Chapter 251: Chapter 99: Separate Oneself_2 Chapter 251: Chapter 99: Separate Oneself_2 Old Madam remembered the incident from last time, she made sure to inquire clearly this time, but for the sake of caution, she still met with Yao Xiuran once.
Yao Xiuran had an ordinary appearance, ordinary scholarship, and was average in every aspect, even the Yao Family’s financial circumstances were just average. In every respect, Yao Xiuran could not compare to the second young master of the Chen family. However, after seeing Yao Xiuran, Old Madam immediately nodded in agreement.
It was normal for Yao Xiuran to be unremarkable. If Yao Xiuran had been stunningly brilliant, Old Madam would have found it abnormal. Unusual circumstances often harbored deceit, and most things that exceeded common sense were likely problematic. Old Madam hoped to settle this marriage arrangement as soon as possible.
Lady Yao knew that Old Madam Lian wanted to quickly settle a marriage for her beloved granddaughter to ease her mind, but hearing Old Madam Lian’s thoughts, she still had some reservations. After all, it concerned her son’s lifetime commitment, and she felt uneasy about settling the marriage without even seeing the girl first. She needed to meet the Eldest Miss before making a decision.
The cautious attitude of Lady Yao made Old Madam even more reassured; she sent Qiao Ru to call Yueying back so that Lady Yao could meet Yueying.
Upon seeing Yueying, who was also beautiful and well-mannered,— first-rate indeed, —Lady Yao then put her initial unease to rest.
Both families were satisfied with the marriage arrangement. As Old Madam was in poor health, it was naturally settled with the utmost speed. The increased speed naturally saved many expenses.
It was fortunate that Maternal Aunt Chen was not around, for if she had been, it was inevitable that there would have been trouble. Hearing that her fiancé was unremarkable in every way did not bother Yueying too much; it was the comparison to the second young master of the Chen family that inevitably left her feeling quite dejected.
On February 28, a day as hot as scorching sun, Qiao Hui got married.
Old Madam prepared a generous dowry for Qiao Hui, which not only included the most valuable silver and several expensive pieces of jewelry but also twenty acres of top-grade paddy fields.
Qiao Hui was incomparably moved.
Yueyao also gifted a pair of silver-inlaid gold butterfly hairpins as additional dowry, the most significant gift besides what Old Madam gave.
After learning that Yueyao had given a pair of gold hairpins, Lady Mo could barely keep her face straight, grumbling about the heavy dowries placed for a mere unrelated maid, criticizing how one could never understand the true expense of household necessities unless they managed a home themselves. Lady Mo felt uneasy just thinking about the massive wealth Yueyao held and the generous dowry from the Ma Family.
Yueying, Yuebing, and Yuehuan all had their own additional dowries, although these were modest, merely a token of goodwill. This was because Qiao Hui’s situation was unique, being one who served Old Madam.
Since Old Madam fell into a coma, Yueyao had been by her side every day, talking to her, reading books to her, and sharing interesting stories from the books, trying her best to keep Old Madam entertained and hoping to help her get through this difficult time.
Time did not stop, slowly moving into August. August was the month Yueyao dreaded the most because her grandmother had passed away during this time in her previous life. Yueyao sincerely prayed to heaven to allow her grandmother to safely overcome this ordeal.
Yueyao felt uncomfortable, and the weather was oppressively hot. Hua Lei and Qiao Lan were fanning beside her, yet she still felt sticky all over.
Xi Yu brought over a bowl of mung bean soup, which Yueyao drank quickly. Actually, if it had been chilled, it would have been more refreshing, but Yueyao did not allow ice to be added. As for the reason, Yueyao did not say.
Nanny Deng came from the front courtyard, smiling warmly at Yueyao as she spoke, “Miss, just now someone from the Ma Family came and said that the Eldest Young Madam is pregnant, you’re going to be an aunt soon.” Usually, such news is only announced once the pregnancy has reached three months and the baby is stable.
Yueyao was also very delighted and quickly replied, “This is really wonderful news.” The impending new life gave Yueyao renewed hope that everything could change.
Her cousin from her previous life had died for unknown reasons without leaving any descendants. Now, however, things were different. Not only had her cousin entered the Hanlin Academy, but he had also married a noblewoman and was soon to become a father. Her cousin’s destiny had already changed; perhaps her grandmother’s fate could change as well.
As beautiful as imagination can be, reality is often harsh; that very night, Old Madam fell into a coma again. This time, it was not due to overexertion but because of the changing seasons.
Every time the seasons changed, it was always a difficult time for the elderly, and this time, Old Madam was unconscious for two days and three nights before she woke up. Doctor Tang told everyone, “Prepare yourselves mentally, Old Madam won’t last much longer.”