Shangguan Jin’s words left the noble ladies at a loss for words.
It was not uncommon for the matriarchs of various households to exchange veiled barbs in their conversations.
But such remarks were usually made subtly and indirectly.
After all, these were women of status and comparable standing—they could not possibly behave like coarse village women, making a scene in public!
However, today, the Duchess of Dingguo’s attitude struck everyone as highly unusual.
It seemed as though she was deliberately targeting the Wudinghoufu.
Upon further reflection, the ladies suddenly sensed that something far more complex was unfolding.
The fact that the Dingguo Gongfu had suddenly decided to celebrate the Old Madam’s birthday was already unusual in itself.
And now, they were targeting the Wudinghoufu.
What kind of family was the Wudinghoufu? It was a noble house second only to the three Guogong families.
Not only were they connected by marriage to the Empress Dowager’s family, but the Marquis of Wuding was also the right-hand man of Duke Anguo.
Even Duke Qiguo, when meeting the Marquis of Wuding, would not dare to flaunt his status.
For the Duchess of Dingguo to suddenly target the Marchioness of Wuding today suggested that someone behind the scenes was aiming at the Wudinghoufu.
Who else but the Tianjia would dare to target the Wudinghoufu, which was backed by the Empress Dowager?
Recalling how the Empress Dowager’s influence had been waning in recent years, the ladies seemed to understand something.
Perhaps… the Tianjia had given the Dingguo Gongfu some reassurance!
With this thought, a chill suddenly ran down their spines.
The current Tianjia was not the Empress Dowager’s biological son. Back then, the Empress Dowager had no other choice and had to support the current Tianjia’s ascension to the throne.
Because of this, after enfeoffing the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Xu as Empress Xu, the Tianjia also enfeoffed the Empress Dowager’s niece as an Imperial Consort.
The Imperial Consort gave birth to a son, whom the Tianjia enfeoffed as Prince Qin.
Meanwhile, Empress Xu’s son was enfeoffed as the Crown Prince…
Everyone knew that after the Tianjia’s passing, these two brothers were destined to fight to the death.
Could it be that the Tianjia now wanted to deal with the Anguo Gongfu to clear the path for the Crown Prince?
But the Anguo Gongfu was no pushover. The Zheng Family, with its military background, held considerable influence in the army, second only to the brave and skilled-in-warfare Duke of Dingguo.
With Duke of Dingguo currently absent, it was hard to say whether the throne would go to the Crown Prince or Prince Qin.
Who said the future ruler of the Great Yu Dynasty had to be the Crown Prince?
Hadn’t the current Tianjia himself ascended to the throne from an obscure prince, with the support of Duke of Dingguo and other military officials?
Moreover, while the Dingguo Gongfu claimed to be celebrating the Old Madam’s birthday, there was no semblance of a celebration at all.
Even a wealthy landlord in the countryside would hire a troupe to liven things up for his mother’s birthday.
Yet, the Dingguo Gongfu hadn’t even hired a single troupe.
This indicated that someone was using the Duchess of Dingguo’s words to convey a message.
It was the Dingguo Gongfu’s first major banquet in three years, and anyone of any standing was expected to attend. Whatever was said at such an occasion would surely spread.
Last year’s tea, the tense situation at the border, and now the remarks targeting the Marchioness of Wuding…
All of this made it clear that the Tianjia’s message was unmistakable: the Great Yu Dynasty was not short of capable military leaders besides Duke Anguo and the Marquis of Wuding…
The ladies felt they had uncovered the truth!
They were eager to excuse themselves and return home, knowing that their husbands would be very interested in the news they brought back.
Indeed, not a single word from the Duchess of Dingguo was wasted.
The Marchioness of Wuding also seemed to have realized something. Though inwardly shocked, she still defended her second son.
“My Yu’er is not…”
“Miss… ah, no, Madam!” Dongmai hurried over.
Just as Shangguan Jin was about to respond, she saw Dongmai approaching and immediately set down the round fan in her hand.
“What is it? Is something the matter?”
“Oh, this is Concubine Dong. She has been helping me manage the Guogongfu for the past few years. When the Guogong was still with us, he was particularly fond of her,” Shangguan Jin explained with a smile to the various madams present.
Except for Madam Shangguan, the other ladies all let out an “oh” of understanding.
They then took a closer look at Dongmai.
So this was the Concubine Dong who had outmaneuvered the stunning Concubine Xin, bestowed by the Empress Dowager, in Dingguo Gongfu, leaving her unable to even cry?
She looked…
Well, indeed, just as Dingguogong had said outside, Concubine Dong was sweet and innocent, without any ill intentions.
However, for Dingguogong to ignore the stunning beauty bestowed by the palace and favor this one alone…
Hmm, Dingguogong certainly had unique tastes.
Dongmai gave a perfunctory bow to the various madams.
Then, she respectfully bowed to Madam Shangguan.
Finally, she leaned close to Shangguan Jin’s ear.
Covering her mouth slightly with her hand, she whispered as softly as she could.
“Madam, regarding Wudinghoufu…”
Dongmai’s voice grew softer and softer, but Shangguan Jin’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Really? You didn’t see it wrong?” Shangguan Jin glanced at Marchioness of Wuding before whispering back to Dongmai.
“Really, I didn’t see it wrong. Not only did I see it myself, but I also asked the craftsmen in the mansion to take a look. It doesn’t match,” Dongmai continued in what she believed was a very soft voice.
Shangguan Jin glanced at Marchioness of Wuding once more before using her round fan to cover her own mouth and whispering, “We’ll talk about it later. Now isn’t the right time.”
The madams, who had been listening intently…
What do you mean it’s not the right time? You’ve already said this much—what could possibly be inappropriate now?
“Sister Jin, it sounds like this matter is related to our Wudinghoufu! Why not speak plainly? What exactly is going on with our Wudinghoufu?” Marchioness of Wuding said bluntly.
First, they had gossiped about her son, and now they were targeting Wudinghoufu. If she didn’t reclaim her dignity, she would become the laughingstock of Jingcheng.
“Madame Song, let’s wait until there are fewer people around to discuss this! Some matters…” Shangguan Jin pretended to be hesitant.
Seeing Shangguan Jin act this way only angered Marchioness of Wuding further.
Wasn’t this clearly implying that Wudinghoufu had something to hide?
If she didn’t get to the bottom of this today, who knew how these people would gossip about Wudinghoufu once they returned home!
“Say it to my face. Our Wudinghoufu is upright and honorable, with nothing to hide. Unlike some, who keep everything under wraps,” Marchioness of Wuding snorted.
The other madams instinctively picked up their not-so-fragrant tea and took a sip.
What are you talking about? We didn’t hear anything.
“Madame Song, it’s not appropriate to say,” Shangguan Jin still refused to relent.
“Say it!” Marchioness of Wuding insisted.
“Alright! Dongmai just told me that Wudinghoufu likely has a wicked servant,” Shangguan Jin sighed.
The madams, who had been listening intently… A wicked servant?
Marchioness of Wuding… Their mansion had a wicked servant? And it was discovered by this sweet and innocent Concubine Dong?
This…
Seeing Marchioness of Wuding so stunned she had even stopped fanning herself, Shangguan Jin decided there was no need to hide anything further.
“Earlier, the congratulatory gifts from Wudinghoufu were brought into the inner courtyard.”
The servant carrying the load accidentally overturned the pole holding the brocade.
Then the congratulatory gifts inside fell out.
Concubine Dong happened to be passing by and, after a glance, felt something was amiss.
She said the gift list from Wudinghoufu stated ten bolts of Suzhou-Hangzhou brocade, but what fell out appeared to be ten bolts of coarse cloth.
The kind of indigo-dyed coarse cloth worn by the errand boys in our mansion.
Concubine Dong felt something was wrong.
She then checked the gift list and found many discrepancies between the gifts sent by Wudinghou and what was recorded.
She thought, this must be the work of those stewards in your mansion who switched the goods.
Concubine Dong considered that our two households are to become in-laws in the future, and if your mansion harbors wicked servants, our Dingguo Gongfu would also be disgraced.
That’s why she came to tell me.
You see, this was originally a minor internal household matter, but you forced me to bring it up in front of everyone…” Shangguan Jin sighed.
The various ladies present took note of the key information from today’s banquet: wicked servants!
Hah, isn’t every household in Jingcheng a servant of Tianjia?
Wudinghoufu has produced wicked servants, this…
It was only then that Marchioness of Wuding realized what had happened?
The servants in her mansion had ruined her grand plans…