With tears in her eyes, Xu Shao said, "I've been married into this family for over twenty years. Above me is that cruel and vicious mother-in-law, and below me are heartless and ruthless people like your father scheming against me. Xing'er, your mother has had a hard life, but I always think that my children can't have such a hard life like mine."
Zhao Sixing looked up at his mother, tears streaming down his cheeks. He quickly took a handkerchief and wiped Xu Shao's tears, saying, "Mother, I have come of age and am no longer an ignorant child. Please put your mind at ease about my marriage."
Xu Shao flung Zhao Sixing's hand away and shrieked, "Relax? How can I relax? Xing-ge, do you know how much people will laugh at you for marrying the daughter of a military general from the border town? Xing-ge, how do you know how much a suitable marriage can help you?"
Zhao Sixing sighed, gently patted Xu Shao's back, and said softly, "Mother, not to mention that my grandfather and maternal grandfather were both marquises in the current dynasty, my maternal uncle was a third-place scholar, my maternal uncle and aunt were both Jinshi graduates, and I also have a cousin who was the top scholar. What help do I need? Mother, in the past few years in Tai'an, I have not only studied the classics, but also witnessed a lot of human suffering. I have thought that in this life, if you don't have your own abilities, no matter how good the help you have, you won't go very far."
Seeing her son so obedient, Xu Shao felt very gratified, but the thought of her son's marriage made her feel irritable again.
It was Granny Zhou again. Seeing that Xu Shao's emotions had calmed down, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Madam, the eldest young master just returned and came to see you without even changing his clothes. Why don't you ask him to go back and wash up and change his clothes before coming over?"
Xu Shao quickly wiped away her tears and said to Zhao Sixing, "Xing-ge'er, you should go back and wash up quickly, and then go see your grandfather. This marriage of yours has been so frustrating. I've thought about it all. Since things have come to this, there's no point in making a fuss. We might as well ask your grandparents and father for some benefits."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Sixing looked at Granny Zhou with surprise and doubt. Granny Zhou smiled and nodded, settled Xu Shao down to lie down, and then accompanied Zhao Sixing outside.
Zhao Sixing was surprised that his mother, who had always acted with aloofness in the household, would have such thoughts. He asked Granny Zhou, "Granny, what made Mother think of this?"
Granny Zhou naturally understood what Zhao Sixing meant by asking the question, and said with a smile, "The eldest young master of the Yongning Marquis's mansion heard a few days ago that our lady was ill, so he came to visit her."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Sixing suddenly understood. He had some understanding of Xu Di's actions. He nodded and said, "Since it was my cousin who came, it's not hard to understand why Mother would think this way."
Granny Zhou sighed and walked with Zhao Sixing out of the courtyard, saying, "Our mistress is just too considerate of everyone in this household. Every time she eases other people's hearts, she makes things difficult for herself. We've tried to persuade her, but she always says that once she marries into the family, she's family. Young master, please don't think this old servant is being harsh. Some people in the household have taken advantage of their status to manipulate the mistress, which is why she's in this situation today. Otherwise, why would our mistress's dowry, which was originally so grand, be almost gone by now?"
Zhao Sixing naturally understood, but since it concerned his elders, he, as a junior, couldn't say anything.
Seeing Zhao Sixing looking thoughtful, Granny Zhou continued, "Madam has been planning for the eldest young master's marriage for a long time. She originally wanted to marry the fourth daughter of the Yongning Marquis's family, but the young master's maternal aunt refused to agree. The young master's maternal grandfather even helped the young master find this marriage. Madam must be very sad. Fortunately, the eldest young master of our Yongning Marquis's family came to comfort Madam a few days ago, and Madam has finally come to terms with it."
Zhao Sixing nodded and said, "When I find my cousin in the future, I will definitely thank him properly."
Granny Zhou escorted Zhao Sixing to his residence in the front yard before returning to Xu Shao's courtyard.
Xu Shao was still lying in bed. Her mother-in-law had sent people over several times to invite her, but each time Xu Shao was pressured into arranging a marriage for her grandson at her father-in-law's whim. Xu Shao, as the mother, was so angry that she fell ill and couldn't get out of bed, so she refused to go. Xu Shao's mother-in-law had always liked to put on airs in front of her eldest daughter-in-law, who was born into a noble family. Relying on her status as the mother-in-law, she criticized Xu Shao in many ways. Out of filial piety, Xu Shao had to endure it. But now, having hurt her mother-in-law's feelings like this, Xu Shao actually felt a bit of pleasure.
When Granny Zhou returned to Xu Shao's room, she saw that Xu Shao was already sitting on the bed with her head resting against the pillows. She quickly said, "Madam, you are weak and your emotions were just a bit off. You should lie down and rest."
Xu Shao sighed and said, "I've been lying in bed for several days, and my bones feel like they're going to melt. Do you think Xing-ge'er is reluctant about this marriage?"
Granny Zhou smiled and said, "I don't think the eldest young master is forcing anything. Didn't the young master say that the girl has already gone to Tai'an to meet the eldest young master? It must be that the eldest young master has taken a liking to her before he arranged this marriage."
Xu Shao seemed to have thought of something and said softly, "Tell me, if I hadn't gone to my parents' house to make a scene and insist that Fourth Sister marry Xing-ge'er, would Xing-ge'er have been spared the marriage to this military officer's daughter?"
Granny Zhou quickly said, "Madam, Xing'er's marriage is already a done deal, so let's not talk about such things. Young Master also said that Xing'er's wife is no ordinary person. You suffer all that filth every day, so maybe when Xing'er's wife comes, she can help you get your revenge?"
Xu Shao listened and said nothing more. Seeing that Xu Shao's expression softened, Granny Zhou finally breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Di had repeatedly told her that Zhao Sixing's marriage could not go wrong in the slightest. This was not only related to Zhao Sixing's future, but also to Xu Shao's future.
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