Chapter 419: Chapter 419: Taking Two Young Ladies to the Capital City_1
“Born with a fair and pretty face? Does my older brother not know that only concubines would need to rely on their looks to serve? Wealthy families seek virtues when choosing a wife, and adhere to the principle of marrying someone of an equal social status. What importance is there in one’s feature now?”
“Exactly, so what if she becomes a concubine? It is better to be a concubine of the royal family or of a prominent noble family than to be a wife of a farmer. What benefits would there be for our Wei Family if she marries a farmer?” Wei Mingyong retorted.
“Ridiculous! Absurd! Has our Wei Family fallen so far as to rely on women for our benefits?”
“What’s wrong with it? Younger brother, stop being so stubborn. Look at the Qi Family, didn’t their rise to power begin when Imperial Concubine Qi was favoured, allowing Lord Qi to flourish at court? This is not something to be ashamed of.”
“Nonsense!”
“Whatever younger brother says, our parents are the ones now arranging Ruoruo’s marriage. You should start preparing early, and send Ruoruo and Wanwan to the Capital City prepairing for their marriages!”
Wei Mingyong did not continue arguing with Wei Mingting, knowing that as long as their parents were there, his youngest brother couldn’t do as he pleased.
“I will write to our parents to clarify the matter,” said Wei Mingting who did not wish to discuss further with Wei Mingyong, he turned, his sleeves flapping, and strode toward his study.
Wei Mingyong confidently called after his departing brother, “Go ahead and write your letter. Let’s see who our parents will listen to in the end!”
###
Cangyun Garden.
Upon learning that their elders in the Capital City had intervened in their eldest daughter’s marriage, Mrs. Yun murmured,”Second uncle is finally doing something decent.”
“Madam, master may be angry with the way the second elder is acting.”
“Master has always been very respectful. In matters like this, other people’s opinions hold no weight. However, if it is the will of his father and mother, even if he has objections, he would not dare to defy.”
Then Mrs. Yun instructed Cuiping and the others, “Remember, when master returns, do not mention this matter.”
“Yes, Madam.”
###
Wangmei Garden.
“Is it true?” Wei Qingwan asked Cuihe, her expression somewhat grim.
“It’s true, the second elder himself said so. And the servants attending in the main hall said that master was furious.”
Wei Qingwan bit her lip: “Second uncle is being reckless.”
“Yes, miss, I don’t know what second elder is thinking. He wrote to our uncle and aunt in the Capital City, and now under their pressure, master has no choice but to comply.”
“Did grandfather and grandmother mention any arrangements they made for Wei Qingruo?” Wei Qingwan asked.
“This servant is not aware.”
Wei Qingwan had a serious expression on her face.
“Miss, do not worry, even if the old master and madam arrange another marriage for the eldest miss, they cannot do better than you!” Cuihe affirmed.
“I worry there might be more complications.”
Who knows if there will be a second change after the first one?
###
Tingsong Garden.
“Miss, what should we do?” This was the first time Xiumei showed such agitation. Like ants on a hot pot, she kept pacing back and forth in front of Wei Ruo.
This caused more anxiety than any other thing before in Xiumei’s heart.
Wei Ruo’s expression wasn’t good either, and although she didn’t show it like Xiumei did, she was also very upset.
“First, let’s see if there’s anything my father can do,” Wei Ruo suggested.
If even Wei Mingting is helpless, then there really might be no way to prevent this.
“If the master can’t do anything, do we really have to go to the Capital City? Even though you said before that you wanted to extend our business there, that was for business, not to be married off!”
“When the soldiers come, block them; when the waters come, dam them up. Don’t worry, if your young mistress here is truly cornered, I’ll make sure no one in the family has peaceful days!” Wei Ruo reassured Xiumei.
Xiumei sighed helplessly, “If only you were born into an ordinary family, this Duke Residence would strangle one to death!”
Wei Ruo laughed, “Being born into an ordinary family wouldn’t necessarily be any easier. Not everyone would be as understanding as our nanny and Uncle Xu. If we were to encounter a family with strict regulations and unreasonable people, I would still be restrained everywhere. There’s nothing we can do; we were born into this world.”
Xiumei couldn’t hold back and said, “I really want to see the world you talk about, a world where girls can live the life they want.”
Wei Ruo said, “Even in that world, there would be many restrictions on women. It wouldn’t be so easy to do as one pleases. So, instead of complaining about the unfairness of the world we are in, we should try our best to live freely and cheerfully under our limited conditions.”
Xiumei nodded, “Miss, I understand. Don’t worry. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, I will always be with you to protect you!”
Wei Ruo stretched out her arms and hugged Xiumei, “Meimei is the best.”
###
After arguing with Wei Mingyong, Wei Mingting immediately wrote a letter and ordered his trusted servant to rush it to the Capital City.
However, before he could receive a reply, someone sent by the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence arrived.
It was Jinmama, the old maid from the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence.
Jinmama was the trusted maid of the old madam. She had a longer tenure and a higher position in the Duke Residence than Li mama.
Even the three brothers, Wei Minghong, Wei Mingyong, and Wei Mingting, had to show her some respect.
As soon as Jinmama arrived, she explained to Wei Mingting and Ms. Yun that the old master and the old madam in the Capital City wanted to bring Wei Qingruo and Wei Qingwan to the Capital City to prepare for their marriages.
The atmosphere in the main hall was austere.
Wei Mingting and Ms. Yun sat on the main seats, and on the left seat sat Wei Mingyong, wearing a triumphant smile.
Jinmama stood in the middle of the hall, explaining the purpose of her visit to Wei Mingting and Ms. Yun:
“Third Master, Third Madam, the Second Miss is to be married to the Sixth Prince in the second half of next year. She will leave the Duke Residence for marriage at that time, and should return to the Duke Residence to prepare for her marriage under the guidance of the maids. The Eldest Miss will go with the Second Miss this time. The intentions of the Old Madam are to arrange the Eldest Miss’s marriage before the Second Miss gets married. Time is running out, so I hope that both Misses can begin the journey as soon as possible.”
Wei Mingting had respect for Jinmama, but he dismissed her words.
“Mama, I have no objections to Wanwan going to the Capital City, but Ruoruo’s marriage has not been finalized yet. Please wait until I have communicated with my parents before proceeding.”
“Third Master, the Old Master and the Old Madam anticipated you would hesitate, so they specifically sent this old servant here to bring the two Misses. If the Third Master does not trust, this old servant still has a personal letter from the Old Master.” Jinmama offered the letter she had prepared early on.
Wei Mingting took the letter, looking at it solemnly.
Wei Mingting remained silent for a long time, his expressionless face was a bit intimidating, which made Ms. Yun nervous.
Wei Mingyong stood up and said, “Third Brother, now that Jinmama has laid out everything, you should stop being obstinate. Put your heart in your belly, our parents will find a good marriage for Ruoruo in the Capital City, and it will definitely not be worse than your this Zhao person who is a poor scholar!”
