Chapter 285 - 284: The Road Traveled
In business, harmony brings wealth.
Mingzhu wishes her prosperity, and for Liu Xu, this is the best blessing.
The smile on her face deepened.
"When Madam and the young ladies have time, feel free to visit our Ruyi Residence, so I can be the host and offer you a simple meal."
Princess An He rolled her eyes, feeling that Liu Xu had brought her business to the Duke Mansion.
Sending cosmetics while inviting them to dine at Ruyi Residence.
If word gets out, wouldn’t it be free advertising for her?
This person is truly calculating!
If it wasn’t for Lan Ci being talented and favored by my son, she wouldn’t bother dealing with such a worldly woman!
Mrs. Guan responded, "It’s uncertain whether Mingzhu and the others have time, but I am often in the capital and will certainly visit Ruyi Residence when I have free time."
"Then I will be awaiting your visit."
Liu Xu pretended not to notice Princess An He’s disdain.
In life, one must learn to adapt.
If you are too narrow-minded and calculate everything, you will end up angering yourself.
Then what’s the point of doing business?
She sat with a smile and drank tea during the banquet.
Princess An He said, "The master is already initiated into the kitchen, making space for you, Yun Ling, take them to learn the craft."
Keeping up appearances, Xie Yunling didn’t cause a fuss about staying.
She bowed to Liu Xu, "Thank you for going to the trouble of visiting, once we are done, I would like to invite you for tea."
Seeing that Xie Yunling wanted to spend more time with her, Liu Xu nodded, "Miss Xie, I’ll wait for you."
The young ladies had already left.
No need to beat around the bush when speaking, Mrs. Guan proactively mentioned Lan Ci.
"This spring exam, does Mr. Lan have confidence?"
Before coming to the Duke Mansion, Lan Ci repeatedly reminded her to be honest, outspoken, and not to keep things from the Xie Family.
Liu Xu said, "When I arrived at the Lan Family, Lan Ci was still very young. In the Lan Family, there’s a family rule that descendants must discipline and cultivate themselves. Even at a young age, he began practicing calligraphy by suspending weights from his arms, swimming in cold water in winter to strengthen his body, never slacking for over a decade."
"Just now, Miss Xie said a person with resilient character can succeed in anything, so I believe Mr. Lan should be confident in this spring exam."
Studying is not easy.
If you don’t have a robust physique, you probably can’t withstand the imperial exams.
Even for children from prominent families, to achieve great things, every effort must be made.
The Guan Family has deep roots, passing down through farming and studying.
Liu Xu said that Lan Ci started practicing calligraphy with weights from a young age, which deeply moved Mrs. Guan.
Because she had experienced the same growing up.
Unfortunately, as a woman.
No matter how hard she worked, she only gained the empty reputation of a talented woman.
Ultimately trapped in the inner chambers, living in splendor but with uninteresting days.
People who are diligent, even if from humble origins, are worthy of respect.
Like Liu Xu, who worked hard in business.
Lan Ci, who studied diligently.
Seeing Liu Xu’s forthright demeanor, some questions Mrs. Guan suddenly couldn’t bring herself to ask.
It felt like an offense to Liu Xu.
Women shouldn’t make things difficult for each other!
Mrs. Guan couldn’t bring herself to ask, but Princess An He wasn’t so worried.
Straightly, she said, "I’ve heard you were once a childhood wife to Lan Ci. If he makes the rank, would you regret being labeled as a widow sister-in-law?"
Finally addressing the issue, Liu Xu secretly sighed with relief.
She sat primly and said, "I will not regret."
Princess An He raised her eyebrows, "Even being the wife of a minor official’s household is more dignified than a businesswoman exposing herself."
Liu Xu leaned slightly, replied, "If I were the daughter of an official’s family, I would agree with you, but I was born from the countryside, without a reliable maternal family. Rather than attending to a man in the inner chambers, looking up to him as the sky, I prefer to expose myself and make a living."
"I once hit a low point. Back then, I was still in my parents’ home, about to be sold as a child bride, not enough to eat, clothes in tatters, only wearing an ill-fitting hemp garment in winter, with wrists and ankles exposed, red and swollen from the cold."
Speaking of those difficult times, Liu Xu didn’t feel embarrassed at all.
Her expression was calm, narrating her past.
Without deliberately playing the victim, she simply stated facts, "To me, having food and clothes is dignified. If there’s silver on hand, it’s like icing on the cake."
The room was silent.
Liu Xu smiled slightly, "Being an official’s wife is nice, but what I sought, I’ve already achieved, no need to trouble myself further."
If she dodged, Princess An He might intentionally tear open her wounds.
To show Liu Xu what a humble person she is.
But she laid all her difficulties bare, leaving Princess An He unsure of what to say.
Instinctively she glanced at Mingzhu, hoping she would rescue her.
Mingzhu received the signal, cleared her throat, "What Yun Ling said is right, Madam, you truly have a resilient character. After bitterness, comes sweetness. In the future, you will surely find everything to be as you wish."
Liu Xu smiled, raised her tea cup, "I toast you with tea instead of wine, borrowing Madam’s auspicious words."
At this stage, Liu Xu intended to clarify things in one go.
To reassure the Xie Family about her.
"No matter how much fortune Lan Ci may have in the future, I am, and will always be, his elder sister-in-law."
Liu Xu teased, "Maybe one day, I will find my true soulmate, remarry elsewhere, and Lan Ci won’t acknowledge me as his sister-in-law."
Princess An He is not a person to follow rules, nor would she have a reputation for being overbearing.
She looks down on Liu Xu’s birth but admires her discernment.
If years ago, she had also chosen to be a widow without a husband, she might have endured fewer grievances...
At that moment, emotions were somewhat complicated.
She didn’t say much.
Mrs. Guan frankly stated, "The reason for inviting Mr. Lan that day was actually for matchmaking with my daughter. What is Mr. Lan’s view on this matter?"
Liu Xu replied, "Not hiding from you, he fell for Miss Xie at first sight."
The major affairs of marriage are decreed by parents and arranged by matchmakers.
But Mrs. Guan also hopes the future son-in-law will truly be fond of their Yun Ling.
With romantic feelings as a catalyst, married life will be more harmonious.
It seemed Mrs. Guan was about to relent.
Princess An He hurriedly added, "Let Lan Ci take the spring exam first. If he ranks among the top three, then let’s discuss it."
The Lan Family’s ancestors were indeed illustrious, but that’s ancient history.
Now they only have meager property, incomparable with the Duke Mansion.
If ranked among the top three, he barely matches Yun Ling.
If he doesn’t rank, this marriage matter should not be considered at all.
Though a good Duke Mansion’s young lady, even if not needing a marriage alliance, should not be paired down with a worthless good-for-nothing.
The tone of Princess An He was serious, "Ranking in the top three is one of the conditions for proposing to Yun Ling."
Liu Xu understood the reasoning. If Lan Ci lacks capability, she wouldn’t have the face to plea for him.
The union of man and woman must be balanced in some respects.
Otherwise, how could it last?
She arose and performed a grand salute, "Thank you madams for giving my brother an opportunity."
Princess An He said three words, "Don’t disappoint."