Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 90: The Proposal for Marriage

Meng Shu and Hua Ying exchanged a glance, both frowning. The two young ladies of the Tang family were truly... speechless. Meng Shu gave Hua Ying a look and then told Rui Zhu to go to the gate and inform the steward to keep the other guests for a while.

Before her great-aunt could even get close, she rushed down the steps to greet her.

Hua Ying followed the Second Miss, and together with Meng Zhu, they led the Second Miss to hide inside the door. Fortunately, several of the shopkeepers' families, who were on good terms with the Second Miss, arrived at this time. The wife of the Yongzheng Shop Manager was the most astute. Upon seeing this, she immediately led several female relatives to warmly surround the Second Miss and talk to her.

"Greetings, Grandmother and Miss Pei. Today, the male guests should be in the front courtyard, where they will be received by the steward," Meng Shu said generously.

The eldest aunt looked troubled. "Ran-ge'er just returned home a few days ago. It's rare for him to come here. He was just thinking of paying his respects to the old lady. Bao-jie'er also came specially to celebrate Wan-jie'er's birthday."

The eldest aunt mentioned Ran-ge and Bao-jie, who were illegitimate children of the Pei family. The eldest aunt couldn't maintain the demeanor of a mistress, and was probably forced to do this today. Knowing it was inappropriate, she still pretended to be troubled as she brought them to her parents' home.

"Since all the female guests are here in the inner quarters, why don't we wait until tomorrow for the eldest young lady to bring the young master of the Pei family to visit the old lady? If we offend the prefect's wife and all the officials' families, it will put our eldest son-in-law in a difficult position in the officialdom. What do you think?"

Before the eldest aunt could speak, Pei Zhuangran's face lit up with a gleam in his eyes as he looked at Meng Shu. "Mother, a mere maid in the Tang household is so stunningly beautiful. I'm currently in need of a maid to serve me. Why don't you ask the old lady to bring her back to our household?"

Miss Pei and her eldest aunt were completely taken aback by this unexpected turn of events and were stunned by these words.

Pei Bao'er, standing to the side, seemed to take it all for granted. After all, her stepmother always granted her every request. Pei Zhuangran was only sixteen or seventeen years old. As soon as he finished speaking, he reached out and prepared to pull Meng Shu to his side.

Meng Shu remained vigilant. She took a step back and gestured with her hand behind her back. Immediately, two old women stepped forward to protect her on either side. Meng Shu said in a deep voice, "Young Master Pei, please show some respect. Your Highness..."

Before he could finish speaking, a pebble fell to the ground with a sharp "whoosh," and Pei Zhuangran screamed and jumped up, a bloody gash appearing on the back of his hand.

Mingyue appeared in a flash, shielding Meng Shu behind her, and coldly said, "Get lost."

Supported by Mengzhu, the second young lady stepped over the high threshold with a fan in hand. She coldly instructed Steward Tang, who had rushed over, "Steward Tang, the young master of the Pei family has gone mad. Send him back to the Pei family. Also, pass on a message to my uncle: if he doesn't discipline his illegitimate son properly, our Tang family can teach him a lesson too."

The eldest aunt trembled and said in a mournful voice, "Wan'er, Ran'er did not mean it. I will have someone take him to the front yard right away."

The second young lady was aware of her eldest aunt's situation in the Pei family and was in a dilemma. Seeing the second young lady defending her so much, Meng Shu felt a surge of tenderness in her heart. Mingyue squeezed Meng Shu's arm at the right moment and whispered, "It was the second young lady who told me to hit him."

Meng Shu patted Mingyue's arm. The guests would be arriving soon, and they needed to deal with them quickly. She stepped forward and whispered a few words to the second young lady.

"Wan'er, you see that Auntie's face is pale. Why don't we call Doctor Zhen to come and take her pulse? It would be good for her to stay at the manor for a few days to recuperate. What do you think, Cousin Wen?"

Pei Wen was distressed and worried that her mother would be made difficult by her father and concubines after returning to the mansion. She took the opportunity to persuade her, "Mother has not been feeling well lately. It would be good to have Doctor Zhen take a look at her."

Manager Tang was so careless that he didn't guard the main gate and let the outsider into the front yard. He was terrified and immediately sent people to restrain the young master of the Pei family, gag him, and take him away. He also took the panicked young lady of the Pei family out of the mansion.

The changes here are nothing compared to what really caught everyone off guard at Fu'anju.

Madam Fan, accompanied by her two daughters, paid their respects to the old lady. The old lady adored young girls, especially those dressed in red and green, who were very charming. She beckoned the two girls to come closer for a closer look, praised them several times, and presented them with two jade hairpins inlaid with rubies as a gift. Naturally, she also gave a gift to Miss Qin.

Madam Yun beckoned, signaling the Fifth Miss to lead the other young ladies from official families to the inner room for tea. Suwen led the young ladies to the inner room, where maids had already prepared tea and snacks.

After Madam Fan sat down, she chatted with the old lady and Madam Yun about everyday matters. In her conversation, she praised the second young lady and the other young ladies in the mansion repeatedly. Before long, she and Madam Qin mentioned Tang Lin, the eldest young master of the Tang family, who was studying in the capital.

"Our Lin'an is truly a land of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. In the blink of an eye, both Lin's son and the son of Prefect Qin will be participating in next year's spring imperial examination."

Madam Qin smiled and said, "Not to mention Lin'an, Lin'er is very famous in the capital. It seems we should congratulate the old lady and Madam Yun in advance. Lin'er will definitely be on the list, and it is very likely that he will win the top spot in the imperial examination."

Madam Yun had heard countless compliments like this before. Upon hearing this, she said, "The imperial examinations are not easy. Regardless of whether they can pass or not, they have to try. It's just an opportunity to test their hard work over the past ten years."

Madam Qin glanced cautiously at Madam Fan, then changed the subject, saying, "Lin-ge'er will be seventeen next year, and it's time to prepare for his marriage. It's rare for us to get together, so we can't help but be curious."

Separated by a four-panel screen, the eldest daughter of the Fan family sat at a round table, her hands clasped together inside her wide sleeves, though her face remained hidden.

The old lady and her daughter-in-law exchanged a glance and said with a smile, "Lin-ge'er has been away from Lin'an for a long time. Now that his father has gone to the capital in person, let him be busy. I, as his grandmother, am happy to have some peace and quiet."

Madam Fan took a sip of Golden Altar Sparrow Tongue tea, finding it fragrant and delicious. Looking around at the opulent Fu'an Residence, she saw that Tang Lin was noble in both character and talent, and that he had a powerful maternal family like the Yun family and connections with the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion. She couldn't help but feel extremely excited.

If we don't bring it up now, once he passes the imperial examination with flying colors, there will be countless noble ladies from prominent families in the capital, and no one will know how many suitors will come to our door.

"As for Lin Ge'er's talent and appearance, they are naturally excellent. It is only right that we be cautious about this marriage."

There's not much more to say. Madam Fan considers her maternal family, the Wang family of Taiyuan, to be a prestigious clan. Although her husband's family isn't well-known, her husband received an excellent performance evaluation this year, and with some effort, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to be transferred back to the capital to serve as a third-rank official. She fully believes that the fact that her family took the initiative to propose this marriage has already given the Tang family enough face.

Unexpectedly, Madam Yun changed the subject, saying to Madam Qin, "Speaking of which, it's time to consider the marriage of our son, Du."

As parents, we should always think more about our children. Before the New Year, my son is leaving for the capital to prepare for the imperial examinations. Perhaps we could visit my son at Lushan Academy then? I've already written him a letter about this.

Madam Qin was overjoyed and immediately rose to express her gratitude. Having lost her own son, she treated this illegitimate son as her own. With the prestigious reputation of Lushan Academy, which scholar wouldn't yearn for it?

At this moment, Guangbai led the second aunt into the flower hall. After the second aunt greeted the old lady, she also greeted Madam Fan, Madam Qin, and others. After sitting down, she said to the old lady and her sister-in-law:

“Mother, this is a relative of our sister Hong’s husband’s family. I think he’s very nice, so I brought him here for you and your sister-in-law to see.”