Chapter 55 Beauty is a Curse "He certainly knows how to read my mind."...

"who?"

Zhao Ruxuan's eyes flickered, and she said, "It's Madam Lu from the third branch of the Cui family."

Zhao Xu paused slightly, the silk cloth in his hand wiping the sword trembling, his brows furrowing slightly. "Madam Lu? Is she the one who always prides herself on etiquette?"

“It’s her.” Zhao Ruxuan pursed her lips. “Second brother, you don’t know this. She seems dignified, but she’s actually extremely rigid. She’s always talking about the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues and the rules for women. She can’t stand women going astray, and she’ll criticize them if they do anything that doesn’t suit her taste.”

“Last year during the Spring Festival, all I did was wear a flower in my hair and change into a brighter colored dress, and she scolded me for a long time.”

However, since she was of a higher generation, she couldn't very well offend her.

Zhao Ruxuan gritted her teeth in resentment and said, "I guess only someone like my sister-in-law could earn her genuine praise."

"Ah Xuan, do not disrespect your elders," Zhao Xu reprimanded in a low voice, gently placing the sword on the table, his expression slightly grave. "In your opinion, this lady's attitude towards Miss Meng..."

A hint of schadenfreude flashed in Zhao Ruxuan's eyes. "Second brother, is there even a need to ask?"

Based on Meng Lingyao's behavior and appearance, plus her daily attire, what aspect of her wouldn't be something that Madam Lu disapproved of the most?

Given Madam Lu's temperament, even if she genuinely came to propose marriage, she would likely take the opportunity to teach Meng Lingyao a lesson and say some unpleasant things. If Meng Lingyao were to contradict her to her face, she would be labeled as disrespectful to elders and unchaste.

The thought of Meng Lingyao getting a minor setback filled Zhao Ruxuan with secret delight.

Who told her not to even let her future sister-in-law join a team!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu felt anxious and immediately stood up, saying, "I will go find my mother right away."

"Hey—Second Brother!"

Seeing him run away immediately, Zhao Ruxuan stomped her feet in anger.

She said that Madam Lu's purpose was not for that!

However, thinking about the fact that her second brother couldn't make the decision based on what her mother had set, she calmed down, hummed softly, and leisurely strolled back to her little courtyard.

Inside Qiwu Courtyard, Madam Cui was carefully examining a gift list, with a cup of tea steaming beside her.

Seeing her son come in, she put down the list and said gently, "Xu'er, you've come at the right time. Take a look at this gift list and see if there are any omissions?"

“Mother,” Zhao Xu bowed and said earnestly, “I have heard that you have asked Madam Lu to act as matchmaker. I am afraid that this matter is not appropriate.”

"You're getting more and more rude. How dare you call her Madam Lu?" Madam Cui glanced at him. "According to seniority, you should call her Third Aunt."

"Yes," Zhao Xu replied obediently. "My third aunt is very proper and polite, but I'm afraid she might not be compatible with the Meng family. I'm worried..."

Madam Cui gently stroked the smooth paper of the gift list. "It is precisely because of your third aunt's virtuous and dignified character that the sincerity of our Marquis's family is evident. Marriage is a major event, concerning the dignity of both families. It is good that Miss Meng is talented and famous, but since she has married into the Marquis's family, it is a blessing for her to receive guidance and advice from the elders of the Cui family and to understand the weight of patriarchal clan rules and regulations. It is also the foundation of the good reputation of both families."

Her gaze was warm yet unquestionable. "When your father married me, he was also very courteous. The reputation of the Marquis's mansion cannot be taken lightly, and Xu'er should understand that."

Speak gently and clearly, with every word hitting the nail on the head.

Looking at his mother's calm and resolute face, Zhao Xu hesitated for a moment before finally bowing and saying, "Your son understands."

On the day of the marriage proposal, Madam Lu arrived at the Meng residence early in the morning.

She was about fifty years old, dressed in a dark brown robe with gold embroidery, her hair neatly combed, exuding a solemn and dignified air, like a sacrificial vessel in a temple.

Mr. and Mrs. Meng personally greeted her and led her to the seat of honor in the main hall.

After taking her seat, Madam Lu's gaze swept over the furnishings in the hall without making a sound, finally settling on Madam Zhong.

"I have come to your door today to propose marriage between my nephew Mingyuan and your daughter. Mingyuan has been an excellent student since childhood and has fought alongside General Xie in the northern frontier, making outstanding contributions to our dynasty. Of course, although he is skilled in martial arts, he also comes from a family with a strong academic background and is well-versed in the classics and history. In the future, he and your daughter will surely be a perfect couple."

She paused, then asked, "What do you and your wife think?"

Madam Zhong raised her hand, gesturing for her maid to refill her tea, and said calmly, "General Zhao is indeed a dragon among men, with outstanding character and talent in the capital. However, marriage is a major life event, and I only have one daughter. I should ask my daughter for her own wishes."

"Madam Meng, you are mistaken!" Madam Lu frowned, making the deep lines on her forehead even more prominent. "Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. How can parents listen to their children's opinions? Young Master Meng, don't you agree?"

Suddenly meeting her stern gaze, Meng Yan was taken aback, wondering why she had suddenly called on him when she was clearly speaking to the madam. He could only stammer, "This... it's all up to the madam to decide."

Madam Lu looked displeased. "Young Master Meng's words are even more inappropriate! The husband is the head of the household, and you are the head of the family. How can you let a woman make such an important decision?"

Madam Zhong was so angry she almost laughed out loud. She was clearly a woman herself, so why was she belittling herself like this? She was about to retort—

“Reporting to Madam,” came a servant’s voice from outside the door, “the Duchess of Dingguo has come to visit.”

Madam Zhong was taken aback. "The Duchess of Dingguo?"

The Meng family and the Duke of Dingguo's family had no close relationship. Why would this first-rank imperial consort suddenly come to visit?

"Reporting to Madam, the Duchess of Dingguo said... said she came to propose marriage."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent. The Meng couple exchanged bewildered glances, and Madam Lu's face instantly darkened.

Distinguished guests have arrived, and it is imperative to greet them. Madam Zhong suppressed her surprise and personally went out to welcome them.

The Duchess of Dingguo was beautiful and elegant. Dressed in a jewel-green palace gown and adorned with a red-gold phoenix hairpin, she exuded nobility in every gesture.

"Madam, I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly." Madam Zhong asked hesitantly, "But may I ask, what brings you here today?"

Although the servants had made it clear that they had come to propose marriage, she still couldn't believe it.

Lady Dingguo smiled and said, "I've come today for no other reason than to see my nephew, Yanxing."

When she mentioned his name, her tone naturally became affectionate. "He has been longing for your daughter, who is gentle, intelligent, and of good character, and he is determined to marry her. I had no choice but to swallow my pride and ask for a chance for him."

She seemed to only then notice the subtle atmosphere in the hall, her smile unchanged, "It seems there is more than one distinguished guest at the Meng residence today. My arrival is rather unfortunate."

Madam Lu could no longer contain herself and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean, Madam? You know perfectly well that I have come here today to propose marriage!"

The Duchess of Dingguo said calmly, "I only just learned that my sister was also seeking marriage for this reason. However, it is a beautiful story to have a daughter who is sought after by many suitors. It would not be surprising if several more suitors came to propose to a girl as intelligent and beautiful as Miss Meng."

“But it is clearly I who arrived first!” Madam Lu emphasized.

"Sister, that's a strange thing to say," the Duchess of Dingguo chuckled. "This marriage proposal isn't like buying an item; it's not about who comes first. In the end, helping others find happiness is the key to good relationships. As elders, we should always be considerate of the children's wishes, shouldn't we? Forcing things will only hurt their feelings. After all, it's the two young people who will be living together in the future. If we elders don't understand the girl's feelings, aren't we creating a resentful couple? That would be a terrible thing to do."

"you--"

In the backyard, Meng Lingyao was reclining on a soft couch, flipping through a collection of poems, when Cang Dian rushed in to report, vividly recounting the entire conversation that had taken place in the front yard, word for word.

"The Duchess of Dingguo has actually come in person..." Songlan exclaimed, "And there's also Madam Lu... This situation is just too coincidental."

"Is it a coincidence?" Meng Lingyao put down the poetry collection and slightly curved the corners of her lips. "That's not necessarily true."

With Pei Xu's abilities, how could he not know when the people invited by the Marquis of Wuxing's mansion would arrive?

With such a grand commotion today, and both sides bringing extremely generous gifts, how could it possibly escape the notice of countless eyes in the capital?

I fear that by tomorrow, the news of both families vying for her hand in marriage will have spread throughout the capital.

She's going to steal the spotlight again.

She murmured softly, "He certainly knows how to read my mind."

Songlan didn't understand and asked curiously, "Miss, between General Zhao and Lord Pei, who do you prefer? Although that day..."

She gritted her teeth, "But in the end, nothing really happened, and it didn't cause any delays. Given Lord Pei's character, he certainly won't say anything more."

Meng Lingyao was slightly taken aback, and then her faint smile finally turned into a genuine smile on her lips, like a spring breeze rippling a still pond.

She turned her gaze to the window, and through the sparse shadows of the green branches, she seemed to see the distinguished guest sitting in the front hall, stirring up a storm for her.

"But I've already promised him."

-

The study was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense as Pei Xu respectfully poured hot tea for his grandfather.

Old Master Pei stared intently at him and asked, "Why did you choose today to propose marriage?"

"Auspicious days are rare."

"Oh? There are over three hundred days in a year, and you can't find any other auspicious days? Why do you have to run into the Marquis of Wuxing's mansion?"

He clicked his tongue in amazement, “You’ve always been prudent, measured in your words and actions. When did you pick up that competitive temperament?”

Pei Xu lowered his eyes and remained silent, his long eyelashes casting a small, calm shadow beneath his eyes.

The old man stroked the warm rhinoceros horn cup in his palm, his gaze as calm as an ancient well, and slowly turned to him. "In that case, aren't you afraid of the uproar? Saying that the Meng family girl is a femme fatale will do no good to your reputation."

“No.” Pei Xu said decisively, then raised his head. “This will surely become a beautiful story in the capital.”

He seemed to recall something amusing, and a faint smile flickered across his lips, almost imperceptible.

As for the title of "femme fatale"... others might fear her like the plague, but she would probably see it as a reward and be quite pleased with it.

The old man stared at his grandson's slightly distracted expression and felt a sharp pain in his teeth. "Alright, alright, as long as you know your limits."

He took a sip of tea and changed the subject, "It's just that there are still some old fogies in the clan, old-fashioned and their intentions are obvious. They always hope that you will marry a well-educated noblewoman who is well-versed in the rules and regulations, who can manage the household affairs, be good at social interactions, and be a good helper to you."

Pei Xu remained calm. "Your grandson knows."

He has been in charge of clan affairs for so long, and if he can't even make decisions about his own marriage, then he doesn't need to hold onto this position of steward anymore.

“In that case,” the old man said, his gaze lingering on the man’s face for a moment before he sighed, “Grandfather wishes you all your dreams come true.”

After speaking, he stood up nimbly, leaned on the armrest, patted Pei Xu on the shoulder, and slowly walked out of the study.

The door closed gently, and the room returned to silence. Pei Xu sat alone at the desk, silently drinking the half-finished tea from his cup.

Light, quick footsteps sounded outside the door. Dan Yue quietly lifted the curtain and entered, whispering, "My lord, the people have been brought back."