Chapter 228 - 228 So Much for the Daughter of the Cui Family
228 So Much for the Daughter of the Cui Family
When Qu Lianghua returned to Pingyang County, he could not eat or drink all day. Even Qu Xin’er was in low spirits.
After Madam Qu found out from her husband that Qu Lianghua had fallen in love with Cui Lingyi at first sight and was rejected by her, she was very angry.
In the eyes of a mother, her son was the best. Cui Lingyi should be grateful that he had taken a fancy to a widow.
But she actually rejected him.
Madam Qu felt that Cui Lingyi was either arrogant or playing hard to get. She wanted to take her future mother-in-law down a notch.
Madam Qu did not want her to get what she wanted, so she immediately found the best matchmaker in Pingyang County to find a suitable wife for Qu Lianghua.
She had to find a virtuous daughter-in-law who would catch Qu Lianghua’s eye and make Cui Lingyi feel ashamed of herself.
Unexpectedly, it was as if Qu Lianghua was bewitched by Cui Lingyi. Even if Madam Qu praised the girl to the heavens, Qu Lianghua was unwilling to agree to the marriage.
Madam Qu thought of a way to arrange a blind date for Qu Lianghua with the excuse of going to Huaqing Temple to offer incense.
The blind date was Qu Yuanxian’s subordinate’s daughter, Li Keying. She was bright-looking and outstanding in housekeeping skills. Her personality was gentle and considerate. She was the person everyone wanted to get married to.
Through the servants, Lady Yun learned that Madam Qu wanted to arrange a blind date for Qu Lianghua. She was afraid that the new house mistress would not be able to accept the child in her stomach.
Even if the new house mistress wanted to marry into the family, she had to give birth to her child safely and live past three months first.
Lady Yun racked her brains and finally came up with a solution.
Qu Xin’er had already been raised astray by her. If Li Keying saw how difficult her future stepdaughter was to get along with, she would definitely not be willing to marry into the family.
After all, she was from a reputable family whom many people wanted to marry. If not for the fact that Qu Lianghua was County Magistrate Qu’s son, who would be willing to be a stepmother as soon as she married into the family?
Lady Yun used the same trick again to let Qu Xin’er know that Madam Qu wanted to arrange a marriage for Qu Lianghua.
After Qu Xin’er found out, she could not be bothered to be angry with Qu Lianghua and immediately requested to go to Huaqing Temple with Qu Lianghua to offer incense.
Qu Lianghua was kept in the dark by Madam Qu and did not know about the blind date.
Since Qu Xin’er had strongly requested to go to Huaqing Temple to offer incense to his deceased wife, he agreed immediately and was very glad that Qu Xin’er had become more mature.
When Madam Qu saw this scene, she could not stop Qu Xin’er from going to offer incense even if she wanted to.
As soon as they arrived at the temple, Madam Qu took Qu Xin’er away and secretly planned for Qu Lianghua and Li Keying to meet by coincidence.
Unexpectedly, Qu Xin’er slipped away from Madam Qu.
She even found Li Keying, who had just met Qu Lianghua in the crowd of Huaqing Temple, and scolded her for being a vixen.
Not only did she scold her a vixen, she also pushed the other party, almost pushing Li Keying to the ground.
Not only did such uncultured behavior not scare Li Keying away, but after she stabilized herself, she even asked her gently which family she was from and why she came out alone.
Having been deceived by Lady Yun before, Li Keying’s hypocritical attitude made Qu Xin’er feel that she was not easy to deal with.
She pushed Li Keying again.
The onlookers all mocked her for being ill-mannered, ruining her own reputation, and even hurting others.
Qu Lianghua’s face turned pale and dark. He apologized to Li Keying repeatedly and reprimanded Qu Xin’er in public.
Qu Xin’er ran away crying, whereas Qu Lianghua hurriedly chased after her.
Madam Qu was very satisfied with Li Keying’s gentle attitude towards Qu Xin’er.
When they returned home, she immediately used the excuse of Qu Xin’er slandering Li Keying to make Qu Lianghua take responsibility for Li Keying.
Unexpectedly, Qu Lianghua was determined to become a monk at Huaqing Temple if Madam Qu forced him to marry again.
This frightened Madam Qu.
Not only did she compromise and break off her marriage plans with the Li family, she also wanted to request for Cui Lingyi’s hand in marriage on his behalf.
Qu Lianghua could not stay single forever.
Li Keying had feelings for Qu Lianghua since she was young. When she found out that Madam Qu had given up on the marriage, she immediately got someone to spread news about how difficult and rude Qu Xin’er was.
She wanted to see where Madam Qu could find a better daughter-in-law than her.
Just as Li Keying was anxiously waiting for Madam Qu to regret and propose marriage to her family.
His eldest brother, Qu Liangyu, brought his two sons to Qinghe Academy to register.
After a few days, Qu Lianghua also brought Qu Xin’er and Madam Qu along.
Li Keying was dumbfounded. If Qu Lianghua left, what would she do?
Ever since Madam Qu married Qu Yuanxian, she had not suffered at all. The journey to Qinghe Academy was bumpy, and her muscles and bones felt like they were about to break.
She got out of the carriage and was slightly surprised to see the beautiful Youjia Village. Then, she expressed a look of regret. “It’s a pity that a good house like this is built in such a rural corner.”
Qu Liangyu, who welcomed her, said, “Mother, although Youjia Village is remote, the Qinghe Academy is here. Sooner or later, this place will not be inferior to the former Qinghe. At that time, even if we want to buy a house here, no one will be willing to sell it to us.”
Qu Yuanxian stayed in Qinghe for almost his entire childhood and only left after completing his education.
From time to time, he would sigh with emotion about his time in Qinghe and miss his deep friendship with the Cui brothers. Madam Qu naturally learned a lot about Qinghe.
For example, the housing prices near Qinghe Academy were as high as the imperial city under the emperor’s feet.
Moreover, Qinghe was known as the second home of all the scholars in the world.
When her son said that she would not be able to buy a house here in the future.
Madam Qu suddenly had the idea of buying a house.
In any case, even if her two sons had finished their education, her grandchildren still had to study here. It was naturally much better to have their own house than to live in someone else’s house.
Moreover, as soon as she got out of the carriage, she was very interested in the houses in the village. If the interior were equally satisfactory, Madam Qu planned to buy one house each for her two sons.
A house in the countryside definitely wouldn’t cost much money. She thought of the huge price appreciation in the future.
Madam Qu’s waist was no longer sore, and her legs were no longer weak.
At the door, Madam Cui greeted her with a smile. Madam Qu straightened her back and walked towards her, but her eyes were searching everywhere. Who would Cui Lingyi be?
After hearing from Madam Cui that Cui Lingyi did not come at all, Madam Qu’s expression instantly darkened.
The educated and sensible daughter of the Cui family was only so-so.
The guest had come a long way and she did not know to receive them.
Madam Qu’s impression of Cui Lingyi worsened.
Qu Lianghua did not see Qu Lingyi, and disappointment flashed across his eyes.
However, it did not matter. If he stayed in Qinghe Academy to study now, he would have many opportunities to see her in the future.
However, he hoped that Madam Qu would be able to successfully propose marriage for him.
This way, he could marry Cui Lingyi as soon as possible. As he studied, he could leave Qu Xin’er in her care.
On the other side, Cui Lingyi was sitting in the courtyard with Bai Wutong and breaking peanuts.
After beating out the dried peanuts and squeezing the oil, they would be able to eat the freshest peanut oil.
Cui Lingyi knew that Madam Qu would come that day, but Cui Lingyi was naturally unwilling to see them after Qu Lianghua had rudely confessed to her last time.
Besides, she was already married and lived alone. Even if she did not go to see Madam Qu, it was not considered rude.