Chengteng returned from the Yan, having heard that the Heir to Marquis Yongding’s family had co to propose for his niece. His forehead wrinkled with joy, a few less than before.
Chengteng’s smile widened upon hearing that Zhuang Ruolan had not accepted on the spot, and he hurriedly said, "This is a match made in heaven, why didn’t you accept it right away? No matter, I will go to the Marquis’ household myself tomorrow, no, right now." Such a good marriage should be secured quickly, lest soone else steps in first and we regret it forever.
Although Ma Peng thought this was an excellent marriage proposal, it seed too good to be true, and as the saying goes, anything out of the ordinary is suspicious. Cautious by nature, he suggested, "Dad, we should maybe first find out why Marquis Yongding ca proposing. If we don’t know why his family ca asking for Yueyao, I think we should keep an observant attitude. Marriage is a lifeti matter; one wrong step can ruin your whole life."
But Chengteng thought Ma Peng was overthinking it: "Such a good marriage proposal is hard to find, what is there to think about? They must be fond of your cousin. Do you think your cousin has anything else that Marquis Yongding’s Family could possibly sche for?"
Ma Peng reflected and conceded the point, though still cautious: "Dad, Yueyao has always been decisive. We should still listen to her opinion."
Chengteng, however, felt there was no need to ask, such a good marriage being too good to pass up unless one was out of their senses: "No need to ask her, I have decided."
That was when Zhuang Ruolan timidly said, "Father-in-law, I just asked Yueyao. Yueyao has refused, and she asked to reject the proposal."
Chengteng was nearly breathless with shock, his voice rising sharply, "What? Yueyao refused? With such an excellent proposal, what does she plan to do?"
Ma Peng remained calm: "Dad, Yueyao has always been determined. If she refuses, there must be a reason. Dad, you should ask Yueyao why she refuses."
Chengteng bellowed, "Soone, quickly bring Cousin Miss here!" Such a good opportunity, why would this foolish girl refuse it.
Yueyao spoke calmly, "Uncle, I do not agree with this marriage proposal."
Chengteng, driven to distress, his hair whitening, said, "You foolish child, do you know how many people are practically breaking down Marquis Yongding’s doors to propose? The Heir to Marquis Yongding is talented in both literature and the military, nobly born, extrely modest, and of good temperant. Yueyao, such a good marriage proposal is hard to find; you must not be foolish now. Once this chance is gone, it is gone forever."
Yueyao, seeing her uncle’s anxious expression, felt a warmth in her heart: "Uncle, I know you want what’s best for , and I acknowledge that this is an excellent marriage proposal. If I agreed, once married into the Marquis’ household, I would enjoy a lifeti of glory and wealth."
Seeing Yueyao’s expression, Chengteng’s mood likewise softened: "Since you know this, why won’t you accept the marriage proposal?"
Yueyao spoke gently, "Uncle, I want to beco soone like Mr. Yu Shan. No matter how good the Heir to Marquis Yongding is, I will not marry him. The Marquis’ household is too complicated, and if I marry there, I won’t have ti to paint anymore."
Chengteng cald down imdiately upon hearing Yueyao’s words: "Yueyao, do you realize, holding such thoughts, it would be very difficult..." Chengteng couldn’t bring himself to say that it would be difficult for her to marry.
Yueyao smiled faintly, "Uncle, Mr. Yu Shan said that as long as I persist, I won’t need ten years to reach his level." Yueyao ant that with ti, she could beco a Great Painter renowned throughout the land.
Zhuang Ruolan was shocked to hear this. She hadn’t realized that Yueyao’s ambitions were so lofty. No wonder she was indifferent to marriage proposals over the past six months.
Chengteng’s mouth beca dry: "Yueyao, girls are supposed to get married! You can’t miss out on a lifeti because you love painting."
Yueyao shook her head, "Uncle, if I can establish a na for myself in the world of painting, I will be rembered for ages. Conversely, if I must marry and then confine myself to the inner house to manage household affairs and educate children, that would be a life more painful than death." Yueyao was very firm in her stance.
Chengteng shook his head, "No, absolutely not." How could one forgo marriage just to paint? No matter what, he wouldn’t agree.
Yueyao calmly said, "Uncle, life is a fleeting few decades. It passes in the blink of an eye. To struggle for one’s ideals, I find it deeply aningful. To ask to marry and later manage the husband’s family’s affairs, that would be more torturous than death."
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