Chapter 1696: Chapter 1696: Dislike
Empress Dowager Chen noticed that the mother and daughter wanted to talk and stood up, saying, "I’ve been sitting for a while, I’ll go for a stroll."
Princess Consort Qi also stood up, "Mother, I’ll accompany you."
Empress Dowager Chen smiled, "Alright."
Xue Han sat in Empress Dowager Chen’s seat and whispered, "Mother, what do you think of Miss Wei just now?"
"Who are you considering her for?"
Xue Han blinked and covered her face with a fan, "Of course, it’s for my little brother."
"I thought it was for Ming Hui!"
Xue Han said, "Ming Hui’s temperament doesn’t suit Miss Wei."
The first time she saw Miss Wei, she felt she matched well with her brother. Although her brother was a cherished child born late in their father’s life, he was well-mannered. Miss Wei was also lively, lovable, and had good character. She truly liked her.
Zhulan knew her daughter well and understood that she had a high regard for Miss Wei. "You really like her?"
Xue Han smiled, "She’s indeed delightful. Last time when I took Xiaxia shopping, Xiaxia, who already had a weak lung, choked on water, and I was startled. The carriage was far away, and it was Miss Wei’s carriage that helped."
Zhulan worriedly asked, "Is Xiaxia alright?"
Xue Han replied, "He’s fine now."
Her younger son rarely went out due to his health. She finally managed to take him out, and he suffered, scaring her so much that she didn’t dare take him out alone anymore.
Zhulan felt her daughter’s emotions, "Xiaxia will grow up healthy."
Xue Han suppressed her emotions, "Later, I sent someone to inquire and confirmed that Miss Wei had just arrived in the capital and didn’t know me, which is why I approached the Wei family."
Zhulan asked, "Tell me about the Wei family."
Xue Han, noticing her mother’s interest, said, "The Wei family is quite simple. Lord Wei made a vow not to marry unless he passed the exams, so he married late, nearly thirty. The family has two legitimate sons and one illegitimate son. Miss Wei was born late and is the only daughter."
Zhulan said, "The only daughter, huh."
"Lord Wei was raised by a widowed mother, but unfortunately, the old lady passed away right after he became a successful candidate in the provincial examination. Lord Wei has two brothers who both don’t live in the capital, and they have a good relationship without any trouble."
Zhulan pondered in her mind, her gaze searching for Miss Wei, and then she froze.
Xue Han noticed her mother’s distraction, "Mother?"
Zhulan frowned; Miss Wei and Ms. Ji were talking together, "It’s nothing, what did you just say?"
Xue Han followed her mother’s gaze and frowned too, "Ah, nothing important."
"Why are you frowning?"
Xue Han lowered her voice, "Recently, the Luo family has had a lot of issues, causing quite a few jokes in the capital. I’ve seen it’s all because of Ms. Ji."
She didn’t have any prejudice against Ms. Ji, but neither did she favor her. She understood Ms. Ji’s grievances, yet she didn’t wish to engage with such people.
Zhulan said, "The reputation of the Luo family’s girls has deteriorated quite a bit recently."
Xue Han snorted, "The Luo family is indeed heartless. If you don’t let her divorce, fine, but at least pay more attention to the married daughters, right? But what happens? The married daughter suffers grievances and is ignored, only inflating the arrogance of the husband’s family. When someone dies, no one seeks justice, and whatever the husband’s family says, goes. Just thinking about it is suffocating."
Zhulan thought that the men in the Luo family were extremely domineering and never listened to women’s voices!
In the royal garden, Yu Wen was talking with the Chief of Staff’s daughter, while Yu Yi was pulled away by Lin Xi.
Miss Li pointed ahead with her fan, "There’s a good show."
Yu Wen looked over and was troubled, "Do they not know this is the Qin Prince Residence?"
Do they think it’s an ordinary official’s garden? This is the Qin Prince Residence, and they still dare to quarrel here!
Miss Li said, "I really don’t know if the Duke of Yongan’s household is forming alliances or enmities, but speaking of which, since the incident of the married daughter in the Luo family, the prospects for Miss Luo’s marriage are bleak."
Yu Wen’s gaze fell on Ms. Ji, and she frowned and stood up, "I’ll go take a look."
Miss Li was startled, then quickly followed, as this was the Qin Prince Residence, An He’s aunt’s house.
Yu Wen walked over, "Do you know where this is?"
Zhuo Ya took a deep breath and greeted, "Greetings, Magistrate Anhe."
Third Miss Luo also hurriedly greeted, "Greetings, Magistrate Anhe."
Yu Wen’s expression was not pleasant, as there were quite a few people watching the dispute, "Where is this place?"
Zhuo Ya said, "Qin Prince Residence."
Yu Wen sneered, "So you do know, is this your attitude as guests? This is not the place to resolve issues, take it back home if you want to solve it."
Lin Xi had already heard the news and came over. She learned the details from a maid’s mouth and exhaled. Fortunately, her cousin stopped it, "Cousin."
Yu Wen made way, and with Lin Xi here, she didn’t need to manage it anymore.
Lin Xi smiled at the surrounding young ladies and said, "I recently acquired several new camellia plants. Let the maid take you all to see them, and I’ll catch up shortly."
All those with discernment left with the maid.
Only then did Lin Xi’s smile fade, "The capital’s gossip about ancient artifacts hasn’t settled yet; what more excitement do you two want to stir up?"
No one responded. Miss Luo had already shrunk her neck, clearly realizing her mistake and fearing repercussions.
Lin Xi’s face turned cold, "If you cause any trouble, do not involve the Qin Prince Residence, otherwise don’t blame me for not saving face."
Miss Luo hurriedly said, "I dare not."
Zhuo Ya kept her head lowered, "Commandery Princess, I’ll take my leave first."
Miss Luo, also frightened, retreated, and as Ms. Ji was about to follow, Yu Wen stepped in her way.
Ms. Ji looked up, "Magistrate?"
Yu Wen said indifferently, "This is the only time. If it happens again regardless of the occasion, the consequences are beyond what you want to know."
Ji Rong clutched her handkerchief, said nothing in the end, greeted and quickly left.
Lin Xi was puzzled, "What’s going on?"
Yu Wen explained the previous incident at the racecourse and her conjecture, making Lin Xi even less pleased.
Yu Yi patted Lin Xi’s shoulder, "Stay a little distant in the future."
She had long known that Ms. Ji was deeply scheming; today’s incident only made her more displeased.
On the way back to the residence, Zhulan thought about Miss Wei. Her son entrusted her to make decisions about marriage prospects, and after observing Miss Wei, she had to admit feeling quite content about her.
Upon arriving home, her eldest son Zhou Lao Da was at the door. Zhulan asked, "Did you just get home, or were you waiting for me on purpose?"
Zhou Lao Da helped his mother off the carriage, "I just got home, mother."
"Ah, just me being overly sentimental."
Zhou Lao Da helplessly said, "Mother."
"After all these years, teasing you is the least fun."
Zhou Lao Da shook his head. Over the years, his parents always liked to tease him, "Mother, I bring good news."
"What good news?"
"The villagers near our family’s estates heard that you are the dean of the Girls College and want to send their daughters to study. The steward of the estate brought me a list; guess how many girls?"
Zhulan was pleasantly surprised, "Oh dear, how did I forget about the villagers near our estates? How many?"
The influence of their estate on surrounding villagers was significant. Over the years, not only had life improved for them, but their thinking had also been influenced a bit.
"Ten girls, but all of them are quite young, the oldest is only eight years old."
Zhulan smiled, "That’s not too few, quite nice that they’re young."
The younger they start learning, the longer their education lasts. For example, a female doctor requires years of study, and starting young facilitates shaping their thoughts.