Chapter 663: Chapter 596, Analysis_1 Chapter 663: Chapter 596, Analysis_1 Madam Zhu visited the butler the day after she had gone to seek advice from Zhu Jiaoyu, handing him a visitation card with a displeased expression in front of Zhu Qiyun and herself, instructing him to personally deliver it to the Yan Family.

“Younger sister-in-law, I have sent the visitation card,” Madam Zhu said, “but whether the Yan Family will agree to see us in the end is beyond Master’s and my control. Don’t blame us and say we didn’t try our best when the time comes.”

She was truly on the verge of anger; she had clearly refused her younger sister-in-law, yet the woman turned around and went straight to her husband. To make matters worse, her words implied the favor the fourth brother had done for their family back in the day, leaving her husband with no choice but to have her approach the Yan Family with a visitation card.

Madam Zhu truly did not want to visit the Yan Family. Why? Besides her daughter having had a conflict with the eldest Miss of the Yan Family, she had once severely embarrassed Madam Li.

Back when the head of the Yan Family was still the County Magistrate, she looked down upon Madam Li, born into a merchant’s family, and instead interacted with the Yan Family’s concubines. If such a thing happened to herself, she would undoubtedly bear a grudge.

As a woman, she naturally knew how vengeful women could be.

Now, with the gap between the Zhu Family and the Yan Family growing ever wider, Madam Li was nobly titled by the Emperor himself as a fourth-rank lady of honor. It would be too easy for her to suppress Madam Zhu, who did not want to bow and scrape before someone she once looked down upon, especially for the sake of outsiders.

Seeing that her objective was met, Zhu Qiyun’s mother expressed her gratitude without concerning herself with Madam Zhu’s attitude, “Thank you so much, third brother and sister-in-law. No matter the outcome, Qiyun and I will be forever grateful.”

Madam Zhu did not wish to speak, lifting her teacup with an air of sending them off.

Zhu Qiyun’s mother had the measure of the situation and did not wish to linger where she was unwelcome, promptly taking Zhu Qiyun with her as she left.

Once they were gone, Zhu Xiuyun came to sit beside Madam Zhu, “Mother, are we going to visit the Yan Family?”

Madam Zhu looked at her daughter and silently nodded.

Zhu Xiuyun immediately became excited, “That’s wonderful! I haven’t seen Yishuang for ages.”

Watching her daughter, who was soon to come of age, Madam Zhu’s expression grew complex.

She regretted not having cultivated a better relationship with the Yan Family every time she thought about it.

But there was no medicine for regret in this world, and she had never imagined that the Yan Family would rise so quickly and leave their own far behind.

“Mother, please call for the seamstresses to prepare my going-out attire,” Zhu Xiuyun said, excited.

Watching her thrilled daughter, Madam Zhu couldn’t help but dampen her enthusiasm, “The Yan Family might not accept our visitation card at all, and even if they do, I don’t plan on bringing you along.”

Zhu Xiuyun asked with a puzzled look, “Why not?”

Madam Zhu sneered, “Your aunt thinks highly of herself and wants to match Qiyun with Wenjie from the second branch of the Yan Family. You know what the second mistress of the Yan Family is like; she’s not someone we can easily deal with. Given Qiyun’s reputation from a called-off engagement, if we go and somehow give that away, we might be turned away outright. Do you think I would subject you to such humiliation?”

In her eyes, Qiyun stood no chance of joining the Yan Family, and visiting was simply inviting disgrace. Yet, that mother and daughter pair insisted on dragging her into it.

Zhu Xiuyun was stunned for a moment, “Aunt has her sights set on Brother Wenjie?” After a pause, she added softly, “Brother Wenjie is quite nice.”

Madam Zhu glanced at her daughter, feeling a surge of regret. Had she not offended Madam Li, perhaps with the relationship her daughter had built with the Yan Family girls from their schooling days, their family might indeed have had a chance for a marital alliance with the Yan Family.

On the other side, Zhu Qiyun supported her mother back to the guest residence where they were staying.

Seeing the unease and worry in her daughter’s eyes, Madam Zhu patted her hand, “The Yan Family will surely respond to the invitation.”

Zhu Qiyun had no confidence at all, “Not necessarily, I heard that Third Aunt and the Yan Family matriarch seem to have some grudges.”

Madam Zhu smiled, “Mother has inquired about it, the Yan Family are reasonable people. It’s clearly written on the invitation that our visit is to express our gratitude for the help the Yan Family’s eldest young miss gave you that day. Weren’t you also able to help out the Yan Family’s eldest young miss on that occasion? Mother believes Mrs. Li will accept the invitation.”

Looking at her mother’s composed expression, Zhu Qiyun felt less uneasy but soon furrowed her brow again, “Even if the Yan Family accepts the invitation, I’m afraid it will be of no use. With such a reputation as mine, coupled with the high standards of the Yan Family’s second Madam…”

Madam Zhu fell silent for a while, then stood up and took out a small box from her luggage.

Seeing the box, Zhu Qiyun’s expression changed, “Mother, why have you brought out the rare books carefully collected by Father before his death? These are meant to be passed down to my brother.”

Madam Zhu opened the box and, looking at the three rare books carefully stored inside, said indifferently, “People are more important than objects. If we can’t even live well, there’s no point talking about family heirlooms.”

Zhu Qiyun disagreed, “Mother, even with these three rare books, my marriage prospects won’t change. It’s better to save them for my brother; he needs them more than I do.”

Madam Zhu gave her daughter a sidelong glance, “What do you mean ‘he needs them more’? A woman’s marriage is like being reborn. If these three rare books can secure you a good match, even your father in the hereafter would wholeheartedly approve.”

Zhu Qiyun’s eyes reddened, and she bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

Madam Zhu patted her daughter’s head, “Child, when we were at Ningmen Pass, Mother took a good look at the Yan Family’s people. Compared to the undercurrents in other families, the Yan Family truly isn’t bad.”

Seeing her daughter with her head bowed in silence, Madam Zhu understood her worries.

“Mother has had someone carefully inquire about the Yan Family’s situation. The second master of the Yan Family is a commoner, and now he just relies on Magistrate Yan to get by. His eldest son, the one seeking marriage, doesn’t have any titles or wealth. After the family divides their assets, he will just be an ordinary citizen. Although you have broken off an engagement, your birth, character, appearance, and upbringing are there for all to see. To be matched with him, you would still be more than worthy.”

“As for the high standards of the second Mrs. Yan, Mother can understand it’s nothing more than wanting to find a slightly better aristocratic family to support her children.”

“After your father’s death, our branch of the Zhu Family may have become quiet in Zhongzhou, but the Zhu Family is still a name that counts among the aristocracy here. Although we have declined somewhat over the years, compared to the scholarly Yan Family, our family’s heritage is still respectable.”

“Your brother has been a Scholar for a long time, and had it not been for his poor health these past two years, he might have already become a Scholar of higher status. In a few years, once his health recovers, he can take part in the civil examinations. So, you are someone with a brother to rely on.”

“Besides, your father has left behind several rooms full of books and paintings. The Yan Family, coming from a scholarly background, might not seem impressive being an official of the fourth rank, but they truly lack strong family foundations. They absolutely couldn’t come up with such collections as we have accumulated.”

“Mother will tell you this, if the Yan Family is willing to accept you, Mother will take out half of the books and paintings your father left behind as your dowry.”

“The Yan Family will have to divide their assets sooner or later, and the second branch won’t receive much of significance. If you bring such a dowry, establishing a household and raising descendants will definitely not be an issue.”

Madam Zhu explained in detail to Zhu Qiyun the significant implications of forming a marriage alliance with the Yan Family.

Seeing her mother’s calm and composed demeanor, Zhu Qiyun’s heart gradually became more active, and perhaps… she could still hope to marry into a good family.