Chapter 473: 473: Comparisons are Odious

“My daughter, Yingying, is young, she can wait for another year. But if she grows older and your Tong Family miss out on her, it’s not me spoiling things for you, your third son will really become unmarriageable.”

“Even if he can get married, the circumstances will definitely not measure up to those of my Yingying.”

As these words came out, Zhu Hongyun’s face visibly changed.

Never to marry in his life?

That’s not possible, getting married is a must.

But if he delays and even can’t get a girl like Qiao Ying…

Qiao Ying is already a burden, would he then have to marry a penniless girl?

No way!

She huffed, ” Isn’t there still Qiao Xiaomai? Xiaomai is keen on marrying the third son.”

Finally, the conversation had come to Xiaomai.

Zhu Cuiying took a breath in her heart and said sternly, “My dear, you’re wrong about that. While it’s true that Xiaomai does interact more closely with the third son, she never said she intends to marry him. Now listen, dear, I used to say a lot of unpleasant things about Xiaomai, but the situation has changed.”

“Xiaomai has cooked for the Emperor Emeritus, she is well acquainted with two princes and they dine at her house every day, everyone in the village knows how close their relationship is. She can have any young master in the whole of Huai’an County at her beck and call if she wishes!”

At her words, Zhu Hongyun’s face turned pale, “Cut it out! Her? Choose anyone in Huai’an County?”

“What’s stopping her from picking anyone in Huai’an County? Tell me why she can’t?” Zhu Cuiying countered.

Zhu Hongyun,”Isn’t she just a country girl? she….”

She could not continue.

She had seen the familiarity between Yang Ye, Yang Wang and Xiaomai, as close as she was chatting with Zhu Cuiying at the moment, without a trace of distance.

Although she wasn’t present to witness the tax collection day at the threshing field, she heard about it afterward. Yang Ye vowed to protect Xiaomai and Yang Wang showed an extraordinary concern for her.

She had also seen Xiaomai’s interactions with the Emperor Emeritus.

The Dean of the Grain Institute was happy to see Xiaomai.

Even the Eunuch next to the Emperor Emeritus was amicable towards Xiaomai.

And the county magistrate, who upon seeing Xiaomai, his face bloomed like a chrysanthemum flower.

The Emperor Emeritus, the two princes, the Dean, and the County Magistrate.

Each one more prestigious than last, yet somehow, Xiaomai is well-liked by all of them.

Is there anyone in the entire Huai’an County more honourable than these people?

If there isn’t, then why can’t Xiaomai choose anyone in Huai’an County?

At this moment, Zhu Cuiying added, “Ah, not only does Xiaomai have connections with influential people, but she also knows how to make money.”

“In just a few months after her mother’s departure, she alone has accumulated a considerable amount of wealth. Five hundred acres of land, more than your family’s estate. Just selling vegetable recipes alone brought her an incredible amount of silver.”

“Tell me, how many girls have you seen who can make this much money?”

Zhu Hongyun “…”

Before meeting Xiaomai, she had never even heard of such a story.

Seeing her silence, Zhu Cuiying pressed on, “Tell me, we farmers make money through toiling tirelessly in the fields just to get by. But for her, cooking a meal brings in heaps of silver. Ah, comparing people to people, it’s almost unbearable!”

Zhu Hongyun “…”

Thinking of her own ordeal growing sweet potatoes, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth.

Comparing oneself to others certainly can be frustrating!