Wu Jingzhi then confessed, "To be honest, my mother isn't sick at all. She just wanted to trick me into coming back to the capital."
Wu Jingzhi thought that Yan Qingqing would ask his mother why she lied to him about returning to the capital, and then he would naturally explain the reason.
However, Yan Qingqing did not play by the rules. She simply smiled and said, "It's good that you're not sick. You should actually spend more time with Madam Wu in the capital."
Wu Jingzhi: ...
Is he really that unlikable?
Yan Qingqing didn't respond, so he could only shamelessly continue, "Actually, my mother just wanted to force me to get married."
Wu Jingzhi was telling the truth, but not the whole truth. He didn't tell Yan Qingqing that his mother wanted him to marry his cousin.
Since Wu Jingzhi had already put it that way, Yan Qingqing had no choice but to say, "Actually, you're not young anymore, it's time for you to settle down and start a family."
Look at my eldest son, he's not even as old as you, and he's already a father of two.
Parents' thoughts are ultimately the same.
Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhi steeled his resolve and suddenly knelt down, saying, "Auntie, I know what I'm about to say might be abrupt. But I don't want to miss out and regret it for the rest of my life, so I have to say it."
I love Xinniang, and I hope you, Auntie, will grant my wish. I swear I will treat her well for the rest of my life and will never let her suffer even the slightest grievance.
After saying that, he kowtowed deeply to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing sighed. Wu Jingzhi was so stubborn. She had refused him openly and secretly many times, but he still said it out loud.
Yan Qingqing had no choice but to speak up: "Jingzhi, your aunt admits that you are a good child, and you are good in every way."
But your family lives far away in the capital, and I am reluctant to let my daughter, Xinniang, marry far away in the future.
Furthermore, your family situation is too complicated. My wife, Xinniang, is a girl who grew up in the countryside.
I've never learned those scheming and backstabbing tactics, and I'm genuinely afraid she'll get hurt.
So your aunt hopes you can understand her maternal love.
But Wu Jingzhi seemed possessed, only saying repeatedly, "Auntie, I will definitely treat Xinniang well in the future, please grant my request."
Li Xinniang was sitting in her room, lost in thought. She knew that the Han family favored her greatly.
Moreover, Madam Han is a kind person. With her mother and brother backing her up, she should have a very comfortable life after marrying into the family.
Thinking of this, she sighed, thinking that it was all for the best, that he and Wu Jingzhi were ultimately destined to be apart.
But her personal maid, Rumei, hurried in and said with a smile, "Miss, Young Master Wu has arrived."
Li Xinniang was startled and suddenly stood up, asking in a trembling voice, "What did you say? Who's back?"
Ru Mei smiled and said, "It's Young Master Wu. I just went to the gatehouse to chat with Ah Si and happened to see Young Master Wu arrive."
The maidservant listened quietly from inside the door and said that he had just returned from the capital.
He looked travel-worn and hadn't even had time to change his clothes; he must be here to see a girl.
Li Xinniang snorted and said, "They didn't even say goodbye when they left. What are they doing back here now? What do they think my home is?"
"What does he take me for? Coming and going as he pleases? Does he think this is his own home?"
Seeing that Li Xinniang was being disingenuous, Ru Mei comforted her, saying, "Miss, Young Master Wu must have something urgent to attend to, which is why he left without saying goodbye."
"His return this time must also be for the young lady. I secretly followed him. Young Master Wu went to the flower hall to see the madam and heard that he wanted to marry the young lady."
Upon hearing this, Li Xinniang said in disbelief, "Really? He really asked you to marry me?"
Ru Mei nodded and said, "This servant heard it clearly. But it seems that the madam disagrees. Young Master Wu is kneeling on the ground and refuses to get up. Miss, would you like to go and take a look?"
Li Xinniang could no longer suppress her inner turmoil and rushed into the flower hall without a care in the world.
When she arrived, Wu Jingzhi was still kneeling on the ground, pleading with Yan Qingqing to grant his wish.
Yan Qingqing was getting a little impatient with being begged, but when she looked up and saw Li Xinniang rushing over, her face immediately darkened.
When she first met the Han family, she wasn't enthusiastic and didn't even look up at Han Xiucai.
Wu Jingzhi arrived in a hurry, which speaks volumes.
Seeing Yan Qingqing's dark face, Li Xinniang felt a pang of regret, but seeing Wu Jingzhi kneeling on the ground also made her feel a pang of heartache.
I don't know what I was thinking, but I suddenly knelt down on the ground with a thud.
Yan Qingqing looked at Li Xinniang's disappointed face. This was the daughter she had carefully raised. Although she also opposed arranged marriages, the Wu family was clearly not a good place for her.
At this moment, she could somewhat understand the thoughts of those mothers-in-law who "dislike the poor and love the rich".
Yan Qingqing didn't say anything more, but angrily turned and left.
Li Xiangping and Li Xiang'an couldn't get angry at Li Xin's mother, but they didn't give Wu Jingzhi a friendly look and directly asked him to leave the Li family.
Yuan Huiniang also stood up and pulled Li Xinniang up, saying earnestly, "Sister, your mother is so worried about your marriage, afraid that you will entrust yourself to the wrong person."
Although this young master Wu is excellent in every way, his home is far away in the capital, and I've heard that there's a lot of trouble going on in his family.
Sister, we've lived in the countryside since we were little. Although your mother and older brother both hold official positions now, we can't escape our origins.
The scholar Han that your mother chose for you is not only of good character, but also comes from a simple family.
If Han Xiucai passes the imperial examination one day, you will have a good life from now on.
Why can't you understand your mother's good intentions?
Before Li Xinniang could respond, Yuan Huiniang shook her head and left.
Li Xin's mother was in tears; how could she not know her mother's good intentions?
But she couldn't control her heart. Wu Jingzhi had already taken over her heart, and most importantly, she hadn't tried and she was unwilling to give up.
However, Li Xinniang was completely unaware that this was a major life event, not a game, and that if she made a mistake, there would be no turning back.
After leaving the flower hall, Yuan Huiniang went straight to Yan Qingqing's courtyard.
She felt that her mother-in-law must be furious today, and thought she should go over and comfort her as soon as possible.
To everyone's surprise, when Yuan Huiniang arrived, Yan Qingqing was teasing Li Xiangyang.
Yuan Huiniang timidly called out, "Mother."
Yan Qingqing waved to her, signaling her to come in, and then said, "You've been working hard all day, why don't you go back and rest?"
You're pregnant now. You shouldn't overexert yourself.
Yuan Huiniang smiled and said, "Mother, the doctor said that my pregnancy is stable now, so I can move around more."
Were you upset about your sister's situation today? Please don't upset yourself.
Yan Qingqing replied calmly, "I have always respected your opinions on matters of marriage. I have given her the best choice, but there is nothing I can do if she is unwilling. I just hope she will not regret it in the future."
Yan Qingqing's words were extremely calm, as if she were talking about a stranger. However, Yuan Huiniang was not at peace. She was probably extremely disappointed in Li Xinniang.
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