Aunt Meng has been restless these past few days, her heart feeling as if it has been fried in oil and boiled in water.
She had meticulously groomed Fang Ting for over twenty years, humbling herself and remaining submissive and humble, all for the sake of ensuring her son's bright future. Even in Fang Ting's room, she didn't allow the maids to serve him properly, hoping that the cleanliness of the room would give Fang Ting an advantage in his quest to marry a noblewoman.
She wasn't trying to curry favor with the powerful; even if Fang Ting had only asked to marry a woman from a respectable background, she wouldn't have said a word.
However, this marriage, which was favored by the Marquis and his wife and arranged by the aunt, made Aunt Meng extremely uneasy.
Just as she was struggling with her dilemma and feeling utterly helpless, rumors about An Jiu began to spread like wildfire in the capital.
"I've always felt this marriage was inappropriate!" Aunt Meng was initially shocked, but also felt a sense of relief. This was the worst-case scenario she had anticipated, and since it wasn't officially settled yet, only a verbal agreement between the two families, there was still room for maneuver, and Fang Ting's reputation wouldn't be affected. "This marriage cannot go through!"
Jinzhu found the matter rather strange, as if it were deliberately orchestrated by someone. "Auntie, the final outcome of the marriage still depends on the Marquis and his wife's wishes, right? Perhaps it's just malicious slander; what if it's just a rumor?"
Aunt Meng shook her head. "The power of rumors doesn't lie in their truth. As the saying goes, flies don't land on eggs without cracks." A hint of disdain flashed across her face as she said, "There are so many noble ladies in the capital, why are they only spreading rumors about her?"
Jinzhu opened her mouth, but didn't know how to persuade her further.
"Go and fetch one of the servants who goes with Ting-ge'er," Aunt Meng instructed. "Quietly find one who goes out with Ting-ge'er, but don't disturb him."
Jinzhu had no choice but to agree and go.
Today was a day off, and Fang Ting was reading in his study when Jin Zhu quietly went over and called his personal attendant, Qing Shi, to come and give her a message.
"Qingshi, have you heard any rumors when you went out with the Second Master these past few days?" Aunt Meng didn't mince words and went straight to the point: "Just tell me."
Upon hearing this, Qing Shi hesitated for a moment.
These days, I have indeed heard many unpleasant rumors, all about Miss An Jiu. You know, although it hasn't been announced to the public yet, Miss An Jiu is the Second Master's fiancée, and the engagement has already been arranged. The Second Master has also been having a hard time these days.
If it were just others saying it, it wouldn't be so bad, but even among the junior scholars who passed the imperial examinations at the same time as the Second Master, there were people talking about this rumor, which made the Second Master feel even worse.
Although he had heard these words many times, the Second Master did not quite believe them. He ordered his servants to keep their mouths shut and not to reveal them at home, let alone mention them to Aunt Meng.
Normally, this was the time for the Second Master to study diligently during his days off, but today he was staring blankly at the jade pendant in his hand.
Aunt Meng was an extremely intelligent woman. Seeing Qing Shi stammering and refusing to speak, she knew there was something fishy going on. She simply raised her voice and threatened, "Do you think I can't ask about things concerning your Second Master? I'm his concubine. Even the Marquis and his wife give me some face. How dare you try to fool me? Do you even respect me?"
Qing Shi trembled with fright.
The second master was a filial son who respected his stepmother and was also respectful to his concubine. As Concubine Meng herself said, she had a certain degree of influence in the Marquis's mansion, and he dared not offend her.
Therefore, the bluestone had no choice but to reveal the whole story.
When he half-heartedly mentioned that among the junior scholars who passed the imperial examinations in the same year as Fang Ting, there were rumors circulating about An Jiu, the famille rose teacup that Aunt Meng was holding immediately rolled to the ground.
The news even reached the ears of the Shilin youths! Fortunately, the engagement was not made public at this time, otherwise how would they face their Ting-ge?
How could he possibly enter the Hanlin Academy after that? Let alone become a Grand Secretary!
Aunt Meng was immediately jolted awake, realizing the seriousness of the situation.
"Go back first. Don't mention a word of today's events to Second Master." Aunt Meng's eyes suddenly turned icy cold, her usual gentle and submissive demeanor completely gone. She said in a chilling voice, "If Second Master hears even a whisper of this, I'll just say you came to inform on me, and you'll be in deep trouble!"
Qing Shi was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly, swearing that he would never let a word out.
Aunt Meng then let him go back.
The marriage with the Marquis of Nan'an's family cannot be arranged! Aunt Meng made up her mind that even if it cost her her reputation and her life, she would not let An Jiu enter the family.
Even if she cries and threatens suicide in front of the lady, the lady will eventually agree, even if she dislikes her.
The difficult one is Fang Ting. Judging from the joy that unconsciously showed in his eyes last time, Ting-ge'er really likes An Jiuniang. It's just a not-so-exquisite knot, but he loves it so much that he immediately changed it and wore it with him.
Ting-ge'er was never so impetuous in the past.
"Go and wait at Madam's place. If she wakes up after her afternoon rest, come and let me know." Better a short, sharp pain than a long, drawn-out one; it's better to cut the Gordian knot than to regret it later. Aunt Meng hardened her heart and said, "Just say I request to see Madam."
Jinzhu sensed what Aunt Meng was planning to do, and she felt it was very inappropriate. After all, they had been mistress and servant for four or five years, so Jinzhu couldn't help but advise, "Aunt, I'm afraid this is very inappropriate. If you reject this marriage proposal in front of Madam, you will be disrespecting Madam and Aunt Meng!"
"You've remained quiet and unassuming in this inner quarters for over twenty years, haven't you wasted it all?"
If this matter were to really escalate to the presence of Lady Dingbei, all the virtues that had earned Lady Dingbei and her husband's respect over the years—such caution, forbearance, and obedience—would likely be lost.
Moreover, is doing this really for the good of the Second Master?
Aunt Meng, however, couldn't care less about all that.
"I told you to go, so just go." Aunt Meng's attitude was firm. She said in a deep voice, "For Ting-ge'er, anything is worth it!"
Seeing that Aunt Meng was truly unable to change her mind, Jinzhu had no choice but to do as she was told.
The main courtyard of the Marquis of Dingbei's residence.
Lady Dingbei has been troubled by this matter for days, and the marriage has reached a point where she is caught in a dilemma.
If she were to break off the engagement, it would damage the reputation of both families; but with rumors spreading throughout the capital, it would likely harm the Marquis's family's name, and outsiders might think that she deliberately arranged such a marriage for her illegitimate son.
But the tokens had already been sent, and the Yi Prince's Mansion was involved. To abruptly break off the engagement would imply that the Dingbei Marquis's Mansion believed the rumors, offending not only the Nan'an Marquis's Mansion but also the Yi Prince's Mansion. And then there was her own sister-in-law, who had only meant well in introducing them…
Just when she was in a difficult situation, she suddenly heard from her maid that Aunt Meng was requesting an audience.
Upon hearing this, Lady Dingbei raised an eyebrow. What was Aunt Meng, who was always so sensible and perceptive, doing here at this critical juncture? After a moment's hesitation, she still instructed the maid to let her pass.
"This concubine greets Madam." Concubine Meng entered and bowed respectfully.
She was considered a very respectable concubine in the Marquis's mansion, and the Lady of Dingbei had no intention of making things difficult for her, so she had a maid bring over a small stool and invited her to sit down and talk.
Aunt Meng thanked her for her kindness, sat down sideways on the small stool, and then slowly began to speak.