Chapter 786: 328 Mingzhu Gets Married (Part 2)_2
Mingzhu, having left, Yueyao also took her leave from Madam Ping.
Madam Ping did not retain her either. Although Mingzhu had married, the household was bustling with endless matters that couldn’t be settled in a short while. Keeping Yueyao in the mansion would surely lead to neglecting her.
Xiang Wei watched as Yueyao, who dozed off as soon as she got into the carriage, took a blanket and covered Yueyao with it, then sat beside her lost in thought.
By the time Yueyao opened her eyes, they had already arrived at Ma’s Mansion. Yueyao went straight to seek Madam Tang, “Cousin-in-law, I will be staying a while at the manor in the countryside in a couple of days.”
Madam Tang wasn’t particularly surprised, as Yueyao had spent half of the past few years outside, so this outing was nothing unusual, “When do you think you will be back this time?”
Yueyao did not know when she would return, “It’s uncertain now, but I will definitely be back for the New Year.”
Madam Tang was somewhat speechless; it was only June, and returning for the New Year meant another six months. In fact, Madam Tang felt that Ma Chengteng was too indulgent with Yueyao. For a young lady to be constantly away from home, roaming about despite claiming it was for painting, was still not proper. However, the decision-maker in the household was the Old Grand Master, and as a daughter-in-law, she had no say.
Back in Begonia Garden, Xiang Wei had Gu You and Gu Lan leave, then she discussed An Zhichen with Yueyao. In fact, when the Marquis mentioned the matter the other day, she was also very surprised.
Yueyao was extremely astonished, “Are you saying An Zhichen is prepared to be adopted to marry me?” It was common for parents to decide to adopt out a son, but she had never heard of someone arranging his own adoption, especially for her sake; it was utterly incredible.
Xiang Wei nodded, “It was the Marquis who told me, it should be true.”
Yueyao blinked several times, finally asking Xiang Wei, “You go and check this thoroughly; I always find it strange.”
Xiang Wei laughed, “Miss, it’s not that you find it strange, it’s that you simply don’t believe it.” Xiang Wei was puzzled by Yueyao’s lack of confidence. With her talents and looks, although not the best disposition, she was still quite good; why would she lack confidence!
Yueyao felt somewhat bewildered, “I always find it strange.”
Xiang Wei could only express her frustration, “Miss, if you’re interested, I will naturally look into it. If not, there’s no need to waste time.” Xiang Wei’s point was that if Yueyao considered An Zhichen a possible match, then she definitely ought to investigate. If Yueyao did not wish to marry, then there was no need to waste time and energy.
Yueyao was momentarily at a loss for words.
Xiang Wei said, “An Zhichen is to be adopted by the An Family’s Third Old Master. The Third Old Master passed away at fifteen without having married, so he had no in-laws to trouble him. Previously, An Zhichen mentioned the biggest issues in marriage were appearance and his somewhat chaotic status. If An Zhichen is adopted, leaving the turbulent waters of Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion behind and no longer having status troubles, and since Miss does not mind An Zhichen’s appearance, I think it’s quite good.”
Having witnessed Mingzhu’s entire wedding and influenced by Mingzhu’s convincing, Yueyao’s heart had softened, “Mingzhu, do you think I would end up desolate if I choose not to marry?”
Xiang Wei replied without hesitation, “Miss, becoming a Great Painter, you definitely won’t end up desolate. However, when you get old, you will certainly feel lonely.”
Yueyao looked at Xiang Wei, annoyed, “I knew those words Mingzhu used to persuade me were taught by you.”
Xiang Wei did not deny it, “Miss, I spoke the truth. Mr. Yu Shan is old but has a daughter; what would you do when you get old? You don’t plan on relying on Tingzheng, do you?”
Yueyao shook her head, “I haven’t thought of depending on anyone.” In fact, Yueyao had never considered what she would do at the age of fifty or sixty because she had not imagined living that long.
Xiang Wei could only shake her head, “Miss, you’re only sixteen this year; you still have options. Wait another three or five years, and it’ll be hard to find a satisfactory candidate.”
Yueyao pondered for a long time, “Let me think about it.”
Seeing Yueyao’s expression, Xiang Wei smiled. Clearly, Mingzhu’s marriage had significantly impacted Yueyao; this was a good development as she wouldn’t want Yueyao to remain single her entire life. A single woman, without a family’s protection, might face difficult times.
That evening, Yueyao suddenly asked Xiang Wei, “Xiang Wei, what do you think of An Zhichen?”
Xiang Wei exclaimed, “Miss, are you interested in An Zhichen?”
Yueyao’s face instantly flushed, “Nonsense, I just thought that if he really gets adopted under the name of An Family’s Third Old Master, he would be a decent choice.” Once adopted, An Zhichen would only be related to Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion as a relative, by then having no in-laws and no younger brothers or sisters-in-law, which would be incredibly peaceful. Of course, the main point was that Yueyao had met An Zhichen twice and thought well of him.
Xiang Wei, whose heart had been hanging, finally relaxed. The lady’s willingness to inquire about the man indicated that she was truly softening, “I’m not very familiar with An Zhichen either. Let me have someone check on him tomorrow.” Although An Zhichen had proposed marriage, Xiang Wei knew that Yueyao would definitely not marry into Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, so she had not investigated. But now that the situation had changed, it was naturally necessary to check thoroughly.
Xiang Wei felt that as long as An Zhichen’s character met her standards, this marriage could indeed happen. An Zhichen was now a Fifth Rank Military Official, supported by the An Family’s Second Old Grand Master, and admired by the Marquis; An Zhichen’s prospects were quite promising.
Xiang Wei always believed in not putting all eggs in one basket, so while An Zhichen was a key candidate, he was not the only one.
As Yueyao practiced her calligraphy, she suddenly asked Xiang Wei, “Last time you mentioned that Zhou Shu had returned to Haikou, did he really go back to Haikou?” Yueyao had met Zhou Shu in Zhaohua Temple, and not long after, Xiang Wei had informed her that Zhou Shu had left the Capital City. Now, though no longer averse to marriage, Yueyao couldn’t help but think of Zhou Shu.
Xiang Wei was a bit surprised Yueyao suddenly brought up Zhou Shu, but she still stated, “Miss, under the emperor’s watch, he wouldn’t dare forcibly take the Miss away. You can be assured.” Initially, Xiang Wei had been somewhat worried, but as Zhou Shu left the Capital City, she also forgot about him.
Yueyao nodded, perhaps she was being over-sensitive; now as her status had changed, Zhou Shu wouldn’t dare to entertain any designs on her.