0p0 Chapter 730 The Engagement!
Chapter 730 The Engagement!
Three days later, Duanmu Chuze and Mu Xinnuan set off on their journey early in the morning.
The city gates had barely opened when their group left the capital.
This is what Mu Xin Nuan meant; she didn't want to see her loved ones seeing her off in such a sorrowful and mournful manner.
Not only did it cause sadness, it also made people reluctant to part, and shed a few more tears of sorrow.
Before leaving, Mu Xin Nuan returned to the Mu residence one last time, bringing some gifts for her family. She didn't want to get too involved in the affairs of the second branch of the family, nor did she have the inclination to do so.
So when she returned to the Mu family that day, she didn't think too much about it. She just sat with her grandfather for a while, then handed all the gifts to her mother, who then distributed them one by one.
To be honest, she really didn't want to see any of the second wife's family.
Of course, children are an exception.
On the carriage, Mu Xin Nuan was feeling somewhat down.
Anyone who has to leave their loved ones again, and who doesn't know when they'll see them again, won't be too happy.
Mu Xin Nuan is a person who values family, so his mood was particularly low.
Duanmu Chuze knew her personality, so he didn't say much. He just held Xiao Zonghua and teased him from time to time, while his other hand was always around Mu Xinnuan's waist.
Such a subtle movement made Mu Xin Nuan realize that Duanmu Chu Ze was worried about her.
Thinking about how I felt along the way, I imagine my expression must have been quite unpleasant, right?
I wonder if it scared Xiao Zonghua?
"Zonghua, come here to your mother."
Duanmu Chuze placed Zonghua on a blanket nearby, and little Zonghua crawled towards Mu Xinnuan, babbling softly.
"How are you? Feeling better now?"
Mu Xin Nuan's expression stiffened slightly, then she smiled somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry for making you worry."
"What nonsense! Don't talk such things! Come here, Xiao Zonghua, give your mother a kiss."
Along the way, they stopped and started, and under Zong Hua's influence, Mu Xin Nuan's emotions quickly recovered.
Unbeknownst to Mu Xin Nuan, a major event occurred in the capital city shortly after they left.
Xie San, the illegitimate son of the Xie family, whose real name is Xie Qingkuan, has always been kept on a farm outside the city to recuperate from illness, supposedly because his health is too poor, so he has never been engaged.
That day, the head of the Xie family had just finished court and had not yet returned to his residence when he encountered several colleagues talking together.
Soon, the conversation naturally turned to Commander Yu Shaojiang, who revealed that due to his upright character, even in middle age, his future prospects were still not very promising.
However, he is quite fortunate to have a daughter, who is especially lovable.
Upon further inquiry, it was learned that Yu Shaojiang only had one wife and had never taken a concubine. His two maids who served him in his private quarters had never conceived.
Therefore, in the Yu family, there were only legitimate sons and daughters.
As for the Miss Yu they just mentioned, she is Yu Shaojiang's only daughter. It is said that she is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her talent is no less than that of the Princess Consort of Chang Le back then.
Upon hearing this, the Xie family head's mind stirred.
Soon, one of his close subordinates said, "Lord Xie, such a wonderful woman, why don't you consider sending someone to propose marriage and bring her home as your daughter-in-law?"
The other person shook his head and said, "The person is indeed good, but it's a pity that his father's rank is too low, just a minor official of the fourth rank. Moreover, I heard that none of his ancestors held any high-ranking positions, so he probably wouldn't be able to handle big occasions."
Xie's brow relaxed, and he chuckled, stroking his beard. "It just so happens that my good-for-nothing third son has never been married. If you don't mind, why don't you come over and act as a go-between?"
Everyone was taken aback, realizing that both of Xie's sons were already married. Although Xie's family was of high status, the Yu family was not the kind of family that would be treated so easily. Therefore, they would naturally not offer themselves up to become concubines.
Now that they heard him mention the Third Young Master, everyone remembered that the Xie family did indeed have a Third Young Master, but he had always claimed to be ill and had never been seen.
Soon, someone agreed to the matter, and the next evening, he went to Yu's house for drinks under the pretext of drinking. Under the influence of alcohol, he made his intentions clear.
After a moment of hesitation, Yu Shaojiang smiled and agreed. In the end, he only said that when marrying off his daughter, he should ask his wife for her opinion.
However, since he, as the head of the family, agreed, it can be considered a done deal.
After the visitor left, Yu Shaojiang smiled slightly and shook his head. "It seems my elder brother was right. The Xie family really doesn't have any hope for the Third Young Master Xie. That's fine too. At least my daughter will be a legitimate wife when she marries him."
Soon, the marriage between the Xie and Yu families was finalized, and the engagement ceremony was held.
Although Madam Xie was unwilling, since her husband had agreed, she naturally couldn't say anything.
Moreover, although the other party is the legitimate daughter, she is still just the daughter of a fourth-rank official. What abilities could she possibly have?
Once she marries into the household, won't she be able to do whatever she wants?
Madam Xie's plan was good, but unfortunately, things always turn out differently than she expected.
The wedding date was set, and Madam Xie deliberately set the date very close to date in order to show her affection for her young lady. To put it bluntly, it was nothing more than to show those high-ranking officials and nobles how much she, as the legal mother, valued this illegitimate son.
However, any matriarch would know that this was a sign of her indifference and dislike towards Xie San, and that's why she did it on purpose.
Master Xie, of course, wouldn't get bogged down in such trivial matters and paid no attention to them.
With the wedding date fast approaching, the Xie family should send the betrothal gifts to the Yu family.
That day, Madam Xie was looking at the list. A total of sixteen loads of betrothal gifts had been prepared. Although it was a bit small, Madam Xie knew that no one in the Xie family had ever valued this illegitimate son. Therefore, no one would object to her preparations.
Moreover, the other party is just a small family, and these betrothal gifts are already quite substantial.
Unexpectedly, before he could finish checking everything on the list, Master Xie returned home without even changing his clothes, and went straight to the backyard.
"Master, you've returned so early today?"
"Hmm, I remember you said yesterday that you would send betrothal gifts to the Yu family tomorrow?" Master Xie's expression was somewhat anxious.
"Yes, sir. This is the gift list, and I'm checking it one by one."
Madam Xie didn't understand why her husband had suddenly become so concerned about the marriage of a son born out of wedlock, so she answered cautiously.
Master Xie walked past her, picked up the list, and his face immediately stiffened.
"Sir, is something amiss?"
"Is that all?" Master Xie's voice clearly carried a hint of anger.
Madam Xie dared not argue with him and said softly, "My lord, Xie San is just a son of a concubine, and the other party is from a humble family. Therefore, I think..."
Before she could finish speaking, she saw the old man's angry face.