Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1330 - 545: The Marriage Proposal (Part 1)

Zeng Dazhuang nodded and said, "Hmm, don’t worry, I will treat this child well." It’s just an extra pair of chopsticks at home, he can afford it. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Tingyuan coughed and then asked, "My sister also said, you promised that after marrying her, you wouldn’t take concubines, is that true?"

Zeng Dazhuang laughed and said, "Of course it’s true. A real man stands by his word. If not, what kind of man would he be?"

Tingyuan frowned at this coarse remark, thinking that such a crude person wasn’t suitable for his sister at all. But there was no way around it; his sister didn’t like Lord Yu from the Hanlin Academy and fancied this rugged man instead. Tingyuan thought that since Yuehuan had already agreed, he couldn’t very well embarrass Zeng Dazhuang too much: "Fine, I’ll believe you for now." This matter depends on actions, not words.

Tingyuan talked to Zeng Dazhuang for a while, but the two of them really had nothing in common to discuss. Tingyuan found an excuse and went back to talk to Yuehuan: "Sister, do you really want to marry that man named Zeng? I met him today, he speaks nothing but coarse words and knows no manners. Sister, even if you don’t like the man named Yu, you don’t have to look for such a boorish man!"

Yuehuan laughed and said, "Even our third brother-in-law wasn’t well-read, but look at how many in the Capital City envy our third sister now." Yueyao had now become the most fortunate woman in the Capital City, even surpassing Mingzhu.

Tingyuan felt a bit uneasy: "Sister, how can that Zeng man compare to our third brother-in-law! Our third brother-in-law is a Scion of the noble family, well-educated from a young age, how can the man named Zeng compare to that?"

Hearing Tingyuan’s words, Yuehuan felt less anxious. Although she had lived here for more than twenty years, she never felt superior because she was born into the Lian family. In fact, she found Zeng Dazhuang’s situation particularly relatable: "I’ve made up my mind, you don’t need to persuade me anymore. When you go back, tell second brother about this matter!"

As much as Tingyuan was unwilling, he couldn’t make decisions for Yuehuan: "Fine."

By the time Tingyuan returned, Tingyi hadn’t come back yet. It wasn’t until nightfall that Tingyuan heard Tingyi return, and he hurried over to find him.

After hearing Tingyuan’s words, Tingyi remained calm: "Since Fourth Sister has agreed, when the time comes, let your second sister-in-law invite the matchmaker."

Tingyuan was taken aback; he had hoped Tingyi would come up with a plan to call off this marriage.

Tingyi had experienced much more than Tingyuan, and having tempered himself in the Imperial Court for years, he saw things much more clearly. First marriage follows the father, second marriage follows oneself. Regardless of whether he or Tingyuan disagreed, even if their father disagreed, they couldn’t stop Yuehuan from marrying Zeng Dazhuang. Since that was the case, why be the bad guy?

Seeing Tingyuan’s expression, Tingyi laughed and said, "The choice was made by Third Sister and her husband. Do you not trust them?"

Of course, Tingyuan didn’t think that: "No, I just feel that the man named Zeng is a bit too rough, not a good match for Fourth Sister."

Tingyi laughed and said, "How can he not be a match? Zeng Dazhuang is a fourth-rank military general; as soon as Yuehuan marries him, she becomes an Imperial Decree Lady. Moreover, with Zeng Dazhuang’s parents deceased, Yuehuan can run the household herself once she’s married. Zeng Dazhuang also has no sons, so there’s no worry about inheritance disputes or unkind stepsons. This marriage is actually very advantageous for Yuehuan. Yueyao must have put a lot of thought into arranging this marriage. Instead of feeling grateful, you’re complaining?"

Tingyuan quickly replied, "I’m not ungrateful, I just think the one named Zeng is not quite a match for Fourth Sister."

Tingyi said, "Heroes are not judged by their birthright. Although Zeng Dazhuang’s origins are humble, remember that he is now a fourth-rank official, five ranks higher than you." Where a man was born doesn’t matter; as long as he has abilities, he doesn’t need to worry about his future.

Hearing this, Tingyuan became deflated. He was currently a seventh-rank official and would take at least another ten years to reach the fourth rank.

Tingyi felt that this marriage was indeed a good one. Even for a maiden waiting for marriage, it would not be a wronged match, let alone for Yuehuan, who was marrying for the second time. Tingyi had always felt that the marriages of Yuebing and Yuehuan were ill-considered, but back then it was his father who made the decisions, and there was no place for him to intervene. Now that Yuehuan had found herself a good marriage, he was genuinely happy. However, thinking about Yuebing’s situation, Tingyi couldn’t be too joyful.

After calming himself, Tingyi said, "Father intends for you to be relocated next year, what do you think?" Now that the political situation was settled, it was time for elder brother Tingli to return. Having two brothers in the Capital City meant they could send Tingyuan out to gain more experience.

Tingyuan had no objections: "I will follow Father’s and Second Brother’s decision."

Tingyi saw Tingyuan off and went to find Lian Dongfang. Regardless, the Lian family was still currently under Lian Dongfang’s headship. Tingyi informed Lian Dongfang about Yuehuan’s interest in Zeng Dazhuang.

Lian Dongfang immediately refused, stating simply that he wouldn’t marry his daughter to a boor who could barely read.

Tingyi was puzzled. Even if Zeng Dazhuang was unrefined and barely literate, wasn’t a boor still better than a merchant? Not to mention, Zeng Dazhuang had an official position and had served the Great Yuan Dynasty. However, Tingyi dared not question Lian Dongfang and only said, "Fourth Sister is stubborn; even if Father disagrees, she’ll still marry."

Lian Dongfang’s face darkened, thinking that Yuehuan used to be obedient, but now she had changed after spending time with Yueyao: "So what do you want to do about it?"

Tingyi said, "Bring Fourth Sister back and have her married off from the Lian family." Although Yuehuan had separated from Qian Tu during times of trouble in the Qian Family, no one would say that Yuehuan was unjust.

Lian Dongfang refused without a second thought. Although he couldn’t stop Yuehuan from remarrying with Yueyao’s support, he would never agree to have Yuehuan marry from the Lian family again.

After much persuasion, Tingyi realized it was no use and said helplessly, "Then what should we do when Lord Zeng proposes in a few days?"

Lian Dongfang said, "Do not let him in."

Seeing this, Tingyi said no more. He knew that no matter how much he said, his father wouldn’t listen to him.