Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 199 - 197: Mrs. Lai visits

Chapter 199: Chapter 197: Mrs. Lai visits

Xiao’er felt that Zhijie’s illness getting better was his own good fortune. If Nirui didn’t trust her, or he didn’t trust Nirui, he would not recover.

The county magistrate held the village chief’s hand saying, "Once Jie’er returns, we will arrange their marriage! If Zhijie dares to mistreat Nirui, I will teach him a harsh lesson! Rest assured!"

The county magistrate thought that Nirui was a good luck charm for her husband. Soon after their engagement, his son got better day by day.

His legitimate son was incompetent, and Ming Zhijie was his most outstanding son, on whom he pinned all his hopes.

The village chief, too drunk, replied, "Yes, teach him a good lesson indeed!"

Chengyao returned home drunk and said to Mrs. Liu, "When Rui’er passes the imperial examination in the future, we will also hold a three-day banquet in our house! We’ll invite all the elders and villagers to the feast!"

Mrs. Liu helped him clean his face, washed his hands and feet, undressed him, and helped him to bed.

"Good, when the time comes, not only three days, I am willing to hold a six-day banquet."

"Three days, I want three days!", Chengyao gestured with two fingers.

"Alright, three days it is! As you say."

Xiao’er came in with a bowl of sobering soup, "Mom, is dad okay?"

"He’s completely drunk. Luckily, your dad doesn’t cause trouble when drunk, he just sleeps. Otherwise, it would be a handful."

"First, let’s make him drink the sobering soup before sleep. Otherwise, he will have a severe headache tomorrow morning."

"Alright." Mrs. Liu helped Chengyao sit up and then let him drink the sobering soup before going to sleep.

Chengyao obediently drank the soup.

――

In the Lai Mansion, Lai Zhewei was kneeling in front of Madam Lai and Mrs. Lai, asking them to send a matchmaker to Liu Mansion for a marriage proposal.

Mrs. Lai had a headache: "Marriages are usually arranged between equal families. In the whole Imperial City, you can choose from many young ladies, why do you only like a young lady... whose status is so different from yours! How can an illiterate person contribute to your literary achievements?"

"I don’t need someone to contribute to my literary achievements, what a husband and wife need is mutual support. Good fortune is to be shared, as is adversity."

"Jingshu, she is kind and has a good personality. Our family doesn’t need to marry a high-born woman to add honour to our family. Besides, a good wife should be virtuous, and I think Jingshu is a virtuous wife. Moreover, you promised Zhewei before that if he made it to the top three in the imperial examination, he could decide on his marriage. As parents, how can we break our words? How can we be a good example to our children?"

"But a girl of such origin doesn’t know any manners or etiquette at all. If you take her out, it’s Zhewei’s face and the face of the Lai family that will be lost."

"Is it more important to save face or to ensure the happiness of your own son? When you and I got married, my son was happy and I fulfilled my son’s choice. They are the ones who are going to live together for the rest of their life. As elders, we should turn a blind eye."

Mrs. Lai was somewhat convinced by this.

Madam Lai glanced at Mrs. Lai, deciding to fan the flames: "What do you think of the manners of the County Chiefess of Rui’an?"

"Absolutely impeccable." If not for her being too young, she would want her to be her daughter-in-law.

"The County Chiefess of Rui’an was also merely an ordinary peasant a year ago. The knowledge of manners and etiquette was learned. Now Jingshu is learning manners from Aunt Rong in Marquis Shengping’s mansion. And, there are also many wealthy families who asked for her hand in marriage. After all, she is the niece of Marquis Shengping’s wife. Many people want to connect with both families."

After hearing this, Lai Zhewei became more anxious. What if Jingshu was engaged to another man, who would he cry to?

"Mother!"

Mrs. Lai saw her son’s look and sighed, but she wished her child could marry for love, and live in harmony, just like her and her husband.

"Look at your useless self! Tomorrow, I will go to Marquis Shengping’s mansion and ask Mrs. Shengping about the situation. If the girl doesn’t want to, I can’t do anything."

"Thank you, mother, for your understanding! I knew mother is the best to me."

Madam Lai coughed at this remark.

"Grandmother is the best to me!", Lai Zhewei immediately started buttering her up.

They both laughed at Lai Zhewei’s comment.

After Lai Zhewei left, Mrs. Lai sighed, "It feels like yesterday that he was just learning to walk. In the blink of an eye, he’s at a marriageable age."

"Indeed, in another couple of years, we will see his son learning to walk."

Mrs. Lai, thinking about this scenario, wished Lai Zhewei would get married soon.

"I should go to the warehouse to check what to prepare for the gifts to give Marquis Shengping tomorrow. We can’t be DISRESPECTFUL! And, the betrothal gifts also need to start being prepared." Mrs. Lai stood up, bowed to the old lady, and left. She was so eager to have a grandchild.

Madam Lai shook her head with a smile.

The next day, Mrs. Liu was surprised to see Mrs. Lai coming for a visit.

Xiao’er, however, guessed the reason. It seemed that Lai Zhewei persuaded his family. Having Mrs. Lai come in person meant that Mrs. Lai was also willing to accept this marriage.

Mrs. Lai had brought generous gifts with her. Looking at the gift list, Xiao’er was even more certain of her conjecture.

Mrs. Lai casually chatted with Mrs. Liu about various topics, avoiding the main point. This made Xiao’er impatient.

Seeing that Mrs. Lai was about to go over all the topics again, Xiao’er lost patience and found an excuse to leave.

After Xiao’er finally left, Mrs. Lai heaved a sigh of relief. Marriage-related matters shouldn’t be discussed in front of the children. What if a child mentioned it and ruined the name of the girl?

Xiao’er, an independent woman, didn’t realise this, and she didn’t see herself as a child.

"Our old lady was saying that Mrs. Liu’s niece is kind-hearted, generous and virtuous. I wonder if she has been engaged?"

"Is Mrs. Lai referring to Jingshu?" Mrs. Liu finally understood Mrs. Lai’s intention.

She thought, she and Mrs. Lai were not close enough to warrant a visit to the house for a long chat!

Mrs. Lai nodded.

"She has not been engaged yet." Mrs. Liu shook her head.

"Mrs. Shen must also know my son, right?"

"Lai Zhewei? He is a rare young man!"

Upon hearing Mrs. Liu praising Lai Zhewei, Mrs. Lai was delighted. "To be honest, the reason I came today is to ask Mrs. Shen for a favor. If Mrs. Shen thinks highly of my son, I hope she can help me find out Liu Furen’s opinion and ensure this marriage."

Lai Zhewei was a good man in Mrs. Liu’s opinion. If her niece could marry a man of good character and family background like Lai Zhewei, she would be happy. She promptly agreed.