The two nodded in agreement with Zhao Jiaqi's opinion.
In the afternoon, a gilded invitation arrived at the prince's manor, bearing the name "Jinli."
Upon seeing the invitation, Fan Zehao's forehead twitched violently. People said a twitch in the left eye meant fortune, but he felt it was a sign of disaster.
He glanced at his wife, who was also lost in thought, and felt uncertain about this person named Helian Jinli.
"I'll go see what this person is about. If I ignore him, who knows what method he'll use to make me appear next time."
After a brief contemplation, he decided to meet this so-called Crown Prince.
His words were exactly what Zhao Jiaqi wanted to say. She believed that avoidance was not the best solution, and tackling problems head-on was the wise approach.
She smiled and nodded, "Alright, you go."
As Fan Zehao rose to leave, he noticed his wife sitting motionless on the chair, not even asking what the Crown Prince of Dingbei Liao looked like.
This piqued his curiosity. "Aren't you going to come and see? Aren't you curious about what kind of cooperation Helian Jinli wants with us?"
Zhao Jiaqi looked up, puzzled by his question. "To see if he's handsome or ugly? What does that have to do with me? You'll tell me about the cooperation when you get back anyway, so why should I go with you!"
Zhao Jiaqi's words were so natural that Fan Zehao was momentarily taken aback.
"Hurry and go. Madam Xiao will be here soon, and I need to discuss an important matter concerning your elder brother Xiao Ce with her."
Upon hearing this, Fan Zehao understood why his wife wasn't accompanying him to see Helian Jinli. It turned out his wife had something important to attend to, something far more significant than meeting Helian Jinli.
"It's rare for Xiao Ce to finally fancy someone. His happiness now rests on you."
Zhao Jiaqi shot him an exasperated look. "I'm not Xiao Ce's mother, why should his happiness depend on me?"
This marriage entirely depended on Xiao Ce's personal opinion. If he could convince his parents, half the battle would be won. If his parents still looked down on Su Ya's background, the marriage would be as good as over.
Of course, it also depended on Su Ya's wishes. If she was willing to be Xiao Ce's concubine, Zhao Jiaqi wouldn't object.
Fan Zehao knew he had said the wrong thing and left with a foolish chuckle. He merely wished Xiao Ce happiness.
His eldest daughter was thirteen, yet Elder Brother Xiao was still single. Now that he had finally found someone he wanted to marry, they didn't want him to miss this opportunity again.
But in this world, nothing was perfect. No one could achieve perfection. Imperfection was the true essence of life.
Fan Zehao went to the front hall and, on his way, encountered Madam Xiao. Though they didn't meet face-to-face, he observed that Madam Xiao's face was smiling, her wrinkled face showing no sign of unhappiness.
At this, Fan Zehao had a premonition that Xiao Ce's marriage would succeed.
Humming a tune and walking with a swagger, he headed towards the front hall, in high spirits. He couldn't help but feel a surge of joy even upon meeting Helian Jinli.
In the front hall, a prince and a crown prince chatted amiably. When it came to cooperation, both seemed a bit reserved, but the atmosphere was harmonious.
In contrast, the backyard was tense, especially with Madam Xiao's extremely arrogant words.
She spoke without any reason, and her face darkened like a donkey's when she heard that Su Ya refused to be a concubine.
Zhao Jiaqi, seated on a chair, remained silent. However, seeing Madam Xiao's condescending demeanor and her volleys of insults, delivered without a single vulgar word, she could no longer stand it.
They say you should consider the owner when hitting a dog, and show respect for the Buddha's face. But Zhao Jiaqi felt this manor wasn't a prince's manor, but rather the Xiao manor. Otherwise, how could she be so arrogant and rude to her personal maid within the prince's manor?
Zhao Jiaqi placed her teacup on the low table beside her with a soft clink. She adjusted herself into a comfortable sitting position, leaning sideways on the armchair, and looked at the proud woman, who held her head high, with a half-smile.
She was the epitome of arrogance.
Zhao Jiaqi thought that Madam Xiao must have forgotten about her arrival in the inner city. At that time, she had thought the madam had finally come to her senses, but now she suspected otherwise.
She gently parted her red lips and asked Madam Xiao with a smile, "Madam, if I remember correctly, Xiao Ce liked Li Sisi back then, but it was also because you meddled in between that caused Xiao Ce to remain unmarried all these years."
After these words, Madam Xiao's face suddenly changed. She stared at the person seated on the upper seat with a livid expression, her mouth opening but unable to utter a word.
Zhao Jiaqi did not think this was a shameful matter. She continued to poke at Madam Xiao's heart, saying, "As far as I know, you introduced many daughters of distinguished families to Xiao Ce, but Xiao Ce would rather sleep in the military camp than come home. He showed no interest in your suggestions of marriage, and even your threats of suicide couldn't get Xiao Ce to agree. Is this true?"
These words struck a nerve. The thought of her unfilial son made her nostrils flare.
Only the servants in their manor and the parties involved knew such private matters. She had never expected her perceived secret to be so subtly revealed by someone else.
Her face immediately felt a burning sensation, and she realized that the Princess was pointing out her flaws.
However, she was truly unwilling to let her outstanding eldest son marry someone without power or influence. It would be a disgrace to speak of.
If she had known her son was insistent on marrying a maid, she might as well have agreed to Xiao Ce marrying Li Sisi back then. At least Li Sisi was the daughter of a proper family.
Alas!
She truly regretted it.
It was too late for regrets. She could only take things one step at a time.
After a moment of silence, Madam Xiao replied to the Princess, "This is indeed true. After all, as a mother, I only wish for my son's well-being."
"Speaking of which, Princess, please don't laugh. My Xiao family was once a prominent household, and the women in our family were all from distinguished backgrounds. Naturally, we elders do not wish for our sons to marry someone inferior."
As soon as she spoke, she immediately realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly tried to backtrack. "It's not that this girl Su Ya is inferior, but in the end, her background is a notch below."
"Since ancient times, marriages in prominent families are related to the prosperity of the clan. They are intertwined, and these are alliances. The wives who marry in or daughters who marry out are all for the prosperity of the family. Although a child's marriage seems like a personal matter, it is not so. Otherwise, I would not have tried so hard to prevent it back then."
After saying all this, Zhao Jiaqi could tell that these were Madam Xiao's true feelings.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
No one was wrong; their standpoints and perspectives were simply different.
Seeing the Princess's solemn expression, Madam Xiao said sincerely, "Please forgive my disrespect, Princess. Everything I have said is from the heart."
"If Su Ya does not mind, she can be given the position of a concubine. We will treat you well and naturally favor you more, ensuring you are not bullied by the primary wife. It is only in terms of status that you would be wronged."
After hearing these words, Su Ya bowed slightly to Madam Xiao, speaking softly but acting resolutely. "Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but I am truly not fortunate enough to accept it."
After speaking, she bowed to Zhao Jiaqi. "Madam, I am feeling unwell and would like to retire to rest!"
Her heart was bleeding, and she was in unbearable pain. If she hadn't exerted extreme self-control, not wanting to cause trouble for the Princess, she would have loved to storm out.