Chapter 6: Steadfast

◎ There were only three days left until the execution of her ill-fated former fiancé... ◎

As Yu Niang had anticipated, Yu Sanlang initially planned to find his daughter a scholar as a suitor. However, upon the young man's suggestion, he pondered over it and found the idea agreeable.

In this way, once the groom-to-be received his official appointment, he would take his daughter far away, ensuring that no matter how significant the past troubles were, they would no longer affect her.

Moreover, he would provide additional dowry in the form of silver bills, leaving no concern that her future husband would be unable to support their daughter.

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian felt that her father was truly reliable. She also found the arrangement satisfactory and even inquired if the prospective groom had concubines, chambermaids, or any other female attendants for companionship.

Her father looked at her as if she were a fool. How could someone whose impoverished mother washed clothes for others to finance his scholarly pursuits have the means to indulge in women?

Yu Lian understood that there were no such distractions in his life. She was delighted, feeling that she had found herself a suitable roommate.

Nonetheless, to be on the safe side, she dispatched a young maid to gather more information.

The man was quite well-known in the village located on the outskirts of the capital city. He was surnamed Ding and had recently passed the imperial examination, even if it was at the very bottom of the list. This achievement alone made him a local celebrity.

His mother was commonly referred to as Old Lady Ding. Whenever people discussed her, they would express sympathy for her difficult life, which had finally turned around for the better.

The young maid went out to inquire and returned with a cheerful report. "The villagers say he's quite good-looking and very obedient to his mother. He's known far and wide for his filial piety. He has two younger siblings."

Yu Lian's heart sank upon hearing this. "He listens to everything his mother says?"

The maid replied, "I believe so, Miss. It's quite normal, isn't it? Didn't they say he relied on his elderly mother washing clothes for others to support his studies for the exams? It's only natural that he's very filial."

"However, I've heard that Old Lady Ding can be overbearing and sharp-tongued. It might take some effort to establish a good relationship if we were to marry into their family."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian signaled for the maid to stop.

She sighed.

In the mere few days since her transmigration, Yu Lian has sighed countless times. Presently, filial piety is widely regarded as a virtue; it's likely that in her father's eyes, such devotion would also be considered a significant merit. However, Yu Lian comes from a modern world saturated with bizarre social news stories, where her fellow women have identified several types of men unsuitable for marriage. Among them is the 'Mama's Boy'.

With the maid also describing Old Lady Ding as overbearing and harsh, it seemed even less ideal to have her as a potential mother-in-law, let alone a roommate.

On that same day, Yu Lian told her father that she wished to reconsider, no longer desiring the marriage.

Yu Sanlang was utterly baffled. He truly couldn't understand and asked with a frown, "Are you disdainful of their humble background? Father will double your dowry; you needn't fear hardship."

Yu Lian shook her head. It wasn't due to that.

She tried to reason with her father, " filial piety is commendable, but if I were to obey my mother excessively, I fear it may lead to difficulties in my relationship with my future mother-in-law. Father, you know my personality..."

Fathers often found it difficult to comprehend the intricacies of conflicts between women, such as those between a daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law. He believed that all issues within the family could be resolved through open communication. Convinced that Yu Lian was disdainful of the groom's humble background, he lectured her accordingly.

Yu Lian: Feeling numb...

That night, Yu Lian didn't sleep well. It was the first time she had experienced a sleepless night since her arrival in this era. She spent the entire night contemplating her path forward, how to escape this identity and the entanglement, and how to live peacefully in this world.

Suddenly, she remembered: There were only three days left until the execution of her ill-fated former fiancé...

With this thought on her mind, she fell asleep. A mischievous idea sparked within her. Reflecting on someone else's misfortune made her realize that she had no reason to feel discouraged herself.

As she pondered, she found solace and drifted into a deep slumber.

The next morning, after paying respects, everyone was dismissed by the matriarch. Under the envious, jealous, and resentful gazes of her sisters, Yu Lian was affectionately retained by the elder.

The matriarch examined her meticulously, touching her face with her long-nailed thumb, accidentally causing a slight sting. Yu Lian instinctively tilted her head slightly, but the angle was so subtle that the matriarch didn't notice.

Smiling warmly and joyfully, the matriarch said, "These past few days, your two aunts, your mother, and your father have been searching for suitable matches for you, looking for a marriage. Grandmother has been watching all this."

"I kept them here for these days because my little sixth is from an imperial duke's household, a genuine and legitimate daughter of an imperial duke. With such beauty, she deserves the best husband. So I waited and waited, but all they found were good-for-nothings, not a single worthy candidate among them, just flawed individuals."

"The Wang family's prospect is decent, but their family has a history of being wayward. Does your eldest aunt think I'm too old to see through her? A man like that would only bring suffering. Grandmother wouldn't let Lian suffer."

"Your father is even more absurd, considering a match with a poor family. Putting aside the scholar's qualities, his mother and siblings are uncultured people. Could you possibly have a happy life if you married into such a family? In such a crude and lowly household, should any conflict arise, it would be like a scholar meeting a soldier, where reason goes unheard. If your husband were a filial son and took his mother's side, you'd be destined for a life of misery. It's infuriating that your foolish father can't see this crucial point!"

"Why must my granddaughter, a daughter of an imperial duke, lower herself to such depths?"

Yu Lian was surprised that her grandmother, in her advanced age, understood the perils of a Mama's boy. Indeed, only women truly understood women.

The matriarch criticized each of her sons and their wives for their matchmaking efforts before continuing, laying the groundwork for her next words: "Actually, Grandmother had previously considered several families. After careful comparison, only the House of Duke of Ruyang remained as the favored choice."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian's heart skipped a beat.

The matriarch commented, "The legitimate youngest son of the Marquis of Yu Yang is known for his handsome appearance and lively wit since childhood. Although he cannot inherit the marquis title, his maternal family holds considerable power, ensuring a promising future for him. If you were to marry him, you would continue to enjoy a life of comfort in the capital. Moreover, he is from a marquis household, not inferior to the previous one we mentioned."

"In two days' time, the execution is scheduled to take place... Once this turmoil subsides, Grandmother will make arrangements. Our families will exchange betrothal certificates, and we'll proceed with the six ritual steps of marriage as soon as possible. Ideally, if feasible, you should marry into the House of Duke of Yangzhou before the end of the year. Rest assured, Grandmother will ensure a generous dowry for you."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she held Yu Lian's hand. "The day I sent a servant to deliver your brother's talisman, the maid overheard you telling your mother that you risked your reputation by visiting the prison to make a point, to show the emperor that you have severed ties with the East Yuan Marquis's heir. My grandson was willing to sacrifice his reputation for the safety of the entire household... Your grandmother was deeply moved. My little Liан has grown up and become sensible. How can I bear the guilt of not being able to secure your future after such a significant event?"

Feeling awkward, Yu Lian lowered her head and softly replied, "It's only right. It was my mistake, so I should face the consequences alone."

"What burden to bear... This is a calamity of both heaven and earth, an unforeseen event for all. How could a young maiden like you sway the course of events? My dear, there's no need for self-reproach. Your grandmother has already found you a most auspicious match; the House of Ruyang is the maternal family of the Imperial Noble Consort. If you marry into their household and become the consort's niece-in-law, the Emperor, out of respect for the Noble Consort, would likely no longer hold it against you."

Through these days of matchmaking, Yu Lian had learned that finding a suitable husband in ancient times as a modern person was no easy task, let alone in a high-ranking family if it was already difficult in a humble one.

Although the Residence of the Marquis of Ruyang has agreed to engage in marriage with her for reasons unknown, it is easy to surmise that even if they lack concubines, they certainly have cohabiting consorts. These noble scions are rarely without their fair share of womanizing tendencies.

She didn't immediately agree or refuse on the spot but told her grandmother that she would discuss it with her parents first. The elderly lady grew anxious and said, "Urge your parents to make a decision swiftly. It's better to settle this early. The marriage was already hurried, and there are many ceremonial procedures to follow. A delay might invite unforeseen circumstances."

Yu Lian nodded, bid her grandmother farewell, and went to find her mother.

Upon hearing this, Yu Niang felt relieved. While her husband had said that marrying into a humble family would bring fewer worries, she couldn't bear the thought of her daughter, a daughter of a Duke's residence, descending to the status of a poor or low-born spouse. The mere contemplation of her daughter struggling for a penny in the future tugged at her heartstrings.

Now that she's heard her mother-in-law has taken a liking to the legitimate youngest son of the Duke of Ryang, her spirits immediately lifted.

I forgot to set a schedule... The pace is rather slow, with plenty of groundwork being laid. Please take your time enjoying it.

The first 30,000 words can be saved for later reading. After I finish posting that amount, I'll take some time to revise the story, and then the updates will proceed regularly.