She Became A Downfall Noble Lady

Ye Hongyang blinked in surprise. He knew that Qu Mao’s family wasn’t doing well, but he hadn’t expected that they were struggling to such an extent. Moreover, why was Qu Mao telling him all of this? Whether or not the Marquis Jingning’s Mansion had a good life was their own business, wasn’t it? What did it have to do with anyone else?

While Ye Hongyang was still astonished, Qu Mao said something that took him aback.

Qu Mao looked at Ye Hongyang earnestly and said, "My eldest son, Qu Zhaoyong, is nineteen this year and has yet to marry. I won’t deceive you, Cousin; Zhaoyong is just an average child. He’s been studying for more than a decade, and despite taking the imperial examinations for several years, he hasn’t passed. But I assure you that my Zhaoyong is a good child, with no bad habits. If your daughter marries into our family, she will be in charge of the household affairs, and we will definitely not treat her unfairly."

Ye Hongyang, initially uncomfortable, now looked shocked beyond belief, his eyes growing wider and wider. He had been waiting for Qu Mao to suggest some plan that could save him from the embarrassment of being mocked, but instead, Qu Mao first spoke of his family’s hardships and then proposed this.

Seeing that Ye Hongyang had not responded, Qu Mao hurriedly added, "Cousin, think about it. If you marry off your daughter, her husband’s family will take charge of her, which would relieve you of a lot of worry, wouldn’t it? After all, your wife cannot possibly live with your daughter in her husband’s family. Once your daughter is married, she can only obediently return to your mansion, don’t you think?"

It was at this point that Ye Hongyang’s almost rusted eyeballs began to turn, and he immediately recalled the shameful reputation that could not be mentioned, quickly asking, "Brother Qu, are you serious about this? You’re not playing a joke on me?"

Qu Mao was so earnest that he might as well have been pounding his chest and stomping his feet. "What are you saying, Cousin? Marriage—the most solemn of matters—how can it be taken lightly? With our many years of friendship, don’t you trust your brother?"

Ye Hongyang sized up Qu Mao several times, still somewhat disbelieving. With that disgraceful reputation and the scandal seen by many that year, was there really someone willing to marry her?

"That rebellious daughter of mine... ahem, Brother Qu is aware of her previous... indecent activities. And now you’re seeking a wife for your eldest son. You won’t get cold feet at the last minute, will you?" Otherwise, not only would his joy be short-lived, he would also lose face a second time.

A look of difficulty and shame crossed Qu Mao’s face. "Alas, I won’t lie to you, Cousin. Who wouldn’t want to marry a gentle and virtuous woman into their family? But given the state of our household, what woman of that caliber would be willing to join us? I have no other choice and—after much thought—hope that you, Cousin, might consider our decades of friendship and be willing to marry your daughter to my family. After all, your eldest daughter understands how to earn some Silver Coin, which could help sustain our home. So here I am, asking for your help."