In fact, Old Madam Zhan thought not only she but Mrs. Feng thought like that. She said, “Your sister has sent some seasonal fruits here through her servants. By the way, she gave me a message that she wanted to find a wife for Xuanyu She! She asked whether I had a proper choice. Thinking about my grandchildren that I favored, the only girl is a sweetheart. Maybe, your sister knows that you love her deeply, and she has no confidence that you will agree with her. Therefore, she hopes that I can inquire about that and get some information!”

Xuanyu She was nineteen years old. As the master of Xuanyu Family and the only biological son of Mrs. Feng, he should have been married.

The reason why he didn't marry until now was that he was affected by his elders: his father has been in romantic relations.h.i.+ps with many women, so his father has many children. Even if Xuanyu She was the eldest son of the family, Xuanyu Le had no time to plan his marriage. As for his mother, Mrs. Feng, she had been busy dealing with other lovers of Xuanyu Le, and had no mind to do that.

One year ago, Xuanyu Le died. The infighting for the family property broke out in Xuanyu Family. Mrs. Feng was busy struggling with other family members with no mind to plan his marriage.

After consolidating her family position, and deaths of the whole family of Xuanyu E, Mrs. Feng felt happy and had free time to plan her son's marriage. Old Madam Zhan was afraid that Madam Feng would not agree, so she spoke for her grandson, “You have been in a good relations.h.i.+p with your sister, and Yinxue sees sweetheart as her daughter. They have been very familiar with each other since they were little kids. With such a close relations.h.i.+p, aren't they destined to be a couple? If so, we will also feel a.s.sured.”

Yinxue was Mrs. Feng's name before she got married.

Madam Feng had a good impression of her nephew Xuanyu She. Although Xuanyu She was not as handsome as Sheng Shuihe and Xu Baomo, he was good-looking with good characters and temper. He had always been very tolerant and courteous to his cousin Sheng Weiqiao.

Furthermore, Xuanyu She was the only son of Mrs. Feng. She hated the children of Xuanyu Le and his other wives or mistresses. When she took charge of the family, she drove them out of the family immediately. That is to say, the future wife of Xuanyu She didn't need to handle complex relations.h.i.+ps with sisters-in-law and sisters. The only thing for her was to serve her mother-in-law well.

Although Mrs. Feng often gave lectures to Sheng Weiqiao, she really loved her niece. If Sheng Weiqiao became the daughter-in-law of Mrs. Feng, Madam Feng believed that her sister would not mistreat her.

Thinking of this, Madam Feng was tempted, but she also hesitated, “Xuanyu She is nineteen years old. If Elder Sister had not been free these years, his marriage would not be considered until now. Sweetheart is only thirteen years old, though there are girls getting married at the age. For a family like us, girls should get married at fifteen or sixteen years old. Mother, you also know that she is our only child, and we want to be with her for more time. I am afraid that Elder Sister can't wait since she hopes to have a grandson.”

Old Madam Zhan thought it no big deal, “Your elder sister is the master of Xuanyu Family, but she is only in her thirties. Is she old? As for me, an old lady, I can wait for several years!”

Madam Feng thought it reasonable. But since it was important, she didn't agree immediately, saying, “Mother knows that my husband has always been spoiling our daughter. As for her marriage, it needed his agreement. Also, my father-in-law and mother-in-law were at home. They must be informed about things about her marriage!”

Old Madam Zhan was about to show her agreement. Her daughter continued, “Speaking of this, my husband told me several days ago that my father-in-law intended to have sweetheart and Young Lord Xu going together!”

“Young Lord Xu?” Old Madam Zhan frowned slightly, “I heard your father-in-law was a leader of Old Marquis Xu in the past. Now, Sheng Lanci has resigned and returned to the county, while Ningwei Marquis is in power. Weiqiao is an innocent girl. Can she stand rules in their family? n.o.body knows the true characters of one person through the appearance. Young Lord Xu didn't grow up with us. Though he has been in Sheng Family for some days, such days are so short that we cannot know his characters clearly!”

She said in a low voice, “What if he is not a trustable man? Old Marquis Xu is in their family, so Xu Baomo can be required by him to treat her well. What if he dies in the future? Can sweetheart live a good life?”

The reason Old Madam Zhan said so was not intended to harm his image. She really thought so.

“I don't really agree with this.” Madam Feng whispered, “Even if the Young Lord Xu is worth a lifetime commitment, the wife should always follow her husband. That Young Lord is a successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the provincial level, and he will go to Chang'an for examinations of high levels. No matter he will be admitted or not, he will stay in Chang'an with Ningwei Marquis and never be back. If sweetheart marries him, she won't stay in Nanfeng County. It will be hard for us to meet each other, so how am I willing to agree with that?”

“But, as you know, although my husband decided everything in our family, my father-in-law was a senior. He said so, and my husband didn't refuse, so I, as his daughter-in-law, shouldn't make more comments!”

Madam Feng pressed near her lips with her index finger, and she looked sly at the moment. She said, “But, Elder Sister is helping me! Later, I will tell my father-in-law that sweetheart seems to be more congenial with She. He will not force her to marry Young Lord Xu!”

Hearing this, Old Madam Zhan smiled at her. She pushed, “Since I have told you, you shouldn't stay here longer. Go back quickly and tell Sheng Lanci about this. If he agrees, we will arrange quickly for fear of your father-in-law's arbitrary interfering!”

After seeing Madam Feng go, Old Madam Zhan felt happy. She let her close servant go to Xuanyu Family to tell Mrs. Feng the good news and show her contribution, “I have told your sister that you want Weiqiao to be your daughter-in-law, and your sister seemed to agree with that! Though she has to consult with your brother-in-law, he will not oppose despite their deep affections! It seemed that the Senior Master wanted Weiqiao to marry Young Lord Xu. When you bring up the proposal of marriage, you let him know that two kids grew up together, and they like each other. That will make him feel better.”

Old Madam Zhan thought she had done something good for her juniors. However, after a while, Mrs. Feng herself came to Feng Family in a hurry. As they met, she was too anxious to give a salute, “Mother! Why did you do that? I have asked you whether there is a proper girl for Xuanyu She to marry. Why you thought of Weiqiao?!”

“What are you saying?” After knowing that she has no intention to make Weiqiao her daughter-in-law, Old Madam Zhan was stunned, “I only have one granddaughter. If She were not my grandson, I would be reluctant to make them a pair!”

“Don't I like Weiqiao?” Mrs. Feng had complicated feelings because her questioning facial expressions, “Let's put it aside whether they love each other or not. They cannot be a pair because of their temperaments!”

Mrs. Feng explained with bitter feelings, “Xuanyu She is my only son, and he is also the master of Xuanyu Family. To make him be the master and be stable on the position of the master, I have sacrificed so much! You know how much Feng Family and Sheng Family have paid to help me! Although She is not so naive like Weiqiao, he is not that shrewd and not extraordinary in struggling with each other!”

“If he married Weiqiao, who was innocent, and even if they loved each other, when I was healthy, I could s.h.i.+eld them. What if I died one day? Wouldn't others in Xuanyu Family trick them?!”

Mrs. Feng looked gloomy, “As they are innocent, can they protect themselves?!”

Seeing Old Madam Zhan is surprised with her mouth wide open, Mrs. Feng sighed and said thoughtfully, “So, I never considered Weiqiao to be my daughter-in-law. I hope you can recommend one in Feng Family, who is scheming and reliable to be the mistress of Xuanyu Family as She's wife.”

“You should have made it clear earlier!” Old Madam Zhan looked embarra.s.sed. She said, “I thought that you were afraid that you would be refused, and you sought help from me! Now, Yinlu and I have communicated happily. At the moment, she might be consulting with Lanci, and you don't want their sweetheart to be your daughter-in-law!”

In frustration, Mrs. Feng said, “We are sisters, so we can say anything to each other in privacy. If I want Weiqiao to be my daughter-in-law, will I bother you?”

She reminded her again, “Since Yinlu has gone back to discuss with her husband, I think you should send someone to explain it as soon as possible! That can't be delayed. If the news were sent out, as a man, She would be okay. But that would harm Weiqiao's reputation!”

Old Madam Zhan was about to answer, but a servant reported that Mrs. Le and Mrs. Zhan were coming to pay their respects.

It was actually not the time to pay respects, but they heard that both their two sisters-in-law came back. They were worried, so they found an excuse to come here.

Entering the room, they gave salutes to both Old Madam and Mrs. Feng. After greeting Mrs. Feng, they saw Old Madam, and Mrs. Feng looked terrible, so they asked the reason. That was not a secret, so Mrs. Feng explained briefly. Then, she urged Old Madam Zhan to send a servant to explain in Sheng Family for fear of their misunderstanding.

“I thought it was something more serious!” Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Le looked at each other, and Mrs. Le laughed. She said tentatively, “Youngest Sister has only one son, so his wife should be intelligent to help him! As for branches of our family, we have more sons. Zhiren is the eldest grandson of Feng Family, so he should marry an intelligent woman. However, Zhiyi is the second. Mother and sister know that though he is not the most brilliant, he is honest. If he can marry Weiqiao, I will be so satisfied!”

Except for one dying early, there were six men of the generation.

The eldest branch had four sons. Feng Zhiren, the eldest son, and Feng Zhiyi, the second eldest son, were sons of Mrs. Le. A concubine gave birth to Feng Zhihuan, the third eldest son, and Feng Zhishuo, the fourth eldest son. The second branch had no sons or daughters of concubines. Feng Zhiwei and Feng Zhihua were both sons of Mrs. Wu.

Feng Zhiren was twenty-two years old. Feng Zhiyi was two years younger than the eldest son. Feng Zhihuan was twelve years old, and Feng Zhishuo was ten years old. The elder son of the second branch was eight years old, and the younger son of him was seven years old.

There was no doubt that the property of Feng Family would be handed over to Feng Zhiren, the eldest grandson.

Therefore, Mrs. Le was not worried about the future of her eldest son. She worried about her that of her second son Feng Zhiyi.

Feng Zhiyi, like Xuanyu She, was a mediocre man. Because he was born into a wealthy family, he didn't work very hard. Although he was not a playboy, he was not excellent at his schoolwork. He was just an ordinary person born to a wealthy family. According to the family customs of Feng Family, he could get a large amount of property in ordinary people's views. For Feng Family, the property was meager. Then, he would earn his living.

Mrs. Le knew that Feng Zhiyi was not good at making money. Even though he was not a man being lavish of money, his grandsons would be ordinary rich people away from Nanfeng County's Big Families because he had no extraordinary talents. Thinking of this, Mrs. Le felt terrible.

She couldn't change the customs of Feng Family, so she had to find a good wife for him to make descents of him wealthy.

In Nanfeng County, there was no proper choice except Sheng Weiqiao. Since her father took charge, and she was favored by him, the dowry of her must be large. The most important thing was that she was easy to get along with though she could be arbitrary sometimes. With a pure mind and beautiful appearance, she would not ask her husband to rob property from his brother.

To be honest, Mrs. Le had been hoping that Sheng Weiqiao could be introduced to marry Feng Zhiyi. However, she was favored by elders, and Feng Zhiyi was not a brilliant person. Thus, she didn't dare to say that.

That was an excellent chance to have a try, and Mrs. Le would not let it go. She tried her best to persuade Old Madam Zhan into that, “You have only one granddaughter, and sees her as an apple of your eye. However, as a girl, she must marry someone in the future. When getting married, she has to care much about the family of her husband. Even though she would still be in the county, she cannot visit the family of her mother usually, not to mention visiting you! In my view, we'd better let her marry one of our descendants, and she can be around you every day!”

Old Madam Zhan had felt happy because that could make them more closely. After knowing that she had mistaken her eldest daughter, she felt disappointed. Encouraged by Mrs. Le, she became hopeful again. Thinking for a while, she said, “I will send someone to Sheng Family quickly and make it clear. Then, I will tell them ideas about the eldest branch and let them discuss!”

Mrs. Le felt sad because Old Madam showed no explicit att.i.tudes for supporting. At least Old Madam didn't oppose, and she was close with Yinlu. Also, she was very kind to Sheng Weiqiao, and Mrs. Feng didn't want Weiqiao to be her daughter-in-law. There was a possibility that her son would marry Weiqiao, wasn't there?