Chapter 18 He has to decide his own marriage
Old Madam Xiao is fifty-three this year. Although it is not her birthday, there are several tables for the family to gather together.
Early in the morning, Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue went to Songheyuan to dress up Old Madam Xiao.
The two of them, one quiet and one active, praised Old Madam Xiao for her youth and beauty in various ways. Old Madam Xiao was so flattered that she couldn't stop smiling. Not long after, Madam Xiao brought people from other rooms to pay their respects to Old Madam Xiao.
There are many children in the family. They are growing up one by one and gathering together full of vitality. It is a pleasure to look at them. Old Lady Xiao gave rewards to everyone.
Not long after everyone chatted, people from the Wei family arrived.
The marriage between the Wei and Xiao families has been put on hold for a long time. Today, the two families want to use Old Madam Xiao's birthday to discuss the wedding date. Old Madam Xiao knows that this is the key point, and immediately asks Madam Xiao to take everyone to the front yard to welcome them.
The Xiao family feels guilty about this marriage, so it's only right that they take a more humble approach.
As soon as everyone left, Songheyuan immediately became deserted.
The smile on Madam Xiao's face faded a little. She drank a sip of ginseng tea and sat quietly. About an incense stick later, a servant came to announce: "Madam, the wife of the Marquis of Qingyuan has arrived."
"Please ask them to come over!"
Old Madam Xiao spoke hurriedly, her eyes lit up again, and she carefully checked her appearance, making sure there was nothing wrong before sitting down again.
Soon, the group walked into Songheyuan under the guidance of servants.
Mrs. Mo walked in front, followed by Shen Qingyuan and Mrs. Mo's two sons and one daughter. Old Madam Xiao's eyes were only on Shen Qingyuan from beginning to end.
This child is really becoming more and more like him.
Many old memories came to mind, and tears welled up in Madam Xiao's eyes, but were quickly suppressed.
After entering the house, Mrs. Mo saluted first, and then Shen Qingyuan brought his younger brothers and sisters to congratulate Old Madam Xiao on her birthday.
Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu both prepared separate gifts, and Shen Qingchi even took the trouble to make a longevity waist pillow for Old Madam Xiao.
Only Shen Qingyuan had nothing in his hands and had not prepared anything.
Mrs. Mo did not explain for Shen Qingyuan. After a few pleasantries, she mentioned that Shen Qingyue had learned praise in the Yun clan and would participate in the Spring Examination next year.
From what he said, he wanted the Xiao family to help and support him, and to find a good job for Shen Qingyue after the results were announced.
Old Madam Xiao had a dull expression and only agreed with her occasionally, but Mrs. Mo was very interested. After talking about her two sons' studies, she talked about the marriages of her three children.
Marquis Qingyuan was born in a humble family and was granted the title of marquis for his military achievements, but he had no roots in Hanjing. Since the empire was settled, the marquis's mansion had been declining. Although he could not be said to be unable to marry, he could not marry any wealthy noble lady.
Mrs. Mo was unwilling to give up and wanted to ask the Xiao family for help, hinting that she was willing to exchange her youngest daughter's marriage for help.
Hearing this, Old Madam Xiao said quietly, "Madam, you are really too modest. Didn't you handle Yuan'er's marriage very well? Why do you have to let outsiders interfere?"
Mrs. Mo's expression froze.
Shen Qingyuan married two wives, but both of them died. Not only did he leave no offspring, he was also branded as a wife-killer.
When Old Madam Xiao said that she managed things well, it was clear that she had a hidden dagger in her words, and Mrs. Mo became uneasy.
The first wife of Marquis Qingyuan was the youngest sister that Old Master Xiao loved the most. Shen Qingyuan was born to that woman and called Old Madam Xiao aunt. If it weren't for this relationship, the Mo family would not have been qualified to set foot in the Xiao family.
When she first started interacting with the Xiao family, Mrs. Mo was very cautious and always put Shen Qingyuan first. But after being the mistress of the Marquis' Mansion for a few years, her children grew up day by day, and Shen Qingyuan's temperament became more and more cold. He didn't like to talk to people every time he came to the Xiao family, so Mrs. Mo's mind changed.
Six years ago, when Old Master Xiao passed away, the Mo family became more and more unscrupulous.
Although Old Madam Xiao is Shen Qingyuan's aunt, they are not related by blood after all, and she has children and grandchildren around her. How could she have the energy to care about her nephew Shen Qingyuan?
But what Madam Xiao said just now was obviously speaking up for Shen Qingyuan.
Could it be that Shen Qingyuan secretly made peace with the Xiao family?
But Shen Qingyuan had been doing nothing in Jingzhao Prefecture for ten years and was not a promising talent. Why did he gain the attention of Old Madam Xiao?
Mrs. Mo was full of speculations in her mind. She gritted her teeth and said, "Sister-in-law, what you said really makes me feel ashamed. It's all my fault that I was born with a pair of eyes that were not accurate in judging people and hurt Yuan'er. That's why I dare not be so careless anymore. I want to ask sister-in-law to help check it out."
The Mo family has handed over Shen Qingyuan's marriage to Old Madam Xiao.
Anyway, Shen Qingyuan's reputation is already bad, his temper is cold, and he deals with corpses and murderers all day long. Even if Madam Xiao personally takes action, no noble family would be willing to marry their daughter to him as a second wife.
As long as Old Madam Xiao interferes with Shen Qingyuan's marriage, it will be difficult for her to refuse Yue'er and Yu'er's marriage.
Madam Xiao saw through Mrs. Mo's plan clearly, but she didn't care. She was about to ask Shen Qingyuan what kind of girl he liked, but Shen Qingyuan said with a stern face, "I have never blamed my mother. Since my mother dares not interfere in my marriage anymore, I will decide my own marriage from now on."
After Shen Qingyuan finished speaking, he strode out of Songheyuan.
Mrs. Mo pretended to chase after him for two steps: "How dare you talk to your aunt like that, kid? Your aunt is doing this for your own good."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qingyuan's figure disappeared outside the courtyard.
Mrs. Mo turned around and wanted to bring the topic back to her child, but Old Madam Xiao spoke first, "Yuan'er isn't a child anymore. If he wants to make the decision, then let him do it."
"Then Yue'er..."
Madam Xiao didn't give Madam Mo a chance to speak, and said to the nanny beside her, "Let's go and take a look at the front yard."
Mo: “…”
This old guy, no matter what he said, just didn't want to help her!
——
This is Chunxi's first time visiting the Xiao family.
The Xiao family is a family of scholars and officials. Their mansion has been expanded several times and is now larger than that of the Wei family. Moreover, the virtuous concubine is in favor in the palace, and the Xiao family is becoming more and more prosperous. Along the way, the carved beams and painted buildings are beautiful.
There were many things Chunxi had never seen in the Wei family, but she kept her head down and didn't look around.
However, after passing through several archways, Chunxi gradually realized that something was wrong.
This doesn't look like the way to the backyard.
The backyard of a noble family's house is specially set aside for the female members of the family to live in. Only maids and old women come and go to serve them, and there are absolutely no men. Chunxi walked along and found that there were always guards walking around.
She was alert and extremely vigilant, so when someone rushed up with a sack from behind, she dodged immediately and kicked the person to the ground.
"I have something very important to discuss with your eldest lady. If I am late, can you afford it?"
Chunxi shouted loudly, trying to scare these people, but as soon as she finished speaking, seven or eight more guards surrounded her.
These people were holding thumb-thick hemp ropes and sticks in their hands, and they looked murderous.
The maid who led her out spat and shouted coldly, "Shameless vixen, how dare you come to our door? Tie her up and beat her to death!"
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