"I think my fifth cousin has heard about this marriage. Actually, my grandmother and maternal grandmother were worried about my future, so they hastily arranged this marriage. They did not specify which young man from the Xu family was engaged to me."
"My maternal grandmother thought that she was probably worried that she would pass away one day. After all, her cousins would get married and move to other families, leaving me alone in the Xu family, which would be an awkward situation."
If she stays at that time, there will inevitably be trouble. If the brides are narrow-minded, they may end up like Liu Shi.
“I have never asked if my fifth cousin has someone he likes. If he does, I will go and tell my grandmother so that I won’t put my fifth cousin in a difficult position.”
Xu Yunyao shook his head. When he looked up, he met Li Shiyue's calm eyes. He subconsciously looked away, his heart pounding.
"No, I don't have anyone I like."
At first, he, like everyone else, knew the purpose behind this marriage, including the fact that his sister Xu Lingqing had repeatedly encouraged it, all in an effort to help him gain a foothold in the Xu family.
He knew all this. If he married Li Shiyue, he could get her dowry and the high regard of Old Madam Xu.
Moreover, Li Shiyue's temperament was indeed more proper than that of ordinary noble ladies, and she did not have any bad habits. Especially when facing elders, she showed no impatience whatsoever, which was something that Zhou Shi and Xu Lingqing had always admired.
However, Xu Yunyao's hesitation stemmed from the fact that he did not want to be a fickle person, just like his proud second brother, who, if he were to marry, should not lose face as a husband and wife.
That was his wife, with whom he would spend the rest of his life for decades. After their marriage, they spent every day and night together. What if there were moments of boredom, or what if his cousin didn't like him and thought he was just a burly, rough-around-the-edges brute?
Perhaps he cannot become a high-ranking official like those noblemen, and his wife will not stand out among those noblewomen. One day she may despise him for being unambitious.
He was hesitant about all of this; the marriage was important to him, but even more important to his cousin, who was like a young woman.
The hesitation in his eyes was too obvious; he had something on his mind, but Li Shiyue wasn't in a hurry to urge him. She placed her hands in front of her and looked away.
"My situation goes without saying, and my fifth cousin knows it too. It's easy to say 'one life, one love, one partner,' but how many people in this world can actually do it like my eldest uncle and aunt, and my fourth uncle and aunt? So I don't insist."
"If my fifth cousin wants to take a concubine in the future, I will not stop him. But after the concubine has served me, I will not give her the opportunity to bear children, because I do not want to leave my children with the opportunity to suffer injustice in the future."
She wanted to find a reliable person to settle down with. Even if they didn't like each other, if he was honest and kind and gave her the respect due to a principal wife, she could take a concubine if the man she liked appeared after she gave birth to a legitimate son.
But it's impossible to say that if someone were to ride on her head, she would be forced to drink a bowl of safflower to extinguish those vain thoughts and only have the mindset of serving her lord wholeheartedly.
Not to mention the long term, as the legitimate daughter, how could she suffer any grievances? But Li Shiyue herself is a perfect example.
In the inner quarters, without the master's favoritism, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is only nominal. Li Shiyue would never allow her child to experience the injustices she suffered. Since she gained benefits from taking a concubine, any losses were the consequences of her choice and the pursuit of wealth.
Li Shiyue's words were very straightforward. She was even prepared for Xu Yunyao to say "no," after all, it was extremely rare for someone to not take a concubine or to allow the mistress to do as she pleased after taking one.
She didn't want to force things. If they were to fall out after marriage because of this, it would be better to make things clear now. If they could accept each other and treat each other with respect, it wouldn't be difficult. If they couldn't accept it, there was no need to keep trying to work things out. If there were things that couldn't be worked out together, then there was no need to insist on it.
Xu Yunyao looked up at her, the hesitation in her eyes fading away: "I'm a rough man. I've practiced martial arts since I was a child. I'm not as eloquent as my older brothers and Qilang. I hope my cousin won't find me clumsy with words."
“I don’t have anyone I like, and I won’t embarrass my cousin for anyone’s sake in the future. I’m not that kind of person. I can’t say for sure about taking a concubine, but a concubine is a servant. If my cousin becomes my new wife, these trivial matters should naturally be your responsibility, and I will have no objection.”
Dark clouds loomed overhead, heavy and gloomy, as if pressing down on one's chest.
The rain continued to fall outside the pavilion, pattering on the peach blossom branches. The buds, which had just begun to open in the sunlight, had to shrink back to protect themselves.
Five masters from the Rongguo Duke's Mansion left, making the inner quarters seem quieter.
Rain poured down from the eaves, and Zhou Shi sat with Xu Lingqing in a high pavilion in the garden.
On the stone table were the Four Treasures of the Study, with a paperweight on top. Xu Lingqing wore her hair in a double bun, tied with a ribbon of the same color as the dark-patterned brocade jacket she was wearing.
Xu Lingqing looked serious, her brush occasionally pausing as she looked out the window, comparing the scenes of rain by the small lake one by one, and then drawing them on paper.
With a divine touch, Xu Lingqing is one of the most skilled calligraphers and painters in the entire capital.
With the last stroke completed, Xu Lingqing looked at his work with satisfaction, letting the maid take the ink brush away from his hand.
Today, Zhou was wearing a bright red satin jacket with dark patterns and a cross-collar design, with a lighter-colored inner garment underneath.
Holding a handkerchief in his hand, he took a sip of tea, put it down, looked up, and couldn't hide his smugness.
“You’ve made a lot of progress. It seems your father’s words were effective. You hold the inkstone every day. Look at you today as you paint. Isn’t your hand holding the brush much steady?”
Xu Lingqing's face lit up with joy. Before she could speak, she saw her mother's trusted servant lead in two maids. Upon closer inspection, she recognized them as Xiangye and Xiangzhi, who had been sent by Zhou to serve in Xu Yunyao's courtyard.
Neither of them were strikingly beautiful. Xiangye had regular features, while Xiangzhi had lively eyes and brows. They were both still sixteen years old.
When Zhou saw the two women being brought in, the smile on her face gradually faded. She was usually so cheerful and talkative; now she seemed more like the matriarch of the household.
"lady."
The two women were very respectful, behaving like young girls. Seeing this, Madam Zhou was somewhat pleased.
"I've summoned you two here today because there are some things I need to tell you. Fifth Master is not young anymore, and the old lady and I agree that we should first arrange the marriage and then hold the wedding in two years."
"I personally selected you two. You must not disappoint my expectations. Your primary task is to serve the young master and his wife diligently."
"Moreover, the affairs of the young master's residence will be handed over to the new bride in the future. If I find out that any of you have any designs on the property, don't blame me for being ruthless."
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