Thinking to herself, she determined that she would soon tarnish Liao Shijie’s reputation severely, making him stink worse than a rock in a latrine.
"My second sister is already fourteen this year, and will turn fifteen after the New Year, it’s time to discuss her marriage. But my aunt, in appearance, seems very just and unbiased, yet in reality, she is quite petty and selfish. How could she possibly find a good match for my second sister?" Yun Jinnian said, sighing softly before continuing, "What I fear most is her marrying off my second sister to some merchant family in order to secure a lavish dowry for my eldest sister. If it was to a young gentleman, that would be fine, but I dread that she might be married off to someone whose children or even grandchildren are older than my second sister. Then what are we to do?"
"That’s impossible!" Chu Yu said in a deep voice.
Having grasped what Yun Jinnian meant, he wasn’t as upset anymore.
How could it be impossible!
In the previous life, Lady He indeed married Yun Zihan off to a distant place. Officially they claimed she was married off, but in fact, she had become an old man’s concubine, a man in his fifties, whose grandchildren were much older than Yun Zihan.
Yun Jinnian didn’t know what kind of life Yun Zihan led after her marriage, nor whether she survived it. But as far as she knew, after marrying away, Yun Zihan never returned to the Yun Family. Their Aunt Cui also went mad the year after Yun Zihan’s marriage and eventually wandered away from the residence, never to be seen again, her fate unknown.
They never saw each other again.
With that in mind, Yun Jinnian continued her persuasion, "Life is unpredictable, so could you help me find out more about Young Master Liao? In the Yun Family, only my second sister and Aunt Cui truly care for me. Their positions are such that they can hardly step out of the main door, let alone the side gate. As for whether this future husband is good or not, it all depends on the matchmaker and my aunt’s words. My second sister and Aunt Cui have no chance to resist. If I can support them, then I will!"
Her voice was gentle and soft, the light of the dim yellow oil lamp cast a glow as if jade herself was speaking softly, Chu Yu found her words quite enjoyable, as if they were already together, simply chatting idly in this moment.
Yun Jinnian was momentarily surprised, unsure what Chu Yu wanted her to continue with, but she went on, "Though my second sister is a concubine-born daughter, she is also skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and poetry, and she’s gentle and harmonious with others, not inferior at all to any noble maiden or legitimate daughter of a distinguished family. The man who marries my second sister will have boundless good fortune!"
Chu Yu started to laugh.
In the more than a year he had known Yun Jinnian, he had never heard her speak so freely and at length.
"I don’t know which man will have the good fortune to marry your second sister, but I know that having you for a sister is her good fortune!" Chu Yu said.
At this, Yun Jinnian actually smiled, "I am not as good as you say!"
"Whether you are good or not, only those who are close to you would know. But since you asked, let me first share with you what I know," Chu Yu replied.
Yun Jinnian poured Chu Yu another cup of tea.
Chu Yu then spoke with composure, "Liao Shijie is the fourth son in his family, and originally he was born from a concubine. His mother died when he was six, and since then he was raised by the City Lord’s wife. He did well in his studies, and the City Lord’s wife treated him quite well, never being stingy with food or clothing, and the City Lord himself devotedly instructed him. As a result, he grew up somewhat ignorant of worldly affairs, focusing solely on studying the Sages’ Books. That’s why, when he went to the Capital City to take the examinations, his excessive forthrightness offended some people. Coupled with a bereavement in the family, he returned to Tortoiseshell City feeling rather disillusioned!"