Rong’s mother thought it over and decided to discuss her plan with Rong Shaoze first.
As long as he agreed, she wouldn’t have to worry about her proposal being rejected.
After dinner, Lin Xinlan took Xiaocong to her mother’s room, and the three of them went to chat about family matters.
Rong’s mother took Rong Shaoze’s hand and sat him down in the living room, then whispered to him, "Shaoze, I have something to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Rong Shaoze asked with a smile as he sat on the sofa.
Rong’s mother noticed that he had been smiling a lot lately, always beaming every day, at all times, unlike his usual self.
She had thought that was just his nature, cold and indifferent, rarely laughing or joking.
Now she realized she had been wrong; his lack of laughter in the past was because there had been nothing to make him that happy.
Was his current happiness really because of Lin Xinlan?
Was her influence on him truly that significant?
Rong’s mother was experienced and knew that people who are deeply in love often show a blissfully sweet demeanor.
Seeing her son so happy, she couldn’t bring herself to speak ill of Lin Xinlan and softened her tone as she said:
"You see, Xinlan will marry you sooner or later and enter our Rong Family. Although I think she is very sensible and a good person, there are still things she doesn’t understand. I mean, she knows too little about certain manners and etiquette, as well as some knowledge and learning. I was thinking of hiring a few tutors to give her some lessons. What do you think?"
Rong Shaoze frowned slightly, "Mom, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Xinlan’s manners or etiquette. You’re worrying too much. She just needs to be herself; she doesn’t need to learn any other rules."
"But women who marry into wealthy families have to learn various manners. Even if Xinlan does well, there are things she doesn’t understand. Don’t worry, I’ll just hire a few teachers to teach her, I won’t deliberately make it difficult for her." Rong’s mother, trying to be patient, gently persuaded.
Rong Shaoze knew what his mother meant, but he loved everything about Lin Xinlan.
He loved her occasional mischievousness and her stubborn nature even more.
Making her learn those stiff rules would displease her internally, even if she didn’t show it on the outside. He knew she wouldn’t be happy about it.
She would think that he was finding fault with her. That woman, sensitive and overthinking, if she misunderstood him, it would cause big trouble.
Moreover, the wife of Rong Shaoze should be unrestrainedly happy, there was absolutely no need for her to bother herself with such matters.
"Mom, don’t mention this to her. Xinlan is just fine as she is. You don’t have to worry unnecessarily, alright?"
Seeing him defend Lin Xinlan in such a manner, Rong’s mother became upset.
She already had prejudices against Lin Xinlan, and now she was even less fond of her.
"How am I worrying unnecessarily? If she wants to marry into our Rong Family, she ought to have manners, cultivation, and cultural knowledge.
I know you like her, but she can’t be ignorant about everything. She only has a high school education, and if that gets out, it will be our Rong Family’s face that loses.
When your marriage was temporary, I naturally didn’t concern myself with her.
But now that she is to marry you and stay with you for life, not to mention being Xiaocong’s mother, I can’t just sit idly by.
At least while I’m alive, I want to properly train and educate her, so she can fully fit the role of the Young Madam of the Rong Family.
I’m doing this for your own good, and yet you fail to appreciate my hard work, even saying I’m worrying unnecessarily.
You ungrateful son, have you forgotten your mother now that you have a wife? Don’t forget who it was that gave birth to you and raised you!"