Chapter 933: Chapter 207: The Dowager Matriarch

Lok Mansion,

also known as Lady Fengxin Mansion.

Every household has a symbol of its strength, known as the pillar or the head, and in the Lok Mansion in the capital, although the head of the household is not the elderly lady, outsiders perceive that ninety-nine percent of the family’s importance rests on her cane.

Heaven, earth, sovereign, kinship, teacher; although heaven and earth are first, they never appear prominently, thus the sovereign is supreme. As the wet nurse to the current emperor, Lady Fengxin’s status naturally surpasses ordinary social standards.

In Lok Mansion, regardless of whether someone is a young master, young mistress, or a servant, they all refer to her as the Ancestral Ancestor, while outsiders visiting Lok Mansion respectfully call her the Elder Lady.

At this moment,

the Elder Lady is kneeling on a meditation mat, with a Buddha statue hanging on the offering table in front of her, silently reciting scriptures.

Behind her, outside the threshold of the little Buddha hall, the Elder Lady’s eldest son, the Avant-Commander Lok Bing of the Spy Bureau, is standing respectfully.

After a while,

the Elder Lady opened her eyes, and with the aid of a maid named Lingxiang beside her, she rose slowly.

The little Buddha hall isn’t actually small, but the space for offering is limited. Due to a bedroom on the west side and a tea house on the east side, it crowds the central space.

The Elder Lady entered the tea house, and Lingxiang started making tea.

A cup of chrysanthemum tea, fragrant and refreshing, was given to the Elder Lady;

a cup of Maojian, full-bodied and mellow, was given to the master.

The Elder Lady placed down the prayer beads, picked up the tea cup, and said:

"Speak your mind."

Lok Bing did not touch the tea, but respectfully spoke:

"Mother, why?"

Why did the Lok Family get involved in this matter?

The Crown Prince is watching,

the entire court of officials is watching,

this marriage arrangement is destined to be a hot potato, others avoid it, but our family accepted it.

And it was not he, the head of the family, who accepted it, but his own mother.

The Elder Lady took a sip of tea, silently and gently stirred the petals with the lid, and said:

"Because he is His Majesty’s son."

Lok Bing sat upright, as if consulting his mother, asking:

"Why?"

"Are you asking why I help Ji Chengjue?"

"Yes, son is asking about this."

"I already answered you just now."

Lok Bing frowned slightly, evidently confused.

The Elder Lady put down the teacup and continued,

"I have gotten used to a peaceful life, domestic affairs are managed by your wife, as long as life is quiet, the mind doesn’t have many concerns.

In your eyes, I am helping Ji Chengjue;

but in my eyes, I am only helping His Majesty’s child.

Not only if Ji Chengjue comes to us, even if any other prince comes, even if the third prince runs away from Waterside Pavilion and knocks on our door,

we would still help."

Lok Bing’s lips parted slightly, he seemed to have understood some things.

"Lok Family is different from other mansions, my words may be blunt, but don’t dislike them."

"Mother, please speak, I will take note."

"The Lok Family’s current status, and you brothers’ current roles, were earned by the favor I gained from nursing His Majesty."

In the truly wealthy families of this age, the wet nurse’s work doesn’t end after the child is weaned but continues as a nanny serving during their upbringing.

Therefore, Lady Fengxin not only has the favor of nurturing the current emperor, but in childhood, he was raised by Lady Fengxin in the Royal Mansion.

"Of course, son understands," Lok Bing said very respectfully.

This is the truth.

"So, our Lok Family, different from those ministers, has a special relationship with His Majesty; we are kin.

Ordinary officials and the emperor have a duty, but we have an added sentiment.

You clearly know the traits of your brothers, but each has a role, and this is His Majesty’s sentiment towards us.

Since we are family, a younger generation seeking help from me, how could I not assist?

Remember this,

even if another prince rebels one day and is about to be captured, if he runs to our Lok Family’s doorstep, we should open the door for him.

Don’t worry about His Majesty punishing us, even if he does, the punishment wouldn’t be worse than refusing help.

Because they are princes, they are real family to His Majesty, his own sons. The emperor can punish them; a father hitting his sons is right and proper.

But if others dare to do so,

they must weigh it carefully,

do they have that right?

His Majesty’s sons, only he can command them, have them kneel or lie down, anyone else daring to step in is disrespecting the emperor.

As for us, if our Lok Family loses this favor from His Majesty, what can we rely on?"

"Yes, Mother, I understand."

"Also, remind your wife, since I have agreed, today, Ji Chengjue will come to our mansion for the marriage.

Red lanterns, red silk ribbons, joyous appearances, these items can all be bought with silver, aren’t worth much.

Be warm towards the He family girl, put some heart into it, even if you have to pinch yourself, make me weep a little, show the appearance of a grieving parent seeing their daughter marry.

Whether it’s sincere or not, real or fake,

that’s for later,

as long as the attitude is there, this sentiment is accepted, and in the future, we can at least have a reason to connect.