Chapter 384: Zhang Zhao's Marriage

Cheng Zhao's marriage is arguably the biggest event for the Cheng family at present.

He is nineteen years old this year. Many nineteen-year-old boys in the village are already married and have two children, but he is still single.

"I was planning to wait until Zhao'er passed the imperial examination and became a scholar before arranging a marriage," Old Man Cheng said. "As soon as the good news came back yesterday, people came to propose marriage. There's no rush. We can take our time to meet them."

"Neither of the two girls that matchmaker Wang mentioned will do," Sister-in-law Cheng put down her chopsticks. "One is the daughter of Master Wang, and the other is a merchant. They are not good enough for our Zhao'er. The other one is said to be a distant niece of the county magistrate. The county magistrate is an official, but his niece's biological father is just a commoner. I don't think much of her."

Although Chief Cheng was not pleased with Sister-in-law Cheng's tone, he agreed with the meaning behind her words and nodded slightly.

Cheng Wanwan lowered her head and took a bite of food. According to this, the Cheng family wanted to find a proper daughter of an official for Zhao'er.

A scholar who wants to marry a government official's daughter is clearly overestimating his own abilities.

Cheng Zhao, who had been silent, couldn't help but look up at the Cheng family elders when he heard this: "Grandpa, Grandma, I have a favor to ask."

Grandma Cheng smiled and said, "Zhao'er, just say what you have to say. Why are you being so polite with us family?"

“Since ancient times, marriage has been arranged by parents and matchmakers, so my idea may be considered somewhat rebellious.” Cheng Zhao stood up, bowed her head slightly, and said with a firm voice, “I hope that my grandparents and parents can entrust my marriage to my second aunt.”

"What did you say?" Sister-in-law Cheng suddenly stood up. "You are my son, and I am your mother. Of course, I will arrange your marriage!"

Brother Cheng slammed his hand on the dining table: "Don't think that just because you passed the imperial examination, you can disregard your parents. Even if you're a high-ranking official, we're still your parents, and your marriage is still up to us!"

He was so angry his nose was practically steaming.

At first, he disagreed with his son living in Dahe Village. After living there for half a year, his son didn't even know his own name anymore.

Why should the son whom the Cheng family raised with such care be subject to Cheng Wanwan's arrangements? She's just a seventh-rank lady; does she think she can benefit from her son's influence? Dream on!

"Eldest son, eldest son's wife, you two sit down!" Old Mrs. Cheng said in a stern voice, "There are guests everywhere in the courtyard. You may be shameless, but I am!"

Sister-in-law Cheng was indignant and muttered, "My second sister-in-law is going too far. She actually wants to interfere in my son's marriage. She's a married daughter, yet she's meddling in her own family's affairs. What does she want? Does she think she's so great just because she's a woman..."

"mother!"

Cheng Zhao spoke sternly, startling Sister-in-law Cheng.

He has always been a gentle person, and even when he is angry, he will hold back his anger. But now, his face is ashen.

“If it weren’t for my second aunt, I would be nothing now. I could not have become a scholar, let alone bring honor to the Cheng family. The Cheng family raised me, and I will repay their kindness. My second aunt guided me, and I will repay their kindness in return. To disrespect my second aunt is like slapping me in the face, making me ashamed to face anyone.” Cheng Zhao spoke slowly, word by word. “It’s not that my second aunt wants to interfere in my marriage, but that I’m asking my second aunt to choose a marriage for me.”

He suddenly lifted his robe and knelt on the yellow earth, "I beg you, Second Aunt, to take care of Zhao'er's marriage. Whether it's a peasant girl or a merchant's daughter, as long as it's arranged by you, Second Aunt, Zhao'er will be overjoyed."

Cheng Wanwan sighed almost imperceptibly.

Zhao'er knew she would agree, but she still knelt on the ground; this was to show the Cheng family.

If the Cheng family were to sabotage what he had worked so hard to achieve, it would be considered an act of defiance against him. Even a clay figure has some earthy spirit, let alone a living, breathing person like him.

"You, you, you!"

Sister-in-law Cheng was so angry she was about to explode; her lungs were hurting.

"Zhao'er's meaning is also my meaning," Old Madam Cheng said coldly. "As her mother, the most powerful person you know is Master Wang in town. If Zhao'er's marriage is entrusted to you, what kind of good girl can you find for her? On the other hand, her second aunt is a seventh-rank lady personally appointed by the Emperor. With such a status, she can easily enter the circle of officials."

Cheng Wanwan laughed when she heard this: "Grandma's words seem to imply that if I didn't find a daughter of an official for Zhao'er, it would be my fault?"

That was indeed what Mrs. Cheng meant, but she dared not show it.

After all, at this stage, the second daughter is indeed the most promising person in the Cheng family. Having the second daughter arrange a marriage for Zhao'er will surely result in a good match.

“I dare not get involved in this matter.” Cheng Wanwan shook her head. “If I do it well, the Cheng family will only think it is their due. If I do it poorly, you will criticize me for the rest of my life.”

After thinking for a moment, Old Mrs. Cheng said, "As long as the girl has good character, our Cheng family will accept her."

She could tell that her second daughter genuinely loved Zhao'er, and if it was true love, she wouldn't deliberately arrange a bad marriage for Zhao'er.

Sister-in-law Cheng was a little anxious and wanted to speak, but was glared at by Old Mrs. Cheng and had no choice but to shut up reluctantly.

Cheng Wanwan's eyes slowly swept around: "Then let today's guests be my witnesses. I will handle Zhao'er's marriage. If you are not a daughter of an official or from a powerful family, the Cheng family is not allowed to cause me any trouble, is that right?"

Grandma Cheng gritted her teeth and made the final decision: "Okay, it's settled then."

Cheng Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Grandma, thank you, Second Aunt."

He then got up from the ground.

Clan Chief Cheng immediately raised a glass of wine: "Thank you, Madam Sui, for taking care of Zhao'er's marriage. On behalf of the entire Cheng family, I thank you, Madam Sui."

Cheng Wanwan's expression was indifferent as she took a sip of wine.

Although Zhao'er now has the power to decide her marriage, she hopes that Zhao'er can meet the girl she likes on her own. If she can't, then she will have to arrange it herself.

After this matter was settled, the dinner table finally returned to its lively atmosphere.

The old scholar from Chengjia Village also got drunk. After teaching in Chengjia Village for so many years, this was the first time he had actually taught a scholar. He drank three cups in a row and passed out. Cheng Zhao helped him back home to rest.

Just as Cheng Zhao left, several people suddenly walked into the courtyard.

The people sitting at the table by the courtyard gate immediately recognized him.

"Oh, it's my sister-in-law who's back."

“Yuanyuan hasn’t been back to the Cheng family home for a while, has she? Come in and sit down.”

"Yuanyuan, is this your man? I haven't seen him in at least ten years. It's rare for him to come here."

"..."

Cheng Wanwan looked up and saw three people at the gate of the courtyard: a middle-aged woman, a man, and a child about the same age as Sidan.

Her gaze lingered on the woman, and in that instant, the original owner's memories flooded back.

The original owner always protected her maternal family, but in fact, her maternal family members were not good to her, except for the woman in front of her, who was the eldest sister-in-law of the Cheng family, the original owner's own sister, whose given name was Cheng Yuanyuan. Cheng Yuanyuan was truly devoted to the original Cheng Wanwan, just like a mother, and gave all the good things to her younger sister.

The original owner also relied on and liked this older sister.

Influenced by the original owner's memories, Cheng Wanwan has absolutely no resistance to her blood-related older sister.

She stood up: "Big sister, please sit here."