Chapter 670: Chapter 603: Mobilizing the Whole Family_1 Chapter 670: Chapter 603: Mobilizing the Whole Family_1 Daohua had heard that her father had spoken to her second uncle, so she immediately sent Wang Manman to find out the second branch’s attitude.

When Wang Manman came back, she reported, “Second Master isn’t as opposed as he was before, but the Second Madam is still unwilling. Right now, they’re at a standstill.”

Daohua took the purse hanging on the dressing table, pondered for a moment, and said to Wang Manman, “Tell the second young miss and the third young miss that I would like to discuss the making of summer clothes with them by the Water Pavilion today at 5:00 PM.”

Wang Manman was surprised, “5:00 PM?” It’s almost evening already.

Daohua nodded affirmatively, “Yes, 5:00 PM.”

5:00 PM, Chuihua Gate Water Pavilion.

Yan Yile, feeling somewhat gloomy, followed Yan Yihuan there, “Big sister is really something, why did she ask us to discuss summer clothes here?”

Yan Yihuan replied, “Big sister must have her reasons for doing this, and it’s not very far. Don’t complain so much.”

Yan Yile pouted but didn’t say anything more. After all, the needlework room they managed was handed over to them by big sister, and the fact that they were able to start learning the ropes was because big sister had spoken to their aunt. Being assigned tasks by her now and then was also acceptable.

They had sat for only a short while when Daohua arrived.

Seeing Wang Manman and Bi Shi carrying quite a few fabrics, Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile gathered around.

Yan Yile flipped through the fabrics and smiled, “The materials this year seem to be much better than in previous years.”

Daohua had a brief chat with both about the making of summer clothes, and seeing that it was almost time for the tutor at the family school to finish classes, and guessing that Yan Wenjie would pass by soon, she steered the conversation towards the purse in her hand.

“Big sister, that purse is really unique. When did you embroider it?” Yan Yihuan asked with a smile.

Daohua, seeing Wang Manman who had gone to scout the situation nodding at her, spoke loudly, “This was embroidered by Miss Zhu. I found it unique and asked her for it.”

Yan Yihuan glanced at Daohua, then examined the purse closely and smiled, “Miss Zhu’s embroidery is really well done.”

Daohua: “Isn’t it? From childhood to adulthood, it’s clear that Miss Zhu is a person of gentle and refined character.”

Yan Yile couldn’t help but say, “But she has been rejected in engagement before.”

Daohua caught sight of a corner of clothing behind Chuihua Gate and immediately relayed the events she had witnessed in Taoyuan Town, ending with a question, “What do you think? Was Miss Zhu the one whose engagement was called off, or did she call off someone else’s engagement?”

“When we look at a person, we shouldn’t just look at the surface, nor should we understand someone based on what others say.”

“That day, Young Master Zhuang and his beloved took their own lives in a love pact, yet Miss Zhu remained composed and came out to help: she did not cry, make a scene, or consider suicide, nor did she cause a scene, showing that the Zhuang Family would be shamed. It shows she is a person with great sense and understanding of the bigger picture.”

Outside Chuihua Gate, Yan Wenjie silently listened to Daohua’s praise of Miss Zhu.

As for Miss Zhu, he didn’t care much whether she had been rejected in an engagement, but marital decisions have always been made by parents. With his father and mother both opposed, he felt it wasn’t his place to say much.

Not until Yan Wenjie had left did Daohua stop praising Zhu Qiyun.

After parting with Yan Yihuan, Wang Manman couldn’t help but ask Daohua, “Miss, will this approach be effective?”

Daohua shook her head, “I don’t know. This way, I can deepen my second brother’s understanding of Miss Zhu. If Miss Zhu enters his heart and he goes to talk to my second uncle and aunt, it will be much easier than outsiders intervening.”

Wang Manman remarked, “For the second master’s marital affair, everyone from the master and madam to you, miss, has been deeply concerned.”

Daohua shrugged, “What can we do, with Second Aunt’s taste? If she really picks a spoiled girl for Second Brother, it’ll only end in chaos at home. Won’t it be Mother who has to clean up the mess then?”

Wang Manman nodded in agreement. The Old Madam was still in good health, and the Yan Family might have to wait to divide the family assets. During this time, the second branch would have to live with the first branch, they’d be the ones in a constant uproar, and ultimately, it would be the Old Master and Madam who were bothered.

…

Over here, Yan Wenjie had just turned back from Chuihua Gate to his own courtyard when he saw Yan Wenxiu walking towards him. He quickly greeted him with a smile, “Eldest Brother, you didn’t go out with Master Xiao today?”

Yan Wenxiu walked up to Yan Wenjie’s side and entered his courtyard with him, “Not today.”

Yan Wenjie gave Yan Wenxiu a curious glance. Ever since his eldest brother started working with Master Xiao, he rarely saw him at home, and something like visiting his courtyard felt like it hadn’t happened in ages.

Yan Wenxiu, sensing Yan Wenjie’s puzzlement, pretended not to know and merely smiled, “I used to be busy with my studies, and now I am occupied working with Xiao Yeyang. It’s been a long while since I visited your courtyard. Come on, let’s sit in your study.”

The two entered the study, and Yan Wenxiu first looked around Yan Wenjie’s study, then initiated conversation on topics that interested Yan Wenjie. Once Yan Wenjie relaxed, Yan Wenxiu gradually steered the conversation towards the subject of marriage.

“I know the family is currently discussing your marriage arrangements. As your eldest brother, I can’t do much to help, but I sent someone to gather information on those families Second Aunt has been considering. Take a look.”

“Our marriages, though arranged by our parents, ultimately concern our own lives. So, it’s important to understand clearly what we’re getting into.”

With the thick letter in his hands, Yan Wenjie felt conflicted; he did not expect his brother’s visit to be about his matrimonial affairs.

Yan Wenxiu didn’t stay long. After a short while, he left, but before leaving, he mentioned Yan Wenkai’s courtship of Su Shiyu in a teasing tone.

“The most troublesome in our family is Wenkai. His betrothal is to a girl he chose himself, and he’s the one who pursued her. At first, Father and Mother thought our family’s status wasn’t comparable to the Su’s, but that fellow promised to never take another concubine for as long as he lived, and that’s how he won over the Su Family.”

Yan Wenjie understood the underlying implication of Yan Wenxiu’s words. His elder brother was telling him that some things needed to be fought for oneself, and at the same time, that one must make sacrifices.

After Yan Wenxiu left, Yan Wenjie read through the collected information carefully and thought to himself that his mother’s choice in prospective brides was indeed not very good; she only cared about their family’s appearance and not the substance.

After a moment of reflection, his gaze finally rested on the information regarding the fourth branch of the Zhu Family and, after a pause, he headed towards his parents’ courtyard.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he heard Yan Yile complaining, “I’m not trying to speak ill of Eldest Sister, but look at what she did today. She called us to the Water Pavilion, barely spoke a few words about the summer clothes, but spent time lavishing praise on that Miss Zhu, who was once engaged. I really don’t know what she’s thinking?”

On hearing this, Yan Wenjie paused.

Could it be that Eldest Sister’s words were specifically intended for him?

In his memory, Eldest Sister was not very close to their second branch. Except for being somewhat friendly to Yan Yihuan, she was indifferent to the rest. He didn’t expect she would take an active interest in his matrimonial matters.

What surprised him even more was that after dinner, the grandmother took the initiative to keep him back alone.

Old Madam Yan held Yan Wenjie’s hand, “Wenjie, tell your grandmother honestly, what kind of girl do you like? Over the years, I’ve attended many banquets and seen many young ladies. You tell me your preference, and I’ll help you look.”

Yan Wenjie gave a stiff smile, “Grandmother, I… I don’t have any particular girl in mind.”

Suddenly, Old Madam Yan thumped Yan Wenjie’s head, “You don’t look dumb, you know. Wenkai knew how to find a wife for himself; don’t you know to put in a little effort?”

Yan Wenjie found himself at a loss for words and eventually had to flee.

Back in his own courtyard, Yan Wenjie suddenly felt that being the focus of everyone’s attention wasn’t such a good thing. Looking at the letters on the table, he couldn’t help but think of Zhu Qiyun and what she had told him that night.

Even though she had to choose him because she was once engaged, as Eldest Sister had said, she broke off her engagement, he sought to propose; they just happened to coincide at this point in time. Perhaps this was their destiny.