Wang Caixia looked up and said,
"My lord, my lady, it's not that I'm ungrateful, but this marriage is no trivial matter."
The children are too young now. If the adults are thinking about the possibility of the children from both families becoming in-laws in the future, it would be good for the children from both families to visit each other more often.
They're both still quite young. It's a bit too early to bring this up now.
Now you are serving as the local official in Qingyang County, and perhaps you will be promoted in less than two years.
By then, our two families will be even less compatible.
Perhaps the adults are unaware, but our Zhao family's ancestral precept is that daughters of the Zhao family will not become concubines, and their husbands will not take concubines.
So, let's put this matter on hold for now.
Madam Qiu seemed a little unhappy, thinking to herself,
"Your Zhao family really has a high-handed attitude. I've never seen any family dare to refuse a county magistrate's marriage proposal."
He then said, "Does Madam feel that my Huang'er is not good enough for your granddaughter?"
Wang Caixia has now been trained to speak very fluently.
"Madam, you are overthinking it. The children are still young, and it will be at least another ten years before they are old enough to get married."
Over the next ten years or so, I don't know what kind of people the children will encounter.
Especially since the young master is born into wealth and privilege, he will surely inherit his father's mantle, study hard, and achieve academic success. His future as the top scholar in the imperial examinations will be limitless.
The more outstanding a man is, the more outstanding women will naturally follow him.
My eldest daughter, even when she grows up, is still only of average appearance, and it would be a bit difficult for her to be matched with a noble young man.
Besides, now that we've arranged this relationship between them, what if the two children grow up and don't get along, constantly arguing? Wouldn't that make them a miserable couple?
Therefore, I beg your forgiveness, sir and madam. I cannot agree to this marriage.
Madam Qiu wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Lord Qiu.
"I am indeed being presumptuous. Since ancient times, marriage has been arranged by parents and matchmakers. I believe that as long as the old lady agrees, this matter can be settled."
The women of the Zhao family, including Madam Huang, naturally sensed Lord Qiu's displeasure.
He then said, "This ancestral rule is in place; marrying a daughter of the Zhao family does not mean taking a concubine. Can you, sir and madam, guarantee that your son will not take a concubine in the future?"
If that day ever comes, then a divorce is the only option. If things turn ugly, it will be a loss of face for both families.
My Zhao family is now insignificant, but who knows what will happen in a dozen years?
"So, let's leave this matter aside for now, shall we?" Huang said.
Her tone was gentle, and her eyes were smiling. But those in the Zhao family who knew her well knew that the old lady was unhappy.
The consequences of her displeasure are something most people cannot bear.
Fortunately, Magistrate Qiu still had his official robes and was considered an honest official.
If he's a corrupt official, who knows if there will be any unexpected events at his home tonight.
The adults chatted back and forth, but this didn't affect the children's conversations and play.
Daya took out a nine-linked ring and served it to the two young guests from the Qiu family.
But Huang'er wouldn't let go of the nine-linked rings, and even when his younger sister Ling'er wanted to play with them for a while, Huang'er slapped her away.
Ling'er naturally burst into tears, while Huang'er wore a "you deserve it" expression.
Madam Qiu appeared to be concerned about her daughter, but her words were extremely unpleasant to hear.
"Alright, stop crying. It's just a toy."
We were fine before we had this, weren't we? Why do you have to fight with your brother for it?
Once your brother has had his fill of playing with it, he'll let you play with it.
A daughter should be virtuous and gentle, and should not be assertive in anything she does.
Besides, your brother will be your confidence and support when you get married in the future.
If your husband's family bullies you, your brother will still have to stand up for you...
Madam Qiu's words disgusted all the women in the Zhao family. They were even more certain that they could not marry their granddaughter into the family.
In the past, if the county magistrate came to their home, the Zhao family would prepare a feast to entertain him.
But today, not a single one of the women in the Zhao family remembered this.
Not for any other reason than Madam Qiu's remarks supporting her brother.
If your family favors boys over girls, go back home and see what happens in our family. What kind of behavior is this? If you want to put pressure on our family, shouldn't you prioritize the interests of the girls?
Is she a fool? Madam Qiu's behavior today has greatly damaged Magistrate Qiu's image in the eyes of the Zhao family.
Magistrate Qiu also sensed that the atmosphere was not right and was too embarrassed to linger.
When it was time to leave, Qiu Xiaohuang did not return the Nine Linked Rings to Daya.
"Big brother, you need to go home now. You should return the toy to Daya. This is for your younger siblings to play with in the future. You can't take it."
Daya expressed her attitude very politely.
But Qiu Xiaohuang was a brat to begin with.
He hasn't completely solved the nine-linked rings yet, and he's really into it, so how could he possibly put it down?
He didn't even look up, continuing to fidget with his hands.
"Get out of here, you little brat. It's an honor for me to play with your stuff."
"You dare ask me for something? Believe me, I'll have my dad lock your whole family up in jail!"
Qiu Xiaohuang's words shocked the entire Zhao family. They never expected that the Qiu family's child would be raised so badly.
If things continue like this, let alone how promising he will be in the future, Magistrate Qiu should be thankful if he doesn't bring disaster upon his father.
Magistrate Qiu blushed deeply, embarrassed by the shocked looks on the faces of the Zhao family members.
"What are you saying, you brat? Where did you learn all this nonsense? Did you go out and hang out with some little beggars again?"
As soon as he finished speaking, his face turned even redder.
For no other reason than that since the Qingmiao Orphanage opened, no beggar children have been seen in Qingyang County.
The children weren't stupid; they had already gone to the orphanage for refuge.
Therefore, Magistrate Qiu was essentially contradicting himself.
After a moment of stunned silence, the women of the Zhao family pretended to be nonchalant and instructed the servants to quickly load fruits and vegetables onto the carriage for Lord Qiu and the others.
The gifts brought by Lord Qiu were taken back untouched.
"This gift was brought to propose marriage, sir. Since our two families are not destined to be together, the Zhao family naturally cannot keep this gift."
Thus, the Zhao family completely abandoned Magistrate Qiu's plan to arrange a marriage.
As for the nine-linked rings that Qiu Xiaohuang was holding onto tightly, Magistrate Qiu unceremoniously snatched them from the child's hands and handed them back to Daya.
Watching the carriage carrying Lord Qiu and his family depart, the women of the Zhao family exchanged glances and sighed.
"What kind of mess is this? Everything was fine, and then this happened."
It seems we need to urge Chang Geng and the others on. If they don't study hard and pass the imperial examinations, it will be difficult to even protect their daughters.
Wang Caixia sighed.
Tian Xiaolan patted her sister-in-law's arm.
"Thankfully, my parents were farsighted; as soon as our family's situation improved a little, they sent the men to school."
Only then will we have something to look forward to. Otherwise, if the magistrate came to our house today and said he wanted to arrange a marriage, we wouldn't even have the confidence to refuse.
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