Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 130: Chapter 55: Ma Peng’s Wedding_6

Zhuang Changhe felt deep down that Ma Peng wasn’t worthy of Ruo Lan, his sister was so outstanding and deserved someone better. Yet his sister willingly accepted, even speaking to him about the benefits of marrying Ma Peng. He was saddened, but in the end, he complied with his sister’s wishes. His sister had spent years protecting him, racking her brain and even delaying her own marriage prospects: “Sister, I know, don’t worry, I’ll be fine…”

Ruo Lan smiled and said, “Silly brother, yes, if I were willing, I could naturally marry someone better than Ma Peng. But being the wife of a prominent clan might seem glorious, yet how many know the bitterness within? I don’t want superficial grandeur, I just want to live a comfortable life.” Having a husband who is honest and doesn’t covet other women, it doesn’t matter if he never becomes a high-ranking official. She didn’t seek wealth or glory, only wishing for a harmonious and loving relationship with her spouse. Ruo Lan didn’t give Lady Cheng a second thought; even the shrewd Madam Bao couldn’t gain any advantage over her, so such a foolish woman certainly shouldn’t dream of bossing her around. As for her younger brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ruo Lan simply ignored them.

Changhe looked at his sister, who seemed completely relaxed since the marriage arrangement was decided. Well, even if Ma Peng was less than desirable, as long as his sister was happy, that was what mattered.

Ruo Lan, patting Zhuang Changhe’s hand, smiled and said, “The only thing I’m concerned about now is your marriage. Madam Bao will definitely try to meddle again. ‘To put one’s family in order, to rule the state.’ If our family is not at peace, any struggle you engage in outside will be in vain. But fortunately, you are the eldest son and grandson. After you pass the examination next year, father will surely arrange a good marriage for you, and then I can truly be at ease.” Ruo Lan was not overly worried about her brother’s marriage. Their father, who was indifferent to her but fond of her brother, had guided him closely over the years. Moreover, as the legitimate eldest son who would shoulder the family responsibilities, she believed that their father would definitely oversee her brother’s marriage arrangement carefully, not leaving it to the whims of their grandmother and Madam Bao.

If Yueyao could hear this conversation, she would surely say that her cousin had been hit by a pie falling from the sky, obtaining a treasure.

After Changhe left, his confidant came to tell him something. Changhe’s pupils shrank, “Are you saying this is true?”

The attendant nodded, “Eldest Young Master, it’s true. I’ve got the news that the Old Madam will come to Capital City in a few days.”

Changhe punched the wall. He finally understood why his sister chose Ma Peng and why she had decided her own marriage matter in such a short time; it all came down to this reason.

Zhuang Changhe disliked Old Madam Zhuang, one could even say he hated her. Because he knew it was Old Madam Zhuang who had forced his mother to her death. Without their mother, the Zhuang Family had no place for him and his sister, leaving them no choice but to seek refuge at the Duke Mansion.

Returning to the Zhuang Family, although his father showed great affection, Madam Bao repeatedly tried to sabotage him and his sister. If not for their cunning, who knows what would have happened? Even so, Madam Bao and Old Madam Zhuang still plotted against his sister, wanting to marry her off to that mangy dog. If Old Madam Zhuang indeed came from their hometown, with Madam Bao assisting her on the side, his sister’s marriage would certainly run into more problems. Fortunately, the marriage proceedings were already underway.

For this reason, Zhuang Changhe put aside his dissatisfaction with Ma Peng and actively made efforts. He was determined to settle the marriage before Old Madam Zhuang arrived in Capital City, not allowing anyone to alter it.

The exchange was more fitting, the wedding was going according to the established procedures.

Madam Bao never expected that the marriage would be settled in such a short time. She told Old Master that they couldn’t rush it: “Old Master, deciding on the marriage so hastily will make others think our Eldest Miss has something improper about her.” Madam Bao spoke at length, but she didn’t realize that her husband didn’t listen to her at all and coldly ordered her to take care of her own affairs.

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Madam Bao was furious. Actually, she looked down on Ma Peng, but Ma Peng, however unsatisfactory, was still better than her own good-for-nothing nephew; at the very least, Ma Peng was a Juren with the honor of five generations of nobility, and the Ma Family was enormously wealthy. Furthermore, her natal family still occasionally needed her help, and the two families were incomparable. Thinking of these things made Madam Bao’s heart ache.

The maid came in and said, “Madam, this is the list that the miss has drawn up; please look it over.” Ruo Lan sent what she needed to the main courtyard. Actually, she didn’t have to send it, Ruo Lan could have bought everything herself. But Ruo Lan just wanted to irritate Madam Bao. Now that her marriage was settled, she had even fewer inhibitions.

Madam Bao almost crumpled up the list.

Lady Lin was furious that Ruo Lan had become betrothed so quickly. In her eyes, her son was the best and could even marry a princess, yet now he had been scorned by Zhuang Ruo Lan. How could she be at peace with this? Lady Lin was resolute in her belief that she had to find a better match for her son than Zhuang Ruo Lan.

But Lord Lin did not agree with proposing a marriage at this time. His view was to wait until after the spring imperial examination the following year. If his son became a Palace Graduate, the marriage proposal would certainly be better.

The reason Lord Lin had agreed to the Zhuang Family’s marriage proposal was, firstly, because Ruo Lan herself had good prospects, and even more importantly, Lord Zhuang and the Duke Mansion’s backing meant that even if his son passed and became a Palace Graduate, it was not certain that he could propose such a good marriage. Who would have expected such a disturbance to arise out of nowhere?

The Lin Family was not pleased, and neither was Vice Minister Peng. The Vice Minister’s intention was to wait until after the spring imperial examination. If Ma Peng was incredibly lucky to settle this marriage, then so be it. But if he failed to become a Palace Graduate, then this marriage proposal would need to be reevaluated. He had not expected that the Ma Family would settle the marriage now and to such a good match no less.

Lady Peng had no regrets: “Old Master, you are well aware of the situation in the Ma Family’s inner house. Fen Er is gentle by nature, and if she married into the Ma Family, she would have trouble coping with someone as shameless as Lady Cheng.” The marriage proposal was, in reality, mostly dismissed by Lady Peng. With Ma Peng being untalented and from a messy household, she was unwilling to let her daughter suffer in such a family. Emphasizing to wait until after the spring imperial examination was just an excuse. Lady Peng had used that excuse, convinced that Ma Peng would not succeed. Now that the Ma Family had arranged another union, it conveniently resolved this potential problem.

Old Madam Lian was very surprised upon hearing the news: “How did the Ma Family enter into a marriage alliance with the Zhuang Family?” Ma Peng was merely a Juren with such a low ranking. How could Lord Zhuang be interested in him!

Nanny Zheng said with a smile, “This too is fate for everyone.” Regardless of what others thought, the marriage was already going through the formalities, and it was almost a done deal.

The Old Madam smiled and asked, “What is the character of the Zhuang Family’s Eldest Miss like?” She had not socialized much recently and was not very familiar with outside affairs.

Nanny Zheng pondered for a moment before answering, “The Zhuang Family’s Eldest Miss is very capable. She took care of her own dowry from the age of eight, and all these years, she didn’t suffer any losses under her stepmother.”

Old Madam nodded, “Then this is indeed a good match.” But she was puzzled as to why the Zhuang Family was interested in Ma Peng. With Ma Peng’s low exam ranking, he had no hope for the court examination, and the Ma Family’s inner courtyard was a mess, with a very bad reputation in the Capital City. She didn’t know what the Zhuang Family saw in him.

A girl personally tutored by the Duchess would surely not meet her match in Lady Cheng. The Ma Family was lucky to marry such a daughter-in-law. From now on, the Ma Family’s Inner Courtyard affairs would certainly be sorted out.