In the courtyard, the three Tong sisters sat around a table. The second and third sisters looked at their youngest sister, their faces showing a mixture of unspoken words.
Nan Yi smiled knowingly, "Did your second and third sisters need something from me?"
Tong Erjie seemed a little embarrassed, a blush appearing on her face. Since it concerned marriage and her parents were not present, she couldn't bring herself to speak up, so she gave her third sister a wink.
Tong Sanjie's eyes were playful. She nodded slightly and said, "It's like this. Normally, this matter should only be discussed after the three-year mourning period is over, but my second sister and I would like to discuss it with our younger sister first."
"Oh, what is it?" Nan noticed the two older sisters' eyes seemed to show joy, as if it was something good.
Tong Erjie feigned composure, but her evasive gaze betrayed her unease.
Nan Yi became increasingly curious.
"It's a good thing. A couple of days ago, I went back to the Wang family with my sister. Unexpectedly, we stumbled upon a wonderful match." Tong Sanjie said with a happy face. "That young master is quite nice. I heard that he lost his wife early, is honest and kind, has no children, and is also quite wealthy. My second sister and I didn't pay much attention to him at first, but unexpectedly, that young master took a liking to my sister, inquired about her situation, and sent someone to propose marriage."
"Ah, that's wonderful!" Nan Yi was genuinely happy for Tong Erjie. Her eyes lit up, and her tone became excited. "If he's interested in you and seems like a good person, you might consider it, but..."
My second sister is not yet thirty years old, in the prime of her life. If she can find a good match, it would be a blessing.
Nan Yi frowned slightly and remained silent for a moment.
The two Tong sisters thought that their younger sister had feelings for this marriage.
Tong Sanjie hurriedly asked, "But what? Sister, don't worry. I've inquired about that family. They're a good match for Second Sister. Most importantly, they're not old and have no children. If you marry into that family, you won't have to worry about your first wife's children."
Nan Yi had her own considerations. Her second sister had already remarried, so the new husband had to be a good person.
She thought for a moment and said, “Second Sister, Third Sister, don’t rush. Here’s what we’ll do: Third Sister, tell the matchmaker to come to the estate the day after tomorrow. I’m not good at judging people, so I’ll have Fourth Master come to the estate to help Second Sister vet the family and also investigate their background in more detail, so that there’s nothing we don’t know about that they’re hiding from us. Some things, once the marriage is done, it’ll be too late to regret.”
The two Tong sisters are no longer the same as they used to be; they have become much more mature and composed, both in their mindset and in their actions.
The two women exchanged a glance. The younger sister's words made a lot of sense. Besides, with Fourth Master overseeing things, what else could they possibly worry about?
Tong Erjie looked at her younger sister gratefully, "Little sister, thank you for your trouble. I really don't know how to thank you."
"Don't be so polite. We're sisters, it's too formal to say such things." Nan Yi said with a smile. "Second sister, third sister, I won't keep you for dinner. Xixi has run into some trouble, and I have to go keep her company."
With her younger sister's support, the second and third sisters left happily.
Nan Yi summoned Li Yi and told him to go to the mansion immediately and pass on a message to the Fourth Master.
Since it concerned her second sister's lifelong happiness, she dared not be careless. By the way, she also wanted to talk to Fourth Uncle about Xiao Xi.
Xiao Xi and Luo Heng had a falling out over the matter of Luo Heng taking a concubine, which led to a divorce. Luo Heng encouraged Xiao Xi to leave, but she didn't know if she was doing the right thing. Her actions were still very much in line with modern trends.
Perhaps the Fourth Master has a better solution.
Li returned to his residence that day to deliver the message, and Yinzhen arrived at the estate a day earlier than planned.
Nan Yi was quite taken aback when he saw the Fourth Master. He should have been extremely busy in the capital during this period due to the controversy surrounding the removal of the Crown Prince.
It hadn't been long since I'd seen him, but he had become much thinner. He must have been the one who suffered the most from the Thirteen Imprisonments.
Seeing her in a daze, Yinzhen tapped her forehead. "You always stare blankly when you see me. Do I have an extra hand or something?"
"He doesn't have many arms, but why is he adding a beard? It looks really awkward, like a little old man," Nan Yi said with a carefree laugh.
The old man, Yinzhen, stroked his short beard and looked down at Tong Shi's profile. She had been married to him for five years, and her beauty had only grown more radiant. Her stunning looks even surpassed those of Nian Shi, who had entered the family later.
Am I getting old?
A complex feeling welled up in Yinzhen's heart.
"Don't grow a beard, I don't like it. I'm still handsome without a beard," Nan Yi added.
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen raised his eyebrows, feeling a little relieved.
"Li Yi has told me about Xixi in detail. I would like to hear your opinion. I remember you once said that Luo Heng is a good person. He and Xixi have been married for two years, but he wants to take a concubine, and the other party is a courtesan. You even said that she is pure and innocent. How can he be a good person if he has an affair with a courtesan after marriage? He has hurt Xixi too much. I really can't stand this kind of person."
Nan Yi couldn't help but complain to the Fourth Master. While grumbling, she asked Yiren, who was waiting nearby, to fetch water for Yinzhen to wash his face and hands, and ordered Xiaoshunzi to prepare breakfast.
She took out her everyday clothes from the room and handed them to Su Peisheng to help the Fourth Master change.
After washing away the dust, the two sat on the tatami mat and chatted.
Yinzhen held her hand, gazing at her with tender affection, his eyes brimming with lingering affection. Being by her side brought him a strange sense of peace. He could temporarily set aside the chaotic affairs of the court, without having to rack his brains to scheme, and simply chat about simple and warm everyday things.
“Yi’er, taking a concubine is nothing. It doesn’t affect anything. Xiao Xi is still the legal wife and a sixth-rank military officer. Li Wan’er comes from a lowly family and has a low status. Even if she becomes Luo Heng’s concubine, she can’t cause any trouble. Xiao Xi can deal with her at any time. If this leads to a divorce, then Xiao Xi is wrong.” Yinzhen said matter-of-factly.
Nan was displeased upon hearing this and punched him in the chest. "Taking a concubine? Can't you just not take one? It's just the two of you living together. If that's the case, why would I need to discuss this with you? You're just wasting your breath."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com