Chapter 400 - Chapter 400: Meeting
Chapter 400: Meeting
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
When Madam Wu heard this, she recalled that after she returned to the capital, the people who came to propose marriage were either old widowers or lechers. She held Fan Wenzheng’s hand excitedly. “Master, if it really works, our Wanwan will be able to hold her head high and let those talkative people slap their own mouths.”
Fan Wenzheng felt proud just thinking about it. He smiled and held Madam Wu’s hand. “Madam is right. We can sleep well now.”
Madam Wu clasped her hands together and prayed to the heavens, “Heaven, please bless my Wanwan. Let her find a good husband!”
The next day, Zhou Jia brought Li Qing to the Fan family residence in General Alley to meet Fan Wenzheng with the gifts prepared by Li Yu.
Fan Wenzheng received the invitation and said happily to Madam Wu, “Madam, quickly prepare the tea. Lord Zhou is here with that child.” He hurriedly went out to welcome her.
Madam Wu hurriedly instructed the maidservant, “Shan Hu, quickly get Miss to dress up to meet the guests.”
“Yes, Madam.” Shan Hu withdrew.
After Madam Wu prepared the refreshments, Fan Wenzheng brought Zhou Jia and Li Qing to the main hall. Madam Wu recognized at a glance that Li Qing was the Third Honors Scholar who charmed the street parade that day. Madam Wu was so happy that her mouth could not close.
When Fan Wenzheng saw Zhou Jia and Li Qing coming personally, he knew that the marriage would definitely be successful. He was so happy that he wanted to throw his head back and laugh.
After a round of polite greetings, both parties sat down. Zhou Jia did not stand on ceremony and went straight to the point to explain his intentions. Both families had the intention to get married, so they naturally hit it off.
Zhou Jia smiled and said, “Lord Fan, Madam Fan, I’ll be honest with you. After
Ah Qing got onto Golden Ranking List, many people came to propose marriage. In order not to offend anyone, we want to settle the marriage of the two children as soon as possible. I wonder what the two of you are thinking?”
The Fan couple was about to speak when Shanhu came over and reported in Madam Wu’s ear, “Madam, Miss wants to meet Young Master Li personally to talk to him before discussing the marriage.”
When Madam Wu heard this, she felt that it was unreasonable. Thinking of the grievances her daughter had suffered all these years, she still told Fan
Wenzheng about Fan Mingfang’s request. After pondering for a moment, Fan Wenzheng cupped his hands at Zhou Jia and said, “Lord Zhou, my daughter requests to meet Young Master Li to say a few words. What do you think?”
When Zhou Jia heard this, he glanced at Li Qing. Li Qing felt that it was good to meet her and nodded. “Alright, please lead the way.”
Madam Wu instructed Shanhu to bring Li Qing to the garden. There was a cluster of Xiangfei Bamboo planted in the corner of the Fan family’s garden. There were also a few banana leaves. At the end of the stone path was a pavilion. A slender girl was standing there. When she saw Li Qing, she bent her knees and bowed to him. “Greetings, Young Master Li.”
Li Qing cupped his hands and said, “Greetings, Miss Fan. May I know why you want to see me?”
Fan Mingfang bowed apologetically and said, “Mr. Li, I want to make some things clear to you before you consider whether to get engaged to me.”
Li Qing glanced at the candid Fan Mingfang and smiled. ‘Miss Fan, you want to tell me about the rumors about you…” Li Qing felt that he couldn’t say it. “You don’t have to care. Lord Fan has already mentioned it to my brother-in-law. We don’t think it’s your fault. If you wanted to see me because of this, you can rest assured. If you’re doing it for something else…”
Fan Mingfang looked at Li Qing and said, “That’s exactly why I wanted to speak with you. Thank you. I’m willing to marry into your family.”
Li Qing suddenly felt that it was not bad to marry such a wife. At the very least, she was not the melodramatic woman that his classmates complained about. Li Qing smiled at Fan Mingfang. “Miss Fan, please take care of me in the future.”
Fan Mingfang also had a good impression of Li Qing and looked forward to the future. She smiled and returned the greeting. “Please take care of me for the rest of my life, Mr. Li.”
Shanhu stood at the side and watched as her young lady and Young Master Li placed themselves in each other’s hands. She pursed her lips and smiled.
Li Qing bade farewell to Fan Mingfang and returned to the main hall. He bowed to Fan Wenzheng and his wife and said, “Uncle, Auntie, please allow Ah Qing to invite a matchmaker to propose marriage.”
Fan Wenzheng and Madam Wu kept nodding happily. “Alright, alright. We’ll wait for you.” Zhou Jia and Li Qing came out after bidding farewell to the Fan family and got into the carriage to head back. Zhou Jia looked at Li Qing and smiled. “How do you feel about seeing your wife?”
Thinking of Miss Fan, Li Qing blushed and his heart skipped a beat. “Not bad, right? She should be an easy woman to get along with.”
Zhou Jia smiled proudly. “Your sister’s intuition is very good and she’s very good at judging people. Just look at Brother-in-law and you’ll know.”
“Sigh!” Li Qing pointed at Zhou Jia and smiled. “I remember that it was you who pestered my sister! At that time, you even followed my sister to pick tea fruits and bewitched her to do business together. Brother-in-law, tell me honestly, when did you start having designs on my sister?”
Zhou Jia thought of Li Yu rolling her eyes at him and the small hand that reached out to him. He still remembered that although that small hand was a little rough, it was very warm and strong. Could this be love at first sight?
Zhou Jia looked at Li Qing and said seriously, “To be precise, it started with your sister rolling her eyes at me. Do you believe it?”
Li Qing looked at Zhou Jia’s serious expression and said seriously, “I believe you.”
Li Yu saw Laidi at home. She hadn’t seen her for a few years. After seeing her, she felt that she had changed. When she spoke, her eyes flickered, and there were even worry and resentment in them. She was no longer as optimistic and cheerful as before.
When Laidi saw Li Yu, she thought to herself that her cousin had become a First-grade Madam, and her cousin-in-law is an official. Her family is doing well and can even live in a good house in the capital. Moreover, it was rewarded by the emperor. How glorious was it? When could she live such a life?
The two of them sat and chatted. After a while, Laidi complained to Li Yu, “Cousin, you don’t know that after Fengqi and I got married, I wanted to come to the capital to look for Ah Qing. Mother didn’t tell me your address. Mother didn’t like Fengqi and even urged my father to dislike him. Now, they’re not even willing to see me. This time, they didn’t even send me off. Cousin, write a
letter to my mother and help me persuade her not to be biased against Fengqi. Cousin, believe that my Fengqi is really a good person. He really didn’t use me.”
Li Yu saw that Laidi’s eyes were darting around as she spoke. Her words pushed all the blame onto her aunt and framed the person who treated her best as an enemy. She felt that she had grown a smart face in vain.
Li Yu quietly pulled her hand out of Laidi’s hand and looked into her eyes. “Your man will accompany you for the rest of your life. It’s fine as long as you think he’s good. You don’t need unrelated people to believe you. Also, your mother didn’t abandon you in the past when life was tough. Now that her life is better, why doesn’t she like you anymore? You must have done something to make her sad. If your husband is really as good as you say, prove it with practical actions. In time, she will definitely forgive you.”
Laidi didn’t know why she didn’t dare to look Li Yu in the eye. She dodged and said, “Cousin, why are you unrelated? I’m the closest to you. If you don’t help me, no one will help me.. Also, Fengqi…’