Chapter 41 Marriage Proposal: Min Hui Agrees
After a moment's thought, Madam Wu quickly said, "Since you have come to propose marriage in person, I should not refuse. However, this matter concerns my brother-in-law's lifelong happiness. Even my mother-in-law does not dare to make the decision on her own, so I, as his sister-in-law, certainly do not dare to overstep my bounds. In my opinion, my brother-in-law should make the decision himself."
Wu's shocked expression just now was genuine, and her words of refusal at this moment were also very clear.
Lady Annan could easily understand the intentions of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from the Xuanping Marquis's household.
Previously, when Min Qiaoshi made excuses, she could still assume that Min Qiaoshi was someone who didn't manage the household and had no say.
At this moment, the housekeeper, Madam Wu, also made all sorts of excuses and put herself in a difficult position.
There's nothing that someone as intelligent as the Countess of Annam doesn't understand.
His face immediately turned cold. "Does Madam think that our An'nan Earl's family is too lowly and not worthy of your Third Master?"
How could Madam Wu dare admit that she disliked someone else's daughter? She immediately shook her head vigorously, "No, no, Madam, please don't misunderstand. How could I dislike your fifth young lady? I've just taken over the Marquis's mansion, and I really can't make decisions for Min Hui! Madam, you should go directly to Min Hui and discuss this matter!"
Lady An'nan was truly furious. She claimed that the Marquis of Xuanping's household looked down on their household, but Lady Wu insisted that they hadn't looked down on her daughter... It was practically an admission of guilt!
"Ha! It's really troublesome for Lady Xuanping to go to the trouble of finding excuses to appease me!"
Lady Annam stood up and said coldly, "I won't disturb you any longer."
After saying that, he turned and left.
As soon as she stepped outside, Lady Annan spat in front of the maids who had come to see her off, "Pah! What a piece of trash! How dare you look down on my daughter! If it weren't for Consort Xian acting as matchmaker, who would want your third son?"
After seeing the Lady of Annam out of the second gate, the maidservant hurriedly returned and reported the Lady of Annam's words to Madam Wu.
Wu was completely bewildered. How did this involve the virtuous concubine in the palace?
So, he rushed over to find Madam Min Qiao again.
Upon hearing this, Madam Min Qiao immediately understood the situation.
Consort Zhao was the youngest daughter of Grand Secretary Zhao, and thus Zhao Zhiheng's aunt.
Zhao Zhiheng suffered grievances at her hands and was also dealt with by Grand Secretary Zhao, so why didn't he have to seek revenge on his aunt, Consort Zhao?
As for how to vent one's anger... marrying into a family that's prone to causing trouble and making her suffer is a kind of revenge, isn't it?
She knew it; in her past life, there was no such thing as Lady Annan coming to Min Hui's door to propose marriage.
Of course, she had never been to the Painted Corner Tower in her previous life, nor had she offended Zhao Zhiheng or Consort Zhao.
"It's alright, let Lady Annam go find Min Hui about this."
Madam Min comforted Madam Wu with a remark, then inquired about Min Yuexi's situation.
Madam Wu said worriedly, "The poison has been completely removed. But her body still needs recuperation. However, the most important thing is Xi'er's marriage. Next year Xi'er will be sixteen. Alas!"
Madam Min raised her hand, "Xi'er will only be fifteen next year, not old at all. Good things come to those who wait, and there's no rush for marriage. Right now, taking good care of her health is the most important thing."
“Mother is right,” Wu replied, her eyes red.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked about Min Yuexi's matter for a while before Wu left.
Before leaving, she also took away a century-old ginseng that Madam Min Qiao had given to Min Yuexi to nourish her body.
After Madam Wu left, Granny Fang asked worriedly, "Madam, is it alright that Consort Xian from the palace is interfering in Third Master's marriage? If we refuse this marriage, will we offend Consort Xian?"
Madam Min sighed, "We've already offended Consort Zhao."
Madam Min smiled meaningfully, "Perhaps this marriage will be arranged."
***
A few days later, things turned out exactly as Min Qiao had predicted, and Min Hui personally agreed to the marriage proposal from the Marquis of Annan.
That day, Lady Annan left the Marquis of Xuanping's residence with a belly full of anger. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. So she went to several of her friends' homes to vent her grievances.
The next day, news spread throughout the capital that the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion was arrogant and looked down on the Earl of Annan's mansion.
Some say that Wu couldn't stand her brother-in-law finding a good marriage, so she interfered.
Some say that Wu Shi, like her mother-in-law Min Qiao Shi, came from humble origins and feared that the young lady of the An Nan Marquis's mansion, being of noble birth, would overshadow her upon entering the family.
Of course, the most common complaint was about Min Qiao's cruelty and ingratitude as a stepmother. Her son was already quite old, and she hadn't arranged a marriage for him. Now that a good marriage had come knocking, she was still blocking it. What kind of logic was that?
The matter raged for a few days before gradually subsiding. After all, compared to the uproar that Madam Min Qiao had caused at the gate of the Prince of Chang'an's residence, it was nothing. Moreover, everyone knew perfectly well who the Fifth Miss of the Marquis of An'nan's family was, and who the Marquis of An'nan's wife was.
After making such a scene, Lady Annam intended to call off the marriage. But unexpectedly, Consort Zhao sent a lady-in-waiting to deliver a message, asking if Lady Annam was dissatisfied with the match she had arranged. If so, she would sever all ties with her as sisters.
Lady Annam dared not. After seeing the lady-in-waiting off, she immediately went to the door of Min Hui's uncle's house and went to find Lady Wang Zhang.
Upon hearing this, Lady Wang was overjoyed and immediately accepted the marriage proposal on behalf of Min Hui.
The two hit it off immediately, and together they gave Min Qiaoshi and Wu Shi, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, a good scolding, and then praised and sympathized with Min Hui as if he were their own flesh and blood.
When they saw the Countess of Annam off, the two were already holding hands, as close as sisters.
After seeing off Lady Annam, Lady Wang immediately sent someone to find Min Hui at the city guard post, instructing him to come to the Wang family home as soon as he left the office.
Originally, Madam Wang was not entirely sure whether Min Hui would agree to the marriage, and she had prepared countless words of persuasion in advance.
To everyone's surprise, Min Hui agreed without hesitation upon hearing that it was the Annam Earl's residence. This left Wang Zhangshi somewhat at a loss.
"Don't you want to reconsider?" Wang Zhangshi hesitated. "That Miss Feng is already eighteen, and her reputation isn't very good. People say she's too formidable. And the Earl of Annam's mouth..."
Min Hui interrupted Wang Zhangshi with a smile, "My mind is made up, Aunt, there's no need to persuade me any further."
Wang Zhangshi said awkwardly, "I didn't mean to stop you, I just didn't expect you to agree so readily. This is a good thing!"
After a brief period of discomfort, Wang Zhangshi cheered up again.
"The Marquis of Annan's family is already a good match for you. With a powerful in-law family, you can hold your head high in the Marquis's mansion. Moreover, Miss Feng is a formidable person and will definitely not let Madam Min and Madam Wu bully you again."
Min Hui nodded in agreement, "I'm not afraid of Miss Feng being strong; that's how she can help me. I'm more afraid of marrying a weak and incompetent woman who will hold me back!"
Madam Wang nodded with a smile, "That's absolutely right! In that case, this marriage is truly a good match."
Wang Zhangshi then said, "You're not young anymore, so hurry up and settle your marriage before the New Year. You can get married after the Spring Festival. The sooner you bring her into the family, the more help you'll have by your side."
“Aunt is right. I will go back and discuss the marriage proposal with Madam Min and Madam Wu.”
Seeing that Min Hui was in a hurry to leave, Wang Zhangshi added, "If you want the Marquis of An'nan to think highly of you, you must follow all the rules. The betrothal gifts are especially important. Remember to have Min Qiaoshi and the Marquis's mansion bring out some good things, and make sure the betrothal gifts are impressive!"
Min Hui nodded in deep agreement and replied, "I've noted it all down."
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