The couple couldn't settle the matter and eventually gave up arguing.
After the fireworks, everyone went inside to eat the New Year's Eve dinner.
On New Year's Eve, children were usually the happiest, but they were growing up and didn't romp around as they used to.
The men sat at one table, the women at another, and the children at their own. This year, however, the Helian Zhicheng family was an addition, which made Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi quite happy.
In contrast, Fan Guangping and Wang Zhaodi weren't as cheerful. Their eldest daughter, Fan Xueyao, was married, and their household felt a bit emptier this year. Though they didn't say much, they missed her dearly.
Just as the wine cups were being raised, there was a stir at the door. Everyone turned to see Yan Luo returning with Xueyao.
Wang Zhaodi was overjoyed, her smile stretching from ear to ear. She hurried to greet her daughter.
She looked Xueyao up and down and noticed that her daughter had become more radiant and her beauty seemed to have blossomed.
"Mother, your daughter has returned. I pay my respects!"
After marrying, Xueyao had moved to another prefecture with her husband. Their home was quite far, and she also didn't want to visit her parents too often, fearing gossip.
Since it was the New Year, Yan Luo had no parents and hadn't been back to his hometown in a long time. Overwhelmed by homesickness, she had persuaded her husband to return to her parents' home.
Wang Zhaodi's eyes welled up with tears as she clutched Xueyao's hand tightly. After a moment of emotion, she said, "Go and pay your respects to your grandparents, uncles, and aunts!"
Yan Luo followed behind Xueyao and greeted Wang Zhaodi as "Mother." Although Wang Zhaodi didn't particularly like this son-in-law, she had to accept him now that her daughter was married.
She nodded at him, signaling for him to greet the elders.
Seeing her elder sister-in-law's teary eyes, Zhao Jiaqi's heart ached. She thought about her own daughter, wondering if she would have to spend New Year's at her in-laws' house after she got married.
This thought made her uneasy. She glanced at her daughter's young face.
Perhaps it would be best for her daughter to marry into their family; at least that would bring more joy and a grandson.
Soon, the table became lively again.
After the meal, the two daughters-in-law played cards with their mother-in-law for a while. Only the maids remained in the room, while the others went out to watch the festivities.
Zhang Cuihua asked Zhao Jiaqi leisurely, "Qiqi, the Emperor and Empress of Dingbei Liao have been staying at our house for half a year now. I've noticed their son, Jinli, seems rather fond of our Yumeng!"
Wang Zhaodi had also wanted to ask this for a long time, but she hesitated because her brother and sister-in-law were away, and her sister-in-law had lost some of her memory. As an elder sister-in-law, she felt it wasn't appropriate to bring it up.
Now that her mother-in-law had mentioned it, she asked, "Yes, sister-in-law, wherever Yumeng goes, Helian Jinli follows her like a shadow. If these two spend more time together, feelings might develop!"
"I don't mean anything else, I just wanted to ask you, would you consider arranging a marriage for these two?" Wang Zhaodi asked tentatively.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at her sideways, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. "Sister-in-law, just say what you mean!"
With those words, Wang Zhaodi almost faltered. She was merely asking, and she hadn't expected her sister-in-law to see through her little scheme.
After a moment of thought, she immediately said, "There's a Ma family in our inner city that deals in porcelain. Their eldest son is twenty years old. A few days ago, he saw our Princess Yumeng and was smitten. Mrs. Ma privately asked me if Yumeng was betrothed and wished to propose marriage."
When Zhang Cuihua heard it was the Ma family, she slammed her cards on the table in anger. Leaning back in her chair, she said, "I know the Ma family. The old lady of that family is no easy person. If our child marries into their family, wouldn't she be bullied?"
Wang Zhaodi hadn't received a response from her sister-in-law and instead heard her mother-in-law's refusal. This made her feel quite awkward, and she feared her sister-in-law might suspect her of having ulterior motives.
She quickly explained, "Oh, Mother, that's old history. The Ma brothers have already separated. That old lady lives with her younger son and they have their own residences. The current Ma family is managed by Mrs. Ma, who has a good temperament. If our Yumeng marries into their family, she definitely won't be mistreated!"
The old lady glanced at her but didn't say much. However, she added, "She was bullied by her mother-in-law in the first half of her life. Who knows if she'll learn from her own mother-in-law!"
Her words made Wang Zhaodi hesitant to guarantee that Mrs. Ma wouldn't mistreat her daughter-in-law.
Seeing the atmosphere turn tense, Zhao Jiaqi quickly interjected, "Now I understand what it feels like when everyone wants your daughter!"
Her daughter was growing up. Now, she was unsure whether she felt proud or sad.
When a child grows up, it means they will eventually leave you.
She sighed softly, "Yumeng's personality is too strong-willed. Even if she gets married, she won't be content to stay home and raise children!"
Zhang Cuihua and Wang Zhaodi knew this. They drank their tea and listened quietly as Zhao Jiaqi spoke.
"Years ago, I promised Yumeng that she would have the final say in her marriage, and we adults would absolutely not interfere. Therefore, I don't know who Yumeng will ultimately choose, and her father doesn't either!"
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were stunned by Zhao Jiaqi's words. Zhang Cuihua finally spoke after a long pause, "You two are being ridiculous! Since ancient times, it has always been parental consent and a matchmaker's arrangement. What does a child know? Be careful not to be deceived!"
Zhao Jiaqi saw her mother-in-law was angry and lowered her eyes, not arguing. However, she had already made up her mind, and no one could change it.
A deathly silence fell upon the room. After a while, Fan Yao entered, showing off the prize he had won to Zhao Jiaqi!
"Mother, I defeated my sister and brother! This is the reward Father gave me. Look, the Azure Dragon Sword!"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and gently squeezed her son's slightly reddened cheek. His face felt cool. Seeing the prize in his hand, she chuckled, "My son is so good!"
Fan Yao grinned sheepishly at Zhao Jiaqi. After showing off, he dashed out to challenge Helian Jinli.
Zhao Jiaqi stood up and looked out the window. Several adults were playing with the children in the courtyard. On a side table, various items were laid out, apparently prizes for some small activities.
Her gaze drifted to Helian Jinli. He was handsome, intelligent, skilled in martial arts, and his medical skills surpassed his martial prowess. If he were from the inner city, this marriage would be a good match. Unfortunately, his background was complicated.
After eating the dumplings for welcoming the God of Wealth, everyone returned to their respective courtyards.
As Zhao Jiaqi walked back to her courtyard, she told Fan Zehao about the day's events.
"Duan Yao asked about Yumeng's matter, and I declined."
Fan Zehao grunted, "Helian Zhicheng also asked me. I told him that the children themselves would decide their marriages. I think the couple is getting impatient."
Otherwise, why would they ask such questions on the same day, not too early and not too late, and right before the New Year's Eve dinner?