Chapter 782: 326 Refusing a Relative Storm (Part 2)_2
Xiang Wei sneered, "Princess Wanhe thinks she’s heaven’s favored daughter, expecting everyone to revolve around her. This time, she’s bound to take a big tumble."
Upon hearing this, Yueyao felt something was amiss, "What have you done? You didn’t tell the Heir to Marquis Yongding about last time, did you? I’ve told you, it’s better to demolish ten temples than to destroy one marriage."
Xiang Wei chuckled, "What are you saying, miss? If I had told Guan Jingshuo about last time, do you think he would agree to such a marriage?" She would wait until the marriage agreement was firmly set before telling Guan Jingshuo, to let Princess Wanhe suffer the consequences on her own.
Yueyao breathed a sigh of relief, "Good that you didn’t tell! From now on, we should avoid any ties with the Heir to Marquis Yongding." If there was no matter of proposing marriage, she could still seek Guan Jingshuo’s help in times of real urgency. Now with this issue, she felt it was better to keep her distance from Guan Jingshuo, to prevent being gossiped about in the future!
This time, Xiang Wei agreed with Yueyao’s opinion, "With Princess Wanhe being such a lunatic, we indeed should not make contact with Guan Jingshuo!" She had seen many like Princess Wanhe, arrogant and haughty. It would be negligible for others, but if Princess Wanhe found out about any further contact between Yueyao and Guan Jingshuo, she feared that the lunatic might do something crazy, and her own miss would suffer.
Yueyao nodded, "Tomorrow my eldest cousin and his wife will be leaving, and after Mingzhu gets married, I will head to the manor and come back here for the New Year. I feel that life at the manor is much more comfortable."
The next day, Yueyao saw Ma Peng and Zhuang Ruolan off from Ma’s Mansion. This departure meant they wouldn’t see each other for at least three years.
The following days were quite peaceful. Yueyao, besides painting and practicing calligraphy, now devoted all her attention to poetry, leading a rather fulfilling life.
One day, Lady Tang, Madam Tang’s own mother, came to visit, and Lady Tang Zhu expressed her desire to meet Yueyao.
Madam Tang shook her head, "Mother, Yueyao has been very busy these days. If you want to see her, it would be better to choose another day!" She heard from maids below that Yueyao had been very busy, only occasionally stepping out to stroll in the garden, spending the rest of her time in the courtyard immersed in her painting. If she was painting, even if someone were sent, Yueyao would not come.
Lady Tang sighed, "You don’t know, your cousin’s marriage is not going smoothly, so your aunt has asked me to come and gauge the situation again."
Madam Tang shook her head, "Mother, Yueyao’s expectations are too high. She doesn’t think highly of the Heir to Marquis Yongding, let alone anyone else. It’s better for aunt to keep looking slowly."
Lady Tang asked, "So there’s really no hope at all?"
Madam Tang shook her head, "Mother, although Yueyao is talented and has both looks and character, she’s not good at socializing. How can someone who is not good at socializing be a good Lady of the house!"
Lady Tang sighed, "I’ve asked your aunt to lower her standards, but she is unwilling, fearing it might slight Zhu Hang. Daughters of families with official ranks lower than Sixth Rank are not even considered by Madam Zhu, and families with high-rank officials are not willing to marry off a Legitimate Daughter, so Zhu Hang’s marriage prospects are not good."
Madam Tang did not follow up on Lady Tang’s words, but instead shifted the topic.
Originally, due to Yueyao’s talent, along with her apprenticeship under Mr. Yu Shan, many suitors had come asking for her hand in marriage, but since Yueyao had declined all proposals, no one had approached with marriage proposals anymore.
Yueyao felt relieved, but Ma Chengteng was worried.
Similarly troubled was An Zhichen; he had originally planned to propose after settling other matters, but with the incident involving Guan Jingshuo, he felt a great sense of crisis. Thus, An Zhichen sought Luo Shao’s help, hoping Madam Ping would assist him.
When Luo Shao heard An Zhichen’s request for help from Madam Ping, he immediately threw cold water on it, "Even if your cousin-in-law is willing to propose on your behalf, they won’t agree. You should not engage in such futile efforts!" Luo Shao hadn’t expected that An Zhichen had not given up yet.
An Zhichen earnestly said, "Cousin, I’m not asking cousin-in-law to propose for me, I just want her to give Miss Lian a hint."
Luo Shao laughed, "What hint?"
An Zhichen said, "I know, if I am still in Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, Miss Lian will definitely not agree to this marriage. But if I were to leave Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, I think I might still have a chance!"
Luo Shao was somewhat surprised, "What do you mean by that?" What do you mean by not being in Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion anymore? If not in Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, where could you go?
An Zhichen’s face carried an indescribable expression, "Actually, my great-uncle had previously intended to adopt me into my uncle’s family. Only at that time, I was unwilling, and my great-uncle did not speak any further on it!"
Luo Shao was very surprised, "To be adopted under your uncle’s name?"
An Zhichen nodded a little, "He’s my father’s own younger brother, the Third Old Master. My uncle died at the age of fifteen. Great-uncle meant that after being adopted, it would prevent my uncle’s family line from ending!" Actually, the reason the Second Old Master of the An Family had wanted An Zhichen to be adopted was that he felt An Zhichen’s position in the marquis’ household was too awkward, leading to many future disputes. If adopted to the Third Old Master Lian’s name, many disputes could be avoided in the future. An Zhichen hadn’t agreed before because he couldn’t swallow his pride, but now he felt that if he wanted to marry Yueyao, resolving the troubles of Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion was necessary. Otherwise, Yueyao would definitely not agree to this marriage.
Luo Shao smiled after a moment and said, "Don’t let a third person know about this. If people from Marquis Weiyuan’s side find out that you wish to be adopted out because of Miss Lian, they will surely prevent you from getting your wish. Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion has many issues, and it’s better if An Zhichen leaves."
An Zhichen hesitated.
Luo Shao smiled, "Don’t worry, Miss Lian’s marriage won’t be decided anytime soon. I’m giving you a heads-up here; if you want to win the beauty, simply being adopted out won’t suffice."
An Zhichen shook his head and asked, "What else is needed?"
Luo Shao laughed lightly, "With your current appearance, you look quite frightening. Put more effort into it, and when you propose next time, your chances will be even greater!" Yueyao might not mind An Zhichen’s appearance, but the elders certainly would.
Luo Shao knew that An Zhichen was actually not bad-looking, just tanned and not very attentive to his personal appearance, so he appeared especially rough. With proper grooming and some skin whitening, although he wouldn’t become a handsome young master, his appearance would definitely improve from what it is now.
An Zhichen’s mouth twitched for quite some time.