Luo Changqing tried to persuade his daughter for the last time, but Luo Yaqing was determined to believe that Zhou Wencun was the lover with whom she would grow old and live in harmony for the rest of her life.
Good words cannot persuade a damned ghost. Although Luo Changqing did not like Zhou Wencun, he could not persuade his beloved daughter, so he had to hint to King Shunyi and agree to the marriage between the two families.
With this agreement, the two families quickly went through the various steps before the wedding. As the "mistress" of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Xu Shichu naturally had to assist Luo Changqing in handling and completing the three books and six ceremonies.
To be honest, Xu Shichu didn't have any deep hatred with Luo Yaqing. The original owner had ruined her fate with Zhou Wencun by accident in her previous life and was hated by her. So in this life, she could fulfill her wish and marry the "ideal husband" in her heart. However, whether she lived a good life or not had nothing to do with Xu Shichu.
When Zhou Wencun came to the prime minister's residence to pay the betrothal gift, it was already the beginning of March of the following year. Luo Yaqing was already quite old, and the Shunyi Palace hoped to marry her off as soon as possible, so the wedding was scheduled for the end of the year.
On the day of the betrothal ceremony, the Prime Minister's residence was filled with joy, and many people from Luo Yaqing's maternal grandfather's family also came.
Luo Yaqing's maternal grandfather's family was also a prominent family of civil officials. Her grandfather had passed away, and her eldest uncle Liu Yuan was now a second-rank Grand Secretary of the Guanwen Hall, and her second uncle Liu Ye was a third-rank Chief Censor.
The two uncles held high positions and were extremely fond of their niece, Luo Yaqing. Therefore, for such an important event as the betrothal gift, they came in person with their entire families.
Luo Yaqing's uncles and cousins were naturally received by her father and brother, while her aunt and cousins-in-law were received by Xu Shichu.
The women in the families of civil officials and upright officials were naturally well-mannered and polite. They treated Xu Shichu very kindly, without any contempt, hostility or vigilance. They politely discussed various matters concerning the marriage with Xu Shichu, without interfering or finding fault.
After Xu Shichu discussed the marriage with the women of the Liu family, he left Luo Yaqing's yard without disturbing the family's interaction.
"Qing'er, your stepmother is too good-looking and has such a gorgeous appearance... I wonder how her relationship with your father is?" When Luo Yaqing's aunt saw Xu Shichu leave, she asked her niece directly without any formality. Outsiders did not know that Luo Changqing and Xu Shichu were in name only.
Luo Yaqing said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, aunt. No matter how pretty she is, what does it matter? My father loves my mother the most. He has no feelings for her. We live in the same mansion, but we rarely see each other.
She has absolutely no right to intervene in my brother and I's affairs. She only manages her own little piece of land in the courtyard, and only comes out to support the situation when there is something that she needs to do in the mansion."
Because the person being questioned was her maternal family, with whom she had always been close, Luo Yaqing did not hide the fact that her father and stepmother had a dull relationship. In fact, she felt condescending sympathy and pity for Xu Shichu, thinking that it was really pitiful that she had to marry a husband who already had a crush on her at such a young age.
The aunt-in-law heard her words but was not relieved: "Ms. Xu is as beautiful as a fairy. Your father has no feelings for her now, but it's hard to say in the future. After a long time, even a dog will have feelings for her, let alone a living beauty."
"Sister-in-law is right, Qing'er, you are still too naive. Even if a man has no feelings for a woman, it does not prevent him from liking a woman's appearance. Your father has lived alone for so many years, and now he has a beautiful and legitimate wife. Who knows how long he can endure?" The second aunt also echoed.
"Impossible! She's been married for almost a year, and my father still doesn't like her! My father will never forget my mother!" Luo Yaqing pouted and retorted unconvincedly, staring at her second aunt with her round eyes, trying to make her change her words.
But the second aunt touched her head, sighed, and said, "Qing'er, you will be married in half a year. Your mother died young, so there are some things she can't teach you. So I will be bold enough to tell you.
Most men in this world are fickle, and their enthusiasm won’t last long. They will easily fall in love with someone else. So after you get married, don’t blindly put all your feelings on your husband without reservation or defense. You should be mentally prepared. It would be best if you can be in love with your husband for the rest of your life, but if you can’t, don’t be resentful or complain. You should learn to let go…”
"Second aunt! What you said is not right, is not it? Don't you have a very good relationship with second uncle, eldest aunt and eldest uncle? Second uncle, eldest uncle and eldest cousin none of them have concubines, let alone my father, who kept having concubines for me and my brother." Luo Yaqing frowned and said to second aunt with disapproval.
"Silly child! Although your eldest uncle and second uncle did not take concubines, they had several maids in their rooms. For the sake of reputation, our family of civil officials cannot take too many concubines, otherwise it will become as chaotic as the noble family...
Do you think your uncle and I have a good relationship? No matter how good the relationship is, if another woman gets involved, it can no longer be pure. Over time, it will become like a guest of respect, polite and distant. Although there is still respect, it is not the same relationship after all."
The aunt explained earnestly, looking at her niece with a worried look in her eyes, "You are so innocent now, what will you do when you marry into Shun Wang's mansion? Shun Yi Wang has many concubines. If Zhou Wencun follows suit, with your intolerant personality, won't it cause chaos?"
Luo Yaqing didn't understand the elders' worries at all. She was full of confidence, her eyes sparkling as she said, "Mr. Zhou Er is not that kind of person. He said he couldn't stand his father being so lustful. How could he do that to hurt my feelings in the future?"
After hearing what she said, the eldest aunt and the second aunt looked at each other. The eldest aunt could only smile bitterly and said, "I hope so. If he can't be devoted to you, don't be afraid. After all, you still have your father and brother. If that doesn't work, you still have your eldest uncle and second uncle to support you."
Luo Yaqing said proudly: "That's natural!"
The second aunt suddenly remembered and asked, "Who brought up this marriage first? Logically speaking, Qing'er, your father would not agree to let you marry into a family like that. Your father and our Liu family are both noble, so why did you agree to marry into a noble family? Although that is the Shunyi Palace, considering your current status and character, the Shunyi King's youngest son is actually not worthy of you."
"Yes, is there someone behind this? Is it your stepmother?" The aunt immediately came up with a conspiracy theory, "Is she hinting at your father?"
Although Luo Yaqing had no feelings for Xu Shichu, she didn't want to let her take the blame. She was also afraid that her two aunts would get angry and mess up the marriage, so she didn't care about being shy and said quickly: "No, I personally agreed to this marriage. My father didn't want to agree at first, but I said I liked Mr. Zhou Er, so..."