"The capital is bustling at night, quite different from the day," Madam Fu explained.
"Yes," Fu Changqin stood up and said.
Mrs. Yan, feeling uneasy, said, "Just wander around nearby and that’ll be fine."
"Sister-in-law, rest assured, the security in the capital has been improving in recent years. Though not to the point of leaving doors unlocked at night, it’s certainly safe," Madam Fu replied and then advised Fu Changqin, "Take care of your sisters, there are many people at the night market, don’t get separated."
After Fu Changqin and the others left, Madam Fu asked, "Sister-in-law, is there something you wish to say?"
"I knew you would have guessed," Mrs. Yan said, smiling, "With the children around, it’s not convenient to talk."
"Besides arranging a marriage for Liqing, I actually wanted to discuss one for Sikang as well," Mrs. Yan said. "Sikang is no longer young, although I wish to wait for him to pass the examination to find a more prestigious family."
"It’s just that Sikang takes after your brother, he’s steady and won’t take the exam unless he’s fully prepared," Mrs. Yan mentioned, "To be honest, I believe that even if he takes it this time, he’ll pass, but his ambitions are higher, aiming for a better rank."
Madam Fu and Mr. Fu listened with smiles, without expressing their opinions.
"I can’t wait another three years before arranging a marriage for him," Mrs. Yan said.
"Indeed," Madam Fu nodded, "Since you’re saying this, do you already have someone in mind?"
Mrs. Yan, holding a handkerchief to her mouth, laughed softly and said, "I really like this child, Shinian."
Madam Fu: "..."
Mr. Fu’s eye twitched, clenching the armrest to refrain from jumping up.
"I know Shinian has been pampered at home and isn’t accustomed to managing things," Mrs. Yan said, "Rest assured, she will be as if at home in my family. I’ll treat her exactly as you do."
"Sister-in-law," Madam Fu could hardly suppress her frustration, her lips tightening, "I wish to keep Shinian with me for a few more years."
"Come on! Shinian is of age," Mrs. Yan replied, "Next year your brother is moving to the capital, and we will then reside here permanently. Shinian at our home is like being at her maternal grandparents’, with her grandfather, grandmother, uncle, and me looking after her. How is it any different from home?"
"If she misses home, she can always come back anytime," Mrs. Yan smiled, "Unlike in someone else’s family, where even if close, frequent visits aren’t suitable lest the in-laws dislike it."
"She won’t need to manage the household at my place; everything will be under my care," Mrs. Yan said, affectionately holding Madam Fu’s hand.
"Our two families becoming even more connected - wouldn’t that be wonderful?" Mrs. Yan chuckled.
Madam Fu maintained a façade of politeness, but inside, she was fuming.
Who would have thought that Mrs. Wu would dare to set her sights on Shinian!
Claiming that Fu Shinian wouldn’t need to manage the household?
The abacus beads were practically bouncing off her face!
Clearly, Mrs. Wu was unwilling to let go.
From what she knew, the Yan Mansion is currently managed by the old matriarch.
Mrs. Wu probably hopes to seize control of the household after the old matriarch’s passing, holding on tight and not letting go.
Claiming that Shinian wouldn’t need to manage anything with her around.
If left to her, the Yan Mansion would be ruined!
Spit!
Madam Fu was boiling with rage inside, but kept a faint smile on her face and withdrew her hand from Mrs. Yan’s, "Sister-in-law, deepening our family ties is good, but Shinian doesn’t know anything, better not to cause you trouble."
"What do you mean by trouble?" Mrs. Yan attempted to continue.
But Madam Fu interjected: "Sister-in-law, although marital matters often involve parental arrangement and a matchmaker’s word, the children’s preferences should also be considered. It’s not that Sikang isn’t fine, he’s indeed excellent. However, to Shinian, Sikang is like her own brother."
"How can a child marry her own brother?" Madam Fu stated, "I know brother’s family is excellent. Even though Sikang hasn’t taken the exam this time, with his next attempt he’s sure to pass."
"With Sikang’s education and character, many would be eager to form alliances with the Yan family," Madam Fu added, "In my opinion, there’s no need to hurry, sister-in-law."
"Even without waiting for the next national examination, you could wait for brother’s entry into the capital," Madam Fu suggested, "His entry there is sure to be a promotion, say at least four ranked official."
"At that time, finding a scholarly and noble family for Sikang would be ideal, wouldn’t it?" Madam Fu remarked.
Madam Fu’s words seemed pleasant to hear.
Yet ultimately, she was unwilling to agree to let Fu Shinian marry into their family.
Frankly, she looked down on Yan Sikang and their family.
Otherwise, why make so many excuses?
Madam Fu couldn’t care less about Mrs. Yan’s growing irritation.
After all, she couldn’t possibly let Shinian have Mrs. Yan as her mother-in-law.
Mrs. Yan, holding her head, said, "After today’s journey, I haven’t rested well and am quite tired. My energy isn’t what it was when I was young."
Madam Fu replied, "Sister-in-law, go get some rest then."
After seeing off Mrs. Yan, Madam Fu returned to the room with Mr. Fu, who then angrily pointed toward the door, "She... she... she dares to think about my daughter!"
"Doesn’t she know her own nature? Anyone aware of her temperament and who loves their daughter wouldn’t agree to such a marriage!" Mr. Fu fumed.
Breathing heavily in anger, Mr. Fu paced back and forth.
"After so many years, I thought she might have improved somewhat under her mother-in-law’s watch, but today I saw she hasn’t changed at all!" After so many years, Mr. Fu had nearly forgotten what Mrs. Wu was like.
Yet tonight’s dinner brought it all back!
Madam Fu: "..."
After a long pause, she felt she must vindicate her mother, "Mrs. Wu wasn’t properly taught during all her years at the Wu family. My mother did her best to control her."
"Initially, my parents also thought the Wu family was noble, with sons famed for their talent and virtue, and strict family discipline, which is why they sought her marriage. Who would have thought... who would have thought they would end up with someone like her."
"The Wu family is cunning, raising their daughter this way without us finding out before the marriage, definitely because they hid it well before revealing her true nature post-marriage," Madam Fu lamented, "Clearly, not all learned and noble families are upright after all."
Mr. Fu "hissed," "You haven’t wronged the Wu family before, have you?"
"They say unsuitable daughters are married off to enemy families," Mr. Fu said.