Chapter 131 Marrying a Wife

Shen Yuanzhu was awakened by Xie Qi.

She hadn't been able to get a good night's sleep for two days in a row. Xie Qi knew she was a heavy sleeper, so he tiptoed out of the room when he got up, not wanting to disturb her.

Unfortunately, the Xie family has gone mad for some reason today. They sent someone early this morning to tell everyone to go to Yujintang.

When Ling'er came to report, she intended to take the opportunity to help Shen Yuanzhu get up and wash, but Xie Qi sent her away.

He half-squatted by the bedside, gazing at her sleeping face for a long time, then gently stroked Shen Yuanzhu's rosy cheeks several times before softly waking her up.

“Yuanzhu…”

He took a soft towel soaked in warm water and first wiped her palms and then her fingertips. While Shen Yuanzhu was still sleepy, he half-squatted by the bed and wiped her face.

"The old lady told everyone to go to Yujintang. I guess it's because yesterday the owner of Jixia Manor made a big fuss about wanting to use Xie family brocade as a sample cloth."

Shen Yuanzhu blinked her still heavy eyelids and casually asked, "How do you know that's Xie family brocade?"

Xie Qi paused for a moment, then Shen Yuanzhu said again, "I must have been confused from sleeping too much."

Xie Qi was a member of the Xie family. Even though he had never been to the Xie family's weaving workshop, he could always recognize the products produced by his own family.

Shen Yuanzhu, who had just woken up, still had sleep in her eyes and was in a daze, letting others do as they pleased.

Xie Qi was overjoyed to see her like this and busied himself helping her get dressed and put on her shoes.

The advantage of stubbornly refusing to sleep on the small couch is that Shen Yuanzhu has now gotten used to his closeness. Even if he pesters her annoys her, she won't find him repulsive...

Thinking of this, Xie Qi became even more attentive.

"The Xie family would never inform me of business matters in the past, but today they specifically sent someone to ask me..."

Xie Qi paused, then smiled slightly: "The reason we're together as husband and wife is probably because of the dyeing recipe you have."

When the dyeing recipe was mentioned, a moment of clarity appeared in Shen Yuanzhu's eyes.

Then she glanced at the wooden box containing the dyeing formula, which was placed openly on the dressing table.

Xie Qi had no idea what she was thinking, and only gave her careful instructions, wishing he could give her his whole heart: "About the owner of Jixia Manor..."

He wanted to say that it was well done, but then he thought that a pure and kind person like Shen Yuanzhu, who was clear-headed and simple-minded, probably wouldn't like such despicable and cunning methods.

So when the words were about to come out, he deliberately changed his tone.

"The owner of Jixia Manor did something really despicable. He took the Xie family's cloth to make sample cloth. In order to beat Jixia Manor, the Xie family only has two options."

"First, to make better brocade; second, to surpass the crimson peony brocade in Jixia Manor's hands in terms of dyeing. So today, it's time to ask you for the dyeing manual again."

No, it won't.

Xie San Niang had just said that she would not interfere with the dyeing process again, so they would not mention it openly today.

But what methods they might use behind the scenes is another matter entirely.

Xie Qi did not refute.

With her pure and simple mind, how could she know the wickedness of human nature?

Bending down to help Shen Yuanzhu fasten the buttons on her clothes one by one, Xie Qi took Shen Yuanzhu's hand with a humble and considerate expression.

When they arrived at Yujintang, the two of them were the last to arrive.

Xie Xuchuan nearly crushed the safety amulet in his hand as he watched the two still walking hand in hand.

"Everyone is here."

Hua Nanzhi walked to Xie Sanniang's side and whispered something in her ear. Xie Sanniang, who was half-reclining on the embroidered couch, slowly opened her eyes.

"I've called you here because there are two important things to announce at home."

Xie Chengzhi asked, "What is it, Mother? Is it... that you have something to divide up?"

Xie Sanniang glanced at her second son, who was rubbing his hands together eagerly, and said weakly with drooping eyelids, "Let's talk about the important thing first. Jingyuan has reached the age where he should be married."

With her, as the mother, personally overseeing things, she would always be more attentive than Hua Nanzhi, who was just her sister-in-law.

Therefore, before she died, she made sure to select a suitable candidate for her third daughter-in-law.

Upon hearing this, Xie Chengzhi knew that his mother favored the third wife.

When he and Xie Boyu got married, the marriage was arranged by just three or two families they knew. There was no need to gather the whole family together for such a grand ceremony.

Even Xie Jingyuan was somewhat embarrassed by this scene.

He touched his nose and laughed, "Such a small matter, no need to trouble yourself..."

"Marrying a virtuous wife benefits three generations; one should not be careless in choosing a wife."

Xie Sanniang said, "I originally wanted to find a matchmaker to find a respectable family for my third son, but it's not uncommon for people around us to be cheated by matchmakers."

Zheng Shu was originally found and matched by a well-known matchmaker in Suzhou Prefecture by the Xie family.

And what was the result?

Xie Sanniang rolled her eyes: "Outsiders are never as reliable as family. You often travel around Suzhou Prefecture, so you must have heard of families with virtuous girls."

After glancing at Jiang Wansu, Xie Sanniang said, "When our Xie family takes a wife, she must have a clean background. If you go back three generations, the family must have a clean and upright family tradition and be honest and law-abiding."

"Whether you are an official, a merchant, or a farmer, there must be no one in your household, whether they are involved in gambling, street performances, or keeping mistresses."

Xie San Niang secretly prepared a sum of money to help Xie Jingyuan obtain an official position.

Therefore, this marriage must not have the slightest blemish.

Xie Boyu said, "Mother is right. A clean reputation is the most important thing."

Xie San Niang nodded: "Furthermore, the woman herself must be gentle and virtuous, and know how to behave properly and maintain her chastity."

"But Wenwan can't be like a dough ball, without any ideas or backbone, only knowing how to rely on Jingyuan every day, making the man lose the will to strive outside."

"A woman should have the gentleness and charm she deserves, and she should also have enough inner strength to support herself."

If Jing Yuanzhen becomes an official in the future, with his intelligence and talent, he will surely rise rapidly in rank.

At that time, high-ranking officials and dignitaries will come to visit the household, and it would be impossible to manage without a matriarch who can handle them.

After thinking for a moment, Xie Sanniang said again: "I can't marry a woman who is illiterate and has never been to school. She can't do accounting or manage the household, and the house will be a mess in the future, requiring Jingyuan to spend his energy to keep it in order. Such a woman is useless to marry."

"But too much reading and too many ideas are also not good. If a woman reads too much, she will always want to compete with men, which will cause unrest both at home and outside."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhu lowered her head and rolled her eyes.

It is said that it does not discriminate between scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants, but apart from daughters born into official families, how many of them can read and write, manage household affairs and do accounting?

Even if you searched the entire Suzhou prefecture, you probably wouldn't find a girl as good as her who is also willing to marry into the Xie family.

"Oh my goodness, Mother, are you choosing a wife or selecting a concubine?"

Zheng Shu listened, then clicked her tongue and said, "Too tall won't do, too short won't do, too fat won't do, too thin won't be able to give birth, do you really think the emperor is choosing a wife?"

"Third Uncle is indeed handsome, so he won't have trouble finding a good family, but your conditions are too demanding."

"Does our family meet the criteria?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Sanniang said calmly, "If you're not good enough now, you'll be good enough once you establish a connection with the Prince's Mansion."

As she finished speaking, she glanced lightly at Chen Yuanzhu.

Therefore, she was determined to secure this deal with the Prince's mansion no matter what...