Chapter 1495: Brother Feifei Side Story (Part 2)
Kexin indeed had things to discuss with Yueyao, but it wasn’t about the Ma Family. It was about Brother Feifei. Ever since Kexin heard Yueyao mention interest in Miss Min, she had been concerned. Upon inquiry, Kexin was startled to find several families were also interested in Miss Min. All those families were scholarly families, with the least prestigious being Juren title holders. The more Kexin learned, the more she felt it wouldn’t work out.
Kexin said, "Mother, let’s forget about Miss Min. We can take our time and find a good match for my second brother." Kexin did not want the Min Family to embarrass her mother.
Yueyao smiled and said, "There’s no harm in trying. If the Min Family doesn’t agree, we can take our time to look for others." After all, she had four sons; Brother Xuxu already had a son, and the Princess was now pregnant again, so the An Family wasn’t worried about descendants. If this doesn’t work out, she will continue her search leisurely.
As Kexin predicted, the Min Family wasn’t interested in Brother Feifei. An Fei was five years older than Miss Min and only held the Scholar’s title. It was unlikely the Min Family would choose him.
Yueyao had approached it with a "let’s try" attitude, so when the Min Family declined, she let it go. However, what Yueyao hadn’t expected was this matter being spread around. If it were merely a case of a failed marriage proposal, it wouldn’t matter if word got out. But as the rumors spread, they became increasingly exaggerated, claiming Brother Feifei was a mere Scholar daring to aspire for Miss Min — a true case of a toad wanting to eat swan meat.
Receiving this news, Yueyao was so angry her face turned red. She herself was indifferent, but her son suffering from this baseless scandal enraged her: "Find out who is spreading this rumor!"
The source was soon uncovered; the rumor was started by Madam Yu, the Libationer of the Imperial Academy. Madam Yu’s sister was the Madam of the Min family, so she naturally knew about Yueyao’s proposal to the Min Family. Madam Yu shared the matter with a close friend, not intending to malign Yueyao, much less implying toad-like aspirations. But rumors, once set loose, become uncontrollable.
Upon understanding the origin, Yueyao felt some regret, telling An Zhichen, "I shouldn’t have probed the Min Family back then." What they called a marriage proposal was merely her probing, not sending a matchmaker to their door.
An Zhichen shook his head, "Ignore it; it will die down in a few days." Pursuing the matter was impractical, and they could only swallow their grievances.
Knowing of the incident, Brother Feifei was not upset, but instead reassured Yueyao, "Mother, don’t let these people make you sick with anger." Seeing Yueyao still displeased, Brother Feifei said, "Mother, if the Min Family doesn’t see my worth, then they’re blind. One day I’ll make them regret it."
Yueyao herself had often faced various slanders, never minding them at all. But this time, because it involved her children, Yueyao was anxious and stressed: "Good, Feifei has ambition, we’ll make them regret it then."
Li Guoxing, upon hearing these rumors, suggested to Lady Li to betroth their granddaughter Li Xianger to Brother Feifei.
Lady Li had long stopped handling family affairs. Listening to Li Guoxing, she said, "Old Master, Xianger’s marriage must be considered with our second son and his wife."
Li Guoxing stated, "Brother Feifei is not ordinary; betrothing Xianger to him wouldn’t be a loss."
Lady Li trusted Li Guoxing’s judgment, and having seen Brother Feifei during New Year’s greeting, felt he was indeed good. Yet, thinking of the current rumors, she hesitated; the Min Family might not want him, shouldn’t the Li Family wait in line to pick him?
Li Guoxing laughed lightly, "Why concern ourselves with rumors outside?" Yueyao is as cautious a person as can be; this situation must be someone plotting against her.
After a pause, Lady Li nodded. The next day, she discussed Li Guoxing’s intentions with her daughter-in-law, Madam Wan: "You’ve seen An Fei, he’s incredibly promising. Although now he is just a Scholar, his skills are of the highest caliber, surely his future is bright."
Madam Wan hesitated. Madam Wan had two sons and a daughter; Sister Xiang was the youngest, only fifteen this year, and wouldn’t reach marriageable age until June.
Lady Li understood her hesitation, saying, "Old Master claims An Fei is not ordinary; his judgment is surely reliable. Besides, you’ve known Yueyao for many years and know her character. Should Xianger be promised to An Fei, her life will surely be smooth."
Madam Wan remained uncertain; Brother Feifei’s future was unpredictable, but Yueyao treated her daughters-in-law like her own, a fact many knew. If Xianger truly married An Fei, she wouldn’t suffer in family matters. Yet, given Yueyao’s close relations with them, if she truly had intentions, she would have acted earlier; why wait until now? "Mother, let’s probe Yueyao’s stance first!" If they’re willing, but Yueyao disagrees, it would be pointless.
