Chapter 373: Test (3)
Editor: Atlas Studios
Wen Cui hurriedly walked around the corridor and entered the house. When she saw the Third Miss writing on the desk, her footsteps were light, but she quickly moved to her side and stood there, bowing.
Li Jinghua only put down her pen when she finished writing. She looked up at Wen Cui and said, “Tell me, what’s the matter?”
“Miss, someone has come to propose marriage to you.”
Li Jinghua’s hand that was tidying up the ink on the table paused. Then, she said nonchalantly, “We’ve been out of mourning for half a year. What’s so strange about someone coming to propose marriage?”
“But the Cui family isn’t here to look for our master, but to look for the head of the family. Who knows what marriage they’re proposing for you?” Wen Cui said anxiously, “Miss, the Cui family is also a noble family, and the main family previously moved south with His Majesty. Many of the descendants of the family have become officials. The one who came to our family to propose marriage is definitely not from the main branch.”
Of course, Li Jinghua knew this. However, when it came to marriage, her parents had the final say. Her father and brothers were all disabled and had no right to speak in the family. If her uncle made up his mind, she could not resist at all unless she could find a marriage that satisfied him.
However, she was just a young lady. Where could she find such an opportunity?
Li Jinghua sat on the chair and thought for a long time before asking, “Wasn’t it said that matchmakers are breaking the door sill of the General Qi’s mansion? Has he decided on his marriage?”
Wen Cui shook her head.
Li Jinghua felt that it was a pity that the Qi family did not have any women here. Otherwise, she could still fight for it. No matter how bold she was, she would not dare to hint to a man that she was interested. Besides, she had no opportunities to see that man.
Meanwhile, having received the letter, Qi Xiuyuan raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Li Jian is a crafty one. He first asked me to go on a blind date with his daughter and niece, but then he wanted to marry his niece off.”
Although he was smiling, the anger in his eyes was unmistakable. Rong Xuan knew that he was angry. “Then should I bring the letter to the Li family to look for Li Jian now?”
“No, you can go after the Cui family leaves. Although it will embarrass Li Jian if you go now, it will be difficult for Third Miss Li in the Qi family in the future.”
Seeing that he was starting to worry about Third Miss Li’s feelings now, Rong Xuan immediately raised his eyebrows. He knew that he valued the woman very much. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I’ll hint to Li Jian first. When the emissary’s wife arrives in two days, your marriage can be settled.”
Li Jian was indeed very eager to marry his daughter to Qi Xiuyuan, the garrison general. Some time ago, not only did he pull his niece out, but he also called his daughter out to go on a blind date with Qi Xiuyuan. At that time, Rong Xuan even mocked him for being overzealous. Even if he wanted to marry a Li girl into the Qi family, he didn’t have to bring out both his daughter and niece.
Qi Xiuyuan nodded. “I plan to settle the marriage as soon as possible. We’ll get married in September.”
Rong Xuan widened his eyes. “Isn’t this too rushed? It’s already April.”
“I’m already 21 years old, and Third Miss Li isn’t young anymore either. I don’t think it’s rushed. When she marries over, I’ll get her to settle Haoran and Ah Ling’s marriage before the New Year.”
“That urgent?” Rong Xuan said thoughtfully, “Are you afraid that the Qi family will find out about Haoran’s marriage?”
Furious, Qi Xiuyuan tossed out a letter. “This just arrived. Madam Wu brought her 11-year-old niece home. If I hadn’t pressured the patriarch’s elders, the two of them would have finalized Haoran’s marriage. Knowing that they couldn’t control me, they’ve started to target Haoran.”
Since Qi Xiuyuan was choosing his wife in Jingzhao Prefecture, he really did not intend to use his in-law’s influence to help boost his career. He chose Li Jinghua partly because of his admiration for her, partly because she was indeed of fine character, and partly because her father and brother were both disabled and would not restrict him in the future.
He wasn’t used to being restrained, and he naturally wouldn’t think of restraining his younger brother either. Since his younger brother and Mu Yangling were in love, he was naturally glad to acknowledge this marriage. Furthermore, Mu Yangling herself was a decent catch, and the Mu family was also not bad. Hence, he truly despised his father and stepmother’s actions in Lin’an Prefecture.
Rong Xuan understood what Qi Xiuyuan meant and quickly finalized the plan. Almost as soon as the Cui family left, he entered the Li Residence.
Li Jian was in an excellent mood. Now that his niece’s marriage to the Cui family was almost settled, he only had to wait for the other party to send his trusted aide, the nanny, over to take a look before they exchanged the Gengtie1. When he turned around, he heard the servant report that Rong Xuan was here.
Li Jian was slightly surprised. Rong Xuan had only been there once, and that was along with Qi Xiuyuan when he invited the latter previously. Why was he here now?
Li Jian hurriedly welcomed him out. Rong Xuan was all smiles as he cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations, Master Li.”
Slightly stunned, Li Jian asked with a smile, “I’m a little confused by Mister Rong’s words. I wonder what you are congratulating me about?”
Rong Xuan took out the letter and handed it to Li Jian. Smiling, he said, “I’m here to be the matchmaker’s pawn. My general has taken a fancy to your Li family’s third daughter and specially went to the trouble of inviting the emissary’s wife from Xingyuan Prefecture to be the matchmaker. What do you think this is if not a joyous occasion?”
Li Jian’s smile froze and he asked, “It’s my big brother’s daughter, Jinghua?”
“It’s indeed the Third Miss of the eldest branch.” Rong Xuan took a sip of tea and smiled. “The last time my General came, he chanced upon the Third Miss once.”
Li Jian’s heart was filled with bitterness, but he had no choice but to reply, “Yes, what a coincidence last time.”
How could Li Jian have known that Qi Xiuyuan would take a fancy to his big brother’s daughter instead of his own daughter? Now that the other party had specifically pointed out the girl’s identity, he couldn’t even fool them. He could only discuss with the Cui family and see if they could replace her with a daughter from the third branch.
The first and second branches of the Li family were the direct descendants, while the third branch was born of a concubine. With that in mind, the Cui family would probably be unwilling…
Seeing that Li Jian was a little distracted, Rong Xuan did not expose him. After the letter was delivered, he bade farewell.
Rong Xuan and Li Jiang’s conversation was not a secret, so not long after, everyone in the Li family knew about this. Everyone looked at Li Jinghua with envy, gloating. And some, with sympathy.
Li Jinghua and her servant heaved a sigh of relief. Although it was dangerous to marry Qi Xiuyuan, Qi Xiuyuan’s character was not bad. In addition, she needn’t move far away from home. It was better than marrying into the Cui family, whose foundation was unknown. After getting married, she would have to go to Hebei or Lin’an.
Born into an aristocratic family, Li Jinghua knew the hardships and dirtiness under the surface. She did not want to marry into an aristocratic family at all.
Qi Xiuyuan was interested, and the Li family had always wanted to marry a Li daughter to Qi Xiuyuan. With the emissary’s wife specially coming to be the matchmaker, the marriage was quickly decided.
The emissary’s wife was only in charge of exchanging the Gengtie and engagement token for them. There was naturally a specialized matchmaker in charge of the remaining steps. She didn’t even need to negotiate for the betrothal gifts and dowry. Once the decision was made, she happily took Qi Xiuyuan’s betrothal gift back to Xingyuan Prefecture.
The reason why she made this trip was just to establish a good relationship with Qi Xiuyuan. Her husband had said that Qi Xiuyuan might be the next General Yuan.