Jia Weiyou hearing this erupted in a furious outburst, his words laced with curses, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “Isn’t this just a blatant demand for us to hand over our daughter by name? Are they toying with us? She’s only seventeen, in the prime of her life, and it will be utterly ruined by the depraved schemes of King Min’s Mansion!”
His words struck a chord of pain in Mr. Jia’s heart also . While he yearned for their business to flourish, it certainly didn’t mean sacrificing his own flesh and blood as a stepping stone. Such a fate was akin to a living death. Those who could keep such a secret, aside from the silent dead, what else could they be?
What worried him even more was the audacity of Princess Min to reveal such a secret to them. It spoke of a ruthless determination: succeed, or face utter ruin. If the Jia family refused to comply, not only would they fail to curry favor with King Min’s Mansion, but they might also be eliminated without a trace of survival. The thought alone sent a chilling wave through Master Jia, leaving his face pale.
Both father and son were consumed by regret. They had foolishly entangled themselves with the madmen of king Min’s Mansion, jeopardizing their present and future. It was a monumental error from there end .
Observing their distress, Shang Liu Niang stepped forward, her voice remarkably calm. “Father-in-law, husband, please do not worry. I have a solution to our family’s predicament.”
“What?” they exclaimed in unison, their faces lighting up with a surge of renewed hope.
“It is, of course, unsuitable to send our own daughter there,” Shang Liu Niang continued. “However, I have a fourth sister in my own family, a woman of unparalleled gentleness, delicate nature, and thoughtfulness. If she were to undertake this matter, success would be 70 or 80 percent assured. But she was previously married under unusual circumstances. I wonder if King Min’s Mansion would find this objectionable?”
“Has she been married before? Did she return with a divorce, or…?” Master Jia cut straight to the heart of the matter. A divorce by mutual agreement might be overlooked, but a public court-ordered divorce would be far more problematic.
“She returned from a divorce by agreement,” Shang Liu Niang clarified. “Her former husband was prone to drink, and in his drunken rages, he would frequently unleash his anger upon her, beating and scolding her. Had my family not gone to visit her, we would never have known the hardships she endured. It took immense effort, a great loss of face, and considerable money to bring my fourth sister back from Yingzhou. She now resides in the Duke’s Mansion. However, since that ordeal, she has become increasingly withdrawn and speaks very little.”
After hearing Shang Liu Niang’s account, Master Jia and his son exchanged knowing glances. She seemed like a suitable candidate. A person who had endured such torment would likely be more amenable to manipulation. Sending a young, spirited girl might invite unforeseen complications. The more they considered it, the more feasible the plan seemed.
Setting aside his elder status, Master Jia rose from his seat and addressed Shang Liu Niang. “Yingzhou is thousands of miles away from Sui’an City. Concealing this matter would not be difficult. Second daughter-in-law, you must manage this with utmost care. If you succeed, our Jia family will provide your fourth sister with a substantial dowry, ensuring her comfort in the King’s residence. Otherwise, our entire family will face ruin.”
His sincerity resonated with Shang Liu Niang, reinforcing her own foresight. Upon learning of Princess Min’s predicament, her first instinct had been to seek assistance from her second sister-in-law’s family. Days had passed since then, and she anticipated some progress. She chose not to immediately agree in front of her father-in-law and husband, cultivating a sense of urgency to highlight her capabilities. If this plan succeeded, her standing within her husband’s family would be significantly elevated, granting her peace of mind. Moreover, her own family would benefit, and their pressing financial needs would be alleviated.
Most importantly, this undertaking would forge a crucial link with King Min’s Mansion. If they could gain influence, power would follow, ensuring a future of glory and wealth. The fate of her sister held little sway in her grand scheme. After all, they were family, and family should prioritize the greater good, shouldn’t they? And if her sister couldn’t comprehend this, then she would merely become another innocent soul in the annals of history. Shang Liu Niang felt no fear. In fact, given the choice, she would readily trade places and try her luck in the palace. Was it not simply a matter of borrowing a child? Who knew what the future held? If her fourth sister possessed enough wit, she might even deftly navigate the intricate dynamics between the old King and the heir , securing a life of opulence and honor.
Believing she was performing a great service, she feigned a slight hesitation and addressed her father-in-law. “Do not worry, Father-in-law, your daughter-in-law will exert her utmost in this matter. However, for this to succeed, firstly, we must address the past of my fourth sister. Secondly, my maternal grandmothers and sisters-in-law may not necessarily agree. Come to think of it…”
Master Jia, understanding her unspoken meaning, immediately interjected, thumping his chest in assurance. “I will handle the past affairs of your fourth sister. As for your maternal family, they will indeed require some funds. Go to the accountant and draw ten thousand taels first. Tell them that if this matter is successful, the Jia family will bear all expenses.”
Master Jia was not one to be stingy at the time of need . The lives and futures of his entire family hung in the balance, making this a small price to pay. He then turned to Jia Weiyou. “Whenever you have leisure, visit the Duke’s Mansion frequently. Offer assistance to your uncles and brothers whenever possible. We are all relatives; there should be no estrangement between us.”
Jia Weiyou cast a fleeting glance at his father, inwardly noting his duplicity. His father had previously warned him against his wife’s relatives exploiting them, and now he was urging him to cultivate those very relationships. Fortunately, he had previously turned a blind eye to his wife sending things to her family, so resuming their connections wouldn’t be too awkward. He readily agreed. A great weight lifted from Master Jia’s heart.
Jia Weiyou and Shang Liu Niang left the study and returned to their courtyard. As soon as they entered, Jia Weiyou, his brow furrowed with worry, turned to his wife. “Liu Niang, are you truly certain about this?”
He was no fool; he knew that no matter which girl they sent for such a task, the outcome would be dire. They didn’t wish to sacrifice their own daughters, and it was equally unlikely that the third branch of the duke’s house would agree to such a proposal, despite their familial ties. This uncertainty gnawed at him.
In front of her father-in-law, Shang Liu Niang had maintained a facade of needing to exert effort. But before her husband, Jia Weiyou, she was considerably calmer. After all, he was her lifelong companion, and she felt a genuine sincerity towards him, holding nothing back.