Liu Shi also smiled with great amiability, "It's rare for Ningning to take the initiative to make a request—how could we not do our utmost to satisfy her?"
Xue Ning sat obediently on the embroidered stool in front of Madam Jiang. "Mother, my matter is not urgent."
The mockery at the corner of Su Xi's lips was almost impossible to conceal. "Didn't Sister Xue rush to perform in front of Grandmother today, wanting to acknowledge Aunt as her mother? Why is it not urgent now? Hmm? Where is Big Brother? Why didn't Big Brother come with Sister Xue? In the past, Sister Xue followed Big Brother around like a tail—I thought you would definitely be together with Big Brother."
The sarcasm in her words stung Xue Ning's ears painfully.
But she couldn't refute it either, for in the eyes of those in the Marquis's residence, since childhood, she had trailed behind Su Zhan.
Su Xi looked down on her the most, but what good had she gained from it? She had merely made a private commitment with an unrelated man, which was equally improper.
Xue Ning replied with an unchanged expression, "Eldest Sister is eighteen this year. How could my Acknowledgment Banquet be more urgent than Eldest Sister's marriage?"
Su Xi's face darkened. Although Liu Shi was still smiling, the smile did not reach her eyes.
Su Man chuckled and looked at Su Xi. "A'Ning is right. If Eldest Sister doesn't marry soon, she'll become an old maid."
Su Xi's face turned black as she glared at Xue Ning with a half-smile. "Even if I don't marry, it's still better than you not being able to marry. The person you like will never like you in this lifetime."
Xue Ning's small face paled slightly, her heart feeling as if it had been tightly squeezed.
Su Xi, feeling she had struck Xue Ning's sore spot, smiled brightly again. "A'Ning, little sister, don't be too pleased with yourself either."
Xue Ning quickly composed herself. "In front of Mother and Aunt, as a young lady who never steps beyond the inner gates, who does Eldest Sister say I like?"
Su Xi replied with faint mockery, "Don't you like Big Brother?"
Xue Ning's expression turned stern as she suddenly raised her voice. "Eldest Sister, be careful with your words!"
Su Xi was startled by Xue Ning's sudden imposing manner. "Why are you shouting—"
Xue Ning said coldly, "Brother Lu and I share a sibling bond. How can you speak recklessly? Brother Lu has just entered the Ministry of Justice. What good would ruining his reputation do for your Second Branch?"
Su Xi was choked into silence, momentarily unsure how to retort.
The Second Branch lacked capability and relied on the First Branch to survive.
Su Zhan's future was the future of the Marquis's residence.
Liu Shi was not an unreasonable person. She tugged at the unwilling Su Xi and smiled to smooth things over. "A'Xi was just joking. We're all siblings—Ningning, don't take it to heart."
The corners of Xue Ning's lips curved upward. "Aunt, don't worry. I won't hold it against Eldest Sister."
These words made Su Xi, as the elder sister, appear petty and immature.
Su Xi's eyes reddened with grievance, but she was held back by her own mother and could not retort.
Madam Jiang said, "Enough. A'Ning is right—her Acknowledgment Banquet is not as important as A'Xi's marriage. I have already selected many outstanding young men from the families we've met recently. Sister-in-law, you should also pay more attention for the child and choose carefully from among them. I'll have Nanny Song send the register to your courtyard later."
As the mistress of the Marquis's residence, Madam Jiang had countless matters to attend to daily.
It wasn't that she had intentionally forgotten about Su Xi's marriage, but rather that Liu Shi of the Second Branch had been overly picky, thus delaying her daughter's match.
Liu Shi's purpose in coming today was for Su Xi's marriage prospects. Her eyes brightened, "Anyone Sister-in-law has her eye on is naturally good, but I have my heart set on the legitimate young master of the Lu Family from Willow Lane. I wonder if Sister-in-law could help make an introduction?"
Su Xi blushed and remained silent, lowering her gaze to adopt the shy demeanor of a young maiden.
Xue Ning, however, frowned. "The Lu Family from Willow Lane—which Lu Family is that?"
Liu Shi smiled, "Good child, it's your maternal uncle's family. Sister-in-law has raised you for many years. With her involvement, wouldn't it be even better for our two families to become closer through marriage?"
Xue Ning's expression darkened as she frowned at Liu Shi.
She really had been living in the old residence in Yongzhou for too long.
So long that she had almost forgotten that Miss Su's originally intended fiancé was her cousin, Lu Siling.
In her previous life, her uncle and cousin had been stationed at Yongxue Pass.
If not for her marriage to Su Zhan, her uncle would not have ordered her cousin to return to Dongjing City.
The Lu Family would not have discussed marriage with Su Xi.
And Su Xi would not have tormented her cousin for a lifetime after marriage, all while secretly pledging herself to her lover.
Madam Jiang pondered for a moment, "That legitimate young master of the Lu Family—it's been many years since I last saw him. I wonder how he has grown."
Liu Shi said, "I have already sent someone to inquire. Young Master Lu is currently serving as a battalion commander in the Zhenbei Army, quite capable. He will return to the capital at the end of the year to report on his duties. After that, with a little maneuvering, he can secure an important position in the Ministry of War. In the future, he will rise to great heights, perfectly matched with our Axi. Besides, Axi marrying well will also bring glory to the Xuanyi Marquis Mansion. By then, the old madam will surely praise Sister-in-law for managing the household well."
Madam Jiang glanced at Xue Ning, considering the matter in her heart.
Xue Ning said nothing, but as a young girl, she had no say in Su Xi's marriage matters.
Madam Jiang had no choice but to agree for now, "When the Lu Family returns to the capital, I will have someone invite Young Master Lu over for a visit."
Only then was Liu Shi satisfied, and she left Qiushui Garden with Su Xi.
Once they were gone, Madam Jiang beckoned for Xue Ning to sit beside her.
Xue Ning pursed her lips slightly, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink from the warmth of the incense burner.
The more Madam Jiang looked at her, the more she liked her, and she couldn't help but reach out to pinch her cheeks.
It was a pity that such a fine girl could not become her daughter-in-law, but having her as a daughter was also wonderful.
"Ningning, would you be willing for your uncle's family to become related to ours through marriage?"
Xue Ning did not want to put Madam Jiang in a difficult position, so she naturally nodded in agreement.
But in this lifetime, Su Xi would never lay a finger on her cousin again.
"It's just a meeting, after all. In the end, it will depend on my cousin's wishes."
Su Man pouted, "Exactly! Cousin looked like a little god of wealth when he was young. Who knows how handsome he must be now? How could Su Xi ever be worthy of him?"
Having watched these children grow up, how could Madam Jiang not understand Su Xi's mediocre temperament and lofty ambitions?
Although the Lu Family was a declining military family, they might not necessarily take a liking to her.
She smiled helplessly and poked Su Man's plump little cheek. "You silly girl, what are you calling him 'cousin' for?"
Su Man giggled sweetly and rested her head on Xue Ning's shoulder. "Aning is your daughter now, which makes her my dear younger sister. Isn't it perfectly reasonable for me to call him 'cousin' too?"
Madam Jiang's lips curved into a gentle smile as she looked at her two well-raised girls, feeling extremely satisfied.
"Never mind your eldest sister. You are sixteen now, and Ningning has also come of age. At the Acknowledgment Banquet, many nobles and aristocrats will be attending. It seems your mother will have to start worrying about you two as well, and marry you off as soon as possible."
Su Man blushed and cooed, "Man Man doesn't want to get married yet, I still want to stay with Mother for a few more years."
Madam Jiang cast an amused glance. "Ningning, what about you?"
"I'll listen to whatever Mother says." Xue Ning smiled gently at the corners of her lips. "Whoever Mother wants me to marry, I'll marry."