Zhu Xiaojuan was quite popular among the wives of the aristocratic families in Kyoto. Several wives of similarly wealthy families were interested in forming a family connection with the Zhu family. But hadn't the Zhou family always stayed out of these matters? What was wrong with his mother? Zhou Yuanyuan was a little bewildered.
In the bedroom, Zhou Zhixin was also asking Zhao Yunxiang the same question: "Yunxiang, do we really want to marry into the Zhu family? You should think about this matter again!"
"Why would we need to think about it? Isn't it a good thing to marry into the Zhu family? Grandpa will definitely agree!" Zhao Yunxiang said firmly.
"Why?" Zhou Zhixin was stunned. This was the first time Zhou Zhixin had heard Zhao Yunxiang mention the marriage with the Zhu family. As for General Zhou, he never liked to meddle in such trivial family matters. Why would Zhao Yunxiang think that General Zhou also agreed to the marriage between Zhou Jiasheng and Zhu Xiaojuan?
"Zhixin, think about it, our family is small and you don't even have a brother. How much have you suffered over the years to sit in your current position? It's difficult to support the family alone! If Jiasheng marries Zhu Xiaojuan, you can also borrow some influence from the Zhu family!" Zhao Yunxiang wanted to persuade Zhou Zhixin, so she naturally didn't hide anything and told Zhou Zhixin her thoughts exactly.
Thinking of Zhou Zhixin's years of hard work, Zhao Yunxiang regretted not meeting Sister Ma sooner. Sister Ma was truly a discerning person, particularly adept at interpersonal relationships. If it weren't for Sister Ma's guidance, Zhao Yunxiang never would have imagined that her children's marriages would have so many twists and turns.
Although their Zhou family held a prominent position in Kyoto, it was all based on General Zhou's life. General Zhou was already quite old, and if anything happened to him, Zhou Zhixin really had no one around him who could help.
By then, the Zhou family's status would surely plummet. Not only the Zhou family, but even the Zhao family, which had always relied on the Zhou family, might be implicated. If Zhou Jiasheng had married Zhu Xiaojuan, the situation would have been very different.
Zhu Xiangyang was younger than General Zhou and was about to be promoted. The Zhu family had many descendants: three sons, two daughters, eight grandsons, four granddaughters, and four grandsons. Although not all of them were promising, they were still a significant force in the family.
"Yunxiang, how did you become so calculating? You never used to..." Zhou Zhixin's face was full of surprise. He really didn't expect Zhao Yunxiang to have such an idea. How could she say such a thing as borrowing the power of the Zhu family so confidently?
"What's wrong with me? Did I say something wrong? Zhu Xiaoshan from the Zhu family and Cao Yizhi from the Cao family were both candidates for son-in-law that grandpa had chosen for Yuanyuan! This shows that grandpa is not opposed to marrying into the Zhu family. Yuanyuan and Zhu Xiaoshan have no chance, and it just so happens that Xiaojuan likes our Jiasheng. Isn't this a win-win situation for everyone?" Zhao Yunxiang gave her reasons.
"But..." Zhou Zhixin felt that what Zhao Yunxiang said was partly right and partly wrong, but for the moment, Zhou Zhixin was not anxious enough to figure out what was wrong. For a moment, Zhou Zhixin frowned, his mind full of distress.
Zhou Zhixin knew that compared to other children from aristocratic families, he had many shortcomings. First, his talent wasn't exceptional; among the many brilliant and talented children from aristocratic families, he was only average. Second, Zhou Zhixin was already in his thirties when he returned to the Zhou family. His vision certainly wasn't as sharp as those of the children from aristocratic families who had been raised with an elite education. For over a decade, Zhou Zhixin had studied tirelessly day and night to finally gain a firm foothold.
But no matter how hard it was, Zhou Zhixin could proudly say that everything he had now was earned through his own hard work. Relying on his son's marriage to consolidate his position? Zhou Zhixin felt ashamed. Besides, his family was Jia Sheng, currently the best among the younger generation of aristocratic families. How could he marry a wife just because of the Zhu family's family background? Back then, he was penniless, yet he still married Zhao Yunxiang according to his own wishes!
"Yunxiang, I think this matter is inappropriate. Let's ask Jiasheng's opinion first!" After thinking it through, Zhou Zhixin persuaded Zhao Yunxiang.
"What's wrong with that? Xiaojuan is the one we've watched grow up. Besides, the Zhu family has a good upbringing, and Xiaojuan has a gentle personality. If Xiaojuan hadn't liked Jiasheng since she was a child, it's still unknown whether our boy can marry her! Besides, we're just getting Jiasheng and Xiaojuan engaged now, not getting married right away. After the engagement, they can get along well with each other. If their personalities really don't get along, it's not too late to cancel the engagement, right?" The more Zhao Yunxiang talked, the more she felt it made sense. Engagement is not the same as marriage. It will take more than four years for Zhou Jiasheng to reach the legal age for marriage! During these four years, Zhou Zhixin can borrow a lot of help from the Zhu family. In the end, if Jiasheng's marriage fails, his family won't suffer any loss!
"Yunxiang, why do I feel like you're being a bit arrogant? Cancelling the engagement after getting engaged because they can't get along? That's not marriage, it's enmity! Are the Zhu family all fools? Why should they give us leverage for free?" Zhou Zhixin was a little angry and a little suspicious. He knew Zhao Yunxiang's personality very well. She was always considerate of others. Disregarding other people's opinions and insisting on the marriage of Zhou Jiasheng and Zhu Xiaojuan, like today, was really not Zhao Yunxiang's usual style.
"Zhixin, what do you say? Are we just going to let go of such a good opportunity?" Zhao Yunxiang felt a little annoyed and irritated as she failed to convince Zhou Zhixin.
"Yunxiang, let's not get too carried away. Think about how we were all just peasants in the countryside, and how we managed to get through those hard times happily. Power is great, but there are more important things in this world, like... conscience." Zhou Zhixin pointed a finger at his heart. Honestly, Zhao Yunxiang's utilitarianism frightened Zhou Zhixin. How could she be so calculating towards someone just because she liked his son?
"Zhou Zhixin, you say I have no conscience? How do I have no conscience? Over the years, most of the money I earned with great difficulty has been donated to people in need. How can you say that to me?" Zhao Yunxiang was so angry at Zhou Zhixin's words that her voice couldn't help but become sharp.
"Yunxiang, I didn't say you have no conscience. I just said that the first thing to consider when doing anything is conscience. In my heart, you have always been a beautiful and kind woman." Zhou Zhixin hurriedly explained.
"I... I'm so angry! Zhou Zhixin, you have no conscience. I know I'm old now and you don't like me anymore. Everything I do is inappropriate in your eyes, wuwuwu..." Zhao Yunxiang burst into tears. She just wanted Zhou Zhixin to feel more relaxed in the future. Is that wrong?
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