Chapter 526: Marriage (Part Three)
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“Okay, stop talking about it. Anyway, I know what’s going on now.” Yuwen Chu indicated that he didn’t want to hear anymore and suggested to Mingzhu, “Whatever the reason is for Fourth Brother-in-law, since he and Miss Li are in love, you should try to bring them together. It’s not good to drag this on. Does he really have to wait until Li Shumei gives up on him completely and marries someone else before he wakes up?”
Mingzhu agreed, “Yes, I’ll try to resolve this matter as soon as possible.” It seems she’ll have to find a time to meet Li Shumei privately.
Because it was a farewell, with two people leaving at once, and Fu Mingda going to Wusun, with an uncertain return date, the atmosphere in the Fu mansion was not cheerful.
Fu Lin, leaning on a cane, followed along, looking dignified. Fu Mingda earnestly advised him, “You’re getting married next month. I won’t be at home, and I don’t know when I’ll be back. You must take on the responsibilities of the eldest grandson. Take care of your grandparents, share the worries of your third and Fourth uncles, be considerate to your younger siblings, be attentive to your Mother, and handle your relationship with your wife’s family well. Remember, always take a step back in everything, don’t always insist on being right.”
Fu Lin agreed to everything one by one. Fu Mingda then knelt before Fu Cong to receive instructions. Fu Cong said, “I have raised you for decades, and I have taught you everything. The road ahead is uncertain, so be careful on your own. Just remember, there are elderly parents at home, wives and children, brothers and sisters waiting for your return. Taking care of them is enough.”
Fu Mingda bowed his head to the ground, tears uncontrollably flowing.
Lady Qian, with red eyes, interrupted, “Oh my, it’s not the first time you’ve gone on a long journey. Master also went away for many years in his early years and returned safely. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the family.”
Madam Cui wiped her tears with a handkerchief, “I will wait for you to come to back to celebrate my birthday!”
Madam Cui’s birthday was in the autumn, which meant she hoped Fu Mingda would return successfully in the autumn. Fu Mingda, holding back tears, promised, “I will definitely bring back special products from Wusun to celebrate my Mother’s birthday.”
Madam Cui said, “Okay, okay.”
Others didn’t mind much, but Fu Mingqing, being an emotionally rich poet, cried loudly as if it were a farewell to life and death. Fu Mingzhao couldn’t stand it and told his son Fu Xiao to pull Fu Mingqing down, complaining, “Crying like a woman, it’s embarrassing.”
Fu Mingqing resisted and wanted to quarrel with Fu Mingzhao. Fu Xiao forcibly pulled him down, and everyone’s ears finally got some peace.
Mingzhu found a chance to whisper to Fu Mingda, “Yuwen Xue and the people of Zhongshan Wang have some connection, but she also wants to get close to us. Eldest brother needs to be wary of her, but also try to win her over. It’s hard to say when it will come in handy.”
Fu Mingda agreed and instructed her, “Both your second brother and I won’t be at home, your third brother doesn’t handle things, and your fourth brother is often away. You need to come home more often.”
Mingzhu agreed and left the men to talk outside, supporting Madam Cui and following the women inside. After chatting for a while, Sun Momo came in and whispered something to Madam Cui’s ear. Madam Cui was somewhat surprised but didn’t say anything. She made an excuse to let Wenwen take the children downstairs before asking Mingzhu, “Do you know the eldest grandson of the Qi Wang, Yuwen Ancheng? What kind of person is he?”
Mingzhu knew that this was about the marriage proposal Yuwen Chu mentioned outside, so she said, “I’ve met him once. He looks good, and I’ve heard his conduct is good too.”
Madam Cui said to Lady Su, “Someone from their family sent a proposal to Wenwen.”
Lady Su’s smile was forced, “Mother, isn’t this inappropriate? Early on, I mentioned that my maternal family’s child is nice…”
Madam Cui said, “It’s just talk, we’ll have to see. Also, wasn’t Jingxuan, that child, not in good health?”
Lady Su forced a smile, “It’s nothing serious, just a childhood illness that has been cured.”
Madam Cui nodded, “Let’s not talk about this for now. Wenwen is still young, let’s put it aside for now.” Although she said so, everyone understood that since the news had already come from outside, it was mostly the men’s intention. Unless something unexpected happened, this marriage was already half done.
Lady Su was unhappy, feeling it was difficult to explain to her sister-in-law, and nephew. However, she didn’t dare to provoke her in-laws and felt bound by etiquette, so she could only sit there in a gloomy mood.
Mingzhu felt a bit sorry for Lady Su and tried her best to liven up the atmosphere. According to reason, she should have informed Lady Su first about this matter, which was respectful and courteous. But she couldn’t bring herself to say something like “Your nephew is a short-lived ghost” in front of Lady Su. So, she had to inform Lady Su later, hoping Lady Su wouldn’t blame her for acting as a matchmaker with Yuwen Chu.
Madam Cui knew that Lady Su was upset but didn’t speak ill of her in front of other daughters-in-law, saying kindly, “Tomorrow, second son is leaving, go check if there’s anything left in his luggage.”
Lady Su was finally able to leave, and hurriedly asked someone what Fu Mingzhao’s intention was.
With Lady Su not present, Madam Cui expressed her opinion on this marriage, “Wenwen is a good girl and deserves the status of the Qi Wang’s eldest grandson’s wife. It’s not that I dislike Su’s family, but Wenwen was targeted by the Imperial Harem before. Ordinary families wouldn’t be able to handle it. Second son’s wife is also good, just a bit too honest. I didn’t expect her to think about this layer.”
Mingzhu confessed, “Actually, when Qi Wangfei came to see me earlier, she mentioned this matter. But because second sister-in-law told me before that she wanted to marry Wenwen to her nephew, I didn’t say it directly. I had to ask His Highness and second brother to talk about it. I hope second sister-in-law won’t be angry after knowing this.”
Lady Qian said, “You’re doing it for the good of the children. Second sister-in-law is broad-minded. Even if she has some ideas, after seeing Wenwen living well for a while, she’ll be fine.”
Madam Cui said, “Let’s keep it from her. Let’s not let her have wild thoughts and ruin the relationship between sisters-in-law.”
Both Lady Ai and Lady Qian agreed and joked, “This time we have to prepare dowry for Wenwen.”
“When you go back, tell Qi Wangfei that since the children are suitable, let their family send a matchmaker to formally propose, following the proper procedures step by step.” Madam Cui wanted to support her granddaughter, so she had many requests. “Although they are from the royal family, we have climbed up, but marriage in the folk tradition should still follow the customs. Our children have dignity, and they also have dignity.”
Mingzhu agreed and asked about Fu Mingzheng’s marriage. As soon as it was mentioned, Madam Cui clutched her chest and exclaimed, “Please don’t say it, it makes me angry. He was fine before, but as soon as we talked about it, he made up a lie and left, and he hasn’t shown up since.”
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