Chapter 251: The Solution (5)

Translator: Iris

Minglan secretly nodded. This Madam Liu was a sensible woman.

First, Young Master Jiang did such a shameless thing while he was in mourning for his dad, which meant he was unfilial and had no conscience. His moral quality and self-discipline should also be questioned.

Second, the maid had even given birth to a child, which meant the family rules of the Jiang Family were not strict. At least Madam Jiang should be accused of indulging her children. Having a mother-in-law like that really would not be a good experience.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Third, even now, Jiang Family still didn’t agree to keep only the baby and kick that maid out of their family, which meant that maid must be quite charming that Young Master Jiang adored her a lot.

Due to the three reasons that were listed above, even if Lady Liu married into the Jiang Family, her life there might not be very easy. In that case, it was better to have short, sharp pains than long, dull pains. After Lady Liu married Young Master Jiang, Jiang Family would have the initiative. So it was better for the Liu Family to have a clear mind before marrying their daughter into the Jiang Family.

“So cancel the engagement!” Wang shi said that sarcastically, “It’s not like a girl from the Liu Family couldn’t find a man to marry.”

“It’s not that easy.” Sheng Hong gave a wry smile.

As Wang shi was about to retort him, Minglan tried to stop them from quarreling and said gently, “It truly is not an easy thing. Jiang Family and Liu Family have long-standing friendship for generations. Even if they couldn’t unite by marriage, they shouldn’t become enemies, right? If the engagement is canceled, the people of the Liu Family have to speak out the unfilial thing Young Master Jiang has done if they want to clear their name. Our country values filial piety a lot. Once Liu Family does that, the future of Young Master Jiang would be ruined. However, if Liu Family doesn’t tell the truth, Lady Liu would be blamed for breaking off the engagement. It’ll be harder for her to be engaged again...”

Minglan’s voice sounded very soft. After hearing that, Wang shi was also stunned, saying, “That... is troublesome indeed.”

Sheng Hong glanced at Minglan with satisfaction, and then turned around to speak to Old Madam Sheng, “As Minglan has just said, Lady Liu is about to reach the appropriate age for marriage. Brother Liu was very anxious about her marriage, so he came to me to discuss. I’ve known all the details that others don’t know. Jiang Family is in the wrong this time. Moreover, you have seen Lady Liu before, mother. Don’t you always praise her virtuous character?”

As Sheng Hong said that, Old Madam Sheng was already quite intrigued. The mother and the son made eye contact for a while and then had a mutual understanding.

This engagement was perfect.

Changfeng was an illegal son who had only passed the imperial exam at the provincial level and had a very slight chance to pass the imperial exam in the capital. Moreover, Sheng Family wasn’t a prestigious family. Therefore, Lady Liu who was a legal daughter of a big family was actually out of Changfeng’s league. However, this time Master Liu had come to Sheng Hong first. So after Changfeng got married, he wouldn’t be bullied by his wife or looked down upon by the Liu Family.

Old Madam Sheng patted on the handrail of the Ocean Bed and said firmly, “This could work. The Third Lady of the Liu Family is no doubt a wonderful girl. She will be a great madam. Ask about the date of her birth and her eight characters of horoscope afterwards. If everything is matched...” She paused and said, “I’ll go to their mansion and make the proposal of marriage!”

Wang shi, face flushing, felt extremely indignant. Before she could say anything, Sheng Hong said right away, “Mother, you are absolutely right. That’s what I’ve been thinking too. We can’t let the Liu Family make the proposal.”

“Since our child is going to engage himself to their lady, we have to make the engagement look good.” Old Madam Sheng said bluntly, “Tell everyone else that I adore the quality of the lady of Liu Family a lot, so I make the engagement proposal even though I know we don’t deserve it.”

“Then we can let Brother Liu pretend to be reluctant. After that, Jiang Family could cancel the engagement for the reason that they don’t want the girl to waste her youth on waiting since Young Master Jiang has to observe mourning for his father for a long while. That should be a good explanation to others.” Sheng Hong already had a thorough plan.

“Some people are still going to gossip about this. We can bear some slanders and give Liu Family an out. As long as they are grateful to us, they would surely give Changfeng more support in the future!”

The mother and the son echoed with each other and didn’t give anyone a chance to chime in. Wang shi who was super anxious only hated herself for being so retarded that she was unable to find a reason to retort. Minglan lowered her head the whole time to avoid making any eye contact with Wang shi. This truly was a great engagement for Changfeng. Even Minglan couldn’t find anything wrong with it.

Old Madam Sheng turned around and looked at Changfeng with a loving look in her eyes. After all, Old Madam Sheng had watched Changfeng growing up from a baby, and she really wanted this boy to live a well-off life. Although those officials in the Liu Family weren’t in high position, there was still strength in numbers since the quantity of the officials in the Liu Family was large. Then, Changfeng would have someone to rely on in the future.

Sheng Hong asked Changfeng to kowtow and express gratitude to Old Madam Sheng right away.

“Grandmother, I’m such an unfilial grandson. How can I still ask you to rush about for my marriage at such an old age? I’m so sorry.” Changfeng’s words always sounded sweet. Right now, he blushed like a bashful girl.

Old Madam Sheng chuckled and said, “As long as I can find you a good wife, I’m willing to run off my feet.”

After everyone teased Changfeng for a while, Sheng Hong told him to go back to study.

Changfeng’s face was as red as the sunset glow and his cheeks were like the peach blossom, while the look in his eyes seemed a bit bitter and sad. He didn’t dare to look into the elders’ eyes and only gave a meaningful stare to Minglan. Minglan was congratulating Sheng Hong and Old Madam Sheng with lots of nice words. As she suddenly saw the look in Changfeng’s eyes, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

She knew what Changfeng was thinking right now, but she didn’t dare to say it out loud.

After Changfeng had left, Old Madam Sheng and Sheng Hong continued to talk about the preparations for Changfeng’s wedding. As the mother and the son talked very congenially, Minglan saw Wangshi’s face turning dark. Minglan assumed that Wang shi must feel quite indignant now, and then she told the latter lots of funny things in the mountain such as catching the wild rabbits and sparrows or taking a bath in hot spring...

Wang shi was gradually attracted to Minglan’s story and asked, “That Hot Spring Estate is also on the West Mountain? Everyone says that it is a nice place. The water is warm and the mountain is splendid, which is best for our health. Bathing in the hot spring can also help cure disease. You eldest sister is still not very healthy...” Wang shi said that with a slight drawl.

Minglan understood Wang shi’s intention right away and said smilingly at once, “Madam, you are right. I thought about this long ago and already asked someone to tidy the estate up. After Eldest Sister can walk freely, I’ll invite her to the Hot Spring Estate to rest for a few days. Old Madam, Madam, I also would like you two to join us. Unfortunately, my Fifth Sister is pregnant now, so she can’t bathe in the Hot Spring.”

Hearing Minglan’s obedient answer, Wang shi felt quite comfortable. Then she said, “I know you are a good girl. We don’t have so many relatives in the capital. Although you have already got married, don’t forget about Aunt Kang and others. They should also share your wealthy life...”

Before she could finish those words, with a huge bang in the hall, Old Madam Sheng thumped the tea cup on the table and said with a cold look, “Since she already got married, she only belongs to the Gu’s family now. Hualan is not so well and needs recuperation, it’s fine for her to go to the estate. But how can you let all of Minglan’s relatives go to Gu’s estate like a swarm of bees? Are you trying to let them go to Gu Tingye for shelter or enjoy Gu’s property for free? Don’t you know how embarrassing it would be for the Sheng Family?”

Sheng Hong was sensitive about Sheng’s reputation. When Wang shi had said those words, he hadn’t felt anything. However, after hearing Old Madam Sheng’s words, he showed a sullen look right away.

With the look on Wang shi’s face turning extremely awkward, she muttered in a low voice, “It’s not a big deal. Minglan is living a prosperous life now, why can’t she give some support to her parents’ family...”

Old Madam Sheng snorted. Then she stared at Wang shi coldly and said slowly, “It has only been a short while since she married, how many precious presents has she already sent to Hualan, Changbai’s wife, Rulan and you?! When she sent you all the marten furs, snow gingeng, food and clothes, I never said anything. But now it seems that you only regard those gifts as the things you pick up on the road. You just wish you can get more, do you?”

Wang shi felt both angry and ashamed being scolded by Old Madam Sheng in front of the young. However, she sensed Old Madam Sheng’s rage and didn’t dare to retort. Minglan stood up reverently and stood there upright. She had no intention to say a word. The people of the Sheng Family were her families after all. As for Aunt Kang, Minglan preferred to avoid meeting this woman as much as she could. Every time she met Aunt Kang, the latter would scold her. It was not like Minglan had masochism and enjoyed being hurt.