Chapter 447: Summoning Wei Shi

Chapter 447: Calling on Wei Shi

Upon hearing Lu Lingyun's inquiry, Li Shouye replied dejectedly, "I wanted to settle this matter once and for all, so I told her in advance. My mother had promised me before the palace examination that she would arrange for Yin Yin to be my wife after the examination. But today she reneged on her promise and even scolded Yin Yin away."

Li Shouye clenched his fists.

Lu Lingyun sighed at Li Shouye's words, "Shou Ye, you're still quite young."

He naively thought that his mother would keep her promise once she agreed, not realizing that with someone like his mother, gentle persuasion is futile.

Once she agrees, she can change her mind at will, and a few more words would invoke the heavy burden of filial piety.

It's always been others bending to her will, never her accommodating others!

"Mother, please help cousin! Yin Yin is on the verge of becoming a nun!" Cheng Suying anxiously interjected, "If you don't help her, her life will be truly over!"

Hearing both of them pleading with her, Lu Lingyun pondered for a moment, "Alright, but from now on, everything must go according to my plan."

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Auntie!"

Lu Lingyun wasn't in a hurry to visit the Xu residence. Instead, she first sent someone to the Li residence, avoiding Lu Hanyi, and invited her sister-in-law, Wei Shi, over.

Wei Shi arrived at the Ningyang Marquis's residence, feeling both honored and nervous.

"Lady Cheng, what brings you to call on me?" Wei Shi asked cautiously.

Lu Lingyun looked at Wei Shi, who in a past life always schemed against her behind a smile, inciting her mother-in-law to make her life difficult at every opportunity. Now, however, Wei Shi was cautious, respectful, and polite, watching her with a faint smile.

Wei Shi was a master schemer and a pretender of goodness. Dealing with her in the inner chambers was always challenging.

But now, she and Wei Shi had no conflicts of interest, and her standing was even above Wei Shi's. Thus, she basked in the full show of Wei Shi's feigned kindness.

Wei Shi had to perform in front of Lu Lingyun! To win her favor!

"Sister Wei, actually, I need to ask a favor of you," Lu Lingyun sipped her tea and smiled.

Hearing Lu Lingyun speak so politely to her and even calling her "Sister Wei," Wei Shi immediately beamed, "There's no need for such politeness! We are relatives, after all. Although you are Hanyi's elder sister, your standing is above mine. There's no need to call me sister, just call me Wei Shi."

"How could that be? Because you're Shou Ye's aunt, I must call you sister," Lu Lingyun smiled.

Her reply did not mention Lu Hanyi but instead referred to Li Shouye.

Wei Shi, being highly astute, immediately understood Lu Lingyun's intentions upon hearing that she was considering the relationship from Li Shouye's side.

Lu Lingyun sought her not for Lu Hanyi's sake but for Li Shouye's.

Immediately, her face brightened with a smile again, "Indeed! Shou Ye is such a sensible and diligent child. I heard he attained the rank of Grand Herald, truly bringing honor to his aunt! Lady Cheng, as Shou Ye's aunt, it is only fitting for me to accept being called sister by you!"

Wei Shi adeptly accepted Lu Lingyun's words.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun's smile widened. She leisurely held her teacup, "Sister Wei, I invited you here today for no other reason than for Shou Ye's matter."

"What about Shou Ye?"

"I have a good friend's niece named Xu Yin Yin. Her father is the county magistrate of the capital. These two children met through Suying, and unexpectedly, they have feelings for each other. Now that Shou Ye has completed the palace examination, I wish to act as a matchmaker and arrange their marriage," Lu Lingyun said leisurely.

"This is a wonderful thing!" Wei Shi's eyes darted around, "The county magistrate, a seventh-rank official, is indeed a fitting match for our family!"

If it were Wei Shi's own son who had achieved the rank of Grand Herald and wanted to marry the daughter of a seventh-rank official from the Imperial City, she would have to give it serious thought.

Although their family hadn't advanced in the bureaucratic ranks in recent years, the head of the household, Old Master Li, was a sixth-rank official. Given his status, they could still select a young lady from higher-ranking officials in the Imperial City.

Like the families of Lu Lingyun and Lu Hanyi, who held fifth-rank positions in the Hanlin Academy!

A seventh-rank official is somewhat low...

But Li Shouye is her nephew!

That makes it an ideal match.

If Li Shouye becomes so successful and marries well, what would become of her own sons!

Wei Shi quickly responded with joy, "This is truly a splendid match, and with Lady Cheng as the matchmaker, Miss Xu must be of impeccable character! Our Shouye is truly fortunate!"

Lu Lingyun, seeing Wei Shi's cunning yet joyful expression, followed her words, "Sister Wei, I knew you were a sensible and rational person. I invited you here to seek your assistance in discussing this matter with Shouye's grandparents at home. If Old Master Li consents, I will personally go to the Xu family to propose, so that these two young ones can be joined in marriage."

After hearing Lu Lingyun's words, Wei Shi's eyes lit up again.

She had fully grasped Lu Lingyun's intentions!

Lu Lingyun aimed to bypass Lu Hanyi and secure Li Shouye's marriage through the two senior members of the Li family.

She did not wish for Lu Hanyi to arrange it!

Wei Shi pondered the matter in her heart.

This matter, this issue...

Lu Lingyun, noticing her expression, called out, "Shouye, come out and repeat it."

As her words ended, Li Shouye emerged from behind the house. He looked at Wei Shi and said, "Aunt, I desire to marry Miss Xu, and it was I who requested my aunt to be the matchmaker."

After Li Shouye spoke, Lu Lingyun added, "Sister Wei, you can rest assured. I will handle this matchmaking. You just need to discuss it with Old Master Li on my behalf."

Lu Lingyun's words completely dispelled Wei Shi's concerns.

By having Li Shouye come out and personally affirm his agreement, she was demonstrating that this marriage was truly Li Shouye's wish.

By saying she would handle the matchmaking, she was telling Wei Shi that if Lu Hanyi found out, she should come to Lu Lingyun.

It had nothing to do with Wei Shi!

All her concerns were alleviated, and all that remained was to relay the message to Li Shouye's grandparents, allowing him to marry the daughter of a minor official...

Why wouldn't Wei Shi be happy about that!

She eagerly agreed, "You silly child, you fancy Miss Xu and didn't even tell your aunt first, only seeking your aunt's help. Don't you trust your aunt?"

She chided him while looking at Lu Lingyun, "Lady Cheng, as you said, I will go back and discuss it with my in-laws. The children have their own ideas and plans, how could I, as their aunt, not help!"

Today, it's better to tear down ten temples than to ruin Li Shouye's marriage!