Chapter 24
Lu Qian’s reaction was a big surprise to Lu Hong
He didn’t think that he could impress Ling Jingshu with just one word, did he?
Ling Jingshu had even rejected herself, so how could she be attracted to Lu Qian, who was two years younger than her and inferior to her in every way?
Lu Hong frowned and reminded in a deep voice, “If Cousin Shu rejects you, you can’t keep pestering her”
The two brothers had grown up together, and he was more than aware of Lu Qian’s obstinate nature
Lu Qian raised his eyebrows and smiled confidently, “Cousin Shu won’t reject me”
Lu Hong: “” Where on earth did he get that confidence?
Lu Qian didn’t say any more and turned around to leave
Lu Hong stood in place for a long time, not moving a muscle
Regret and pain overflowed on his handsome jade-like face
Old Madam Ling’s birthday banquet was held for three days in a row
After the birthday banquet was over, everyone above and below the Ling Mansion was exhausted
However, there were still quite a few follow-up things to be busy with, and the ladies were still not allowed to relax
House chores by a few daughters-in-law in charge, the eldest daughter-in-law Sun’s although back to the house, but only a small stay for a period of time to return to the capital
And do not intervene in this mess of trivial matters
Daily accompanied Ling old lady and Ling’s talk, leisurely
Li’s and other people can not be so good life, just busy inventory of gifts into the warehouse accounting for the birthday banquet spending, etc, enough people headache
Ling Jingshu was busy for a few days in a row, and also a little tired
The good thing was that after that day’s strict rejection of Lu Hong, Lu Hong never appeared in front of her again, which finally made her feel betterSister Shu, come to auntie”
Ling beckoned with a kind and amiable face, signaling Ling Jingshu to come forward
No matter how reluctant Ling Jingshu was in her heart, she had to walk forward and softly called out to her aunt
Lu An was sitting right beside Ling’s body, and her gaze naturally fell on her
Like being stared at by a greedy and vicious viper, her entire body immediately tightened and stiffened
This was all a subconscious reaction of the body, and Ling Jingshu could not control it even if she was calm and collected
Ling Jingshu composed herself and bowed to Lu An, “Greetings, Auntie”
Lu An smiled, and asked both kindly and casually, “Sister Shu, I heard your aunt say that you are good at growing famous peonies
What varieties have you grown?
Tell me about them”
Her eyes swept stealthily and swiftly over Ling Jingshu’s pretty face and slender figure
Ever since Lu An arrived at the Ling family, he had been busy with socializing and rarely stayed in the inner mansion on weekdays
Ling Jingshu had deliberately avoided it, and it was the first time that the two of them had gotten so close and talked alone
Her stomach kept churning, and that feeling of nausea and wanting to vomit came back
It was even stronger than when Lu Hong touched her fingers
Ling Jingshu forced herself to push down the feeling of nausea, her pretty face slightly blanched, her complexion was still quite calm: “Auntie must be exaggerating
In fact, I was just idly passing the time”You girl, you just half refuse to take credit
I’ve already accompanied your aunt to the peony garden and pointed out all the peonies you planted to your aunt
Your aunt was very impressed!”
Ling smiled as she took Ling Jingshu’s slender, slightly cool hand, “However, it’s fine for a girl to not want those false names
Your intelligence and cleverness, we can all see it in the back of our eyes!”
In the past two days, Ling asked twice more in private, and Lu Qian’s attitude was very firm, he liked Ling Jingshu and would not marry her
The son of his own son, how stubborn Ling’s character is the most clear
She had no choice but to think about the marriage
Ling Jingshu was two years older than Lu Qian, so the age difference wasn’t that big
First set up a marriage, wait a few years before getting married is also appropriate
Thinking this way, Ling’s gaze on Jingshu warmed up a few more pointsAuntie, I’m really ashamed to be praised so highly by my niece”
Ling Jingshu hung her head shyly, naturally leaning closer to Ling’s side
This couple, she hated equally to the bone
However, it was better to be close to Ling than to be close to Lu An
Ling smiled pleasantly, ”When a family speaks, there’s no need to cover up, and there’s no need to be disingenuously polite
This aunt of mine truly likes you!”
Saying this, she looked at Master Ling Fifth and half-heartedly joked, “Fifth brother, I’m very much in love with Sister Shu, and I like her very much in my heart
Let Sister Shu be my daughter-in-law!”
Fifth Master Ling didn’t take it seriously and casually laughed, “Good, then we have a deal”
If Ling was really interested in getting married, Lu Hong had outstanding talent and good looks, and was the eldest son of the Lu family, such a good marriage would not dishonor Ling Jingshu
Ling Jingshu’s heart thumped
Damn Lu Hong!
She had already rejected him categorically and unmercifully, and he even pleaded with Ling to propose a marriage for him
However, after all, children’s marriage is a big deal, this kind of childish talk is not counted
Ling’s also just testing Ling fifth master’s reaction
She quickly changed the subject, “Sister-in-law, when do you and big brother plan to return to the capital?”
Sun smiled and replied, “I would like to stay longer
However, His Lordship is busy at the Ministry of Public Works and has only taken a two-month long vacation, so we’ll be delayed quite a few days on the road
So, we’ll stay for a few more days before we have to pack our luggage and depart”
Ling’s was quite regretful: “I thought I would be able to get together with my elder brother and sister-in-law for a few more days!”
At this time, the transportation is very inconvenient because the mountains are so high and the water is so far away, and Jizhou and Luoyang are thousands of miles away from each other, so it is very inconvenient to move around
After this time, if we meet again in the future, it will be another year or month
Ling’s so said, Ling old lady also a little sad
She is already seventy years old this year, only looking forward to children and grandchildren around the knees
But once the birthday is over, each one of them will have to go their own way again
After everyone greeted her and retired, Old Mrs Ling purposely left Ling alone to talkAh Hui, did you mean what you just said to Lao Wu?
Have you discussed it with auntie?”
Ling nodded with a smile, “I wouldn’t dare to say anything about such a big matter
I’ve already discussed it with the Master, and the Master has an excellent impression of Sister Shu’er, and is very much in favor of the marriage with the Ling family”
Old Mrs Ling breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile floated between her brows, “Since Auntie also has the intention to tie the knot, there is nothing wrong with that, and it is also a happy event that adds to the family”
Ling coughed, looking slightly embarrassed, lowered her voice and said, “Marriage is indeed a happy event
However, this matter is somewhat different from what I said before”
Old Mrs Ling froze, doubtfully asking, “What discrepancies?”The person I’m proposing to is not Ah Hong,” Ling’s expression grew more and more awkward, but she had to spill the beans, “It’s Ah Qian!”
Old Mrs Ling: “” She didn’t hear it wrong!
Old Mrs Ling couldn’t believe her ears, “Ah Hui, what did you say?
You’re not proposing for Ah Hong?”I asked Ah Hong, he wants to concentrate on his studies and doesn’t want to get married early
I then thought that this marriage should be put to rest”
Ling sighed with a bitter smile, “I didn’t expect A Qian to say that he was attracted to Sister Shu’s child, and clamored for me to propose a marriage” “What nonsense!”
Old Mrs Ling finally recovered from her shock and blurted out, “Ah Hong is not yet betrothed, where is his turn”
Not to mention, in Old Mrs Ling’s opinion, Lu Qian was still a child who hadn’t grown up
How could he know what it meant to like and what it meant to get married
Ling sighed again, “Yes, I scolded him at the time
But he was as stubborn as if he was possessed, and said that he would never marry Sister Shu in his life
If I do not propose a marriage for him, he will die alone in the future
I’m not going to be able to do anything about it,” he said
Luckily it was said to me in private, if his father knew about it, he would be furious!”I’ve been thinking about this for the past two days, A Qian has been weak since he was young, and his temperament is also capricious and arrogant
It would be a good thing if he married Shu, who is two years older
On the one hand, it would fulfill his wishes, and on the other hand, Sister Shu is careful and calm, and will be able to take care of him more in the future”
Old Mrs Ling calmed down, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, “It makes sense for you to consider it this way
However, in this way, it will not be easy to condemn Sister Shu
It will take a few years before she can get married”
Lu Qian was only twelve years old, and with that frail little body, she would have to be at least sixteen before she could get married
In that case, Ling Jingshu would have to wait until she was eighteen to get married, and her youth would be wasted
Ling Jingshu had been gentle and obedient since she was a child, and was most pleasing to Elder Mrs Ling
When Elder Mrs Ling thought that Ling Jingshu would have to wait until she was an old girl to get married, she was hesitant in her heartMother, I understand everything you said”
Ling held Old Mrs Ling’s hand and softly pleaded, “I also know that this is an aggravation to Sister Shu
But A Qian is determined to marry her, and I can’t argue with his nature, so I have to open my mouth to Mother
As long as Mother is willing to nod, I’m sure Fifth Brother won’t refuse”
Old Mrs Ling frowned and pondered, her face hesitant
Shuji’er was her granddaughter, and Ah Qian was her grandson
The palm of her hand is all meat, and it would not be good for either one of them to be wronged
Seeing that Old Madam Ling did not reject, Ling’s heart was very satisfied, and said with a sincere face: “Mother, I am Shuzi’er’s aunt, and I naturally cherish her in my heart
In the future when Sister Shu’er marries into the Lu family, I will definitely treat her well and never let her suffer”
Old Mrs Ling finally sighed, “That’s all!
Since you have this heart, I’ll take the lead and accept it
On Old Fifth’s side, let me talk to him”
Saying this, she added with a straight face, “Ah Hui, don’t forget what you said today
You must treat Sister Shu well in the future, don’t let her suffer”
Seeing that she had convinced Old Madam Ling, Ling’s heart was both joyful and invigorated, and without thinking, she responded, “If Mother is still not at ease, I hereby make a vow
If there is anything that I do not do right by Sister Shu in the future, let me be struck by heavenly lightning and not be allowed to die a good death”
Old Mrs Ling gave Ling an angry glance, “What’s the point of taking such a poisonous oath
As long as you have this heart, that’s all that matters”