The family of Marquis Zhongqin left the palace dejectedly, and upon returning to the Zhongqin Mansion, they were welcomed by their son and daughter-in-law as they entered the main hall.
"Father, how did it go?" The Heir of Marquis Zhongqin, Wan Zhongyuan, looked eagerly at his father.
On the side, the Heir’s wife, Madam Liu, glanced at her father-in-law and mother-in-law briefly, thinking that it was definitely a lost cause. If the Empress Dowager had agreed, she would have selected the heir they chose long ago, why wait until now?
Yet these few people still dream on, alas.
Though Madam Liu felt regretful, she wasn’t too disappointed, as this was all within expectations. She merely needed to hold her current position well.
Marquis Zhongqin took the tea handed to him by a servant girl, drank two sips, tugged at his collar, and said, "What else can be done? Go tell the other families to gather at the ancestral hall tomorrow to amend the genealogy. Yongping from the seventh household will be adopted under Zhong Xing of the fourth household, to lower the rank and inherit the Duke Cheng’en title. The imperial edict should be coming soon."
Wan Zhongyuan plopped down on a chair, his lips moving silently.
"Father, does this mean we all have to salute that boy?"
Forget about him, even his father as merely a Marquis of Zhongqin has a lower rank than the Duke, so naturally, they have to salute according to ranks.
Better not to mention it, at the mention, the old face of Marquis Zhongqin turned green.
"Hurry and notify everyone; we still have to hold a grand meeting at the ancestral hall and make sure they all attend. The Empress Dowager also has words to convey." Marquis Zhongqin thought of Empress Dowager Wan’s instructions, feeling both a headache and a bit of fervor in his heart.
As long as they groom a few capable people, out of respect for Empress Dowager Wan, the Emperor might use them somewhat. Gradually gaining importance, the status of Marquis Zhongqin won’t just be a joke in others’ eyes.
Upon hearing there were further instructions, Wan Zhongyuan quickly asked what it was.
Marquis Zhongqin divulged a couple of lines, and a warmth spread through Wan Zhongyuan’s heart. Yes, he had several sons, and those capable enough to gain recognition from the Emperor. When he himself inherits the title in the future, perhaps if the Emperor speaks, he could also be promoted.
"Father, did the Empress Dowager really say that as long as one is capable, the Emperor will use them?"
Marquis Zhongqin glanced at him: "Would the Lady speak nonsense?"
Wan Zhongyuan smiled sheepishly, "Isn’t it because Lady has always been indifferent to us, even less than an outsider. Oh, right, Father, I’ve heard that just yesterday, the Old Madam from the Prime Minister’s Mansion was summoned to the palace, and even saw the Emperor. It’s said that the Emperor privately called her ’aunt.’"
Both Marquis Zhongqin and Madam Zhongqin exchanged looks, both feeling deeply irritated.
How could they not know? After the matter of the heir had been settled, they strived to raise Wan Yongping—no, Wan Yicheng. But what did the Empress Dowager say?
She said that the Duke Cheng’en would reside in the palace to study at the Imperial Academy alongside the princes until reaching adulthood, occasionally visiting the relatively simple Song Minister’s Mansion to study, sparing them the trouble of a family with many adults.
It made them feel so sour, having an Empress Dowager originating from their clan, yet trusting outsiders. That slap to the face stung loudly.
And that comment about having many adults, doesn’t it imply they have many concubines and many children? Compared to the Song Minister’s Mansion, their capability in producing offspring can’t possibly compete.
Marquis Zhongqin touched his flushed old face and glanced somewhat guiltily at Madam Zhongqin.
Madam Zhongqin inwardly sneered, "Go ahead, keep expanding. One concubine after another, child after child, saying that if you have more, surely one will catch the Lady’s eye. Well, all for nothing now!"
Yet, thinking about the household expenses, her heart sank. With so many people, housing and daily expenses were tight. If they could secure the guardianship of Duke Cheng’en, how great it would be. She could move there with her legitimate children in tow.
Alas, how frustrating!