叭哒漫画

Madam Xiu turned to Lady Yun and said, “I wonder, since your eldest Daughter is so learned, it would be a shame for the Wei Family to sell their lands. I suggest you hand them over to her for management instead.¹‘

Lady Yun’s smile was slightly bitter. She’d thought about letting her daughter help manage the lands, but her daughter had already rejected her proposal, using the same argument she’d used before to dissuade her from getting involved in agricultural matters.

Madam Xiu continued, “I must tell you, Lady Wei, that my family owns a small farmstead ten miles east of the city. It’s a bit far and difficult for me to manage. I’ve thought about giving it to your eldest daughter as a thank you gift.”

“How could we possibly accept that? This is not appropriate, Madam Xiu!” Lady Yun exclaimed.

“Your eldest daughter did not just help me with the seedlings, but also cured my father’s cough. She deserves this gift.” Madam Xiu assured with a warm smile.

Quickly, Madam Xiu added, “I’ve taken a real shine to your eldest daughter. Not just me, my mother-in-law and father-in-law also quite like her. Being a family of scholars and farmers, we too appreciate your daughter’s lively and straightforward character.”

Lady Yun was momentarily stunned. Looking at Madam Xiu’s radiant face, a realization began to dawn on her.

Madam Xiu had called it a thank you gift, but it wasn’t as simple as that.

If it was merely a token of gratitude, she would have presented it much earlier, not now.

In the previous days, Madam Xiu had discussed the prospect of a marriage alliance between their families and Lady Yun hadn’t yet responded.

A few days ago, she had put forth the intention to sell her four hundred acres of land, and now Madam Xiu was trying to persuade her against selling, and was also offering her daughter a farmland…

If Lady Yun couldn’t understand the implication here, she might as well abandon her life as the Lady Wei.

After contemplating, Lady Yun shared a smile, “Madam Xiu, you’ve shown such concern for my daughter. It seems like she has reaped the benefits of good deeds done in her past lives. I will accept your gift on her behalf for now, and she will thank you personally when the opportunity arises.”

Madam Xiu, understanding her intentions, continued, “I wonder how you’ve thought about the proposal I brought up last time. If our families could form an alliance, the Wei family’s matters would be Xiu family’s concerns as well, as we share our joys and sorrows.”

These words touched something in Lady Yun, her smile deepening.

“I am delighted myself, but Ruoruo is a bit wild and may prove to be a burden for the young master of the Xiu family in the future,” Lady Yun shared.

Seeing Lady Yun give in, Madam Xiu’s face beamed with delight.

The two women talked at length. Eventually, Lady Yun personally escorted Madam Xiu to the door and then watched as her carriage disappeared in the distance.

On her return, Lady Yun went to the front courtyard to inform Wei Mingting about her meeting with Madam Xiu.

Wei Mingting’s brow furrowed, “You’ve agreed too abruptly. We should discuss this with Ruoruo. I have always said that she does not need to be married so young.”

Lady Yun explained, “Rest assured, my lord. All I’ve done is to agree to Madam Xiu’s formal proposal. They will send someone to finalise the engagement later. The actual wedding can be postponed. Once all the formalities are completed, Ruoruo will only have to leave for the wedding two or three years later.”

She added, “Rest assured, my lord. I dare not make such decisions alone. When Madam Xiu first expressed her wishes, I had already written to our elders in Capital City. They are also satisfied with the Xiu family.”

The confidence Lady Yun had in giving Madam Xiu a definitive answer today came from the support she has from the seniors in the Capital City.

The matters approved by the elders could not be considered arbitrary when she agreed to them.

Wei Mingting, hearing this, didn’t further voice his concerns.

The family affairs truly weren’t his forte, and his wife’s words made sense to him. The Xiu family was indeed a good match, and he could not find any fault in it. It was indeed reasonable for his daughter to discuss marriage at her age, and he had no reason to object.

After considering for a while, Wei Mingting said to Lady Yun, “You should speak to Ruoruo more about the marriage arrangement. She hasn’t been home for long and is not used to living in a large mansion. If she doesn’t like this kind of life, you should prioritize her feelings. I don’t wish for her to be very wealthy and influential, but hope she leads a safe and smooth life.”

“Rest assured, my lord, I will have a good talk with Ruoruo,” Lady Yun responded.

She then lovingly explained, “Ruoruo is our daughter, and of course we hope she leads a safe and smooth life. We could allow her to marry into a farming family according to her wishes, so that she doesn’t feel too constrained. But you know as well as I do, my lord, in these times, those farming households are struggling. Not like the Xiu family, who live without a care about their basic essentials.”

“Also, the Xiu family is no ordinary household. They are a family of scholars and farmers. Madam Xiu highly values Ruoruo and understands her habits well. She isn’t concerned about them at all, but rather, finds them endearing. Without such reassurance, I wouldn’t have said yes.”

“Well, both you and Ruoruo should make the decision,” Wei Mingting replied, not intending to speak further on the matter.

After reporting the matter to Wei Mingting, Lady Yun returned to the backyard, summoned Li Mammy and Zhang Mammy, and briefed them on the details of the marriage arrangement with the Xiu family.

Li Mammy was an old nanny who had served previously in the Earl Residence and knew the rules the best.

Zhang Mammy, on the other hand, had become Lady Yun’s right-hand woman when Li Mammy was being punished. As such, both of them held equally high positions in the house.

The fact that Lady Yun summoned both of them to discuss the matter showed she took the upcoming marriage negotiations with the Xiu family quite seriously.

Upon learning that the engagement had been confirmed, Li Mammy and Zhang Mammy reacted somewhat differently.

Li Mammy clenched her teeth in frustration. So, it was really happening! Wei Qingruo, the little viper, was truly lucky! She was already so brazen, and with such a marriage confirmed, it seemed she would be reaching for the stars! Handling the old woman was indeed going to be tough!

Zhang Mammy worried somewhat. As her loyalty was to Ruoruo primarily and to Lady Yun subsequently, she knew that Ruoruo wasn’t pleased with the marriage arrangement. Given that Lady Yun had agreed to it without consulting Ruoruo, it was likely to upset her.

Hence, Zhang Mammy boldly asked Lady Yun, “My lady, does Miss know about this matter?”

“She is aware that both I and the Xiu family have this intention, but I have yet to tell her that I agreed today. You two should also refrain from mentioning it to her,” Lady Yun ordered.

Zhang Mammy grew more concerned upon hearing this. She decided that she needed to find a way to inform Ruoruo so that she would be prepared for what was coming..