"Jinyu is merely stating the facts, I hope Aunt will forgive me." Although Nan Jin Yu spoke thus, there wasn’t a trace of guilt on his face.
"You... Nanny Wang, you’ve seen how Jinyu treats me as his aunt. With this attitude, I won’t stay here to be disliked, I’ll wait for you in the carriage." Mrs. Zheng’s heart was not at ease, but she couldn’t reprimand Nan Jin Yu, especially in front of Nanny Wang, making her feel intensely humiliated, so she hurriedly left in a hasty escape.
Nanny Wang, having lived for so many years, was quite the crafty elder. In front of Nan Jin Yu, she didn’t defend Mrs. Zheng, but said calmly, "Princely Heir, the Old Madam is considering your future. Although the Zheng Family’s status is somewhat lower, Miss Zheng’s sincerity towards you is genuine, and your aunt has taken care of you over the years. You and Miss Zheng are cousins; if this good match could be made, it would be a blessed union..."
Nan Jin Yu was not afraid of being pressured by the Old Madam. "The Holy Emperor already has plans for my marriage. Father also knows about this. If Grandmother insists on arranging a marriage with the Zheng Family, she should discuss it with Father. Besides, Jinnian is not young anymore, and as they say, ’an older woman is like a golden brick.’ Jinnian, being from the second wife, is quite matched in status with Miss Zheng."
Nan Jinnian was Nan Jin Yu’s younger brother, also born to his stepmother, Mrs. Zhao, two years younger than him. Back then, Mrs. Zhao was able to enter the Prince Mansion largely due to Nan Jinnian’s efforts.
After all, marrying because of pregnancy is not something one proudly speaks of.
"The words of this old servant fall on deaf ears, but it’s near the end of the year, and besides fulfilling the Old Madam’s orders to match you with Miss Zheng, this old servant also comes to bring you back to the Prince Mansion for the New Year!"
These words of Nanny Wang’s made it hard for Nan Jin Yu to refuse.
He had taken the pretext of going out to recuperate from injuries to leave the Prince Mansion, but with all the elders at home, it was indeed inappropriate for him to remain outside alone for the New Year.
"This matter will be decided by me, you needn’t trouble yourself, Nanny Wang." Nan Jin Yu called Wuxin, who had already returned. "Wuxin, I’m tired. Nanny Wang, you may leave now."
Only then did Nanny Wang have to rise unwillingly, "Then I won’t disturb your rest, Princely Heir. Please take care of your health; the Old Madam is concerned about you."
Once Nanny Wang had walked far enough away, Nan Jin Yu mocked, "Concerned? She’s concerned that I’ll die early so that Jinnian can succeed and bring benefits to the Zhao family!"
Wuxin had just returned after seeing Nanny Wang off and heard this, worriedly saying, "Master, no one expected the issue with Miss Zheng. If the Zheng Family, in anger, indeed sides with the Second Young Master..."
"Ha!" Nan Jin Yu snorted, "Wuxin, you’ve been with me for several years now, right?"
Upon hearing this, Wuxin was immediately filled with apprehension and replied respectfully, "Replying to Master, I have been with you since I was six, for ten years now!"
"Then how come you still don’t understand? As long as I, Nan Jin Yu, do not rebel, as long as I am still alive, as long as the emperor is still my uncle, the position of Princely Heir of the Prince Nan’an Mansion will always be mine alone!" No matter how many allies Nan Jinnian gathers, no matter how much the Old Madam favors him, he will never inherit the Prince Nan’an Mansion.
Would the Emperor ignore his own nephew and instead let someone controlled by a bunch of women inherit the Prince Nan’an Mansion?
Even Father wouldn’t agree to let the Prince Mansion fall into someone else’s hands.
It’s just a pity that Grandmother and that Mrs. Zhao will never understand this principle. The more they cling to Jinnian, the less likely he is to become the heir to the Prince Mansion.
The Zheng Family understands this principle as well; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been friendly to me from the start.