Chapter 197: Screening One by One

Chapter 197: Screening One by One

Tang Shuyi genuinely liked Tang Anle. The young lady was lively and pure of heart—any man who married her would be incredibly fortunate. But Anle and Xiao Yuchen were truly mismatched!

First of all, she couldn't accept the idea of cousins marrying!

Then there was the matter of Xiao Yuchen's past heartbreak. When he would fully recover—if he ever fully recovered—was uncertain. A girl as pure-hearted as Anle deserved to be cherished and doted upon for a lifetime.

Being all family, Tang Shuyi spoke candidly, "Eldest sister-in-law, you know about Yuchen and that Liu Biqin. And I won't hide it from you; after learning Liu Biqin had followed someone else, he wept bitterly, showing his heart was truly broken. Given his state, imagine how difficult it would be for another woman to enter his heart. Anle is so precious—I fear..."

The matriarch nodded, "I understand. I was just asking for your opinion so she could give up on the idea. Your second sister-in-law thinks highly of Yuchen's character. Since you are his biological aunt, she believes Anle wouldn't suffer if she married into the marquis’s family."

Tang Shuyi could only laugh helplessly, "She might escape the tribulations of a mother-in-law, but not the sorrows of love."

“I’ll talk to her, help her set her heart at rest,” Lady Tang said with a smile, “Xiaochen is a handsome catch; plenty of young ladies in the capital are waiting to marry him.”

Tang Shuyi truly didn't wish for the children to marry too early. She said, “If you ask me, both Xiaochen and Xiaming should marry in their twenties, and Xiuzhu at seventeen or eighteen.”

Lady Tang set down her cup and said, “It’s alright for Xiaochen and Xiaming to marry later, but you should be very selective with Xiuzhu. Start looking now. Growing up together, you know a person's true character.”

Tang Shuyi took these words to heart. Whether in ancient times or today, if a woman marries the wrong man, even if she can divorce, she will be deeply hurt. Those who claim to be more carefree after divorce are just not expressing their inner pain to others.

After chatting a while longer, Lady Tang summoned Xiao Xiuzhu. Soon, Xiao Xiuzhu and Tang Anle arrived, followed by Lady Tang the Second. Xiao Xiuzhu and Tang Anle seemed to have been playing something; their foreheads were covered with fine sweat.

Tang Shuyi took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Xiao Xiuzhu's forehead, saying, "It's getting hotter every day. We'll go to the villa to escape the heat. When that time comes, you two can stick together and play to your heart's content."

“That sounds wonderful.” Tang Anle, sitting beside Lady Tang the Second, said with eager anticipation, “We should play for more days then.”

Lady Tang the Second, who doted on her greatly, especially when she was with Xiao Xiuzhu, naturally had no objections. She said, “Sure, but no mischief.”

“When have I ever been mischievous?” Tang Anle giggled.

Seeing her, Tang Shuyi was filled with fondness. If not for the fact that they were cousins, she would have tried to match her with Xiao Xiaming by all means.

After some more conversation, Tang Shuyi left with Xiao Xiuzhu, and Tang Anle returned to her own courtyard. Lady Tang told Lady Tang the Second, “I just discussed the matter of Anle and Xiaochen with Shuyi.”

Lady Tang the Second immediately asked, “What did she say?”

Lady Tang replied truthfully, “She said Xiaochen is unworthy of Anle.”

Lady Tang the Second's face dimmed, “She doesn’t favor Anle then.”

“You've seen how much Shuyi adores Anle,” Lady Tang sighed, “Shuyi fears that Anle will be wronged due to Xiaochen’s deep emotional wounds.”

Lady Tang the Second’s shoulders sagged, “I thought Xiaochen didn't hold such deep affections for that Liu girl.”

Lady Tang said, “Shuyi mentioned that Xiaochen cried his heart out when he learned that the Liu girl had chosen another, which tells you the depth of his feelings.”

“Let it be,” Lady Tang the Second waved her hand, then looked at Lady Tang and asked, “What about Xiaming? What do you think of Anle and Xiaming together?”

Lady Tang looked conflicted, “Why are you so fixated on the Yongning Marquis's House? Xiaming is currently with General Xiang, and I’ve heard from your elder brother that both the Duke and Shuyi intend for him to go to the northwest. Consider this: if Anle and Xiaming marry and he goes to the northwest, should Anle follow or not? Would the Emperor permit Anle to go?”

When Xiao Huai was assigned to guard the frontier, the Emperor did not allow him to bring his family along.

"Isn't it because I saw that Shuyi has a good temperament?" Lady Tang the Second said.

"A good temperament is fine, but it's not enough if the children aren't compatible!" Lady Tang the First pondered before speaking, "Anle and Anran really should be betrothed by now. Let's look into all the young noblemen who have come to the capital over the years, there must be someone suitable."

Lady Tang the Second nodded, "I'll have to trouble you, elder sister-in-law."

Lady Tang the First waved her hand, "They've all grown up under my watch, naturally I hope for them to lead good lives in the future."

Lady Tang the Second sighed again, "Seeing you, elder sister-in-law, taking care of the household affairs every day, and considering Anle's temperament, she really isn't suited to be the matron of the clan. Let's find someone upright in character, who knows how to make progress."

Needless to say about her family background, as the legitimate daughter of the Duke's family, even if she were to marry below her station, how low could she possibly go?

………

On the way back to the Marquis's mansion, Tang Shuyi was thinking about Xiao Yuzhu's marriage. She felt that what Lady Tang the First said was very true; they should start investigating and screening future sons-in-law from now on.

After returning to Shi'an Garden, she let Xiao Yuzhu rest in her room. She spoke to Cui Zhu and Cui Yun, "Later on, list out the legitimate sons above eight years old from the families of officials of the second rank and above in the capital, and we'll screen them one by one."

Cui Zhu and Cui Yun were stunned upon hearing this, and Tang Shuyi explained to them, "It's for choosing a husband for Yuzhu, but we can't let Yuzhu know."

Cui Zhu and Cui Yun hurriedly nodded in agreement.

At this moment, a young maid came to report that a nanny from the side of the Empress Dowager Jia Shu had arrived. Tang Shuyi quickly invited the person in.

After the greetings, the nanny smiled and said to Tang Shuyi, "The Empress Dowager mentioned that she hasn't had the chance to visit your clubhouse since its opening. She would like to visit tomorrow, and wonders if you have the time."

Tang Shuyi naturally replied immediately that she had the time, and upon hearing this, the nanny said, "Then this old servant will go back and inform the Empress Dowager."

Tang Shuyi nodded in agreement, then had Cui Yun escort the nanny out.

PS: I understand your sentiments, Wuhu and Xiao Yuming are not a couple, rest assured.

Alas!