Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

"This...this...this isn't right..."

Ma's face was full of reluctance, not only towards the marriage itself, but also towards Ma Jia's overstepping of her boundaries.

"Your Highness, you may not know this, but my third son is unruly and unworthy of the girl you have carefully raised."

Madam Ma's smile remained unchanged: "Madam, there's no need to be modest. It's only natural for young people to be lively and active. My daughter is also cheerful and outgoing, so she'll definitely get along well with the Third Young Master."

After speaking, she stopped looking at Madam Ma and turned to Xi Qiao: "What does Your Highness think?"

The perfunctory attitude towards Ma was obvious, and it was clear that neither Ma Jia nor the Jue Chan clan she represented took Ma or even Yu Chonglin seriously.

Xi Qiao frowned slightly, it was unclear whether he was dissatisfied with Ma Jia's actions or with the marriage itself.

She simply said, "I shouldn't be meddling in my brothers' marriages. But..."

She glanced at Madam Ma, who stood beside her, seething with anger but unable to speak out.

"Well, there are some things I originally planned to discuss with my father and wife in a few days, but since the Fujin has proposed a marriage between two families today, I can't remain silent, lest this joyous occasion turn into resentment and the Fujin complains and gossip."

"The Princess Consort also knows that my birth mother and I died early, leaving behind only my mother and me as her bloodline. Women will eventually marry, and my mother and I were worried that no one would support our mother in the future, so we decided to choose a suitable boy to be registered under her name to continue the family line."

There was little apology on her face, but she was very frank: "I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the Princess Consort. Now that he has become my and the Empress's younger brother, the Empress and I will naturally make plans for him. Raising him to a Manchu banner is the first step, and marrying a Manchu princess is also essential."

If a daughter of the Juechan family were to marry into the family, she would likely find it difficult to be caught between her sisters-in-law.

Madam Ma's reaction was even stronger than when she heard that Consort Juechan was going to marry her daughter to Yu Kun.

"No, I disagree!"

Xi Qiao ignored her and looked earnestly at Consort Juechan: "To be honest, Your Highness and I did not choose the third brother."

Ling Gu, who was standing nearby, had already begun to speculate whether Xi Qiao favored the Fourth Prince Yu Hu or wanted to find a suitable child from within the clan.

Ma Jia was speechless for a moment. Although she didn't care about how her illegitimate daughter lived after marriage, it would be a huge loss if she accompanied her illegitimate daughter into the palace but failed to achieve the desired effect.

In the Yu family, Madam Ma, the second wife, is unkind, and the Zhuang sisters must harbor resentment towards her. Therefore, the Yu family will not be able to fall into the hands of Madam Ma's legitimate son in the future.

In their minds, Lady Yu and Consort Zhuang were determined to support the third son of the Yu family in a good fight against Madam Ma and her son.

However, Lady Yu Jia was determined to adopt a son for her mother. Once the original wife of the Yu family had a son, and with the support of the two sisters, Consort Zhuang and Lady Yu Jia, the Yu family would definitely belong to that adopted son!

Neither Ma's two sons nor Yu Laosan could compete with this adopted son.

So why would they marry their daughter to the Juechan family?

She glanced at Linggu again; the Juechan family was bound to send this person into the harem.

But given the current situation, it's difficult to send someone away without offending the Zhuang Consort and Yu Jia sisters.

A marriage alliance is the best solution they can think of right now.

Firstly, by leveraging the kinship ties, Linggu wanted to return without leaving a trace.

Secondly, the Yu sisters have been operating in the palace for a long time and have more manpower than Juechan. They can also borrow their help after Linggu enters the palace.

Thirdly, if the Yu sisters are dissatisfied with the fact that the spirit grain has diminished Consort Zhuang's favor, this illegitimate daughter who married into the Yu family will be their best outlet for anger.

After venting his anger on this illegitimate daughter, he would naturally have less resentment towards Linggu in the palace.

However, what Ma Jia did not expect was that this marriage they had planned would become worthless in an instant.

"Then...I wonder if Your Highness has already chosen someone? I know quite a few princesses from distinguished backgrounds in the Manchu Banner, and I could introduce them to you."

Ma Jia's persistent struggle, coupled with the fact that many of their relatives by marriage were Manchus, meant they could always find a suitable match!

Xi Qiao smiled and said, "I've been busy with wedding preparations lately, so I haven't had a chance to look around properly yet. However, I don't want to adopt someone older than me."

Ling Gu thought to herself, "Oh, so that means the princess isn't considering the fourth young master of the manor."

Ma Jia was momentarily speechless. Should she adopt someone who was not very old?

How old is considered young?

Eight years old? Five years old? Three years old?

Or was it just born?

At such a young age, what benefit would it bring to the Juechan clan to arrange a marriage?

Madam Ma was furious, her face turning ashen. Whether it was Yu Kun's marriage or his adoption, she, as the matriarch of the Yu family, had no say in the matter. How could she not be angry?

With a loud bang, Madam Ma angrily smashed the teacup.

The people inside looked in the direction of the noise, and when their gazes fell on Madam Ma, she stiffened. Her mind, which had been clouded by anger, seemed to be sobered up considerably by these chilling gazes.

She can't afford to offend the people here!

She shuddered, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her fingers, hidden under her sleeves, trembled and curled up.

"This, this... look at my clumsy hands," Madam Ma forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and said apologetically to Xi Qiao and Ma Jia, "It was an accident, an accident, please forgive me, Miss and Madam."

"It's alright. Madam has been busy preparing my dowry lately, she must be tired. Someone, please tidy it up."

When Ma Jia heard that Xi Qiao hadn't ordered any more tea, she knew that Xi Qiao had no intention of keeping her guest.

Coupled with today's unsuccessful start, Ma Jia had no intention of staying any longer. She was eager to return to her clan to discuss the next steps, so she simply got up and took her leave.

"Look at me, Your Highness's wedding is approaching and you are also celebrating your investiture as a prince. It is a double celebration, but it also makes me even busier. Please don't mind, Your Highness. We will take our leave now. We will send you a formal invitation to visit again when you have more free time."

Xi Qiao nodded and had the maid escort them out, also giving the remaining pre-Qingming Longjing tea to Ma Jia.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Xi Qiao sighed.

Linggu, who was next to her, pursed her lips and said, "This servant originally thought that Consort Wunaxi would offer a great reward in exchange for this servant returning to her clan."

If it's exchanged for profit, that's fine; at least the matter is out in the open.

But whether they mention it or not indicates that they must have other, more sinister plans.

Xi Qiao patted her soft, boneless hand: "Don't worry, since I said I would protect you, I won't break my word. Although the Juechan clan is more prosperous than the Yu clan, they wouldn't dare to mess with me. I have royal relatives behind me."

Although she spoke these words lightly, as if she were certain that Juechan posed no threat to her, Linggu could clearly see a hint of worry shrouding her brows.

"Gege..."

Ling Gu's eyes reddened slightly, and she lowered her head, choking back tears, "Princess, I'm sorry to have troubled you."