CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167 CONCEALING ONE’S STRENGTH AND BIDING ONE’S TIME

When the Medicine Supervision Bureau received this order, the Chief had an inexplicable look.

Although the position of Warehouse Committee Official is within the palace, most of the daily work involves sorting and archiving medicinal materials.

It’s not an important position, so giving it up doesn’t really matter.

But he was curious as to why the Emperor would give such an order?

"Mr. Dong, currently there are six registered suppliers providing medicinal materials to the Imperial Hospital. The largest supplier is the Dong Family; could it be that this family is related to you?"

Given the common surname Dong, it’s not surprising for the Chief to ask this question.

Dong Yuzhong feigned anger and tapped the Chief’s head with the horsetail whisk.

And then he spoke.

"Don’t talk nonsense; you’ve been at this Chief position for so many years without promotion, you should think more carefully. The Dong Family is related to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, we can’t reach that high."

The Chief was greatly shocked upon hearing this.

To be honest, he had dealt with people from the Dong Family.

If they were truly related to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, why hadn’t they mentioned it even once?

It’s truly like not knowing the importance of worshipping a great Buddha.

He immediately slapped his head and said.

"It’s my poor eyesight for not thinking carefully, rest assured Mr. Dong, this matter will be handled properly."

Dong Yuzhong smiled at the Chief eunuch before leaving the Medicine Supervision Bureau.

After he left, the apprentice serving by the Chief’s side came forward and said.

"Master, this Dong Family really keeps a low profile, being related to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, yet no one has heard of it?"

"Perhaps they were previously not favored, so they didn’t dare to show off. Now that their status has been elevated to the Emperor, we should serve them cautiously."

After saying this, he instructed his subordinates.

"In the future, treat anyone from the Dong Family with utmost care, lest we offend them, and those above become displeased. Understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

The next day, the news reached the Dong Family.

Upon hearing that the entire Dong Family had changed from merchant status to official status.

None was more excited than Madam Dong, Mrs. Wang.

She clutched her son Dong Keli’s hand and said joyfully with tears.

"Finally, finally, my son’s wait is finally over..."

For countless days and nights, she and the Eldest Master of the Dong Family had worried themselves white over this matter.

Her son clearly had capability and ambition, but because he was born into their class, he couldn’t participate in the examinations.

Despite the family having immense wealth, in the eyes of others, they were still outside the gate.

Especially those official families’ young ladies, who unsurprisingly wouldn’t marry into the Dong Family.

Now, Mrs. Wang’s long-awaited happiness had arrived, and she was thrilled to have firecrackers lit in celebration.

The Second Young Master of the Dong Family had no son, so he couldn’t fully understand his sister-in-law’s happiness, but seeing his mother beaming at his daughter Qiuyue, he curiously asked.

"Mother, this change of status is naturally good for Keli, but why are you only looking at Qiuyue?"

"What do you understand? Now that your father has official status, Qiuyue will also be an official family’s young lady, allowing more options when choosing a match. It’s such a wonderful thing, how could you not think about it, but as her grandmother, I certainly should!"

Dong Qiuyue felt shy hearing her marriage being discussed.

However, she always had a broad-minded personality and didn’t react embarrassingly.

Mrs. Yun glanced apologetically at her daughter.

She was an orphan raised in the mountains by a kind master.

Thus, she had no clue about societal marriage registration issues, nor did she care.

Focused solely on saving lives alongside the Second Young Master of the Dong Family in the medical hall.

Having given birth to her daughter through great difficulty, she let the elderly lady raise her.

It could be said that she indeed was somewhat neglectful as a mother, but the Dong Family had still brought up Qiuyue well.

Everyday when she saw her, Qiuyue would sweetly cling to her and call her mother.

This made Mrs. Yun feel that all her in-laws’ arrangements for her daughter were proper.

She then solemnly stated.

"Qiuyue’s marriage will still be up to your care, Mother-in-law."

"Rest assured, she is my precious granddaughter, she won’t be wronged!"

The Dong Family’s matriarch treated sons and daughters-in-law, daughters and sons-in-law, grandsons and granddaughters equally.

She never held any idea of favoring sons over daughters and sometimes even sympathized with daughters more, but she wouldn’t blindly indulge them.

Thus, the three daughters raised by the Dong Family all had excellent temperaments.

The whole family was happy about the matter, except for Old Master Dong who remained silent.

In his view, sudden good news isn’t necessarily good in itself.

It’s better to involve more caution and prudence in everything.

Thinking about it, he sought out his daughter and son-in-law to the study to inquire about the situation alone.

"Tell me in detail about the Emperor summoning you to the palace."

"Yes."

Though Mrs. Dong and Mr. Lin were curious, they still explained the situation orderly.

After hearing it, Old Master Dong felt he understood the situation.

"It seems this good fortune didn’t fall from the sky, perhaps it was requested by Qianqian, the Emperor must favor Qianqian deeply."

Upon hearing their father say so, Mrs. Dong and Mr. Lin glanced at each other.

They were indeed surprised that Qianqian would receive such favor from the Emperor.

"Father, why do you say this? Did you find something?"

"Typically, it’s not so straightforward for the family of ordinary concubines to enter the palace. Crucially, with family entering the palace and this change of status, not only does it benefit Qianqian and our family, but the Emperor also likely doesn’t want others to be jealous of Qianqian."

Indeed, one must admit that Old Master Dong is indeed a bit more astute.

He immediately pointed out the crux of the issue.

To like someone is to disregard all.

But to truly care about someone, one must consider both good and bad.

If only Lin Wanyi’s family were individually summoned, or only the Dong Family had their status changed.

In the eyes of outsiders, Lin Wanyi would naturally be the Emperor’s favored concubine.

The amount of jealousy and plotting behind the scenes would be unknown.

At present, this love is manifested invisibly, allowing Lin Wanyi to avoid many troubles.

Old Master Dong thought it over, the more he thought, the more it seemed so.

Hence, he advised his daughter and son-in-law.

"If outsiders inquire about family matters, refer everything to the Prime Minister. Even the Dong Family’s change of status, place it under his name. In this way, the days for Qianqian in the palace can be smooth and free of jealousy, do you understand?"

"Hmm, be assured, Father, I know what to do."

Without her father’s guidance, she might not have considered this aspect.

The daughter being favored is indeed a good thing, but her current ability isn’t enough to protect herself, so better to remain understated and cautious.