Since she started helping Yuan Huiniang and the others manage the embroidery workshop, Xu Shi has become very confident and efficient in her work.
Yan Qingqing smiled as she saw her come in, "Why are you in such a hurry? I'm not leaving right away. Are you thinking of giving me a farewell dinner?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Second sister-in-law, giving you a farewell dinner is nothing."
You mustn't forget what you promised me.
Xu's words really left Yan Qingqing somewhat bewildered.
She couldn't remember what she had promised Xu.
Seeing Yan Qingqing's bewildered expression, Xu Shi became anxious and grabbed Yan Qingqing's sleeve, saying, "Second sister-in-law, you can't forget about Xiang Bao just because your daughter-in-law is married. Xiang Bao cares about you, his aunt, even more than his own mother."
You promised to propose marriage to Xiang Bao on his behalf.
Yan Qingqing said "Oh," realizing it was something serious. She had thought it was something important.
She looked at Xu Shi seriously for a moment, then asked, "Have you got a target yet?"
Madam Xu smiled and nodded, saying, "She is the daughter of Master Ding."
Second sister-in-law, you don't know, I saw you once before at your family's banquet.
She was truly stunningly beautiful, and the girl was also very polite.
I took a close look at her figure; she's definitely someone who can bear children easily.
Yan Qingqing asked again, "Did the Ding family agree? I've never heard Master Ding and his wife mention this before?"
Xu chuckled twice and replied, "No, it's just that my second sister-in-law is about to go to the capital. I was thinking of doing the same thing as Xiang An, settling the marriage first, and then getting married in a couple of years. That would be the same."
Yan Qingqing was speechless. The relationship wasn't even close to being established yet, and Xu was already judging a woman's figure based on her fertility. How disrespectful that was to the Ding family!
Yan Qingqing looked at Xu Shi seriously and said, "Sister-in-law, although we are sisters-in-law, I must say this first."
If both children and their parents are mutually agreeable, I am willing to go to great lengths to propose marriage to Xiang Bao.
But if they're unwilling, I can't just bully them, especially since the Ding family and I have some connections.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu quickly replied, "What kind of person do you take me for, Second Sister-in-law?"
How could I let my second sister-in-law do such a thing as bullying others by abusing her power?
I had the matchmaker sound out the Ding family's opinion.
They neither agreed nor disagreed.
I privately guessed that they were probably waiting for my second sister-in-law to come over.
I want my second sister-in-law to sound them out again. If they're interested, we'll go visit them; if they're not, then Xiang Bao is simply unlucky.
Yan Qingqing's expression softened considerably upon hearing this.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright, I don't have anything to do these days anyway, I'll take some time to go to the Ding family."
However, I cannot guarantee whether it will succeed or not.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu nodded happily and said, "Second sister-in-law, don't worry, I know this is all about fate."
Yan Qingqing then asked, "What about Xiang Bao? What's his opinion?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu covered her mouth and laughed, "This kid used to be so stubborn."
But ever since I saw that girl from the Ding family at the last banquet, I've secretly glanced at her several times.
He blushed whenever I asked him, probably because he liked me but was too shy to say it.
Yan Qingqing was relieved, thinking that if that was the case, the marriage was almost certain.
However, Yan Qingqing did not expect that things were not going smoothly and that one should not speculate too early.
The next morning, Yan Qingqing dressed up specially and accompanied Xu to the Ding family.
Yuan Huiniang felt itchy to go along, so she followed along.
When the gatekeeper of the Ding family learned that Madam Mingzhao had come to visit, he naturally dared not neglect her and quickly went to report to Master Ding and Madam Ding.
Upon hearing that Yan Qingqing had come to visit, the two of them personally came to greet her.
Upon seeing Yan Qingqing, he was about to bow, but Yan Qingqing naturally refused. She smiled and said, "I will be setting off for the capital soon."
Thinking that we've become good friends, and that I might not have time to say goodbye to you two, I took advantage of this free time to come over in person.
I apologize for the intrusion, and hope you two won't take offense.
Madam Ding replied with a smile, "Madam Mingzhao, you flatter us so much. It is truly an honor for our humble abode that you could come to our Ding residence in person."
This was the second time Yan Qingqing from the Ding family had come. The first time she came, she was there to offer a few taels of silver as a birthday gift to Old Madam Ding.
At that time, the Ding family held a grand banquet, and Yan Qingqing went to great lengths to make a birthday cake in order to win a reward.
Today is a return visit to familiar places, but because of the change in status and position, the Ding Mansion looks completely different now.
Master Ding and his wife invited Yan Qingqing to sit down in the main hall.
Yan Qingqing didn't mince words and looked directly at the Ding couple, saying, "We're old acquaintances, so I'll just say what I have to say."
This is my third brother's wife; you two should know her too.
She's heard that your family's Xiu'er is exceptionally intelligent and charming, and she intends to ask for her hand in marriage on Xiang Bao's behalf.
Upon hearing this, Master Ding looked troubled, while Madam Ding opened her mouth but remained silent.
Seeing this, Yan Qingqing said, "Don't worry, both of you. Although we are willing to ask for your hand in marriage, we will never force you to do anything against your will."
If you don't mean it that way, then pretend I never mentioned it today.
I will absolutely not put you two in a difficult position.
Although the Ding family girl was nice, Yan Qingqing thought Li Xiangbao was also a young man with unlimited potential.
It's just that the Li family started out a little later.
Upon hearing this, Madam Ding glared at Master Ding and then said, "Madam Mingzhao, you are being too polite."
I've met Xiang Bao before; he's excellent in both appearance and temperament, and to be honest, I like him quite a bit.
A few days ago, Madam Li asked a matchmaker to come to our door. I didn't refuse because I thought the Li family was a good place to go.
But Xiuer is already engaged, which I only found out about recently.
Madam Ding's words greatly surprised Yan Qingqing and the others. It turned out that the Ding family's daughter was already engaged. But how could Madam Ding, as a mother, not know this?
Master Ding gave a bitter smile and said, "This marriage was arranged when the old lady was alive."
But at the time, it was just a verbal promise from both families, and I didn't take it seriously. I thought the old lady was joking.
But who would have thought that the family suddenly came to their door a while ago, saying that the two of them were not young anymore and hoped to get married as soon as possible.
Xu felt a great sense of regret, and Yan Qingqing also felt quite disappointed.
However, since Miss Ding is already engaged, they cannot force her to marry him.
Yan Qingqing could only say, "It seems the two children are not destined to be together. Remember to let me know when Xiuer gets married, so I can give her a dowry."
Upon hearing Yan Qingqing's words, Madam Ding could no longer hold back her tears. She looked at Master Ding and said, "Master, I don't care. Even if Xiuer never gets married, I will never agree to this marriage arranged by the old lady. You should find a way to cancel it."
Yan Qingqing and Xu Shi exchanged glances, looking at each other somewhat bewildered.
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