Chapter 765: 318 Madam Tang Talks About Relatives_2
Ma Peng shook his head, "This matter must be decided by father, we’ll ask him first. If father agrees, then you two can see each other. If father disagrees, then let’s forget about it."
Zhuang Ruolan hesitated, "Father probably won’t agree." If Zhu Hang could rank in the second class, perhaps father might have agreed. Unfortunately, he ranked in the third class, and Zhuang Ruolan felt that Ma Chengteng would most likely not consent, given that there’s a significant gap between the second and third class.
Zhuang Ruolan was quite worried. Yueyao indeed had impressive external qualifications, but she also had fatal flaws. First, she had no support from her maternal family; second, she had annulled an engagement before. With these two major obstacles, finding a satisfactory marriage proposal would be as hard as ascending to heaven.
Ma Peng also understood his wife’s concerns and after some thought he said, "How about this, let me meet this Zhu Hang first. If he truly isn’t bad, then I’ll bring it up with father." Ma Chengteng felt that if the person was indeed good, they could probably settle for him.
Zhuang Ruolan said, "Husband, if you also think Zhu Hang is not bad, why don’t we ask Yueyao first? What do you think?" Zhuang Ruolan was worried that if father agreed but Yueyao refused, it would all be futile in the end. But if Yueyao agreed, she believed father would most likely consent as well.
Ma Peng shook his head, "That’s inappropriate. Let’s ask father first."
The wedding date for Mingzhu was quickly set, scheduled for the beginning of June on the sixth day, leaving three months for preparations, which was quite ample time.
Mingzhu sent Yueyao three letters in a row, inviting her to stay at the Marquis household for a while. Unfortunately, Yueyao was also very busy and declined them all.
Ma Peng had people inquire about Zhu Hang, and the information gathered wasn’t much different from what Madam Tang had said. Ma Peng also made a point to meet Zhu Hang in person and found his social conduct and eloquence quite satisfactory.
After evaluating from all aspects, Ma Peng believed him to be quite suitable and finally brought up the matter to Ma Chengteng. Unexpectedly, Ma Chengteng dismissed the idea without a second thought.
Ma Peng helplessly said, "Father, we all know that Yueyao is excellent, but after all, she has annulled an engagement and lost her parents; it’s very difficult to find a perfect match." If it wasn’t for Yueyao’s reputation and the fact that she’s Mr. Yu Shan’s closed-door disciple, such a marriage proposal would be impossible to find. With Yueyao’s current circumstances, she could only marry beneath her status.
Ma Chengteng knew that what Ma Peng said was true, but did not relent, "Peng, since you know it’s very difficult for Yueyao to find a perfect marriage proposal, why do you think the Zhu Family would propose a marriage?"
Ma Peng was surprised, "Father, do you know why?"
Ma Chengteng said, "You only see that Yueyao is orphaned and has had an annulled engagement, but you fail to see the advantages she carries. Don’t assume that just because Yueyao seldom leaves home, aside from the Ma Family, she has no support."
Ma Peng, after listening to Ma Chengteng for a while, still frowned, "Father, what you said is indeed true, but those are external factors, unreliable in serious matters." The Marquis Jingning’s Residence and the like would definitely help with trivial issues, but wouldn’t be reliable for major ones. As for the Zhou Family and Min Family, they are even less dependable.
Seeing that his words failed to convince, Ma Chengteng reluctantly revealed the true reason for his objection, informing Ma Peng that Yueyao was the Hermit in the Wild.
Ma Peng was stunned, "Father, are you saying Yueyao is that mysterious and much-talked-about Hermit in the Wild from outside?"
Ma Chengteng nodded, "The reason I didn’t tell you is that I feel the fewer who know about this, the better. After all, too much fame is not necessarily a good thing for your cousin."
Upon confirming this information as true, Ma Peng no longer discussed the marriage proposal with the Zhu Family. For nothing else but because Zhu Hang was not worthy of Yueyao.
Ma Chengteng said, "Peng, it’s better that as few people know about this as possible." His words meant that Ma Peng should not tell Zhuang Ruolan about this matter.
Ma Peng did not tell Zhuang Ruolan the reason but only said, "Ruolan, father disagrees, let’s reject the Zhu Family’s marriage proposal!"
Zhuang Ruolan had anticipated this. The Zhu Family seemed favorable, but they also had a fatal flaw, which was their insufficient background. Not to mention those prominent clans, but even ordinary official families would not be willing to marry off a Legitimate Daughter. It was for this reason that the Zhu Family took a liking to Yueyao.
After weighing the situation, Zhuang Ruolan decided to ask Yueyao for her opinion. Zhuang Ruolan didn’t give up mainly because she had met Grandma Zhu, who, although intelligent and capable with a somewhat impatient disposition, matched well with Yueyao, who was not the type to seek competition and superiority. Zhuang Ruolan genuinely felt this marriage proposal was quite good.
Early next morning, Zhuang Ruolan sent for Yueyao and discussed the proposal with her, "Yueyao, this eldest son of the Zhu Family has been personally looked over by your big cousin, and he’s quite an impressive match in every aspect."
Yueyao knew Ma Peng and Zhuang Ruolan had her best interests at heart, and the couple had gone to great lengths regarding her marriage prospects, leading to her repeated rejections, which made Yueyao feel somewhat ashamed.
Zhuang Ruolan earnestly said, "Yueyao, let’s not rush to reject it, and see the person first. If you don’t like him, it’s not too late to refuse afterward." Zhuang Ruolan also hoped to help Yueyao find a good home, or else she would feel uncomfortable!
After a long silence, Yueyao finally spoke, "Cousin-in-law, it’s not that I’m unwilling to meet him, but these people truly aren’t suitable for me." The constant nagging from Xiang Wei, combined with Zhuang Ruolan’s continuous efforts to find her a match, had shaken Yueyao’s resolve.
Zhuang Ruolan laughed, "You haven’t even met him, how do you know he’s unsuitable?"
While Ma Chengteng instructed Ma Peng not to reveal Yueyao’s true background to Zhuang Ruolan, Yueyao told Zhuang Ruolan everything about herself.
Zhuang Ruolan was initially shocked, then sighed, "This marriage proposal indeed cannot go through." Zhuang Ruolan wasn’t too affected by the revelation that Yueyao was the Hermit in the Wild, as Yueyao already had a considerable reputation among the ladies, with even a single painting fetching a thousand taels.
Unlike Ma Peng, Zhuang Ruolan was not only unenthusiastic but deeply worried. Men and women think differently; Zhuang Ruolan felt that no matter how outstanding Yueyao’s artistic talent or how great her fame, she would eventually need to marry and have children. On the contrary, too much fame could actually be detrimental, making Yueyao’s marriage prospects even more challenging. No man would want to marry a wife with too much notoriety.