The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Just as Madam Shen was preparing for dinner, news came that the Marquis had arrived.

This is really... the worst time of day!

"Has the Marquis eaten?" Madam Shen stepped forward to serve him. It seemed as if he was going to stay overnight in the main courtyard, but since it was neither a holiday nor a festival, Madam Shen became suspicious.

"No, it's been a long time since I've dined with you. It's just a coincidence that we're here today."

The couple finished their meal in a very harmonious manner. After the maids cleared the table, tea was served.

Madam Shen didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Does Your Excellency have something to say? We've been married for so long, and Zhang'er is about to get married. You should just say what you want to say. There's no need for all this preamble like young lovers."

After saying that, Shen herself laughed.

She wouldn't have dared to speak to the head of the family like that before, but now she does, which proves she's stood up straight.

Before marriage, she relied on her parents' family; after marriage, she relies on herself and her son.

After hearing what Madam Shen said, Lord He realized that he had misunderstood something earlier.

This is the Marquis's residence, and he is the head of the family. Why does he have to be so hesitant to speak?

However, for the sake of peace in the inner quarters, he still used some of his tact in speaking, "There is something I need to tell you. The Consort Zhao in the palace has sent word that the young princess is looking for a playmate, and our sixth, seventh, and eighth daughters are about the same age as the princess."

Seeing the smile instantly spread across Madam Shen's face, her expression one of absolute certainty, Marquis He, disregarding any preamble, quickly poured cold water on her enthusiasm, "The Consort Zhao said that a girl should be chosen from her maiden family. Originally, of the three girls, the seventh, being the legitimate daughter, was the most suitable. But..."

Madam Shen's heart was in her throat. She was thinking about how to refute the Marquis and make sure that her daughter could get this spot, so that her resume would be even more impressive.

"But we know how much we care for our own daughter. Seventh Sister is good in every way, but there's one thing: she's too innocent and naive, and not suitable for living in the deep palace."

Madam Shen looked disapproving, but Marquis He continued earnestly, "Going to the palace to be the princess's playmate, or to put it nicely, to be the princess's confidante."

In reality, they were merely subservient to the daughters of the imperial family, appearing only slightly more respectable than palace maids. But if their mistress made a mistake, these playmates would inevitably face punishment as well.

“I am Qi Yatou’s biological father, and I have no reason to be unhappy about her. There’s just one thing: if you’re willing to let her go to the palace to suffer and be punished, then I’ll pretend I never said what I just said.”

Shen: ...The multiple-choice questions are so difficult.

"If Seventh Miss doesn't go, does Master intend to send Sixth Miss or Eighth Miss to the palace?" Let me see if you have any selfish motives. Madam Shen glared at Marquis He with her sharp eyes.

"Naturally, it's Sixth Sister." Lord He felt there was absolutely nothing wrong with that statement.

“If Sixth Sister makes a name for herself, the benefits will definitely go to our eldest son’s family. Besides, Eighth Sister is only a concubine’s daughter from the third son’s family, so her status is somewhat inferior.” The more Lord He thought about it, the more inappropriate it seemed, and he shook his head.

After a long silence, Madam Shen made a startling statement: "Seventh Girl can't be protected by us forever; she'll eventually get married. I think this palace selection is an opportunity for Seventh Girl."

Lord He was internally screaming with frustration. What a stroke of luck!

He had a headache, especially when he tried to have a proper conversation with this woman, but he could never achieve his goal. He felt both physically and mentally exhausted.

Looking at his ever-changing face, Madam Shen chuckled inwardly but remained outwardly gentle. "What, Seventh Girl, have you blocked the path of the little darling your sweetheart gave birth to?"

I thought you came to me today because you were truly concerned about the children's future, but it turns out you only came here to put up with my attitude because of your precious children.

Lord He, his thoughts exposed, was furious. "Jealous woman! Doesn't Sixth Sister call you Mother?"

"Sixth Miss is better now, does that mean our Marquis's mansion won't benefit from this? With such short-sightedness, how can she be fit to manage the household affairs of our Muqing Marquis's mansion? From now on..."

Despite his later success, Lord He dared not openly proclaim it, but his resentment towards Lady Shen had been building for a long time.

Madam Shen blocked the finger that Marquis He had extended. "My lord, please don't point at me. I am indeed a jealous woman. If I were truly magnanimous, then there would be no place for you in my heart."

"I don't care about your position."

“Your words are truly hurtful, my lord. We made sweet promises to each other back then, but in just over a decade, you have become so heartless.”

"I won't argue with you about these things. The matter of Sixth Sister entering the palace is settled. The imperial decree will be issued in a few days. You know what I mean." Marquis He was obviously preparing to leave after finishing his business. His previous intention to stay overnight had completely vanished.

Madam Shen clutched her handkerchief, her lowered eyes as cold as knives. If murder were not illegal, she would truly want to uphold her authority as a wife.

She took several deep breaths before replying, word by word, "It's a good thing that Sixth Sister is going to the palace to serve the little princess. As her legal mother, I can only be happy for her. Tomorrow I will call the tailors from Jinyi Workshop to come to the mansion to make clothes specifically for Sixth Sister."

Lord He nodded in agreement, saying that this was the demeanor of a matriarch. "Good, once Sixth Sister recovers, you will naturally receive your share of the benefits."

Even though Shui was elevated to the position of secondary wife, he would always reserve the position of primary wife for Shen.

After seeing Lord He off, Madam Shen instinctively wanted to throw the teacup in her hand, but her last shred of reason held her back from the brink of madness.

"You may all leave. Zhang Mama will stay tonight to serve you." Inside the bedroom, Madam Shen appeared listless.

"Madam, did the Marquis say something?" Otherwise, why would his wife look like this?

“Granny, my Zhu’er has been innocent and mischievous since she was a child. My original intention was not to let her marry into a wealthy family and suffer mistreatment. But now that I know that the Marquis also made the same prediction about Zhu’er’s future, I feel a little uneasy.”

"Is the Marquis here today to arrange a marriage for our seventh daughter?" Granny Zhang clicked her tongue in amazement. There were several other girls being considered for marriage before her. Sure enough, the Marquis's eldest daughter was different; even at such a young age, countless families were actively inquiring about her.

Seeing that Granny Zhang had misunderstood, Madam Shen had no choice but to explain, "Seventh Miss is still young, and I can't bear to marry her off so early. Today, the Marquis came to say that our Consort Zhao wants to find a playmate for the little princess, and the Marquis has chosen the sixth daughter born to Madam Shui."

Granny Zhang was astonished. No wonder the lady was in a bad mood after seeing the Marquis. She felt that her seventh daughter had been outshone.

But as a servant, she couldn't just keep stirring things up. "Our seventh young lady has been raised with the utmost care and privilege since she was little. I'm absolutely unwilling to send her to the palace to suffer any injustice."

"Sending Sixth Miss there wouldn't be bad. My child is born with a servile nature; sending her to the palace to serve noble ladies would certainly bring her honor."