boyutpedia Chapter 879 [Splendid Heart 18]
Chapter 879 [Splendid Heart 18]
"Let's talk about it after you come to my house to propose marriage." Youyou opened her red lips and said to Xu Lingyi coquettishly. After that, she turned and left, leaving behind a graceful back and a faint fragrance.
Xu Lingyi watched Youyou's figure going away, and secretly made up his mind to propose marriage as soon as possible. He rode back to Yongping Marquis's Mansion as fast as he could, and went straight to where Madam Xu was without taking a rest.
Seeing Madam Xu, Xu Lingyi bowed respectfully, and then went straight to the point: "Mother, I have a favor to ask. I want to marry the daughter of Duke Mao's family as my principal wife."
Madam Xu was slightly stunned, then asked, "Duke Mao's Mansion? Isn't Lianfang the only child in their family? Are you going to marry Lianfang's child?"
Xu Lingyi nodded and replied, "That's right, mother."
Madam Xu looked puzzled and asked, "Why didn't you tell me before? Marriage is no joke!"
Xu Lingyi took a deep breath and slowly explained, "Mother, I always thought that I only treated Lianfang as my own sister and never thought about the relationship between men and women. However, after spending time with her these days, I realized that I have been deeply in love with her for a long time, but I just didn't realize it until now."
After hearing this, Madam Xu nodded thoughtfully and said, "If that's the case, mother can help you go to the Duke of Mao's mansion and talk to him, but whether it will work or not depends on their opinion."
Xu Lingyi hurriedly thanked her: "Thank you, mother. If this can be accomplished, it will all be thanks to your help. I will take my leave now."
Madam Xu waved her hand, signaling him to leave: "Go, this matter needs to be discussed carefully."
After Xu Lingyi's figure gradually walked away until he disappeared, Madam Xu turned her head slightly and slowly said to Nanny Qin who was standing respectfully beside her: "Xiao Qin, in your opinion, could it be that all the things this child did before was just to marry that girl from Lianfang?" There seemed to be some doubt and speculation in her words.
Upon hearing this, Nanny Qin lowered her head slightly and thought for a moment before responding, "To answer the old lady's question, it is hard for me to say for sure. But looking at the Marquis's expression, I believe he really likes Miss Qiao." Her voice was soft and respectful.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu couldn't help but sigh softly, and shook her head and said, "Oh! Back then, the Qiao family wanted to become relatives with Lingyi, but this kid refused to agree. Who would have thought that he would agree so willingly now? I really owed him in my previous life, and he never makes me worry at all." There was helplessness and a little doting in her tone.
Nanny Qin hurriedly comforted her, "Don't worry too much, old lady. The Marquis has been through a lot, and now he finally meets someone who understands him and cares about him. This is a blessing. Besides, there are many rumors about the Marquis outside. If we can make this marriage a success, it will also help to stop the gossip, right?"
Madam Xu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Well, Xiao Qin, go to the Qiao residence and give them a note saying that I will come to visit them in person tomorrow."
"Yes, old lady." Nanny Qin responded and left.
The next morning, the sun shone through the mottled leaves, casting a golden glow on the ground. The breeze gently blew the flowers blooming in the courtyard, bringing bursts of elegant fragrance. At this quiet and beautiful moment, a beautifully decorated carriage slowly stopped in front of the Qiao Guogong Mansion.
The car door opened, and Madam Xu, dressed in a gorgeous brocade dress, got out of the car in a dignified manner. She was followed by several servants, holding gift boxes of various sizes in their hands, which were filled with various precious betrothal gifts.
After entering the gate of Duke Qiao's mansion, Madam Xu was quickly welcomed into the reception room. Duke Qiao and Madam Qiao had been waiting here for a long time, and when they saw Madam Xu coming in, they quickly stood up to greet her.
After the two sides exchanged greetings, Madam Xu smiled and said, "I came to visit you today specifically on behalf of Lingyi."
Mrs. Qiao was slightly stunned when she heard this, and then asked in confusion: "I wonder what you mean by this, cousin?"
Madam Xu sighed softly and said slowly, "Lingyi is now divorced and has not taken a wife or concubine. Hasn't Lianfang always wanted to find a suitable husband like him? Besides, Lianfang is still unmarried. Although there are some obstacles for Lingyi to have children, he can just adopt one from his fourth brother in the future. This way, it can be regarded as the best of both worlds."
After hearing this, Mrs. Qiao showed a hint of hesitation on her face. After thinking for a moment, she said, "What my cousin said is not without reason, but this matter concerns Lian Fang's lifelong happiness. It is really not a trivial matter. My husband and I need to discuss it carefully and must not make such a hasty decision."
Madam Xu nodded to show her understanding, and then continued, "Of course you should. But the things I brought today should be left in your house for now. If you don't agree to this marriage in the end, that's fine, just consider it as some dowry for Lian Fang; if you agree, these will be counted as part of the betrothal gift." As she spoke, she signaled the servants to put the gifts aside.
Mrs. Qiao took a look at the dazzling array of gift boxes and replied softly, "Okay, I'll trouble you, cousin." Afterwards, they chatted for a while about other household matters, and then Mrs. Xu got up and said goodbye.
After Madam Xu left, Madam Qiao turned to her father with a worried look on her face and asked anxiously, "My husband, how should we deal with this matter now? Should we agree to it or refuse it decisively?"
Father Qiao frowned, his face full of resentment, and responded indignantly: "The Xu family is simply too much! What do they think of our family? They come when they are called, and leave when they are waved away! Back then, when our Lianfang fell in love with Xu Lingyi, we were full of joy, but in the end we had to watch him marry someone else. Then, I don’t know how, it even came to such a situation as divorce. Now, I heard that Xu Lingyi has lost his fertility. If we really let Lianfang marry him, what will happen in the future? I’m afraid we won’t even have a child of our own!"
Mrs. Qiao felt more and more uneasy after listening to her husband's words. After hesitating for a moment, she said softly, "But my husband, in my opinion, if Lianfang knew the inside story, she might agree to it without hesitation. After all, she still has feelings for Xu Lingyi..."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Qiao couldn't help but sighed, waved his hand, and helplessly ordered the servant beside him: "Forget it, go and call the young lady to me."
The servant bowed hurriedly and replied, "Yes, sir. I will go and ask the young lady to come over." After that, he turned around and left in a hurry.