Chapter 322: Chapter 302, Earl Zhaode Residence_1
“Dinner is about to start; there’s no need to go back to your courtyard. Just come with me to Grandma’s place later,”
Madam Li said while arranging the appreciation items sent by the Li Family and Xiao Yeyang. She chose some according to Grandma’s preferences, planning to bring them over during dinner.
Daohua nodded, picking up a piece of red date cake from the table and leisurely eating it. Recalling the mention of her elder brother’s marriage in her grandmother’s room earlier, she couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, which girl have you picked out for brother? Do I know her?”
Madam Li paused in her selection of items and shook her head with a sigh, “It wasn’t I who chose her.”
Daohua’s eyes lit up as she smiled and said, “Could it be that brother chose her himself?”
Madam Li gave her daughter a stern look, “Nonsense! Marriage is always arranged by parents and matchmakers. Who says one can choose on their own?”
Daohua pouted and muttered, “What’s wrong with choosing on one’s own? It might be better than you making random matches!”
“What did you say?”
Madam Li turned her head to look.
Daohua quickly shook her head and pretended to be clueless, “I didn’t say anything!” Seeing a hint of anger on her mother’s face, she hurriedly changed the subject, “If you didn’t choose her, it must have been father, right?”
With that, she furrowed her brows.
“Mom, father really isn’t the best at judging people. You have to make sure to check properly for brother; it’s a matter that will affect his whole life.”
Madam Li gave her daughter a sidelong glance, “As if you need to tell me that. But you know, the marriage isn’t assured just yet!”
Daohua walked over and shook Madam Li’s arm, “Mom, just tell me which family’s girl it is first? Maybe I can help too.”
Madam Li smiled and shook her head, “You can’t help with this; the girl is from Beijing.”
Daohua looked surprised, and after a while, she shook her head and sighed, “Just as I thought, brother went to Beijing once and indeed brought back a fiancée for you.”
“Which family is it? I could ask Yuanyao and Jingwan for information; they know much more about the affairs in Beijing than our family.”
Madam Li thought it made sense and didn’t keep it from her daughter, “It’s the second daughter from the Earl Zhaode Residence.”
Daohua was shocked, “The daughter of the Earl Residence? How could such a family take a liking to us?”
It wasn’t that she looked down on her own family, but in ancient times, marriage was all about equally matched households.
Her stepfather was now a fourth-rank Magistrate, but that was a far cry from those nobility families with titles in Beijing.
“Could it be that the girl from the Earl Residence has some hidden illness?”
In this era, daughters from big families were almost always involved in marriage alliances, which naturally had to be advantageous, so most women married up to bring benefits to their families.
There were cases of women marrying down, but those were definitely rare.
Madam Li looked at her daughter with annoyance and tapped her on the head, “What in the world are you thinking about all day long?”
Daohua rubbed her forehead and grumbled, “I’m just analyzing things normally. Why would there be pies falling from the sky for no reason? Of course, I have to think more about it.”
Madam Li sighed, “That Han Family’s second daughter doesn’t have any hidden illness. Earl Zhaode’s Residence took notice of your brother because your father received praise from the Emperor during his job report; and secondly, your brother looks and carries himself well, and he’s knowledgeable, so naturally he was chosen.”
“Thirdly…” Lord Zhou privately mentioned to your father that the Earl Zhaode Residence’s title was inherited for the last time. Although there are relatives currently holding official positions in the Imperial Court, their ranks are mostly low and without real power. So, naturally, the marriage prospects have to be somewhat lowered,”
Daohua furrowed her brows, puzzled, “If that’s the case, why are we still seeking marriage with their family?”
Madam Li said, “A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. After all, the Earl Zhaode Residence has been established in Beijing for several generations, and they certainly have some connections. Your father is in his prime and may very well go to the capital to take up an official posting. When in Beijing, how can he find his footing without anyone to support him?”
Daohua nodded, “Then… does elder brother like Miss Han from the Han Family?”
Madam Li fell silent for a moment before speaking up, “Your father said that he had only glanced at Miss Han from afar. She seems to be beautiful and well-mannered.”
Daohua said, “I am not asking about father. I am asking about elder brother. Does he like her?”
Madam Li shook her head, “Your mother also inquired with your elder brother, but he hung his head low and said nothing. However, he didn’t object either, so he’s probably just shy.”
Daohua pondered, “Mother, when you discuss elder brother’s marriage prospects, don’t just consider the family interests. You should also ask for elder brother’s opinion. After all, his wife will be with him for a lifetime.”
Madam Li immediately laughed, “You, always fretting over nothing. Won’t your mother know this? Besides, the Han Family only mentioned it in passing. Although the title of the Earl Residence is going to be revoked this generation, it’s after all a duke’s household—their criteria and conditions for a son-in-law are still selective.”
“Earl Zhaode said that if your elder brother passes the imperial examination this year, he, then, would be willing to give his precious daughter in marriage to our family.”
Daohua’s face showed surprise, “Is elder brother returning to our hometown to take the examinations this year?”
Madam Li nodded, “Your elder brother has been studying at Wangyue Academy for three years. His knowledge has grown far more solid than before. Your father and Master Xiao both said that he’s ready for the test.”
“To settle the marriage after passing the examination is what your mother and father wish to see as well.”
Daohua was speechless, “But what if elder brother fails to pass the examination for the degree of scholar? Won’t the marriage still fall through?”
“Bang!”
Madam Li glared as she thumped Daohua on the forehead, “Would you speak of your own brother this way?” She then said with certainty, “Your elder brother will certainly pass as a scholar.”
Daohua quickly nodded, “Yes, yes, mother is right. Elder brother will definitely excel. It’s just that… Don’t put too much pressure on elder brother, from both you and father.”
Madam Li chuckled, “Don’t worry, your mother knows her limits. And your father, ever since he became the Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture, has been so busy that he barely touches the ground. He likely doesn’t have the time to teach and nag your elder brother.”
Daohua nodded, then casually asked, “Father is very busy?”
Madam Li glanced out of the window, which had darkened somewhat, “Didn’t you see that it’s this hour and he still hasn’t come home?” She sighed, “Tonight, your father won’t be able to have dinner with us.”
With that, she turned her head to Ping Tong.
“Tell the kitchen to prepare a couple of your father’s favorite dishes. Then keep them warm on the stove, so he can eat when he finishes his official duties.”
Ping Tong nodded in agreement, “Yes.” With a smile, she then left the main courtyard.
Daohua asked, “Is father’s new position not going smoothly?”
Madam Li shook her head, “That’s not it. The main issue is that Ningmen Prefecture’s situation is quite complicated, with many refugees having come from Fenxi and Jiguang.”
“Your father said that in order to carry out major initiatives for the people’s welfare, like encouraging agriculture and sericulture effectively, these unstable security elements must be cleared first. Otherwise, the common folk can’t focus on their livelihood. Right now, your father is figuring out how to resettle these refugees.”