Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 679 - 677

Chapter 679: Chapter 677

Mrs. Liu acted swiftly, sending the housekeeper early the next morning to deliver a message to Mrs. Tan.

A day later, on the second day of the new year, Xiao’er and her family visited the Liu family.

After the two families exchanged greetings, Mrs. Liu naturally asked about Zhu Yan.

Seeing that Xiao’er’s sisters were still present, Mrs. Liu Lin cleared her throat quietly, hinting that they should not discuss such matters of marriage in front of the children.

Mrs. Liu laughed, "In our family, we discuss everything, big or small, together - kids and all. I even asked Jingrui about this in front of everyone. There’s no need to avoid the children. Our kids are quite mature for their age."

Mrs. Liu Lin: "..."

The seemingly mature children: "..."

Seeing everyone else’s stunned faces, Mrs. Tan laughed, "With Xiao’er’s parents being as naive as they are, if Xiao’er and her siblings weren’t mature early, their family would probably have been destroyed a long time ago!"

Mrs. Liu: "..."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu Lin even nodded seriously.

The three sisters, who didn’t want to stay here and listen to the adults discuss these matters, all found excuses to leave.

They aren’t that useless, are they! The topic is too unpleasant. Let’s talk about something serious!

"Sister-in-law, you’re better informed about the goings-on in the city. What kind of character is Miss Zhu? Have you found out anything?"

"I have met the girl a few times. She is good-natured and not finicky. They say she has a business brain. When Master Zhu was healthy, he would always praise her publicly, saying she was no less than a man! I know that you are not the type to only consider family background. As Jingrui’s future wife is to be like a mother figure to him, character is the most important thing. I think, aside from the large gap in their family status, the girl is quite good in all other aspects. Master Zhu and Mrs. Zhu are not the type of people to curry favor, and they are famous for their charity work in the county. Wherever there is a disaster, their names will certainly show up on the list of benefactors!" Mrs. Tan had already inquired about this when she received the message from Mrs. Liu.

Those who are acquainted with the Zhu family speak highly of Zhu Yan.

Mrs. Liu nodded after hearing this, "Indeed, I don’t pay much attention to family background."

"Zhu Yan’s elder brother isn’t interested in business and wants to take the official career path. He has been admitted to Juxian Academy this year, so their change in status is only a matter of time. However, Master Zhu has been sick for several years. I heard that he probably won’t hold on much longer. If Master Zhu passes away, Miss Zhu will have to mourn for three years. Miss Zhu is already sixteen years old after the new year, and Mrs. Zhu has been looking around for suitable young men so as not to delay her daughter’s marriage."

"It’s quite normal for a man to get married at nineteen or twenty. Many males from the noble families in the Imperial City marry only after reaching twenty. I heard from Doctor Luo that getting married after twenty is better for a man’s health. But for a girl, getting married at nineteen is a bit late. I also want to arrange Rui’er’s marriage as soon as possible, and I am not afraid of being laughed at. Xiao’er is going to get married in a few months. At present, many things at home are handled by Xiao’er and Yun’er. If both of them get married and leave home, I definitely won’t be able to manage everything by myself. Our family business is growing larger every year and there are new shops and investments..."

"Jingrui and his brothers need to focus on their studies and their father’s court affairs are never-ending. They don’t have much time to help me. Xi’er has started learning housekeeping from Aunt Rong, but she has a lot of things to learn every day, and lately, she’s become obsessed with medical skills and martial arts. If a daughter-in-law doesn’t move in soon to familiarize herself with the household situation before Xiao’er gets married, I am afraid I won’t be able to manage."

"You’re a lucky one, having the joy of children early. I’m envious! Now that you’re looking for a daughter-in-law, you absolutely have to choose a capable one, otherwise, you won’t be able to cope. Zhu Yan may seem delicate, but she’s actually very capable. In order to let her older brother focus on his studies, she shouldered the family business for the past two years so it wouldn’t fall into her uncle’s hands." Mrs. Tan just couldn’t understand how the once naïve couple could have produced such outstanding children.

"Listening to you, Miss Zhu seems capable, which makes me feel relieved. Why don’t you help me probe the Zhu family tomorrow, and settle this matter as soon as possible? On the fifth day of the New Year, we have to rush back to the Imperial City."

"So soon? The New Year isn’t even over yet!"

"My husband has already taken more than a month off, including before and after the New Year. After the first month, there are many things to be busy with in the Government Office, which can’t be delayed any longer."

"Once you leave, who knows when we will meet again." Mrs. Tan said reluctantly.

The two of them growing up together and then becoming sisters-in-law, their relationship has always been very good, so the reluctance is to be expected.

"If you’re not there when Jingrui and Xiao’er get married, I won’t let you off easy! Mother, you’ll have to go to the Imperial City, too, or I won’t let you off the hook."

"We will definitely go then." Mrs. Liu Lin nodded in agreement.

"With Zhiwen and Zhiwu doing so well, they’re sure to pass the examination for a scholarly degree this year and eventually succeed in becoming governmental scholars. Maybe then, they can serve in the Imperial City, at which point, your family should move to the Imperial City too!"

"We’ll see about that! My parents and hers don’t really like living in the Imperial City, and I don’t either. You know how fiery my temperament is, I’m afraid I’ll offend a noble every day if we moved there!"

Mrs. Liu couldn’t help laughing at this: "Once Zhiwen and Zhiwu earn a decree for you, sister-in-law, you won’t be afraid anymore! Then you’ll be a noble yourself!"

At this, Mrs. Tan laughed, "You’ve certainly learned how to sweet talk!"

They talked about other matters for a while longer, and everyone was in good spirits.

The next day, Mrs. Tan personally went to the Zhu family to prospect the situation.

When Mrs. Zhu heard that the Marquis Shengping was interested in her family, she was so shocked she spat out her tea.

Previously, when her daughter thought of such a plan to save their lives, she found it unbelievable. She didn’t agree because she didn’t want her daughter to gamble with her lifelong happiness.

Only when her daughter came back and told her that the issue had been resolved, that she didn’t need to rely on marriage to pull strings, and that the County Master of Rui’an was willing to help, did Mrs. Zhu feel relieved.

But now, the Marquis Shengping had truly sent someone to propose marriage. Mrs. Zhu thought her daughter had lied to her and therefore said, "Mrs. Liu, it was all a misunderstanding before. We do not sell our daughters to secure survival or seek glory."

Sell daughters to secure survival?

Mrs. Liu was puzzled. Had Mrs. Zhu lost her mind? She was just here to test the waters! When did she ask her to sell her daughters for survival or glory?!

"Mrs. Zhu, perhaps you misunderstand. I’m here to ask on behalf of my younger sister-in-law if your Miss Zhu would be interested in marrying the eldest son of Marquis Shengping. You’re taking the concept of ’selling daughters for glory’ a bit too far!"

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