Chapter 316 Wishful thinking?
Shen Qingli is a typical girl in the boudoir. A promise like "to be together for life" is really heavy for her.
She was born and raised in Kyoto, and was used to seeing men having three wives and four concubines. Even a gentleman with a good reputation would eventually have to take a concubine.
So, she had never heard of anyone making such a promise to their future wife.
But now, Su Jing said the same thing in the letter, and even Su Wan said the same thing.
In fact, it was good that he was willing to make such a promise to herself. At least she could still hear it in this life, which was much better than others.
Even though her father and mother had such a good relationship, in the end her father still married two concubines and let them have children.
So, in her life, Shen Qingli never expected her future husband to be with her forever.
If Su Jing can do his best, even if he can't, she won't blame him.
"Sister Wanwan, I am willing to wait for him. I thought I was wishful thinking, but now it seems that all the grievances I suffered are worth it." Shen Qingli held her hand and said.
After getting to know Su Wan, she realized that last winter, there were rumors that Third Miss Shen was ill, but it was not a serious illness at all, she was just infected with a cold.
At that time, Prince Xiang's Mansion was already preparing to propose marriage to her family, so she threatened to commit suicide, forcing her mother and father to play along with her and refuse to marry Prince Xiang's son.
She directly told the Grand Secretary that she already had a lover and if he forced her to get married, she would kill herself.
She was the only unmarried daughter in the family and also the only legitimate daughter, so the Grand Secretary loved Shen Qingli very much.
Seeing that his daughter was threatening to commit suicide, he had no choice.
The wife of the Grand Secretary found an opportunity to ask her daughter who she liked. After asking her many times, she found out that her daughter liked the top scholar Su Jing.
Moreover, there was no commitment between the two of them, it was all the daughter's wishful thinking.
This put Mrs. Shen in a dilemma. Su Jing was indeed talented and beautiful, and he would be a good choice as a husband. Her family did not care about family background, so someone with potential would be good too.
However, after Su Jing passed the high school entrance examination, he was transferred to the post of Xuanhe Dushui Ling, which was a tough job. He might not be able to return to the capital for three to five years.
My daughter is already of marriageable age. If she delays for another two years, she will become an old maid and will be laughed at if the news gets out.
However, it would be fine if they could wait until then, but if it was one-sided, and they found out in the end that Su Zhuangyuan had already married during this period, they couldn't let their daughter be someone else's mistress, right?
Mrs. Shen tried to persuade Shen Qingli in every possible way, but she still couldn't convince her. In desperation, she had to discuss it with the Grand Secretary.
When the Grand Secretary heard that it was Su Jing, he fell silent. He had taken a liking to Su Jing from the beginning and wanted him to be his son-in-law. He understood his character and knew that he was a potential stock, so he allowed his daughter to interact with him.
Unexpectedly, this kid won the top spot in the imperial examination with his essay on water control, and was appreciated by the emperor. Even he had to admire his literary talent.
But then Rang was appointed Du Shui Ling and transferred to a harsh place like Xuanhe. He couldn't just watch his daughter suffer with him there, right?
Although the Grand Secretary had many students all over the world, as a parent he also had selfish motives. As the saying goes, a parent's love for his child will have long-term plans for him.
It would be fine if Su Jing was gone for two or three years, but what if it was four or five years? What about seven or eight years?
Even if a policy paper is well written, it is still difficult to implement. Otherwise, the floods in the Xuan River have been so rampant throughout history, and so many capable people have failed to overcome it.
It would not be easy to reap the benefits of this great achievement, and he did not dare to gamble with his daughter's life.
Unfortunately, fate played a trick on him and his silly daughter fell into it. After much deliberation, the Grand Secretary finally decided to follow his daughter's wishes and give her two years.
If she couldn't figure it out, he would find a way then. The daughter of the Grand Secretary would not really be unable to get married. Even if she had to marry a lower-class mansion, she would not be wronged with his Grand Secretary's Mansion around.
But if she thinks it through and finds another good husband, that would be great. He is reluctant to let her go anyway, so it would be better if she stays for two more years.
Therefore, the Grand Secretary's Mansion spread the word to the outside world that Miss Shen was bedridden and weak, so she could only stay in the boudoir and there was no talk of marriage for the time being.
In the feudal and superstitious ancient times, the only important thing for a woman to do after marrying into her husband's family was to take care of her husband and raise children, and continue the family line.
A frail daughter-in-law would have difficulty giving birth, so many people who wanted to propose marriage were turned away for this reason.
When Su Wan learned about the efforts Shen Qingli had made for her elder brother, he was almost moved to death.
She was so wronged and even ruined her reputation just to wait for her elder brother. She envied this kind of two-way love.
Originally, the Grand Secretary thought that she couldn't stay at home all day and not go anywhere. He didn't expect that his daughter really had that ability and really never went out of the house.
"Sister Shen, I really wronged you. Don't worry, my eldest brother will be there for at most two years, and he will definitely be able to return to Kyoto."
Su Wan also knew that two years was still too much for Shen Qingli, but sometimes love is selfish. Isn't this just empty talk?
With big brother's ability, he can definitely do it.
"As long as Su Lang doesn't let me down, I will never let him down. I will wait no matter how long it takes!" Shen Qingli's eyes were very firm.
In the future, I must make it up to Sister Shen.
This time, Su Wan didn't just bring a token of her elder brother's love, she also brought gifts of her own.
She brought two bottles of ice cream and two boxes of goat milk soap.
"Sister Chen, this Ice Skin Jade Bone Cream is the hottest and most fashionable skin care product in my hometown of Xiangzhou. I heard it's very effective and can make your skin lastingly white, tender and smooth. It's winter in Kyoto, and the weather is cold and dry, so you can definitely use it.
We also have these goat milk soaps, which we make at home. I don't know what scent you like, so I brought some of each. Use these for bathing, and your body will smell nice afterwards. You can also use these for hair, which is much better than soap nuts and aloe vera."
Shen Qingli heard from Su Jing that the goat milk soap made by his sister was very useful. Since Su Wan gave it to her, she must accept it generously.
"Thank you, sister Wanwan, for thinking of me in everything. I also brought you a gift, but I don't know what you like, and I prepared in a hurry to see you. Please don't be disgusted."
Shen Qingli didn't have much time to prepare gifts. She was anxious to know why Su Wan came to see her, so she hurriedly made an appointment to meet him.
She gave Su Wan a pair of jade bracelets made of mutton-fat jade. This was a reward from the Empress Dowager when she came of age. It was very significant and sincere, expressing her respect and welcome for Su Wan.
What matters most about a gift is the thought behind it. This was a gift from the Queen Mother, and it was also a coming-of-age gift. It was very precious to Shen Qingli, but she was willing to give it to Su Wan, which showed that she really liked Su Jing, so she loved him and cared about his family as well.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com