Chapter 19

The reason for wanting to move into the garden was, first, influenced by the Grand View Garden, where a man living with a group of women was a dream. Second, being confined to the house had become unbearably boring, so he wanted to find something to do.

While Xu Hao was busy exploring the garden, the news spread like wildfire throughout the Xu family.

In Fushou Hall, Xu Cuitaoh and Xu Lüzhu reported their desire to move into the garden to the old matriarch. Young people yearned for excitement and freedom, and the daily life was indeed too dull, so they were very enthusiastic.

However, the old matriarch immediately rejected their request, shaking her head and saying, "Let them play as they please, but not you two."

"Why not?" Xu Lüzhu, being younger and more fond of excitement, looked very disappointed.

The old matriarch laughed and said kindly, "Cuitaoh will be betrothed next year. She needs to learn the rules and etiquette and prepare her dowry. So I plan to have Cuitaoh stay with me. I can't bear to be without her, and she needs a companion. Lüzhu, you will come to keep her company."

Xu Cuitaoh was both surprised and delighted. She didn't dare ask directly about her future husband and pretended to be shy, lowering her head.

"Who is it?" Xu Lüzhu stepped forward.

"It won't do Cuitaoh any harm," the old matriarch said with a mysterious smile, somewhat sadly, "It's finally time for you to grow up and get married. Sigh, I'm already old, but I'm content to see a granddaughter get married in grand style."

"Grandmother, you're not old at all," Xu Lüzhu said, snuggling into the old lady's arms.

In the second house's flower hall, Wang Shi, with a beaming face, said to Xiao Shi, "Next year, I'll be busy with the wedding preparations, building a new courtyard for the newlyweds, and preparing Cuitaoh's dowry. There are so many troublesome things. I heard that Qinglian and Hongye want to move into the garden. With all these matters on my hands, I thought it would be best to have Cuiyun and Cuiliu move there too. I would be very grateful if you could help look after them."

"Congratulations, sister-in-law," Xiao Shi smiled, "We're one family, so there's no need to be so formal. The two young ladies can come over, and if there's anything you need, just send someone to let me know. There's no need for you to come in person."

Wang Shi was secretly pleased but didn't see her sister-in-law inquire about the future in-laws, which made her itchy with curiosity. After a long conversation, Xiao Shi still hadn't asked, so she couldn't help but say, "Qinglian is growing up. What are your plans, sister?"

Xiao Shi smiled, "Hao said that girls shouldn't get married before they're twenty, citing psychological and physiological reasons. I think there's some truth to it. I plan to discuss with the old matriarch and find a good family to betroth her to, and then have her marry in a couple of years."

"Exactly," Wang Shi clapped her hands, "When we got married, we were only thirteen or fourteen, and the hardships we endured are still fresh in my mind. The eldest daughter of the household also suffered from a lifelong illness due to giving birth at a young age. The old matriarch still regrets it and hasn't given Uncle a good face for years. That's why we raised Qinglian and Cuitaoh until they were seventeen, to avoid repeating the same mistakes."

"Uncle had no choice, who would dare to defy the imperial edict?" Xiao Shi sighed, then smiled, "Fortunately, our family, though wealthy, is not of high rank, and the old matriarch is reasonable about the children's marriages, which is a blessing."

"Indeed," Wang Shi nodded, smiling, "Do you not want to know who the match is with, huh?"

Xiao Shi sighed inwardly but smiled, "Do you think you can hide it from me? Who is the prince?"

"Haha, no wonder the old matriarch said you're as clever as a monkey. You really can't hide anything from you," Wang Shi laughed, leaning in mysteriously, "It's the Crown Prince and Princess of the Qin Kingdom. This matter should be kept quiet, so you must keep it to yourself."

"Qin Kingdom?" Xiao Shi was surprised, "Is Cuitaoh going to be the Crown Prince's main wife? Oh my God."

"You," Wang Shi rolled her eyes, "You're just trying to make me angry. Cuitaoh will be the secondary wife. This is due to the favor of the Yan King and Uncle. I'm content with that. As for the Princess of Pucheng who is coming, she is the eldest sister, though a concubine's daughter."

"Being a secondary wife is still a great honor, and I truly envy you, sister," Xiao Shi said sincerely, but how could Qinglian compare to Cuitaoh, the eldest daughter of the main house?

Wang Shi was finally satisfied with Xiao Shi's envy and left contentedly. Xiao Shi sat alone in the flower hall, frowning and thinking hard. She was not willing to be far outdone by her sister-in-law.

Xu Hao came in from outside. Seeing his mother's expression, he asked, "Mother, what's the matter? Even if you scold me, you should at least explain why."

Xiao Shi sighed and recounted the entire wedding arrangement, concluding, "I found out that the person in the boat that day was the Princess of Pucheng from the Qin Kingdom, though a concubine's daughter, she is still very noble. I didn't expect her to marry into our family. If you had performed well that day, the princess might have chosen you. What a pity."

"You're overthinking it. I'm not the eldest grandson of the main house; I'm just a companion to the crown prince," Xu Hao said casually. Xiao Shi found it strange that he didn't seem surprised at all. If the Yan King, Zhu Di, didn't have such foresight, he wouldn't have dared to rise up with just a small territory to fight for the throne.

Marriage has always been the simplest and most effective means for the powerful to form alliances. However, it seems the Yan King wasn't particularly concerned about the Qin Kingdom, or he didn't want to draw too much attention. Otherwise, the best match would have been Xu Da's own grandson.

Marrying a daughter and a son, the Xu family seemed to have a great deal. With the prestigious Qin Kingdom, the dowry would be generous, and the marriage would bring both wealth and status. The one who must have worked behind the scenes was undoubtedly Grandfather Xu Da.

Just thinking about it, Xu Hao could feel the complexity of this marriage arrangement. He shuddered, his imagination running wild with all sorts of conspiracies.

He didn't know the outcome for the Qin Kingdom and said to Xiao Shi, "Mother, children are not tools for parents to climb the social ladder. Even if they can't compete with others, what does it matter? Is face more important than the lifelong happiness of your children? In wealthy families, there are many conflicts, especially in powerful families. I would rather my sister marry a commoner who loves and cherishes her, and a happy life is more important than anything."

Xiao Shi shook her head, "That's a child's talk. Poor families are not necessarily reliable. There are many who are fickle and ungrateful. You can't know a person's true nature, so how can you guarantee that your sister will be happy after marriage? In comparison, a match of equal status is the most appropriate. At least, if she is neglected by her husband, she will still have a comfortable life."

"That's true," Xu Hao agreed. He was no longer a young man full of romantic ideals. Although Xiao Shi's view was not absolutely correct, it represented the most stable standard for choosing a spouse, based on the wisdom and experience of parents who had lived through life.

Xiao Shi's mood improved as her son spoke earnestly. She changed the subject, smiling, "What kind of wife do you want, my son? Tell me, let me see."

Xu Hao was taken aback, scratching his head and looking up, he said, "Beautiful, sensible, gentle, cute, not jealous, understanding, kind but not naive, wise but not showy. Respectful to elders, loving to family, not overly indulgent with children, affectionate, and knowledgeable, talented, good at managing finances, and skilled in socializing."

"Stop, stop," Xiao Shi was dizzy from listening, laughing, "Oh my, you might as well marry a fairy."

"That would be great," Xu Hao said wistfully.

"Daydreaming," Xiao Shi said, half-angry, half-amused, "Get lost, you're just a toad dreaming of eating a swan. If you don't make me proud, I'll find you an ugly wife tomorrow."

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