A Decision Made
Although she was somewhat wary of Zhao Yuankun's close relationship with the Crown Prince's advisor, she hadn't thought about it this deeply. Firstly, he was just an advisor, and Zhao Yuankun couldn't possibly get close to the Crown Prince, so it shouldn't be a big problem. Secondly, it was because he was the Crown Prince, the heir apparent, and the late Empress's only son.
The current emperor had a deep affection for both the former and the latter, and he did not establish a new empress after their deaths. He also valued the crown prince highly. The old lady believed that there would be no more succession struggles in this generation, so she felt no danger from Zhao Yuankun's approach to the crown prince.
But after Xu Xi's analysis, she felt that the matter was extremely dangerous.
Xu Xi said, "Even if we put it another way, things haven't reached that point yet, Madam, think about it. If the Third Branch wants to rise up, can you stop them? Right now, Third Uncle is keeping a low profile, but that's just him building up his strength. Once he has enough power, even if the Marquis's mansion isn't affected by the Crown Prince, you and the First Branch will definitely be removed as stumbling blocks to his progress."
She looked at the old lady, her voice extremely low, yet each word distinct. "My eldest uncle is in poor health and takes medicine frequently, making him an easy target; my second master is incompetent yet eager for officialdom, easily manipulated by the slightest favor. You and the first lady are very capable, but you are merely women in the inner quarters. There are some things you cannot prevent from happening. If the third master is determined, plotting against you is not difficult. Without separating the family, the Marquis's mansion is in grave danger!"
She wasn't exaggerating; such a plot does indeed exist in novels.
Zhao Yuankun later ingratiated himself with the Crown Prince, and after doing two favors for the prince, his ambition grew even larger. He was not satisfied with merely dividing the family property; he wanted the title of Marquis of Suiping. He also wanted to use his merit in supporting the prince as a foundation to further elevate the title.
In truth, he and the old lady shared the same idea: to restore the glory of the Marquis's mansion, only the heirs were not the same person.
So Zhao Yuankun devised a plan, using Zhao Yuanliang as a pawn to murder Zhao Yuanxun. However, before the plan could be fully implemented, the Crown Prince was forced into rebellion by someone else's deliberate machinations.
Upon hearing this, the old lady turned deathly pale.
This was precisely what she worried about, which is why she was very wary of her two illegitimate sons.
"Therefore, if the Marquis and his wife investigate the events of that year and it is confirmed that the Second Madam was indeed behind it, you might as well let them do as they please and use this opportunity to divide the family property. Once the family is divided, the Third Uncle won't feel that you are blocking his path, and he naturally won't harbor any murderous intentions. Moreover, even if he wants to get involved in the succession struggle, the impact on the Marquis's mansion won't be as great. After all, the responsibility doesn't lie with the Marquis, Zhu Family can speak on his behalf. Otherwise, if the Third Uncle participates in the rebellion, the Marquis, as the head of the family, cannot escape responsibility, and even if the Zhu Family wants to help, they will be powerless to do so."
After saying this, she sat quietly to the side and said nothing more.
Some things need time for the old lady to think things through.
The old lady, her face deathly pale, leaned against the soft couch, her expression shifting constantly, clearly unable to make her final decision.
After a long silence, she heard the old lady let out a long sigh, her voice desolate. "Is the Marquis's mansion truly beyond saving?"
Hearing this, she knew that the old lady had figured it out and had made up her mind to let the eldest wife decide on the division of the family property.
She comforted him, saying, "Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. How can you be so sure that Young Master Tai won't amount to much? As long as he studies hard and is capable, he can also have a bright future. Isn't Uncle Zhu Family a perfect example?"
"Besides, your second and third uncles are surnamed Zhao and are your illegitimate sons. That will never change. If they become successful and you don't help them repay the Marquis's mansion, the Emperor will think they are unfilial and heartless and won't give them important positions. So even if it's just for show, they have to do it. In other words, if they don't do well after the family division, we've avoided the risks; but if they become successful, the Marquis's mansion will still get a share of the benefits."
"Furthermore, although the division of the family property has made our house smaller and the land and assets seem to have been diluted, it has also rid us of a lot of trouble. You are a kind and virtuous person, and the First Madam is extremely reasonable. Our family is also small, without so many sordid matters. Many families who love their daughters are willing to form a marriage alliance with the Marquis's family."
Xu Xi did not intend to tell the old lady about the three thousand taels of silver, otherwise she would have no way of explaining how she learned about it.
Anyway, the midwife must have received a large sum of money to hide it so well. Once you pull out the radish, you'll find out where Lady Wei's three thousand taels of silver came from, and that will definitely be exposed.
Xu Xi said at the beginning was alright, but the last point truly comforted the old lady.
Ultimately, the old lady was an old woman who had spent her entire life in the inner quarters of the household. What she cared about most was the well-being of her descendants. If the Marquis's family didn't have difficulties with marriages, she had nothing to worry about.
The old lady let out a long sigh, "Alright, children and grandchildren have their own lives to live, and I can't control them anymore. As long as they are safe and sound and have enough to eat and wear, let them be as they may in terms of prosperity and excitement."
"It's good that you understand, Madam." Xu Xi smiled.
She stood up. "Then I'll call Matron Jin in to keep you company. I'm going to eat." She rubbed her stomach, "My stomach is growling."
The old lady then remembered that Xu Xi had been talking to her as soon as he returned and hadn't eaten yet, so she quickly waved her hand, "You go ahead. I've already eaten."
She actually had no appetite and only forced down a bowl of bird's nest porridge. But she could ask the kitchen to prepare some more food.
She needs to be healthy and live a good life while her children and grandchildren thrive.
Xu Xi bowed and turned to leave.
The old lady watched her retreating figure with a complex expression.
Xu Xi's actions repeatedly changed her perception of Xu Xi, and also created a stark contrast between Xu Xi and the other children.
The other children in the Marquis's mansion were either naive and ignorant, or affected and pretentious, or timid and submissive. Even the truly intelligent and capable ones seemed to wear a veil, keeping everything to themselves, saying and doing only what was most advantageous to them. As for the rest, what business was it of theirs?
For example, Zhao Ruyu, before Xu Xi returned, the old lady thought that although she was born to Lady Wei, she was considerate, sensible, sweet-talking, and well-behaved, and very lovable.
But she quietly secured a marriage for herself with the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence and quietly took the entrance exam for the Capital Women's Academy. After Xu Xi returned, she consciously stepped aside and only spoke and acted according to the old lady's attitude.
Such children are very calculating, focusing all their efforts on their own benefit without considering the interests of the entire household.
Without comparison, there is no harm. If it weren't for Xu Xi, a child like Zhao Ruyu would be quite good in the old lady's eyes. But with the comparison, the old lady found Zhao Ruyu unlovable.