Chapter 607 A Dream of Youth 139
As Chen Wanniang led Xie Ning toward the central courtyard, she began to have some ideas. She didn't know if the garden would make money, but it would certainly be easy to build connections. It was just a pity that she didn't have enough money to prepare such an elegant and beautiful garden in the capital.
Or rather, even if she had the money, she couldn't buy it.
Because the owner of such a residence would certainly want to exchange it for something of greater value, such as an official position or some form of favor.
The maid led the group to the banquet venue. As soon as they entered, they saw a number of people standing in twos and threes in the courtyard. Qiu Yu spotted Xie Ning with her sharp eyes, nodded slightly to the girls she was talking to, and then came forward to greet him.
"Madam Xie, Miss Xie."
Xie Ning returned the greeting, and the group chatted for a while. Chen Wanniang then introduced Xie Ning to several familiar ladies and sent her off to play with the little girl.
Also present today were Madam Zhao and Zhao Huilan. Although the two families did not become in-laws, they still maintained a friendly relationship.
Seeing Xie Ning gradually integrate Zhao Huilan into the circle of other girls, Madam Zhao breathed a slight sigh of relief, although she knew that with her daughter's temperament, it wouldn't be difficult for her to break into a new circle.
But if someone helps, things will definitely go more smoothly and there will be fewer difficulties.
Xie Ning didn't actually have much of a relationship with the girls present, except for Qiu Yu, with whom he was relatively familiar.
Because both she and Chen Wanniang had been focused on their careers in recent years and rarely attended flower-viewing banquets or poetry gatherings, their relationships with the noble ladies and young women in the capital were only superficial.
Even so, Xie Ning was easily accepted by the young ladies in the circle. After all, Xie Ning had a good relationship with Princess Yanxi and had some influence in front of the Emperor and Empress, so no one would make things difficult for her.
Also attending the flower-viewing banquet today is Miss Xiang Youyi from the Xiang family, whose family is also the Empress's maternal family.
The two had heard of each other but had never met. Xiang Youyi looked at Xie Ning's face with curiosity, her eyes filled with a little confusion. She couldn't quite understand this young lady.
All that can be seen is that Xie Ning will definitely be extremely wealthy and powerful in the future, but anything beyond that remains shrouded in mystery.
Xie Ning could sense that many eyes were on her, but she seemed oblivious, enjoying the flowers and chatting with everyone else in a lively atmosphere.
On the other side, Chen Wanniang had been pulled aside by several ladies to ask about Xie Qi, mainly to inquire about him. Originally, this should have been what Chen Wanniang was most anxious about, but Xie Qi had already explained things to her, so Chen Wanniang decided to wait another two years.
Those who inquired about Xie Qi were either after Xie Wangzhi or Xie Ning; of course, Xie Qi himself was also quite accomplished.
Among these ladies were sons or relatives who were classmates of Xie Qi, so of course they had inquired about it, since they weren't simply after profit.
After listening to a few words, Madam Zhao also looked over curiously, wanting to see Chen Wan Niang's reaction, because she didn't know why the Xie family had given up on the marriage proposal.
Chen Wanniang smiled and waved her round fan, "This child said he wants to study hard for another two years and there's no rush to talk about marriage after he has achieved academic success."
"This is what Madam Xie doesn't understand. When it comes to starting a family and building a career, one should naturally start a family first and then build a career. With a wife and children, one's heart can be at peace."
Otherwise, they would bring in a concubine so that the young master in the family would know about human affairs and wouldn't be tempted to neglect his studies.
"That's right, it's fine to get engaged first. We can get married after we pass the imperial examinations, so that we can have double happiness."
......
Chen Wanniang's eyes were indifferent, clearly not wanting to bring up such a topic. "There's no need for you to worry about that, Madam. The child wants to focus on his studies, and we as parents certainly shouldn't interfere. His father and I won't worry about marriage for now."
As for concubines, neither the Xie nor the Chen families had such a precedent.
Mrs. Zhao looked away in disappointment, then started chatting with the lady who was inquiring about Zhao Huilan. She didn't need her daughter to expand the Zhao family's network of connections; she just wanted to find her daughter a more comfortable husband.
On this basis, it would be ideal if their future in-laws could be of help to them.
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