Chapter 89 Arranging a Marriage for Yun Chu (Part 2)

The following morning, Wei went to Songbai Hall.

Madam Ning asked in surprise, "What did you say? You've arranged a marriage for Yun Chu?"

Madam Wei smiled warmly: "Isn't that right? It's my most promising nephew, An'er. He came to our house the year before last, and I even brought him here to pay my respects to you. You praised him for being a handsome man."

She is the sixth child in my family and just turned seventeen this year. She is three years and a few months older than Yun Chu. As the saying goes, "A man three years older than his wife is like a golden brick." Isn't this just a coincidence?

Ange'er is currently studying at a suburban academy. He passed the preliminary examination last year and is a diligent student who is often praised by his teacher. He's sure to become a scholar in the future, with unlimited potential. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to bring this up with my sister-in-law."

Madam Ning hesitated and said, "But I remember that apart from your father, none of your brothers in your family have any official titles. They are currently making a living by helping out in our family shop. Your family background..."

Wei pursed her lips: "My family background is indeed a bit low, but sister-in-law, times have changed. My elder brother and Yunqi are no longer here, and you are unwilling to establish an heir to inherit the position of general as soon as possible. Now, in the eyes of outsiders, our general's mansion is no longer what it used to be. It's just an empty shell, just a nice-sounding name. Who among those high-ranking families would still take our general's mansion seriously?"

Now, Yun Chu has to observe mourning for three years. By then, Yun Chu will be almost seventeen. When she goes out to find a husband, let alone those from wealthy families, even ordinary people's suitable men will have already married and had children.

"It's precisely because I'm thinking of Yun Chu that I rushed over to mention this to my sister-in-law. Why don't you have my nephew come over in the next couple of days to pay his respects? My sister-in-law can take a look at him first. I'm not exaggerating, but I guarantee she'll like him at first sight."

Madam Ning was somewhat tempted. Her daughter would be fourteen after the New Year, which was indeed the age for marriage. If they really waited three years to find a husband, she might not be able to find a good family, just as Madam Wei had said.

However, she had dealt with Wei's family members before, and when she remembered how those people were so unruly and noisy when they came to visit her home, she couldn't stand them at all.

Moreover, she didn't remember that Wei's family had such a studious nephew.

Madam Ning: Are you telling the truth?

Madam Wei assured her with certainty, "Of course it's true, sister-in-law. If you're willing, I'll send someone to my family home to tell them, and tomorrow my sister-in-law will bring her nephew over."

As Madam Wei spoke, she didn't even blink. She did indeed have several nephews, including one who was studying at an academy outside the city. Unfortunately, this nephew's academic ability was quite average, and he had taken the exams several times but was still only a student at the lowest level.

So what? As long as this matter is settled, her nephew will be the son-in-law of the General's Mansion. With the help of the General's Mansion, he won't have to worry about not having a good life in the future.

As soon as her sister-in-law nodded, she immediately sent someone to inform her parents' home. When her nephew came to visit the next day, the curfew would be effectively lifted.

You can't just open the door wide for your daughter to find a husband, while restricting others from coming and going, can you?

Hmph, let's see how my sister-in-law will have the nerve to bring up the matter of mourning again then.

Just as they were getting into the conversation, a clear, melodious female voice, like that of a nightingale, came from outside:

"Who is Second Aunt arranging a marriage for?"

Yu Qingci arrived with Lu Yunchu.

Wei gets annoyed whenever she sees her niece-in-law, feeling that anything she does will end badly if she's around.

But he still chuckled and said:

“You’ve come at the perfect time, niece-in-law. I’ve found a good match for Yun Chu and I’m just talking to your mother-in-law about it.”

As she spoke, she stood up, stepped forward, and grabbed Lu Yun Chu's sleeve, scrutinizing her from head to toe: "Look at our Yun Chu, she's almost at the age to find a husband, and she's so beautiful. I'm not exaggerating, among all the girls in our family, Yun Chu is the most beautiful."

I told my sister-in-law, "You really know how to raise children! Look how well Yunqi and Yunchu are raised. Which elder wouldn't love them? Hehehe."

Upon hearing her mention Yun Qi, the smiles on everyone's faces softened, and Wei Shi, realizing she had misspoke, exaggeratedly slapped herself twice on the face:

"I can't keep my mouth shut. I mean, it's time to start looking into Yun Chu's marriage."

As he spoke, he grabbed Lu Yun Chu's collar and showered her with compliments, making Yun Chu's face flush red.

Seeing her sister-in-law at a loss, Yu Qingci stepped forward and stood between the two, saying to Madam Wei:

"Second Auntie really went too far with her words. How can you say such things to a young woman's face when you're on a blind date?"

Madam Wei: "Yes, yes, yes, look at my memory, I was so happy that I forgot about this. Yun Chu, please don't hold it against your second aunt."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Qingci added, "It seems that Second Aunt's memory is indeed not very good. She has forgotten that we cannot arrange marriages in our household now, otherwise it will not sound good if word gets out."

Finally, Madam Wei couldn't hold back any longer and said with a stern face, "What's the big deal? It's just a blind date. The two families can meet privately to finalize the marriage first, and then get married after the mourning period is over."

Yun Chu is almost fourteen now. Which family's elders don't worry about their daughter's marriage at this age? I told my niece-in-law, you can't stop this. If you miss out on a good marriage for Yun Chu, it will be your fault.”

Yu Qingci smiled gently: "A good marriage? I wonder which talented young man Second Aunt is referring to?"

Wei said, "It is my nephew from my maternal family who is studying away from home."

After saying that, he repeated the words he had just used to praise his nephew in front of his mother.

Old Madam Ning had already heard her say it once, so hearing it again didn't seem so good anymore, while Yu Qingci remained expressionless and showed no emotion.

Lu Yun Chu, feeling shy and unable to sit still, whispered to Yu Qing Ci:

"Sister-in-law, I'm going in first to make a forehead band for my mother."

Yu Qingci patted her hand reassuringly, gesturing for her to go inside and stay in the cubicle first.

It's inappropriate for Wei to stay here, regardless of whether they'll actually meet or not, since she's so open about marriage in front of Yun Chu.

After Wei finished speaking, Yu Qingci smiled and said:

"Such a good candidate, why haven't I heard my second aunt mention him before?"

With a smug look on her face, Madam Wei said, "My nephew is only focused on studying the classics. He said he would wait until he passed the imperial examinations before getting married. It was I, as his second aunt, who couldn't bear to see such a good child as Yun Chu being held back by the mourning period, so I suggested that we match them up."

Yu Qingci: "Why didn't you propose such a good marriage to my cousin Yunli back then?"

Yunli is the youngest daughter of the Wei family. She is seventeen years old this year and was engaged two years ago.

Madam Wei objected, saying, "How can that be? My Yunli is going to marry into an official's family as a young mistress."