Even though Mrs. Huang knew this was not a good path, for the sake of her children, she decided to give it a try: "Shu’er is neither as beautiful as Chunyu nor as capable as Chun Nuan. What kind of family could she marry into in Shu City? A peasant family or those men doing odd jobs?"
"Your daughters can all marry into good families, but as their mother, I lack the ability to plan for them and can only seek help from my maiden family."
Mrs. Huang spoke while tears streamed down her face.
"Third aunt, I really shouldn’t say too much, but Shu’er is our younger sister. I can’t just ignore this."
Zhu Lingling was also very angry. Third aunt’s actions, besides finding a family for Chun Shu, were mainly for the sake of Chun Qiang and Chun An.
Even if she sought help from her maiden family, the fact that her maiden family would treat her daughter so poorly and she could endure it, clearly shows there are many hidden secrets that no one sees. Mrs. Huang didn’t reveal them, but Mrs. Zhu wasn’t fooled, she could see through her tricks.
"Everyone says ’when one rises, all rise; when one falls, all fall.’ When I married into the Xiao family, I valued their house rules. Men don’t take concubines and women aren’t concubines. This reputation is well maintained in the Capital. Just because the Xiao family isn’t in the Capital anymore, should we lose this reputation?" Mrs. Zhu said, "Besides, what is your maiden family up to? You have so many nephews, why is Huang Kun the only choice?"
"Kun’er already has the scholar title and is the eldest legitimate son of the Huang family, burdened with great responsibilities. Looking ahead, none of the Huang family’s descendants are better than him. Kun’er’s future is definitely promising."
"Moreover, Shu’er also likes her senior cousin. If the Xiao family hadn’t encountered problems, I might have already arranged their marriage."
Shu’er likes her senior cousin?
This news was somewhat shocking. When the Xiao family moved from the Capital to Shu City, Chun Shu was not yet twelve. Could she already understand love at such a young age?
Did Mrs. Huang know what she was saying?
Chun Nuan was also worried hearing this.
"Third aunt, have you discussed the matter of asking Shu’er to return to the Huang family with her?"
This small family meeting included three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Zhu, and Chun Nuan and Chun Ning in discussion.
"No discussion. Since ancient times, marriage is a major affair dictated by parental commands and matchmaking. What opinions could Shu’er have?"
"Third aunt, you’re talking about marriage as a major affair, but asking Shu’er to be a concubine, what kind of marriage is that?" Chun Nuan frowned deeply.
Based on my understanding of Chun Shu, she definitely wouldn’t agree.
"I think we should first call Shu’er over to ask her. If she’s willing, we have nothing more to say and can only offer our blessings. If she’s not willing, I hope third aunt won’t suppress her by invoking her mother’s name and force her."
"Alright, ask her then."
Mrs. Huang doesn’t believe Chun Shu would disobey her.
Previously, her favorite thing was to return to the Huang Mansion with her, as soon as she entered, she would look for cousin Huang Kun and sister Huang Li to play.
For the rest of her life, living in Huang Mansion, Chun Shu would surely be very happy.
Chun Shu was called to the eldest aunt’s room.
"Shu’er greets eldest aunt, second aunt, mother, elder sister-in-law, elder sister, and brother Ning."
Chun Shu hadn’t performed such etiquette in a long time; the mannerisms appeared somewhat rusty.
"Indeed, young girls change at eighteen, and Chun Shu grows more outstanding by the day."
Although they saw each other daily, at this moment, seeing her felt different.
Mrs. Xu couldn’t help but praise this niece.
"Eldest aunt overpraises."
Chun Shu’s face blushed slightly, shyness from the flattery.
"Our Xiao family’s girls are all good-looking, with fair complexion, tall stature, educated and well-mannered," Mrs. Xu couldn’t help but brag, "Don’t just look at Changzhou, even across the Capital, our family’s girls aren’t inferior."
The key is Doctor Xiao’s nurturing, in the sweltering summer or harsh winter, Doctor Xiao would prepare certain pills or tonic-like pills for the ladies in the mansion to take. These pills promote blood circulation and enhance beauty, so each one looks exceptionally striking.
Their fair skin is imbued with a healthy glow, unlike other wealthy wives, ladies, or young misses in the Capital who may look delicate but appear pale or sickly. The Xiao family’s beauty is entirely different.
"Indeed, with Shu’er looking this good, she should surely find a good match," Zhu Lingling also mused—given such looks, shouldn’t she at least be spared from becoming a concubine?
Indeed, concubines are chosen for their appearance.
But truly, even if she were to be a concubine, it shouldn’t be in the Huang Mansion. What substantial benefit is there in that?