In the early spring season, the harsh cold of winter gradually began to recede, and the sun’s warm currents lted the snow on the mountains, the dripping clear droplets heralding the arrival of spring.
Yueyao watched the willow trees sprout tender buds, and the branches undulated with the warm spring breeze. A brown bird flitted onto the branch of the willow tree, chirping noisily.
Watching Xiang Wei, whom she had finally coaxed outside, Yueyao laughed and said, "Even the birds are out and about. You’re still hiding under your quilt. Aren’t you embarrassed?"
Xiang Wei gave Yueyao a sidelong glance, "You may not be cold, but I am freezing." Staying out of the house to drink tea and eat pastries during this cold season rather than going out into the cold, she must be mad.
Yueyao ignored Xiang Wei’s muttering, "Get so more sun, don’t always stay cooped up inside." Yueyao even began to suspect that Xiang Wei was claiming it was too cold every day just so she could be a freeloader, not because of any lingering effects from an injury.
After three consecutive days of clear weather, the people from Ma’s Mansion also sent so items up the mountain. And there was new gossip, still about An Zhichen.
The old nanny, who had also spoken last ti, knew Xiang Wei loved gossip and hence told it with even more enthusiasm, "Three days ago, Third Young Master An got promoted again. He’s now a Fourth-Rank Military Commissioner Lord. A nineteen-year-old Military Commissioner Lord, there are few like him in Capital City. Now, the families wanting to propose marriage to Third Young Master An almost broke down his doorstep, but unfortunately, he has rejected all of them."
Xiang Wei raised her eyebrows and chuckled, "Has no one approached Marquis Weiyuan?" With the character of Marquis Weiyuan, it’d be odd if he didn’t interfere!
The old nanny chuckled and said, "How could he not be approached? But Third Young Master An has already declared he’ll handle his own marriage affairs, and he’ll not acknowledge any other engagents agreed to by soone else. There’s nothing wrong with that statent. Although Marquis Weiyuan is Third Young Master An’s birth father, he was adopted out, so he really shouldn’t be dictating everything. Upon hearing this, others dared not approach Marquis Weiyuan, but many still tried to influence through the Marquis’ household." Now, people outside are saying Marquis Weiyuan was foolish; once a son is adopted away, legally he is no longer his son. Attempting to exert paternal influence after adoption is just too late.
Xiang Wei was rather pleased to hear this.
The old nanny continued, "At the end of last year, soone insulted Young Master Tingzheng at a wedding event in the Lian family. That person even boasted about making things difficult for Young Master Tingzheng. But unexpectedly, that person was impeached by the Imperial Censor not long ago and has now been dismissed from his office."
Xiang Wei exclaid, "Was it ntioned whose doing this was?" Few officials are truly clean; if investigated, there’s always sothing to be found. Xiang Wei had intended to deal with that jerk once back in the capital, but it seed soone else had already made a move.
The old nanny grinned, "Rumors say that Lord Li, the Minister of Revenue, stood up for Young Master Tingzheng." It was well known to the people of Ma’s Mansion that Lord Li regarded Young Master Tingzheng as his own son. For Lord Li to stand up for Young Master Tingzheng was not surprising.
Xiang Wei appeared to be deep in thought.
After hesitating for a mont, the old nanny shared another rather explosive piece of gossip, "On the sixteenth of the first lunar month, Mu Family’s Eldest Miss married into the Mao family, but it is said that there was no blood on the wedding night. The Mao family claid the bride was unchaste and wished to send the miss back to her family. Sohow, there was no further noise about this, and now this matter is rampant with speculation."
If it weren’t for Xiang Wei being in the mountains, Yueyao might have suspected this was Xiang Wei’s doing. Yueyao lightly said, "It’s just a rumor after all." Although Yueyao disliked Qinglian, if there truly was no blood on the wedding night, Qinglian would be looked down upon for the rest of her life.
Seeing Yueyao’s displeased expression, the old nanny dared not continue. Xiang Wei, however, thought Yueyao was being dull and encouraged the nanny to go on.
Helplessly, Yueyao got up and returned to her room without paying any more attention to what the old nanny said. The old nanny secretly felt alard, everyone said Xiang Wei had Yueyao’s favor, but this wasn’t just favor; this was practically taking charge.
Two days later, soone from Marquis Jingning’s Residence brought so items over.
Xiang Wei said to Yueyao, "Miss, Madam plans to send soone to Ma’s Mansion to propose marriage in a few days. What do you think you should reply?"
Yueyao felt complicated. She couldn’t quite say she was delighted, but neither did she despise it. It just felt like a task that had to be completed. Yueyao couldn’t help but recall what her teacher had once said, marrying and bearing children is a stage of life. Without going through this stage, standing on the outside, one truly cannot comprehend the joys and sorrows within.
Seeing Yueyao silent for a long while, Xiang Wei asked tentatively, "Miss, you aren’t having second thoughts, are you?" Hopefully, she wouldn’t change her mind at the last minute.
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