Xiao Cao pretended not to notice the other party's pale face, and glanced at the whole audience with a nonchalant attitude, "I have heard that the Pingyang Marquisate is declining, and even the title is shaky and may be stripped at any time. I originally thought it was an exaggeration. After all, he was a founding marquis. Although he didn't have any outstanding talents, he didn't make any big mistakes. How could it be so serious? But now it seems that the real situation is even worse than the rumors."
Before Wei Tingyu, the Marquis of Pingyang had no real power. Why were some people still so arrogant? In the final analysis, it was this title. In the royal family, it was inherited by descending ranks. However, as long as the founding emperor did not make a big mistake, the title would be hereditary. As long as the Qi Dynasty existed, the title would exist. Even if it declined for a period of time, as long as the descendants could produce capable people and stand up again, the glory would be restored. It was normal for people to be proud of it.
So Xiaocao's words can be said to have directly touched the reverse scale of these people.
"Princess, please be careful with your words!" The Wei clan elder who had been indifferent immediately jumped up.
Under normal circumstances, their reaction might not be so great. However, they had already known about the good things that Pingyang Hou had done from Wei Tingyu before. Now it seems that they are just feeling guilty and suspect that Wei Tingyu told her about it, which is why he appears to be strong on the outside but is actually weak on the inside.
"Princess Anguo, you are as precious as gold and jade. Now you have married into the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion. Your honor and disgrace are closely related to the Marquis's Mansion. As a wife of the Wei family, why don't you think about the glory earned by the Marquis's Mansion? Instead, you say such treasonous words. How can that be justified?"
Xiao Cao remained calm and said, "You speak as if the Pingyang Marquisate and the Wei family have never benefited from me."
Others said that Wei Tingyu was very humble in trying to curry favor with Princess Anguo. Although this was not essentially true, because of Wei Tingyu's engagement with Xiaocao, these people did benefit from it to some extent, but it was also a fact.
However, neither Xiaocao nor Wei Tingyu asked about it. As for the relationship between Wei Tingyu and Pingyang Marquis' Mansion and Wei family, probably everyone in the upper circle knew it. Even if someone started to take action against these people, it would be at most a small fight. If they really wanted to make a big plan, no one would admit it after exposing it. Besides, Pingyang Marquis had no real power, and among these people, there were also very few who had real power, and their power was not great, so they could not cause any big waves.
So Xiaocao's words left them speechless.
"Although my words are unpleasant to hear, they are also the truth, aren't they? It's just a title, but some people are so arrogant and look down on others that they don't even greet me and even speak rudely to me. Although I am a princess of a different surname, I was personally conferred by the emperor and even included in the royal jade book. If I really want to punish you for the crime of disrespecting the royal family, can you escape?"
Xiaocao married into the family, and behind closed doors, there weren't actually that many rules. However, the initiative as to whether to follow the rules or not was entirely in Xiaocao's hands. If she acted arrogantly, then everyone present would have to bow their heads.
At this moment, some people looked really ugly, with regret in their eyes.
Who said that Princess Anguo has a good temper and is gentle? Since she married into the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion instead of getting married in the wedding hall, she should abide by the rules of the Wei family and flatter and coax her clansmen so that they unconsciously ignore the distinction between superiors and subordinates.
Xiaocao seemed to see through their thoughts. "I chose to marry in because of Tingyu. I also wanted to get along well with you all. However, we just met and you guys are trying to show off your power. Are you planning to subdue me and become my master?" Xiaocao smiled to herself. "Things like this, forget about it during the day. At night, I can dream about anything."
Although Xiaocao rarely uses his status to pressure others, it is not without use. It must be said that it is quite useful. Moreover, there is no need to be polite to these people in front of him. Xiaocao really settles accounts according to his own ideas, one by one. At least half of them will be brought to the dust and will never get up again.
In this situation, those who are sensible should quickly lower their posture, apologize, admit their mistakes, and quickly deal with the offenders. However, they are used to being high and mighty and simply cannot bring themselves to do that.
—Because of the decline of Pingyang Marquis's Mansion, Pingyang Marquis has no powerful connections, and most of the people he interacts with are of far lower status than him. These Wei clansmen are like having no dignitaries to play with them. Their arrogance is naturally towards those of humble origins. After a long time, they can't even see the real situation clearly.
There were some young people who seemed to want to talk but hesitated. After all, they had no right to speak in this situation.
"You don't want to say anything, Prince?"
Xiaocao not only didn't want to endure the anger, but was also venting her anger for Wei Tingyu. With her status, these people couldn't use their status as elders to pressure her. Wei Tingyu simply chose to stand by and watch. These people couldn't bring themselves to do that, so they took their anger out on him.
Do they want Wei Tingyu to stand on their side so easily, or confront Xiaocao, or ask Xiaocao to keep things quiet? Obviously, they are overthinking. Wei Tingyu is a "henpecked husband". They know the big issues and won't have conflicts. As for small matters, Xiaocao will naturally do whatever she says. You can say he is a coward or a henpecked man, that's it.
"The princess is the monarch and I am the subject. Naturally, the princess has the final say in everything." Wei Tingyu is quite a bachelor.
Some people's faces turned as pale as liver. "You are the son of a marquisate after all. How can you be considered a man when being oppressed by a woman like this?" The one who spoke was the woman who first showed her power to Xiaocao.
She was already the target of public criticism, but she didn't just retreat to the side and dared to show her presence. Was she stupid or just foolish? When she spoke, many members of the Wei clan turned their heads to the side. It was really unbearable to watch.
"Shut up! How can you continue to be so presumptuous in front of the princess? Go away." As the most senior elder in the clan, he naturally did not dare to tolerate a woman talking nonsense. However, some words were not that difficult to say once they were spoken.
The woman subconsciously wanted to refute, but was stared at by a group of people. In the end, she was scared and dared not say anything.
The older clan elder looked at Wei Tingyu with an unclear expression, "What the prince said is not wrong."
It's just that the husband has always been the leader of the wife. This man is completely suppressed by his wife, so he can't raise his head. On the surface, he can give it a try, but it's hard to say what he is thinking in his heart. As men, some people think they have figured out Wei Tingyu's thoughts. They may have had a good relationship in the past, but their identities and status were completely different at that time. Wei Tingyu had an absolute advantage. But now it's different. The identities are reversed. Such a strong wife is still not upset because of their feelings. What will happen over time
Therefore, there is no need to be anxious now. If we can gain great benefits, what does it matter if we have to be humble
Wei Tingyu glanced at the other person with an expressionless face, but sneered in his heart.
A man's dignity is more important than anything else. He doesn't have that. Of course, that's for the inside. How many people can make Wei Tingyu bow his head to the outside world? They have to slowly plot, and he wants to see what they can come up with.
"Princess, please calm down. It was our fault before," the elder stood up and bowed respectfully to Xiao Gong. "We were not disciplined enough in the tribe, which led to some people being lawless and offending the princess. But don't worry, princess. From today on, we will make a good rectification. Those who did something wrong will be severely punished and will never let the princess lose face."
When it gets hard, it's like the mouth of a dead duck; when it loses its temper, it can still bend and stretch.
Xiaocao also admires such people.
Xiao Cao did not respond, and the other party could continue his monologue without changing his expression. He sighed and said, "Over the years, the clan has indeed become lazy, reminiscing about the glory of the past, but not striving for progress. Today, the princess' words are like a wake-up call, making me and others wake up. At this moment, I feel pain and regret, but it is not too late now.
With the blessing of our ancestors, after decades of silence, Pingyang Marquis Mansion has produced such an outstanding son, Tingyu. With the help of the princess, he will surely achieve great things in the future and lead Pingyang Marquis Mansion to new prosperity."
He flattered Xiaocao and praised and criticized Wei Tingyu at the same time - he relied on his wife, the thorn, to pierce deeply into him again.
It’s a pity that he hit the wrong spot.
Xiaocao is really knowledgeable.
However, since he had "self-knowledge" and tried to sow discord between the couple, it was not Xiaocao's attitude towards the Wei family. "This is not as simple as laziness and neglect of discipline. In the final analysis, it is too useless and incompetent. No one can stand up and convince people to lead the development of the entire family. Look at the Pingjin Marquis Mansion. Whether it is the Marquis Mansion or the Hua clan, it is very similar to the Pingyang Marquis Mansion and the Wei clan. The situations of these two families are very different. The biggest difference is not this Marquis."
Marquis Pingyang, who had remained silent, was caught in the crossfire.
"But it doesn't matter. We have Tingyu now. He is even better and more outstanding than the son of Pingjin Marquis. With him in charge of Pingyang Marquis's Mansion and Wei family, there is no need for you to be capable or to help him. As long as you are obedient, you will always have something to eat." Xiaocao smiled, and her words were not sarcastic, but she was directly hitting the stick.