Frozen River Old Moon

Chapter 90: Miss Ying Opposes the Marriage Proposal

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Miss Ying Opposes the Marriage Proposal


Lianhua is Yinhua’s best friend in the restaurant, so she inevitably leans towards Lianhua a bit.


Yinhua had seen her parents manage the restaurant before, and it was very hard work, but she always felt that Lianhua didn’t deserve such a fate.


No matter how you put it, over the years, Lianhua has contributed so much to the restaurant. She’s good with words, adept at socializing, and whenever she served tea and water to guests, she would always tell jokes to amuse them. The poor business of the restaurant isn’t Lianhua’s fault.


Now, despite all her efforts, Lianhua was demoted without a second thought, with no room for negotiation.


How could Yinhua not be afraid of such a heartless person? Not only is she afraid, but she also thinks the person isn’t as good as her parents claim her to be.


This was the first time Yinhua spoke ill of someone behind their back. In the past, when Lianhua spoke ill of others, she never joined in, but now she had no choice. If she didn’t share her true feelings with her parents, they would certainly force her to go to the Pei Mansion.


But she just wanted to wash dishes in the restaurant. If she were merely a dishwasher, as long as she did her job well, no one would scold her. But going to the Pei Mansion was different; there were many rules she didn’t understand. She would surely make mistakes, and others might not say anything, but someone like Fulan, who was now a favorite in front of the Princely Heir, managed more than others. She wouldn’t stand for it and would punish her, but how could she bear it?


Manager Yu and his wife were dumbfounded by their daughter’s words.


Not only were they confused, but even Qu Fulan was baffled for a moment, pausing while flipping through the account book, her eyes filled with doubt.


She hardly had any contact with Yinhua, so how did she end up with such a mean reputation?


"How could you say that about Miss Fulan?" Manager Yu, now anxious, hurried to the doorway to glance around, and only after seeing no one was there did he sigh in relief. He then closed the door and looked sternly at his daughter.


Yinhua shrank under her father’s questioning, soon with red eyes, biting her lip and sniffling, "Father, Mother, it’s not that I’m intentionally bad-mouthing someone behind their back. You both know Lianhua and her mother’s situation. They have worked hard for the restaurant for many years. They have paid their dues, yet ended up like that. If I were to make a tiny mistake in the future, she certainly wouldn’t let me go either. Who knows what fate would await me then..."


"You shut up! You..." Manager Yu was too angry to finish his words.


His wife helped him sit down, then turned to scold their daughter, "How could you say that about Miss Fulan? You weren’t there that day. How would you know the situation? The business was booming, not a single seat was empty, the kitchen was extremely busy. Lianhua, trying to please the Princely Heir, insisted on asking others to give up two stoves, delaying the guests’ meals. Miss Fulan punished her for that. She just took over the restaurant not long ago; if she didn’t establish authority under those circumstances, how could she manage others in the future?"


Yinhua realized that her parents were siding with Miss Qu, especially since they were never fond of Lianhua and her mother before. It was inevitable they would be biased, just like she was.


But she still insisted on her thoughts. Lianhua and her mother may be wrong, but they did it for the Princely Heir’s sake. It’s a habit they’ve developed, their errors are understandable. Miss Qu could have reasoned with them instead of meting out ruthless punishment without any mercy.


It was evident that she was someone who was unapologetically cruel. Being less bright than others, she would more easily make mistakes, and who knows what kind of fate would befall her then.


The more Yinhua thought about it, the more scared she became, and she became even more afraid to go to the Pei Mansion.


...


Qu Fulan returned in the afternoon. Before leaving, Manager Yu and his wife warmly saw her off at the door and cautiously inquired when Yinhua should go to the Pei Mansion.


From all aspects, having Yinhua go to the Pei Mansion was the best option. They naturally cherished this opportunity.


Qu Fulan said, "In a couple of days, the Elderly Lady will come to the restaurant to listen to a book. Have Yinhua serve in front of the Elderly Lady, and it should all fall into place."


The Elderly Lady hadn’t said anything like that. Given her personality, knowing Manager Yu and his wife agreed, she would likely send someone specifically to pick Yinhua up.


But Qu Fulan mentioned this for a reason of her own.


She would persuade the Elderly Lady to do so.


Manager Yu and his wife expressed their gratitude again.


After Qu Fulan returned, she mentioned it to the Elderly Lady, stating only that Manager Yu and his wife were immensely grateful.


Upon hearing this, the Elderly Lady nodded and said she would send someone to fetch her the next day.


Qu Fulan then smilingly suggested, "Elderly Lady, you should visit the restaurant in a couple of days to listen to the book, and conveniently bring her along. Otherwise, sending a carriage separately creates too much of a scene and draws attention."


The Elderly Lady agreed to Qu Fulan’s suggestion, "You always think things through. Since she’s to be raised as a noble lady, it’s better to keep things low-key."


If it were too ostentatious, it wouldn’t be good if people started inquiring.


As they spoke, the Princely Heir returned, bringing along a booklet.


The last time, the Elderly Lady asked him to help Ying Man’er find a suitable husband. The Heir Pei, efficient as always, had gathered a number of men matching the Elderly Lady’s criteria. He noted their family backgrounds, current professions, or potential for future development.


The Elderly Lady opened the booklet, unable to immediately spot anything unsuitable. However, she trusted her grandson’s work, knowing he had surely found reliable families to add to the list.


"Go call the Ying girl; after all, it’s about her life’s important event, she should take a look."


Marriage is a lifelong matter and cannot be taken lightly.


Miss Ying was then summoned.


Pei Ji’an, to avoid suspicion, and primarily because he had things to do, had already left.


When Ying Man’er came to the Elderly Lady’s room and realized it was about "finding a match," her face changed.


When the maid came to call her, Ying Man’er asked what the Elderly Lady wanted with her. The maid only said it was a good thing, not mentioning the reason.


Now sitting beside the Elderly Lady, Ying Man’er twisted her handkerchief, her mind racing, and finally mustered a smile, "Elderly Lady, are you so keen on getting rid of me that you want to marry me off quickly? But Man’er still wishes to stay by your side and serve you for a couple more years."


The Elderly Lady, her attention on the booklet, didn’t notice Ying Man’er’s expressions. Even Hua Hao and Yueyuan beside her thought it was an excellent thing, thus assuming that the girl was just shy with excitement.


Qu Fulan, however, clearly saw Ying Man’er’s displeasure.


She hadn’t even looked and was already unhappy.


It seemed she had already set her heart on something else, with no interest here.


The Elderly Lady’s enthusiasm was likely to go to waste.


Seeing it but not mentioning it, Qu Fulan just silently observed.


To Ying Man’er’s words, the Elderly Lady merely thought she was shy and said, "There’s no rush to marry you off. But you’re of an age to get engaged. It’s just right to settle it now and then marry in a couple more years."


"Every individual in this booklet is a young and talented person, with simple family backgrounds. Once you’re married, you won’t have to worry about intricate in-law relations, making them very suitable for you."


Ying Man’er’s expression was already hard to maintain.


What prestigious family’s population is simple?


Unless it’s an ordinary family!