Seeing that Yan Qingqing did not agree immediately, Xie the matchmaker did not dare to urge her.
Although Han Xiucai is a good candidate and has a promising future, Yan Qingqing is a genuine fifth-rank noblewoman, a rank that many officials never achieve in their entire lives.
Moreover, Yan Qingqing's eldest son is now an eighth-rank agricultural official, and I heard that there is also a young master in the family who is studying.
In terms of wealth, the Li family is now one of the top families in Chengyang County, so in every respect, Han Xiucai is climbing the social ladder.
But she was a matchmaker, so she could only try her best to mediate between the two sides.
Yan Qingqing thought for a moment and said, "Marriage is a major event and should not be taken lightly. This matter concerns my daughter's lifelong happiness, so I certainly cannot be careless."
I need to ask Xinniang before I can give Xie Bingren an answer to this matter.
Besides, my daughter Xinniang is still young, and I don't plan to let her get married so early.
Upon hearing this, Matchmaker Xie quickly said, "We can have the young lady and Scholar Han get engaged first, and the wedding can be discussed later."
After saying this, Matchmaker Xie felt that she had been too hasty, so she added, "Of course, this matter also requires the consent of the young lady and her husband."
Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "In that case, let me ask Xinniang's opinion first. You can go back now."
Upon hearing Yan Qingqing's words, Matchmaker Xie quickly stood up to take her leave, and Madam Xu got up to see her off.
Yan Qingqing was also pondering this matter. In terms of resources, the Han family was definitely no match for her own family at the moment.
But that's precisely why Xinniang won't suffer losses after marrying into the family.
However, she opposed arranged marriages and insisted that even if she was satisfied, she would still need to ask Xinniang's opinion first.
What Yan Qingqing didn't know was that Li Xinniang already knew about this.
Her personal maid, Rumei, came to deliver something to Yan Qingqing and happened to run into Madam Xu bringing Matchmaker Xie to the door.
So I secretly listened in.
Upon learning that they had come to propose marriage to Li Xin's mother, they hurried back to report.
Ru Mei thought Li Xinniang would be happy to hear the news, but to her surprise, Li Xinniang turned pale, biting her lip, looking unwilling.
Ru Mei was startled and quickly asked, "Young lady, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Li Xinniang shook her head, and Rumei, seeing that she was alright, continued to recount what she had overheard about the Han family.
But another figure flashed through Li Xinniang's mind.
His refined and handsome appearance and his attentive care for her made him visit her frequently.
But he hasn't come for a long time; I guess I was just being delusional.
Thinking about this, Li Xinniang felt extremely agitated.
Yan Qingqing, here Xu Shi left and then returned.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, he didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Second sister-in-law, is there something you're unhappy about with the Han family?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "There's nothing I'm dissatisfied with. I just feel that marriage is a serious matter and shouldn't be taken lightly. It's a major event in Xinniang's life, and the child has to be willing."
Besides, we've never met Han Xiucai before; we need to investigate his appearance and character first.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu laughed and said, "Oh dear, Second Sister-in-law is so open-minded. Unlike when we got married, we had never even met her before."
I only knew how to obey my parents and the matchmaker's words. I'm not afraid of my second sister-in-law laughing at me; I didn't see San Niu's face until the night of our wedding.
Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing immediately teased, "So what did you think of Third Brother back then? Did he seduce you completely?"
Xu sighed and said, "Back then, San Niu was dark-skinned and thin, and all he could do was smile at me. My heart sank immediately, fearing that I had married a fool."
After saying that, the two sisters-in-law burst into laughter.
Back in the capital, Wu Jingzhi looked at his mother, who was lying in bed feigning illness, and said helplessly, "Mother, what exactly do you want?"
When Madam Wu heard him ask this, she pretended to be weak and said, "I don't know if I will be able to see you get married and have children in my lifetime. If I can, I will die without regrets."
Wu Jingzhi felt quite helpless. If his mother hadn't used this trick to lure him back to the capital, he might have already won over his wife.
Because he could clearly sense that Li Xinniang had begun to develop feelings for him.
When he received the news that Madam Wu was critically ill, he didn't even have time to say goodbye to the Li family before riding back to the capital.
Although he specifically instructed Manager Wu to make a trip to the Li family and quietly tell Li Xin's mother about his return to the capital.
However, what Wu Jingzhi didn't know was that Manager Wu went twice but didn't even get to see Li Xinniang.
Furthermore, since Yan Qingqing was already a fifth-rank official, Manager Wu dared not openly provoke her.
Seeing that Wu Jingzhi was distracted, Madam Wu started crying again and said, "Sure enough, a son is no longer under his mother's control when he grows up. I might as well just die of illness."
Wu Jingzhi sighed and said, "Alright, Mother, stop pretending. You're not sick at all. Just tell me, which girl have you taken a fancy to this time?"
Madam Wu then sat up and said awkwardly, "She is your aunt's cousin, Chan Niang."
Your cousin is sixteen this year, and she's grown into a very beautiful young woman. Your mother likes her very much.
Besides, your cousin is also interested in you. Your aunt has already mentioned it to me twice. Since we're the guy, we definitely need to take the initiative.
Son, how about we pick a good day to propose marriage?
"If all else fails, today will do; today is an auspicious day. The bride's dowry is already prepared."
After saying that, she tried to pull Wu Jingzhi away, but Wu Jingzhi helplessly shook off Madam Wu's hand and said, "Mother, I only have brotherly and sisterly feelings for Cousin Chan, not romantic feelings."
How could I possibly marry her? Besides, I already have a girl I like.
Madam Wu was both happy and worried when she heard this. She was happy because her son had finally come to his senses and found someone he liked.
What worries her is how to explain this to her younger sister and to Channiang.
She had given her mother and daughter her assurances, but now Wu Jingzhi is unwilling to marry them.
However, since her son has found someone he likes, she is at least one step closer to having a grandson.
Thinking of this made Madam Wu feel much better, and then she began to inquire about Wu Jingzhi's specific situation.
Wu Jingzhi's eyes were full of tenderness when he mentioned Li Xinniang.
In his eyes, Li Xinniang was not only gentle but also resolute, and her eloquent way of talking to customers fascinated him.
Madam Wu's face grew increasingly grim as she listened, because the Wu family was unaware that Yan Qingqing had already been granted an imperial title.
Madam Wu interrupted Wu Jingzhi, saying, "I do not agree to this marriage!"
Wu Jingzhi was somewhat taken aback, then asked, "Why?"
Madam Wu said, "Our family backgrounds are not a good match. How can the Li family be worthy of our Wu family?"
Moreover, her mother was a widow, and widows are always surrounded by gossip and trouble.
What if some bad rumors emerge later and damage the Wu family's reputation?
Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhi frowned, clearly disagreeing with Madam Wu's words.
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