Chapter 66:
What a twenty-seven-year-old.
Xie Shu’s face darkened somewhat, no longer even polite, and he said directly: “Then does the Young Lord know how old this marquis’s daughter is? She is only sixteen.”
Madam Zheng beside him hurriedly covered her slightly twitching lip corner with a handkerchief, quite helpless.
Her husband’s tone was just like their own daughter being eyed by some awful old man.
But clearly the person standing before them was outstanding in appearance and demeanor, upright in posture, and by birth one of the most noble in the Capital City.
If one ignored the age, he was absolutely the top choice for a son-in-law.
Where was he so unbearable?
Pei Yuqing listened to his future father-in-law’s tone, which could be called mocking, and felt increasingly embarrassed, but fortunately he had prepared when he came. Upon hearing this, he gently lifted his slightly lowered head.
Under the gazes of Xie Shu and Madam Zheng, he reached out to lift the hem of his robe and actually knelt straight down.
“To not deceive you two, before meeting your daughter, this junior had no intention of taking a wife in this lifetime. After meeting her, though I was troubled by the age difference, I was even more grateful that I had not compromised with my parents’ orders to marry and have children.”
If he had obeyed his parents’ orders early and married at the appropriate age, then when they first met, there would have been another woman by his side.
How would he face his own sudden heartbeat and the affection that arose involuntarily?
He was grateful that perhaps some spiritual intuition from fate had reminded him that later he would meet such a little young lady, liking what she liked, unable to bear not offering her the best things to win her smile.
Thinking of that heart-stirring young lady, the embarrassment in Pei Yuqing’s heart rapidly dissipated, turning sour and warm.
He straightened his back, his gaze restrained and solemn, his voice gentle and slow: “This junior knows he is many years older than your daughter. Apart from this matter which I am powerless to change, in all else I will not let her suffer the slightest grievance. I can swear to heaven: if I take Xie Wanning as my wife, in this lifetime only her alone, I will cherish her as a pearl or treasure. If I violate this oath, let me suffer the pain of the unobtainable life after life.”
As his words fell, the hall suddenly quieted.
Even the servants standing in the corner with lowered heads and obedient attendance raised their heads in shock upon hearing this, let alone Xie Shu and Madam Zheng the couple.
Why had their family’s young lady’s previous marriage engagement been broken off?
Wasn’t it because of that Lu Family boy’s romantic scandal right before the wedding?
Wanwan herself had said she had little tolerance and only wished to find a husband like her father, who would not take a second wife, only one wife.
But counting the high-door mansions in the Capital City, which young master’s side did not have intimate maidservants warming his bed from their teens, surrounded by warbling songbirds and swallows?
The rule of only taking a concubine after thirty, in noble military families, only the Xie Family had it.
It was a family rule brought from Xiangzhou when they moved to the capital, and even that only stipulated no concubines before thirty.
Xie Shu and his brothers were over thirty and still had no thought of taking a concubine: one, because they were upright and did not indulge in women; two, because their affection with their wife was deep, the family harmonious and happy, unwilling to let a concubine disturb the peace.
The back courtyard of Xuanping Marquis’s Estate being this clean was a rare thing.
Men’s nature is to love beauty and desire heavily; those well-born young masters of prominent families who lacked neither money nor power—who else could make them suppress their nature?
Wasn’t that against human nature?
Xie Shu and Madam Zheng both knew their family’s Wanwan was truly determined to find a young master who would be devoted solely to her, and also pass muster in birth, ability, talent, looks—everything.
Truly as hard as ascending to heaven.
The couple exchanged a glance, both understanding the thoughts in each other’s hearts.
Xie Shu cleared his throat lightly and said: “Nephew, please rise.”
Pei Yuqing rose as instructed and took his seat.
Madam Zheng instructed the servants to refill the tea and smiled: “Nephew, we already understand your feelings, but there is still one matter…”
Pei Yuqing nodded respectfully: “Please ask.”
Since she had the thought of marrying off her daughter, with a mother’s compassionate heart, Madam Zheng did not stand on ceremony with him and asked directly: “Are the rumors in the Capital City over the years true?”
Those rumors said the Young Lord of Duke Pei’s Mansion would not live past thirty, and he was already twenty-seven…
“Three parts true, seven parts false,” Pei Yuqing smiled warmly and said slowly: “This junior was weak from childhood, that is true, but after years of careful conditioning, now only the heart condition is hard to eradicate. You two elders can rest assured: as long as there is no great joy or sorrow stirring the mind, the heart condition is no major issue.”
He was already so many years older than her; if he truly would not live past thirty, how would he dare provoke that flower-bud-like little young lady.
Xie Shu stroked his beard in thought, silent for a long time, still hesitant in his heart.
A heart condition could be major or minor; one misstep and his family’s young lady would become a widow—no wonder he had to be cautious.
Madam Zheng glanced at her husband, using her round fan to cover her lips, whispering softly: “Why not ask Wanwan her own feelings? If she does not agree, even if you agree it is useless.”
In other words, if the daughter herself was fond of him, they probably could not oppose it no matter how much they tried.
So for this matter, their precious youngest daughter’s feelings were most important.
…………
Xie Wanning was sleeping sweetly with her eyes closed when Er Xia gently woke her.
Mama Li had received orders and come personally. Seeing her awake, she hurriedly came close: “Madam instructs: please, Young Lady, dress neatly and follow this servant to the reception hall.”
The person who had just woken was still a bit dazed. Xie Wanning slowly sat up straight and said slowly: “Does Mother have something?”
As she said this, the person about to get out of bed stopped her action and finally came fully awake.
She turned her head and asked: “Reception hall?”
Mama Li took an outer garment for her to change into and replied: “Yes, the reception hall.”
She looked at her little mistress, her tone carrying a hint of reproach: “You did not tell Madam in advance either. Young Lord Pei suddenly visiting truly left people at a loss.”
Mama Li was Madam Zheng’s dowry mama, having watched the two little masters grow up. Though she did not rely on age to bully, her words were much closer than other servants’.
Xie Wanning did not mind her reproach at all. Hearing this, she lowered her eyes somewhat uncomfortably, her heartbeat chaotic for a few beats.
That person acted fast enough; she had just taken a nap, and he had already reported to her parents?
Since they were calling her over…
That meant her parents had passed, and they wanted her to give her stance?
Xie Wanning thought this and that all the way, arriving at the front courtyard in a soft sedan.
The door to the reception hall was open. Before she got out of the sedan, the gazes of the several people inside all looked over.
In half a day apart, the little young lady had changed clothes again: a peach-red brocade skirt, a pearl hairpin in her hair, one hand holding a beauty round fan, the other lifting her skirt hem as she walked this way. Every movement exuded pure grace and liveliness; she was a naturally formed beauty.
What a beautiful young lady; no wonder she made the Young Lord of Duke Pei’s Mansion, who had no heart for marriage for years, take the initiative to kneel and beg for her hand.
Xie Shu and Madam Zheng both showed pride on their faces at having a daughter come of age.
Pei Yuqing, however, watched somewhat dazedly as the little young lady walked prettily step by step to stand before him.
“Hey!” Xie Wanning waved a hand before his eyes, tilting her head and smiling at him: “Come back to your senses, Pei Changqing.”
Xie Shu/Madam Zheng: “…”
Pei Yuqing came back to his senses with a start, realizing he had just stared at the young lady. His expression froze slightly, his eyelashes trembled lightly. Looking at her teasing expression, he helplessly called, “Wanwan.”
Xie Wanning’s eyebrows lifted slightly, her lip corner curving in a beautiful arc as she tilted her face to look at him, no longer teasing.
This person had thin skin; acting so bold and lustful before elders, for him to hold back from blushing was already beyond her expectations.
She had originally thought that with such teasing, he would be so ashamed he wished to die.
Their exchange had an air as if no one else was present, their gazes flowing with the look of lovers.
Xie Shu’s heart thumped, finally understanding Madam’s words from earlier.
He had said it!
Clearly they could have sent him off and privately asked their daughter’s feelings—why call him over now to ask on the spot!
Turns out his flower-like delicate young lady had not only long been eyed by someone but action had already been taken.
Fast enough hands—how long had it been since the broken engagement!
Look at him, a big man making such a shy and bashful expression—truly disgraceful.
Xie Shu fumed inwardly, his gaze stabbing out like knives ‘swish swish’.
Pei Yuqing, so perceptive, instantly composed his expression, not daring to appear too frivolous again.
Married over twenty years, Madam Zheng understood her pillow companion deeply and knew he was annoyed right now that his girl was grown and not staying in the nest.
Had she not had such thoughts herself? But a young lady always had to marry; as long as the daughter liked him and was happy in marriage, it was fine.
Thinking this way, Madam Zheng beckoned to her daughter: “Wanwan, come.”
She reached out to smooth her daughter’s sweat-dampened temple hair, fanning the young lady whose forehead had a thin layer of sweat, and said gently: “Do you know why Mother called you here?”
Xie Wanning sat leaning against her mother, her eyes falling on the youth sitting properly beside them, and smiled brightly: “I know.”
The instant Pei Yuqing’s gaze met hers, he turned his face away; his fingers hidden in his sleeve slowly curled from nervousness.
As long as she nodded…
As long as she nodded, their marriage engagement…
Hearing his daughter’s charming sweet voice, Xie Shu snorted heavily: “His coming to propose marriage—surely you two discussed it privately first. Weren’t you at the farmhouse yesterday? When did you discuss it?”
A string of questions smashed down, and Xie Wanning blinked guiltily.
She was not good at lying to her parents. Hearing this, she paused slightly and said dryly: “Ran into him at the farmhouse and discussed it a bit.”
Treating such a major marriage matter so casually.
This time not only the old father Xie Shu was dissatisfied, even Pei Yuqing was a little unhappy.
Madam Zheng lifted her round fan and tapped her daughter’s forehead: “Speak properly.”
She did not pursue whether her daughter had privately promised lifetime with an outsider or discuss marriage further, but asked directly: “Young Lord Pei intends to take you as Young Lord’s Consort. What do you think?”
The vast hall unconsciously quieted.
The atmosphere inexplicably tense, especially for Pei Yuqing.
Clearly they had already discussed it last night, but he still had no confidence; his heart felt gripped tightly by great force, even his breathing held.
Xie Wanning blinked, slowly reining in her expression, no longer playful but nodding seriously: “I will marry.”
Two words, gentle and firm.
Pei Yuqing’s fingers, nearly embedded in his flesh, loosened slightly; the light in his eyes shone brightly.
Ignoring the two elders beside him, his gaze boldly fixed on that young lady, no longer with the earlier measured propriety and courtesy.
Xie Shu’s face darkened again. Ignoring the person involved right there, he spoke disparagingly: “He is so much older; what did you see in him?”
Xie Wanning was silent for a moment and said: “He is good-looking.”
Xie Shu choked, but he could not refute this at all. Thinking, he gritted his teeth: “He also has a heart condition; cannot have great sorrow or joy, cannot overwork or worry.”
Xie Wanning weakly glanced at her ashen-faced father and said carefully: “But he is really good-looking.”
Xie Shu: “…”
His fingers trembled, and he pointed hatefully at his daughter’s brow: “You just like that he is good-looking? He is twenty-seven this year—how many more years can he stay good-looking?”
Pei Yuqing: “…”
Xie Wanning was also a bit unhappy. She gently swatted away her father’s hand: “People without worries do not age easily. Look at him—where does he look twenty-seven? Besides, I lack for nothing; for a future husband, if not for looks, what else?”
She was born into a honey pot; from young, what she ate and used was all exquisite, lacking nothing, wanting nothing. Of course finding a husband had to satisfy her.
Before, liking Lu Ziyan so much—besides years of childhood sweethearts affection, part of it was also because of that face of his, growing ever more stern and compelling.
Her tone serious: “After marriage, facing each other day and night—just looking at his face, daughter can eat an extra bowl of rice per meal.”
If it were someone ugly, she could not bear to look straight at him—no matter how young, healthy, devoted, or affectionate, she could not force herself to accept.
Xie Shu slammed the table: “Absurd!”
“You are so shallow!”
How had he not realized his precious beloved daughter was so obsessed with appearances.
These years always warmly pursuing that Lu Family boy—was it all for that face?
The young master was livid, but Madam Zheng beside him could not help covering her lips in laughter, giving her daughter an exasperated glance: “Determined? Going to change your mind this time?”
Xie Wanning nodded: “Determined.”
“Very well,” Madam Zheng’s gaze turned to the youth who had been silent for a while and smiled: “The Xie Family agrees to this marriage engagement. Nephew, you may choose a day to come formally propose.”
Pei Yuqing stood, respectfully saying yes.
Madam Zheng raised her hand: “Sit; no need for such formality.”
Perhaps as mother-in-law looking at son-in-law, the more she looked, the more pleasing he seemed.
Xie Wanning’s words had infuriated the old father to smoke from seven orifices, but as an old mother, Madam Zheng quite agreed.
Their family’s young lady had money if she wanted, looks if she wanted. Though the engagement was broken, she was still a noble lady fought over by hundreds.
Stepping back ten thousand li, even if daughter did not marry and specially kept a few intimate male companions to live out her days, Madam Zheng would approve.
Anyway, she did not seek her daughter to climb high branches or marry into high-door great households to form marriage ties for the Xie Family; only wished her daughter a smooth life, everything as she wished.
Now since she had decided to marry, not for money, not for power, she had to seek something, right?
Looking across the Capital City, this Young Lord Pei’s looks were top among the top; her daughter truly had good taste.
Thinking this way, even more satisfied, Madam Zheng said again: “My family’s Wanwan breaking off the engagement with Wuyuan Marquis’s Estate caused huge waves in the Capital City. For your visit this time, does Princess Duanyang know?”
“A major marriage matter—how dare I visit without informing both parents.” Pei Yuqing answered the details seriously and added: “They only hope I marry soon. This junior has one presumptuous request; please grant it, you two.”
Two chapters combined; today’s promised three chapters for dear ones still one short, coming right up. Also, votes please~~~
