Wei Qinglou accompanied his mother for about ten days to select portraits, from famous ladies from prominent families in the capital to daughters of officials from the surrounding areas of Yujing. When the portraits were finally bound into a book, Wei Qingwu also led his generals into the capital.
On a high-rise building along Yong'an Street, Song Jiangmei and Zhu Jiayu sat facing each other. She had nothing to do today, so she decided to accompany Zhu Jiayu to see what Wei Qinglou's second brother looked like, so that Zhu Jiayu wouldn't be unaware of who he was next time they met.
"Speaking of which, this General Wei does bear a resemblance to your Lord Wei, but he is clearly more robust and has a decisive and ruthless air about him."
Song Jiangmei commented, resting her chin on her hand.
Zhu Jiayu nodded: "Of course, he..."
Seeing her pause, Song Jiangmei looked at her curiously: "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." She shook her head, but wondered why Zhuang Shengxian was here too.
Song Jiangmei protested, "There's clearly something there!"
Helpless, Zhu Jiayu pointed out Zhuang Shengxian, who was drinking tea by the window across the street, and told her about her entanglement with this Miss Zhuang.
"I see." Song Jiangmei nodded slightly. "Then isn't it normal for her to be here? You just said that the Wei family is currently at the height of its power. In order to conceal its brilliance, Wei Qingwu's best choice is to stay in Yujing. On the other hand, isn't this what the Duchess of the State hopes to see? In that case, for Zhuang Shengxian, Wei Qingwu becomes her choice?"
"Moreover, Wei Qingwu is the eldest son, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will inherit the title in the future. He is no less capable than Wei Qinglou. Smart people know not to put all their eggs in one basket. I think this Miss Zhuang is quite smart and must know this principle, which is why she came to join in the fun today and also to find out what's going on."
"Forget it, let's not talk about that." Zhu Jiayu waved her hand and then said, "I heard that several ladies of the Nie family are currently inquiring about your marriage. What are your plans?"
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the high-rise building.
It turned out that the great general riding a white horse had arrived at the teahouse where they were. Song Jiangmei turned her head to look downstairs and inadvertently met the eyes of the young general wearing a red-tasseled helmet and silver armor.
The crisp spring breeze gently caressed the green willows below and the wine flags above, and also brushed against their young faces.
After a moment of distraction, Song Jiangmei regained her composure, a hint of contempt flashing in her eyes, and laughed, "It's one thing for others not to know what they're up to, but don't you know? They're just hoping that I, an outsider, will get married quickly so that they, the Nie family members, can divide up the inheritance left by my stepfather."
As she spoke, she felt a little irritated. It was all because she hadn't handled things cleanly enough back then, and had only allowed her stepfather to leave behind a will. If she had been able to find a way to make her stepfather announce in front of the elders and clansmen that she would inherit the Nie family's property, there wouldn't be so much trouble now.
"Actually, there is another way, which is to find a husband to marry into the family. But I don't look down on men who are not capable. As for capable men, I can't help but worry that they might have other ideas. So this path is also not feasible."
"But I've come to terms with it now. No matter how much they pressure me, they can't force me to get married as long as I don't give in. So let's just leave it at that and see who can outlast whom. I'm young, and I'm not afraid to outlive them."
Towards the end, her words carried a hint of listlessness and resignation.
Zhu Jiayu found it amusing, but nodded slightly: "I was worried you might do something rash, but now that you have your own plans, I won't try to persuade you anymore."
"But if you meet someone you truly like, remember not to hold back. Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a true lover is hard to come by. Besides, I will help you find a way to deal with the Nie family's assets, so it's not a big deal."
...
After reporting his duties and receiving his reward at the palace, Wei Qingwu left the palace with his comrades. He then bowed to them in farewell and walked toward the carriage bearing the Wei family emblem that had been waiting by the roadside.
"Second Brother."
Wei Qinglou leaned out of the carriage and called out to him.
"Get in the carriage quickly, your mother has been waiting at home for a long time."
Wei Qingwu nodded. After getting into the carriage, he heard his second brother say, "You're not getting any younger. Have you thought about your marriage? After so many years on the frontier, have you found a girl you like?"
Seeing that Wei Qingwu remained silent, Wei Qinglou understood and sighed, "That's true. The borderlands are harsh and cold, so you don't have the mind to think about these things. But now that you're back in the capital, you're really lucky. There are so many noble ladies in the capital, all kinds, from plump to slender, gentle and elegant to heroic and spirited. You haven't even returned yet, and matchmakers have already worn down our doorstep."
Although marriage is forbidden during the period of deep mourning, matchmaking and engagement are not prohibited, as long as it is not done in a grand manner.
Wei Qingwu was so annoyed by his nagging that he couldn't help but say, "Although it is against the rules for a younger brother to marry before his elder brother is married, a family like ours doesn't need to follow such customs."
Wei Qinglou understood his implication and frowned disapprovingly: "Second Brother, do you think I'm such a vulgar person? I'm just genuinely concerned about your marriage, it has nothing to do with A-Yu."
Even if his second brother is still single three years later, does that mean he really won't marry Zhu Jiayu?
impossible.
“I used to think that getting married and starting a family was meaningless, but now,” he said with a hint of boasting, “think about it, every day from now on, there will be someone standing with you at dusk, someone asking if your porridge is warm. No matter what situation you are in, as long as you think of this person, you will feel boundless tenderness in your heart, and you will feel that the world is pure, and everything is clean and makes you happy.”
"Aren't you even slightly tempted?"
Wei Qingwu: ...
“Wei Qinglou,” he called his third brother’s name solemnly, and asked him very seriously, “Does my future sister-in-law know how pretentious you are?”
Wei Qinglou gave him a pitying look: "I call this a genuine expression of emotion, you don't know anything about it."
He was too lazy to reason with his second brother and said directly, "Anyway, whether you like it or not, Mother has already selected portraits of noble ladies in the capital for you. You can go back and not choose, but she will most likely force you to meet them one by one. You'd better pray for yourself."
Wei Qingwu rubbed his temples.
This is why he hasn't wanted to return to Yujing all these years.
His mother, the eldest daughter of the Wang family and the undisputed matriarch of the Wei family, truly devoted herself to his marriage and having children.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com