"Grandmother, about the bride price...?" he asked, shaking the Old Madam again.
The Old Madam couldn’t stand his shaking anymore: "My little ancestor, stop it. I’ll talk to your father, alright?"
"Why bother father when you can just speak directly to Big Sis? Does she dare defy Grandmother?"
Situ Zhi knew the Old Madam didn’t like Xuexue. He didn’t know the exact reason, but it was a good thing for their siblings, at least the Old Madam stood on the sa side as them, and that was enough to deal with Xuexue.
"Didn’t Grandmother just say it? Xuexue’s wings have grown hard, and she doesn’t listen to anymore. How could Grandmother persuade her? Better let your father handle it."
Before, Xuexue gave no face to her in public, and the Old Madam didn’t have the confidence to control her. This girl, despite having wandered among commoners for over a decade, showed more of the deanor of a legitimate daughter than any high-class young lady from elite society.
The Old Madam wasn’t willing to personally ask Xuexue for the bride price. Situ Zhi was not resigned; he didn’t want to lose face before his sisters. They would surely mock him for boasting if he failed, so he said to the Old Madam again, "Grandmother, hurry and talk to father before he goes out. If he’s on duty, it might be days before he returns."
The Old Madam was also preoccupied with the bride price, feeling upset. Hearing Situ Zhi’s words seed to give her an excuse, and she imdiately stood up, ready to find Situ Yongjie to discuss this matter.
Just as she was about to step out, Situ Zhi grabbed her: "Grandmother, how are you going to tell father?"
That’s right! How to tell Jiejie? Could she possibly say that as a grandmother she coveted her granddaughter’s dowry, wanting to take it for herself?
Even a fool knew that wouldn’t work.
The Old Madam, having battled in household politics for half her life, was certainly no fool. After a mont of thought, she said, "Just say the General’s Mansion has been struggling financially lately, and ask her to contribute a little. Once the mansion has money again, we can pay it back."
Coming up with random excuses was indeed the Old Madam’s forte, a piece of cake for her.
Situ Zhi bead with joy, "Grandmother is truly wise."
"Of course, Zhizhi is the future hope of the General’s Mansion. You can learn a thing or two from this."
The Old Madam quite enjoyed the flattery.
"Grandmother, go find father then. I won’t disturb you. I’ll co by later in the evening to pay my respects." Situ Zhi was afraid his father would find out it was him behind the Old Madam’s advice, causing trouble for Xuexue, so he took his leave back to his quarters, planning to return later to gather news.
"Alright, Grandmother is going to find your father, and won’t detain you any longer."
The Study.
Many things had happened over the past few days, leaving Situ Yongjie physically and ntally exhausted. He truly wanted to take a break, but due to the heavy workload, he still had to push through his fatigue to complete the tasks assigned by the Prince.
The War Prince had been placing increasing emphasis on the training of the Hidden Guards lately, and this task had always been his responsibility. Now that there was a marriage alliance between the General’s Mansion and the War Prince’s Mansion, he was even more devoted. After all, his daughter would be marrying into the War Prince’s Mansion, making the General’s Mansion a family with the War Prince. Naturally, work for one’s family required personal dedication.
At this mont, there was a knock on the door outside.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Imdiately followed by the Old Madam’s voice: "Jiejie, Jiejie."
At this shichen, the Old Madam was usually in the Buddhist hall chanting scriptures and praying. She never disturbed him, and Situ Yongjie had grown accustod to it.
Upon hearing it, he raised an eyebrow and raised his voice: "Mother, what’s the matter?"
"Hurry and open the door, your mother has sothing urgent to discuss with you." The Old Madam’s voice ca through again.
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