Li Man’er listened with relish to Madam Liang’s legendary history, and finally couldn’t help but blurt out, "So, is she here to propose? To the Second Young Lady?"
"Precisely!" Green-clothed’s eyes gleamed. "Miss, your maidservant has heard that although Liang Wendao is not the family head, his status within the family is no less than the family head’s. He passed the imperial examinations in his early twenties."
Green-clothed counted on her fingers the number of times Liang Wendao’s relatives had passed away. "If he hadn’t subsequently lost his father, mother, and wife, his official career would certainly have been exceptionally bright and smooth." The death of parents required three years of mourning, which consecutively meant six years!
Six years later, when he returned to officialdom, it was a different world. His former classmates and colleagues had already been promoted. Only this Liang Wendao, repeatedly delayed, found his official career disappointing.
As an insignificant official like him, he was not qualified to even approach the concept of 'bereavement marriage.' Furthermore, his wife died later, leading to rumors that he brought misfortune to his parents and wife.
Liang Wendao was once an ambitious young man. After being dealt such a blow by fate, he became disheartened and resigned from his post, returning home.
Freed from official burdens, Liang Wendao simply became a scholar. Although it was not as glorious as pursuing an official career, over the years, he made a few close friends and taught several talented disciples. After all, he was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination). Such a person, even without an official position, would certainly be a sought-after target by major academies, as he not only possessed true talent but also understood the rules of the examination, making him more adept at teaching students.
However, he had been stimulated during his most triumphant years, and Liang Wendao’s psyche had inevitably left some shadows. He appeared refined, learned, and very cultured on the surface, but in private, Liang Wendao did many unsavory things. His concubines were quite afraid of him. It wasn't that he would beat them, but his stern expression and crazed glares were truly terrifying.
Good people couldn't withstand such frights. It was said that a certain concubine, who already had minor heart problems, was so frightened by Liang Wendao that she had an attack and was scared to death.
It was precisely because of this incident that rumors of Liang Wendao 'hitting people' gradually spread.
"After his former wife passed away, he has been unable to find a second wife, which is probably because of this." The Liang family was not an unknown entity. Even if Liang Wendao wanted to take a second wife, he couldn't possibly marry someone of too low a social standing. Who would willingly suffer such hardship?
Li Man’er chuckled inwardly, "Good that he's coming. But Chuanbei is at least ten days’ journey from here! Even if this Madam Liang had wings, she couldn't possibly fly this fast…"
Moreover, if she was in Chuanbei, how would she know that the Li family intended to arrange a marriage?
For some reason, Li Man’er suddenly recalled the meaningful look in Qi Yihan’s eyes when he left. Could it be that the Ninth Prince had instructed this?
"Miss, it's all a coincidence," Green-clothed said. "This Madam Liang was originally from the capital. She returned to the capital this time to visit her family, but somehow, she ended up at our house to propose."
Li Man’er mused, "That's not bad."
Ziyan was not as optimistic as Green-clothed.
"That Lord Liang is not young anymore, about the same age as Marquis, isn't he? The Second Young Lady has always been competitive, how could she be willing to marry such a person?"
"Your concern is not without reason…"
Just as Li Man’er was about to say something, she heard someone announce that Princess Wuyou had sent someone over.
"Ah?"
Princess Wuyou sending someone at this time truly baffled Li Man’er.
"Did they say why they came?"
"They said it was about Madam Liang," Granny Wu said with some worry. "Miss, you just started thinking about this, and then… could it be that someone else has taken an interest?"
Li Man’er’s eyes widened suddenly. Someone else had taken an interest?
She understood Granny Wu's meaning and immediately laughed, shaking her head. "Impossible, don't worry!"
Granny Wu was very puzzled. "Miss, you are…"
"Enough, I have it under control. You all, hurry and prepare. In a few days, this marriage will be settled."
Green-clothed was overjoyed, feeling that the Second Young Lady's retribution had finally arrived! She had bullied the Eldest Young Lady so many times, relying on the Old Madam and Madam to support her, she was practically lawless.
Now, it was good that she had stumbled so badly in the matter of marriage that she couldn't get up.
Ziyan was not so optimistic. She remained watchful. A dignified young lady from a Marquis's estate, and the legitimate daughter, to be married off to an old man?
Of course, such matters were not for them, the servants, to comment on. Moreover, Ziyan understood Li Man’er well enough to know that whatever the young lady said was always right.
Only Granny Wu, rubbing her hands together as if she had swallowed a ten-herb elixir, appeared particularly excited. "Eldest Young Lady, your old servant feels as if she's dreaming."
"Why?"
"Retribution!" Granny Wu dared not speak too loudly, only whispering, "This is retribution!"
Li Man’er merely curled her lips slightly. Where did so much retribution come from in this world? If there were any, it was merely repayment for actions.
Madam Liang’s frequent visits to the Iron Gallbladder Marquis's estate could not be hidden from those who paid attention.
The two families had no prior dealings, so why the sudden visits? Some even speculated that Madam Liang's return to her hometown was merely a pretense, and she might have come for the Li family.
Although the Li family was currently close to the Emperor, they hadn't reached the point of being extremely popular yet. Why were they being fawned upon by the Liang family?
Moreover, they had recently concluded a period of mourning, and their visit now seemed somewhat strange.
Clever individuals immediately thought of marriage, but after much deliberation, they couldn't figure out which young lady the Liang family intended to marry. wΑp.kanshu伍.net
To hold a wedding during a period of mourning required it to be within a hundred days. This timing was indeed tight…
Just as people were speculating, news suddenly arrived.
The Liang family and the Li family were to hold a wedding.
Liang Wendao was to take the Li family's Second Young Lady, Li Zha'er, as his second wife!
As soon as this news broke, it spread like wings throughout the capital.
Although Liang Wendao’s family background was decent, he was over thirty, only two or three years younger than Li Shu. He had a previous wife, several concubines, and a solitary fate. To be able to marry the legitimate daughter of the Li family, wasn't this too fantastical?
Regardless of the outside gossip, this marriage, with Cui's approval, was indeed settled.
It was truly miraculous.
Naturally, Li Zha'er was unwilling to marry. She felt that after Guo's death, Cui's attitude was particularly detestable. She intended to marry her off to an old man, which was an insult to her.
Li Zha'er’s last illusion about this family was shattered. Her cherished childhood memories seemed to have been buried underground with Guo, leaving only hatred.