Madam Song remembered her husband’s instructions and assigned a few people. Within a few days, she obtained the list of ladies who would attend the banquet at Duke Ying Mansion. She pondered over it before going to talk to Song Ci.
Although she could help to observe, it was the mother-in-law who was the legitimate mother, so she had to consult her.
Upon hearing that the eldest daughter-in-law had sorted out a list of noble ladies, Song Ci asked with a smile, "Let’s not talk about their family backgrounds for now. Are those young ladies beautiful?"
Madam Song was taken aback. Isn’t choosing a daughter-in-law all about finding someone competent? What good is being beautiful if they are uneducated or do not understand household matters?
"Silan is shallow; his first criterion is that she must be beautiful. If she’s plain, there’s no need to consider; he’ll definitely be shaking his head."
Madam Song’s mouth twitched, thinking to herself, you’re the only one who can spoil your son .
"There are indeed beautiful ones. The little daughter of Peng Sacrificial Wine from the Imperial College is graced with a flower-like face, and the second daughter of the Qingcheng Marquis Mansion is also quite stunning." Madam Song paused, then tentatively said, "Actually, there’s also a beautiful girl from my eldest sister-in-law’s family, with an even more enchanting figure."
"Which family is your eldest sister-in-law from?"
"Uncle Liu Yang’s Mansion." Madam Song forced a smile, "But that girl is illegitimate."
Song Ci frowned and said, "I heard that Uncle Liu Yang’s household is quite chaotic, with a bunch of illegitimate children. Let’s forget about such a family."
Madam Song felt a bit embarrassed and laughed, "That’s what I thought too. But hearing about her beauty made me remember her."
"Not all illegitimate daughters are unpresentable; some are capable and intelligent," Song Ci said. "Your uncle, being neither skilled in literature nor martial arts, if there is indeed a capable and intelligent yet beautiful illegitimate daughter, there would be no harm in securing her. We would just need to check her family background. If the family is too chaotic, then it’s better to avoid it, to prevent future unrest."
"Mother, you are right."
Song Ci said, "For now, let it be. When we arrive at the banquet, we’ll look carefully and inquire a bit more."
Speaking of which, Wang Qiuman is actually quite good. It’s just that rascal Baoyu doesn’t find her attractive enough.
Darn, that ungrateful brat!
Thinking about Wang Qiuman, several days have passed, and I wonder how her matchmaking has been going?
Nanny Gong walked in from outside, looking somewhat troubled.
"Madam Dowager," Nanny Gong curtseyed.
Madam Song noticed her serious expression and raised an eyebrow, wondering what’s the matter? Should she excuse herself?
Just as she was about to leave, Nanny Gong began to speak.
"Madam Dowager, there’s going to be an engagement between Wei Mansion and Marquis Weiyuan Mansion."
Song Ci’s hand trembled, and the teacup she was holding fell to the table, her face full of shock: "What, an engagement?"
Impossible. The Dowager of the Wei Family doesn’t strike me as someone who would push her child into a fire pit. How could there be an engagement? Could Baoyu’s information be wrong? Isn’t Wei Cheng rumored to not be interested in women?
Nanny Gong said, "There is indeed an engagement, but it’s between the second daughter of the Wei Family and the young master Wei Da."
"How could that be?" Song Ci was shocked. This turnaround was too fast.
She suddenly recalled how the second Miss Wei had blushed when she saw Wei Cheng, and a light bulb went off in her head: "Could it be that the Wei second daughter used some trick to snatch Wei Cheng away?"
Isn’t this how it’s always portrayed in novels and TV shows? When things reach a certain point, an engagement becomes inevitable.
Nanny Gong showed a look of disdain: "The messenger was the nanny from the Wei Dowager’s family. They didn’t enter the mansion to explain in detail. I probed a bit, and it seems the two of them have already had an incident. The Wei Dowager is furious and has fallen ill."
Oh my, what a big scandal!