novelaction Chapter 203: The Proposal!
Chapter 203: The Proposal!
After crying her fill, Madam Li instructed Mu Chang'an, saying that these were matters for the women of the inner quarters, and that she should handle them herself. He was a man, busy enough with outside affairs all day long, and shouldn't bother with such trivial matters.
Seeing how understanding his wife was, Mu Chang'an felt both grateful and guilty!
Since she married him, she really hasn't enjoyed many good days. In the previous years, because of Song Shi, the two of them were still quite loving, but there was something between them.
Now that Song Shi is gone, we've only had a few days of peace and quiet, and this sister-in-law is such a worry!
Finally, the day of rest arrived, and Mu Chang'an and Madam Li welcomed the Chu family into the mansion.
Li's heart skipped a beat. So Chu Rong had indeed come along. Luckily, she hadn't let Anuan come out to greet him; otherwise, it would have been another awkward encounter.
Once they arrived at the main hall, they were invited to sit down, and then a round of polite conversation ensued.
Chu Rong stood beside Chu Qinghe the whole time, expressionless, seemingly lost in thought.
Madam Chu knew exactly what her son was thinking. She took a sip of tea before smiling and asking, "Where is Anuan? Is she still angry with our Jasmine? It's all my fault as her mother. I haven't disciplined her properly. These days, the master hasn't scolded us at all."
Madam Chu's words were sincere, and it was clear at a glance that they were a genuine apology without any ulterior motives.
However, Madam Li was still somewhat unwilling, so she could only laugh it off and say, "Isn't she busy with her studies? She was too playful the other day and missed a lot of her lessons this month. She's catching up in her own courtyard now."
"Why are you so demanding of Ah Nuan, who is just a young girl?"
Madam Li smiled and said, "I come from a military family, and there are many things I don't know, much less how to teach! Even with calligraphy and painting, I only learned a little from my father's guidance later. The Mu family has been a family of scholars for generations, so my father and grandfather have high hopes for our eldest daughter, Anuan. They are afraid that she might disgrace our Mu family's reputation."
With that, Madam Chu couldn't say anything more. The implication in those words was that the old master had been brought up. Besides, Mu Xin Nuan was the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife, and her family was very strict, something Madam Chu had already heard about.
"Brother Mu, you invited us here today, is there something you want to say? I know that my unfilial daughter was wrong before, daring to disrespect your Anuan. I have already punished her severely. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against her."
Chu Qinghe's words mean that he still holds a sliver of hope for the marriage between the two families!
Mu Chang'an hesitated for a moment. In fact, if his daughter married into the Weiwu General's Mansion, it would be a good match, or even a step up for him. After all, Chu Rong was already a well-established military general in Dayong at a young age!
However, the thought of his precious daughter suffering twice at the hands of Chu Moli made him feel uneasy.
My own precious daughter, I can't even kiss her enough, how can I let others humiliate her all the time?
As Mu Chang'an hesitated, unsure of how to answer, Chu Rong suddenly stepped into the middle, forcing Mu Chang'an to kneel down.
Mu Chang'an was shocked, and Li Shi quickly got up as well. "What are you doing? Arong, get up quickly. We can't accept such a grand gesture from you."
Chu Rong, however, refused to get up and said with a firm expression, "Uncle, Aunt, it's all my sister's fault. I, as her older brother, failed to teach her well. Please forgive her this time! Ah Nuan, Ah Nuan."
After mentioning Ah Nuan several times, his face turned bright red, and he didn't know how to continue.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Madam Li quickly interrupted, "You child, what nonsense are you talking about! This matter is over, should we, as elders, always hold onto her mistakes? Get up, the ground is cold. You are, after all, an official of the imperial court, don't let people laugh at you."
Chu Rong listened to Li's persuasion but refused to get up.
“Aunt, I know you are worried about Anuan. I love Anuan and I want to protect her for the rest of her life! Please don’t take what happened last time to heart! I have been visiting the Mu family often over the years, and I believe you two elders have seen how I have treated Anuan! Please give your nephew this chance.”
Chu Rong's attitude, tone, and wording were all very sincere and earnest.
After thinking it over, Madam Li realized that this child was already quite good, and now he was even kneeling down without hesitation for the sake of marrying Anuan. If Anuan were to marry him in the future, she might not necessarily be unhappy.
Then think about yourself. Even though you have such a terrible mother-in-law, doesn't your husband always speak up for you? As long as he truly loves Ah Nuan, she might not really suffer any injustice in the future.
“Men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. My Jasmine and your Nuan are not much different in age. Lanxin, just think of it as giving the children a chance.”
Madam Chu's words about the children thoroughly reminded Li Shi and Mu Chang'an, because in their eyes, their daughter was truly interested in Chu Rong!
Add to that Madam Chu's saying, "Men should marry when they are of age, and women should marry when they are of age," isn't the meaning quite clear? It means that once Chu Moli gets married, she won't be able to go back to her parents' home often.
Madam Li sighed softly and shook her head, saying, "Alright, alright, get up now. I'll have someone fetch Anuan. We'll discuss the details later."
Chu Rong was overjoyed. So this meant they had relented? They wouldn't insist anymore that they wouldn't let A Nuan marry into the Chu family?
"Thank you, Auntie!" Chu Rong said, smiling as she kowtowed, then stood up and respectfully stood behind Chu Qinghe. Her smugness was impossible to hide.
But before Ah Nuan could arrive, a distinguished guest was already being welcomed!
The fourth prince, Duanmu Chuze, who had just been enfeoffed as the Prince of Chang Le, appeared at the Mu residence in casual clothes! He was accompanied by many gifts.
"I was unaware of Your Highness's arrival. I apologize for not welcoming you properly."
"No need." Duanmu Chuze glanced at Chu Rong, who clearly harbored some hostility towards him, and his lips curled slightly. His words immediately made Chu Rong glare at him!
"I am a military man by birth, and I am not very familiar with many of the rules. Today, I have come to ask your Mu family for a marriage proposal."