Chapter 1482: Brother Xuxu Extra (Part 2)_4
Ping Xinrong’s face was slightly flushed. Her mother had told her about all the benefits of marrying into the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion, and she had no objections herself. Now having met the person, she had even fewer objections.
Brother Xuxu was still seriously considering it, when Xiang Wei approached him. Xiang Wei naturally wouldn’t mention what Yueyao had said to Brother Xuxu, but instead recounted the matter of Tingzheng and Madam Lin to him.
Because of Madam Lin’s disrespect towards Yueyao, all four of Brother Xuxu’s siblings disliked Madam Lin, but they were too young at the time to understand much. After listening to Xiang Wei, Brother Xuxu’s expression turned very unpleasant.
After Xiang Wei finished speaking, she said, "Brother Xuxu, back then both I and your father thought highly of Madam Lin, but your mother felt that Madam Lin was unsuitable for your uncle, and in the end, your mother’s judgment proved precise." Xiang Wei implied that if Yueyao felt Miss Chang was unsuitable for Brother Xuxu, then the two of them definitely wouldn’t have a good future together.
Brother Xuxu recalled what Yueyao had told him last time and had to admit that his mother indeed had precise insight.
Seeing Brother Xuxu wavering, Xiang Wei pressed on further: "Brother Xuxu, you know your mother’s character, she isn’t someone who only cares about family status; she just wants you siblings to have good lives. Brother Xuxu, your mother won’t harm you. She spent half a year choosing a girl you liked, and in the end, she chose Miss Xinrong. Brother Xuxu, this girl from the Ping family has a good temperament and suits you well. If you miss this chance, who knows when you’ll find another suitable girl? By then, your mother will have to toil all over again. You don’t know, but now your mother manages the Earl’s Mansion and also has to handle matters at the Princess’s Mansion, it’s very exhausting." Xiang Wei almost implied that Brother Xuxu was being unfilial.
Actually, Brother Xuxu only had a good impression of Miss Chang, and after being so troubled by his family, he’d long since discarded any thoughts about it. Brother Xuxu was also well aware that it was only his mother who cared for him; had it been his father, he would not even have consulted his opinion and would have arranged the engagement without hesitation.
Brother Xuxu thought it over for a night and the next morning told Yueyao: "Mother, please proceed with the engagement! I promise I will treat Miss Ping well in the future."
Yueyao asked, "Once you’re engaged, you must be devoted and not be indecisive. Can you do that? If you can, I will arrange for the proposal. If not, we’ll talk again after you’ve sorted out your feelings."
Brother Xuxu nodded and said, "Mother, rest assured, I will be devoted to Miss Ping."
Hearing these words, Yueyao felt relieved. With mutual interest from both sides, the marriage was quickly arranged, with the wedding set for February next year.
Yueyao noticed Brother Xuxu’s calm demeanor but was still somewhat worried, and said to An Zhichen: "Heyue, do you think Brother Xuxu hasn’t really let go, and that he’s only agreed to the engagement with the Ping family because of our pressure?" Specifically, it was An Zhichen’s pressure.
An Zhichen was unconcerned: "It’s the decree of parents and the words of a matchmaker; isn’t it the same in every family?" Seeing Yueyao’s furrowed brows, he added helplessly, "Rest assured, Brother Xuxu is not like Tingzheng; he won’t stubbornly hold on. And if I’m not mistaken, his interest in Miss Chang was just a fleeting novelty, not something he was insistent upon. Otherwise, given Brother Xuxu’s obstinate nature, how would he agree to an engagement with Miss Ping so readily? Do you remember when we wanted to adopt him into Elder Uncle’s family, what did he do? At that time, Brother Xuxu was unwilling to be adopted out and threatened us with his life. If he really wanted to marry that girl from the Chang family, he certainly wouldn’t have compromised so quickly and would have fought against us to the bitter end."
Yueyao thought about Brother Xuxu’s behavior and felt that An Zhichen made a good point. However, to be safe, Yueyao decided to have Brother Xuxu visit the Ping family more frequently in the future to cultivate some feelings.
Upon returning to the barracks, without waiting for others to ask, Brother Xuxu himself mentioned the engagement.
Not yet mature enough, Meng Cheng blurted out in surprise after hearing this: "You’re engaged? When did this happen? How come I didn’t know?" After realizing his lapse, he quickly remedied: "We’re such good friends, how could you not tell us about something as important as your engagement? That’s not fair."
Wen Ning, hearing these words, felt a sense of relief, and said: "Ah Cheng is right, you didn’t tell us about such a big event as your engagement, it’s like you don’t consider us friends at all."
Brother Xuxu replied with a smile: "It’s not like that, my mother only invited family for the engagement; no one else was invited. But when I get married next year, I will definitely invite you."
Wen Ning asked: "Who is the bride?"
Brother Xuxu replied with a smile: "The Fifth Miss of the Ping family."
Meng Cheng, seeing Brother Xuxu’s expression, knew he was very satisfied with the Fifth Miss Ping and couldn’t find any more words to say. With Brother Xuxu engaged, there naturally was no room for his sister anymore. Now that Brother Xuxu was engaged, any words would be in vain. Meng Cheng thought to himself that his sister would surely be heartbroken upon learning this news.
Brother Xuxu noticed Meng Cheng’s unusual expression and asked, puzzled: "What’s wrong? You don’t look well, is it because you’re too tired from work at home and haven’t rested well?"
Meng Cheng shook his head with a smile: "It’s nothing."
