Chapter 768: 320 Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion visits to propose marriage
An Zhichen met with Luo Shao and talked about many things; after the formal matters were dealt with, An Zhichen bluntly asked about Yueyao.
Luo Shao asked, keeping his expression unchanged, "You’ve taken a liking to Miss Lian?"
An Zhichen nodded, "Yes. I intend to have a matchmaker propose marriage!" Since he was interested, he obviously wanted to act quickly. It was rare to find someone who stirred his heart, and who also didn’t mind his appearance. To delay would be unbecoming of a man.
Luo Shao waved his hand and said, "Do you know that Miss Lian is skilled in painting?"
An Zhichen replied affirmatively, "I do, Miss Lian is a disciple of Mr. Yu Shan." After speaking, An Zhichen understood Luo Shao’s point.
Luo Shao chuckled, "What you don’t know is that Miss Lian, also known as the Hermit in the Wild, is a Great Painter renowned under heaven, and besides, Miss Lian has ample Silver Coin and quite a few assets to her name." Luo Shao’s implication was that Yueyao was blessed with both talent and wealth, and with beauty that was second to none. She wouldn’t spare An Zhichen a glance.
An Zhichen felt disheartened, but after a moment of thought, he said, "Cousin, I still want to give it a try." At worst he could be rejected, but not to try at all meant no chance whatsoever.
Luo Shao didn’t say much more and just smiled; to be young was indeed blissful.
Right after Xiang Wei had sent someone to inquire about An Zhichen’s background, she heard that a matchmaker had come to propose marriage to Yueyao on behalf of the Third Young Master of Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion.
Xiang Wei thought this was a divine speed indeed! It was just the day before yesterday that they first met, and after just one day, here they were proposing marriage.
Zhuang Ruolan, upon hearing that Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion was seeking a marriage for the An Family’s Third Young Master, did not even inform Ma Chengteng, and instead, promptly used an excuse to tactfully decline.
After sending the people away, Zhuang Ruolan’s expression was very grave: "What is the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion thinking? To actually come and propose marriage for their Third Young Master to Yueyao." Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion had been trying to find a bride for their household’s Third Young Master for some time, but alas, even after half a year, no suitable match had been secured. Now, they had set their sights on Yueyao.
Cai Yun said with a serious tone, "Madam, the An Family’s Third Young Master holds a Fifth Rank official position, why is it so hard for him to find a marriage match?" Cai Yun had not seen An Zhichen, so she found it somewhat puzzling.
Zhuang Ruolan rubbed her temples, feeling a real headache brewing: "The An Family’s Third Young Master takes after neither his mother nor his father. It is said he resembles their great-grandfather. I’ve heard the first Marquis of Weiyuan was tall and imposing with a face full of beard, and eyes as large as brass bells. Imagine what he would look like!"
Cai Yun pondered for a moment and shuddered, "No wonder the proposals keep getting rejected." With such an appearance, which noble lady in the Capital would want to marry him? But An Zhichen currently held a Fifth Rank official position, and his prospects were very promising. Which noble family would want a daughter-in-law from too lowly a background?
Zhuang Ruolan was genuinely troubled: "It’s not just that; Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion itself is in complete disarray. This marriage is absolutely out of the question." This was the very reason why Zhuang Ruolan had flatly refused.
When the Marquis heard that the Ma Family had declined the marriage proposal, he said to An Zhichen, "I told you the Ma Family would not agree to this marriage, but you wouldn’t believe me."
An Zhichen was somewhat disappointed, but having been forewarned by Luo Shao’s earlier remarks, he was prepared for it. An Zhichen said, "Father, I am not that old yet. Let’s not hurry with proposing marriage for now." Previously, he thought it best to choose a bride of equal social standing and live a good life together. But now, since he had someone in mind, he didn’t want to marry just anyone.
The Marquis hesitated, "You haven’t given up hope?" The truth was, the Marquis felt more affection for his second son. But he felt guilty towards this youngest son and wanted to ensure a satisfactory marriage to make up for it, yet finding a bride who matched the boy’s appearance, which resembled their great-grandfather’s, was no easy task.
An Zhichen, of course, was reluctant to admit that he hadn’t given up, "No, I just want to wait a couple more years to marry. By then, maybe a good match will be made."
Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion was undecided. The second and third sons had both become fathers at the same time, but while the second son now had three children, the youngest son had not even secured a wife to date: "Don’t worry too much, we’ll take our time to look around."
An Zhichen was unwilling to wait, "No need, Father. I am not thinking of getting married right now anyway. It’s quite common for men to establish themselves before starting a family."
While the Marquis verbally agreed with An Zhichen, he planned to placate his son for the time being and continue searching privately. If a suitable match was found, he could still secure the engagement.
As An Zhichen turned a corner within his own courtyard, he overheard a Maid say, "Miss Lian is one of the Beauties of the Capital. Who would have thought the Third Young Master would actually dare to have someone propose marriage?" The Maid’s words were laden with mockery.