Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 131: Chapter 56: Ma Peng Makes a Decision

Yueyao tired from practicing calligraphy, stood in the middle of the courtyard, watching the fish swimming freely in the pond, and couldn’t help but dip her hand into the water, rippling circles across the surface.

Brother Zheng stood by, watching with a smiling gaze, and occasionally disturbed the pond’s water lilies, revealing the hidden fish underneath.

Hua Lei watched the rare relaxation of the siblings and smiled gently. Ever since Young Master Tingzheng had come over, the young lady’s smile had appeared more often. These days, she seemed not only more spirited than before but also taller and fuller. Now, with two pieces of good news in a row from Uncle Master’s family, these were indeed happy times for the young lady, and Hua Lei felt that her worries were now non-existent.

The engagement date was set, Ma’s Mansion sent out invitations to Lian Mansion, and once the engagement gifts were delivered, all that was left was to determine the wedding date and they would be married.

The person who delivered the invitations made a point of saying that Lord Ma especially hoped that Cousin Miss could come over. Ma Chengteng believed that Ma Peng’s attainment of this marriage alliance was largely due to Yueyao’s merit. Without her, he certainly wouldn’t have taken his son out to relax, and in such a state, his son couldn’t have passed the Juren examination, without which they couldn’t have secured such a good marital connection with the Zhuang Family.

The Old Madam initially wanted to decline, but considering that the father of Ma Family’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Central Secretariat, a powerful official with real authority, it would be wise to foster a good relationship. After thinking it over, the Old Madam ultimately decided to let Yueyao go.

Lady Mo, upon hearing that the Ma Family wanted Yueyao to come over, looked troubled: “Old Madam, Yueyao is still in mourning, and it wouldn’t be proper for her to go to the Ma Family.” It was not appropriate for someone in mourning to participate in engagement festivities.

Lady Mo was somewhat uncomfortable with the news because she had set her sights on the Zhuang Family’s Young Lady, having hinted as much to Madam Zhuang. Madam Zhuang, however, claimed she couldn’t decide on her own, and so the matter eventually came to nothing. Her son was just as good-looking and his conditions were no worse than those of the Ma Family’s; yet the Zhuang Family’s Young Lady refused their family and chose the Ma Family. How could she be at ease with that?

The Old Madam was well aware of this concern: “I mentioned it to the Ma Family, but the messenger said Lord Ma stated it wouldn’t cause any harm. If people say it’s inauspicious, it’s not our fault.” Since Ma Chengteng was insistent on having Yueyao over at the Ma Family, it was now their concern.

Lady Mo was speechless; this was the difference between having a mistress and not having one. If there were a mistress, such things would never be allowed to happen.

In fact, Lady Mo was overthinking it. Such taboos, even without a mistress, the men in charge knew better, not to mention those who prepared the gift list and those who managed affairs. Ma Chengteng’s insistence on Yueyao’s attendance was due to a different sort of gratitude.

The Ma Family’s engagement was rather low-key. They did not host a lavish banquet for the guests, inviting only those they were familiar with. Lady Mo did not go herself but sent Yueyao with a gift, and thus the formality was completed.

When Yueyao arrived at Ma’s Mansion, she saw a bustling scene of carriages and horses at the entrance. Yueyao did not go to the front courtyard; instead, she went straight to Begonia Garden. In Begonia Garden, she practiced calligraphy in peace, estimating that she would not see her uncle and Eldest Cousin until evening.

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Soon, a maid came and said, “Miss, Granny Liu has come to pay respects to you.”

Because Yueyao helped solve Cheng Lizi’s issue, Granny Liu was enormously grateful to her. Without Miss Cousin’s assistance, their Eldest Young Master could have ended up marrying that tigress from the Cheng Family. If he had married that Cheng girl, the Eldest Young Master’s life would have been ruined. Now, everything was fine; the young master had become a Juren, and he was promised to such a fine match. She had no more worries now.

Yueyao initially did not want to see Granny Liu, but Nanny Deng said, “Miss, if it weren’t for your help, who knows what would have become of the Eldest Young Master now. You can bear this gratitude.” Nanny Deng meant that the Old Master and Eldest Young Master should also owe Yueyao this favor; they couldn’t rely on people from Lian Mansion anymore, and now their hopes must be pinned on the Ma Family.

Yueyao thought it over and agreed to meet Granny Liu. Facing Granny Liu’s thanks, Yueyao smiled and nodded, “I’ve heard that Eldest Miss Zhuang was personally raised by the Lady of Duke of Lu. Whether it’s in managing households or socializing, Eldest Miss Zhuang is top-notch. So, I too am very happy for Eldest Cousin.” Yueyao, having heard from Nanny Deng of Eldest Miss Zhuang’s capable and intelligent nature, as well as her good looks, was genuinely happy for Ma Peng.

Granny Liu felt there was something off in Yueyao’s words, as if there were implied meanings she wasn’t articulating! Yet, Miss Cousin did not seem inclined to elaborate. When Granny Liu left, she couldn’t help but ask Nanny Deng, “What does the Miss mean by that?”

Having dealt with many situations and serving close to Yueyao, Nanny Deng could guess the meaning behind Yueyao’s words, but it was not something easily spoken aloud. She just smiled and said, “The Miss is simply happy for the Eldest Young Master; what else could it mean?” If Granny Liu could figure it out herself, that was well and good. If not, it was her own concern.