I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Chapter 194: Chapter 85: So Angry She Almost Threw Her Out

The First Madam was silent for a moment before she spoke. "I only wanted to ask Father to help me inquire about the news."

Madam Jiang looked at her daughter. "Inquiring about the news isn’t difficult, but what then? Do you want your father to help get the assignment rescinded? An imperial edict has been issued. No one can change it, unless Concubine Song in the palace can persuade the Emperor. After all, it’s her father."

The First Madam looked a bit sheepish. She smiled at her mother. "Look at what you’re saying. How could I do something like that? I just heard about the dispute in court regarding the disaster relief and was afraid my third brother-in-law would be implicated, dragging the Song Family down with him. Mother, your son-in-law is still being watched by the Right Minister’s people. He has to be careful day in and day out, not daring to make the slightest mistake. If something goes wrong with my third brother-in-law, what will become of the Song Family?"

Listening from the side, Mrs. Wang felt a pang of sympathy. She felt her sister-in-law’s life was indeed difficult and spoke up in her support. "Mother, our sister is truly in a bind. If we can help, there’s no harm in lending a hand."

"It’s easy for you to say, but things are not that simple." Madam Jiang glanced at her daughter-in-law and sighed. "Alright, you two can go about your business. Our family can’t help with this matter, so don’t you two trouble yourselves over it."

Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Hu exchanged a glance. Not wanting to disobey their mother-in-law, they gave their sister-in-law a helpless smile before rising to leave.

Madam Jiang dismissed the servants in the room as well, then beckoned to her daughter.

The First Madam walked over and sat down next to her mother. "My eldest and second sisters-in-law are very kind to me," she said softly. "Why did you have to send them away to talk? It’s a good thing they’re so good-natured, or else this could have created resentment."

"If it were merely a family matter, it would be fine. But this concerns the Concubine in the palace, so we must be cautious," Madam Jiang said with a frown. "It’s not that your sisters-in-law have done anything wrong. It’s just that since they can’t help, why let them worry about it too?"

The First Madam thought about her mother’s words and realized she was right. She smiled and said, "The Concubine is a clever person; she knows what she needs to do. She sent word for me to enter the palace tomorrow. I suspect it must be about my third brother-in-law’s situation."

"Everyone’s been talking about Song Jieyu lately. Not long after entering the palace, she was promoted from Noble Consort to Concubine. So many eyes are watching her. Now the Emperor has made Third Master Song an assistant to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, which is like pouring oil on the fire. When you go to the palace tomorrow, you must still advise the Concubine to act with caution." Madam Jiang was fraught with worry. "How many favored concubines in history have had a good ending? When the late Emperor’s Highly Noble Princess Consort was favored, she could even overpower the Empress. But what happened in the end? Not only did she die, but Prince Ji, the son she bore, was also sentenced to death, implicating countless others."

"I know, Mother." The First Madam nodded quickly and smiled at her mother. "You’ve never met our family’s Yun Zhao. If you had, you would like her too. She’s an extremely clever person who knows how to assess a situation. Otherwise, how could she have become a Concubine so quickly?"

"There are also many who are too clever for their own good. It’s always better to be cautious. Don’t get arrogant just because the Song Family has produced a favored concubine. I think you should hurry and settle Ye Xi’s marriage. Don’t be so picky. The boy doesn’t need to come from a powerful family; as long as he has good character and a promising future, that’s enough."

"We were talking about the Concubine, how did you bring up Ye Xi’s marriage again?" the First Madam said hurriedly. "Once there’s some progress on her marriage, I’ll definitely come ask for your judgment. I just wanted to ask, is there really no way to change the situation with my third brother-in-law?"

Madam Jiang shook her head slightly. "If your father were one of the Six Ministers, perhaps he could exert some influence. It’s not that we are unwilling to help, but the Left and Right Ministers are like fire and water. If your father were to intervene under these circumstances, wouldn’t he be walking right into the storm? He wouldn’t be able to help and would only get himself dragged in. It’s better for us to stay put and bide our time."

The First Madam certainly didn’t want to see her father take such a risk, so she quickly said, "If that’s the case, then let’s forget it. I was just hoping against hope. I suppose tomorrow I’ll go to the palace and ask the Concubine for her thoughts."

Her natal family truly couldn’t help, leaving the Concubine to navigate the palace intrigues all on her own. The First Madam felt helpless. If only her husband were an official in the capital, she wouldn’t be in such a difficult position.

Seeing her daughter’s furrowed brow, Madam Jiang said with displeasure, "This is a matter for your Third Young Master. Hasn’t the Third Madam been running around for her own husband? What’s the meaning of you, the eldest sister-in-law, handling everything for your younger brother-in-law?"

At the mention of Mrs. Cai, a look of disgust crossed the First Madam’s face. "Don’t even mention her. I think she’s truly lost her mind. All day long, she only thinks about finding a good match for Qing Han. Last time, she even had the audacity to set her sights on Jing. I was so angry I nearly threw her out."

Jing was the eldest son of the First Madam’s older brother. He had unfortunately fallen ill during the last provincial examination, delaying him by two years. He was planning to take it again this time, and with his scholarly talents, becoming a scholar shouldn’t be a problem.

Considering Song Qinghan’s current reputation, how dare she covet Jing? The First Madam felt her anger flare just thinking about it.

Madam Jiang’s mouth twitched. She looked at her daughter and said, "The Concubine’s influence in the palace is currently on the rise. Instead of trying to reconcile with her daughter, Third Madam Song is acting utterly fearless. I have no idea how the Cai Family raised such a daughter."

This made the First Madam even angrier. "The Cai Family has always been lukewarm toward Yun Zhao. For all these years, because the Third Madam detests Yun Zhao, they never treated her as their granddaughter. But look at them now, daring to use the Concubine’s name to conduct their affairs outside. When I enter the palace this time, I must have a good talk with the Concubine and tell her not to let the Cai Family drag her down."

"There’s such a thing?" Madam Jiang couldn’t help but shake her head. "The Cai Family is really getting out of hand. Speaking of which, Third Madam Song’s father has been stuck in the position of Chief of the Military Selection Department for many years. If this matter goes smoothly and Third Master Song returns with merit from the disaster relief, should his official rank be promoted, I imagine your third sister-in-law’s good days at home will be over."

’To be so oblivious in the face of a crisis...’ Madam Jiang shook her head again. "It’s a good thing your households have already been separated. I still think you should hurry and settle Ye Xi’s marriage. As long as the Third Madam’s eldest daughter’s marriage remains unsettled, Ye Xi might get dragged down by her."

After her mother’s reminder, the First Madam started to have some reservations herself. "You have a point. I’ll go back and carefully look through the options. Then I’ll come back to ask for your discerning eye."

Madam Jiang nodded. "It’s getting late, you should head back. I won’t keep you for dinner. Since you’re entering the palace tomorrow, you should speak with Third Master Song when you get back and see if he has any message to pass on to the Concubine."

Although the First Madam couldn’t get any help from her natal family, it wasn’t because they were unwilling, but because they were truly unable to assist. She bid her mother farewell, said her goodbyes to her eldest and second sisters-in-law, and then hurried back home.

Just as she entered her own gate, she saw a stewardess from Mrs. Cai’s side, Nanny Zhao, beaming as she escorted a woman in a rust-red jacket out. Judging by her attire, she was also a housekeeper from some family, but her face was unfamiliar.