Chapter 600, Confession
After listening to Mrs. Zhu Si's account of the family situation, Mrs. Li glanced at Sun, who was obviously interested, and understood that her second brother's wife was interested in the dowry.
Thousands of books, calligraphy and paintings, not to mention it, even she was a little tempted.
What is the Yan family missing?
Background!
Some good collections of books, calligraphy and paintings cannot be bought outside and need to be accumulated by family members from generation to generation.
After a moment of hesitation, Madam Li smiled and looked at Madam Zhu and Madam Zhu Si. "Ningmen Mansion is quite a distance from Xingzhou. Since you two have come from such a long way, why don't you stay at home for a few more days? You can take the opportunity to stroll around Ningmen Mansion."
Mrs. Zhu Si was naturally very willing and said with a smile, "I've heard that Ningmen Mansion is beautiful. I didn't get to see it properly during the Dragon Boat Festival. Now I finally have the chance. I just wonder if it will bother the old lady and the lady?"
Old Lady Yan thought Fourth Madam Zhu was very good at talking, and said with a smile, "Fourth Madam, you are too polite. We are so happy that you can come. How can you bother us?"
So, Mrs. Zhu, Mrs. Zhu Si, and Zhu Qiyun stayed.
Afterwards, Sun kept observing Zhu Qiyun. Seeing that this girl was easy-going and had decent manners and conversation, she nodded secretly in her heart.
After dinner, Daohua accompanied Madam Li back to the main courtyard.
Looking at the gift left by Fourth Madam Zhu, Madam Li pondered for a moment, frowning as she said, "Although the Zhu family has declined in recent years, it is still a prominent family in Zhongzhou. Even if Fourth Madam Zhu has passed away, she still has the support of her clansmen. Even if she wants to marry into our family, she doesn't need to be so condescending. Could it be that Miss Zhu has some hidden illness that is unknown to the public?"
Daohua glanced at Madam Li and said, "She probably doesn't have any hidden illness, but she did break off the engagement."
"What?!" Madam Li looked over in surprise, "How did you know?"
Daohua then told everything she had seen and heard in Taoyuan Town.
After hearing this, Madam Li sighed slightly: "Ah, Miss Zhu is also a poor person. She actually encountered such a terrible thing."
Daohua nodded in agreement.
Then, Madam Li added, "If your second aunt knew that Miss Zhu had been rejected in the past, she would probably not agree to this marriage."
Daohua: "If Miss Zhu hadn't been rejected before, she probably wouldn't have chosen my second brother. Everything has its pros and cons. One person can't have it all."
"Just like my future sister-in-law, her family background is good, but the Han family is too focused on exchanging benefits. In the future, big brother will definitely have to put some thought into his interactions with them."
"And there's Fourth Brother and Sister Su. Sister Su agreed to marry me, and didn't Fourth Brother also say he'd never take a concubine for the rest of his life?"
Madam Li looked at Daohua with surprise and said, "You seem to like Miss Zhu quite a lot?"
Daohua: "It doesn't matter whether I like her or not. I just think from the limited interactions I've had with her that she's someone who can stay calm in times of crisis and keep her composure. Such a person is suitable for Second Brother. After all, he'll be the one supporting the Second House in the future, and he needs a wife who can help him."
Madam Li nodded and said, "You are right. The reason why your father and I are so concerned about Wenjie's marriage is that we have considered the future. Let's not talk about our first branch. The third branch has Wentao to support it. Your father and I are relieved. As for the second branch..."
"Your second uncle and second aunt may be clever, but they lack wisdom and foresight. If the second branch of the family doesn't live well in the future, we won't feel good about it either."
Daohua: "Mother can talk to Father. Zhu Jiaoyu once worked under Father. He should know more about the Zhu family. See what he thinks."
Madam Li nodded and said, "I'll discuss this with your father when he comes back."
Daohua sat for a while, and when Yan Zhigao came back, she greeted him and left.
Mrs. Li told Yan Zhigao the purpose of Mrs. Zhu Si's visit, and then showed him the gift that Mrs. Zhu Si had brought.
Yan Zhigao saw the three rare copies at a glance and sighed, "Aristocratic families are aristocratic families. I have been an official for so many years and have never obtained a single copy of this kind."
Madam Li smiled and said, "A lean camel is bigger than a horse, but this gift is too valuable. Master, do you think you should accept it or not?"
Yan Zhigao fell silent and looked through the gifts given to other members of the Yan family: "This Fourth Madam Zhu is a thoughtful person."
Mrs. Li agreed. "Yes, the gifts are almost all based on everyone's preferences. They are very sincere."
Yan Zhigao: "They say daughters resemble their mothers. Does Miss Zhu take after Fourth Madam Zhu?"
Madam Li: "That girl is really quite good. Mother saw her today and praised her several times."
Yan Zhigao was silent for a moment: "In that case, let's send the gifts to each room."
Madam Li hesitated. "But what if my sister-in-law knew that Miss Zhu's engagement had been broken off and she disagreed? Wouldn't that mean we'd just be accepting their gift for nothing?"
Yan Zhigao smiled and said, "You know the temperament of the second brother and his wife. If you don't give them some sweet treats first, they won't even consider it. Now, considering the dowry, I guess they will hesitate a little."
"I'll send someone to inquire about the Zhu family's fourth branch tomorrow after I go to the yamen. If they're really suitable for marriage, I can persuade the second son. If it doesn't work out in the end, it won't be too late to return the gifts."
Madam Li nodded and said, "Master is very thoughtful. I will send the gifts to each room right away."
Yan Family Guest House.
Zhu Qiyun looked at Mrs. Zhu Si with some trepidation: "Mother, are we really not going to tell me about my rejected engagement?"
Mrs. Zhu Si said: "Didn't you say that the eldest daughter of the Yan family was present on the day of your wedding? If she knows about it, then the Yan family also knows about it. There is no need for us to say anything more."
"Okay, it's getting late, go to bed now. You have to get up early tomorrow, so you can't be listless these next two days."
Although Zhu Qiyun was still a little worried, since her mother said so, she nodded and turned back to her room.
Yan Wenjie was very surprised when he saw the gift Ping Tong sent. Although he was not as knowledgeable as his elder brother, his horizons had broadened a lot over the years. He could tell at a glance that the box contained an extremely precious and unique copy.
Yan Wenjie ordered the servant, "Go and find out why Madam Zhu, who came today, brought such an expensive gift?" And it was for him!
You know, in the past, when guests came to the house, although each family had gifts, the best ones were definitely given to the children in the eldest family, and the second-best ones were given to them.
Soon, the servant came back and said with a smile: "Second Master, I heard that the two ladies who came today seemed to want to marry their daughter to you. There are three books like this. One was given to the eldest master, one to the uncle, and the last one to you. The other people in the family also received nice gifts."
Yan Wenjie was stunned for a moment before he said, "They want to tell me about that girl?"
The servant smiled and said, "That's the one who came with us. I asked Daisy, who serves the guests, and she said that Miss Zhu is very pretty and has a good temper."
Yan Wenjie's mind suddenly flashed with Zhu Qiyun's voice and appearance. He was stunned for a moment, then said to the servant, "Go to my parents' yard and see what their attitude is."
The servant said quickly, "Okay, I'll go right away."
As soon as the person left, Yan Wenjie fell silent again.
After my eldest brother got engaged, my mother started to prepare for his marriage.
He knew that the families his eldest brother and fourth brother married into were all good, so his mother also wanted to find a good one for him. Unfortunately, the girls from good families didn't like him at all.
He had also noticed during this period that every time his mother went to discuss his marriage with his aunt, his aunt would be a little impatient, and people in the mansion also vaguely said that his mother was too picky and had high standards.
He also wanted to settle the marriage as soon as possible to avoid being gossiped about.
Yan Wenjie once again thought of Zhu Qiyun, whom he had met twice. The girl's speech and behavior were like those of a lady from a noble family. How could she be attracted to him?
Thinking of this, Yan Wenjie wanted to find his parents to ask clearly, so he got up and left the yard.
As soon as I entered the Chuihua Gate, I saw two figures looking at something anxiously. When I walked closer, I found out that they were Miss Zhu and her maid.
Seeing Yan Wenjie, Zhu Qiyun was startled. Thinking of her own inappropriate behavior of running around at night, she hurriedly explained, "I smelled the fragrance of the flowers in the garden and wanted to go out to take a look. But I didn't expect to walk too far and now I can't find the way back to the guest house."
Seeing the worry on Zhu Qiyun's face, as if she was worried that he might misunderstand, Yan Wenjie chuckled and said, "Miss Zhu, don't worry. My yard is quite big. It's normal for you to get lost on your first visit. I'll take you back."
As he spoke, he quickly took a few steps forward, putting some distance between himself and Zhu Qiyun.
Zhu Qiyun looked at Yan Wenjie and signaled the maid to follow.
The two walked one in front and the other behind, several meters apart, and no one spoke.
After arriving at the guest house entrance, Yan Wenjie said with a smile: "Miss Zhu, we're here. I'll be leaving first."
Seeing Yan Wenjie turning around and trying to leave, Zhu Qiyun struggled for a moment and called out, "Wait a minute."
Yan Wenjie turned around: "What's the matter?"
Zhu Qiyun took a deep breath and walked quickly towards Yan Wenjie.
Seeing her coming, Yan Wenjie subconsciously wanted to step back, but he held himself back.
Zhu Qiyun stopped a meter away from Yan Wenjie. "Qiyun is not talented. I wonder if you are interested in other girls? If not, I am willing to be with you for the rest of your life."
"Since she was young, my parents have hired strict teachers to teach Qiyun. Although Qiyun is not proficient in all arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs, she has learned a few. Since she was ten years old, my mother has taught Qiyun how to manage the household and socialize."
"Qiyun believes that she is no worse than other ladies. Although I have broken off the engagement, it was not my fault. Please consider me carefully, sir." After saying that, she ran into the guest house with a red face.
Yan Wenjie stood there stupidly for a while before he realized that someone had just confessed to him. He walked back in a daze, even forgetting about going to see his parents.
(End of this chapter)
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