Chapter 428 Surveillance
His mother-in-law came to ask for help, and Mr. Wang couldn't refuse. It just so happened that he had just been promoted to an official position and was now a third-rank official in the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He was in charge and could speak a few words in the court. He had always been wise and protective in the court. , He doesn't have many friends, and he doesn't have many friends who can speak his mind and do what he says. Even if he has, he only has these few resources, and Mr. Wang still wants to leave them to his son.
But the Xia family is always the in-laws, and he couldn't refuse directly when his in-laws asked. Mr. Wang thought about it, and finally found a colleague who could speak to him in private.
When the colleague heard that he was an in-law of the Chu family, he actively took care of the matter of the eldest son of the Xia family, leaving a vacancy for the eldest son of the Xia family. He waited for the eldest son of December to finish handing over the matters at hand, and then came to the capital to take up a post.
Because of this, Mrs. Liu was very happy.
Over the years, she and the eldest man of the Xia family have been together less and more apart. The eldest man is working in other places, while she stays in Jiangning to serve her parents-in-law and take charge of the affairs of the Xia family. The only thing she is lucky about is that before her husband took office, she gave birth to a child. Otherwise, if the couple gets together less and separates more, it will be difficult to have children.
Now that the eldest son of the Xia family is about to be transferred to the capital, Mrs. Liu is walking happily with a breeze, and her momentum is much stronger than before. In front of Mrs. Xu, she assumes the posture of the mistress of the family, especially knowing that After Mr. Xu treated Xia Ziqing poorly in the past, she even disliked Mr. Xu. She would make sarcastic remarks from time to time behind her mother-in-law's back.
When Mrs. Xu suffered a loss, she would complain to Mrs. Xia openly and secretly. Sometimes she would give Mrs. Liu a few words in front of Mrs. Xia. The two sisters would often quarrel. Sometimes, they would not even care about their face, and Xia would be so angry. The old lady didn't like any of her daughters-in-law, and as a result, Xu's status in the mind of the old lady Xia also dropped sharply.
The current Xia family seems harmonious and peaceful on the surface, but in fact, it is like an ant nest inside, and it will become chaotic at the slightest sign of fire.
Mrs. Liu was the first to receive the news. Not only had Xia Zihan and Chu Jingqi's marriage been decided, but the Liao and Zeng families had also become in-laws.
After Mrs. Liu thought about it carefully, she twisted her buttocks and went to find Mrs. Xu.
"Second brother and sister, congratulations, the marriage between the second girl and Master Chu has been decided, and the matchmakers are here." Mrs. Liu's belly twitched as she laughed, and her cheeks trembled as if they were equipped with vibrators.
"This is a happy event for the Chu family." He then talked about the marriage between Liao Jingtang and Zeng Jing, "Second brother and sister, tell me, nothing about the Liao family and the Zeng family has been revealed before. The marriage is settled. Before, the second master wanted to tell the third girl to the Liao family. In terms of character, the second young master is well educated and stable. He is a young man who is worthy of trust. But... oh, before I even say anything, the second young master Liao is engaged. Oops, the second master is a step too slow. What should I do? The marriage of these three girls..."
He was mumbling, very worried, but his face was full of gloating.
"This is the case. Since the second master has taken a fancy to her, why is this action so unpleasant? He even let a girl with yellow hair whose parents are not around take the lead. These three girls are also thirteen this year. They are looking for her husband's family. In good times, when a girl's family is looking for her husband's family, she has to Take advantage of these two years. After these two years, it will be difficult to find a good husband as you get older. Like my sister Qing, you can find a good in-law as you get older. There are very few of them and it is hard to find them. Ah, second brother and sister, you have to hurry up.”
After making some sarcastic remarks, he did not forget to show off Xia Ziqing's husband's family.
Xia Ziqing's father-in-law, Wang, was promoted in September last year and is now a third-rank official. Xia Ziqing's regrets about missing out on the number one scholar have gone away a lot, and she has been courting the eldest son of the Wang family in every possible way.
Especially when Mr. Wang helped transfer her father to the capital, Xia Ziqing was even more caring and considerate to the eldest son of the Wang family, making the eldest son of the Wang family happy.
This also made Xia Ziqing understand something.
Whether he is the number one scholar or an ordinary Jinshi, he must have a backer in order to have a successful official career. Without a backer, like Min Sibo, although he looks good now and has a high starting point, in the future, who's ability will rise faster depends not only on ability, but also on ability. Strength, most importantly, depends on family background.
Min Sibo had no family background and was married to a disreputable daughter-in-law. It was probably more difficult for him to get promoted than for ordinary officials.
Xia Ziqing figured it out immediately and was willing to accompany Young Master Wang to live a good life in office.
As for Ms. Liu, because her in-laws are high-ranking officials of the third rank, and her daughter has found a good husband, she likes to show off in front of others.
Mrs. Xu listened to it so many times that her ears almost grew calluses.
Every time, Mrs. Xu would become so angry that she would turn around and leave, not bothering to pay attention to her. But this time, Mrs. Liu mentioned Xia Ziying's marriage, and then the marriage between Xia Zihan and Chu Jingqi, and she was stunned for a moment. "What did you say? The marriage between Yu Niang and Prince Chu has been decided?"
"Yes, my maid went to the street to buy needlework and happened to hear someone talking about it. Why, the second girl was engaged and she didn't even tell you, a mother?" Ms. Liu looked surprised, as if she had seen something extraordinary. Something seems to be happening.
She pursed her lips and smiled, took the handkerchief, touched it at the corner of her eyes, and said sympathetically, "Hey, why are you talking about the third girl's life being so miserable? The marriage has not even begun, it has not even started. …”
"Sister-in-law, please keep your words in mind."
Xu's voice was sharp, interrupting Liu's gloating.
Xu's face turned pale with anger and she was trembling all over, "When did my master tell me about the marriage between Sister Ying and the second young master of the Liao family? Sister-in-law, please don't talk nonsense. You still say the matter about Wu Ying'er as if it's true. It's rumored that Go out and ruin my sister Ying's reputation, and I won't be done with you." The louder the voice got, the more guilty he felt.
Yes, Xia Shiming had the idea to betroth Xia Ziying to Liao Jingtang before. Moreover, it was she who first took a fancy to the family background of the Liao family and the character and knowledge of the second young master of the Liao family. She was the one who persuaded Xia Shiming to invite a matchmaker to the Liao family. Say goodbye.
She thought that Xia Shiming was Xia Zihan's biological father, and the Liao family and Xia Zihan were close. If Xia Shiming went to the Liao family to propose marriage, the Liao family would agree just for Xia Zihan's sake.
But before Xia Shiming went to hire a matchmaker, Liao Jingtang became someone else's son-in-law. You said, this marriage didn't work out, right? Anyway, my daughter is still young, and she still has two or three years to slowly find her, maybe it can be done. Find a better man than Liao Jingtang.
After Mrs. Xu thought about it, she was no longer angry about the marriage between the Liao family and the Zeng family. Instead, Mrs. Liu used this matter to ridicule her and ruin her daughter's reputation, which she would not allow.
Mrs. Xu was furious and said angrily, "Sister-in-law, you can't write two characters for summer in one stroke. You have ruined Sister Ying's reputation. How can your daughter be able to hold her head high in her husband's family?"
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"They are cousins. Their relationship is thicker than water. They both have the blood of the Xia family. If you act like this, sister Jian Ying, what benefits will you get? You are still her aunt. She calls you aunt. Are you ashamed?”
Mrs. Xu also had a sharp tongue. After a few words, Mrs. Liu was speechless.
Mrs. Xu snorted coldly, turned around and went to Xia Ziying's yard.
As soon as she sat down, she cried, "Ying'er, mother's life is so miserable. Your father, he hates me even when he looks at me. He hasn't been in mother's house for more than a year, and your brother is not here either." There is no good thing to beg from him. Mom has no hope now. Mom will rely on you from now on. Ying'er, you have to support your mother and find a decent in-law no matter what. Otherwise, your mother won't be able to live with you. The Xia family is alive.”
As he spoke, tears fell down as if he wanted no money. Xia Ziying, who was crying and upset, had a headache on her face.
She said helplessly, "Mom, I'm only thirteen years old. I'm still young. There's no rush to find my husband's family. Let's wait until I get my haircut."
"Thirteen is not too young. Your second sister has been hooking up with the eldest young master of the Chu family since she was twelve. If you don't take precautions early, all the good men will be robbed by others."
Then she talked about the marriage between the Zeng family and the Liao family, and the Liu family's oppression of her.
Mrs. Xu sighed and her tears stopped now, "The second young master of the Liao family is very good in terms of character, appearance, family background, and knowledge. I didn't expect that he would be overtaken by that little bitch of the Zeng family." , Ying'er, you can't find someone better than Liao The second young master in the family is bad. Otherwise, your eldest aunt will not know how to laugh at me. I think, let’s go and please your second sister. The people she knows are from noble families and can always help you. A good one.”
Since Xia Ziying met Chu Jingqi, she could never forget it. Her mind was filled with his face that brought disaster to the country and the people. She thought about it day and night. She had dreams for several nights in a row, and the male protagonist in the dreams was him.
At this moment, Mrs. Xu mentioned Xia Zihan, and Chu Jingqi's unparalleled face popped up in her head again. She was so lost that she didn't hear what Mrs. Xu said at all, and she was not in the mood to deal with her.
She waved her hand impatiently, "I know, I know, I'll go to Chu's house tomorrow."
In order to meet Chu Jingqi, she would do anything to please her second sister.
Even if the second sister hates her or doesn't like her, she will tolerate it as long as she can see him again.
In the afternoon of the next day, Chu Jingqi had just arrived at Chu's house. Before Xia Zihan could say a few words to him, the maid in the front yard came to report, "Princess Princess, the third girl is here and is asking for an audience outside the gate."
Xia Ziying?
What is she here to do?
Xia Zihan frowned and said with a look of reluctance, "Send her away. I am receiving distinguished guests and I have no time to receive her."
Chu Jingqi is the eldest son of Duke Anguo, so he is also an honored guest, right?
The maid said yes and left.
Outside the door, Xia Ziying's eyes were split with anger and she glared at the little maid, "How could it be possible? How could my second sister not see me? Our sisters have the best relationship. Didn't you make it clear? Did you say that I had something urgent to do? Tell the second sister.”
She sent a little maid to watch the gate of Chu House early in the morning. The maid said that she saw Prince Chu bringing a boy into Chu House with her own eyes. Prince Chu must have met Xia Zihan when he came to Chu House.
(End of chapter)