Madam Tang gazed at Yueyao with so envy, easily forging a connection with the imperial kinsfolk. Yueyao’s luck was truly extraordinary.
Ma Linlin hadn’t thought so far ahead, but she was happy for Yueyao to have such impressive elder martial brothers, "Yueyao, now that you have such powerful two elder martial brothers, those people won’t dare to bully you anymore, will they?" The matter of the annulnt made Ma Linlin convinced that the Shen family mbers were all despicable, and a few days ago at the banquet, she had heavily ridiculed Shen Pinlan. Although Zhuang Ruolan had punished her afterwards, she had no regrets.
Yueyao smiled and said, "My elder martial brothers are quite good to ." Today, Yueyao had received quite a few gifts, and none of them were light.
Zhuang Ruolan, however, cautioned with a smile, "Eldest Miss, such words must not be spoken again in the future. In a few more months, you’ll be married off to another family, and a husband’s family is not like your natal family. You must think carefully before you speak, discerning what should and shouldn’t be said." Who was right or wrong in this matter wasn’t clear; even if the Shen family knew that Mr. Yu Shan would accept Yueyao as his closed-door disciple, they couldn’t withstand the Su family’s pressure. However, with such a strong support, Yueyao would have an easier ti with future marriage proposals.
Ma Linlin admitted her mistake with a good attitude, "Eldest sister-in-law, I understand."
Yueyao was sowhat tired and after speaking a few words, she returned to Begonia Garden.
After Madam Tang and Ma Linlin left, Cai Yun hesitated for a mont before finally saying, "Madam, I think the way Second Madam looked at Miss Yao was not quite right."
Zhuang Ruolan had also noticed Madam Tang’s expression and could roughly guess what she was thinking. Now that Yueyao had annulled the engagent, the urgent task was to secure another favorable marriage. Madam Tang was probably contemplating this matter, "Madam Tang is a smart person, and the Tang Family are rchants; even if Yueyao annuls her engagent, she’s still beyond the Tang Family’s reach." If Madam Tang wanted to arrange a marriage, she would definitely seek a match of equal social standing.
When Madam Tang heard Yueyao ntion Zhou Xi’s status, her heart was imdiately stirred. Such a powerful backing, if she could secure it, her future would be bright indeed.
Su Zhu hesitated and asked, "Madam, do you think Miss Yao would be fond of Young Master (cousin)?" In her opinion, Miss Yao was too proud and might not be interested.
Madam Tang smiled and said, "Let’s talk about this matter after next year’s spring imperial examination. If my third cousin passes the spring imperial examination, then I can properly propose the marriage." Madam Tang was referring to her maternal aunt’s son, Zhu Hang, nineteen years old and already a Juren (Successful Candidate). The Zhu Family was very wealthy, and Zhu Hang was also hardworking and ambitious. The reason why the Zhu Family hadn’t engaged Zhu Hang yet was that they were waiting for him to beco a Palace Graduate and thus obtain a beneficial marriage. Although Yueyao was an orphan, having Mr. Yu Shan as a teacher and the Ma Family’s support was enough.
Yueyao had just caught her breath when Xi Yu rushed over anxiously and said, "Miss, soone from the palace is here; the Empress Dowager has sent soone." Xi Yu was as excited as if she had been injected with chicken blood. Over the past two years, the Miss had received many things from the palace, but this was the first ti the Empress Dowager personally issued a decree.
Yueyao was still dressed appropriately, so she imdiately took people to the front hall.
After the two eunuchs finished reading the Empress Dowager’s oral decree, the Empress Dowager summoned Yueyao to the palace without ntioning anything more. Yueyao didn’t think too much of it and just assud that Mingzhu missed her and therefore sought the Empress Dowager’s intervention.
Zhuang Ruolan hurriedly had the Chief Steward Ma Yuan see the two eunuchs out. On the way, the Chief Steward stuffed a thick red envelope into the eunuchs’ hands. Although her family’s Old Master was a third-rank official, receiving a decree like this was still a first for them.
Zhuang Ruolan said to Yueyao, "Yueyao, there are many matters to be aware of when entering the palace, so later I’ll have the nanny speak with you in detail." Over the past two years, the palace had occasionally sent gifts to Yueyao, although they were nominally from Mingzhu, but certainly, they were also approved by the Empress Dowager. Probably, the Empress Dowager wanted to see Yueyao because of her recent acceptance as Mr. Yu Shan’s closed-door disciple.
Upon hearing the news of Yueyao’s summons to the palace, Madam Tang grew even more eager. She had witnessed the care Marquis Jingning’s Residence had provided for Yueyao these two years, "It seems I must speak with my maternal aunt about this matter as soon as possible." If her aunt agreed, she would have to communicate with her father-in-law to avoid any impropriety should the arrangent be settled with soone else.
Yet Su Zhu held a different opinion, "Madam, I think this matter should be delayed. Given Miss Yao’s current situation, she isn’t likely to discuss marriage imdiately. Let’s wait until Young Master (cousin) becos a Palace Graduate, and then we can speak with the Eldest Madam about it. Let’s first allow the Eldest Madam to sound out Miss Yao. If Miss Yao agrees, then we can speak with the Great Grandfather." Su Zhu felt that Yueyao was soone who had proper principles, and if they spoke with the Great Grandfather before obtaining her agreent and he consented while Miss Yao did not, it would be inappropriate.
After so thought, Madam Tang conceded, "Hmm, your consideration is right."
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