"no!"
Cao Qian resolutely refused.
Although Li Qingzhang is a good man, his daughter is better suited to someone else, and besides, he already has someone else in mind.
Why?
Lady Gao frowned slightly, not understanding why her husband had rejected the idea so quickly. Clearly, Li Qingzhang was a decent candidate.
"Madam, have you ever heard of Li Qingyao?"
"Is he the son of the Yan family? I've heard of him, but I've never seen him. Have you taken a fancy to this child?"
"You understand me best, Madam. Although Li Qingyao's biological father... But the Emperor has already stated that he will no longer pursue the Li family's past affairs."
Li Qingyao is exceptionally talented in literature. The county magistrate once tested him, and this boy is sure to pass the county examination next year, becoming a scholar. He and my son would be a match made in heaven.”
Cao Qian was extremely pleased with himself. He had been thinking about this matter for some time, and today was the perfect opportunity to bring it up.
"So," Gao hesitated, "the two are quite close in age, but his family consists of an orphan and a widow. If Ying'er marries into the family, won't she be left without anyone to help her?"
“Madam, once you enter the door, you will be the wife of a scholar, or even the wife of a licentiate. Who would dare to bully you?”
Furthermore, the Li family is united, and their clan school is almost finished, which clearly shows that they attach great importance to the imperial examinations. Li Qingyao will definitely continue to take the exams.
"When the time comes, Ying'er will be adorned in her phoenix coronet and embroidered robes; her best days are yet to come!"
"This puts too much pressure on Ying'er. It's not easy to be the wife of an ambitious person. If Li Qingyao has a bright future, we may not be able to treat each other with respect."
How could a man understand the hardships a woman faces in the inner quarters? If Ying'er were to marry, she would marry Li Qingyao, not the Li family.
How could matters between husband and wife be so simple? Could the clan interfere in the relationship between husband and wife?
“Madam is overthinking things. How do you know our daughter doesn’t have the ability to make Li Qingyao fall for her? We’ll definitely let you see Li Qingyao next time we have the chance.”
"Of course I must see him, but my husband must not make decisions on his own."
Gao decided to find an opportunity to meet Li Qingyao first, and then discuss other matters.
Cao Qian went out to find some people from the clan. Since they were close by, and Li Qingzhang was a good young man, there was no need to send him out.
Cao left in a hurry, and only then did Gao continue reading the letter.
In the letter, Liu Yun also asked Madam Cao to help find some good men to recommend to Mo Qiaoniang, as Li Qingruo could not delay any longer.
The Gao family was more confident about this matter.
She knew every young man in Shaoxing County; she could say a few words about any of them.
However, when acting as a matchmaker, it's best to choose a suitable match. If the Cao family and the Li family do become related by marriage in the future, it would be good to do them a favor first.
Gao carefully considered the candidates; she knew she had to do her best in this matter.
Li Qingyao was naturally unaware that Cao Qian had his eye on his marriage. However, marriage is a major life event, and it is usually decided by parents and matchmakers. Even if the Cao family had truly decided on Li Qingyao, they wouldn't discuss it with him personally.
Madam Cao was still thinking about when she would meet Li Qingyao, but she didn't expect that day to come so soon.
The Li Clan School was completed.
This was a major event, and the Li family even invited the Cao family to attend the ceremony, not because they didn't want to invite the county magistrate.
However, it was just the completion of a clan school, not enough to warrant the appearance of the county magistrate.
Cao Qian brought his wife and daughter with him.
"Today, Madam can take a look at Li Qingyao, and Ying'er can also take a look. We can ask her what she thinks later."
Actually, it's not particularly difficult for young men and women to meet these days.
If you can catch a glimpse of her before the wedding, then it's not considered an arranged marriage.
"No way, we're the bride's family. Even if we're interested, we still have to see what the groom's side thinks. We might be very interested, but he might not even be interested in us."
Madam Cao wasn't as optimistic as her husband thought. It wasn't certain whether the other party wanted to marry her now; she needed to find out more.
When the Cao family arrived, Li Xuming and his family went up to greet them.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by many people, including the village chief, the village heads of various villages, several scholars, and local gentry.
Of course, Magistrate Cao was the most distinguished guest at the inauguration ceremony.
The Li family first held a sacrificial ceremony, as on such an important day, they naturally had to inform Heaven and Earth and their ancestors.
Li Qingyao stepped forward and read the eulogy, followed by Li Qingzhang.
The Cao family of three watched the ceremony from below, and it was at this moment that Madam Cao finally saw Li Qingyao.
Li Qingyao was wearing a blue robe today, decorated with bamboo patterns. He looked like a refined young man, both youthful and spirited.
Li Qingzhang, who came up next, was dressed in black, already possessing the air of the young master of the Li family workshop, his temperament shifting between maturity and naivety.
Cao Ying watched from below, thinking how much Li Qingzhang had changed in just a few months.
Madam Cao nodded inwardly. The members of the Li family were all good-looking, though not stunningly so. But they all had handsome features and each had their own unique charm.
Next came the offering of sacrifices, with people taking turns kneeling and burning incense.
Next, Li Shida and Li Shijie, from the fourth and seventh branches of the clan, spoke as clan elders about the achievements of their ancestors and encouraged the younger members of the clan to strive for academic excellence.
The Li family invited Cao Qian to speak, and Cao Qian immediately recited several poems encouraging study, which immediately raised the spirits.
Afterwards, the children from the clan who were going to school stepped over the fire pit one by one, and then solemnly paid their respects to several teachers under the portrait of the ancestor.
Under the guidance of the Master, they chanted the "Explanation of Characters" in unison.
This is a book about characters, mainly some commonly used characters. It is easy to pronounce and remember, so it has become an essential reading for young children's early education.
Only then was the ceremony truly over.
Liu Yun invited Madam Cao and Cao Ying to the Li family for tea; men also have their own matters to attend to.
"Qingruo, take your sister Ying'er out to play. Didn't you come up with a new idea the other day? You can chat with Ying'er about it."
"Yes, little sister, come quickly, let's go play."
Cao Ying also took Li Qingruo's hand and left.
"They'll probably be talking about our wedding."
"Ah, that must be it."
Li Qingruo sighed. She had argued with her mother last time but hadn't gotten any answers. Actually, she was just afraid.
"However, there are still many good men in this world. Sister Qingruo, don't worry. If someone looks down on someone as talented as you, they must be blind!"
Li Qingruo was amused.
"My sister is the same. A lively, generous, kind and intelligent woman like her will surely find a good husband."
The two looked into each other's eyes and burst out laughing.
"Actually, it might not be my marriage. My aunt is also very anxious about my cousin's marriage. I heard that she wrote a letter to Madam Cao some time ago, asking Madam Cao to recommend some girls. Who knows, it might be my cousin's marriage."
"Li Qingzhang?"
Cao Ying didn't know what to feel. She knew she was paying some attention to this man she had met three times.
"That's right. My cousin and I both had a difficult marriage, and my aunt was very worried."
Cao Ying was quite familiar with the Li family's affairs, so Li Qingruo didn't hide anything from her.
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