The Pretty Wife of General Jinxiu Huanian

Chapter 19: Alliance of the Marquisate

Yunxi had been at the Marquis's residence for the past few days, and the atmosphere had become increasingly tense. The Marquis's wife had been shut up in her room all day, plotting an alliance with her concubines, and the servants had been completely lost, doing nothing with any purpose.

On this day, Yunxi was passing by the garden of the Marquis's Mansion when he happened to see the Marquis's wife and several concubines sitting in a circle.

The wife of the marquis was wearing a gorgeous crimson-purple dress, and her glittering golden hairpins swayed gently as her mouth opened and closed.

Her brows were furrowed so tightly that they could pinch a fly to death, and she shouted anxiously at the top of her voice, "Whether this mansion will be good or bad in the future depends entirely on this alliance. We must keep our eyes open and choose carefully."

When the eldest aunt heard this, her eyes widened, she slapped her thigh and shouted at the top of her voice: "Madam, I think none of these families are reliable. We can't mess around!"

After saying that, he turned his head away angrily.

The third concubine came close to the lady, blinked her eyes, and said softly, "Madam, in my opinion, we should wait and see."

The fourth concubine curled her lips, swung her sleeves, and muttered sarcastically: "Humph, what do you all know? This matter, ah, can't be rushed!"

At this time, the second concubine, who had been silent all this time, stood up. She was wearing a light pink dress and holding a handkerchief in her hand. She said cautiously, "Madam, I think the Li family is too powerful. Why not form an alliance with them?"

The Third Aunt immediately retorted: "Although the Li family is strong, the Wang family is not bad either. We can't make a decision lightly."

As the Third Aunt spoke, her eyes rolled around, the handkerchief in her hand was clenched tightly, and she leaned forward, as if she was afraid that others would not take her words seriously.

The Fourth Lady echoed the Third Lady: "That's right, if we make the wrong choice, the Marquis's Mansion will be doomed."

The fourth concubine nodded repeatedly as she spoke, her face full of worry, and her hands were unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes.

The wife of the Marquis glared at them and said, "Stop arguing. I know what's going on." The look in the wife's eyes was like a knife, and the concubines couldn't help but tremble.

Yunxi quietly took a few steps back, not wanting to be discovered. She crouched down, moved very lightly, like a cautious kitten, afraid to make even the slightest noise.

A few days later, the Marquis's Mansion welcomed several distinguished guests. Yunxi saw from afar that the leader was a burly middle-aged man, followed by several followers.

The Marquis's wife greeted him with a beaming smile: "Master Zhao, it is truly an honor to have you come to our humble residence."

As the wife of the Marquis spoke, she hurriedly extended her hand to greet him. The smile on her face was as bright as a flower, and her eyes were almost narrowed into slits.

Mr. Zhao laughed heartily and said, "Madam Hou, you are too polite. We are here today to discuss the matter of forming an alliance."

Mr. Zhao's laugh was like a resounding bell, making the ears of those around him ring. He strode forward, his steps so long and steady that the followers behind him had to trot to keep up.

As they spoke, they all walked into the hall. Yunxi secretly observed from the side and saw that Mr. Zhao was sitting on a chair, with his legs crossed, and a shrewd look in his eyes.

Mr. Zhao crossed his legs high, patted his knee with one hand, and looked around with his eyes, as if he was calculating something.

The wife of the Marquis said, "Master Zhao, what do you think we should do about this alliance?" As the wife spoke, she leaned forward slightly, with a flattering look on her face and her eyes full of expectation.

Mr. Zhao stroked his beard and said, "Madam, my Zhao family has some influence in this city. If we form an alliance, we will definitely be able to keep the Marquis' Mansion safe."

Mr. Zhao stroked his beard slowly, and his expression was extremely proud, as if the future of the mansion was in his control.

The Third Aunt couldn't help but interject, "Master Zhao, don't be so sure. This alliance is no small matter. You have to give us a clear answer and tell us what tangible benefits it can bring to the Marquis' Mansion."

The third concubine curled her lips and looked at Master Zhao with squinted eyes.

Mr. Zhao glanced at the Third Aunt and said unhappily, "Hmph, what do you know, little girl? Don't you know the power of my Zhao family?

As long as we form an alliance, the Marquis' Mansion can walk all over this city without anyone saying a word!"

The eldest aunt also came over and said in a hoarse voice: "Master Zhao, you must not just talk but not do anything. You must show some sincerity."

Mr. Zhao frowned and said loudly, "Sincerity? I came here in person today, isn't that sincerity?"

The second aunt tugged at the corner of the eldest aunt's clothes and said softly, "Sister, don't be so aggressive. Speak nicely."

The Marquis's wife hurried to smooth things over: "Don't be angry, Master Zhao. The sisters are also worried about the future of the Marquis's mansion."

Mr. Zhao snorted, "Madam Hou, you have to think this through carefully. If you miss this opportunity, you'll never get it again."

The Marquis's wife nodded slightly: "I just don't know what conditions Master Zhao has?"

Mr. Zhao smiled and said, "As for the conditions, of course I have them. I hope the Marquisate can take good care of my Zhao family's business."

Mr. Zhao narrowed his eyes, his gaze like a hook, staring closely at the wife of the Marquis, "Madam, my Zhao family's silk and tea shops are the top businesses in the city.

As long as the Marquisate can help out a bit in the government and help my Zhao family's business run smoothly, this alliance will be a done deal."

As he spoke, he picked up the teacup, blew away the foam gently, and took a sip.

The wife of the Marquis hesitated for a moment: "This..."

The wife of the Marquis's mansion frowned slightly, her eyes showing some hesitation. "Master Zhao, this matter is not easy to handle. It's not something the Marquis's mansion can interfere with casually in official matters."

At this moment, an attendant behind Master Zhao stepped forward and said, "Madam Hou, please don't hesitate. If you miss this opportunity, you will never see it again."

The attendant was a burly fellow with a face full of flesh and a pair of bull eyes. "Madam, please think carefully. Our master is offering a gift to the Marquis' Mansion. If you don't accept it, you will regret it later!"

Yunxi looked at this scene and thought to himself.

Yunxi bit her lip, her eyes rolling around, and she began to murmur in her heart: "The Zhao family seems to be very aggressive. I don't know if Madam can handle it.

The future of the Marquisate depends on this."

A few days later, the Marquis's residence welcomed another group of people. This time, it was a noble lady dressed in silk and satin, followed by a group of maids and servants.

The noble lady was covered in jewels, and the gold hairpins on her head swayed with her steps, making people dizzy.

She walked into the mansion with her waist twisted, her posture like a proud peacock.

The Marquis's wife hurriedly welcomed her into the house: "Madam Wang, your presence truly honors the Marquis's family."

The wife of the marquis had a smile on her face, her hands tightly clenched around her handkerchief, her body slightly bent, and she looked respectful.

Madam Wang smiled faintly. "Madam, let's not mince words. My Wang family is interested in forming an alliance with the Marquis's Mansion. What do you think, Madam?"

Madam Wang sat upright on a chair, her eyes sharp as she stared directly at the Marquis' wife. "Madam, my Wang family is well-known in this city. If we form an alliance with the Marquis's, it will be a powerful alliance."

The Marquis's wife looked troubled. "Madam Wang, several families have come to discuss forming an alliance these past few days. I really can't decide."

As the Marquis's wife spoke, she wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. "Madam Wang, you know this is a matter of great importance. I need to think it over carefully."

Madam Wang's face darkened. "Madam Hou, you are well aware of the strength of our Wang family. If you miss this opportunity, don't blame us for being ruthless."

Mrs. Wang slammed the table so hard that the teacups on it jumped. "Madam Hou, I urge you not to be so ungrateful!"

Yunxi heard these words outside the door and couldn't help but worry about the future of the Marquis' Mansion.

Yunxi clutched the corner of her clothes tightly, her face tense. "What should we do? The Wang family is not someone you can easily mess with. The Marquis' Mansion is really in a dilemma."

After that, the threshold of the Marquis's mansion was almost broken down. Today, the Li family's master came with generous gifts, and tomorrow, the Zhang family's son would come in person.

The Marquis's Mansion was filled with noise and bustle all day long.

The master of the Li family, wearing a brown brocade robe and with a big belly, shouted as he entered the door: "Madam, my Li family owns a large farm outside the city. If you want to ally with my family, I will take care of all the food, clothing and expenses of the Marquis's mansion from now on!"

The young master of the Zhang family waved his folding fan and said slowly, "Madam, my Zhang family's shops are all over the city. If you form an alliance with my Zhang family, the money will roll in."

The wife of the Marquis was surrounded by these people, and the concubines were also arguing, each with their own ideas.

The Third Aunt shouted at the top of her voice, "Madam, the Li family is rich, let's form an alliance with them!"

Fourth Aunt rolled her eyes at her and said, "The Zhang family has many shops, so it's more reliable to form an alliance with them!"

The eldest aunt stamped her feet and said, "What do you know? The Wang family is powerful and influential, and is the best choice!"

Second Aunt wiped her tears and said, "What should I do? If I make the wrong choice, it will be the end of me."

The wife of the Marquis's family was so annoyed that her head was buzzing. "Stop arguing, let me think about it!"

In the following days, different people came and went in the Marquis' Mansion every day, some brought generous gifts, and some brought threatening words.

The wife of the Marquis and several concubines were extremely busy, while the Marquis's daughter Lin Jiao was also there to help with advice.

That day, Yunxi met Lin Jiao in the yard.

Lin Jiao was wearing a goose yellow long dress with a few pearl flowers in her bun. Her waist twisted like a water snake. Her small face was carefully made up, with rosy cheeks and rosy cheeks, and she looked bright and charming.

Lin Jiao saw Yunxi, curled her lips, and snorted coldly: "You concubine's daughter, stop being an eyesore here!"

His eyes were full of disgust, as if Yunxi was a stinkbug on the roadside.

Yunxi was not annoyed. Her expression was calm as she said calmly, "Sister, this alliance is related to the life and death of the Marquis' Mansion. We can't be careless."

Lin Jiao widened her eyes, rolled her eyes at her, and raised her voice: "You don't need to say anything, I naturally know!

Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you talk nonsense in front of me!" After saying that, he threw his sleeves and walked away angrily.

Yunxi ignored her, just shook her head slightly and turned away.

At night, Yunxi lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Moonlight shone through the window lattice onto the ground, casting mottled shadows.

She opened her eyes wide, looked at the dark roof, and thought about the current situation of the Marquis' Mansion, her heart full of worry.

The next morning, Yunxi was awakened by a loud noise. She got up and went out to see the Marquis's wife and several concubines arguing in the hall.

The Marquis's wife was so angry that her face turned red. She put her hands on her hips and shouted, "You all only care about your own interests. What should we do with the Marquis's Mansion?"

The Second Concubine wept bitterly, sobbing, "Madam, this is also for the good of the Marquis's Mansion."

She cried and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, which was almost soaked with her tears.

The third concubine lowered her head, remained silent, and kept twisting the corners of her clothes with her fingers.

Yunxi stood at the door, not knowing whether to go in or back out, not knowing what to do.

Just then, a servant came running in, panting, his forehead beaded with sweat. "Madam, this is bad! The Li family said that if the Marquis' Mansion doesn't agree to an alliance, they will harm it."

Upon hearing this, the Marquis's wife's body went limp, and she almost collapsed to the ground. Yunxi quickly took two steps forward to support her, saying anxiously, "Madam, don't worry, we will always find a way."

The Marquis's wife grabbed Yunxi's arm as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw, her eyes full of helplessness: "Yunxi, what do you say we should do?"

Yunxi was silent for a moment, then said with a firm gaze, "Madam, we need to think carefully about the alliance and we can't be forced by them.

Our Marquis Mansion is not a soft persimmon that can be manipulated by anyone!"

The wife of the Marquis sighed: "Alas, this is the only way."