After returning home, she tried to persuade Wei Shujun to end her relationship with her lover Xu Shao. Naturally, Wei Shujun refused, and neither mother nor daughter could convince the other.
Having drunk a bit too much fruit wine at our house, the lingering effects kicked in, and without much restraint, their heated exchange escalated into a fierce argument.
By sheer coincidence, Xu Shao happened to visit the Wei Family to see his teacher Wei Chen. Upon witnessing his beloved standing up to her mother’s pressure for his sake, he immediately shielded her in his embrace.
This scene was witnessed by your grandfather’s student and Wei Jin. Once they heard the reason for the quarrel, everything became clear!
Yue Fuguang could see that Madam Zhang was genuinely heartbroken. After all, the Wei Family’s daughter had been her chosen daughter-in-law, only to turn out to be such an improper young woman.
Having a sweetheart was one thing, but she shouldn’t have been two-timing.
She comforted her mother gently, "Mother, don’t be upset. At least we found out about the Wei girl’s true nature before bringing her into our family—it’s a blessing in disguise!"
"Indeed, it is a blessing!" Madam Zhang took Yue Fuguang’s plump little hand and smiled. "Fuguang, you’re our family’s little lucky star. If not for you, your elder brother would have been in deep trouble this time."
The elderly Madam Yu wholeheartedly agreed and sighed, "It seems your elder brother and the Wei girl simply weren’t destined to be. They were supposed to marry last year, but her grandmother passed away, requiring her to observe mourning. The wedding was postponed to this year, only for her to injure her leg at the start of the year.
The ceremony was delayed again until early next year, and now this happens. It’s as if fate itself is preventing their union."
"Little Pearl, did the Heavenly Dao interfere with my brother’s marriage?"
[Master, I can only see recorded historical events. Unrecorded matters like this… I doubt the Heavenly Dao would bother!]
"Understood. Well, it doesn’t matter. Now, help me check if there are any issues with the young ladies in this portrait album."
After the casual talk, Yue Fuguang began carefully examining the portraits. She had to admit, though ancient painters didn’t always prioritize realism, the girls depicted were undeniably beautiful.
Most were between seven to eight out of ten in looks, with two even reaching nine. Just their faces alone were a feast for the eyes.
[Master, this Miss Jin doesn’t have any major flaws herself, but her elder brother, despite being the heir to a marquisate, is utterly useless—neither scholarly nor martial. He causes plenty of trouble in the future.
After marriage, this girl gets along splendidly with her husband, but her brother’s antics earn her the displeasure of her in-laws. Fortunately, her husband is considerate and shields her from criticism.]
"If she’s already fated for a good marriage, we shouldn’t interfere. Even if she’s not for my brother, mark this down—that brother of hers needs a good thrashing to grow up. How can he keep dragging his sister down?"
[This Miss Mu is talented, but she’s been frail since childhood. Though she’s improved over the years, her health remains delicate.]
"That shouldn’t be a problem. At most, we can give her a Health Pill—no big deal!"
[That’s not the main issue. The problem is she’s fond of poetry, wine, and romantic ideals but knows nothing about household management and dislikes social engagements. Your brother’s wife must be the future matriarch—let’s not put this poor girl through that!]
"Fair point. What about this Miss Xu?"
[She’s in love with her cousin, her childhood sweetheart.]
"Then forget it. Even if cousin marriages aren’t ideal, we can’t break up a pair in love. My brother shouldn’t marry someone whose heart belongs to another."
"What about this Miss Wu?"
[She’s the daughter of the first wife, struggling under a stepmother’s rule. Her father is a neglectful scoundrel, and the stepmother only cares for her own children. Miss Wu has become quite skilled in household scheming, constantly battling her half-siblings…]
"Enough. Mark her too—if she’s talented and willing, we’ll rescue her. A scoundrel father and wicked stepmother aren’t worth keeping!
Talents should shine where they belong. Wasting her skills on petty inner-household fights? What a waste!"
Her future factories would need plenty of managerial talent. If she didn’t want to do all the work herself, she needed capable people to help!
After reviewing several more, Yue Fuguang found either the girls were already destined for good marriages (she couldn’t bring herself to ruin them) or their families had issues.
What she initially thought would be simple turned out to be far more difficult—finding a suitable sister-in-law was proving impossible.
"What about this one? A county princess, with a mother who’s a royal princess."
[Do you know her childhood name? Ah-Man. Don’t believe what’s written here about her gentle temperament—she’s the exact opposite.
The girl lives up to her name—spoiled, willful, and cruel, especially to her servants. Several maids have died under her hands, and she herself was later pushed to her death by a desperate maid.
Her nature was nurtured by her doting parents and elder brother, particularly her father and eldest brother—both are terrible people.
On the surface, she’s the one who killed those maids, but it was actually her brother’s doing. She was just the scapegoat!]
"Are these siblings that vicious? Does the princess’s household not know their children’s true natures?
Are they trying to form an alliance with the Yu Family or start a feud?"
Madam Yu and Madam Zhang frowned upon hearing this. They had met County Princess Funing at banquets before.
Though she was a princess’s daughter, she carried no airs and had an impeccable reputation—graceful and courteous in public. Who would have guessed her true personality was so monstrous?
Even if her father and brother had manipulated her, her own temperament was far from virtuous!
[How could parents not know their own children’s nature? Especially that seemingly absent father—he’s fully aware.
Princess Taikang is Emperor Mingxi’s sister, but she’s an overlooked, half-forgotten princess.
Her husband holds only a nominal post, and their two sons are equally useless. The entire family has long been sidelined from power.
Seeing how favored you’ve become by the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress, they hope to use you to reconnect with the imperial family and regain influence.
That’s why, upon hearing your brother was seeking a match, they set their sights on him.
This is a case of ‘the dagger hidden in the dance’—their real target is the imperial court’s favor!
They believe that once married, given her mother’s royal status and her own title as a county princess,
your grandfather and father, as officials, would have no choice but to endure for the sake of the imperial family’s dignity.]
"Ha!" Yue Fuguang scoffed coldly. She was never one to suffer fools gladly. If she tolerated such schemes in her current position, she’d only invite further disrespect.
