Chapter 1476: Chapter 1: Brother Xuxu Side Story (Part 1)
Wen Ning interjected: "Ah Xu, we should go and pay our respects to Auntie."
Meng Miaoer gazed at Brother Xuxu’s back, her eyes shimmering.
Zhang Wuying laughed and said: "Cousin, have you taken a liking to this Third Young Master of the An Family?" This Third Young Master of the An Family doesn’t seem worse off.
Meng Miaoer blushed and stomped her foot: "What nonsense are you talking! I’m not talking to you anymore, I’m going to find my mother."
Since the Second Princess became pregnant, Yueyao began to attend to Brother Xuxu’s marriage. After half a year, Yueyao finally chose Xinrong, the niece of Lady of Marquis Jingning, Madam Ping.
An Zhichen trusted Yueyao’s judgment and knew that Yueyao had picked Ping Xinrong. The girl was good, and the families were equally matched: "Then set the marriage, and strive for them to wed by the end of the year." Brother Shengsheng was about to become a father, and Brother Xuxu’s lifelong matter should be resolved too. As for Brother Feifei, he was on a different path, and with Yueyao having plans, An Zhichen didn’t interfere. Of course, Brother Feifei wasn’t home, so even if he wanted to intervene, he couldn’t.
Yueyao sent someone to bring Brother Xuxu back, preparing to let the two children meet. This was essentially a mere formality, for the two to meet, and then settle the marriage. Who would have thought that upon returning, Brother Xuxu expressed that he liked another girl and couldn’t arrange a betrothal with Miss Ping.
Upon hearing Brother Xuxu’s words, Yueyao couldn’t help but recall the situation with Tingzheng and Lin Qinghan, feeling unwell at that moment.
An Zhichen’s face darkened after hearing this, saying: "Marriage is a major affair determined by parental orders and matchmakers’ words, and you dare to privately exchange mutual affections? Such a girl’s character is flawed; how could she enter the An Family’s door?"
Brother Xuxu hurriedly explained: "Father, I just like her myself; she knows nothing of it." Brother Xuxu was not actually so enamored, merely having just started to feel this way. So he couldn’t simply tell his family. Who knew, his brief hesitation led his mother to find him a wife.
An Zhichen’s face grew even more dour: "So, you’re there all alone with your wishful thinking?" His son was so excellent, yet the other party didn’t notice, infuriating him over Brother Xuxu being unambitious and over the other party’s lack of discernment.
Brother Xuxu nodded and said: "Yes, I was planning to tell Mother when I came home for vacation, and have her propose to the Chang family. Unexpectedly, Mother set her sights on Miss Ping."
Upon hearing there wasn’t any mutual affection, just Brother Xuxu’s one-sided thoughts, Yueyao felt relieved. If what Brother Xuxu said was entirely true, it showed that Miss Chang’s character was quite good, and indeed she was clever. After all, women often suffer in private exchanges of affections. If Yueyao knew Zhang Wuying was unaware that Brother Xuxu held feelings for her, presumably, she wouldn’t have thought that way.
Seeing Yueyao’s demeanor soften, Brother Xuxu felt there was hope to negotiate, and said: "Mother, Miss Chang has a great temperament, I’m sure you’ll like her upon meeting."
Upon hearing these words, Yueyao recalled when Tingzheng had said something similar and her expression darkened again, asking harshly: "What if I don’t like her, then what will you do?" If Brother Xuxu dared to insist on marrying her, then she definitely couldn’t enter their home.
Brother Xuxu quickly replied: "If Mother truly doesn’t like her, then forget it."
This statement from Brother Xuxu actually softened Yueyao’s heart. Naturally, as a mother, Yueyao wished her children happiness; since Brother Xuxu liked her, meeting her wouldn’t be harmful: "Mother will agree this time, will meet Miss Chang. But let me say upfront, if Mother feels you’re unsuitable, you’ll have to be engaged to Miss Ping." If suitable, Yueyao wouldn’t mind letting Brother Xuxu marry Miss Chang, even if the Chang family’s status was lower. Brother Xuxu was the youngest son, as long as Miss Chang was good, the match was doable.
After Brother Xuxu left, An Zhichen discontentedly said: "Since she doesn’t fancy Brother Xuxu, why bother meeting? Our Brother Xuxu isn’t lacking for a wife."
Yueyao laughed: "To marry the girl one loves is a blessing, don’t you think? Remember when you married me, your father was also unwilling! Our lives now, who can match it?"
Remembering marrying Yueyao, An Zhichen stopped opposing: "Then make sure to handle it well, don’t get soft-hearted again." He had no control over Tingzheng’s situation, but Brother Xuxu was his son, and he didn’t want his son to marry someone like Madam Lin and cause discord at home.
