ROHYX Chapter 161 : Yuru's Betrothal (3)

byきつね -December 27, 2020

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Translator : As I have promised, here. Enjoy!

As Qiu Shi listened to Yuru's words, she couldn't help but think of what she, herself, had experienced. It was because, at that time, she had taken a fancy to Han Jingdong's look that she had defied her mother's advice and continued to marry him. Now, look at what happened! As a result, after toiling for most of her life, she still could not get Duke Han to look at her more than once. Her only consolation was that both of her sons were filial to her.

Qiu Shi looked up at the restless Yuru and said, "Since you disagree, I will decline the Xiang family. But you can't request a meeting with Childe Zeng anymore." She did not want Yuru to meet with him lest there would be more trouble. She had done her utmost for this shu daughter of her, Yuru. She didn't want her to be sleepless anymore. After all was said, it was also because Qiu Shi was unwilling to take more trouble over it.

Yuru gritted her teeth and let out, "I'll listen to Mother." She was already content that Mother had promised to turn down the Xiang family's marriage proposal. Thus, she didn't dare to ask for more.

When Qiu Shi heard Yuru speaking like this, she nodded and said, "Since you have truly decided it this time, you can't change again." Fortunately, although Yuru had agreed yesterday, Qiu Shi thought that the bride's side should be more reserved. So she had not given their answer yet and only said that she would think about it. Now that Yuru had gone back on her words, Qiu Shi might as well declined the Xiang family's marriage proposal.

Yuru's face turned pale as she assured, "Don't worry, Mother. I won't change my decision anymore."

Qingxuan waited for Yuru outside the door. When she noticed Yuru's appearance, she immediately stepped forward to support Yuru. Once they left Master Courtyard, Qingxuan finally opened her mouth. "Miss, I am not sure that Master Zeng is a good choice, but Master Xiang is definitely not a good one." Although Qingxuan had her own selfish reason, she sincerely hoped that Yuru would have a good life at the same time. Yuru's biological mother had been very kind to Qingxuan's mother. Hence, Qingxuan's mother had been telling her to take good care of Yuru. If Yuru was going to do something wrong, Qingxuan must properly advise her.

At this point, it was useless to back out. Yuru stated, "Since the Zeng family has been chosen, there is no need to speak about this matter anymore." What made Yuru change her mind was the ten taels of silver. She was fed up with the pain of not having much silver. Since the Fourth Young Master Xiang had big hands and big feet, even mountains of gold and silver would not be enough for him to squander. She did not want to worry about silver in the future.

Qiu Shi's action was quick. On the same day, she asked Han Jianye to reply to Zeng Kezhou, saying they agreed to his marriage proposal.

Zeng Kezhou was overjoyed when he heard Han Jianye's words. He had waited for such a long time without hearing anything, thinking that it had become hopeless. However, to his surprise, Lady Han had agreed. Although Duke Han was a bit whimsical, Master Shizi of the State Residence was a competent man. Moreover, Han Jianye had a very good future. It would be a great help to him to have such a good marriage. [+]

As Zeng Kezhou felt happy, Madam Zeng was not. Even though Madam Zeng was not of high birth, she was an intelligent person. She tactfully said to Zeng daren. "Master, I heard that the mother of the Eldest Daughter of the State Residence had died young. Since she was not raised by her dimu, she has a bit domineering temper. Master, if she is as rumoured and backed by the State Residence, she will definitely stir trouble in this house by then. Keda's age is still young, and he will still have to rely on Eldest Young Master in the future!" Madam Zeng said many things, and all the words pointed out that Yuru would not be a good girl.

Zeng daren originally thought this was a good match, but when he heard Madam Zeng spoke like that, he started to hesitate, "Let me think about this again." Zeng daren still valued Zeng Kezhou very much. After all, this son of his, Zeng Kezhou, had already reached adulthood and became an officer. While his di son was just a baby right now. Therefore, the Zeng family still had to rely on the eldest son to support the family.

When Zeng daren arrived at the front yard, he thought about the marriage for a moment and called for Zeng Kezhou. Then, he told him his concerns.

Zeng Kezhou was not stupid enough not to know that his stepmother had played a part in this. He didn't say how good Yuru was since he had never met her in person. So, it would have no use even if he spoke about Yuru in a deluge of heavenly flowers. Later, Zeng Kezhou told his father about the benefits of marrying Yuru. After he had done saying that, Zeng Kezhou added, "Father, although I have never met with the eldest daughter of the Duke Han's family, I have made some enquiries about her during this period. Even though she is a shu daughter, she has studied and read with a teacher. She has also been carefully taught by a nurturing momo." This meant that the Han family had also carefully nurtured Han Yuru, not just raised her.

Zeng daren asked, "Where did you hear about all these things?" If it was like this, then this Han girl should not have been overbearing and arrogant.

When Zeng Kezhou saw that his father had loosened up, he hurriedly replied, "I heard about them from the people of the State Residence. I also heard them say that the eldest daughter of the Han family is gentle and is excellent in needlework."

With these two accounts, one from his wife and another from his son, Zeng daren didn't know whose words he should believe. He simply asked someone to inquire about it himself. Within two days, he had Madam Zeng go to the Han family to propose marriage.

Madam Zeng was full of reluctance. But no matter what she said, her husband did not budge from his decision. So when Madam Zeng saw his expression did not look right, she could only nod her head and agree. The State Residence brand was still awe-inspiring. Thus, even though Madam Zeng was unwilling, she did not dare to slight them for a bit. She at once asked an official matchmaker to come to Duke Han's home to propose marriage.

Yuxi was very surprised to hear that the Zeng family had come to their home to propose marriage. "Didn't you tell me that Yuru has agreed to the Xiang family marriage proposal? So why did the Zeng family still come here to propose marriage?"

Kufu shook her head and answered, "This handmaiden didn't know. At that time, I heard from the maid who followed her say that the Eldest Miss had agreed to marry into the Xiang family."

Yuxi didn't pursue the matter further. It would be good if she knew the reason, but it also didn't matter if she didn't know. The process was not important, but since the Zeng family had come to propose marriage, Yuru's marriage could now be settled.

As Yuxi had predicted, the marriage between the two families was soon finalised. Ever since the marriage was arranged, Yuru stayed in her courtyard and started to embroider her dowry. [+]

Now that Yuru was engaged to be married, the one who would be the most affected was Yujing. She was the same age as Yuru, and now that Yuru was engaged, she was still in limbo. Even if she were anxious, it would only be useless for her to be so worried if Qiu Shi did not act.

The following month was calm. Yuxi stayed at Taoran House every day, and Yuchen went to the palace now and then. The two people were so busy with their own lives that they had very little time to intersect with each other.

On this day, Yuxi was called to Biteng Courtyard once again. Since Wu Shi had been beaten up by Han Jingyan last time, she no longer dared to scowl at Yuxi or not even saying a serious word. When Yuxi came over to pay her respects, she only nodded and then let her go back. Since she couldn't beat or scold Yuxi any longer, she simply ignored her.

When Yuxi heard Wu Shi told her that they would be going to the Jiang residence in a couple of days, she reflexively asked, "The Jiang residence? Which Jiang family?" She just hoped it wouldn't be Jiang Hongjin's house.

Wu Shi responded, "Minister of Court of Juridical Reviews, Jiang Wenrui's Jiang family. Madam Jiang is also the aunt of the Yu family. Oh, I remember that Jiang daren's daughter, Jiang Qi, is quite close to you."

Yuxi let out an 'oh' and stated, "I am not familiar with her. She and I just played a game of chess." She used to praise Jiang Qi in her previous life, yet Jiang Qi still despised her. In Jiang Qi's mind, she was afraid it had the same idea as Yu Shi, where only a gongzhu could be worthy of Jiang Hongjin.

Wu Shi didn't expect Yuxi to say this, but this was even better, "The day after tomorrow is Madam Jiang's birthday. Go back and prepare yourself."

Yuxi smiled and nodded, "Okay. I don't know if San Jie will be going with us?" Her father, Han Jingyan, and Jiang Wenrui had gone to the same school together. The two families had visited each other in their previous lives ever since her father returned to the capital. Nevertheless, they were not particularly close. It was just the usual human relationships. No one knew why Jiang Hongjin married her, including Jiang Wenrui and his wife, who couldn't make head or tail of it at that time. But they could not resist their son, and since marrying her would make them indirectly in-law with the 10th Prince, they agreed. As for her life after their marriage, Yuxi no longer remembered it.

When the rest of the Han family was happy to see that Yuchen was valued by Song Guifei and Qinxin Gongzhu, Wu Shi felt uncomfortable in her heart. Yuchen was not her daughter. Their relationship was a mere face-saving feeling for her, not a mother-daughter feeling. No matter how blessed it was to the family, it had nothing to do with her, "Your San Jie is still at the Imperial Palace, so I will ask her later to see if she is available that day."

Naturally, Yuchen had no time to spare, as she had been asked to stay at the Imperial Palace by Qinxin Gongzhu. The eunuch who came to deliver the message said that she would remain there for three or five days, but no one asked whether it was really for three or five days only.

Yuxi wore a decent smile on her face the whole way back. Although she could not yet maintain her expression even if Mount Tai collapsed, she could still control her emotions, such as happiness, anger, and sadness.

When Yuxi returned to Taoran House, she dived into her study and instructed Kufu, "I want to read a book. You can withdraw! Don't make any noise if there's nothing important." What 'didn't make any noise' meant was not to call her.

Kufu didn't think much and went out after responding.

Now that the house was empty, Yuxi sat on a chair, thinking. This time, she had no intention of excusing herself from going to the Jiang family for Yu Shi's birthday celebration. The Jiang family owed her in her previous life, not the other way around, so there was no need to avoid the Jiang family. She also wanted to know if Jiang Hongjin had been thinking of Yuchen. If that was the case, then she had found the reason why Jiang Hongjin had married her in her previous life.

After thinking for a long time, Yuxi wrote a letter. She called Caidie over and said, "Send this letter to Mama Fang."

Caidie felt very strange. Yuxi used to give this errand to Zisu. She didn't know why the chore had been given to her this time. Although there were doubts in her heart, she dared not ask more, "I will go now."

When Zisu knew that Caidie had been made to deliver the letter to Lian's house, she asked in puzzlement, "Why did Miss ask Caidie to deliver the letter?" She used to be the one who went there before.

As long as it was not a private matter, Yuxi would not hide it from Zisu. "Caidie and Lian Dalang are about the same age. Let's see if they are destined to be together!" After all, Dalang was not Mama Fang's real son. Their relationship might be good now, but if he married a not-good wife later, there would still be a lot of trouble in the future. Yuxi was also quite worried about Mama Fang's eyes, so Yuxi wanted to find someone she could feel rest assured. Caidie had been serving by her side for several years. Yuxi knew everything about her temperament and temper. The most important thing, this girl was upright, and although she didn't speak very much, she acted very organised. If she could catch Lian Dalang's eyes, then Yuxi would be relieved of her concern.

Zisu didn't expect Yuxi to think this far ahead, "Miss is very kind to Mama Fang. Handmaiden is truly touched."

Yuxi smiled a little. She was kind to Mama Fang because she felt guilty. In her previous life, Mama Fang had passed away early. In this life, she wanted Mama Fang to live a happy life, which was why she would think for her in every aspect.

Furthermore, there was another reason that she could not tell others. If Mama Fang could live very well and happily, Yuxi felt that her future could also be changed. It wasn't impossible for her to also live happily in the future.