old lady only cared about her grandson, and that everything else was up to her, the mistress of the house.
As soon as Jin came out of Rongyuan, she hurriedly wiped her sweat with a handkerchief. Talking to the old lady was really exhausting! If she wasn't careful, she might get a warning and some veiled sarcasm! Luckily, the old lady was on the side of the second branch of the family, otherwise, the words would probably have been even more unpleasant!
After Jin left, the old lady angrily cursed, "Fool!"
Granny Liu came in, served the old lady a cup of tea, and then helped her back to the inner room to rest.
"How's the matter I asked you to handle going?"
"Reporting to Madam, everything is in order, please rest assured."
The old lady nodded, "Only when you handle things in this household can I feel at ease."