Chapter 538, Sounding Out
After Madam Su led Madam Li and Daohua back to the third courtyard, she sat for a while and then told the maids to set the table.
"This is the soup Shiyu made early this morning. Come and try it. How does it taste?"
Mrs. Su personally served a bowl of soup to Mrs. Li, and Su Shiyu also served a bowl to Daohua.
Mrs. Li took a sip and couldn't help but praise: "Shiyu is really a clever girl, this soup tastes great."
Mrs. Su was happy and proud that the guests liked her daughter's cooking, but she still said modestly, "It can't compare to your Yiyi. The pastries I had at your house last time are still lingering in my mind."
The two mothers praised each other's children, and the atmosphere at the dinner table was harmonious and harmonious.
After dinner, looking at Su Shiyu calmly assigning tasks to the servants, Madam Li said casually, "Shiyu is such a lovely girl. I wonder which boy will marry her in the future?"
Madam Su paused for a moment, but soon smiled and said, "There's no rush. I only have Hongxin and Shiyu as my children, and I have to give them a good look. Besides, her brother isn't engaged yet, so this girl has to wait even longer."
Madam Li nodded in agreement. "Marriage is a major event that affects a child's entire life, so we must choose the right person carefully. My family was busy preparing for our eldest son's marriage for a long time. Now that his marriage is set, we have to worry about our youngest, too. We really don't have a single moment to spare."
Madam Su smiled and didn't comment. She simply followed Madam Li's words and praised, "I've seen Wen Kai. He's handsome and energetic. Why should you worry about not finding a daughter-in-law that suits your taste?"
Madam Li shook her head and sighed, "It's not that easy to find someone who suits my taste. If everyone were like Shiyu in your family, I wouldn't have to worry so much."
Hearing this, Madam Su's heart moved, but she did not respond. She just said vaguely: "You are too kind."
Seeing that Madam Su was not at all enthusiastic, Madam Li understood her attitude. Fortunately, she was mentally prepared and was not disappointed. After a slight hesitation, she continued with a smile.
"My son Wenkai is the youngest legitimate son. I know that with his conditions, he wouldn't be able to be considered a good match for families with better social status. However, in order for my son to find a good marriage, I have discussed this with my master. As long as my future daughter-in-law can give birth to a grandson before she turns thirty, Wenkai will not be allowed to take a concubine."
Hearing this, Madam Su raised her eyes to look at Madam Li and asked in surprise, "You've never taken a concubine in your entire life?"
Mrs. Li nodded: "Yes."
Mrs. Su was silent, but she had to admit that the idea of not taking a concubine had successfully persuaded her and made her somewhat tempted.
When her daughter gets married, what she worries most is that she will marry the wrong person and be mistreated by her husband's family.
When the husband's character is acceptable, there are two main sources of grievances for a woman after marriage: one is the mother-in-law's difficulties, and the other is the concubine's troubles.
These two problems are hurdles that almost every woman has to go through.
My daughter has reached the age of 15, and she started looking for a future son-in-law two years ago. Unfortunately, she has never found anyone she likes.
Either one has a good family background but poor character; or one has good character but has a lot of miscellaneous troubles at home; then one has a decent family background and character, but poor ability and no future.
I've looked at quite a few of them, but there are always some problems and shortcomings.
Before this, the Yan family was not within her consideration.
She knew the situation of the Yan family and had some understanding of Yan Li, who was a sensible person. As a mother-in-law, even if such a person could not treat her daughter-in-law as her own daughter, she would never do anything to deliberately make things difficult for her.
Yan Wenkai is good in all aspects. If he really never takes a concubine in his life, then marrying into the Yan family is really something worth considering.
However, the Yan family's status was still relatively low, and Yan Wenkai was the youngest son. He would not be able to inherit any family property in the future, and he would have to rely on himself for everything.
Seeing that Mrs. Su was in deep thought, Mrs. Li didn't say anything more. She picked up the tea and sipped it slowly.
Meanwhile, the rice flowers in the garden were much more straightforward: "Sister Su, what do you think of my fourth brother?"
Su Shiyu was stunned by the question, and after a while she said shyly, "Fourth Brother Yan is a very nice person."
Seeing her like this, Daohua felt relieved and said with a smile, "My eldest brother is already engaged, and my mother seems to be starting to look for a wife for my fourth brother."
Su Shiyu's heart tightened. She forced a smile, twisted her handkerchief, and said, "Really? Then has Auntie found someone she likes?"
Daohua shook her head and looked at Su Shiyu and said, "My mother hasn't found anyone yet, but my brother has someone he likes."
Hearing this, Su Shiyu's heart suddenly rose to her throat and she stared at the rice flowers with wide eyes.
Daohua took Su Shiyu's hand and said, "Sister Su, what do you think of my fourth brother?"
Su Shiyu blushed and turned away from Daohua: "I don't understand what you mean."
Daohua was silent for a moment: "Do you like my fourth brother? Are you willing to marry him?"
Su Shiyu blushed at Daohua's straightforwardness, biting her lip and keeping silent.
Daohua: "Sister Su, given our relationship, you don't need to be shy. If you like me, then you like me. If you don't like me, then you don't like me."
Su Shiyu looked at the rice flowers and still said nothing.
Daohua didn't force her to express her opinion, but simply said to her, "Sister Su, after returning home on the Lantern Festival, my fourth brother asked my mother to come to your house to propose marriage. We came here today to sound you out. If you think my fourth brother is okay and can be relied upon, then when Madam Su asks for your opinion, you can express your attitude."
Su Shiyu was stunned: "Did Fourth Brother Yan ask my aunt to propose marriage?"
Rice Flower nodded.
When Su Shiyu saw this, a hint of joy flashed across her eyes.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Li took Daohua and left the Su Mansion.
On the way back to Li's house, Daohua was sitting in the carriage looking at the scenery on the street. She accidentally saw Sun Changze coming out of the shop and immediately asked someone to stop the carriage.
Mrs. Li: "What's wrong?"
As Daohua put on her veiled hat, she said, "Mom, I saw a friend and went down to say hello. His family travels a lot for business, and I wanted him to bring me something."
Madam Li also stopped him: "Go quickly and come back quickly."
Daohua quickly got off the carriage and saw that Sun Changze and others had already walked some distance away, so she hurriedly trotted after them.
"Sun Changze."
Sun Changze, who was talking to his cousin, heard someone calling him, so he turned around and looked. He saw a girl wearing a veil hat. He was a little surprised, but when he saw Wang Maner, he immediately knew who was calling him.
"Miss Yan."
Daohua walked in and asked with a smile, "Are your injuries healed?"
Sun Changze smiled and said, "It's nothing serious. It will be fine after two days of rest. Miss Yan, do you need me for something?"
Daohua nodded: "I heard from Xiao Yeyang that your family is going to the north to sell goods soon?"
Sun Changze nodded: "Not bad."
Daohua: "I've read some regional chronicles of the north, and they all mentioned that there are many foreigners in the north?"
Sun Changze: "Yes, there is a city on the western border of the north that is dedicated to foreign trade, and many foreigners often go there."
Daohua immediately asked, "Are you going this time?"
Sun Changze pondered for a moment and said, "It depends on the time. If I have enough time, I might go and take a look. Foreigners still have a lot of good things. If I'm lucky, I can make a lot of money by selling them back."
Daohua: "Can I hire you?"
Sun Changze looked at Daohua and said, "Miss Yan, is there anything you want to buy? Just tell me and I'll make a trip for you."
Daohua: "I don't have any specific purchases, but I really like collecting vegetables, fruits, seeds, and other things from foreigners. I want to buy them and try to grow them myself."
Sun Changze: "I see. Okay then. I'll go over this time. However, I can't guarantee I'll be able to buy what you want. After all, the northern border has been unstable in recent years, and many foreigners are reluctant to come."
Daohua smiled and said, "Thank you so much." Then she took out a few silver bills from her purse and handed them to Sun Changze.
Sun Changze shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, no, I can't accept your banknotes."
Daohua put it directly into his hand and said, "I'm very grateful that you can help me check it out. I should pay for the transportation and tolls."
Sun Changze couldn't return the banknote, so he could only say, "Then I'll use it to buy you something."
Daohua shook her head and said, "You don't need to buy too much. Just bring me a little of each."
Sun Changze nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
After talking to Sun Changze, Daohua returned to the carriage.
Half an hour later, Mrs. Li and Daohua returned to the Li Mansion.
The two sat in the main courtyard for a while and then returned to the guest house.
(End of this chapter)
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