When the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law heard about it, they hurriedly asked: "Whose girl is this?"
"She is the fifth young lady of the Xu family, her name is Chunjun." Madam Hou said.
"Which Xu family?" Fang was confused.
"She is the granddaughter of Xu Youguang, who advocated reform at that time. The Xu family has been a prominent family since the previous dynasty," Mrs. Hou Ye said clearly, "she is the daughter of Xu Gai, the third wife."
After hearing this, the old lady couldn't help but shook her head and said: "What's the use of the glory of our ancestors? The Xu family has already been defeated. Can a girl from his family be married?"
Mrs. Fang was also obviously not happy: "I recognize his third wife, Mrs. Wei, and I can get married even if I go around the corner. She is not very easy-going."
"This child is not her biological child," Mrs. Hou Ye also recognized Ms. Cui, "because this child came to Beijing to do business. I think she has a good appearance and good temperament. What is rare is that she has a strong heart."
"After a long time of quarrel, she is still a concubine!" The old lady couldn't sit still anymore, "Our grandson is just having fun, what's wrong with his appearance and background? Why would he want to marry a daughter-in-law of such a status?! We can't tell anyone.
Making people laugh out loud?!"
"Theoretically speaking, my aunt has good intentions." Fang didn't dare to be as straightforward as her mother-in-law, but she also didn't want to agree to the marriage. "But this is really not a good match..."
"I'm not afraid of your annoyance. You may think that Wuji is doing well, but you don't know how bad his reputation has become outside." Mrs. Hou Ye also put away her smile and said rudely, "Old lady
I haven't been home for a long time, and sister-in-law, you trust the person in charge too much. I'm not making fun of anyone, this is my natal family, and I only hope you are well. But when you put the accounts together, I'm afraid that what you save is not as much as what you owe. Wuji
His temperament is unstable, he refuses to study hard, and he refuses to do well in the few jobs he has planned. If he doesn’t have a virtuous wife to take care of the house and restrain him, he doesn’t know what will happen in the future! Let’s talk openly today,
It’s not like you haven’t proposed marriage to him before, but are you successful at it?”
"Having said that," the old lady also felt a little unjust, "but I think even if we don't choose in Beijing, wouldn't there be suitable candidates among the family members of foreign officials?"
"My mother, is it possible for you to be the only one to get your wishful thinking?" Mrs. Marquis laughed angrily, "Even if we succeed in concealing the truth, we don't know the details of the other party. If we marry him,
He is a troublemaker, and there is no way to return it. After a long time, it is natural that he cannot hide it. Even if he gets married, it cannot stop him from getting married. Once he gets married, it will be even harder to get married again. What's more, the most important thing is to get married.
With a capable man coming back, and relying on the blessings of our ancestors, our family may be able to regain its prosperity. Just trying to look good will eventually cost you your face. Besides, I spent a lot of time to get that girl to agree to this marriage.
They all went to the princess to beg her."
Just as he was talking, the maid came in and said: "The young master is back."
Before he finished speaking, Zheng Wuji walked in.
She has oily hair, pink face, and peach blossom eyes. She is wearing a deep red jacquard silk dress with a cross-collar collar. Her hair is tied up with a jade crown, and two long ribbons are trailing behind her head.
In his hand, he held a folding fan made of Hunan bamboo bones and gold, with crabapple flowers painted on it.
He looked like a dandy at first glance, not to mention the two boys following him, one carrying a birdcage and the other holding a jar of crickets, who had obviously just returned from walking outside to fight birds and insects.
Mrs. Hou Ye saw this and felt suffocated in her heart.
But when the old lady and wife of the Zheng family saw it, they immediately beamed, as if they had seen a dragon colt and a phoenix egg.
Zheng Wuji said hello to his elders. With his aunt in front of him, he was a little more solemn than usual and said: "How is your aunt lately? I just thought I would have time to go to your house to say hello these two days, but I didn't expect you to come today.
.
"You came back just in time. I just told the old lady and your mother that I have arranged a marriage for you. I have already read your horoscopes," Madam Marquis said.
Zheng Wuji couldn't help but smile after hearing this. He scratched his eyebrows with his little finger and asked, "Is there anyone in the capital who dares to marry me? That girl is brave enough."
"Sit down and listen to me." Mrs. Hou Ye decided to say everything she needed to say in front of these three people today. "Their families are not in the capital now, and this girl is not a direct descendant. The reason why I identified her is
I have taken a fancy to her as a person who can respect her elders, teach her children, and can support her husband and family. Compared with the so-called false reputation, it is better to be more pragmatic. To be honest, this is because their family has something to ask for from me, otherwise it would be up to you.
It is absolutely impossible to agree to it.”
"I don't care about anything else, but this girl isn't ugly, right?" Zheng Wuji asked.
"She has just turned sixteen. She is as beautiful as a flower. Even if it is folded in half, she is more dignified than those Yingying Yanyan you do outside." Mrs. Hou Ye knew that Zheng Wuji always only judged women by their appearance.
"Since that's the case, I have nothing to say." Zheng Wuji smiled, his peach blossom eyes sparkling like wine, "Anyway, I have to get married, and the higher-ranking people can't get married, and besides, I don't like to suffer that kind of anger.
I am so ugly that I am afraid that my life will be shortened if I am frightened. Of course, it would be better if the dowry was generous.
"In that case, it's settled." Mrs. Hou Ye slapped the table.
"Is this... is this... too hasty?" The two of them still felt that it was too fast, "Marriage matters should be carefully considered..."
"It's too hot outside, I'll go back inside and change clothes." Zheng Wuji said, bowed and walked away.
"Auntie, marriage is not a trivial matter," Ms. Fang wanted to argue again, "Aren't the elders of the Xu family involved in this matter? The two sides must meet and discuss it. It would be best to ask Zuo Zhengqing to discuss it.
Mutually……"
"Sister-in-law, I have nothing else to say. If you can get that girl surnamed Jiang out of here, I will be happy and don't have to worry about it. In the whole capital, who's brother has already raised a house in the house without even marrying his wife?
Here?! Besides, am I not as discerning as that charlatan? I don’t have money in vain.”
"Jiang Xiaoniang, that's...also to tie him up." Fang said, "Zuo Xianshi is even polite to the prince. Nowadays, all the noble ladies in the capital come to see him."
"Let's just skip the reading! If Miss Jiang can really tie up Wuji, she must be considered capable." Mrs. Houye snorted coldly, "Why don't you go home for three to five days? Don't talk about anything else, let's
How much betrothal gift can the family afford? Even if you make a swollen face and pretend to be fat, you can't survive by marrying someone into the house?"
This sentence finally touched upon the sore point of the Zheng family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and they couldn't help but lower their heads.
For so many years, there was no man in the family who was in power. Although he had a title, his income was limited after all.
These two people had already sold off more than half of their dowries, so they always wanted to leave some money for themselves.
"I'm tired too, so I won't say any more. You can discuss it among yourselves. If you insist on not wanting to do it, forget it. It's not sweet to force the melon. The nod was made with coercion and inducement over there, and here you have done something wrong.
I don't want to. Why should I go through all the trouble and be thankless? I'm not a human being on both sides." Mrs. Hou Ye said and stood up to go back.
Seeing her like this, Mrs. Fang quickly apologized and said: "My aunt is naturally kind-hearted. How could we not know it? It's just that the incident happened suddenly and we can't turn around for a while. We ladies are having a meal together at least."
If I just leave like this, how can the old lady feel comfortable?"
After hearing what her sister-in-law said, Mrs. Hou's tone naturally softened.
After all, she was thinking about her mother's family, otherwise why would she bother so much?
