The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1065 - 242: Procrastination in Marital Affairs_2

Chapter 1065: Chapter 242: Procrastination in Marital Affairs_2

Summer was naturally scorching hot, but the General Mansion never suffered from the heat of Daxing, enjoying shaved ice and frosted bowls every day. On this front, Xie Ze was rather satisfied, "I’ve heard there’s also frozen yogurt, which I’ve never tasted!"

It was just that Jiujiu kept complaining about the heat, and Pei Qin mentioned offhandedly that they could have frozen yogurt after the meal. Xie Ze then assumed that frozen yogurt was available at home but had never been offered to him.

Second Madam Zheng was somewhat astonished, "Frozen yogurt is a secret recipe from the palace, does the General Mansion have it too?"

Seeing her astonishment, Xie Ze felt a bit puzzled and slightly embarrassed. Assuming it was something the household had since Pei Qin spoke of it so casually, he hesitated, "...There should... be some, I guess!" If not, why would Pei Qin suggest giving her daughter frozen yogurt to eat?

"Where in the General Mansion would you find frozen yogurt! Whatever you hear, you just blurt out!" Xie Yi glanced at him reproachfully, a warning in her eyes. Pei Qin spoke of frozen yogurt because she was a Tiance General, she ate more of it. Tiance General Mansion was served by palace maids and eunuchs from the palace—it wouldn’t be surprising if frozen yogurt was available. With her brother speaking like this, if someone overheard and thought he was complaining about not getting to taste something from the Tian family, wouldn’t he be scolded for not appreciating what he had!?

Xie Ze mumbled somewhat dejectedly, "Then perhaps I heard wrong." Every time his sister heard him say something, it turned into a lecture. He had so much on his mind, but nobody to confide in, save for a few words with his maternal grandmother.

Old Lady Zheng frowned slightly as well, thinking Xie Ze was thoughtless. Living in the General Mansion, he should focus on winning favor and achieving great things, not on such trivial matters as food. Perhaps Mo Heng and Pei Qin disliked them even more because they saw him that way. Just as she was about to admonish him, the serving maids arrived with food.

A few maids brought in the dishes and set up the tableware, then quietly withdrew like flowing water, allowing them to converse comfortably.

Having moved to the General Mansion for some time now, Xie Ze finally escaped the unpalatable food prepared by the old woman at home and once again enjoyed the exquisite cuisine crafted by the master chef. The spread of dishes they had just now was made by Pei Qin and Pei Yuan, which paled in comparison to the chef’s skills—Xie Ze had barely eaten. Old Lady Zheng sat him down next to her, smiling as she continued to eat with her chopsticks at the ready.

Old Lady Zheng personally picked out dishes for him, while Second Madam Zheng served him rice and soup, making Xie Ze feel surrounded by a circle of people who cherished and pampered him, and he ate with great joy.

Xie Yi had already eaten her fill and sat quietly to the side, responding occasionally to the conversation between Second Madam Zheng and the others, taking her time with every vegetable she ate. She was pondering a strategy; even if her grandmother and aunt did not act this time, she had to do something. She wanted them to drop the idea of targeting her! If she could use this opportunity to settle a marriage arrangement with Pei Wendong, only then would she feel at ease. The current Pei Wendong and the others made her feel restless.

After finishing the meal and a brief cleanup, Old Lady Zheng proposed to pay respects to Pei Qin.

Pei Qin had just finished a conversation on her end, then changed her clothes and, along with Pei Yuan, came from the main hall to the more remote inner courtyard to meet with Old Lady Zheng and Second Madam Zheng.

Second Old Master Zheng’s chance to meet with Mo Heng, Shen Songming, and Ji Bingchu was now gone, as he was handed over to Wendong to entertain.

Second Madam Zheng scrutinized Pei Qin carefully, though the latter appeared healthier and more robust, her face was unnaturally pale and she had lost a significant amount of weight since their last meeting. Without any powder or makeup, her complexion looked much worse than Xie Yi’s, reassuring Second Madam Zheng. Even if she could survive another year or two, it was unlikely she would bear a son. Past one’s prime, how could she compete with the fresh youth of a young maiden! If Xie Yi had listened to her, she would already belong to Mo Heng!

But what she said was that Pei Qin was blessed, her husband promoted to a second-rank Great General—her future prospects were boundless.

Pei Qin exchanged pleasantries for a while, suspecting that their visit was likely to arrange a betrothal between Wendong and Xie Yi. With the intention to marry off a daughter and seek a wife, she took the initiative to mention the engagement, "...Shall we decide on it after Wendong’s examination, or should we settle it now?"

Second Madam Zheng hurriedly responded, "No rush! Madam has just moved in and must be busy with many things, and Wendong also needs to prepare for the imperial exam - his moment to shine is imminent! And Xie Yi is still in mourning!" If she announced Xie Yi’s engagement to Wendong now, where would that leave the chance with Mo Heng!?

No matter what, Wendong was a young Scholar and still needed to sit for the examination to earn a distinctive title before getting betrothed. The Zheng family was perhaps too overbearing! Seeing Xie Yi biting her lip, Pei Qin frowned slightly, "If so, then let’s discuss it after Wendong’s scholarly examination."

Xie Yi felt anxious inside; the longer the delay, the more chances for complications. Yet as a daughter, she couldn’t push to the forefront before the elders and declare her eagerness to be betrothed to Wendong quickly.

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