Zhao Mingzhu no longer cared about Yining and her maid. She was also a little nervous, after all, this was her lifelong event.
In the eastern warm room, Old Madam Wei had a maid serve Cheng Lang some tea. She began, "...Lang'er, I've watched you grow up. You and Mingzhu are childhood sweethearts, and I can see you're very kind to her. She grew up by my side, and I've spoiled her a bit, but she's a kind person. You've achieved so much at a young age, and I intend for you to marry Mingzhu. This should have been decided long ago, but I'm only bringing it up now because I've been thinking about it for a long time. If you marry Mingzhu, I'll definitely give her a generous dowry."
"Although Mingzhu is not a proper daughter of the Duke of Ying, she can marry out of the Duke of Ying and receive the same treatment. You are already a young woman, and you will feel more at ease if you get married. I don't want you to spend anything, but of course the ceremony for Mingzhu cannot be too small. I also want her to marry in a grand manner."
Cheng Lang's smile deepened as he listened, his heart filled with sarcasm. Old Madam Wei thought too highly of Zhao Mingzhu. Just because she treasured her, did she think everyone else should treasure her? And why even bother with the pomp and ceremony?
Cheng Lang slowly put down his teacup and said calmly, "Grandmother, since you yourself said that Mingzhu is not a proper daughter of the Duke of Yingguo's mansion, why should I marry her? Although I don't have a title, I am also the legitimate son of the Cheng family and a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel. Why should I marry a fake daughter?"
When Mrs. Wei heard Cheng Lang's words, she had never expected that Cheng Lang would disagree, and her face changed immediately. She asked, "You said...you don't want to marry Mingzhu?" She had always thought that Cheng Lang also liked Zhao Mingzhu.
"What makes her worthy of my marriage?" At this point, Cheng Lang wasn't afraid of offending Old Madam Wei. He definitely wouldn't marry Zhao Mingzhu anyway. He spoke slowly, "Besides relying on your arrogance and domineering behavior, what else does she have that stands out? She's uneducated, narrow-minded, and socially demanding. You like these things about her, thinking she's straightforward, but others don't think so. If she's going to marry, she should return to the Zhao family and marry someone of equal status. You're really flattering her by keeping her as a young lady in the Duke of Ying's mansion."
Old Madam Wei had never thought Cheng Lang was such a gifted speaker. After being so blocked, her face darkened. She wasn't completely angry, but she felt uncomfortable. He had actually brushed her off right in front of her! He didn't even like Mingzhu.
"Even if I really want to marry, I should marry my uncle's biological daughter, Yining." Cheng Lang stood up and said respectfully, "I'm sorry for offending you today. Grandma, please don't match me up with other people randomly in the future."
After saying that, he took his leave. Old Mrs. Wei was angry and stiff, not knowing what to say.
But after hearing Cheng Lang's last words as he left, it made sense. If he wanted to marry, why couldn't he marry Yining? Why did he have to marry Zhao Mingzhu?
Mother Song looked at her with some concern and took the teapot to pour water for her: "Old lady... please don't get yourself sick from anger. It's not your fault that the young master doesn't want to."
Old Mrs. Wei was silent. She was thinking about what Cheng Lang said.
Zhao Mingzhu saw Cheng Lang coming out of the East Warm Pavilion. Cheng Lang was still the same, with a gentle look in his eyes. Zhao Mingzhu ran out, skirt in hand, and hurriedly called out to him, "Cousin Cheng Lang!" Cheng Lang turned around and saw her, smiled slightly, and said, "Cousin Mingzhu, is there something wrong?"
Zhao Mingzhu didn't know what to say, and for a long time she didn't open her mouth, so she could only let Cheng Lang go first. When she returned to the East Warm Pavilion with a slightly red face, she saw Old Madam Wei leaning against the pillow in a daze, not saying a word. She walked over and said, "Grandma, what's wrong with you?"
Old Madam Wei turned around and looked at her. Zhao Mingzhu still knew nothing and was even smiling. Suddenly, a dull pain hit her heart. She said to her, "Your cousin Cheng Lang... rejected this marriage." Then she quickly consoled him, "Don't be upset. Grandma will find you someone better later, someone even better than your cousin Cheng Lang." She never mentioned what Cheng Lang had said.
Zhao Mingzhu's eyes widened in disbelief, and she slumped back in her chair for a moment, her entire body shivering. She frantically recalled Cheng Lang's smile, the kindness he had shown her. Her face burned. She had always believed Cheng Lang still had some affection for her... Turns out, in his eyes, she was no different from any other woman! She was just something he used to amuse himself and relieve his boredom in his spare time.
Cheng Lang simply disdained her and was unwilling to marry her. What he did to her was just a show!
Zhao Mingzhu was speechless for a long time, biting her lip and trembling slightly. The pride she had cultivated since childhood made her back straighten, but tears gradually overflowed.
No one spoke in the room for a while. The silent dusk was about to fall and the lively poetry gathering was over.
Mrs. Fu's carriage finally entered the Duke of England's mansion and arrived at the gate of Jing'an Residence in half a quarter of an hour.
Upon hearing that Mrs. Fu was coming to visit, Mrs. Wei gathered her energy to welcome her and asked Zhao Mingzhu to go into the inner room first and talk later.
Mrs. Fu was older than Mrs. Wei, but she was in good spirits and walked briskly. After entering Mrs. Wei's room, she pulled her aside to talk. Mrs. Wei hadn't seen her old friend for a long time, and after chatting for a while, her discomfort eased a little and she felt more relaxed. She asked the maid to bring her some peach cakes and asked, "Why did you have time to come to me today? Isn't your family very busy now?"
Mrs. Fu smiled and said, "I'm here because someone asked me to. Your daughter is about to grow up, and I'm here to propose marriage for her."
Mrs. Wei thought she had misheard: "Are you here to propose marriage?"
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