"That's right. My daughter Yaoer said she wanted to play the zither more often, hoping to collaborate with the princess soon to achieve a perfect melody." The Third Madam said proudly, "Has she made any significant progress?"
Meng Wei nodded, a look of admiration on her face. "The second young lady has a good understanding, is smart, and studies hard. I think any skill she can learn will not be difficult for her!"
"You're absolutely right. Ever since we hired a female teacher for Yao'er, she's been so energetic that she's not neglecting anything. A Yuan even said that after she gives birth, she'll personally teach her how to run the shop. A Yuan and I will also teach her how to manage the household together."
Meng Chen's eyebrows jumped: "Third Madam, you taught her to manage the household, but have you already found someone for the second young lady?"
The Third Madam understood the purpose of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law's visit, and smiled faintly, saying:
"Housekeeping is a necessary skill for women, so I must teach her. Now that I'm old, I'm a little overwhelmed. After Ayuan gives birth, her mother-in-law will definitely take her back to the Si Mansion to be the eldest lady. Brother Jie is still young, so the power of housekeeping will naturally be handed over to Yaoer."
Meng Wei became anxious when she heard this. Lu Yao was already sixteen years old and a grown-up girl, but they didn't even think of arranging a marriage for her. Instead, they wanted her to stay at home and manage the household. Wouldn't this delay her lifelong event?
"You let the second daughter be the housekeeper, don't you want to choose a good husband for her?"
The Third Madam said, "My daughter Yao'er is still too young to understand these things yet. We would like to keep her in the mansion for a few more years."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked a little anxious. Meng Wei said, "If I'm not mistaken, the second young lady is sixteen years old this year. If she stays a few more years, she'll be a grown-up girl. Her parents are no longer around, so as her third aunt, you must help her find a good husband."
The Third Madam frowned, a look of worry on her face. "How could I not be anxious? So many talented young men from Huayang County attended the last plum blossom viewing banquet at the Princess's Mansion. I've been keeping an eye on them, but my Yao'er hasn't given it any thought at all. All she wants is to learn new skills."
"She doesn't think about it that way. If you tell her, she'll start thinking about it! Marriage has always been a matter of parents' decisions and matchmakers' words. You should help her find someone, and once you've chosen one, tell her."
The third lady looked at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and sighed inwardly. If she wanted Yao'er to be the daughter-in-law of the Meng family, she should just say it directly. Why did she have to bring it up?
"Yao'er has been living in fear for these years. She was finally cured by the princess. Now she is learning skills from the female teacher. Everything is getting better. We hope to find a family of equal status for Yao'er. Her husband can understand her and love her. He can't take concubines or mistresses. Yao'er must not be wronged! Her mother-in-law can also treat her like her own daughter and love her. She can't be treated harshly. If not, our Lu family would rather support her. After all, our Lu family is not short of money!"
The Third Madam paused for a moment, glanced at the expressions of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and continued:
"...I've also looked around privately, and my mother's family is the only suitable one. However, my nephews are either too young or already married, so I don't have anyone suitable to talk to Yao'er about this. Could you please help me out and see if there are any handsome young men of the right age with good family backgrounds?"
Mrs. Meng Chen was just waiting for this sentence. "Yes! My Zihe is such a talented young man! To be honest, my mother-in-law and I came to the mansion today just for this matter."
The third wife was very excited. Who was Meng Zihe?
Not only is he good-looking, but he's also well-educated. If Yao'er marries him, she'll be the wife of an official in the future!
He will definitely not take a concubine, and will be a loyal man like his elder brother!
Yaoer will definitely be happy if she marries him!
However, the Lu family is a merchant family, and the Meng family is an aristocratic family. They are not a good match at all!
The fact that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Lu family are sitting here today to talk to her about this shows that they no longer care about the gap between their family backgrounds.
The Third Madam said calmly, "Zihe is indeed a good boy. He won first prize at the last plum blossom viewing banquet. Yao'er also went there. If Yao'er likes your Zihe, she will tell us when she comes back."
Mrs. Meng Wei said, "Third Madam, didn't you just say that the Second Young Lady doesn't understand these things? Just tell her and she'll naturally think about it. We, the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, are optimistic about Lu Yao and hope that my son Zi He and she can be a good match. Our Meng family has a good family tradition. If the Second Young Lady can marry into our Meng family, we will definitely pamper her and won't let her suffer any grievances. Please ask Third Madam for us. If there is a willingness, our two families will arrange the marriage."
The Third Madam's face lit up with joy. "I do hope that the Lu and Meng families can become in-laws, but I need to ask my A Yuan about this matter... Now that you're all at the Lu Mansion, go talk to A Yuan about this. The prince and princess are here too, so let's go together."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were extremely surprised that the prince and the princess were both there.
"Is the second girl also in the room?"
"Exactly!" The Third Madam quickly stood up. "Let's go over there quickly. I know what you're thinking. We can just ask Yao'er to step aside."
When they arrived at the main courtyard, Lu Yao happened to have someone carrying the ancient relic out of the courtyard.
"Meeting Madam Meng, Madam Meng."
"No need to be so polite, Second Miss." Meng Wei quickly supported her elbow and helped her up.
"Madam Meng, Madam Meng, the prince and princess are in the courtyard. Please go in quickly. I have to go back to study. I will play the piano for you next time I have the chance."
When the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Meng family saw Lu Yao's makeup today, their eyes lit up. They hadn't seen her for many days, and Lu Yao was not only well-mannered, but also looked more and more beautiful.
"Okay, okay, then, Second Miss, you go ahead and do your work first."
"Aunt San, I'm going back."
The third lady nodded and said, "Go ahead."
The third lady tilted her head to look at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, "Let's go in."
The three of them bowed to Su Xingyi in the yard and then entered the main house.
"Sister-in-law, niece-in-law, why are you here?" Simeng hurriedly pulled the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to greet Xiao Lingyu and sat down.
Mrs. Meng Wei looked at Lu Yuan, who was lying on the bed. "I received a letter from the capital today. Zihe has won the first place in the imperial examination and is now working in the Hanlin Academy. We are going to have a big family dinner to celebrate tomorrow..."
Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Simeng. "Our Meng family is truly blessed with double happiness. A few days ago, our Wen Ge won first place in the imperial examination, and now Zi He has also won the top spot. We must hold a grand banquet to celebrate!" Then he looked at Xiao Lingyu and said, "Princess, please bring your children to the Meng Mansion for the banquet tomorrow."
Xiao Lingyu nodded: "It's Wen Ge'er's second uncle who has won the top spot in the imperial examination. The prince and I will naturally come to the banquet!"
Xiao Lingyu tilted his head to look at Meng Weishi and said with a smile, "Madam Meng, I know that every year when the imperial edict is posted, there are always cases of seizing a son-in-law from the list. Especially when the top three Jinshi are paraded through the streets, many noble ladies in the capital come to offer olive branches to them. You and your mother-in-law personally came to invite us to the banquet. I guess that the second young master Meng not only passed the imperial examination and is now working in the Hanlin Academy, but also found a good match in the capital?"
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