Chapter 413: Chapter 413

"Wait... wait, Host, what are you planning to do?"

Seeing the other party's increasingly amused gaze, the system's ominous premonition deepened considerably.

Unfortunately, An Ning no longer had any interest in explanations.

At the same moment, still unaware that the benefactor daughter was about to stretch out a claw toward them, Father Zhou was leisurely sipping his tea in the room, daydreaming about the glorious prospect of becoming the emperor’s in-law and even a future imperial grandfather.

Lady Jiang beside him, however, showed a momentary flash of displeasure on her face.

"Master, it is not that I am unwilling to part with my daughters. Ever since Yun was young, she has been raised as the clan matriarch, and her every manner has been dignified and graceful.

With that temperament, she could be an exemplary married wife who treats her husband with equal respect, but as an imperial consort, I fear she would not win the reigning emperor's favor."

As for the Third Young Lady, even less likely.

As if recalling something, Lady Jiang frowned slightly and considered carefully before continuing,

Not to mention, with that temperament, if she stirred up trouble, wouldn't it implicate the entire family?

On that point, Father Zhou offered no rebuttal.

Clearly, however intoxicated by the prospect of wealth and status he might be, when it came to the safety of the whole family, he still retained some reason.

This was also why Father Zhou had not chosen the Third Prince initially.

Though the First Brother could be somewhat difficult, he at least had the looks, and he was careful and prudent. Raised for years with the family as his priority, even if he were not favored, he would not cause trouble that endangered the whole household.

Besides, an imperial consort is different from an ordinary concubine; being dignified might not be a bad thing, and who knows, the reigning emperor might take a liking to it!

Even so, Zhou Baiyan still felt a twinge of regret. "If only the Fifth Prince were a bit older."

There was no need to debate it further.

Lady Jiang said nothing, obviously in agreement.

To be honest, although the three sisters each had their merits, in Lady Jiang’s view, if one were to enter the palace, Fifth Miss’s temperament would actually be more suitable.

Although lax in daily habits and not inclined to study, she had shown proper manners over the years, so Lady Jiang felt somewhat reassured.

Moreover, she was lively and spirited, brimming with fresh energy—something rare even in a palace full of beauties.

Most importantly, she was open-hearted and would not rashly rush into things; she had an inner sense of balance.

Thinking of this, and of her eldest daughter, Lady Jiang could not help but speak up,

"Master, why don't we wait a bit longer..."

But Father Zhou clearly could not wait. He swept his sleeve and said,

"Nonsense. Wait? Until when? The mourning period will pass; the reigning emperor is already nearly thirty-six. In a few years, who knows what the situation in the palace will be?"

Most crucially, offspring—he needed heirs.

The emperor was not young. If they did not seize a position while heirs were scarce, and delayed, the chance of their line producing an heir, not to mention the chance of succession, would be greatly reduced.

With that in mind, Master Zhou quickly made up his mind.

"All right, let's send Yun for now. If it doesn't work out, Ying can enter the palace later to look after her sister."

"In the future, the two sisters in the palace can watch out for each other."

When he finished speaking, Father Zhou glanced at her warningly, "This concerns the future of the Count's household, madam, do not cause trouble."

Fearing she might not relent, he even put down his teacup and added to the person before him,

"Yiwen also knows about this."

At those words, Lady Jiang trembled all over.

"Master says... Wen'er he also..."

Also agreed to send his own sister into the bottomless abyss of the imperial harem...

Her lips quivered; usually composed and graceful, always instinctively guarding her dignity, Lady Jiang lost her composure for the first time.

Under her long sleeves, her well-kept fingernails dug into the flesh of her palm without her noticing.

A mother's collapse could hardly be greater than seeing an elder brother willing to sacrifice his sister’s whole life for his own advancement.

"Yun'er... Yun'er is his own sister!"

Seeming stung by Lady Jiang's gaze, Father Zhou turned his face away. A moment later he sighed deeply, wearing an air of helplessness as he said,

"Do not blame me or Yiwen for being heartless, madam. You have seen the current state of affairs since the emperor ascended the throne. Look at how the court treats our merit families.

Not long ago, the Yongyi Marquisate—when its head died—the marquis title passed to the next in line, and they were left with not even a minor noble rank."

A first-class general, a third-rank title, turned into a humiliation of losing even a small title—who could they shame here?

Father Zhou could not help but snort coldly.

"Madam, I imagine you do not want to wait for me to die someday and have Yiwen or my grandson become penniless, with nowhere to live in this vast capital."

"As for Yun..." After a brief pause, Father Zhou returned to the point matter-of-factly, "Since she has already enjoyed the honors and benefits of being the legitimate eldest daughter, she cannot expect that when the family needs sacrifice, she would give nothing in return!"

Only after her husband's figure slowly receded from the spot did Lady Jiang support her throbbing forehead and collapse heavily onto the couch.