Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Ning Zixuan's eyes lit up, and he turned to look at the princess's still angry face, quickly smiling:
"Mother, please let my sister-in-law give it a try."
The princess glanced at her good-for-nothing son and nodded to Jiang Yuwei, saying:
"In that case, Yuwei, you should first go and sound out the Wang family's opinion and see how things have progressed. If it hasn't been settled yet, then you should mention our desire to marry their daughter."
As she spoke, the princess glared at Ning Zixuan, who was standing to the side, and continued:
"If the prospective son-in-law has already been chosen, you shouldn't bring it up, lest you tarnish the status of our royal family."
Jiang Yuwei nodded in agreement.
"Alright, the sooner the better. I'll go prepare some gifts today and go to the Prince's residence to see Madam Wang first thing tomorrow morning."
The princess waved to the person standing beside her and said:
"Go and help Yuwei prepare. Prepare more things. Since our Prince Jing's mansion is here to propose marriage, we should show some respect."
Wang Ma nodded and followed Jiang Yuwei back down.
Jiang Yuwei and Wang Ma discussed preparing twice as many gifts as on the gift list for Madam Li, and also sent two bolts of fabric and jewelry separately for Miss Wang.
After making these plans, Jiang Yuwei instructed Xia Yue to pack all the items and send them to the Prince's Mansion early the next morning.
Seeing that Ning Zixuan was still talking to her in the Princess's courtyard, Jiang Yuwei didn't go in to disturb him and turned to go to her own Jinglan Pavilion.
Upon entering the courtyard, I saw Ning Wan playing with Sixi.
Jiang Yuwei smiled and said:
"Wan'er, go wash your hands. We'll be eating soon."
Ning Wan sweetly responded, then pointed to Ning Zhao's room and said cautiously:
“My brother came back early, but he hasn’t come out since he went inside. It’s been quite a while now.”
Jiang Yuwei glanced at Ning Zhao's tightly closed door, then patted Ning Wan on the back.
"Go and call your brother out for dinner."
Ning Wan nodded obediently and went to knock on Ning Zhao's door.
Si Xi, being very perceptive, went to the kitchen to help serve the food. After all the dishes were on the table, Ning Wan pulled Ning Zhao out.
Seeing Ning Zhao's dejected appearance, Jiang Yuwei smiled and said:
"Zhao'er, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?"
Ning Zhao looked up at Jiang Yuwei, and gave a slight smile.
"Mother, I'm going to take the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai tomorrow, and I'm not sure if I'm going to pass it."
Jiang Yuwei has been busy taking care of the shop and managing the affairs of the Prince's Mansion lately, so the two children have basically been left to their own devices. She has no time to take care of them at all. She never expected that Ning Zhao would be taking the imperial examination to become a scholar.
Jiang Yuwei pulled the two children to sit down and then placed a piece of meat on Ning Zhao's plate.
"Zhao'er, I believe in you. No matter how you do in tomorrow's exam, just do your best. If you don't pass this time, we'll wait for the next one. You're still young, you can afford to wait."
Ning Zhao looked at Jiang Yuwei gratefully after hearing her words and nodded.
"Yes, Mother, I understand. I will do my best in the exam tomorrow, and I hope I can pass it on the first try."
Jiang Yuwei picked up another piece of meat and handed it to Ning Wan with a smile:
"Wan'er, you stay home tomorrow and cheer for your brother. After I finish what I'm doing, I'll find you a teacher to teach you to read and write properly."
Ning Wan stuffed the meat from the bowl into her mouth and smiled sweetly.
"Yay! Wan'er is going to school too!"
The family of three finished their meal happily and then went to their respective rooms to sleep.
The next day,
Jiang Yuwei got up early to tidy up and prepared a delicious breakfast especially for Ning Zhao and Ning Wan.
"Zhao'er, eat more. When you get to the exam hall, just focus on the exam without any distractions."
Ning Zhao and Ning Wan then began to eat.
Seeing that the two children were eating to their hearts' content, Jiang Yuwei felt relieved and led Xia Yue and Yun Qing to the Prince's Mansion.
Jiang Yuwei, carrying many gifts, had just arrived at the gate of the Prince's mansion when she ran into Wang Yurou, who was angrily preparing to leave.
"Miss Wang, where are you going?"
When Wang Yuru saw that it was Jiang Yuwei, she quickly changed her expression and happily took Jiang Yuwei's hand.
"Madam Jiang, what brings you here? I was just saying I was going to have a good meal at your shop today."
Jiang Yuwei smiled.
"I came here today specifically to see Madam Wang and you."
Wang Yuru shook Jiang Yuwei's arm, feeling somewhat flattered.
"Alright, let's go in first. I won't go to the food court today; we can go another day."
Jiang Yuwei nodded and then instructed Wang Yurou to have people unload everything from the carriage.
Wang Yuru hurriedly called out a few servants to come and move things. She was quite surprised to see that Jiang Yuwei had prepared so many gifts for her visit.
"Madam Jiang, why did you prepare so many things?"
Jiang Yuwei followed Wang Yuru towards the front hall.
"I didn't bring much, but I picked out a few things that would suit you and sent them to you. I also picked out a few things for Madam Wang."
When the two walked to the front hall, they saw Madam Wang sitting there, sulking. She seemed quite surprised to see Jiang Yuwei.
Wang Yuru glanced at Madam Wang, then pulled Jiang Yuwei to sit down.
Lady Wang then ordered her maid to prepare tea and refreshments.
"Madam Jiang, what brings you here today?"
Jiang Yuwei smiled faintly.
“I just visited Madam Li yesterday. I heard that Madam Wang has found a marriage for Miss Wang, so I thought I'd come and take a look.”
Madam Wang was somewhat surprised. Her family had never had any connection with the General's Mansion, so why was Jiang Yuwei suddenly concerned about her daughter's marriage?
Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Wang Yuru, who was sitting to the side, immediately glared at Madam Wang with a resentful expression. Madam Wang, seeing this, also glared at her fiercely.
Jiang Yuwei kept her head down and drank her tea, pretending not to see the two of them exchanging disdainful glances. It seemed that Madam Wang wanted Wang Yurou to marry her distant cousin, but Wang Yurou disagreed, which was why the two had fallen out.
Madam Wang glared at Wang Yurou again before smiling and saying:
"That is true, but the matter is not settled yet. Madam Li is too quick to speak; I didn't expect it to reach your ears so soon."
Upon hearing Madam Wang's words and looking at Wang Yuru's unruly demeanor, Jiang Yuwei realized that the reason the matter hadn't been settled was because Wang Yuru hadn't taken a liking to the man. In that case, Ning Zixuan still had a chance.
Thinking this, Jiang Yuwei put down her teacup, smiled at Madam Wang, and
“So that’s how it is. Madam Li’s words sounded very convincing. I thought this matter was sure to be settled. If things haven’t been settled yet, I’ll speak frankly. I think we have similar temperaments and personalities; we’re both straightforward people.”
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei paused and then looked at Wang Yurou.
"Actually, I came here today to arrange a marriage for Miss Wang."
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