Chapter 28: A Wedding to Ward Off Misfortune for Su Mingxiu

Jiang You'an greeted her with a gentle smile.

Madam Su beamed with a friendly expression. "I recall the Old Madam mentioning that You'an was born in the Year of the Rabbit."

Old Madam Lu glanced at her and chuckled, "Indeed, she will be turning seventeen this year."

Madam Su looked Jiang You'an up and down. "She is a well-rounded child, both in appearance and temperament. Didn't you show me her paintings before? She is quite the talented young lady."

Jiang You'an stood quietly, maintaining a dignified and composed demeanor, while internally she was bursting with joy. Madam Su, who had previously looked down on her, was now singing her praises!

Old Madam Lu said with objective impartiality, "The child comes from a scholarly family, and she is well-versed in the arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—possessing considerable talent."

"Our family is a lineage of military generals, and our descendants all follow the martial path; only my fourth son has an affinity for letters. I imagine the two of them would have much to talk about." Madam Su smiled, a smile clearly laden with hidden meaning.

Madam Zhao, sitting to the side, caught the subtext and her heart skipped a beat. Was Madam Su taken with Jiang You'an and looking to make her her fourth daughter-in-law?

This was far too sudden. Even if Su Mingxiu’s health was poor and his marriage prospects were difficult, surely Madam Su wouldn't settle for Jiang You'an—did she not mind that she was the daughter of a disgraced official?

She cast a glance at Jiang You'an, who was smiling shyly. This obedient appearance was a complete transformation from the way she had retorted to her earlier. What kind of stroke of luck had this wretched girl stumbled upon?

Since Madam Su had already stated her intentions so clearly, it was inappropriate for an unmarried girl like Jiang You'an to remain present during discussions of marriage, so Old Madam Lu asked her to withdraw.

After a bit more small talk, Madam Su expressed her intent to have Jiang You'an marry Su Mingxiu to bring him good fortune. Finally, she requested Jiang You'an’s date of birth and hour of birth; whether or not she was a suitable match for Su Mingxiu would depend on a Taoist priest calculating their horoscopes.

After Madam Su left, Madam Zhao was anxious. "Mother, I have already arranged a marriage for Jiang You'an to be the second wife of a wealthy merchant in Lingnan. The arrangements are nearly finalized. We should decline the Su family’s proposal."

Old Madam Lu gave her a look of exasperation. "Can you not tell which of these two matches is better?"

Of course, Madam Zhao knew. Regardless of the "good fortune" aspect, the Marquis’s estate was a prestigious and noble household; for Jiang You'an to marry in would be an immense blessing. It was just that she could not bear to watch Jiang You'an marry so well.

"Mother, you know that Jiang You'an seduced Xuanheng and caused a scene at the Prince Xian’s estate, nearly ruining Xuanheng’s marriage prospects. If we don’t marry her off far away, I fear we won't be able to quell the Prince’s anger."

Old Madam Lu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said leisurely, "Are you marrying her off so far away to appease the Prince, or for your own selfish reasons? I can see that while You'an is your niece by name, you treat her poorly. Regardless of how you view her, the child has suffered enough. Now that she has caught the eye of the Marchioness, isn't it wicked of you to stand in her way?"

Old Madam Lu’s insight was sharp, and Madam Zhao’s true motives were instantly exposed. She looked embarrassed. "Mother, what are you saying? I am merely angry at her for bewitching Xuanheng. How can a mother not look out for her son? Sending her away would cut off Xuanheng’s obsession."

Old Madam Lu scoffed, "As for her and Xuanheng, it takes two to tango; you needn't be so partial to your son. Besides, if you truly want to end his obsession, it would be even better to let You'an marry into the Marquis’s estate. No matter how much he pines for her, he wouldn't dare go to the Marquis’s estate to cause trouble, would he?"

Madam Zhao could not listen any longer and said with some displeasure, "Mother, you’ve been speaking up for Jiang You'an this whole time. Since when did you hold that girl in such high regard that you would disregard your own grandson’s future?"

Old Madam Lu sighed. "How am I disregarding Xuanheng? Think about it carefully: if this marriage with the Marquis’s estate goes through, not only is it good for the girl, but our Lu family will gain a respectable matrimonial alliance."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao’s expression softened slightly. Old Madam Lu’s reasoning was sound. The Lu family had declined in years past and relied entirely on Lu Xuanheng building his career from scratch. They had no roots in the capital, and if they wanted to establish themselves quickly, marriage alliances were the best path. Since Jiang You'an could be utilized, why not?

After a moment of contemplation, Madam Zhao said, "Mother is right; I was thinking too narrowly. Let us proceed with the discussions with the Su family. However, let us keep it from Xuanheng for now; we shall tell him once everything is settled."

Old Madam Lu nodded, understanding her intent.

Elsewhere, Jiang You'an returned to her room, her smile never fading. Her money had not been spent in vain; Taoist Priest Chongxu had truly pulled it off. This way, she wouldn't have to worry about Madam Zhao marrying her off to some family in Xu. Madam Su doted on her youngest son; once she realized Jiang You'an could bring him good fortune, she would keep a close eye on her and do everything to facilitate the marriage.

Madam Su had already visited today, and she believed it wouldn't be long before they came to officially propose.

Just as she was reveling in her success, Qiulan rushed in, followed by the reinforcements she had brought. "Miss, are you alright? Did they do anything to you?"

Jiang You'an said she was fine, though her expression grew awkward when she saw Lu Xuanheng following behind. She could not let him find out about the Su family matter.

Lu Xuanheng had heard that his mother was planning to forcibly take Jiang You'an out of the city, so he had ridden back at full speed. Seeing she was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief. "I told my mother before that she was not to meddle in your marriage. I didn't expect her to do this today. Are you hurt?"

Jiang You'an began to play the victim. "The Eldest Madam hates me to the bone now. Whenever you are not watching, she tries to target me. Today, there were guests in the house, so she spared me, but tomorrow, who knows?"

Lu Xuanheng was deeply displeased with his mother’s actions. With a darkened face, he said, "I will go speak with her."

He then asked, "Who visited the estate today?"

Jiang You'an’s gaze drifted, and she played the fool. "I’m not sure. They probably just dropped by to chat with the Old Madam."

Lu Xuanheng did not think much of it and went to speak with Madam Zhao.

At the Marquis of Yong'an’s estate, Madam Su went straight to Su Mingxiu’s quarters upon her return. Pushing open the door, a faint scent of medicine greeted her. Su Mingxiu had just finished acupuncture and was sitting in a chair by the window, soaking up the sun.

Seeing Madam Su enter, he smiled at her. "Mother."

Madam Su was full of joy as she recounted her visit to the Lu family. "Taoist Priest Chongxu said that if your horoscopes are compatible and you marry, it could bring you good fortune. I asked the Lu family today, and they are willing."

Su Mingxiu’s brows furrowed tightly as he listened. After a long moment, he uttered two words: "Absolutely not."

Madam Su was quite surprised. She had thought that since Su Mingxiu liked Jiang You'an, he would be happy to hear the news. "I think Miss Jiang is perfectly fine. Why are you unwilling?"

Su Mingxiu pressed his lips together, his face grim. It was precisely because Jiang You'an was so good that he was unwilling. If he were to be with her, it should be through a proper marriage with the three letters and six rites. What was this talk of "bringing good fortune"? It was an ugly term, and he could not bring himself to wrong her in such a way.

For once, his expression was icy as he said to Madam Su, "Mother, do not mention this matter again."