Wang Yiniang led her daughter back to their small courtyard and dismissed the servants.
“Qinghuan, your complexion was truly dreadful earlier in your mother’s courtyard.”
Wang Yiniang spoke calmly: “You still need to maintain appearances before your mother, as your marriage arrangements depend on her handling.”
Though her words were full of persuasion, her tone carried not a hint of remorse.
“Daughter understands.” Liu Qinghuan also recognized this truth.
Wang Yiniang: “What do you think of the two candidates Madam presented today?”
Liu Qinghuan’s face twisted momentarily – what could she possibly think?
Seeing her expression, Wang Yiniang understood her thoughts: “Not satisfied with either one?”
“Yiniang, you promised before that I would marry better than Liu Qingwu!” Liu Qinghuan said resentfully. “Quickly think of a solution for me!”
Patting her daughter’s hair affectionately, Wang Yiniang recalled her previous promises.
They certainly couldn’t afford to offend Zhang Shi, as Qinghuan’s marriage still needed her arrangements. If they provoked her anger, even without her saying anything directly, the servants’ tendency to curry favor would make life difficult for them. They could only plan carefully.
Wang Yiniang explained her thoughts to Liu Qinghuan one by one. After lengthy discussion, mother and daughter reached a consensus.
They would delay responding to the Zheng courtyard for now. Wang Yiniang would find an opportunity to sound out Liu Shangshu’s opinion, seeing if she could influence him through pillow talk.
Meanwhile, Liu Qinghuan would seek chances to accompany her legal mother to more banquets, looking for more suitable candidates.
After all, Wang Yiniang had long been confined to the inner courtyard with limited connections. If Qinghuan didn’t make efforts herself, they would both be blind to outside circumstances, let alone select someone from a good family.
With time pressing, mother and daughter didn’t hesitate – they decided to act immediately!
Wang Yiniang immediately sent someone to wait at the front courtyard gate for Liu Shangshu’s return from duty, while Liu Qinghuan carefully considered what excuse she could use to have her legal mother Zhang Shi take her out to banquets.
Just as Liu Shangshu rounded the screen wall upon returning home, he spotted Wang Yiniang’s personal maid Chuntao gazing anxiously at the gate from afar.
Seeing Liu Shangshu, she hurried forward and bowed respectfully: “Master, Yiniang has prepared your favorite dishes in the courtyard and sent me to invite you over.”
Recalling last night’s conversation with his wife, understanding flashed in Liu Shangshu’s eyes as he headed toward Wang Yiniang’s courtyard.
At Wang Yiniang’s courtyard.
Before Liu Shangshu even reached the courtyard gate, he saw Wang Yiniang standing there in pink attire, gazing out tenderly and expectantly.
As a favored concubine who didn’t manage household affairs and enjoyed the master’s deep affection, she had few major worries. Her skin was exceptionally well-maintained – though in her thirties and having borne two children, she appeared barely over twenty.
Compared to her youthful maiden days, the childbearing had added a different charm to Wang Yiniang’s gentle, water-like softness.
Seeing this scene unchanged after ten years, warmth flickered between Liu Shangshu’s brows as he naturally took the delicate hand before him and led her inside: “Didn’t I say you needn’t wait at the courtyard gate?”
Wang Yiniang followed obediently into the room while speaking gently: “This humble one merely wished to see you sooner.”
“You!” Liu Shangshu’s eyes held a trace of helplessness.
“Your clothes are prepared. Shall I help you change into a comfortable robe first?”
Wang Yiniang led him straight to the inner chamber and instructed the servants to bring in the meal. “You can change first, then we’ll eat.”
Liu Shangshu smiled and nodded, entering the room to change out of his heavy official robes. He let out a comfortable sigh.
During the evening meal, Wang Yiniang remained quiet, merely keeping a close watch on Liu Shangshu’s movements and promptly refilling his bowl.
Liu Shangshu noticed everything but had no intention of speaking first.
After a session of passionate intimacy, Wang Yiniang lay against Liu Shangshu’s chest and tentatively began, “Master, the madam summoned me and Second Young Miss to Zheng courtyard today to discuss marriage arrangements.”
“Hmm.” Liu Shangshu wasn’t surprised, as this matter had been agreed upon between him and his wife.
Hearing this indifferent response, Wang Yiniang felt uneasy but pressed on regardless: “Has Master met these two young gentlemen?”
“I’ve seen them a few times. They have regular features and conduct themselves steadily.”
Wang Yiniang fell silent. It seemed the master had quite a favorable impression of both candidates, which made things difficult.
Noticing the silence from the person in his arms, Liu Shangshu gently stroked her back and comforted, “Don’t worry. I’m also Huan’er’s father. Having doted on her all these years, I’ll consider this carefully. Both have good character.”
After a brief pause, he continued, “Although their official positions are currently low, am I not here? As long as they’re willing to work hard, their future positions won’t remain low. You just need to choose between them.”
Realizing the master had made up his mind, she said no more: “If Master approves, then it must be good.”
The next morning, Wang Yiniang gently saw Liu Shangshu off before immediately sending for Liu Qinghuan.
The maids efficiently opened windows for ventilation, replaced the used bedding on the daybed, and lit fresh incense.
By the time Liu Qinghuan arrived properly dressed in Wang Yiniang’s room, the scene had completely transformed.
The room was tidy and fragrant, with morning dew still clinging to the flowers in the vase, showing no trace of the previous night’s activities.
“Aunt,” Liu Qinghuan looked at her eagerly, “did Father say anything last night?”
Wang Yiniang gestured for her to sit. “Have breakfast first.”
“Aunt~” Seeing her aunt’s reluctance to speak, Liu Qinghuan couldn’t help drawing out the word in a coquettish tone.
Unmoved, Wang Yiniang handed her a bowl of plain congee. “We’ll talk after you eat.”
She knew that if she revealed the master’s attitude beforehand, Huan’er might lose her appetite.
Seeing her aunt’s determined expression, Liu Qinghuan said no more and obediently picked up her bowl for breakfast.
After the meal, when everything had been cleared away and only mother and daughter remained in the room, Wang Yiniang finally adopted a helpless expression.
Liu Qinghuan’s heart sank – whatever her aunt was about to say probably wouldn’t be to her liking.
Sure enough, after hesitating for a long moment, Wang Yiniang said: “Your father thinks highly of both young gentlemen.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Qinghuan’s vision darkened and her thoughts froze for an instant.
“Huan’er?”
A worried female voice sounded by her ear.
Coming back to herself, Liu Qinghuan forced a weak smile toward Wang Yiniang, signaling her not to worry.
Her aunt, favored for many years, had hoped to whisper in Father’s ear, but it had proven completely ineffective.
Seeing her daughter’s expression, Wang Yiniang said awkwardly, “You know how your father is – once he’s made a decision, no one can change his mind.”
Liu Qinghuan indeed knew her father’s nature. No matter how favored her aunt was in the household, when it came to important matters, Father would only consult with the legal wife.
It was only natural that Yiniang had no say in this matter.
Yet until today, she had still held onto a faint glimmer of hope in her heart.
Wang Yiniang: “This matter can only be resolved through long-term deliberation.”