The old lady knew her grandson's thoughts and praised him, "She is a very clever girl, very wise." Seeing the joy on her grandson's face, she added, "However, being the wife of our family's clan leader requires more than just being smart."
Minhu said anxiously, "Grandmother, she is not only intelligent, but also kind, gentle, filial, talented, and beautiful. Moreover, her father is the old demon who went to Xixia to retrieve intelligence, so she is from an official family. Although her family background is a bit low, it is enough for me to remarry."
Seeing Minhu's anxiousness making his nose sweat, the old lady laughed and said, "Monkey, you've grown up so big, and it's rare for you to be so anxious."
Minhu blushed and said with a wry smile, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Grandmother."
The old lady held Minhu's hand even tighter and said, "Now that we have Xiao Wenshi, I'm eager to find a good wife for our family. But, alas, let me tell you something. Your father said he's old and hurt by Xiao Wenshi, so he doesn't plan to remarry. He wants to find you a wife quickly, this year, and marry you next year. Your wife is our clan's wife, so she can't go with you on your posting. She must stay here to manage the household, and I can take care of her while I'm still alive. That Miss Xu was born in the countryside and is used to being unrestrained. Would she like to be bored in our big house? Or, in other words, is she suitable for managing the affairs of our large family and interacting with those noble ladies?"
Before Min Hu's eyes appeared the poppy on the screen, beautiful, free, and unrestrained...
Needless to say, Xu Lanyin definitely doesn't want to be confined to this big house with complicated affairs, and he is reluctant to tie her down here.
Min Hu had made all sorts of calculations, but he hadn't anticipated that his father would not remarry after driving Xiao Wen away. He said, "Grandma, can I let my fourth aunt take charge of the household affairs temporarily? In a few years, when Miss Xu is older and calmer, she'll be more suitable to manage this mansion."
He didn't dare say that they could divide the family in a few years, as there wouldn't be so many people in the family anymore.
The old lady shook her head and said, "How can that be possible? Most of this family belongs to your eldest branch. You are willing to give it away, but your father doesn't want to. If he knew you had such thoughts, think about how he dealt with your half-brothers. Besides, although the fourth brother is my biological son, I don't want him to have any inappropriate thoughts. Our Min family has been prosperous for hundreds of years. Aside from the bad boy Xiao Wen, we have always been clear and harmonious. We adhere to the principle that what belongs to whom is who, brothers are friendly and respectful to each other, and support each other... You are the eldest grandson of the eldest branch. Don't say you don't know how heavy the burden on your shoulders is. If you forget, think about the family motto."
The old lady's expression became serious as she spoke the following words.
Minhu's face was pale and sweat was running down his cheeks. Of course he knew it.
He pondered for a moment and then said, "Grandmother, let me think about it and see if there is a way to take both sides into consideration. Oh, no, give me a little more time. I will go back and ask Miss Xu. If she is willing to marry into our family for me, I will find a way to transfer her back to Beijing to take up a position. With my help, she can manage this family well."
He felt that given Xu Lanyin's personality, she would most likely not agree, but he still wanted to ask again to give himself a chance.
The old lady had never expected her grandson to be so distraught over a woman, even sacrificing his future, and she was extremely angry. Her son, Minlou, was a first-rank minister and a cabinet minister. If Minhu returned to Beijing, the emperor would never allow him to hold such an important position as a third-rank official, unless he was a benevolent person. Therefore, the old lady and Minlou had always hoped that Minhu would work hard outside, ideally to be promoted to a governor, and then return to Beijing after a few years when Minlou was older. With one step back and one step forward, the emperor would definitely use Minhu, and he might even be able to join the cabinet, and the Min family would also achieve a smooth transition between the two generations...
The old lady loosened her grip on Minhu's hand and said with a sullen face, "Don't tell me you don't know what your father thinks. Family interests are more important than life, let alone the personal feelings of children."
She saw her grandson's slightly plump cheeks and the anxiety in his eyes, and then thought of Min Jia who had become smart again. She thought that Miss Xu might really have some extraordinary qualities that made her grandson so happy.
He added, "If you really like that girl, I agree that you can marry her and will convince your father. However, except for one or two months a year when she comes to stay at your post to try to have children as soon as possible, she must stay at home the rest of the time. I want to teach her how to be a good wife of the head of the family while I am still alive. We already have a little Wen, and we can't have another. For the future of the Min family, you must serve outside the post. There is no room for negotiation."
Min Hu looked at the old lady, who was usually charitable but ruthless when it came to family interests, and felt a sense of powerlessness. He saw Xu Lanyin's bright smile and the stunning poppies before his eyes again... She would not enter this family. Even if she did, she would wither.
Minhu sighed deeply and said slowly, "Miss Xu is not suitable to be our family's wife. I will listen to the arrangements of my grandmother and father."
After saying that, he got up and left.
Seeing her eldest grandson's slightly hunched back, Old Lady Min felt a little sad. This grandson had been smart, sensible, filial, and patient since he was a child. He followed the path planned by his elders and walked very smoothly.
This was the first time he had his own plan, but it was a marriage that went against his family's interests, so he had to refuse...
At this time, at the Xu family in the north of Ningzhou Prefecture, Xu Lanyin was lying on the bed thinking about the letter that Xu Qingyan asked Ji Zhu to send back.
Just as Zhao Wu had guessed, that little Shen was actually the grandniece of the old Shen, and a legitimate daughter of the legitimate branch. No wonder she was able to become Chai Jun's concubine, and even dared to hope that her son would inherit the title after Chai Zixiao's death, and even that she would be the legal wife after Grandma Chai's death.
She and Chai Jun met at the Lantern Festival. While watching the lanterns by the lake, Chai Jun was pushed off the embankment. He instinctively grabbed a young man nearby, but not only did he lose his balance, he dragged the man down with him. The lake froze in winter, and the two slid down a long distance, hugging each other. And the person being pulled down was none other than Xiao Shen, disguised as a man...
Xu Qingyan didn't describe what happened next, but Xu Lanyin could imagine it. Chai Jun felt something was wrong only after he fell. The person in his arms was soft and fragrant, with rosy cheeks and a plump nipple.
"He" was so ashamed that he wanted to die. After learning that she was a girl from the Shen family, Chai Jun was willing to make her a concubine. He felt that he had wronged her and doted on her in every way...
The He family mother and son did not completely obey the young Shen's words and immediately threw Chai Zixiao into the river to drown. This may have something to do with Chai Zhengguan and the old Shen. After all, the young Shen represented the interests of the Shen family, and the old Shen also represented the interests of the second branch of the Chai family...
Those who do evil will surely perish.
The fact that Xu Lanyin saved Chai Zixiao was not enough to make Princess Nanyang and Prince Consort Chai help Qin deal with Chai Zhengguan. But if they knew that Chai Zhengguan and Old Shen were involved in that incident, they would ruthlessly clean up the Chai family.
Two more portraits appeared before Xu Lanyin's eyes. They were of the He family mother and son. Their portraits were posted everywhere, but they still hadn't been caught...
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