Chapter 367 - 366: Can’t Marry
Mrs. Jiang hadn’t seen what Li Xuan originally looked like, but from his current appearance, he didn’t look like a fool, just a bit slow in reaction.
Then she thought about how Chu Hanyan had been rumored to be unbearable in the past, but now, aside from speaking a bit slowly, she has become a lovely and intelligent girl.
She had to admire this "daughter" of hers, who had managed to educate these two children well, keep her man faithful, and appease her in-laws. She was born of a background that people frowned upon, yet she managed to thrive in her husband’s family. Moreover, even with her pregnancy, she didn’t ask for a concubine, and both her husband and his family could tolerate this...
If Chen Afu were her biological daughter, she might still teach her how to be virtuous and how to better capture her husband’s heart. A concubine was just an object of pleasure, and when a woman was no longer young, a man would surely be unfaithful. It was better to fulfill his desire earlier and let him appreciate his wife’s virtuousness and magnanimity. But this "daughter", she could not say much.
The two entered the house and the servants served them some tea, and they chatted a while. Chen Afu noticed that she had something to say, so she dismissed the servants.
Mrs. Jiang forced a smile, "I have no other choice but to discuss with you. Your third sister is already fifteen years old. Many girls of this age are married, but Qing’er is not... When we were in Jiangnan, many families proposed marriage. Your father and I knew that he wouldn’t always be an official in Jiangnan, so we didn’t want to leave Qing’er alone there. We refused their proposals, planning to arrange her marriage after we moved here. But unexpectedly, that shameless girl ruined her own marriage and even your sister’s. There were two decent families who sent people to propose, and we were actually fond of one, but..." Her voice trailed off, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Chen Afu quickly comforted her, "Mother, don’t worry. My younger sister is gentle, virtuous and talented. Father’s political achievements are outstanding, and he might even have a promising future. My sister will surely meet a better family in the future."
A hint of a smile spread across Mrs. Jiang’s face. She knew about some of the political achievements her husband had made after becoming the governor of Dingzhou, which were closely related to Chen Afu.