Jiang Wei glanced at her father, puzzled. Surprisingly, her father was unusually kind after arriving at the main courtyard and did not curse at her as he had before.
Something unusual must be going on. There must be something bad on the table, but Jiang Wei still reached out and picked up the things on the table, wanting to see what her father had prepared for her this time.
Jiang Wei looked at the few sheets of paper in her hand. They contained information about officials, and almost all of them were widowed. Even if one of them was not widowed, his wife was sickly and probably wouldn't last more than a few years.
A chill ran through her from the bottom of her heart, and through her eyes fell onto her face reflected in the river. A mocking smile appeared on her lips. "Father is still a good father. He has gone to great lengths for his daughters. Otherwise, where did you find these men who could be your fathers? It must have been hard for you to put in so much effort. Anyone who didn't know better would think these were your long-lost fathers!"
But Father, who are you planning to let choose first? Perhaps you could let your most beloved daughter choose first?
“You…” Jiang Zai Shui couldn’t catch his breath. He took a deep breath and said, “Fine, considering that you are about to leave home, I will not hold it against you. You should choose carefully and go back to prepare. I will discuss with him to come and carry you away in the next few days.”
Regardless of whether Jiang Wei agrees or not, Jiang Zai Shui believes that he is the head of the family. If he wants her to marry, she must marry. He has tolerated her insolence for so long, and now that a suitable candidate has been chosen, she has no choice but to accept it.
“You think these men are a bit too old for you.” Jiang Zaishui said, taking a piece of paper from the drawer on the table and handing it to Jiang Wei. “Of all these men, I like this one the most. He is the Vice Minister of Rites, only in his early thirties. Although he has a wife, she is unable to bear children. He is willing to marry you as a concubine. As long as you give birth to a son, he will eventually be more honorable than the wife. Moreover, the Minister of Rites is getting old and will soon retire. He will be promoted. This is a marriage that is hard to find even with a lantern.”
Jiang Zai Shui deliberately showed those people to Jiang Wei first, so that Jiang Wei would understand that this was already her best choice. If she didn't listen, no one knew how old she would be next.
When Jiang Wei saw that the person above was the Vice Minister of Rites, she understood everything. Sure enough, they were using her to advance their own careers.
This is something they absolutely have to do—make her marry him!
Jiang Wei slowly tossed aside what she was holding. "What if I disagree? Does Father intend to force his daughter to go?"
"Marriage has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers since ancient times. You have no choice but to agree. You should stay home and prepare for your wedding during this time!" Jiang Zaisai supported Jiang Wei from under the table, afraid that she would go crazy.
"Father, you've done a really respectable job selling your daughter. Sending your own daughter to be your boss's concubine is probably a rare thing!"
Jiang Wei threw the scraps of paper in her hand at Jiang Zai Shui, "Father, you should worry more about your beloved daughter! I..."
Her gaze was fixed on Jiang Zai Shui's eyes. "It's not up to you to decide. You don't need to act like a loving father in front of your daughter, or it will make things awkward for everyone."
Jiang's hands tightened even more under the water table. 'I wanted to let her be carried over in a grand manner, but it seems...'
Although Jiang Zai Shui was somewhat afraid of Jiang Wei, he forced himself to glare back at her as if she were looking at him, saying, "This time you have no choice. You have to marry her whether you want to or not."
Aunt Xu was startled as she stood outside the door. She exhaled and touched the corners of her mouth with both hands, forcibly pushing them upward to form a smile.
She stepped forward and gently knocked on the study door, her slightly alluring voice ringing out, "My lord, I heard you've been working hard lately, so I specially made you some chicken and millet porridge to nourish you. Are you inside?"
The end of the year is indeed the busiest time for the Ministry of Rites, as there is so much to prepare.
The long-lost voice surprised Jiang Zaishui. Since Chen Xuening's death, Aunt Xu had never set foot in his courtyard, and he had forgotten about her, leaving her neglected in Qingying Cinema. Today... why was she here?
Jiang Zai Shui glanced at Jiang Wei, probably because she was here! He wanted to see what tricks she was up to. "Come in!"
Aunt Xu took the food box from Yue'er's hand and pushed open the door to go in. Her graceful figure revealed a touch of charm, and the smile on her face was as gentle and bright as when she was with Chen Xuening. Her face showed no signs of hardship and was as smooth as before. It was like a ripe peach, soft and juicy, which could satisfy you from head to toe with just one bite. However, it could not be left for long. If it was just put aside, I wonder if it would be spoiled by the next time I saw it.
After Chen Xuening's death, this was the first time he had seen Aunt Xu come to see him on her own initiative. In the years that followed, whenever he went to her courtyard, she would either be unwell or have a cold face, as if he owed her several lives.
Today she came by herself.
Jiang Zai Shui couldn't help but swallow hard. "Why are you here?"
Aunt Xu smiled appropriately, "The eldest young lady is here too, I hope I didn't disturb you!"
She placed the food box on the table and took out a bowl of shredded chicken and millet porridge. "It's alright, it's alright, it's still hot. Please eat it while it's hot, sir."
Jiang Zai Shui stirred the porridge with a spoon, but his eyes were always on Aunt Xu.
"Why isn't Master eating? Is it not to your liking? I haven't been able to serve you these past few years, so I don't know if your tastes have changed. Thinking that you don't have anyone you like by your side, I made some food for you and brought it to you..." As Aunt Xu spoke, she wiped the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief.
Aunt Xu's eyes were red and misty with tears. She looked up at him with affection and said, "Master, please try it. If you don't like it, it's okay if you don't eat it and leave it aside. If you like it, please send someone to tell me." Her voice was choked with sobs and sadness.
The beauty sheds tears.
After Chen Xuening's death, Jiang Zaishui never received a smile from Aunt Xu again. Every time he went to see her, she was cold and indifferent. So many years later, she took the initiative to show him kindness, which surprised him.
Just then, he realized he had no one he could rely on to serve him, so when he saw Aunt Xu about to leave, he said, "Come back, I haven't said anything yet."
Aunt Xu slowly turned around, "Master and Miss still have things to discuss, I should take my leave first!" As she finished speaking, a tear slid down her cheek.
That tear landed right on Jiang Zai Shui's heart, and his heart trembled.
He glanced up at his daughter, whom he had never loved since she was a child, and said, "I've already arranged your marriage. Go back and wait for your wedding. Don't go out unless necessary."
"Impossible! Don't even think about it. Don't even think about interfering in my affairs for the rest of your life." Jiang Wei turned around and saw Aunt Xu looking at her. Her hand was at her side, out of Jiang Zai Shui's sight, waving it to signal her to leave quickly.
Jiang Wei gestured to Aunt Xu with her eyes not to worry, then turned and left, saying, "Father, you may sell your daughter if you want, but I have no say in this matter."
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