Chapter 809: Chapter 769: Refusing the Proposal (3rd Update)

The Western Marquis Mansion is a noble family. In fact, with their family status, there are countless newly advanced scholars who want to ally with them. However, Mrs. Xu, after much consideration, still feels it’s inappropriate. Although many newly advanced scholars have clear family backgrounds, they are ultimately not well understood. Since her daughter went through a divorce, if the other party is merely pretending to be good to Jiajia for the sake of climbing up the Marquis Mansion’s ladder, and later uses her past divorce as a pretext to mistreat her when they rise in status, it would ruin her daughter’s life.

Therefore, she is quite hesitant.

Seeing her mother-in-law unable to make a decision, Song Fang said, "There’s a Mr. Xu in my third brother’s house, a candidate from this cohort like Yuanbao. He’s currently teaching Jinbao at the Song Mansion. I’ve met him a few times, and even my third brother praises him highly. If Mother is interested, how about I visit my maiden family to probe the situation? If Mr. Xu is also interested, we could set a date for them to meet."

The gentleman from the Song Mansion, Mrs. Xu had heard of him, "Is he the one who used to speak very slowly?"

"That was before." Song Fang said, "Later, by chance, the Master Yun sent a disciple to the Capital for a martial arts examination and invited a young divine doctor with extraordinary medical skills to help. He’s completely cured now, with no issues whatsoever. He’s a genuine talent. Isn’t Yuanbao impressive? Yet, he didn’t score higher than him in the exam and even lost the title to him."

Mrs. Xu’s eyes lit up, "Is he really so impressive?"

"The examination results have long been out, that’s undeniable." Song Fang thought of the well-dressed gentleman at her third brother’s house, and felt even more that he matched her sister-in-law, "Their family is in Qingzhou, of average status and not very wealthy. Although Mr. Xu is a few years older than Jiajia, he has never been married, and currently has no maids or concubines by his side, quite impeccable. If we must choose from the newly advanced scholars, I think he’s a good candidate."

Mrs. Xu considered for a moment, "Hearing you say so, I also think he’s suitable; I’m just worried that he might not be willing."

Song Fang laughed, "Whether he’s willing or not, I still need to go back once to find out first."

"That’s true." Mrs. Xu seemed to place all her hopes on her daughter-in-law, her smile softened considerably, "Fangniang, please take this matter seriously. If Jiajia can marry successfully, you all won’t have to worry so much in the future."

...

Seeing the nice weather, Song Fang returned to her maiden family in the afternoon.

Granny Song had always wanted to see her grandchildren, so she conveniently brought along her dragon-phoenix twins, Jingyi and Jingbo.

After arriving at the Song Mansion, she first went to Rong’an Hall to see Granny Song, left the twins with their grandmother, and then went to Qingteng Residence to see Wen Wan.

Wen Wan was teaching Qi Bao to walk. Hearing Linglong say that her aunt had returned, she was taken aback, then smiled, "A rare guest, please come in quickly."

As soon as Song Fang entered, she saw Qi Bao’s chubby face, couldn’t help but walk forward, bend over, and touch her, asking, "Little girl, what are you doing?"

Qi Bao couldn’t speak in full sentences yet and could only call repetitive words like "daddy," "brother," "grandpa," "grandma," but hadn’t learned to call her mother yet.

Not remembering Song Fang, and seeing a stranger pinching her cheek, she was a bit displeased, standing there with her lips pouted, refusing to move.

Wen Wan said, "That’s your aunt, Qi Bao, call her aunt."

Qi Bao still pouted, her eyes unblinkingly watching Song Fang.

"Call her aunt and she’ll give you this."

As Song Fang said this, she magically made a small mouse appear out of nowhere.

It was a toy created after the popularity of mechanical beasts, using the principles of the mechanical beast. Once activated, the little mouse would run forward, but it was only palm-sized and stopped after running a short distance.

Qi Bao blinked her big round eyes, her face full of curiosity.

Wen Wan laughed, "If you want it, quickly call her aunt."

Qi Bao had no choice but to softly call, "Auntie~"

"Oh, so sweet." Song Fang handed her the little mouse and took the opportunity to kiss her chubby little cheek.

Holding the little mouse, Qi Bao fiddled with it, seemingly curious as to why it could run.

Seeing that Song Fang had something important to discuss, Wen Wan asked Linglong to take Qi Bao to play in the side room. Only then did she invite Song Fang to sit on the carved Arhat bed, "Tell me, what’s the matter?"

Song Fang teased with a smile, "Indeed, I can’t hide anything from sister-in-law."

Across the rosewood kang table, Wen Wan poured her tea and said in a chiding tone, "I still don’t understand you?"

With the conversation open, Song Fang went straight to the point, "The gentleman teaching Jinbao, is he still unmarried?"

Wen Wan paused her movement to drink tea, "Why do you ask about him? Are you planning to matchmake for someone?"

"Who else could it be?" Song Fang sighed, "It’s none other than my troublesome sister-in-law."

Wen Wan was even more surprised, "She said she’d never marry again, didn’t she? Haven’t you already tried getting matches for her before? Each time, wasn’t it a warm face on a cold shoulder?"

"This time it’s different." Song Fang said, "She herself has proposed wanting to marry."

Wen Wan didn’t believe it, "Did she experience some kind of shock?"

Someone as stubborn as Xu Jia would never compromise easily if not for some major event.

Moreover, Song Fang has taken a fancy to Xu Dengke.

Xu Jia and Xu Dengke?

How did Song Fang link these two people together?

There’s absolutely no harmony as a couple, right?

"No matter if she was provoked or genuinely gained insight, either way, my mother-in-law said if she agrees to marry, that’s good enough, sis, stop beating around the bush, give me a definite answer; is there any chance for these two to work out?"

"I don’t know." Wen Wan shook her head, "Although Mr. Xu is Jinbao’s teacher, I only manage his meals, drinks, and monthly salary, not his marriage affairs. You probably need to personally visit him to sort this out."

"Are his parents in the Capital?" Song Fang asked.

After all, marriage is a significant matter, and it requires both parents’ consent, even though Song Fang fancies Xu Dengke, it’s somewhat inappropriate to approach him directly.

"No, they are all in Qingzhou!" Wen Wan said: "Mr. Xu has no relatives in the Capital, only a servant by his side, and conveniently, Mr. Xu is in the mansion today. If you wish to meet, I can have him invited to the garden."

Song Fang nodded, "Yes, I’d like to meet him, thank you, sis."

Wen Wan immediately instructed Yun Cai to invite Mr. Xu to Haitang Garden.

Song Fang and Wen Wan didn’t sit for long before they left Qingteng Residence and headed directly to Haitang Garden.

At this time, the western crabapples were in full bloom; though the fragrance wasn’t detectable, the distant sight of pink buds was still enchanting and mesmerizing.

Xu Dengke was sitting at a stone table deep in Haitang Garden, with a crabapple tree nearby, pouring down a rain of blossoms, accentuating his already refined features to look even more handsome.

Song Fang followed Wen Wan, stepping lightly over the petals, and from afar, she saw him and chuckled, "I hadn’t noticed before; he’s actually quite pleasing to the eye."

Wen Wan said, "But two people’s personalities must align to live harmoniously."

"Indeed." As someone who’s been through it, Song Fang completely agreed with this sentiment.

Xu Dengke heard their voices, turned his head, seeing it was Wen Wan and the Song family’s matriarch, quickly stood up, and politely bowed to the two, "Madam, aunt."

Wen Wan waved her hand, "No need for formality, sir, please sit."

Xu Dengke nodded and sat down again.

Wen Wan and Song Fang sat opposite him.

Xu Dengke spoke first, "I heard from Miss Yun Cai that Madam has business with me?"

Wen Wan indicated Song Fang with her eyes, "It’s not me, but our family’s matriarch."

"Oh, what does aunt wish to discuss with me?"

Song Fang covered her mouth with a laugh, asking him, "I heard when the exam results were released, many families targeted you, yet I wonder, has your marriage been settled?"

Xu Dengke didn’t expect this question, was momentarily stunned, then shook his head, "Not settled yet."

With so many families wanting him as a son-in-law, he hasn’t agreed, clearly, there’s a reason behind it.

Song Fang didn’t rush to reveal her intentions, instead asked him, "Why is that? Do you dislike them, or do you already have someone in mind?"

Xu Dengke didn’t know how to answer, so he said, "I temporarily have no plans to wed."

He was born somewhat different; things others can easily achieve with words and actions took him a long time. He got used to being behind others and got accustomed to letting his great opportunities be others’ first. In the short term, he couldn’t change this mindset, afraid of reverting to his old self, unable to assume the responsibility for a household or bring happiness to a wife.

Despite appearing normal now, he hadn’t considered marrying because of this potential risk.

Song Fang felt a bit disappointed; she thought with the connection of Western Marquis Mansion and Song Mansion, Xu Dengke would hardly avoid meeting her sister-in-law before saying anything. Unexpectedly, he didn’t even give the opportunity, directly rejecting.

When a man says he temporarily doesn’t want to marry, it implies either he doesn’t fancy you or he already has someone in mind.

No matter which it is, since he’s already refused, it’s unbecoming to persist.

Though disappointed, Song Fang maintained her demeanor; after all, as the heir’s wife of a Marquis Mansion, she was no longer the village girl dreaming of social ascent.