The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 372: You Can Change It Now If You Don’t Want To (6)_1

Chapter 372: Chapter 372: You Can Change It Now If You Don’t Want To (6)_1

Old Scholar Fang became even more puzzled, "Qinqin doesn’t agree!? Isn’t she..."

"Isn’t what?" Shen Songming pressed.

"Didn’t she accept your Jade Hairpin? She even wore it during her coming-of-age ceremony!" Old Scholar Fang was also somewhat confused, as she was unwilling to return it when asked.

It turned out to be because of the Jade Hairpin. Shen Songming gave him a disdainful look, "I merely presented her with a respectful gift, just like the donkey cart I gave her before, and she didn’t make much of it, probably thinking the trinket was quite valuable."

It took Old Scholar Fang a while to catch on that he had misunderstood so gravely, and had been self-scheming, aiming to carve out a favorable path for his granddaughter. But if neither of them felt that way, why did Shen Songming now wish to marry Pei Qin?

"I didn’t dare to before," Shen Songming wasn’t afraid to tell the truth, "When I mentioned marriage, she beat me up so badly, even now my backside hurts when I sit!"

Old Scholar Fang imagined the scene of Pei Qin grabbing Shen Songming and pummeling his backside, and Shen Songming still wanting to marry her as his wife, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed, "Qinqin... why doesn’t she agree? If it’s about being a concubine, rejection wouldn’t be a pity. But the primary wife... Qinqin is clever, and her mind is quite mature; she must realize the dangers of marrying Shen Songming."

Shen Songming then shared with him the circumstances of his two deceased fiancées, "...basically, it’s not easy for me to find a wife now! Pei Qin’s and my astrological compatibility is supremely auspicious. We’re a good match! It’s a win for me to marry her, and she wouldn’t be at a loss marrying me!"

Initially, Old Scholar Fang considered that Shen Songming might be married or a widower, but it turned out he was yet to have his first marriage and had lost his fiancées without tying the knot. Even so, for Qinqin to marry into the Fourth Rank Magistrate’s House was no easy task! And now she disagreed.

Shen Songming had approached him to discuss strategies, essentially to persuade Pei Qin.

After speaking for two hours in the house, Old Scholar Fang came out and went to talk to Pei Qin.

Pei Qin thought he had some business with her, but as soon as Old Scholar Fang brought up Shen Songming’s marriage proposal, she was at a loss for words, "That fool went to find you!?"

"Qinqin! Although Songming was responsible for the death of his fiancées, your astrological signs do not conflict. Even though their family is of Magistrate status, and we are somewhat lacking in standing, if we were to be ennobled, their house marrying you as their daughter-in-law would actually be praised and admired!" Old Scholar Fang tried to gently persuade her, his way of referring to Shen Songming becoming more endearing.

"What else did he tell you?" Pei Qin felt that Shen Songming must have given Old Scholar Fang a Love Potion, that there were other things he hadn’t mentioned, kept hidden from him!

Old Scholar Fang then relayed Shen Songming’s words about his determination.

Pei Qin rolled her eyes, "The Shen family has been an aristocratic family for a hundred years, Shen Songming’s father, Shen Gu, is the Jinan Magistrate, Shen Gu’s brother, Shen Bi, is a Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, First Rank Elder Statesman! And that’s not even counting the other minor members of the Shen family!"

Old Scholar Fang’s eyes widened in shock, scarcely believing, "Elder... Elder Statesman!?"

"Wu Dongsi is a protégé of Shen Bi, which is why Meng Dinglun previously didn’t dare to move to Yuanyang County!" Pei Qin gave him a meaningful look.

Old Scholar Fang was profoundly shaken, struggling to come to terms with the revelation. He had only considered Shen Songming to be a son of the Magistrate’s family, not contemplating the significant background! An Elder Statesman of the current Cabinet? That was a major official in the Cabinet, a close confidant of the Emperor! Suddenly it seemed, even if Shen Songming was responsible for the death of two fiancées, ordinary families like theirs couldn’t aspire to such heights. Looking at Pei Qin’s expression, he asked, "Did you know about this all along? So... that’s why you refused Shen Songming’s proposal?"

Pei Qin looked up at the ceiling, grunted affirmatively, too lazy to explain, lest she be accused of putting on airs.

Old Scholar Fang realized this matter wasn’t as simple as he imagined, nor was it trivial. Even if Shen Songming wasn’t an Elder Statesman’s son, just being the son of Jinan Magistrate Shen would be enough for them to scheme over. As it stood, Qinqin’s choice... was also correct! A family like that with a century-old lineage, profound foundations, and intricate connections would definitely not be stable. The affairs within a large household were not as bright and splendid as they appeared! Without real ability, one might be completely devoured!