Master Ding quickly explained, "I only just found out that you've given up all your dowry over the years since you married into this family."
To tell you the truth, although Ding Jun, that unfilial son, owes a lot of money at the gambling den, and although I did sell that thousand-acre estate in the south of the city, the Ding family has not yet reached the point of having to sell off their ancestral property.
I know that my blind obedience to my parents over the years has wronged you and the children.
But the old lady is nearing the end; she won't live for many more years.
The person who bought our estate in the south of the city today is Mingzhao. She gave me a suggestion because we have some friendship.
The point is to let the old lady and everyone else know that Ding Jun has squandered the family business, so that I have to cut my losses and survive.
"I'll use the Ding family's assets to make up for your dowry. We also have a house in the west of the city; you can take Xiu'er and Xiu'er there to live. It's close to Xiu'er's academy."
Although Madam Ding resented Master Ding, she had been married to him for half her life, and at this moment, Master Ding's sincerity touched her. After all, she genuinely wanted to spend her life with Master Ding.
So Madam Ding hesitated and said, "Perhaps I should stay and keep the master company."
Master Ding shook his head and said, "I have already treated you three very badly over the years. If you go out to live, at least I will have a place to rest when I am tired."
"I've seen your virtue and kindness all these years, my dear wife. This time, you should think more about our child."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ding gave up. As a mother, she naturally prioritized her own child.
True to his word, Master Ding provided Madam Ding with double the dowry.
By the time Old Madam Ding found out, Madam Ding had already left the mansion.
Yan Qingqing was woken up early that morning by Ruyi.
Yan Qingqing, still sleepy, said, "Why did you wake me up so early?"
Ruyi smiled and said, "Madam, have you forgotten? Today is the day that the eldest daughter and the Han family scholar are getting to know each other."
You should get up early and get dressed.
Yan Qingqing said nonchalantly, "It's just a meeting. Whether your daughter is willing or not is another matter. Besides, I don't need to dress up."
That being said, it was still very important for Yan Qingqing, as Li Xin's mother, to make a good impression on their first meeting.
If the two of them end up together, it will make them dare not underestimate Li Xinniang.
So Yan Qingqing resigned herself to her fate and let Ruyi do her makeup.
The other members of the Li family also attached great importance to this matchmaking.
Yuan Huiniang also dressed herself up smartly, and when she sat there, she even resembled Yan Qingqing somewhat.
Yan Qingqing could tell from Yuan Huicong's situation that Yuan Huiniang would be a qualified head of the family in the future.
Regardless of her true feelings, she never once pleaded for Yuan Huicong in front of Yan Qingqing.
Yuan Huicong is still in jail.
In addition, Li Xiangping stopped going to the fields, and Li Xiang'an stopped going to the workshop.
Yan Qingqing looked at the two of them standing in front of her like wooden stakes, her face darkening, and said, "What are you two doing?"
Li Xiangping chuckled and said, "Mother, we just wanted to see what the Han family scholar looks like."
My sister is good at everything; most people can't do it.
Li Xiangping was straightforward; he naturally said what was on his mind.
Yuan Huiniang wanted to cover her face when she heard this; her husband was just too honest.
Yan Qingqing was afraid of ruining Li Xinniang's reputation, so she always told others that she was going to talk business with the Han family, and she never mentioned it to her own family.
Now Li Xiangping has actually said it so casually.
Li Xiang'an then smiled and said, "Didn't Mother say she wanted to discuss business with the Han family? Now the family business is basically managed by your son. Doesn't having your son around show that we value the Han family?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping realized he had made a mistake and quickly corrected himself, saying, "Yes, yes, yes. My son is rather lacking in business acumen and wants to learn from me, after all, I am the eldest son in the family."
Yan Qingqing gave the two of them a disapproving look. But after thinking about it, she decided against it; the two were just concerned about Li Xin's mother, so if they wanted to see, let them.
Soon, a gatekeeper came to report that the Han family had arrived.
Yan Qingqing replied calmly, "Please ask them to go to the flower hall for tea first. I'll be right there."
Seeing Yan Qingqing so calm, Li Xiangping and the others felt a little relieved.
They all believed that Yan Qingqing's judgment was correct.
Madam Han, on the other hand, seemed rather uneasy in the flower hall.
Han's father looked at Han's wife and said, "You don't need to be nervous. I've heard that Ming Zhaoren is a very kind person. Even if things don't go well, it won't matter."
Madam Han glared at him and said, "If you can't speak properly, then shut up."
Such a good marriage is hard to find even with a lantern, and the two sides haven't even met yet, and he's already saying such discouraging things. How can she not be angry?
Mr. Han was somewhat afraid of his wife, and when he saw Mrs. Han glaring at him, he chuckled twice and dared not say another word.
Seeing his parents bickering at someone else's house, Han Xiucai comforted them, saying, "Father and Mother, don't worry. Everything depends on fate."
Seeing their son so calm, Han's parents were relieved.
Although the Li family members hold official positions, their son's future is also limitless.
If I lower myself too much, I'm afraid I'll embarrass my son.
The Xiucai (秀才) degree is different from the Tongsheng (童生) degree. The Xiucai degree is much harder to obtain than the Tongsheng degree, and it requires real skills, such as the ability to refuse to kneel before officials.
Of course, Yan Qingqing didn't keep them waiting long and soon brought Li Xiangping and the others in.
Madam Han saw Yan Qingqing walk in against the light.
Her skin was radiant and glowing, and her overall demeanor was truly extraordinary.
Moreover, Li Xiangping and Li Xiang'an, who followed behind, were also dressed in brocade robes and jade belts, no less impressive than their own son.
At this moment, Madam Han had second thoughts. Was such a family really someone they could aspire to marry into?
Upon seeing this, both Han's father and Han Xiucai stood up.
The three bowed to Yan Qingqing and said, "Greetings, Lord Mingzhao."
Yan Qingqing smiled and replied, "Alright, get up, everyone."
He then sat down in the seat of honor, and then asked Madam Han and the others to sit down as well. He then glanced at Han Xiucai.
This scholar, Han, was tall and slender, dressed in well-fitting clothes, exuding the elegance of a scholar.
From her mother-in-law's perspective, Yan Qingqing was quite satisfied.
So he asked, "This must be Young Master Han, right? He is indeed a handsome and talented man."
Han Xiucai quickly stood up and said, "You flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."
Han Xiucai's real name was Han Yu.
Madam Han was pleased to hear this, and said with a fawning smile, "Renling, please don't praise him so much. Your two sons are truly outstanding, like dragons among men."
The two chatted for a few more minutes. Han Yu was quite good-looking and knowledgeable, and Madam Han and Yan Qingqing got along very well.
Yan Qingqing glanced at Li Xiangping and Li Xiang'an, who seemed quite satisfied with Han Yu as well.
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