Ma originally planned to help He Shuxiang look after people, but with her daughter's request, she became more and more interested.
Because of the power of the marquis and the general, Ma was very popular among the ladies in the capital.
She often attended various banquets. Before, when her daughter was not making noises about marrying Zhou Jin, Mrs. Ma had also thought about finding her a good husband among the nobles.
Therefore, Ma has a general understanding of whether there are marriageable men among the many wealthy families in Beijing and the situation of these young masters.
Now that he was replaced by He Shu, Ma lowered his standards slightly and quickly made a list in his mind——
The third son of Duke Qing's family, the second young master of Princess Pingkang's family, the sixth son of Wangge Lao, the second son of Weiyuan Hou's family...
Regardless of age, family status, or personality and appearance, he is a perfect match for He Shu.
Ma made a list and wanted to find a time to discuss it with the eldest lady and the dowager lady.
Before she could speak first, the eldest lady came looking for her.
After listening to the eldest lady's oblique words, the smile in Ma's eyes faded a lot.
The next day, He Tiantian wandered back to her parents' house to have some food. Ma didn't bother nagging her daughter and told the incident first.
"...The fourth girl is very angry and doesn't like the family I chose for her!"
Ma’s family really feels like “feeding the dog out of kindness”.
When she spoke, her tone was a little harsh.
He Tiantian was not surprised, and said calmly: "When people go to high places, water flows to low places. This is human nature!"
"Besides, He Shu has been comparing herself to me since she was a child. I married a county prince, so she naturally doesn't want to marry the second son of a duke, a concubine!"
"You all say she is sensible, but you blame me for not arguing with her -"
He Tiantian never forgets her character.
When chatting with my mother-in-law, I did not forget to clean up my past domineering and willful ways.
Ma was choked and said angrily, "I said she was sensible, but I just felt sorry for her without her father."
She is out of respect for her face, and she is neither stupid nor stupid. What woman would not feel sorry for her own daughter, but instead help a cheap niece?
It’s just that my daughter is a firecracker and doesn’t understand her painstaking efforts. She only wants to vent her anger on He Shu!
However, when it was mentioned that He Shu lost her father, Ma thought about the matter of proposing a marriage.
She snorted coldly, "So what if you are high-spirited? There are no fathers or brothers, only a widowed mother. Even the heirs of good families would not choose her!"
"It is true that the fourth girl does not have a father or brother, but she has a good second uncle. Now, she has another cousin who is a princess——"
He Tiantian puffed up her chest and said proudly, "With us, the four girls want to marry into a high family, so it's not just wishful thinking."
Ma Shixu thought of something, and her face became a little ugly: "They may not want to rely on us, maybe, in the minds of their mother and daughter, your father and I are the ones who occupy the magpie's nest!"
After He Jing died, He Jing could inherit the title.
And Mrs. Ma also replaced the eldest lady and became Mrs. Hou.
Although the eldest lady and He Shu did not say it explicitly, sometimes it would be revealed that the second chamberlain had stolen the title of the eldest chamber and took advantage of the eldest chamber!
Humph, they didn't even think about it. He Jing held military power and was used to taking orders to fight.
I don’t know how many military exploits I have accomplished in the past twenty years or so.
With his own true ability, he has been able to become a marquis long ago, and maybe he can go one step further.
It's just that his family has the title of Marquis of Nanning, so the emperor didn't give him any extra reward.
Steal? Take advantage?
Madam Ma actually felt that it was the Nanning Marquis Mansion that was dragging down her master!
"You can't say that. My father is indeed powerful and he can obtain a title by virtue of his own abilities. But the Nanning Marquis Mansion is the founding meritorious service of the country. The family has an iron book of alchemy and iron coupons given by the emperor and grandpa——"
He Tiantian analyzed objectively.
"...Whose side are you on, kid?"
Mr. Ma was speechless by his daughter, and became a little angry.
Immediately afterwards, Ma suddenly realized: Hey, that's not right. When did her family become so sensible?!
Ma looked at He Tiantian suspiciously.
She didn't suspect that her daughter had changed the core, but she was worried: Did something happen to her daughter, and why did she suddenly become "sensible"?
As a good mother who cares about her children and a well-informed matron, Ma of course understands.
Children are not born sensible, but they have to suffer and be taught a lesson, and then—
"Auntie, of course I'm on your side!"
He Tiantian was stared at by Ma, without any trace of panic or guilt.
She rolled her eyes indecently and said in a casual tone: "Do you think I have really grown to like He Shu?"
"If possible, I hope more than anyone else that she will marry into a poor family. In this way, she can only envy me and look up to me throughout her life!"
"But, your lord, he—"
Speaking of this, He Tiantian deliberately showed a sad expression.
When Ma saw He Tiantian's stupid look of "willing to give everything for Zhou Jin", he was really pitiful and hateful!
She hates the fact that iron cannot become steel!
She was a bright and flamboyant daughter, but because of a man, she became compromised.
This child, alas!
Ma was so angry that he wanted to slap his daughter twice, but he couldn't bear it.
In the end, there was only so much heartache.
"Auntie, if He Shu wants to marry high, let her go. If she lives well, the prince will be able to live a down-to-earth life with me!"
He Tiantian's tone was low, but soon, she puffed up her cheeks and said bitterly: "I have done my best, if they do anything to compromise in the future, the world won't call me vicious anymore, right?"
Hearing He Tiantian's angry words, Ma's heart throbbed again.
Shan'er's marriage was not very honorable, and she was rejected by her husband on their wedding night, and everyone outside was laughing at her.
Seeing that she has become "sensible" now, she must have heard the rumors outside and suffered a lot of grievances.
"Okay! Grandma knows!"
No heavy hammer is needed to play the drum. Ma is smart and after hearing this, he already understood what his daughter meant.
Zhou Jin liked He Shu, but had to marry He Tan.
If He Tan and her parents can help He Shu marry a happy man, all the past debts can be wiped off.
In the future, if He Shu breaks ties with Zhou Jinou again, it will be because she is shameless and ungrateful.
Their bad reputation cannot always be left to their family, Mener, alone.
As for how to help He Shu, Ma also has a way.
He Shu has no father or brother, this is a fact that cannot be changed.
But the Ma family could let the dignitaries in the capital know that their Nanning Marquis Mansion valued He Shu, the fourth girl, very much.
With the "favor" of He Jing and his wife, He Shu has the value of marriage.
If Mrs. Ma prepares more dowry for her, she should be able to fulfill the wishes of He Shu and her daughter.
"I knew my mother-in-law loved me the most!"
He Tiantian buried herself in Ma's arms, rubbed her little face, and spoke coquettishly.
Ma wanted to poke her daughter's forehead with her finger, but was reluctant and instead gently stroked her hair.
This is her biological daughter. If she doesn't feel sorry for her, who will?
"By the way, even if I find a good home for her, she can't get past me!"
"Huh, I'm going to step on one in my life!"
Ma:……
I knew this girl wouldn't really become that sensible. She is really hard-wired!
However, this is her daughter, willful and cute.
Mother and daughter discussed it for a while, and Ma made a decision in her mind.
When he took He Shu out to socialize again, he began to send a signal to everyone——
I like He Shu as my niece so much. Our Lord Marquis also treats her as his own daughter!
As for the ladies, they were neither stupid nor blind, so they naturally accepted Ma's meaning.
"The fourth girl of the He family?"
The fourth prince was sitting in the queen's palace, listening to his adoptive mother telling him the list of concubines.
When he heard the name He Shu, his eyes flickered.
Coincidentally, he came out of the Hubu Yamen that day, and because he missed the meal, he went to Zhaixinglou to eat.
Because it was late, there were not too many customers in the restaurant.
Just as the fourth prince was quietly enjoying the food, there was suddenly the sound of kicking the door in the next room, and the faint sounds of men and women quarreling.
The fourth prince couldn't help but frown.
The boy next to me was smart and hurried out to check.
After a quarter of an hour, the boy came back, somewhat speechless.
He leaned close to the fourth prince's ear and whispered back.
"Are you saying that the seventh brother 'ran into' the princess's natal cousin in Zhaixing Tower, but was caught by the princess?"
If it were just Zhou Jin, the fourth prince wouldn't care too much.
Zhou Jin is a transparent prince who is not favored and has no foundation.
When he was in the palace, the fourth prince didn't even look at him.
However, Zhou Jin is different now. He has become the son-in-law of General He.
The He family has guarded the northwest for generations, holding a hundred thousand He family troops in their hands.
If we can win over such a powerful official with a lot of troops, the fourth prince's chances of winning will be greatly improved.
It can be said that after Zhou Jin got married, he changed from a transparent person who was not paid attention to, to becoming the favored target of several older princes!
The fourth prince naturally coveted the military power of the He family. He had been thinking about how to make friends with He Jing through Zhou Jin.
Now——
The fourth prince raised his eyebrows, roughly having an idea in his mind.
"Go and investigate the matter clearly!"
For example, why did the seventh brother "encounter" the princess's cousin by chance?
Another example is whether the seventh brother and the princess are a good couple or a bitter couple!
The fourth prince has long been crowned king, and he has the full support of the Chengenhou Mansion.
Therefore, he has quite a few useful people.
Within two days, the past grudges between Zhou Jin, He Shu, and He Tan were known to the fourth prince.
Of course, in the eyes of the world, there was no personal relationship between He Shu and Zhou Jin, it was just a slight affection between a boy and a girl who had just begun to fall in love.
Even the fourth prince knew the long-standing friendship between He Shu and Zhou Jin, as well as Zhou Jin's deep love for He Shu.
They all came from that age. When they were young, they didn’t have many people to admire.
When the man and the woman get married, the past will turn into smoke.
If you just read the information, the Fourth Prince wouldn't think too much.
But, he was there that night.
Although there was no big fuss about "catching the traitor", the fourth prince, who was as careful as hair and sharp and thoughtful, still felt some clues.
"...This fourth girl from the He family is extraordinary!"
Not to mention disgust, the fourth prince remembered He Shu's name in his heart.
However, when the fourth prince learned that the queen wanted He Shu to be his concubine, the fourth prince felt a little uncomfortable.
It's not disgusting, but it doesn't have that kind of joy and satisfaction.
Anyway, it's just not comfortable.
However, the queen was right, He Shu was indeed an excellent choice.
She is the daughter of the He family, and He Jing and his wife like her very much.
But she was not He Jing's biological daughter, so neither the emperor nor other princes would be too afraid of her.
By accepting her, the fourth prince can get closer to He Jing.
Even if you can't get people to your camp, you can still get some help.
Not being afraid but still getting real benefits is the best choice.
However... the fourth prince swallowed hard and suppressed the awkwardness in his heart.
When he raised his face again, he put on a gentle and respectful smile, "My son will obey his mother's arrangements in everything!"
"Okay! It's your grandmother's birthday on the first day of next month, and the female members of the He family will also go there. Then, if you take a look, if you think it's okay, the Ai family will summon Ma to the palace!"
The queen was very satisfied with her adopted son's attitude and settled the matter immediately.
"Yes! I will obey your orders!"
The fourth prince hurriedly agreed, and said to the queen with admiration, "I have to let the queen worry about her son again!"
"You are my son, if I don't do it for you, who else can I do for you?"
The queen smiled lovingly, but her words were a bit pun-intended.
The fourth prince said nothing more, but smiled with gratitude.
The first day of September is the birthday of Mrs. Cheng’enhoufu.
Although it's not a whole life span, the old man has a queen's daughter, and the key is that she's not unpopular.
Therefore, almost all the dignitaries in the capital came to this ancestor's birthday banquet.
There is a lot of traffic outside the gate of Cheng'enhou's mansion, but inside the mansion is full of flowers, fragrant clothes, rich and lively.
He Shu was wearing the jewelry and coat given to her by Ma, and followed Ma quietly and obediently.
Ma actively introduced to the familiar female family members: "This is the fourth girl from our Hou family... she just got hairpins this year... she hasn't decided on a family yet..."
He Shu's pretty face was blushing, her head lowered, like a shy rose, both beautiful and reserved.
Is there anything else that the female relatives present don’t understand?
Some of the family backgrounds were similar to those of the He family, and there were female relatives of the younger generation in the family. Seeing the importance Ma paid to He Shu, and thinking about the rumors in the public, he became a little tempted.
They all pulled Ma to say some suggestive words.
While Ma was socializing, he was thinking about whether the other party's family background would satisfy He Shu.
He Shu:...I still want to marry into the royal family!
It's not that she doesn't know that being a royal daughter-in-law is difficult, but she doesn't want to be stepped on by He Tan for the rest of her life.
Although women in this era are not subject to too strict restrictions.
But if a woman wants to get ahead, it is impossible for her to do it on her own. She can only get married.
As for the royal family, it is probably the most noble family. Even if you are a concubine, it is better to go to a noble family and be the mistress.
For example, Ho Tan's wedding dress was embroidered with gold. Even the powerful and decent Ma family was not qualified to wear it.
He Shu admitted that when she saw He Dan's wedding dress that day, she became very ambitious.
She wants to become a master, and she wants to enjoy the best of everything in the world!
He Shu was ambitious, and the fourth prince had ulterior motives. So, this time, there was no plan, and the two of them "encountered" by chance!
