Chapter 383: Deliberately Spreading Rumors to Slander?

Chapter 383: Deliberately Spreading Rumors to Slander?

Marchioness Jiangtai managed a smile and said, "But we still need to write to the Wei family in Suyang..."

Dowager Marchioness of Weibei sneered, "I am also a grandmother and great-grandmother, and I believe that Dowager Wei, who has doted on her granddaughter for so many years, will not disagree when she learns that her beloved granddaughter has found a good match."

Dowager Marchioness of Weibei fixed her gaze on Marchioness Jiangtai.

Marchioness Jiangtai was cornered and could only clench her teeth, sent someone to the office where Marquis Jiangtai was stationed to deliver the message.

At this moment, Dowager Marchioness of Weibei spoke up again, "Nan Yan, you accompany them. It will show my sincerity in acting as a matchmaker."

Nan Yan's eyes lit up, and she readily agreed.

Marchioness Jiangtai's expression hardened, and she almost bit her gums until they bled!

This was not about showing sincerity; it was clearly about preventing her from misrepresenting the message!

When Nan Yan and the messenger arrived at the office where Marquis Jiangtai was stationed and conveyed the message, Marquis Jiangtai was thrilled to hear that Dowager Marchioness of Weibei had personally come to propose a match for his eldest daughter, and that it was the promising young General Yu from the capital, that he sprang to his feet from his official chair, his official hat askew.

"What?! Dowager Marchioness of Weibei personally came to propose a match for General Yu?!" Marquis Jiangtai's voice quivered, his face flushed with enthusiasm!

Nan Yan smiled and said, "Your Lordship, I serve as the head maid by the Dowager Marchioness's side. The Dowager Marchioness places great importance on this matchmaking, which is why she sent me along specifically to show her sincerity. We hope Your Lordship will agree to this marriage."

Marquis Jiangtai was so excited, as if he had drunk a pound of strong liquor, and he felt somewhat lightheaded, "The Dowager Marchioness, the Dowager Marchioness is too kind... I agree, of course I agree! This is Yueyi's good fortune!"

Although he and his wife, Lady Zhao, had discussed marrying their younger daughter to General Yu.

But since General Yu had set his sights on his eldest daughter, what was the problem?!

After all, he was about to become the father-in-law of the promising General Yu!

Moreover, this marriage was being proposed by Dowager Marchioness of Weibei herself!

This meant that he was also forging a connection with the Marquisate of Weibei!

Marquis Jiangtai agreed without hesitation, and even more, he excitedly took leave and followed the messenger back to the Jiangtai Marquisate.

Marquis Jiangtai offered his respects to Dowager Marchioness of Weibei as a junior, and enthusiastically agreed to the marriage!

Although Dowager Marchioness of Weibei was satisfied with the result, she was somewhat dissatisfied with Marquis Jiangtai as a father, who had not even considered asking his daughter's opinion?

Dowager Marchioness of Weibei frowned, on the verge of speaking, but Marchioness Jiangtai spoke up with a reproachful tone, "...My Lord, Yueyi has been away for many years and has only just returned to the Marquisate. You should cherish her even more. Although this marriage is good, why don't you ask Yueyi for her opinion?"

Marquis Jiangtai frowned and instinctively glanced at Dowager Marchioness of Weibei's expression.

Seeing that Dowager Marchioness of Weibei's expression remained unchanged, he coughed and said, "...Yueyi is usually very understanding. In matters of marriage, she should follow her parents' wishes, especially since the other party is a young hero like General Yu. Yueyi will certainly not object."

Marchioness Jiangtai was anxious but could not show it on her face, only forcing a smile and saying, "...My Lord, for Yueyi's lifelong happiness, you should still ask her."

Dowager Marchioness of Weibei could not help but sneer!

If she did not know what kind of person this Lady Zhao was, she might have been moved by the stepmother's apparent affection!

Marquis Jiangtai was still hesitating.

Dowager Marchioness of Weibei said indifferently, "Since the Marchioness has said so, then let's call Yueyi back and ask her."

Upon hearing Dowager Marchioness of Weibei say this, Marquis Jiangtai immediately agreed and sent someone to fetch Cen Yueyi.

The Marchioness of Jiangtai could hardly conceal her joy.

She had already instructed her trusted maid to secretly spread rumors in front of Cen Yueyi, saying that military officers were uncouth and had developed a habit of killing indiscriminately on the battlefield; that General Yu's palm was as large as a fan, strong enough to knock someone's head off; and that there were military brothels in the camps, which were said to be frequented by military officers.

In short, she seized every chance to spread these rumors in front of Cen Yueyi, hoping to scare her into turning down the marriage!

Soon, Cen Yueyi arrived, holding Xingxing's hand.

Seeing Cen Yueyi's pale face, the Marchioness of Jiangtai was thrilled—it seemed her scheme had succeeded.

Cen Yueyi bowed to the Marquis of Jiangtai: "Father."

The Marquis of Jiangtai helped Cen Yueyi up and eagerly got straight to the point: "My dear daughter, the Dowager Marchioness Weibei has come to arrange a marriage for you, with the renowned General Yu from the capital. Are you willing?"

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei also smiled and said, "Sweetheart, take your time to think it over."

Cen Yueyi bit her lower lip, lowered her head, and nodded slightly.

From where she sat, the Marchioness of Jiangtai couldn't see the blush on Cen Yueyi's face and thought she had indeed been frightened by the rumors spread by her maid. She was about to say something when the little girl from the Yujia family suddenly stepped forward, her voice sweet but her tone firm: "...Marchioness, pardon my frankness, but how can the maids in your household behave like this! I heard them gossiping, saying that military officers are savage on the borders and live lavishly in the capital, and that they often see young, high-ranking officers in brothels!"

"Even I, a ten-year-old, know brothels are no place for decent people. How can your maids frequently see officers there?"

"I asked them when, where, and with whom they saw these things. Military officers shed blood on the battlefield to protect the people's peace and safety, yet they’re smeared with such scandalous gossip—shouldn't there be evidence?! But when I questioned those two maids, they stammered and couldn't give a clear answer!"

"Could they have been ordered by someone to spread these lies?!"

The Marchioness of Jiangtai was left speechless, her eyes even showing a hint of anger as she looked at Xingxing.

How dare this child accuse our servants in front of us?!

Was she trying to cause a scene?!

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei slammed the table in fury: "So this is how you view our military officers! Marquis of Jiangtai, your ancestors were also military officers, but in recent years, your family has declined, with no one going to the battlefield. You've been living a peaceful life in the capital for decades, and now your maids have forgotten their ancestors' sacrifices and started spewing nonsense?!"

The Marquis of Jiangtai was covered in a cold sweat: "This has to be a misunderstanding—it must be!"