Chapter 662: Chapter 595, Seeking a Marriage Alliance_2 Chapter 662: Chapter 595, Seeking a Marriage Alliance_2 “People tend to develop a liking for new and novel individuals and things very easily in a short period of time.”

“But getting along with someone, especially if you are to be facing them for a long time, relying on just that fleeting fondness isn’t enough.”

“Think about it, our lives are too different from his, and it’s not just about the differences in status and rank. It’s also the different habits, and ways of thinking.”

“When we feel fondness, we tend to overlook the other person’s faults, and we can tolerate words and actions that don’t meet our standards to some extent. But what about over time?”

Dong Yuanyao was stunned for a moment, staring at the canopy of the bed, lost in thought.

Daohua looked at her and chose not to continue.

After lying on the bed for a while, Wang Manman came in to call them to the old lady’s courtyard for dinner.

The Dong Family and the Su Family stayed at the Yan Residence for one night and prepared to return to the provincial capital the next day.

In front of the Yan Residence’s main gate, Daohua followed behind Madam Li and bade farewell to everyone.

“Sister Su, Yuanyao, if you two are ever free, you should come and visit Ningmen Prefecture often!”

Hearing Daohua’s words, Madam Dong immediately smiled and said, “Yiyi, in the future, you can come often to the provincial capital too. Even if it isn’t convenient to stay at our place, you can always stay at the Su Family’s. After all, we are all relatives now, and it would be convenient.”

Last night, the Yan Family and the Su Family exchanged betrothal gifts, and the marriage arrangement between the fourth son of the Yan Family and the legitimate daughter of the third branch of the Su Family had been settled. Now they were just waiting for the second branch’s son to be betrothed so that the marriage brokers could formally propose the match.

At these words, Daohua immediately exclaimed with joy, “Okay! When the time comes, Aunt Su and Sister Su better not find me disagreeable.”

Su Shiyu’s face had already turned red with embarrassment, while Madam Su affectionately took Daohua’s hand and said, “If you can come to visit, Shiyu will certainly welcome you with a swept couch.”

Everyone chatted amiably for a while, and then Madam Dong and Madam Su, along with Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu, got into the carriage.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Madam Li returned to the residence with Daohua, smiling.

Looking at Madam Li with a relaxed expression, Daohua smilingly said, “Now that Fourth Brother’s marriage to Sister Su is settled, is Mother this happy?”

Madam Li smiled, “Of course, I’m happy. Now that your two brothers have found pleasing marriage matches, I, at last, can put half of my worries to rest.” She then looked at Daohua, “Now, it’s only your match that’s left.”

Daohua hurriedly said, “Mother, I’m in no rush at all.”

Madam Li replied, “Whether you’re in a hurry doesn’t matter. As long as I’m in a hurry, that’s enough. Rest assured, I will choose a marriage that suits your heart.” With that, she walked towards the main courtyard.

With her youngest child’s marriage settled, she needed to prepare the betrothal gifts.

And the daughter’s dowry also needed to be organized.

Daohua quickly followed, repeatedly expressing on the way that she was not eager to find a match.

…

Meanwhile, in the back courtyard of the Zhu family’s residence in Xingzhou.

“Sister-in-law, I’m begging you, Qiyun is your niece after all. Please consider her late father’s sake and help her fight for a marriage with the Yan Family,” begged the third sister-in-law.

When Madam Zhu saw the fourth sister-in-law intending to kneel, she quickly stood up and took her hand, “What are you doing? If our clan sees this, they will think I’m bullying a widow.”

The fourth sister-in-law quickly apologized, “I’m just too anxious, I didn’t mean to…”

Madam Zhu waved her hand irately, “Enough, enough, I know you didn’t do it on purpose.” Then, with a frown, “Do you really think that the Yan Family is such a good place to be?”

“To tell you the truth, that second branch of the Yan Family, although they are commoners and depend on their brother and sister-in-law, they have high aspirations. I’ve inquired before, and the women Madam Yan second looks at are daughters from Fifth- and Sixth-rank officials’ families. Not to mention Qiyun, who has been betrothed and then unengaged, even my own daughter Daohua might not catch their eye. Your eagerness to curry their favor is just inviting ridicule.”

The fourth sister-in-law’s face turned pale.

Seeing her like this, Madam Zhu sighed, “I know you don’t like the Prefectural Governor’s wife from Pingzhou, and I don’t have a favorable impression of her either. But the Governor is still a Fifth-rank official. If Qiyun marries the Governor’s son, it will be to Jun Hui’s benefit too. You shouldn’t only think about your daughter; you also have to consider your son’s future, don’t you?”

The fourth sister-in-law’s lips quivered, “But… the son of the Prefectural Governor of Pingzhou is a fool. How could I bear to have Qiyun marry such a person?”

Madam Zhu replied, “…There’s nothing that can be done. Who asked Qiyun to break off her engagement? Now, being able to marry into an official’s family is already great fortune. You should stop being so choosy.”

Seeing the fourth sister-in-law look as if she was about to collapse, Madam Zhu didn’t want to say more. She stood up and said, “I have to go handle household affairs. You think about it here on your own.” After saying that, she left briskly.

After Madam Zhu left, Zhu Qiyun came in, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the tears from the fourth sister-in-law’s face, “Mother, this is my fate. I’ll just have to endure it.”

Looking at her daughter’s feigned strength, the fourth sister-in-law’s heart ached as though cut by a knife, and after a moment of silence, she suddenly stood up and headed straight to the front courtyard.

“Mother, where are you going?” Zhu Qiyun quickly followed.

The fourth sister-in-law stopped and looked at Zhu Qiyun, “Your father helped your third uncle a lot when he was alive. After your father passed away, your mother never asked him for anything. I’m going to ask for his help now.”

Zhu Qiyun’s face showed bitterness, “Mother, even if you ask third uncle, I’m afraid it’s no use. Didn’t you hear what third aunt said? Madam Yan second has high standards. They won’t consider me.”

The fourth sister-in-law was determined to go, “Since the Yan Family is looking for marriage matches for their children, then you have a chance. Regardless of whether you’re chosen in the end, I have to try. I can’t possibly let you marry a fool.”

Zhu Qiyun held onto the fourth sister-in-law, not wanting to see her mother humiliated, asking for help everywhere for her sake.

The fourth sister-in-law shook off Zhu Qiyun, “It’s not appropriate for you to follow me to the front courtyard.” With that, she hurried away.