Upon Song Yao’s arrival in the front hall, the several people present turned their gazes toward her.
Old Madam Jin, the matriarch of the Marquis Manor, sat upright in the seat of honor, her fingers idly turning a string of prayer beads.
Chunlan Xiu sat to one side.
Han Lingyue and the matchmaker who had come to propose stood in the center of the room.
On the floor lay six large wooden chests, all open.
Each chest was filled to the brim.
The matchmaker had brought such an abundance of betrothal gifts, a clear indication of the high regard the general’s household held for the marquis’s daughter.
The matchmaker who had come to the Marquis Manor to propose was none other than the younger sister of Dingyuan Jiangjun Su Chuang—Madam Huagui, Su Xueqing!
As soon as Su Xueqing saw Song Yao appear, she immediately stepped forward. “Oh, my dear sister, you’ve finally come.”
“Previously, when you and my elder brother discussed the marriage between our families’ children, he agreed to form a marital alliance with the Marquis Manor.”
“My brother then sent me here to propose, but your daughter, she…” Su Xueqing spoke with evident difficulty.
Song Yao warmly grasped Su Xueqing’s hand and patted the back of it.
With a smile, she apologized, “Lingyue has been raised by my side, so it’s inevitable she’s been somewhat spoiled by me. But Lingyue means no harm. She’s just a bit simple-hearted, that’s all. I’ll go talk to her right away.”
Su Xueqing followed the hostess’s lead and politely said, “Your daughter is indeed a fine young lady—unimpressed by wealth, unswayed by power. In today’s world, children with such a disposition are truly rare.”
“For that scoundrel of my brother’s to marry your daughter, it seems my nephew has indeed married above his station, reaching beyond the stature of your Marquis Manor.”
Su Xueqing’s words were mere pleasantries, as any discerning person could tell.
However, upon hearing these polite remarks from Su Xueqing,
the Old Madam, who had been idly turning her prayer beads and maintaining an air of detachment from worldly affairs, allowed a faint, satisfied smile to curl at one corner of her mouth.
Chunlan Xiu’s smile was even more overt, already spreading across her face.
Though Han Lingyue’s expression showed no change, the unmistakable look of absolute confidence in her eyes overflowed plainly.
Han Lingyue noticed Chunlan Xiu giving her another slight, encouraging nod.
She immediately understood that to raise her own value even higher, she must continue to put on airs.
After all, no matter how much she postured, there would always be that foolish woman, Song Yao, to fight for her.
Thus, Han Lingyue had no fear of overplaying her hand and letting the cooked duck fly away.
She promptly adopted a deeply wronged expression.
She questioned Song Yao, “Mother, so it was you who went to the general’s household to seek this marriage proposal? How could you do such a thing?”
Both Song Yao and Su Xueqing, who had been speaking, turned their eyes toward her.
Han Lingyue’s eyes brimmed with mist.
Her appearance was truly one of unbearable grievance.
With tears in her eyes, she accused, “Mother, you’ve always known that I don’t wish to be trapped within the empty grandeur of a noble household.”
“I only wish to find a carefree, simple man from the countryside and spend my life with him. Even if our future is one of poverty, to be able to stay with the one I love for a lifetime—I would find that sweetness enough.”
“Yet for the sake of your own face, without even asking me, you’ve decided my future marriage.”
“Mother, your daughter has never wanted to become a resentful wife in a wealthy family! I only wish to live a plain and simple life!”
“Why do you always disregard your daughter’s wishes and insist on making every decision for me?”
“After all, I call you mother, so why must you always treat me like a puppet on your strings?”
As soon as Han Lingyue said this, Su Xueqing’s expression immediately darkened.
Miss Han’s words made it sound as if the General’s Manor were some kind of monstrous den.
What’s the matter?
The General’s Manor has come with generous gifts to propose marriage—does that insult you or belittle you?
In her previous life, on this very day, Song Yao had noticed the change in Su Xueqing’s expression and hurriedly scolded Han Lingyue.
Then, turning to Su Xueqing, she had offered apologies with a flattering smile, asking her not to take a child’s thoughtless words to heart.
Only after much coaxing did Su Xueqing’s unpleasant expression gradually clear.
Now, Song Yao clearly saw Su Xueqing’s face darken.
Just as in her past life, she scolded Han Lingyue.
But… Song Yao did not, as she had before, rush to placate Su Xueqing with kind words.
Instead, she seized the moment to slap Han Lingyue across the face.
And berated her: “Marriage has always been a matter of parental decree and matchmaker’s words.”
“Yet here you are, in front of everyone, criticizing your own mother.”
“I hired tutors to teach you to read and write, and they imparted so much knowledge to you.”
“Have you learned nothing but nonsense? Do you not understand respect for your mother?”
Han Lingyue had never expected that Song Yao, who had always doted on her, would slap her today.
Caught off guard, Han Lingyue touched her stinging cheek and stood frozen in place.
Seeing Han Lingyue slapped, Chunlan Xiu was truly heartbroken.
Sitting there, hoping to reap benefits without effort, Chunlan Xiu could no longer remain seated.
She quickly rose and stepped forward to support her daughter.
Turning to Song Yao, she rebuked: “Sister-in-law, how could you hit Lingyue?”
“When I agreed to let Mother place the child under your care, it wasn’t so you could beat her!”
“If you can raise her properly, then do so.”
“If you’re unwilling to raise her well, then don’t bother raising her anymore.”
Chunlan Xiu believed that with these words, she could surely control Song Yao.
Indeed, Song Yao put on an act of being cornered.
Song Yao softened her tone and said, “Sister-in-law, I’ve raised Lingyue for so long. If I didn’t care for her or consider her future, why would I even think of arranging a marriage with the General’s Manor?”
“I’ve met Young General Su. He excels in martial arts, is handsome, and has a bright future ahead.”
“In today’s world, few young men can compare to Young General Su, who dares to stand alongside his father as a hero of our time.”
“Such a good marriage is hard to come by even with a lantern in hand.”
“If Lingyue doesn’t understand, surely you should?”
Song Yao’s lavish praise of her brother’s son caused the dark expression on Su Xueqing’s face to fade slightly.
Chunlan Xiu, too preoccupied with her daughter’s distress, had forgotten that the matchmaker was standing right beside them.
Her tone was sharp: “If Young General Su is so exceptional in every way, why must the General’s Manor insist on forcing the issue?”
“You know perfectly well that Lingyue has never cared for worldly matters since childhood.”
“The child has her own plans. Why must you go against her wishes?”
“Sister-in-law, don’t think I don’t know what you’re after. You’re just thinking that once Lingyue marries into the General’s Manor,”
“you’ll have a son-in-law who’s a general, calling you ‘mother-in-law,’ and it’ll bring you glory.”
“Let me tell you, if you insist on using the child as your ladder to climb to the heavens,”
“I, as her aunt, will be the first to refuse to let you step on her to reach greater heights!”
Chunlan Xiu was also a pretentious one, Song Yao knew.
Song Yao had been waiting for her to overplay her hand.
Chunlan Xiu’s words once again caused Su Xueqing’s expression to shift.
Before Su Xueqing could speak, Song Yao turned her gaze toward Old Madam, who had remained silent and maintained a solemn demeanor all along.
She addressed Madam Jin, saying, “Mother-in-law, this marriage alliance with the General’s Manor is indeed an excellent match.”
“I went through considerable effort to establish a connection with General Su.”
“Today, General Su’s sister has personally brought gifts to discuss the marriage arrangements with us.”
“Could you please help persuade Lingyue? This child is being far too reckless.”
Old Madam Jin of the Marquis Manor naturally hoped to form a marriage alliance with the General’s Manor.
What a splendid match this was!
If her granddaughter could marry into the General’s Manor, the Marquis Manor and the General’s Manor would be united through marriage.
In the future, the Marquis Manor could restore its former glory in the region of Yunzhou.
Old Madam clearly cared deeply about this marriage alliance.
However, the persona she had cultivated for outsiders was always one of detachment from worldly affairs and indifference to wealth and status.
Now was the time for her to speak, yet to avoid undermining the persona she had built, she slowly chanted, “Amitabha.” Then, in a leisurely tone, she said, “Although our Han family’s prosperity in this generation does not compare to that of our ancestors, the Han family has always been a scholarly household.”
“Song-shi, I have been practicing vegetarianism and reciting Buddhist sutras for many years, and I disdain to involve myself in worldly matters. However, there are some things I must say to you.”
“What is destined to be yours will come to you; what is not meant to be should not be forced. Your own competitiveness and craving for power and status are one thing, but do not always drag others into it.”
“No matter what, Lingyue has called you mother for so many years. Since the child has no desire for ordinary worldly wealth and status, as her mother, why must you pressure her so relentlessly?”
“Ah… Amitabha. May all be well!”