Chapter 777: 324 Marquis Yongding’s Family Proposes Marriage (Part 2)_2
Xiang Wei, seeing the situation had reached a deadlock, hurriedly interjected, “Great Grandfather, Great Master, the young lady is not against marriage, she just excludes complicated families from consideration. If the family is simple, with no serious issues, and the people are good, she could still consider it.”
Ma Chengteng, as if seizing a glimmer of hope, asked, “Yueyao, is what she said true?”
Yueyao nodded slightly and said, “Yes, the Marquis Yongding’s household is too complicated for me. If the family background is simple and the people are good, I’m not opposed to it.” If she had outright refused to marry, her uncle might have immediately accepted the marriage proposition from the Marquis Yongding, and that would have been terrible.
Ma Peng quickly joined the conversation and asked Zhuang Ruolan, “Ruo Lan, I’ve heard that the Marquis Yongding has a liking for beauties, is his household rather chaotic?” After speaking, he glanced at his wife, signaling her to exaggerate the situation at the Marquis’ household, hoping it might make their father hesitate.
Zhuang Ruolan, catching her husband’s cue, nodded and said, “The courtyards of prominent clans are full of intrigue. Besides the Lady of the Marquis Yongding, there are also two concubines, eight Maternal Aunties, and countless servants whose exact number is unclear. Besides the Heir Apparent, the Marquis Yongding also has nine sons and four daughters born out of wedlock, and just recently, it was said that two more concubines are pregnant. Additionally, there are six brothers in this generation of the Marquis’, two legitimate and four illegitimate. Although they have moved out, they visit frequently. It’s said that the Marchioness does not like these people much.” These people who have moved out generally struggle, so they frequently come knocking for favors.
Ma Chengteng was only thinking about how good Guan Jingshuo was, momentarily forgetting that the Marquis, a known admirer of beauty, ran the household.
Ma Peng thought further ahead, frowning as he spoke, “I’ve heard that the Marquis frequently spends extravagantly, lavishly providing for his concubines. Even if the household is wealthy, it cannot sustain such expenditure indefinitely.” He found it strange, as now he realized where the problem lay.
The couple had a strong understanding of each other, and upon hearing this, Zhuang Ruolan nodded and said, “The Yongding household spends money like water, and the household only has expenses without any income, relying on old reserves for these years. It’s said that the Yongding household had already spent next year’s rent. They are essentially a hollow shell now.”
Yueyao’s brow twitched slightly. She had only thought the Yongding household troublesome, but she hadn’t expected it to be in financial trouble.
Upon hearing this, Ma Chengteng hesitated. He was not skilled in household management, but he knew that due to his own lavish spending in the past years, his finances had been quite tight. It was only thanks to his daughter-in-law, who excelled in management, that their household had recovered. The Marquis was even more extravagant in spending than he was, and with all the women and illegitimate children in his backyard, it was entirely possible that the household was indeed just a facade.
At this moment, Ma Peng furrowed his brow and said, “Could it be that the Yongding household is eyeing Yueyao’s dowry?” When his aunt got married, she had a dowry carried by 128 bearers. Furthermore, her husband had accumulated considerable wealth, so Yueyao was sure to bring a substantial dowry with her. The household was already a hollow shell, and they would definitely target Yueyao’s dowry.
Ma Chengteng, troubled by his son and daughter-in-law’s words, saw his initial excitement dissipate, “We need to consider this matter more thoroughly. You all go back first!” Ma Chengteng definitely wanted to investigate further before dismissing such a potentially good marriage proposal based on just a few words from his son and daughter-in-law.
Yueyao and Zhuang Ruolan left, and Ma Peng remained in the study, “Dad, not only is the Yongding household a hollow shell, but the inner courtyard is also highly complicated. With Yueyao’s temperament, she would be utterly devoured if she went there. Dad, we absolutely must not agree to this marriage.” Although Ma Peng had his reservations, his wife’s words had convinced him of the Yongding household’s ill intentions.
Ma Chengteng impatiently responded, “I know, I’ll consider it carefully.” This damned child, acting as if he’s the only one who cares about Yueyao.
Ma Chengteng thought for a while in the study and then left his mansion, but what he did next is unknown.
Zhuang Ruolan felt somewhat poignant, “I never expected Yueyao to have such ambitions.” She hadn’t anticipated that Yueyao would aspire to achieve lasting fame, which, for a home-centered Zhuang Ruolan, seemed immensely lofty.
Ma Peng expressed some regret, “What a pity, if Yueyao were a boy, that would be perfect.”
Zhuang Ruolan spoke with concern, “Husband, if Yueyao really holds such thoughts, it will be difficult to find a suitable match.” Finding a family with a simple background isn’t difficult, but the challenging part is finding someone whom Yueyao approves of. Would Yueyao approve of ordinary people? Certainly not.
Ma Peng sighed slightly, “If it were an ordinary girl, we could have forced her to marry. But Yueyao has always been very opinionated, we can’t force her. Let nature take its course, if we find a suitable match, great, if not, we can afford to support her for a lifetime.”
Zhuang Ruolan burst into laughter upon hearing this, “Husband, if Yueyao becomes someone like Mr. Yu Shan, would she still need your support? If then Yueyao wishes to live in Ma’s Mansion, that would be an immense honor.”
Ma Peng smiled.
Upon returning to Begonia Garden, Yueyao confronted Xiang Wei, “I don’t believe you were unaware of the details about Marquis Yongding’s Family, why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
Xiang Wei lazily said, “After all, you are determined not to marry Guan Jingshuo. Whether I told you or not, the result would be the same.”
Yueyao felt frustrated.
Seeing Yueyao’s expression, Xiang Wei laughed, “Miss, you probably understand that once you refuse the marriage proposal from Marquis Yongding’s Family, no one else will come to propose marriage in the future.” Yueyao even rejected a talented and handsome man like Guan Jingshuo; who else would dare propose? She must have frightened everyone away.
Yueyao didn’t want to argue with Xiang Wei any longer and decided to go to the study to read.
However, Xiang Wei wanted to make things clear to Yueyao, “Miss, if there is a man in the future who is well-matched in social status, capable, from a family with a simple background, loves and values you, and does not hinder your pursuit of painting, miss, would you marry him then?” Xiang Wei just wanted a promise from Yueyao to save herself the effort later, in case Yueyao backed out again.
Yueyao looked at Xiang Wei: “Where can one find such a person?” If there were such a person, she naturally would consider it.
Xiang Wei was tired of beating around the bush with Yueyao, “I’m only asking you, if there really is such a candidate, would you marry him? Or would you find various excuses to decline again?”
Yueyao was somewhat skeptical and didn’t immediately answer Xiang Wei. She knew Xiang Wei never spoke nonsense. After pondering for quite a while, Yueyao nodded and said, “If this person is agreeable to me, I have no reason to refuse.” Finding such a person would be as hard as reaching the heavens!
Xiang Wei inwardly sighed with relief, “Miss, a promise from a lady is worth its weight in gold. Remember what you said, and don’t go back on your word later.”
Yueyao smiled, “Don’t worry, I won’t back out.”