Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 909: Hidden Truths Traverse Rebirth (3)

Chapter 909: Chapter 909: Hidden Truths Traverse Rebirth (3)

Old Lady Cui enjoyed boasting about her grandchildren, but a shadow of sadness crossed her face as she seemed to recall something, "It is also my fault as a grandmother for not doing enough. I left him all alone in that separate courtyard in the south, hardly seeing him for years. When he finally returned home, yet again... This time, no matter what, I must find him a good match and not let him go back there."

Hongshang was aware of Old Lady Cui’s worries, but as a servant, it was not her place to comment on or resolve her mistress’s troubles, so she remained silent without speaking.

Just then, a woman in her thirties, dressed in plain but elegant clothes, walked in. Her dignified aura, beautiful features, and the gentle and quiet grace that flowed from her eyes were most captivating.

The woman was none other than the lady Hongshang referred to as the auntie, Cui Qingrou, Old Lady Cui’s youngest daughter. She married into the Min family in the south, another Century-Old Family, when she was eighteen. Unfortunately, she was not blessed with children and had been childless for ten years.

Not wanting to endure the silent judgment from her in-laws and even less eager to watch the man she once exchanged vows with bring concubine after concubine into the house, in hopes of passing off a concubine’s son as the legitimate heir, she requested to step down, taking her dowry and leaving the Min family. Under her mother’s and brothers’ urging, she returned to Jing City and also brought back her nephew Cui Pingan, who was adamant about not returning from the south.

Of all the people in the mansion, only she and Cui Pingan could visit Old Lady Cui’s courtyard without needing to announce their arrival.

"Daughter pays respect to Mother!" Cui Qingrou stepped forward to greet Old Lady Cui with a salute, her voice, just like her demeanor, gentle and peaceful like flowing water.

"My child, I’ve said it before, there’s no need for such formalities here with your mother," Old Lady Cui chided affectionately, beckoning Cui Qingrou to sit beside her.

Hongshang quickly moved a chair in front of Old Lady Cui for her.

Cui Qingrou smiled, gracefully took her seat near Old Lady Cui, and after inquiring about her mother’s meals and daily routine, she asked softly, "Mother, I heard that you sent a matchmaker to the Mo Family to propose a marriage for Xiaoqi. Did it succeed?"

A flicker of inscrutable light passed through Old Lady Cui’s eyes, and she shook her head, "The Mo Family refused."

Cui Qingrou was slightly shocked. Refused? Could there actually be someone who would turn down a marriage proposal from the Cui family?

"Surprised?" A faint smile appeared on Old Lady Cui’s face, "Mother is surprised as well."

Cui Qingrou, unsure of her mother’s thoughts, ventured cautiously, "Perhaps our family seemed negligent. We should send someone of higher status along with the matchmaker to show our sincerity."

"Do you think your mother didn’t consider that?" Old Lady Cui said blandly, showing a hint of satisfaction, "If under such circumstances, the Mo Family were to agree to the marriage, it would show they are nothing but fortune-seekers. What kind of character can we expect from a daughter raised in such a family? Mother didn’t expect the Mo Family to refuse for such reasons; it doesn’t seem like they’re playing hard to get. We’ll see how it goes. If the girl is indeed good, then we’ll visit again and settle the marriage for our Xiaoqi."

The Mo Family’s clear understanding of their own status, and the realistic reason they provided for their refusal, actually impressed Old Lady Cui, who became even more determined to form a marriage alliance.

Cui Qingrou finally comprehended the deeper purpose of her mother’s actions and couldn’t help asking, "If mother is concerned about this, why not choose a match for Xiaoqi from a high-standing World Family?"

Old Lady Cui sighed, her expression becoming a touch forlorn, "Do you think your mother doesn’t want that? But Xiaoqi, after all, is a concubine’s son, and there’s that person above him. Do you really think someone is willing to marry their legitimate daughter to Xiaoqi? There are good commoner women, but their status is somewhat lacking, and that person would likely grind down such a commoner daughter-in-law without any scruples. How could such a person, having suffered insults in the Cui family, be willing to devote herself wholeheartedly to Xiaoqi? Although the girl from the Mo Family comes from a lesser background and keeps a low profile in Jing City, she is a County Lord, bestowed by The Emperor himself, and only a step below a Princess in status. Moreover, her father is on good terms with the Prince’s Mansion and Duke Wu’an’s Mansion. As long as she doesn’t act foolishly, these connections are her best amulets. That person would have to be cautious, not daring to be too outrageous. Privately, Mother also hopes that our Xiaoqi marries a wife of noble status so that no one will look down upon him. In the future, someone will protect him. Mother will get old one day, and cannot protect our Xiaoqi for a lifetime."