Chapter 302, Zhao Debo Mansion
"Dinner is about to start. Don't go back to the yard. Go to the old lady's yard with mother later."
While Mrs. Li was sorting out the collectibles sent by the Li family and Xiao Yeyang, she selected some according to the old lady's preferences and prepared to send them over during dinner later.
Daohua nodded, picked up the red date cake on the table, and began to eat it leisurely. Thinking of the marriage plan for her eldest brother mentioned in her grandmother's room, she couldn't help but ask, "Mother, which girl did you choose for my eldest brother? Do I know her?"
Madam Li paused as she selected the item, shook her head and sighed, "It's not what I like."
Daohua's eyes lit up and she smiled, "Could it be that Big Brother chose it himself?"
Madam Li glared at her daughter. "What nonsense are you talking about! Marriage is always decided by parents and matchmakers. How can you choose your own marriage?"
Daohua curled her lips and muttered, "What's wrong with my appearance? Maybe it's better than your random matchmaking!"
"What are you talking about?"
Mrs. Li turned her head and looked over.
Daohua quickly shook her head, feigning bewilderment, and said, "I didn't say anything!" Seeing a hint of anger on Mrs. Li's face, she quickly changed the subject, "If it wasn't you, mother, who did it, then it must have been father who did it?"
As he said this, he frowned.
"Mom, my father's judgment of people is really not very good. You have to take good care of big brother. This is related to big brother's lifelong event."
Madam Li glanced at her daughter and said, "Do you really need to tell me that? However, it's still uncertain whether this marriage will be finalized!"
Daohua walked over and shook Madam Li's arm: "Mother, can you tell me where this girl comes from? Maybe I can help you."
Madam Li smiled and shook her head: "You can't help, the girl is from the capital."
Daohua was surprised for a long time before she shook her head and sighed, "As I said, my eldest brother went to the capital and actually brought you a wife."
"Whose family is it? I'll ask Yuan Yao and Jing Wan if I have a chance. They know much more about the affairs of the capital than our family."
Mrs. Li thought it was right, so she didn't hide it from her daughter: "It's the second daughter of the Earl of Zhaode's family."
Daohua was shocked. "A girl from the Earl's Mansion? How could such a family be interested in ours?"
It's not that she looked down on her own family, it's just that in ancient times, marriages were based on equal status.
Although my stepfather is now a prefect of the fourth rank, the gap between him and those noble families in the capital is huge.
"Could it be that the girl from the Earl's Mansion has a hidden illness?"
In this era, daughters of large families almost all had to marry off, and marriages naturally had to be profitable, so most women married into a wealthy family in order to gain benefits for the family.
There are some who marry down, but they are definitely not many.
Mrs. Li looked at her daughter unhappily and nodded her head: "What on earth are you thinking about all day long?"
Daohua rubbed her forehead and muttered, "My daughter, this is a normal analysis. How could pie fall from the sky for no reason? Naturally, I have to think about it more."
Madam Li sighed, "The second daughter of the Han family doesn't have any hidden illness. The reason the Zhaode Earl's Mansion took a liking to your eldest brother is, firstly, because your father received praise from the Emperor when he reported on his work; secondly, your eldest brother has a good appearance, a good demeanor, and is well-educated, so he was naturally chosen."
"Well, Master Zhou Er privately told your father that the title of Earl of Zhaode has been passed down to the last person. Although there are people serving in the court now, most of them are low-ranking officials and do not hold real power. Therefore, the marriage partner will naturally be lower-ranked."
Daohua frowned and asked in confusion, "If that's the case, then why should we marry into their family?"
Madam Li: "A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. The Zhaode Earl's Mansion has been operating in the capital for generations, so they must have some connections. Your father is in his prime and will likely serve as an official in the capital in the future. If he doesn't have support, how will he gain a foothold in the capital?"
Daohua nodded: "Then does the eldest brother like the second daughter of the Han family?"
Madam Li fell silent for a moment before she spoke again, "Your father said he saw the second daughter of the Han family from afar. She was beautiful and well-mannered."
Daohua: "I'm not asking father, I'm asking big brother, does big brother like it?"
Madam Li shook her head. "I asked your eldest brother about it, but he kept his head down and said nothing. But he didn't object either. I guess he was embarrassed."
Daohua thought for a moment and said, "Mom, when you're arranging a marriage for my eldest brother, don't just consider the family's interests. You also have to consult my eldest brother. After all, my eldest brother's wife will live with him for the rest of his life."
Madam Li laughed immediately: "You are just busy with nothing. How could your mother not know this? Besides, the Han family only mentioned it briefly. Although the Earl's Mansion will be taken back in this generation, it is still the Duke's House after all, so there are still requirements and conditions for choosing a son-in-law."
"Mr. Zhaode said that if your eldest brother can pass the imperial examination this year, he will be willing to marry his precious daughter to our family."
Daohua looked surprised and asked, "Brother, are you going back to your hometown to take the imperial examination this year?"
Madam Li nodded. "Your eldest brother has studied at Wangyue Academy for three years. His knowledge is much more solid than before. Your father and Master Xiao both said that he is ready to take the exam."
"Pass the imperial examination before getting engaged. This is what your mother and father hope to see."
Daohua was speechless: "What if big brother doesn't pass the imperial examination? Then why don't you get married?"
"Bang!"
Madam Li glared at Daohua and slapped her forehead. "How dare you say that about your own brother?" Then, she said with certainty, "Your elder brother will definitely pass the imperial examination."
Daohua nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, yes, mother is right, big brother will definitely be admitted to high school, but... my daughter's point is that you and father should not put too much pressure on big brother."
Madam Li smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother knows her limits. As for your father, he has been very busy since he was promoted to the prefect of Ningmen Prefecture. He probably has no time to test you or nag you about your eldest brother."
Daohua nodded and asked casually, "Is father busy?"
Mrs. Li glanced out the window. It was already getting dark. "Can't you see he hasn't come back yet?" She sighed and said, "I'm afraid your father won't be able to have dinner with us tonight."
As he said that, he turned and looked at Pingtong.
"Tell the kitchen to make two more dishes that the master likes, and then simmer them in the stove. They will be delicious when the master leaves the government office."
Pingtong nodded and replied, "Yes." Then she walked out of the main courtyard with a smile.
Daohua asked, "Didn't things go smoothly for father?"
Madam Li shook her head. "That's not the case. It's mainly because the situation in Ningmen Prefecture is too complicated. Many places are filled with refugees from Fenxi and Jiguang."
"Your father said that if we want to carry out major livelihood initiatives like encouraging farmers to cultivate crops, we must first eliminate these unstable security factors. Otherwise, the people won't be able to produce with peace of mind. Right now, your father is trying to find a way to resettle those refugees."
Happy New Year everyone!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
