Chapter 173 Would you be willing to marry into my Xiao family and become my daughter-in-law?
Madam Xiao sent Granny Zhang to Chengrui Courtyard to invite Lu Zhaoruo over for a talk.
Lu Zhaoruo only took Wan Wanning with her, leaving Dongrou in the courtyard to take care of Abao.
The two followed Granny Zhang through several courtyards. As soon as they arrived at the gate of Ning'an Residence, where Madam Xiao lived, they heard the howling wind inside the courtyard. There was none of the usual fragrance of flowers and birdsong in a lady's courtyard. Instead, what came into view was a rack of various weapons under the corridor, with swords, spears, halberds and spears neatly displayed.
In the open space in the courtyard.
Madam Xiao was wielding a long-handled broadsword with great skill and power, showing no signs of being a delicate young lady.
Upon seeing this, Wan Wanning subconsciously frowned, unable to hide a hint of disdain in her eyes.
How could a lady of the house be so rude?
She actually preferred Lady Wang He.
Lu Zhaoruo, however, had clear, bright eyes and stopped to observe quietly.
She greatly admired Madam Xiao.
At this moment, Madam Xiao had already spotted them entering. Remembering Granny Zhang's reminder, "Don't be too friendly too soon; you must intimidate them a little," she suddenly turned her blade and, with a shout, slashed at the spot where Lu Zhaoruo was standing!
A cold glint appeared.
Wan Wanning screamed in fright and stumbled to the ground.
Lu Zhaoruo remained completely still, not even blinking, and simply looked at Madam Xiao.
Madam Xiao promptly sheathed her knife, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes, but she deliberately maintained a serious expression as she asked, "Madam Lu has arrived. Is your stay at Chengrui Courtyard comfortable? Did you like the little trinkets I sent?"
Lu Zhaoruo curtsied, her voice gentle yet calm: "Replying to Madam, everything is well thought out and to my liking. Thank you for your kindness, Madam."
Madam Xiao raised an eyebrow, lightly tapping the weapon racks standing in the courtyard with her long sword, and asked with a smile, "So, what do you think of the furnishings in my courtyard, madam?"
Before Lu Zhaoruo could answer, Granny Zhang interjected with a smile, her words tinged with probing: "Ordinary young ladies often enjoy tending to orchids and bamboos and appreciating fragrant flowers. When Madam Lu sees this courtyard full of weapons, do you think it's... too harsh and lacks elegance?"
Wan Wanning got up from the ground, looking embarrassed.
In her opinion, the sheer number of weapons in the yard was terrifying.
Lu Zhaoruo, however, had clear eyes and met Zhang Mama's smiling but scrutinizing gaze with composure. Her voice was gentle but without the slightest hesitation: "Mama, you are mistaken. The elegance of orchids and bamboo is indeed a virtue; but the clang of weapons is also a virtue."
She turned her head slightly, looking at the cold light bathed in the summer sun in the courtyard, a faint smile on her lips: "Flowers and plants are beautiful and pleasing to the eye; metal and iron tools, however, guard the peace of the country. The madam's courtyard is magnificent and open, far beyond the confines of ordinary courtyards."
After speaking, she turned to Madam Xiao with sincere eyes and said in heartfelt praise, "Especially Madam's sword-wielding posture, which is vigorous and graceful, and has a magnificent presence, is a sight that Zhao Ruo has never seen before in his life. He can only admire her."
She was neither humble nor arrogant, fulfilling all the proper etiquette while skillfully defusing difficult situations, and at the same time precisely catering to Madam Xiao's preferences.
Madam Xiao was overjoyed to hear this, and could hardly contain her smile. She quickly covered her mouth with her fist and pretended to cough lightly. Under the warning gaze of Granny Zhang, she forced a stern face and deliberately teased, "Oh? Since you speak so congenially, Madam, you must be skilled in martial arts. Why not choose one that suits you and give it a try?"
Lu Zhaoruo knew this was a deliberate consideration, but she remained calm.
Fortunately, I often watched my older brother practice martial arts when I was young, so I also have some basic knowledge.
She showed no fear and replied frankly, "I only know a little bit, and I dare not claim to be an expert."
After speaking, she walked straight to the weapon rack, her eyes sweeping over the weapons before finally choosing a long spear with a red tassel.
He then flicked his wrist, performing a simple spear flourish. Although his footwork lacked a bit of power and his moves showed some unfamiliarity, his posture was upright, and his expression was focused and attentive, exuding a calm and composed demeanor.
Madam Xiao grew increasingly delighted with the sight, and could no longer maintain her forced seriousness. She threw down the large knife in her hand, clapped her hands, and laughed loudly, "Excellent! Full of spirit! As expected of me..."
She wanted to say, "No wonder my son has chosen her," but stopped herself in time. Instead, she warmly took Lu Zhaoruo's hand and led her to the stone bench in the courtyard. "Come sit here! Granny Zhang, quickly bring some freshly brewed tea!"
Wan Wanning followed beside her, frowning.
The two sat down and drank tea.
Madam Xiao looked at Lu Zhaoruo with a smile, and suddenly asked, "Judging from your character, Madam, I wonder... are you engaged in Jizhou? Or do you have someone you like?"
Lu Zhaoruo paused slightly in the hand holding the cup.
She understood the deeper meaning behind Madam Xiao's invitation.
She put down her teacup and replied softly, "Madam, Zhaoruo is only thinking about doing business and supporting her brother right now, and has not yet considered personal feelings between her and her children."
Madam Xiao's eyes lit up, and she immediately asked, "What do you think of... my son, Ye Ming?"
Lu Zhaoruo was suddenly taken aback.
So, what does Madam Xiao mean?
The image of that man's tall and handsome figure, his decisive and ruthless demeanor on the battlefield, and... his missing left hand flashed before her eyes.
After a moment of silence, she raised her head, her voice gentle and calm: "General Xiao is a man of outstanding bearing, a rare pillar of the nation who guards the borders."
Madam Xiao seized the opportunity and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, would you be willing to marry into my Xiao family and become my daughter-in-law?"
She is straightforward and dislikes beating around the bush, so she simply gets straight to the point.
Lu Zhaoruo's heart was pounding very fast.
Although she had been married before, her ears still flushed slightly at this moment.
Wan Wanning, standing to the side, clenched her teeth, a bitter feeling welling up inside her.
Such a noble and high-ranking family would actually condescend to ask a divorced woman for her hand in marriage.
He was still seeking the aloof and dignified Xiao Yeming...
But then she thought again, Lu Zhaoruo already had a bad reputation in Jizhou City. Not only had she lost her virginity to a lecherous man four years ago, but she had also been divorced by a letter of severance... If Madam Xiao knew all this, would she still want her to be her daughter-in-law?
Seeing that Madam Xiao's eyes were clear and her words were frank, Lu Zhaoruo felt that there should be no more concealment.
She lowered her eyes and said softly, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Madam. However... I was married in Jizhou, and although we have severed ties, I am still a divorced woman. I dare not dishonor the General's reputation or tarnish the honor of the Xiao family."
Wan Wanning was surprised.
Lu Zhaoruo didn't hide it from anyone?
She couldn't help but scoff.
How foolish!
Granny Zhang, who was standing to the side, frowned almost imperceptibly upon hearing this.
Madam Xiao was taken aback at first, her face showing surprise, as if she was weighing the weight of her words.
Wan Wanning was secretly delighted.
Look at her, with such a filthy past, how could Madam Xiao tolerate her?
However, the next second, Madam Xiao's face cleared up, and she waved her hand dismissively: "I thought it was something serious! If it's a complete break, then the other party must have acted improperly and wronged you! The past is the past, and you are a completely new person now. When my Xiao family takes a wife, we always look at her character, temperament, vision, and breadth of mind. How could we be so bound by worldly etiquette and petty about social status?"
She took Lu Zhaoruo's hand again, her palm warm, and her smile genuine: "If Madam Lu is willing to agree, my Xiao family will certainly welcome her with courtesy and regard her as a fine wife."
Then she added, “Your past life was due to meeting the wrong person and entrusting yourself to the wrong one. My Xiao family is not a cruel and ungrateful family. Since we have welcomed you into our manor, there is absolutely no reason for us to sever ties. I am here, and I will be your support.”
Wan Wanning's eyes widened instantly.
Madam Xiao actually... showed no disdain whatsoever?
Lu Zhaoruo's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and a sour feeling rose in her nose.
She stared blankly at Madam Xiao's smiling face, while the image of Madam Tu's cold and mean face flashed before her eyes.
That was her biological mother, yet when had she ever... held her hand like this, giving her such unreserved warmth? And when had she ever said such words of complete protection, refusing to tolerate any bullying?
A sudden pang of sadness struck her, and without her noticing, a tear silently slid down her cheek.
When Madam Xiao saw her tears, she panicked and quickly took out a silk handkerchief to wipe away the tears from her eyes, saying repeatedly, "What's wrong? Did I say something too abrupt and frighten you? It's my fault, it's my fault, I was too hasty!"
Lu Zhaoruo smiled through her tears and gently shook her head: "Madam, please don't worry. It's not that I was being presumptuous. It's just that you are too kind... making Zhaoruo feel a warmth she has never experienced before."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao's lips curled into an uncontrollable smile, and her eyes shone with genuine joy: "Is that so? Many people have always said behind my back that I am fierce and difficult to get along with. Even Ming'er's cousin, Wang Miaoyin, hides timidly behind her mother when she sees me, as if she has seen a man-eating tiger... You are different, child!"
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