Chapter 129: Chapter 55: Ma Peng’s Marriage_5
Looking at Lady Lin’s smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she too smiled. In fact, she didn’t even need to analyze to guess Lady Lin’s thoughts; marrying into the Lin Family, her mother-in-law would hold sway over her in every way.
She was unwilling to marry, but to argue with reason would get her nowhere. Therefore, she bribed a young man who was in good standing with Young Master Lin, having him speak ill of her in front of Young Master Lin—telling him how arrogant and overbearing she was, petty-minded and intolerant.
Considering how much Young Master Lin adored his cousin, how could he marry a domineering, jealous woman incapable of toleration? Upon hearing this negative portrayal, which matched what his friend had told him, he immediately expressed his unwillingness to proceed with the marriage.
Marriage is a significant matter, traditionally arranged by parental authority and the matchmaker’s words, yet his reluctance mattered little; the real power lay in the hands of Lord Lin and Lady Lin.
However, it was enough for her that Young Master Lin had clearly shown his reluctance to marry her. Her father was a man who valued his reputation and would never go back on his word, but her brother Changhe truly loved her and would never let her be wronged. Thus, when Changhe learned that Young Master Lin didn’t want to marry her to avoid making his cousin suffer, he became enraged and told their father that they absolutely couldn’t agree to this union.
Of course, their father was not pleased.
Seeing that reasoning with their father was futile, Changhe simply found an excuse to quarrel with Young Master Lin, nearly coming to blows. Their father was furious, but Changhe wouldn’t back down, and eventually, their father conceded after a lengthy argument in the study. He was also relieved that Changhe was busy preparing for the spring imperial examination next year; otherwise, Changhe would have definitely faced severe punishment.
The marriage proposal had been broken off, but the problem was that at her age, she definitely had to marry someone. If left to her father, he would probably find someone similar to Young Master Lin. If her maternal grandmother were to choose, she would definitely pick someone from a prominent clan, ensuing inevitable strife and intrigue.
These concerns were secondary, for what truly worried her was the news she had received that her grandmother would soon be visiting. She wasn’t afraid of Madam Bao, but her grandmother was a different story—an opponent she couldn’t outmatch. With filial piety at play, her father would unconditionally side with her grandmother, leaving her at a disadvantage.
By coincidence, she happened to overhear Changhe talking about treating someone to a meal. She casually inquired and learned that Changhe was expressing gratitude for a favor received.
It was then she discovered the man’s name was Ma Peng, from a family of fifth-generation nobles whose Nobility Title had ended with his grandfather. Moreover, she learned that the Ma Family was wealthy, Ma Peng’s father was a Fourth Rank official, a Palace Graduate from the same cohort as her father, and that Ma Peng himself held the title of Juren (Successful Candidate), someone who, according to Changhe, strived for progress and ambition.
After learning more about Ma Peng, she became somewhat interested; a man who had not grown up to be a prodigal wastrel under the hand of a wicked stepmother, one whose bad reputation had not been spread was either very cunning or truly simple-minded. Consequently, she sent her brother to find out more about Ma Peng personally.
Her brother, aware that she was taking an interest in Ma Peng, was displeased, considering Ma Peng too simple and lacking wit, too unpolished to match her. He even resorted to using a beautiful woman to dissuade her from this idea. Unfortunately, the scheme was ineffective on Ma Peng.
Changhe’s inadvertent act solidified her resolve. A man not tempted by beauty was indeed rare, and she intended to solidify this match before her grandmother’s arrival.
Her father and Ma Peng’s father, Ma Chengteng, were from the same cohort, shared a bond of collegiality, and served together in the government. With Ma Peng holding the title of Juren, and all other aspects of his family background being suitable, they were a match.
Although her father was somewhat discontented with Ma Peng’s lower position in the provincial examination, after long consideration, he finally agreed.
Her maternal grandmother, upon hearing it was the Ma Family, also consented, for the Ma Family had substantial wealth, and Ma Peng’s success as a Juren promised a bright future. Besides, with no direct mother-in-law alive, it was a decent marriage agreement.
Once Ma Chengteng caught wind of her father’s stance, the very next day a matchmaker was sent to propose, and even she did not expect the marriage to proceed so smoothly.
Zhuang Changhe, holding Ruo Lan’s hand, said, “Sister, rest assured, if he dares to bully you, I will never let him off the hook.”
Ruo Lan had met Ma Peng once, finding him to be unremarkable in appearance yet well-mannered and earnest. After meeting Ma Peng, she was even more convinced that her future days would be comfortable, “Don’t worry, Ma Peng may not be clever or exceptionally talented, but he excels in being dutiful and upright, and he is indifferent to beauty; sister’s future will be good.”
In fact, she had been living a tiresome life over these years; staying in Duke Mansion, she had to cope with constant intrigues within the household while also guarding against the possibility of the duke’s prodigal sons leading Changhe astray. In seeking a reputable teacher for her brother, she had no choice but to turn to her father, who, fortunately, found an esteemed mentor for Changhe. When her father returned, she also had to guard against Madam Bao misleading Changhe. Over the years, she had truly had to be constantly vigilant to ensure her brother’s safe upbringing, and now that Changhe had become sensible and had his own Juren title, she felt reassured. But these past years had been so exhausting, and she did not wish to live like that anymore; she yearned for a simple life.