Chapter 277 - 276: An Extraordinary Woman
Xie Yunling perked up and began to select seriously.
Originally, she didn’t take the betrothal matter to heart, always feeling she was still young and could take her time to choose and pick slowly.
After all, back in the day, Sister Mingzhu also took her time considering marriage after her hairpin ceremony.
But upon hearing the news of selections, she felt a sense of urgency.
Delays could lead to changes, so it was better to finalize things promptly.
Her gaze swept over one by one.
Among them were many with faces like jade and at the very least, with fine features.
Xie Yunling felt slightly awkward, "Why did my brother invite all of this type? Someone who didn’t know might think we were selecting handsome men."
Mrs. Guan also felt a bit helpless, "In marriage, the most important thing is the inner qualities, the external appearance is not that crucial."
Speaking of this, Ji Mingzhu also felt it was both funny and annoying.
"Xie Yunzhen said appearance and talent are their facades, lacking either disqualifies them from being a match for Yunling."
Xie Yunling was even more touched, "Brother really treats me well. The person my mother arranged yesterday, spoke and acted stiffly. If he were a handsome gentleman, a little dullness might feel interesting, but unfortunately, he has a big face."
Mrs. Guan tapped her forehead in exasperation, "The young man is dignified, how did he become ’big-faced’ in your words? Also, a person’s body and skin are inherited from their parents, what right do you have to comment on others’ appearances?"
Xie Yunling wrinkled her nose and quickly admitted her fault, "I won’t dare next time."
Today, there were more important matters, so Mrs. Guan didn’t linger on it.
She only advised Xie Yunling, "Do not judge people by their appearances, or you will suffer a great loss sooner or later."
Xie Yunling looked as if she had learned her lesson, "Mother, you are right."
She quietly pinched Ji Mingzhu’s hand.
Don’t think she didn’t know, that Sister Mingzhu initially liked her brother because he looked like an exiled immortal, an exceptionally handsome man.
Otherwise, with her brother’s icy demeanor, emitting a chill anywhere at any time, which girl would dare to fancy him?
Ji Mingzhu signaled to Yunling with her eyes to quickly see which young gentleman she favored.
Xie Yunling did not delay any longer.
Her eyes fixed on the end of the banquet table, where a gentleman sat composedly, with rosy lips and pearly white teeth, excessively handsome.
He sat there quietly, not engaging in high talk with others.
Occasionally he would lift his teacup, savoring a sip of tea delicately.
Ji Mingzhu’s eyes followed Yunling’s line of sight.
She introduced, "This gentleman’s name is Lan Ci, a resident of Qingzhou. Your brother said his ancestors were once prominent, but later faced misfortune."
"Your brother also mentioned that he is highly talented, a promising talent, if he were to participate in the imperial examination, he would surely secure a place among the top three."
"He has a widowed sister-in-law in the family who is excellent at business. The restaurant, Ruyi Residence, which faces our family’s restaurant across the street, belongs to his sister-in-law."
Mentioning Ruyi Residence, both Xie Yunling and Mrs. Guan were aware of it.
The delicacies from this restaurant were unique, unavailable elsewhere, and very popular in the capital.
It was unexpected for a woman to be behind it.
Indeed, it was unusual.
Xie Yunling nodded, "Judging by his attire, he indeed doesn’t seem like someone fallen into distress."
To some people, doing business is considered low status.
But Xie Yunling thought, one needs to dress and eat to live, which cannot be detached from money.
As long as it’s earned rightly, making money is a good livelihood.
Someone praised by Xie Yunzhen must be exceptionally talented.
Mrs. Guan also showed some interest, "A person’s appearance reflects their heart, this young man seems good, but the widowed sister-in-law..."
As someone with experience, she tended to think deeper about things.
In some families, if the elder brother passed away, they might have the younger brother marry the sister-in-law. If this family had similar intentions, then he wouldn’t be a suitable match for Yunling.
Ji Mingzhu looked at Mrs. Guan, "Nothing escapes your notice, as soon as we received the invitation, Mr. Lan sent a letter to Ah Zhen explaining the family situation. The widowed sister-in-law was once a child bride, ten years older than him."
Mrs. Guan was surprised and immediately warned Xie Yunling, "This Mr. Lan’s family affairs are too complicated. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself."
Xie Yunling didn’t speak.
She continued to gaze at Lan Ci.
As if feeling something, the man sitting at the table looked over and nodded slightly at her.
Xie Yunling’s heart skipped a beat.
She suddenly understood why Sister Mingzhu and her brother, shortly after meeting, had an entangled relationship that was clear cut yet tangled.
Seeing someone attractive, it’s simply uncontrollable to want to get closer.
Feeling guilty like a thief, Xie Yunling immediately turned around, stammering, "He is quite honest, telling my brother everything."
Mrs. Guan knitted her brow, "Being honest is one thing, but marriage life is another. With such a confusing person in between, no matter how good your relationship, it could still be disrupted."
"What’s more, with no foundation of affection, if trouble arises, he’s bound to choose the widowed sister-in-law... child bride!"
Xie Yunling thought otherwise, "Being able to run such a large business indicates that the child bride is a very capable woman. Maybe she doesn’t even fancy him, otherwise, why maintain the title of a sister-in-law?"
The more she spoke, the more Xie Yunling found sense in it.
"Even my brother said he was talented. If the child bride really intended to hold onto him, wouldn’t she have made their true relationship known to everyone?"
Mrs. Guan’s brow furrowed tightly, "I think you’re blinded by looks, with no real progress yet you’re already speaking up for him."
"Anyway, he is someone my brother invited. I trust he will investigate thoroughly."
Mrs. Guan looked helplessly towards Ji Mingzhu, "Advise her, won’t you?"
Ji Mingzhu kept a fair balance.
"Aunt is right, the biggest taboo in a relationship is having a third person in between, as this is a hidden danger in marriage. We are just looking for now, be sure not to rush in recklessly without considering the consequences."
Then she added, "However, Yunling also has a point. Lan Ci came from a humble background, even ten years ago he couldn’t pay for his studies. Since the widowed sister-in-law was a child bride, it shows her family was unreliable. Under such circumstances, to run a successful business, wouldn’t you say she is an extraordinary woman?"
Not everyone likes confining themselves within the inner chambers, placing their entire focus on a man.
Ji Mingzhu thought, if she were that woman, having fought hard to carve out a world with her own hands.
To worry about romance and love afterwards would lack both the energy and interest for her.
Mrs. Guan pursed her lips, "Then first investigate the woman, if she ever had such intentions, no matter how good Mr. Lan is, we won’t consider."
Ji Mingzhu nodded, "That’s for the best, one can never be too cautious with marriage matters. If one accidentally falls into a trap, it could cause immense pain to extricate."
Hearing her words, Xie Yunling’s erratically beating heart gradually calmed down.
She turned to look back at the banquet, "I need to choose more to pick the best one from them!"
Mrs. Guan breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as you don’t dive straight in heedlessly, I thank heaven and earth."
Love and affection, when good, can nourish a person.
When bad, it can be fatal.
Mrs. Guan only hoped her daughter would keep a clear mind.
Thus, she could long protect herself well.