Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1267: Taking a Liking to Young Master Dou

After her shock and rage passed, she sobbed into her hands: "How could I have known that the Gu Family would be associated with such noble figures? You and mother clearly told me that I am a proper lady destined to marry into a noble family... Mrs. Chen, a countryside peasant, hinted at a marriage proposal for me; how could I not be upset? That’s the reason I said some unpleasant things... I’ve been punished by grandfather, isn’t that enough? What more do you want from me? Wuuu~"

Young Master Xu was left speechless with the Zeng Family, as Xu Ling’s words hit home. They had indeed said those things to her, though it was a mere dream, for noble families paid them no mind.

To noble families, the Xu Family was nothing but newly rich peasants, possessing only a modest sum of money. Bringing her into their homes as a wife was impossible, at most she could become a concubine.

The Zeng couple reaped what they sowed and nearly ruined Xu Ling by teaching her poorly.

Young Master Xu waved his hand awkwardly and said, "Enough, enough, there’s no point dwelling on this. Be agreeable today, and speak nicely to Mrs. Chen when you see her. Even if she gives you a hard time, hold back your temper; otherwise, your grandfather will send you to the countryside manor, and no one, not even your parents, can help you."

The couple was called back by father specifically, only to face harsh criticism upon arrival, which almost broke their spirit. He understood well that father valued deeply the Gu Family and was truly set on correcting Girl Ling’s temper.

He knew very well what kind of person father was; once his temper flared, it wouldn’t ease quickly. Girl Ling’s temper had to change, or else the entire household would suffer.

Xu Ling looked at her father with terror: "What? Grandfather wants to send me to the countryside manor?!"

Young Master Xu replied, "That’s right, so you better behave and don’t act foolishly. Luckily your brother intervened; otherwise, grandfather would have sent you away long ago, and you wouldn’t even see us."

Turning to Mrs. Zeng, he continued, "Keep a close eye on Girl Ling; I must rush to greet Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou, for they must be properly cultivated."

Mrs. Zeng, upon hearing this, quickly revealed a thought and tugged at Young Master Xu: "Husband, Young Master Dou hasn’t proposed marriage yet, so why don’t we..."

Young Master Xu snapped, "Let go of that idea; do you know the reputation Young Master Dou has in Jiangnan? Haven’t the daughters of wealthy merchants tried to ensnare him? What was the result? They were merely used, even attempting to jump into wells to no effect, and ultimately marrying poor boys instead."

Young Master Dou, the son of an Imperial Merchant, is the golden son-in-law in the eyes of many wealthy merchants. In the few years he’s been in Jiangnan, several families have tried to scheme a marriage with him, but Young Master Dou is ruthless; even if the girl forces the matter, he wouldn’t marry.

He said, "I didn’t force you; you forced yourself on me. If I haven’t accused you, that’s already being merciful. Yet you wish to marry into the Dou Family? Do you think you deserve it? Being a concubine wouldn’t earn you enough status."

He further warned those attempting to manipulate his marriage, "Rid yourselves of such thoughts. This young master would only marry a high-class noble lady as an official wife. Merchant daughters, even if you look like celestial fairies, this young master would not marry!"

Beautiful women, to men like them, were only meant to serve as fleeting pleasures; only noble ladies with prestigious backgrounds were worthy to marry.

Mrs. Zeng recalled how Young Master Dou dealt with Miss Wei and paled in fear, no longer daring to entertain ideas about Young Master Dou.

Young Master Xu, fearing Xu Ling might act on her own, glared at her, saying, "Give up on those little schemes; Young Master Dou is beyond your reach. Don’t make foolish moves or you might end up forced to jump down a well."

He further instructed Mrs. Zeng, "Explain to her how Young Master Dou deals with the girls who try to manipulate him, ensuring she doesn’t act foolishly."

Having said that, he wasted no time and left promptly to greet Master Ouyang and the others.

...

The Xu Family was bustling with excitement today, making quite a name for themselves. Hearing that Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou personally visited, the wealthy families in the county rushed to send servants back and returned with wedding gifts three times more extravagant than before.

Several families with similar social standing originally sent their servants with gifts, and upon hearing the news, personally came to congratulate: "Oh, Elder Xu, congratulations! Congratulations indeed, your granddaughter’s marriage is enviable!"

Elder Xu was beaming so much his jaw nearly dropped and modestly replied, "Not at all, not at all. It’s just that Brother Xing gave a little help to the Dou Ou Bank, attended a few lessons under Master Ouyang, which led to some connections, bringing Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou here."

Ahem! You nearly claimed your granddaughter’s husband was as close as brothers with Young Master Dou, and a disciple of Master Ouyang. Why the pretense?

Nevertheless, everyone continued with flattering words and compliments.

Busy with today’s events, Elder Xu didn’t entertain them further and hurried to host Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou.

Ms. Lu was also extremely delighted today, holding Xu Zhong’s hand, saying, "My son, you are truly rising in life. Originally, we thought this marriage was ordinary; now it seems we have aimed high!"

Besides Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou’s visitation, the betrothal gifts from the Gu Dafu’s family brought great prestige to the Xu Family. In addition to three sets of golden head ornaments and three sets of silver head ornaments, there were also a pair of Jade Pendants and a box thereof with nine pearls.

Those pearls were as large as one’s finger, uniform in size, smooth, and lustrous.

"Pearls of such size are incredibly rare—keeping them as hairpins would be remarkably prestigious. Your elder sister-in-law nearly ground her teeth upon seeing the box of pearls." Ms. Lu was quite pleased, reminiscing how the Big Sister-in-law Xu always claimed Linglong lacked fortune and would struggle to find a wealthy family for marriage, yet now her Linglong is undeniably promising!

Xu Zhong blushed with embarrassment and quickly reminded Ms. Lu, "Mother, please don’t say such things. If Big Sister-in-law Xu hears this, it might stir trouble. Such words might spread and others would claim we’re arrogant, which isn’t good."

Compared to the gold head ornaments, silver head ornaments, and pearls, Xu Zhong was happier upon receiving funds from Gu Dexing... He slipped her a purse when she returned his engagement clothes, saying it was his own money earned, advising her to keep it.

Upon returning home, she checked the purse, finding it contained three hundred taels in silver notes.

Though not a large sum, his gesture of handing over money touched her deeply... Her parents’ relationship was already good enough, yet she’d never seen father give his own earnings to mother. She realized she was genuinely lucky to encounter Gu Dexing.

Indeed lucky; had you met Gu Dexing years ago, you’d have ended up in tears.

"Mother just confides in you secretly, not broadcasting this thing." Ms. Lu reassuringly patted Xu Zhong’s hand, saying, "Okay, stay inside the room; mother will go and entertain the guests, Mrs. Chen is still here and needs proper attending."

Mrs. Chen didn’t need Ms. Lu to attend to her at all; presently she was feeling proud as she reprimanded Xu Ling.

"Big Sister-in-law Xu, isn’t Girl Ling of quite some age yet? Why hasn’t the matter of marriage been discussed? Young ladies have a brief bloom; a proposal must be made quickly, or once someone discovers Girl Ling’s true temperament, it’ll be challenging to marry... Oh dear, I’m rambling again; forgive me, ladies, Girl Ling truly is a good girl." Mrs. Chen’s ostensibly denying remarks left Mrs. Zeng infuriated.

It’s no wonder Girl Ling felt furious enough to argue directly with Mrs. Chen; this Mrs. Chen simply deserves a good scolding, her words were infuriating enough for someone to perish.