freenovelworld Chapter 20 Yunxi's Objection
Chapter 20 Yunxi's Objection
On this day, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Marquis' Mansion was as heavy as if a huge rock was pressing down on it, making it hard to breathe.
The wife of the Marquis sat upright in the main seat, her back straight, her face expressionless, but her eyes revealed majesty.
Several concubines sat on either side, all with tense expressions. Yunxi stood aside, head bowed, hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes.
The Marquis's wife's eyes swept across the crowd like a knife, and she said slowly, "These past few days, because of the Marquis's alliance, I haven't been able to sleep well or eat well.
Now, both the Li and Wang families have extended olive branches to our mansion. Tell me, which one should I choose?"
Upon hearing this, the Second Aunt hurried forward, her face full of smiles, and said, "Madam, in my opinion, the Li family is very wealthy and powerful, and has a wide range of influence. If we form an alliance with them, our mansion will definitely be able to rest easy and enjoy a comfortable life in the future."
The Third Aunt curled her lips, turned her head, and snorted, "Not at all. The Wang family has a deep foundation and a wealth of connections. Choosing the Wang family is the right choice."
The Second Aunt rolled her eyes at the Third Aunt and raised her voice, "What do you know? Have you ever thought about how much benefit the Li family's wealth can bring to the Marquis' Mansion?"
The Third Aunt was not to be outdone. She glared and replied, "Money? Connections are the most important. The Wang family can make the position of the Marquisate more stable."
At this time, the Fourth Aunt spoke slowly: "I feel that both families have their own advantages, and it is difficult to choose."
Yunxi watched everyone arguing, and finally couldn't help but said: "Madam, ladies, Yunxi has something to say."
The wife of the Marquis frowned, her brows twisted like twisted dough sticks. She glanced at Yunxi and said unhappily, "Girl, just say what you want to say."
Yunxi took a deep breath, rubbing the corners of her clothes unconsciously with her hands, bit her lip, and mustered up the courage to say, "Madam, Yunxi feels that our mansion must not make a hasty decision on this alliance."
Lin Jiao interrupted at this moment, her eyes widened, her lips curled, and her face was full of disdain: "Humph, what do you know, a concubine's daughter?
This is a major event concerning the future of the Marquisate."
Yunxi glanced at Lin Jiao with a firm look in her eyes, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Sister, although Yunxi is a concubine's daughter, she also cares about the Marquis' Mansion.
Although the Li family is wealthy, their family tradition is extravagant and their behavior is arrogant. Look at the eldest son of the Li family, he only knows how to eat, drink and have fun all day long, and he goes out with a group of lackeys, showing off his power.
A while ago, they got into a fight in the street because of jealousy, causing a huge uproar. If we form an alliance with them, we might get dragged into their mess one day and get into trouble.”
The Marquis's wife's face darkened, as dark as the bottom of a pot, and she said coldly, "Then, in your opinion, what should the Marquis's Mansion do?"
Yunxi took a step forward, raised his head, looked directly at the Marquis's wife, and said, "Madam, Yunxi believes that the Marquis's House should rely on its own strength rather than rushing to form an alliance with other families.
Our Marquis' Mansion also has a certain status and connections in this city. Take the silk shop for example, its business has always been booming.
As for the farmland of our mansion, the harvest is also good every year. As long as we manage it carefully, we may not be unable to protect ourselves.
We have quite a few servants and guards in our mansion, and all of them are strong men. If anything really happens, they can hold on for a while.
Besides, our mansion has always had a good reputation. We do a lot of good deeds on a daily basis, and the people have a high opinion of our mansion.
If we form an alliance with another family, if they have any bad intentions, we won't be able to defend ourselves."
When Second Auntie heard this, she leaned forward, pointed at Yunxi and started yelling, "You yellow-haired girl, you say it so lightly.
Do you think that our Marquisate alone can gain a foothold in this world? The Wang family has a deep foundation. They have connections in the officialdom and are well-connected in the business world.
If we can form an alliance with the Wang family, everything our mansion does in the future will go smoothly."
Yunxi turned her head and looked at the Second Aunt, and said, "Second Aunt, the Wang family has a deep foundation, but don't forget that there are constant struggles within the Wang family.
"The brothers in their family are almost breaking their heads fighting for the family property. If we form an alliance with them, won't our mansion be disturbed by their troubles?"
The Third Aunt could no longer sit still, so she stood up, slapped the table, and said loudly, "Yunxi girl, stop talking nonsense here.
No matter how much the Wang family fights, it's their family affair. We form an alliance with them to gain access to their connections and influence.
With the support of the Wang family, our mansion can walk freely in this city."
Yunxi frowned and said, "Third Aunt, your idea is wrong. Can you walk sideways for long?
If the Wang family falls one day, won’t our mansion suffer as well? "
The Fourth Aunt had been silent on the side until now, but now she spoke slowly: "What Yunxi girl said makes sense.
But both the Li family and the Wang family do have their own appeal, making it difficult to choose."
Yunxi quickly said, "Fourth Aunt, we can't just look at the immediate benefits, we have to plan for the long-term future of the Marquis' Mansion.
If you choose the wrong ally, you'll be pushing the Marquisate into the fire pit."
Lin Jiao interrupted again: "Humph, Yunxi, stop exaggerating here. What can you, a little girl, understand?
I'm truly thinking about the Marquis's Mansion. We can't make the wrong decision just because of a momentary impulse."
The wife of the Marquis sat there, not saying a word, but her expression became increasingly uglier.
The Second Aunt snorted coldly, "You little girl, it's easy for you to say that. In the current situation, if the Marquis' Mansion doesn't find a backer, how can it survive in this ever-changing situation?"
Yunxi replied, "Second Aunt, that's not what I meant. It's just that this alliance isn't a one-time solution. If we choose the wrong ally, it could bring disaster to the Marquis' Mansion."
When Second Auntie heard this, her eyes widened, she put her hands on her hips, the fat on her face trembled three times, and she shouted at the top of her voice: "Humph!
You are just a little girl, your hair hasn't even grown out yet, what do you know! The current situation of the Marquis' Mansion is urgent. If you don't find a backer quickly, how can you survive?"
The Third Aunt said sarcastically, "Oh, you're quite eloquent. So, tell me, if we don't form an alliance, how will the Marquisate deal with the current predicament?"
Yunxi raised her eyes and glanced at the Third Aunt, only to see her leaning on a chair, holding a handkerchief in her hand, shaking it and pouting.
Yunxi said calmly, "Third Aunt, although our mansion is in some trouble now, it is not hopeless.
Take the expenses of this mansion, for example. Every day, there are delicious fish and meat, silk and satin all the time. How can this not cost money? If we cut down on those unnecessary expenses, we can save a lot of money.
And those few shops, the guys are all lazy and the owners don't really care. If they tidy things up, business will definitely be more prosperous."
The Marquis's wife pondered for a moment: "Yunxi, your idea is reasonable, but it will take time. Can the Marquis's family afford to wait?"
Yunxi quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly and said, "Madam, time is of the essence, but our mansion was not built in a day or two. As long as we act now, we will be able to get through it.
Besides, if we rush into this alliance and something goes wrong, there will be no turning back."
Lin Jiao curled her lips: "You say it so easily, if something happens to the Marquis' Mansion during this period, can you take responsibility?"
Yunxi looked directly at Lin Jiao with a firm gaze, bit her lip and said, "Sister, Yunxi knows that my status is low, but my heart for the Marquis' Mansion is true.
Since I dare to say these words, I am willing to share the responsibility with the Marquisate."
The main hall fell silent for a moment, everyone preoccupied with their own thoughts. Second Aunt frowned and muttered quietly.
The Third Aunt rolled her eyes, wondering what she was thinking. Lin Jiao looked impatient and kept fiddling with her jewelry.
At this time, a servant came running over: "Madam, the Li family has sent someone to urge again, saying that if the Marquis' Mansion doesn't make a decision, they will look for another family."
When the Marquis's wife heard this, she stood up suddenly, her face ashen, her fingers tightly clenched around her handkerchief. Yunxi quickly said, "Madam, please don't be anxious.
The Li family's persecution shows they have bad intentions."
The Second Aunt said anxiously, "Oh, Madam, we can't let the Li family get away. If we do that, our Marquis' Mansion will be hopeless."
Yunxi retorted, "Second Aunt, you only think about the Li family. Why don't you consider their family traditions? The eldest son of the Li family spends his days in debauchery and misbehavior. How can you be good in forming an alliance with such a family?"
The Third Aunt also said, "Yunxi girl, you can't say that. The Li family is rich and powerful. It is our blessing to be able to form an alliance with us."