Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 678 - 676

Chapter 678: Chapter 676

"Mother, Brother confessed he likes Miss Zhu. Don’t forget tomorrow to send a message to Aunt about asking her to feel out the Zhu family’s intentions on the second day of new year."

Jingrui blushed upon hearing this: "When did I say I liked Zhu... You, don’t make careless remarks, ruining someone’s reputation is not a good thing!"

"Still denying you like her, but you’re already putting up defenses for her even before marrying her!" Xiao’er cheekily teased.

"Brother speaks against his heart. When mother asked if you didn’t like Miss Zhu, you said no, ’no’ means not disliking, so that means you like her! Double negative means a strong affirmation! Such a simple truth, even Xi’er understands!" Xi’er gave a disdainful glance at Jingrui.

"Xi’er’s got it, double negatives indicate strong affirmation. Brother says he doesn’t like her, it’s probably more than that, he particularly likes Miss Zhu." Xiao’er, seeing Jingrui blush, couldn’t help but continue teasing.

Well, let the blushing become more intense!

Jingrui: "..."

Can’t believe the words are getting out of hand! Completely speechless!

"Alright, all of you siblings, is this how you tease your elder brother? These jokes are not allowed in public, to avoid ruining the reputation of the girl."

Seeing Jingrui’s blushing and muddled face caused by the teasing of his siblings, Shen Chengyao couldn’t help but speak to rescue him.

"There are no outsiders here. A casual mention here and there won’t cause any harm. If brother doesn’t express his feelings, who knows who he likes? Marriage is a lifetime matter, brother’s wife should certainly be someone brother likes! If we don’t clarify, then if the sister-in-law that is brought back is not liked by brother, every day facing someone he doesn’t like, what is there to look forward to in the future! Right, brother? Shouldn’t we ask if you like her?" Xiao’er winked at Jingrui.

This girl, Jingrui was somewhat exasperated, but he knew the more he evaded and failed to reply, the more they will enjoy making a fuss.

It’s a natural progress for men to marry and women to get married, so he pretended to be calm and nodded: "A young couple will grow old together, this is the person I want to spend my life with, my wife not only needs to be liked by me, but also liked by father, mother and all of you."

Xiao’er inwardly praised Jingrui, this response was good! But he still skirted around the question of whether he liked Zhu Yan or not.

"So, brother do you really like Miss Zhu? Although the Zhu family are merchant class, they are respectable and known for their loyalty to the country."

Xiao’er’s words told Jingrui that Feng Yang had already made it clear that Zhu Yan’s father was not associated with General Li.

"Yes, brother do you like Miss Zhu? At least express your feelings!" Jinghao showed determination to persist in questioning until a clear answer was given!

Jingrui paused for a while, thought about that girl’s performance, Zhu Yan seems to be kind-hearted, with a sense of justice, such a girl’s character should not be bad at all? Although she had supernatural strength, luckily he was not a true scholar. As he practiced martial arts daily, he was not less strong than her. With this in mind, there was nothing unacceptable.

However, knowing a person’s character is not based on one or two events. He had a good impression of her, but it wasn’t enough to like her to the point where she was the only one. With that in mind, Jingrui honestly said: "I think Miss Zhu is pretty good, but I don’t know much about her, so I ask mother to personally go investigate."

His wife must be a sis-in-law, and absolutely cannot be someone petty and shallow-minded.

Jingrui hoped his wife would be simple but not ignorant about managing the household.

The daughters of noble families in the Imperial Capital have been brought up differently. Their family relationships are complex, and they grow up in such an environment. For Jingrui, they have too many of their own small motives.

Zhu Yan also has some, but at least she told Xiao’er everything upfront.

Jingrui didn’t need to marry a nobleman’s legitimate daughter to aid himself. He had the confidence to strive for a bright future on his own.

Since it has now been confirmed that his father and General Li have no connection, there is no need to worry anymore.

"That’s natural." Mrs. Liu saw Jingrui loosen up and hurriedly nodded happily.

"Brother, you still haven’t said whether you like Miss Zhu!" Xier said seriously.

Jingrui: how frustrating, didn’t he just indirectly express his intention?

Normally this kid is pretty sharp, why now can’t she understand such a simple hint?!

"Ha ha ..." Everyone laughed when they saw Jingrui’s helpless expression.

Jingrui thought it was better to reply directly now rather than being teased with this topic by his siblings. So he quickly replied,

"I guess I like her. I just remembered that I haven’t finished the homework assigned by my tutor, so I’ll go to the study to complete it. Call me when it’s time to eat dumplings!" Jingrui quickly left after saying this.

Just marrying a wife, why does it make people feel more nervous than going for an exam!

The siblings laughed out loud when they saw this.

"Look at you all, disrespectful to your elders, you scared off your brother!" Mrs. Liu pretended to be angry.

"To marry a wife, he needs to have thick skin! How is he going to marry a wife with such thin skin? How can mother have grandchildren at an early age?" Xiao’er said with a laugh.

"Okay, your brother has thin skin, don’t tease him anymore!"

Since mother has spoken, the siblings promptly nodded in agreement!

But Xi’er indignantly said: "Mother, we finished laughing long before, don’t you think it’s too late to stop us now?"

Pfft! Xiao’er and the siblings couldn’t help laughing again.

"Go, go, go, you guys just like to tear down my stage! If I had stopped you from making a fuss earlier, how would I know what’s in your brother’s heart? How long would you have to wait to have a sister-in-law? Right?"

"Her Majesty the mother is enlightened." Jinghao said seriously.

"Mother is like the person who draws away the ladder after crossing the river, once she has made use of us she doesn’t need us anymore!" Xier complained indignantly.

Mrs. Liu: "..."

...

The whole family chatted and laughed, and soon finished making the dumplings.

The maids took the finished dumplings to cook them in the kitchen.

After the dumplings were cooked, they were served. Xiao’er, Jingrui and Jinghao were the first to bite into a silver ingot.

Seeing this, Yun’er laughed and said: "Sister is getting married in a few months, it’s not surprising that she bit into a silver ingot with the first bite. Brother and Hao’er also got a silver ingot with the first bite, it seems that our house will produce two top-ranking scholars in the Imperial Examinations this year!"

Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu laughed even more happily when they heard this.

What makes parents happier in this world than having their daughter find a good match and their sons becoming successful!

Just as Yun’er finished speaking, she suddenly exclaimed, and then spat out a silver ingot.

Seeing this, Xiao’er laughed and said: "I knew Brother Ri wouldn’t wait, see! He really doesn’t want to wait for even a moment!"

Yun’er, who usually blushes easily, turned a bright crimson at Xiao’er words.

When Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu looked at each other, their hearts were filled with a light joy but also a faint sadness.

Daughters will eventually get married and leave home! This is the last New Year that the family will be together.

In the future, the children will each have their own families.