Route 66 Turnaround

  He forced a smile and said to his wife: "Thanks a lot, dear family."

  The Empress Dowager said: "That's right, so this is also the main reason why I want to promote the marriage between Han Ge and Fang's fourth daughter."

  He thanked his wife and said: "Thank you, sister, for thinking of Han Ge'er."

  "We are all family members, and Han Ge is my only nephew. If I don't help him, who will? What's the point of saying thanks?" The Empress Dowager stared at Lady Xiang, "Sister-in-law has already arranged a marriage with the Fang family. Now, the Fang family's influence is flourishing, their eldest son has been promoted to a higher rank, and their second son has made outstanding achievements. Their third son has also entered officialdom. The three daughters have all married into high-ranking families. Everyone says that the Fang family must have had good fortune from their ancestors."

  Thinking of Mrs. Fang's current momentum, she was indeed moved and grateful for this marriage.

  "My sister's insight is indeed unique. With Brother Han having Auntie's help, I believe he will definitely make a name for himself and bring honor to our ancestors in the future."

  The queen mother couldn't help but say, "I'm just doing my best to pave the way for Han Ge'er, but it's still up to him to make an effort to succeed. Just like the Fang family, their eldest son also relied on the influence of the Yue family to achieve his current success. I hope that Han Ge'er can learn from the Fang family's eldest son and work harder, believing that he will definitely achieve great things in the future."

  Nodded in deep agreement with his wife.

  The queen dowager suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Then, how did Han Ge manage to win over the Yue family's favor? The Fang family's daughter has not even entered the door yet, but the Xiang family is already preparing to take in a concubine, and what's more, it's a concubine who will be entering as an equal wife. Sister-in-law, I really don't know whether to say you're muddle-headed or clever."

  Madam's heart skipped a beat, and it turned out that the young lady was indeed for this matter. However, on the surface, she made a difficult expression, with a tone of difficulty, "My niece has reached the age of marriage, but unfortunately, my brother and sister-in-law have passed away. If I were to observe three years of mourning, wouldn't my niece's life be delayed? Therefore, the only solution now is to let her marry Han'ge within 100 days, using the mourning as an excuse, so that my poor niece can have a dependent and not delay her lifelong matters."

  The queen dowager laughed: "Borrowing filial piety is forgivable, but why must you marry Han Ge? Is there really no man in the capital?"

  The lady was displeased, but didn't show it. She just sighed and said: "My brother and sister-in-law have always been in business, their social status is low, I'm afraid the official families in the capital will look down on them. I don't want her to suffer this humiliation either. So, I'd rather think about marrying within the family and arrange for her to marry Han'ge, killing two birds with one stone." After a pause, she sighed again: "But Fang's daughter has a strong temper and won't agree."

  The Empress Dowager said calmly: "This is not yet entered the door, and wants to bring a concubine into the door, and it's still a flat wife. If I were her, I wouldn't agree either."

  "Madam, Qingwen is indeed pitiful. Apart from this, I really can't think of any other way. As a member of the Fang family with a scholarly tradition, shouldn't you understand and be accommodating? How can you still...still remain so indifferent? Can it be that you truly want to delay Qingwen's lifelong matter?"

  The Empress Dowager sighed, and that was a sigh for her sister-in-law's shallowness and shortsightedness. "Sister-in-law, you are so kind to your niece, but have you thought about the Fang family? In the first place, the Fang family agreed to marry their daughter to Han'er only because they believed in your promise not to take a concubine for three years."

  She looked at her with a sullen face, knowing that the old lady was annoyed by her previous behavior. However, after being lectured by her younger sister earlier, she also understood a truth: her niece was important, but the Fang family was not someone they could afford to offend. So she softened her tone and said, "Xiangqin is already quite skilled with needlework, so please don't pressure her anymore, old lady. Don't ruin her eyes."

  "Madam is absolutely right," said Mr. Li, taking over the conversation. "I'll go and remind her later."

  The old lady was hospitably serving tea to the madam, chatting about everything under the sun, but not mentioning a word about the marriage between the two families. Although Mrs. Li envied Ruxin for marrying well, compared to Ruoxi's beauty, her own daughter Rusi was even more beautiful, so this time she was particularly enthusiastic about Ruoxi's marriage and didn't hesitate to show her concern for Ruoxi.

  Three women chatted and gossiped, discussing the scandals of the capital city and the secrets within their own homes. However, they didn't mention a word about the marriage between the two families. Linglong, who was eavesdropping from outside, listened for half a day but couldn't gather any important information. She couldn't help but sigh in frustration, even though the Fang family's courtyard was spacious and had good ventilation, she still felt extremely hot while hiding in a corner of the corridor, not daring to move.

  Fortunately, after kneeling until her legs were numb and her eyes were black, Lady Xiang's family finally made a statement. "In the past, we really didn't think it through, only considering my niece, but causing you to suffer many grievances. Now I've finally figured it out, my niece may be pitiful, but you, my daughter-in-law, are even more important. This time I came, is to sincerely apologize to your family and you. Old lady said it right, in the capital city with so many men waiting to get married, as long as we carefully select, we can definitely choose a good one. My niece's marriage is not urgent, anyway there are still two months left."

  Mr. Li heard this and felt relieved, also smiling with joy, "Madam thinks so, that's the best, it's enough to prove that Madam is a reasonable person. Being able to form an alliance with your esteemed family is our family's good fortune. It's rare for Madam to take the trouble to come in person, and the weather is so hot, it's really hard on Madam."

  The old lady was unexpectedly calm, and although she was still a bit uncomfortable in her heart, at least the Xiang family knew their mistakes and could change. They couldn't be pushed too hard either. So everyone continued to make amends harmoniously, one side apologizing and the other being humble, truly achieving a joyful and harmonious atmosphere for both host and guest.

  Linglong finally heard the important military situation, so she didn't stay any longer, and secretly crawled out, ignoring her sore legs, and ran to tell Ruxin this great and sacred wonderful news.

  As she was holding the abacus, checking her private house, the money under the bed, couldn't produce more money, thinking about calculating those shops and prices and rents in the capital city, whether to buy land or shops is stronger, just as she was calculating with enthusiasm, suddenly heard Linglong say this, the hand that was operating the abacus stopped for a moment, looking at Linglong, "Auntie, is it really so?"

  Linglong nodded vigorously, "Yes, I heard it clearly. That's what Mr. Xiang said."

  Yuqin, who was busy sorting out the various shops and prices in Beijing, also looked surprised, "Miss, that's really great. Princess Jing is indeed amazing."

  The mother-in-law and husband no longer take in concubines, which for the wife is already the best promise and consolation.

  Linglong expressed her own opinion, "That tabby girl, looking at it is not a good thing, sharp eyebrows and beady eyes, in front of the girl's face, she loves to make trouble, if she really enters the door, how can she bear it? Fortunately, this Xiangfu is not too out of line. Knowing for her own consideration. Hmm, girl, you should be happy, why are you still..."

  Linglong saw that Qing was frowning, her pale face expressionless, even with a hint of impatience and self-mockery, which made her heart tighten involuntarily. She said softly: "Miss... could it be that you're still afraid of your cousin?"

  Digression

  In we go, buddies! Rise up! Those with money keep looting, those without money take the lead! Love you guys!