Chapter 827: Chapter 348: Li Guoxing Returns (Part 2)
Lady Li felt a bit of sympathy in her heart: “These past two years, has Lord Ma arranged any marriage proposals for you?”
Yueyao took the initiative and said: “Yes, but none were satisfactory. In April, the Heir to Marquis Yongding also came to propose, but I refused.”
Lady Li naturally knew about this matter and asked with a smile: “Why did you refuse? The Heir to Marquis Yongding is a rare talent.”
Yueyao shook her head and said: “I know the Heir to Marquis Yongding is excellent, but I am self-aware. I can manage my small household, but if asked to manage the affairs of the Marquis’ household, I can’t handle it.” Yueyao’s words also implied that families that are too complicated are not suitable for her.
Lady Li patted Yueyao’s hand: “The rear courtyard of Marquis Yongding’s Family is extremely complicated, and ordinary people can’t keep it in check. You were right to refuse this marriage.”
Yueyao also shared some interesting anecdotes she encountered, amusing Lady Li greatly, and the two got along very well.
Li Guoxing took over the Ministry of Revenue, with countless matters to address, returning home very late every day, so Yueyao did not get to see Li Guoxing.
When Yueyao was leaving, Lady Li smiled and said: “Come again when your Uncle Li has finished his work.” Li Guoxing had always been very concerned about Yueyao, but truly couldn’t spare the time.
Yueyao returned to Ma’s Mansion, but Tingzheng did not go back with her and stayed at the Li Mansion instead. For Tingzheng, living at the Li Mansion made him feel more at ease.
Xiang Wei smiled and said: “I didn’t expect that after five years, Lady Li would still be so kind to you.” The Li family is now rising step by step, and that Li Guoxing and Lady Li can still treat Yueyao and Tingzheng so well, it’s truly remarkable.
Yueyao smiled gently: “It is indeed rare.” When it comes to the person Yueyao is most grateful for, it is not Luo Shao, but Li Guoxing. Li Guoxing treated her and her brother like his own children, especially Tingzheng, who received Li Guoxing’s careful guidance. Otherwise, Tingzheng could not have grown so well.
Xiang Wei thought for a moment and then said: “Miss, don’t you get jealous that Tingzheng stays at the Li Mansion every day?” Sometimes, Xiang Wei really found Yueyao’s attitude toward Tingzheng quite puzzling. If she didn’t care about Tingzheng, she paid close attention to his affairs. But if she did care, she could leave him at the Li family for three to five years unseen, which makes her quite an unusual sister.
Yueyao laughed lightly: “As long as Tingzheng is well, that’s enough.”
Madam Tang had a complex expression upon hearing Yueyao returned to the mansion. The families Yueyao befriended were all not simple; first the Marquis Jingning’s Residence, then the Minister of Revenue’s Mansion. Was this a coincidence? Madam Tang did not believe it was all a coincidence: “I might have misunderstood her.” Yueyao always gave her the impression of being proud and aloof, but now she realized Yueyao actually had great foresight and vision.
Su Zhu now felt the issue was not about Yueyao’s foresight, but about resolving the matter with the Zhu Family. Madam Zhu returning to the mansion said Yueyao looked down on everyone, but didn’t expect these words to spread outside. If the Old Master found out, who knows what would happen.
Madam Tang snorted coldly: “Let her be!” Madam Tang previously thought about matchmaking because she found the Zhu Family promising, and considered it a good support for her. But didn’t expect that after Zhu Hang passed the Palace Graduate, her aunt suddenly changed and became arrogant. After this incident, she no longer had expectations for the Zhu Family.
Su Zhu sighed softly.
Li Guoxing returned home late again that day, and while having supper, he remembered Yueyao and her brother visiting today. So after finishing supper, he asked about Yueyao and Tingzheng’s situation.
Lady Li smiled and said: “Yueyao and Tingzheng both came over. Tingzheng is staying at our mansion today, currently with Hanhan!”
Li Guoxing pondered for a moment and asked: “What’s the Ma family’s stance on Yueyao’s marriage?” Shen Conghao is already engaged and will marry after the New Year. Yueyao’s marriage still shows no signs, and he wondered how Ma Chengteng is doing as her uncle.
Lady Li shook her head: “I didn’t ask about that. But I feel Yueyao’s marriage might be hard to arrange.”
Li Guoxing was a bit surprised: “Has the child not moved past the shadow of breaking off an engagement?” If so, it would indeed be difficult.
Lady Li laughed: “That’s not the case. Yueyao even brought up the matter of breaking the engagement herself today, which shows she had long since moved past it. But this child is exceptionally talented, and ordinary people hardly match her. Also, from what she said, she doesn’t want to marry into a prestigious family, saying there are too many disputes, and she can’t adapt.” Lady Li didn’t think Yueyao couldn’t handle complex environments; her current environment is already quite complicated, yet she still manages just fine.
Li Guoxing frowned: “That is quite a predicament.” Even if a girl prefers to marry lower, it can’t be too far down; too much is indeed impossible. But Yueyao doesn’t want a high marriage either, so this dilemma is quite troublesome.
Lady Li comforted him: “No need to rush, take time to find, and you’ll find someone.”
Li Guoxing didn’t say much else, but when he got to bed, he suddenly said: “Madam, what do you think of Yueyao?”
Lady Li didn’t quite understand what he meant by this, so she said directly: “Very wise, capable, and both appearance and talent are top-notch.”
After hearing this, Li Guoxing said: “Madam, what do you think of proposing Yueyao for Hanhan?” The eldest is already married, the second, Li Zhen, is engaged, and only Li Han’s marriage isn’t settled yet.
Lady Li didn’t expect her husband would direct his thoughts towards their son, leaving her unsure of how to respond.
Li Guoxing thought about it and felt the idea was quite good: “Hanhan is lively, Yueyao is steady; they perfectly complement each other.”
Lady Li quickly said: “There’s no rush in this matter; it’s not too late to ask Yueyao and Hanhan’s thoughts first.” Lady Li knew her husband’s temperament; even if they couldn’t proceed now, it wouldn’t dispel his idea.
That night, Lady Li was so worried she barely slept. It’s not that Lady Li looked down on Yueyao, but she honestly never thought of Yueyao as her daughter-in-law.
The next day, Li Guoxing went off to official duties. Lady Li mentioned this matter to her trusted old nanny: “Yueyao is intelligent, capable, and skillful; she’s also nice-tempered, attractive, and talented. I really can’t find any faults in her. But to propose her for Hanhan, it just doesn’t feel right.” The bride they bring into the family is naturally expected to support her husband and educate their children, but Yueyao is passionate about her art, and with this demeanor, can she truly be a good wife? Lady Li expressed her doubts.
The trusted nanny smiled and said: “Madam, Miss Lian is a very smart girl, and she’s also very opinionated. Why don’t you find an opportunity to subtly bring up this idea and see what Miss Lian thinks herself?” In the Li family, it’s the Old Master who has the final say. If he decides to betroth Miss Lian to the Third Young Master, the Madam’s opposition wouldn’t be of any use. Rather than clashing head-on, it’s better to find out Miss Lian’s opinion first. If Miss Lian is also interested, the role of a deceased friend’s orphan is quite different from a future daughter-in-law; then, Miss Lian will naturally weigh this decision herself. But if Miss Lian is unwilling, there’ll be no need to worry; the Old Master can decide for the Third Young Master, but he can’t decide for Miss Lian.
Lady Li unconsciously furrowed her brows upon hearing Yueyao described as very opinionated but still nodded: “Find a suitable opportunity to pass on this idea.” First, see what Yueyao thinks; if Yueyao agrees, then discuss it with her son. If Yueyao disagrees, Lady Li had no plans to inform Li Han of this matter.