Three graceful middle-aged beautiful women sat in order of priority.
Zhou, the wife of the Crown Prince's son, has the highest status and sits at the top.
The Zhao family and the Zhang family were the wives of the second son and the youngest son of the Duke respectively, and they occupied the first place in the two ranks.
Since the three legitimate sons died in the battle, it is these three young ladies who actually control the Dingguo Palace now.
In order to make up for the three widowed daughters-in-law, Shen Tiannan not only devolved all the powers of the Duke's government, but also asked the late emperor for three imperial titles.
The Zhou family is a respectful person of the fourth grade, while the Zhao family and Zhang family are both pleasant people of the fifth grade.
Although her rank is not very high, her status has changed from a commoner's wife to a life wife, which is very different. She even has the opportunity to be invited by the queen to the palace for a party.
Among them, there was another girl standing next to Mr. Zhou. She was only twenty-eight years old, but she had already become a tall girl. She was squeezing Mr. Zhou's shoulders.
"Auntie, second mother, mother."
Shen Yushu greeted the three elders in turn, nodded to the girl, and then asked, "Why don't you see your grandfather and brother?"
"On the day you left Beijing, there was a report from the residence that the barbarians seemed to be intending to invade."
Mrs. Zhou sighed and said, "At Yinshi today, your grandfather will follow the emperor's orders and go north."
"Don't mention it."
Mrs. Zhao was furious, and her teeth itched with hatred when she thought of her son, "Ziyi is so stubborn that he insists on going with your grandfather, saying that if he is not allowed to go, he will sign up to join the army himself. This is so stupid!"
"Brother...went to the North?!"
Shen Yushu's expression suddenly became extremely exciting.
There is no doubt that as a family of military commanders, every male member of the Shen family has the desire to lead the army in battle. He and his brother Shen Yuchun have begged the old man countless times.
But after learning from his three sons and one eldest grandson, the old man was completely afraid.
As if there was a curse, the male members of the Shen family died one by one.
If these two grandsons disappear, the Shen family will be wiped out.
But this time, why did you agree?
Shen Yushu instinctively felt that it had something to do with his absence.
Fortunately, what Zhang said next made him feel a lot better.
"Brothers and sisters, don't worry."
Mrs. Zhang expressed relief, "Rather than being wary of Ziyi leaving Beijing privately, it would be better to let him follow the old man. And didn't the old man say that he will never go to the battlefield? There should be no problem with his safety."
"Hey... I hope so."
Mrs. Zhao sighed sadly.
"Tzuyu."
Zhou suddenly spoke and asked, "Did you bring the person back?"
"He has been allowed to live in Shuxiangyuan."
Shen Yushu answered.
The girl next to Zhou immediately looked curious and looked over.
"Um."
Mrs. Zhou nodded and said, "Please tell us about the situation."
"Yes, ma'am."
Shen Yushu nodded and began to tell: "This person's name is Su Ping. He is sixteen years old and has a good appearance. He lives in Xiaohe Village, Anping County. His assets include ten acres of land and a single tile-roofed house."
"Ten, ten acres?"
Ms. Zhao was stunned, as if doubting her own ears.
The girl even exclaimed: "It's a private room. Isn't that a thatched woodshed?"
"This family background is true, true..."
Mrs. Zhang was dumbfounded and did not find out the truth for a long time.
After seeing everyone's reactions, Zhou suddenly interjected: "How is this person?"
"Judging from these few days of contact, Su Ping lives a frugal life, is alert and studious, and knows how to advance and retreat."
Shen Yushu answered honestly, paused and then added: "I have read his articles, they are among the best. It is no problem to become a scholar."
"Oh? This is very valuable. Although the scholar is low, it is a bit low, but with the support of our government, it is not a big problem to help him find an official position."
Mrs. Zhao waved her hand and said with a smile: "To make the old man owe you a favor, his Su family's ancestral graves are really smoking."
"A good man is a man who knows how to make progress."
Mrs. Zhang smiled and nodded, and asked, "I wonder how we should arrange this person?"
"In this matter, we still have to follow the old man's wishes."
Mrs. Zhou said, turning to look at the girl next to her, "Xinlan, one day my mother will call Su Ping, and you can meet her too."
The girl who was squeezing her shoulders froze, and her smile became unnatural: "What does mother mean by this?"
The girl is none other than Duke Ding's granddaughter, Shen Xinlan.
"The old man asked me before if I would like to marry the Su family."
Mrs. Zhou looked at her daughter and said unbearably, "I think I plan to betroth you to Su Ping."
As soon as these words came out, people's hearts immediately started to fluctuate.
"Getting married?"
Zhao frowned, "Can't? What is Su Ping's status? Isn't this a pheasant paired with a phoenix?"
In Daqing, it is a deep-rooted concept that people should be well-matched.
According to Shen Yushu, Su Ping was just a farmer in a ravine. He was thousands of miles away from the pearl of the Duke's Mansion.
Even if it had nothing to do with her, Ms. Zhao couldn't help but reject the marriage.
"It's really inappropriate."
Mrs. Zhang nodded and said, "The old man really wants to repay his kindness. There are many ways. At most, he can just give him more money. Why betroth Xinlan to him?"
However, Mrs. Zhou spoke again.
"With the old man's temperament, do you think he will care about this?"
Mrs. Zhou sighed, grabbed her daughter's hand, with a look of reluctance on her face: "Su Ping's background is a bit humble, but as long as he can treat you sincerely and treat you well, we can just accept some gossip."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Xinlan's eyes suddenly turned red and she burst into tears.
"If you marry him, you can repay the debt owed by your grandfather to a small extent. As a granddaughter, you have the unshirkable responsibility. Even if you suffer some grievances, what's the harm?"
Shen Xinlan swallowed more and said intermittently: "It's just...it's just that my brother is no longer here. If Xinlan marries again, who will be filial to her mother..."
This crying is really like pear blossoms and rain, I feel pity for you.
Zhou's eyes were also red due to the infection.
Seeing this situation, Zhao's mind suddenly became alive.
Duke Dingguo is a first-class hereditary duke. According to the tradition of Daqing, the title is passed down from generation to generation.
However, both the eldest son and the eldest grandson of the Duke of Guo died on the battlefield.
Although he was granted the title of Crown Prince after his death, the direct lineage was extinct, and the Zhou family only had one daughter left.
Now there are only two choices for the heir, his son Shen Yuchun, and the third son Shen Yushu.
The position of the descendant has not yet been determined. If the Zhou family can be brought to his camp, there will undoubtedly be a lot more certainty.
But how to do it specifically requires some careful thinking.
While thinking about it, Mrs. Zhao comforted her: "Don't cry, Xinlan! The old man hasn't given the formal order yet, so we can't say for sure about this matter."
"Yes, Xinlan, don't worry yet."
Mrs. Zhang also gave gentle words of comfort.
"If the old man really has this plan, what can we do even if we don't want to?"
Mrs. Zhou shook her head, stroked the back of her daughter's hand, and sighed: "As long as you can live a good life, it doesn't matter whether you can fulfill your filial piety to your mother."
"Mother……"
Shen Xinlan cried out sadly and suddenly knelt down, sobbing on Mrs. Zhou's lap.
Zhao's plan was on her mind and she suddenly said: "Sister-in-law, please allow me to say a few words to my brother and sister."
She lowered her head, her eyes flickering, "Maybe... the old man didn't want to betroth Xinlan to Su Ping."
Mrs. Zhang looked shocked and doubted her ears.
What happened to Mrs. Zhao?
Dare you question the old man in front of everyone?
Zhang looked at Zhao subconsciously.
By chance, a hint of deception flashed across Zhao's eyes and was quickly hidden.
After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Zhang also reacted.