Gu Shiliu's father's expression shifted slightly.

Gu Shiliu's mother smiled and said, "I've wanted to come and pay my respects for a long time, but Shiliu is always busy, so we haven't been able to get together until now. We used to work on the estate and didn't see much of the world. Ever since Shiliu caught the Marquis's eye, our whole family has benefited. It's only right that Shiliu does as much as he can for the Marquis. If there's anything that's bothering us, there really is one thing that's really troubling us."

Cui Ming instructed a maid to pour tea.

The two quickly bowed slightly, held the tea in their hands, and then quietly examined Cui Ming.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "What is it? Please speak freely."

Gu Shiliu's mother said, "It's all about this child's marriage. Shiliu went to the north with the Marquis before, and we didn't know if he would come back, so we didn't arrange a marriage for him, thinking that we wouldn't delay the girl's marriage. Now he's getting on in years, and if we can't settle down, it will be difficult for his younger siblings to get married. A while ago, we took a liking to the girl from the Li family. We heard that she works for the madam, is a clever person, and is a servant, so everyone said they were a good match. Who knew that she would hang the marriage certificate on the beam above the stove for three days? During those three days, there wasn't a single peaceful day at home. The pots broke, the bowls shattered, and several of the younger children tripped and fell while walking on flat ground, injuring their mouths. It looks like this marriage is going to fall through, and it's really worrying."

Cui Ming couldn't help but purse her lips and smile softly.

Qin Yuan also smiled.

It's quite something that they came up with this explanation.

She feigned sudden realization: "So that's what it was about! This is perfect timing, just what I needed. The Marquis values ​​Sixteen and is also concerned about his marriage. He recently found someone he likes, and Sixteen has met her. She's straightforward, we get along well, and she's also my dowry maid, so she's of good character. Sixteen himself has agreed, but he's worried about not having enough money to get married. He even told the Marquis that he'll wait until he's done with his work and has saved up enough for a wife before getting engaged. You could say these two are destined for each other."

Hearing Qin Yuan say this, the two breathed a sigh of relief and smiled broadly, saying, "If the Marquis and Madam approve, then it is naturally good. This child is also very fortunate to have caught the eye of the Marquis and Madam; this is a blessing that others can only dream of."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Sixteen is clever and capable, and is the Marquis's most favored person. This girl and I grew up together, and our bond is deeper than with others. I originally planned to let her go in the future and marry her off to a humble family as a proper wife, but who would have thought that she and Sixteen would fall in love. This is truly a match made in heaven."

Gu Shiliu's father immediately said, "That's right. I told him not to rush to find a match for Shiliu. His mother was so anxious, afraid that all the good ones would be taken. It would be impossible to settle down in such a hurry. It turns out that our eldest son's marriage is here."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "That's right. Originally, this matter should have been told to you by the Sixteenth Prince, but I saw that you were anxious, so I brought it up first. However, although this matter has been settled, the marriage still needs to be decided by the parents. Furthermore, if the marriage is arranged, the bride will be the wife, and if the bride is taken away, the bride will be the concubine. I think it would be better to wait until the Sixteenth Prince has finished his business, and then you can discuss it in detail before asking a matchmaker to make the arrangements."

“That’s natural, that’s natural,” the two said in unison.

I had hoped to take the opportunity to see the person, but now I dare not mention it again.

Qin Yuan hadn't originally planned to call Hongye out for them to meet, leaving Cuiming to serve as a demonstration for them.

The two sat for a while, then tactfully took their leave.

After leaving Wutong Garden, Gu Shiliu's father said, "Madam is like a fairy, and the maids around her are also beautiful and of good character. If Shiliu marries someone like her, it will be a marriage that you can't find even if you carry a lantern. You should stop thinking about how to manipulate people and how to get the eldest son's family to subsidize the second son."

"I'm not stupid. Sixteen came from my belly too. Am I a stepmother?"

Gu Shiliu's mother was unhappy.

After a while, he calmed down and his face lit up with joy. He said, "The lady is willing to send that girl out to marry a good family. This shows that she is very kind. She won't be like Rong Momo in the future. If our Sixteenth son marries her, he will become the most favored person by the Marquis's wife's side. He will have a say in both the inner and outer courtyards. Will his younger brothers and sisters not have a future? They say that a hero needs three helpers, and a fence needs three posts. Even in war, you need your own brothers."

Gu Shiliu's father snorted and fell silent.

"It's a pity we've offended the Li family; the second son will be dragged down with us too," Gu Shiliu's mother sighed again.

"Isn't this all your doing?!"

"Is everything my fault? Why didn't you say so back then? If it's wrong, it's mine; if it's right, it's yours?"

“Why didn’t I say that the eldest son’s marriage should be approved by him? But did you listen? You said that as his mother, her son should listen to her. Otherwise, none of this would have happened. You almost ruined our son’s future and almost alienated him from us. Over the years, if we don’t do things your way, you cry and make a scene, and the whole family is never at peace. How can I live a peaceful life?”

Gu Shiliu's father was filled with resentment.

Gu Shiliu's mother held back for a while, but finally couldn't hold back any longer. She put her hands on her hips and shouted angrily, "Are you trying to turn the world upside down with this opportunity? Fine! I'll leave Shiliu's marriage to you. From now on, I won't get involved in anything. Don't try to make me do this one minute and that the next. If you're so capable, then you can manage it yourself."

...

Hongye was waiting anxiously in the room when Cuiming ran in with a smile and said, "I've finally met Gu Shiliu's parents."

"Everyone's gone?" Hongye asked in surprise.

My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally at ease, but I also felt a little lost and confused.

"Of course, I think they wanted to meet you, but the young lady said that she and you have a deep affection for each other and that she was originally going to let you go out to be her official wife. They didn't dare to make a fuss, and in the end they said they would wait until the sixteenth to come back to discuss it and find a matchmaker to arrange the marriage."

Hongye breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It still has to be Miss."

Cui Ming said, "Sixteen takes after his father, tall and big, with well-defined eyebrows and nose, and is handsome. It's just that his face is like his mother's, a bit square. His mother must be the one who makes the decisions in his family, she's very capable."

Hongye nodded and said, "Sixteen also said that his mother is a woman of her word. I wonder how they ended up back with Hongmian?"

Cui Ming then learned it once.

Hongye was relieved and said, "It didn't turn out too badly after all."

Hongmian also received the news.

Her mother followed the vegetable delivery cart into the mansion, saying that after three days, Gu Shiliu's family reported that the kitchen was infested with rats again, bowls were broken, pots were smashed, and even the children in the family had suffered. It seemed that the wandering monk's words were indeed true, and this marriage could not take place.

The marriage proposal was returned, but Gu Shiliu's family was quite considerate. They only told outsiders that the two families' children were a bit too far apart in age, and they didn't know if it was a clash of the six or eight elements, so it was best not to get married to avoid them becoming an unhappy couple in the future.