Direct Confrontation

"What do you mean by that, Madam? Why isn't my niece good enough? The Empress herself already asked His Majesty to promote my elder brother to a fifth-rank official!" Grace Wan protested, clearly displeased.

"I knew you'd be upset if I said that," Lena replied. "But, putting aside family status for a moment, I've met Miss Bella before—and honestly, her temperament isn't great. A maid accidentally stepped on her foot, and Bella kicked her so hard she coughed up blood and died. Was that last year or the year before?"

"The year before," Qingluan chimed in from the side.

A flash of anger crossed Grace Wan's face. "Kenneth's marriage is already settled, so there's no point discussing it. Let's focus on Jason's marriage. What kind of girl do you want for him, Madam?"

"Ideally, a girl from a distinguished family, with good talent and upbringing. Only such a lady would be worthy of Jason."

"Impossible!" Grace Wan blurted out.

"Impossible?" Lena was puzzled. "He's the Prime Minister's son—even if he's had a setback lately, why not?"

Grace Wan paused, then declared stubbornly, "Madam, no matter what, Jason's marriage cannot be more prestigious than Kenneth's!"

Grace Wan said this with absolute confidence.

Lena was even more confused. "Why's that?"

"If Jason, just an adopted son, ends up with the eldest's privileges and a better marriage than Kenneth, how is Kenneth supposed to hold his own in the future?"

"Of the Prime Minister's three brothers, I'm the one with the lowest family background," Lena said. "But you don't see Qingluan's second or third uncle threatening the Prime Minister, do you?"

"That's because the Prime Minister is exceptionally talented! Kenneth can't compare to his father," Grace Wan retorted. "So as his mother, I have to nip any threats to him in the bud! I won't interfere in Jason's marriage, but Madam, please understand—I absolutely won't allow his bride's family to outrank the Wan family!"

Lena was silent for a moment before asking, "And if I insist on finding Jason a good match? What will you do then, Madam Wan?"

"In this house, it's ultimately the Prime Minister and the Dowager Lady who make the decisions," Grace Wan said forcefully. "And let's not forget the Empress!"

Lena studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "I understand. You may go now."

Grace Wan turned and strode out, her posture rigid and unyielding.

For the first time, she didn't perform the concubine's courtesy to Lena.

And for the first time, it was a direct provocation.

Lena watched her combative figure leave, then turned to Qingluan and said, "Qingluan, go tell your grandmother that I'll pay my respects to her tomorrow morning."

"Mom... what are you planning to do?"

"Just go tell your grandmother."

"Oh... alright." Qingluan left Mingyu Pavilion and relayed her mother's message to her grandmother.

The Dowager Lady listened, said nothing, simply nodded and sent Qingluan away.

Then she turned to Lianqiu, "What's going on?"

Aunt Lianqiu whispered in the Dowager Lady's ear, repeating Grace Wan and Lena's conversation word for word.

The Dowager Lady raised her eyebrows. "...What do you think she's coming for tomorrow?"

Lianqiu shook her head. "It's definitely about the eldest young master's marriage, but I can't guess what Madam will say."

The Dowager Lady's face grew nostalgic. "I remember when she first joined the family—no matter how much I tried to suppress her or oppose them, she clung to our household and refused to leave! She told me that if she left, Minghan would be utterly destroyed, never able to recover!"

The Dowager Lady shook her head and smiled. "Do you know how I felt when I heard that?"

"You... must've been furious, right?"