Chapter 679: 284 Loo Ying’s Marriage (Part 1)
Ma Linlin sat down and looked at Yueyao, hesitating for a long time before finally asking, "Cousin, is your painting really worth one thousand taels of silver?" In fact, Ma Linlin had come over the day after Yueyao returned, but she was too proud to come over and felt embarrassed.
Yueyao smiled and said, "Cousin, why would you ask that? I just love painting, and I’m not selling my work. Regardless of rumors saying they’re worth one thousand taels of silver each, even if they were ten thousand taels each, I wouldn’t sell my paintings."
Ma Linlin didn’t want to ask for a painting; she just wanted to see Yueyao’s artwork, but seeing Yueyao’s indifferent demeanor, she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
However, Loo Ying was willing to set aside her pride and asked, "Cousin, could you paint one for me?" Getting a painting from Yueyao could later be sold for silver.
Yueyao frowned slightly, but before she could speak, Ma Linlin frowned and said, "You don’t believe in the Bodhisattva on any regular basis, so why would you want a Buddha Statue?"
Loo Ying was instantly silenced.
Ma Linlin felt it was time to leave. Standing up, she said, "Yueyao, we are leaving now. If you ever have some free time, you can come and visit me."
Yueyao smiled and replied, "Sure. Cousin, feel free to come over if you ever have free time too. But I must warn you, I’m fairly boring, so hopefully you won’t find me too dull." Yueyao didn’t used to like Ma Linlin because of her personality, but now that Ma Linlin had changed for the better, she was naturally happy to reciprocate her friendliness. Living in the same estate, there was no need to be at each other’s throats every day.
Upon hearing this, Ma Linlin laughed, showing her teeth, "How could I possibly mind? I just don’t want to bother you since you’re so busy every day."
The meeting ended on a very pleasant note.
After dinner, Yueyao went to see Zhuang Ruolan in the main house and told her about Ma Linlin’s visit. Yueyao said, "Eldest Cousin-in-law, I think my cousin has changed a lot from before, for the better."
Zhuang Ruolan smiled and said to Cai Hua, "Prepare two generous gifts to be sent to the teacher and nurturing nanny to thank them for their hard work." With the generous gifts, the teacher and nurturing nanny would surely be even more dedicated to their duties.
Zhuang Ruolan was feeling a bit better and had Yueyao stay with her for a chat. They talked about matters concerning the Ma Family, and naturally the conversation drifted to Loo Ying’s marriage prospects. Loo Ying was fifteen years old now, and at that age, most girls were already betrothed.
Zhuang Ruolan said, "I’ve been suffering from severe morning sickness lately, and I haven’t had the energy to deal with this. Your second cousin-in-law has a couple of suitable candidates in mind, but they are from merchant families, and uncle doesn’t think it’s quite appropriate."
Yueyao smiled and suggested, "Uncle must have his worries too, marrying his niece into a merchant family doesn’t sound prestigious. Eldest Cousin-in-law, I think we could have uncle and cousin look for someone appropriate. Once the potential candidates’ backgrounds are clearly listed, you can leave it to my cousin to decide."
Zhuang Ruolan smiled and replied, "That was my thought as well."
Loo Ying was in a difficult position: well-established families looked down on her, while she did not favor small officials. Merchant families had the means but lacked status, which Loo Ying also found unsatisfactory. So Zhuang Ruolan felt Loo Ying’s marriage prospects were quite troublesome. Ma Chengteng also pushed for urgency, which made it difficult for both of his daughters-in-law.
On her way back to the Begonia Garden, Yueyao encountered Madam Tang, greeted her, and then went on her way.
Madam Tang watched Yueyao’s retreating figure and shook her head.
Quietly, Su Zhu remarked, "Speaking of which, Miss Yao is indeed impressive. Even Prince Duan and Princess Consort Duan help promote her, which is no small feat." Su Zhu did not believe Yueyao’s paintings could be worth one thousand taels of silver, thinking it must be because Prince Duan and Princess Consort liked Yueyao and wanted to elevate her status.
Madam Tang chuckled. She indeed acted rashly concerning the previous incident, but it was too late for regrets now. "Let’s go back," she said with a smile.
Since Yueyao’s return, many families had sent her invitations, all of which she turned down. This left the steward Madam Tang helpless, so she went to Zhuang Ruolan for advice.
With a worried expression, Madam Tang said, "Eldest Sister-in-law, the invitations sent to Yueyao are from powerful and prestigious families. If she doesn’t attend, she might offend them, and that wouldn’t be good." Madam Tang’s greatest fear was Yueyao offending these families and causing trouble for the Ma’s Mansion.
Zhuang Ruolan didn’t even look at the invitations and laughed, "Sister-in-law, you worry too much; there won’t be any issues." Officials of the Imperial Court wouldn’t retaliate against the Ma family just because a young girl didn’t attend a banquet. If the officials were that petty, the Imperial Court would be in chaos.
Madam Tang left, filled with anxiety.
Zhuang Ruolan shook her head. Having lived together for over a year now, she found Madam Tang was good in every aspect except her overpowering ambition, which was likely why Yueyao didn’t like her. Luckily, she knew how to prioritize; otherwise, it would be a big problem.
Ma Chengteng finally weighed his options and selected two candidates. One was chosen by Ma Peng, a son from an official’s family with the title of Scholar, and ranked third in his household with average family circumstances. The other was chosen by Madam Tang, from a merchant family, the legitimate eldest son with a wealth of ten thousand taels of silver.
Actually, Ma Chengteng preferred the Scholar candidate; currently a Scholar, he could sit for the Juran exam in the future and then secure a decent position—it was quite good. However, Ma Chengteng heeded Ma Peng’s advice and presented both candidates to Loo Ying, leaving the choice to her.
As Zhuang Ruolan had anticipated, Loo Ying was not satisfied with either families.
Upon hearing Loo Ying’s dissatisfaction with both options, Ma Chengteng’s countenance grew unsightly. He said to Ma Yue, "You have your wife ask her what kind of family she’s really looking for." With Loo Ying’s conditions as they were, if not for the Ma Family’s reputation, neither of these families would even be up for consideration.
After Madam Tang inquired, Loo Ying refused to comment. Left with no other option, Madam Tang could only say, "If you don’t express any wishes, your Eldest Cousin-in-law and I won’t know how to select the right match for you. If this delays your Blooming Apricot Period, you might miss your chance at a lifetime commitment."
Just when Madam Tang’s patience was nearing its limit, Loo Ying finally, with some hesitation, admitted that she did not dare to hope for a match as favorable as Yueyao’s, but she wished for one that wasn’t too inferior.
Though Madam Tang was generally composed, she was startled beyond belief at Loo Ying’s implied meaning. Unable to express her emotions in the moment, she knew of Loo Ying’s lofty aspirations, but even lofty dreams should have their limits! The Shen family was of a different caliber; Lord Shen held a higher office than her own father, and the Second Young Master Shen was very prominent in Capital City. His future prospects were bound to be bright. It wasn’t just Loo Ying who couldn’t aspire to such a match; even Ma Linlin, the Legitimate Daughter, might not attain such a favorable alliance in the future. Yueyao had managed such a match only because of her father’s efforts, and even she would not be able to secure such a match now.
After returning to the yard with Madam Tang, Su Zhu remarked, "Miss Ying really dares to dream."
Madam Tang felt Loo Ying had her head filled with nonsense: "Only those without brains would dare to dream such dreams."
Considering the situation, Madam Tang thought that with Loo Ying’s attitude, she might never get married. She went straight to Zhuang Ruolan and shared Loo Ying’s wishes with her: "Eldest Sister-in-law, I think we’re helpless with her marriage. We should just inform father-in-law."
Zhuang Ruolan was equally speechless: "We can tell father-in-law, but the matter will still fall on us in the end. Cai Hua, have someone call Miss Ying over." Of course, they would still need to look for a solution.
Zhuang Ruolan now felt relieved that it was not Ma Linlin who was being difficult. Loo Ying was only a Cousin Miss, and moreover, one who was not favored; the Ma Family would prepare a dowry and marry her off. Whether she fared well afterwards would be up to her.
Zhuang Ruolan didn’t slowly probe into Loo Ying’s heart as Madam Tang had done. She simply asked, "You’re unwilling to marry into either of the two families, so what kind of family do you actually want?"
Loo Ying blushed, for she had already expressed her thoughts to her second cousin-in-law, so why was she being questioned again?
Cai Hua said, "Our Madam is suffering heavily from morning sickness while still trying to arrange your marriage. She picked candidates, but you are unwilling and do not specify what kind of family you seek. Our Madam cannot withstand such strain. If Miss Ying is not worried about the delay, then let’s wait until after our Madam’s delivery to discuss this."
Loo Ying then repeated her desires.
Cai Hua looked at Loo Ying as if she were looking at someone insane; hearing it from Madam Tang was one thing, but hearing it firsthand was quite another.
Zhuang Ruolan said indifferently, "You say you seek a marriage similar to Yueyao’s?"
Loo Ying looked down, her fingers twisting the fabric of her clothes.
Zhuang Ruolan, without the reservations of Madam Tang, stated, "If you want to marry, stop harboring such delusions. If you don’t wish to marry, you can say so directly. There’s no need to waste effort." Zhuang Ruolan faintly sensed Loo Ying’s desire to compare herself with Yueyao, but she hadn’t paid much attention earlier, only to find Loo Ying so blindly competitive that she even sought to rival Yueyao in marriage.
Loo Ying looked up and said, "Cousin-in-law, I don’t expect to marry into a family like the Shen’s, a lesser one would suffice."
Zhuang Ruolan laughed, "A lesser one? How much less? Yueyao’s marriage was arranged by her uncle when he was alive. Not only you—even the Eldest Miss might not achieve such a good match in the future. If you don’t want to marry, let it be. If you wish to marry, state some practical requirements."
Loo Ying clenched her teeth and said, "I wish to find a match within an official’s family, not a merchant family." Naturally, the official’s family couldn’t be too poor either.
Zhuang Ruolan replied, "You mean you seek someone who holds an official position." Seeing Loo Ying remain silent and head down, Zhuang Ruolan smiled and said, "Those already holding an official position are either already married or betrothed. Finding one for you is impossible." Of course, there was also the type who holds an official position who is neither married nor betrothed—only that sort of person was beyond Loo Ying’s reach.
Loo Ying looked at Zhuang Ruolan with a pleading gaze, "Cousin-in-law..."
Zhuang Ruolan stated, "One should be practical in life. Think it over for yourself! If you come to understand, I’ll have your second cousin-in-law arrange for you. If you fail to see reason, then this matter will only be left for father-in-law to handle." They were merely cousins-in-law, not her own mother, not likely to go to great lengths for her behalf. Had it not been for Ma Chengteng’s orders, she wouldn’t want to deal with the distress of managing Loo Ying’s affairs.