Moonlight Exposes the Works of a Concubine's Daughter Marrying into Royalty The Thoughts of a Princess - Thirty-Six Stratagems

  "How can you wear so little on a cold day like this? Come and sit closer..."

  Facing her lovely daughter in front of her, Zou's eyebrows and eyes were filled with affection, and she patted the elegant sky-blue five-piece flower-patterned bedding beside her.

  "It's all right, it's not cold!" San Jie took off the pale pink satin wind-cape from her body and handed it to Yatou on one side before taking off her shoes and getting onto the kang.

  "Alas..." Looking at her daughter's steady and calm demeanor, Mrs. Zou couldn't help but let out a sigh.

  The third sister looked at her and asked, "Mother, why are you worried?"

  "Alas..." Zou Shi heard her ask and couldn't help but sigh again, "It's still your useless younger sister Liu Jie, a troublemaker."

  "Don't worry, Mother, I'll help teach her properly when I have time." The third sister hastily said.

  "How can I not worry? Just now, listening to your aunt's meaning, it seems that the matter of Liu Jie and Jing Er has changed. Your aunt is dissatisfied with Liu Jie being unreliable." As soon as this issue was mentioned, Mrs. Zou couldn't help but have a worried expression.

  "Oh..." San Jie'er fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then looked at Zou Shi and said, "Mother, actually Jing Shu-xiong may not be the best match for my sister. The waters of the Wang Fu are deep and complex, far surpassing those of the Wen Fu, and my sister is such an impulsive and straightforward person..."

  "Of course, I also know," but before the third sister could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Mrs. Zou, "But think about it, what kind of family can we marry into? Which large household's inner courtyard isn't like this? And I don't want to see her married off to some small, insignificant family. Marrying Jing'er at least means there will be your aunt to look after her, and the old princess is also a close friend of your paternal grandmother's, so we must consider appearances. Moreover, you're not unaware of the current situation in our household - it's just an empty shell now. Your father's brothers are no good at managing things, they have no accomplishments, and their hearts aren't united. I'm thinking that this title may not be secure for much longer. If we really do form ties with the Prince of Xin's household, won't that give us some extra support? At least our main branch won't end up too miserable."

  After hearing this, San Jie couldn't help but frown deeply.

  She does not acknowledge the selfishness and self-interest in her mother's words, but as a child, she has never violated her parents' rights, and only plans for them and fulfills their wishes.

  "Mother," San Jie thought for a moment and then said, "Didn't you say that day that when Liu Jie gets married, we would choose one of us sisters to go with her as a concubine and also be Liu Jie's advisor?"

  "Yes, but didn't you object and disapprove of sisters serving the same husband that day?" Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zou was taken aback.

  The three sisters heard their mother's words and couldn't help but secretly shake their heads in their hearts.

  How can I communicate this issue with my mother?

  Which woman does not have the dream and thought of "willing to get a like-minded person, white-haired but not separated" when she gets married?

  And my sister just got married, she sent me over, isn't that adding trouble?

  But in an instant she began to pity Zou Shi, her mother, who had also gone through those youthful years.

  Yesterday's lovely maiden has become today's woman who only thinks about the interests of her family and children, this process must also be cruel and helpless.

  Is today's mother tomorrow's self?

  She didn't dare think about it anymore and randomly replied to her mother, "This is one thing, that's another!" After finishing speaking, she asked again, "Mother, has anyone been chosen?"

  "Who's the candidate?" Listening to his daughter and himself discussing this issue, Zou's eyes lit up with hope again. "Xiao Qi is actually very close to Liu Jie..."

  "She can't!" But before her mother had even finished speaking, the third sister shook her head decisively and said, "She's clever but lacks wisdom!"

  "I thought so too," said Zou Shi, nodding her head after hearing her daughter's words. "This girl only knows how to flatter and curry favor, if she continues like this, she'll only bring harm to Liu Jie'er. But apart from this girl, who else is there?"

  "What does Mother think of Xiaojiao?" San Jie suddenly asked.

  "She?" Zou was taken aback.

  "Mother, this younger sister is really good!" The third sister then told in detail everything that had happened when she went to the ninth sister's house that day.

  Zou nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

  "But... I heard that your third aunt wants to marry off Jiuniang to her own nephew."

  "Huh?" San Jie'er was taken aback by the words, then said, "Didn't you tell me a few days ago that Mrs. Jiang liked Eighth Sister and wanted someone to sound out her intentions?"

  "Hmph," Mrs. Zou's face turned cold as soon as she heard this, "Just mentioning that cowardly Xiaobao makes me furious. At the beginning of winter, I specially brought her to the incense ceremony, but when we arrived in front of all the ladies, she didn't dare say a word and hid behind me, making me lose face."

  After listening to her mother's words, San Jie'er neither confirmed nor denied them, lowering her head to sip tea.

  What can be said? Is it true that today's Ba Jie is a product of Mother's own making?

  "Alright, let's not mention that for now... If we really do decide on a candidate, then we'll need to think it over carefully." At this point, Jiang said, and as he spoke, a calculating smile floated onto his pale face.

  "What does Mother plan to do?" That hint of a smile caused Third Sister's heart to tighten, and in an instant, the gentle and smiling face of Ninth Sister flashed into her mind.

  "This... I'll tell you later!" Mrs. Zou brushed it off.

  "Mother..." The third sister suddenly became anxious, "I advise you to stop secretly using those underhanded methods, otherwise I will not stand idly by."

  It goes without saying that Mother's plan is to secretly manipulate Jiuniang's daily food and drink, making her lose the power to be a mother, and only serve as a loyal subject to Liu'er.

  This method, of course, the mother had not used less. After marrying into the Wen family for several years without giving birth, she later gave birth to a daughter who died prematurely, and her own sisters-in-law did not give birth to even one boy or girl.

  And the only one, Wen's sister, was an unplanned birth.

  Because this mother had always looked down on her, she was married off to a random family before she even wore her hair in an adult style.

  She doesn't care about those people, but the problem is that this Ninth Sister was recommended by her. Doesn't that mean she ruined Ninth Sister's life with her own hands?

  "Third sister, you...you..." Being scolded by her own daughter like this, Mrs. Zou was naturally ashamed and immediately burst into tears, "Do you think I'm willing to do these cruel things? Isn't it all for your younger sister, isn't it all for the sake of this family?"

  Seeing her mother cry, San Jie naturally regretted it and quickly apologized, "Mother, I'm sorry, it's my fault, don't be angry." While speaking, she leaned in close to Zou Shi and gave her a back massage and shoulder rub.

  For this considerate and important daughter, Zou Shi naturally couldn't get angry, let alone today's matter she also had no standing, so she could only stop in time.

  "Mother, although I haven't known the ninth sister for a long time, I know she's a humble and transparent person. If you treat her with sincerity, she will naturally return it." Seeing her mother's expression soften, the third sister continued in a gentle tone.

  "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you!" Zou Shi heard her bring it up again and immediately fell silent, but ultimately agreed...

  ……

  Digression

  Guys, what do you think of this marriage path? Not so good, right? Hehe...

  Continue to send blessings, Happy New Year!