At the second watch, seeking for votes.
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Lady Zhou had so reservations about Zhao Xiue, but upon hearing what she said, she still turned her head and gave Zhao Xiue a full look. After all, the importance of Lian Xiuxiu’s marriage in Lady Zhou’s heart almost surpassed all other matters.
"Nanny, isn’t there a saying, ’A local despot is better than a distant king.’ My uncle is going to Hejian Prefecture to beco an official, while my aunt is still at ho looking for a suitable match; the difference couldn’t be greater," Zhao Xiue said animatedly as she approached Lady Zhou, "If we go to Hejian Prefecture, where my uncle holds office, he’s the parent official there; everyone would have to respect and yield to us. The prestigious families there would open their doors for us to choose from. To put it bluntly, whoever we take a fancy to, we only need to send a ssage, and they would co knocking on our door eagerly asking for a marriage alliance."
"Exactly, that’s the saying," Lian Shouyi nodded in agreent.
A frown crossed Lady Zhou’s brow, as she thought that Zhao Xiue’s words today made sense.
"Xiuxiu’s marriage, of course, ought to be the best we can arrange... but we can’t just strive to marry into too high a rank," Lady Zhou said, still harboring doubts, "We still have to co back eventually, don’t we? Hejian Prefecture is too far from ho, that won’t work."
"Mother, look at you, worrying about such trivial matters," Lian Shouyi laughed, "Once we settle well over there, with a grand mansion and everything at our disposal, why would we co back? Aren’t you worried about Xiuxiu? Let’s just move our ho next to Xiuxiu’s, wouldn’t that solve the problem?"
"Nanny, it’s different for a big household compared to ours, even hiring a carriage to go out is a difficulty. But if they go out, they have fast horses driving their carriages, with a host of maids and servants at their service; it’s as comfortable as being at ho. If we stay here, even marrying into a lesser household pales in comparison to finding a top-class family for my aunt in the place of my uncle’s service. With their wealth and power, what’s a few hundred miles? Nanny, we can’t just because of these few hundred miles cause a delay in my aunt’s prospects," Zhao Xiue continued.
With Lian Shouyi and Zhao Xiue putting it this way, Lady Zhou began to waver.
"Mother, Xiuxiu’s marriage absolutely must be arranged where my elder brother takes up his post. Only he should handle it. At ho, the level of sophistication just isn’t the sa," Lian Shouyi, seeing her like this, stoked the fire further, "Besides, Mother, my elder brother’s new place is so far from ho, you have to go with him no matter what. You’ve made so many sacrifices for my elder brother; if you don’t go to enjoy the fruits now, when will you?"
"Once my elder brother leaves you, he won’t be the sa man. Whatever my sister-in-law says, he’ll listen to; he’ll forget all about you, Mother. Have you forgotten the past? Once we’re over there, everything will be under my sister-in-law’s control. Never mind arranging a dowry for Xiuxiu, they won’t even spare a thought for you," Lian Shouyi looked towards the Upper Room and lowered his voice as he spoke to Lady Zhou.
"Nanny, my uncle’s officialdom, it’s all thanks to the virtues you’ve accumulated. If you don’t go with him to manage the household, who will take over?" Zhao Xiue also said in a hushed tone.
Upon the prospect of managing the household alongside Lian Shouren in his post, a gleam flashed in Lady Zhou’s eyes.
"Mother, you are the matriarch, if you don’t go, then my sister-in-law will rule supre," Lian Shouyi said.
"Nanny, you have to go, and you have to take us all with you. When the ti cos, if she dares to disregard your words... I don’t want to anger you, Nanny, but if it’s just you and my aunt going there, it’s still uncertain who will have the final say. My uncle’s wife and my sister-in-law, they’ve both got a gut full of sches..." Zhao Xiue said.
"Mother, let’s hurry up and pack, and all go together; that’s the right course," Lian Shouyi said.
"If we all go, what about all of this..." Lady Zhou’s eyes scanned the yard, reluctant to leave her ho and possessions.
"Mother, these possessions, they will always be yours, no matter what. Even if we all leave, no one else should dream of taking advantage..." Lian Shouyi said, grinning.
"So we all go?"
"Absolutely."
...
The Lian Family mbers once again gathered in the Upper Room, so faces showing joy while others appeared anxious and uneasy.
"Father, about this matter..." Lian Shouren couldn’t hold back and began to speak, already faintly aware that the situation was slipping out of his control, heading in the direction he least wished for. Sadly, he was powerless to do anything.
"Your mother and I have discussed it; I will accompany you to your post," Old Master Lian stated his decision directly.
Lian Shouren felt as if a heavy hamr had struck his chest, causing him so much pain he almost couldn’t breathe, and tears nearly spilled from his eyes.
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