Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Gu Family: Another Marriage Alliance?
Madam watched as Song Tai Madam and Madam Shen whispered to each other, suppressing the sourness in her heart, and said to Madam, "That Fu Family is just a small Deputy Magistrate. Does your Tai Madam truly fancy them?"
Madam looked at Fu Qing, who was laughing shyly not far away, and said, "Big sister-in-law, itās not like you donāt know the nature of our familyās fourth child. Our household doesnāt need him to provide any assistance. A Deputy Magistrate, too, has their own merits. Besides, I see that girl has a decent posture."
Perhaps, as Mother said, sheās good for bearing children. Just for this reason, it greatly pleases a mother-in-law.
Hmm, the mother-in-law remains the same as before, longing for many sons and much fortune, without a trace of change.
Madam followed her gaze and also felt a slight surprise, pulling at the corners of her mouth as she changed the subject, "Qiāer is already engaged, who are you inviting as the main guest for the coming-of-age ceremony?"
Madamās eyebrows curved as she said, "Weāve invited the Dukeās wife."
"Her?" Madam furrowed her brow slightly, hinting, "Would that be inappropriate? Though sheās the Dukeās wife, after all, sheās a subsequent wife."
Madamās expression changed slightly, and she lowered her voice, "Big sister-in-law, speak cautiously."
The big sister-in-law dares to say anything without fear. With so many ears around, are you not worried this might reach the Dukeās wife? How would her daughter fare then?
"The Dukeās wife is Qiāerās future mother-in-law and has both sons and daughters. She herself is also a talented and virtuous person, so thereās nothing inappropriate about her being the main guest."
At these words, Madam felt a bit disdainful in her heart but couldnāt say anything further, so she said, "If you think itās fine, itās fine. Then who will be the officiant?"
"Qiāer wants to invite Miss An as the lead, and Ruoning to assist. What do you think, big sister-in-law? Not sure if sheās spoken with Ruoning yet and whether sheāll agree."
Upon hearing this, Madam relaxed her eyebrows and said, "Theyāre all family sisters; why wouldnāt she agree? Iāll make sure sheās prepared, ensuring nothing goes wrong."
Being an assistant for Song Ruqi is a great opportunity to present herself before numerous guests. Of course, it shouldnāt be missed.
Her Ruoning is quite beautiful, and theyāve been considering marriage prospects. Itās just right to use this opportunity to pick out someone.
Madam glanced at her sister-in-lawās expression and felt a slight derision in her heart. The big sister-in-law is always calculating. However, Ruoning is also her own niece and well-raised, so giving her more opportunities wouldnāt hurt.
"Qiāer is engaged, and with the start of the new year, Suāer is also fourteen, almost fifteen or sixteen by nominal age. Whatās your plan?" Madam said, "Mother always hopes our two families will form another bond through marriage."
She didnāt beat around the bush, getting straight to the point. With marriage, neither of the two nieces could be connected, leaving only Song Lingsu as a possibility.
Donāt blame her for calculating. Arenāt marriage alliances meant to tighten relationships?
Both families are direct relatives, and itās naturally better to be even closer by marriage.
Madamās smile stiffened slightly, a hint of bitterness in her voice. "Itās not that I donāt want to form closer ties through marriage. Itās that Suāerās marriage isnāt for me to decide."
Madamās eyes widened, "How can that be? Isnāt he your own legitimate son?"
"Big sister-in-law, since you know, you should also understand that Suāer is the eldest legitimate grandson. His marriage, the Prime Minister says, I can have a say, but I canāt make the decision. Even if not the Prime Minister, thereās still the Tai Madam, so for Suāerās marriage, Iām only third in line to make decisions," Madam sighed.
Madam choked, finding no words to argue. The eldest legitimate grandsonās affairs would be carefully handled by any clear-minded family. Marriage matters have to be held firmly.