Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 200 - 198: Nodding

Chapter 200: Chapter 198: Nodding

Liu Jingshu was indeed learning manners and etiquette with Aunt Rong at Xiao’er’s house. She didn’t really want to learn these rules, but Xiao’er told her, "I can see that Young Master Lai is interested in you. If you also have a hint of interest in him, it would be beneficial for you to learn more from Aunt Rong now, to manage the family affairs, which could add weight to your future marriage."

Aunt Rong was a strict nanny, and her palms were red and swollen from the spanking.

Although sometimes, she felt terribly wronged and would secretly sob under the covers.

However, Xiao’er was right. Nobody could get everything good in this world without making sacrifices.

Mrs. Liu took Mrs. Lai to see Liu Jingshu.

Liu Jingshu was embroidering with Yun’er in their room.

It was only a few days to Mrs. Liu Li’s birthday, and Liu Jingshu had already prepared a set of clothes for her. She was now embroidering a forehead ornament.

Upon seeing the entrance of their visitors, both of them quickly rose to their feet and greeted them.

Mrs. Lai was relieved and slightly pleased to see that Liu Jingshu conducted herself with manners and respect.

Mrs. Liu was naturally very beautiful, and Jingshu resembled her aunt in many ways. Moreover, she was at that blooming age, giving off an aura of serene beauty and vibrant vitality.

No wonder her son was so invested in her. This girl, compared to the usual noble ladies, lacked a degree of restraint and dignity, but had an extra measure of spirited ease.

Mrs. Lai took a look at Jingshu’s embroidery. It was exceptional, and she silently nodded her approval.

"Miss Liu, you’re truly skilled. It feels as though the flowers you’ve embroidered are imbued with their scent." This was her complimenting the realism of Jingshu’s embroidery.

"Mrs. Lai is too kind; it would suffice for you to call me Jingshu."

"Jingshu, is this forehead ornament you’re embroidering for an elder in your family?" Mrs. Lai nodded.

"It’s for my grandmother."

"In a few days, it will be my mother’s birthday. This young lady has been preparing gifts far in advance, making a full set of indoor and outdoor clothes and footwear, with every stitch made by her own hands. Now she’s just left with this forehead ornament to embroider." Mrs. Liu couldn’t help but boast about her niece.

Mrs. Lai was even more satisfied to hear this. This girl was very respectful to elders.

At such a young age, she could settle down and make so many birthday gifts for her elders, which was indeed rare.

Mrs. Lai removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Liu Jingshu.

This jade bracelet looked very expensive, and Liu Jingshu didn’t dare to accept it.

"You must accept it. You cannot refuse a gift from an elder."

Mrs. Liu also signaled her to accept it, and only then did she.

Mrs. Lai didn’t play favorites. She also gave a gift to each of Xiao’er and others present.

Mrs. Lai stayed for dinner.

Mrs. Liu especially asked Jingshu to make a few dishes. The ingredients in Xiao’er’s kitchen were all produced from a magic space, and Liu Jingshu’s cooking skills were not bad too, so the dishes she made naturally had a wonderful taste.

Mrs. Lai full of praise after her meal.

Her son had always been a picky eater, so she hoped that once he got married, he would have a better appetite.

After dinner, Mrs. Lai said her goodbyes and returned to town.

Upon hearing of Mrs. Lai’s visit, Lai Zhewei quickly came to see her in the courtyard. He sat at her side and, after much hesitation, Mrs. Lai had no choice but to break the suspense.

"I have entrusted Mrs. Shen to investigate. Just wait."

"Yes." He had thought there was a result. So, it turned out he still needed to wait.

"I have met the girl today ..." Mrs. Lai hesitated on purpose.

Lai Zhewei’s heart was hanging in suspense again. His mother usually liked girls of noble descent ...

"Mother, how was your impression of her?"

Mrs. Lai looked at her son, who resembled her late husband’s image when he was young. She couldn’t help but scold inwardly he had no guts. But she didn’t take it to heart. She said in a not very friendly manner: "She was better than I expected, satisfactory."

"Satisfactory" Lai Zhewei breathed a sigh of relief, indicates that she was mostly pleased with her.

That’s good. He knew that Jingshu, such a good girl, would be appreciated by his grandmother, and so his mother would surely like her.

"I am well aware that her manners and etiquette cannot be compared to those of the noble ladies. It must be a huge compromise for my dear mother to consider my happiness. But I had no other choice. It’s strange even to me that I couldn’t point out how she’s better than other girls. I only know that since I met her, I’ve been unable to forget her, and no other girl can catch my eye anymore. So, I’m grateful to my mother for granting my wish, and I will repay you with filial piety together with her in the future."

Mrs. Lai watched her son, who looked so much like her late husband did when he was young and remembered the night of their wedding. Her husband had said, "I don’t know why I chose you; it’s just that once I saw you, all I can think of and see was you."

This father and son were indeed just alike.

Mrs. Lai waved her hand to dismiss him: "Alright, I understand. Don’t worry about it. Your grandmother didn’t like me at first. But after I married into the family, she treated me as her own daughter. And I will do the same for you as your grandmother did for me. You may leave now, I need to rest."

"Thank you, mother. You are the best." Lai Zhewei felt even more reassured after hearing these words. So, he left.

――

Mrs. Liu talked to Mrs. Tan about this matter. Lai Zhewei had been to their home before, and she remembered him. He was a good young man.

Mrs. Liu also revealed Lai Zhewei’s family background. Although Mrs. Tan was glad that her daughter was admired by such an outstanding man, her daughter’s happiness remained the most important.

"I’ve heard that big families have many wives and concubines."

"That’s true for most people. But Lai Zhewei’s father only has Mrs Lai as his legal wife. A lot of ladies are envious of this!"

"Just because his father is monogamous, that doesn’t mean he will be. Big families have many rules. I fear that Jingshu will feel left out and be bullied over there." If you are bullied in a big family, there’s nowhere to seek help.

"Once a woman is married, it’s like reincarnating for the second time. You can only truly know a family over time, but before that, we can only choose the best amongst them." Mrs. Liu couldn’t confidently assure Mrs. Tan that Lai Zhewei would not marry a concubine in the future. The future is uncertain after all.

Mrs. Tan felt that for a good marriage, ideally the families of the bride and the groom should be of equal social rank. If you marry into a family much above your station, you’ll always find yourself looked down upon.

Sometimes, people in the advantageous position release a sense of superiority unconsciously, even though they do not notice it, it can still cause harm.

"As for being bullied, your sister-in-law is worrying too much. Mrs. Lai is of good character. And having met Jingshu, she gave her an incredibly valuable jade bracelet as a token of meeting. Her visit to probe was also to indicate that she sincerely wishes to merge the two families. I, as her aunt, will not let Jingshu be bullied."

"Moreover, Madam Lai has an old acquaintance with you and Jingshu; I think Jingshu will receive protection from her."

"Besides, I have sought Jingshu’s opinion about this affair. When I did, she blushed and said that it’s up to us. This means she also has such intention, doesn’t it?"

After thinking for a while, Mrs. Tan agreed. Sincerely, Young Master Lai was an excellent groom material, among thousands of candidates.

He is the best in every respect, including family background, talent and looks. What was there for her to hesitate about?

More importantly, her daughter is also in favor. So, she could only agree.

"So, it’s decided, then. I will go to inform Mrs. Lai now."