The Lucky Farmgirl

When this topic was brought up, Old Madam Liu was in high spirits. For her and her husband, the fact that Liu Huan could be granted a title was an unexpected joy. It could be said that with this title, even if Liu Huan never pursued an official career, he would still have enough status to live a life of idle luxury.

When it came time to divide the family estate, giving him a bit more in real estate would ensure a lifetime of safety and wealth.

Old Madam Liu was more amicable towards Zhou Man, and proactively said, "Knowing how precious Lord Zhou’s time is, I won’t keep you chatting with us old ladies. Someone, escort Lord Zhou to find Young Master Bai and the others."

Manbao immediately left, fearing they might bring up matters of marriage again.

After they left, only a group of old ladies remained.

An old lady asked, "Sister, are you planning to propose a marriage for Huan’er?"

Old Madam Liu chuckled, "Isn’t it normal to discuss marriage when Huan’er is not so young anymore?"

It was normal, but discussing it with Zhou Liru was not very conventional. What was the Zhou Family’s status, and what was the Liu Family’s status?

Why were there so many uninvited guests this time?

Naturally, it was because Liu Huan was granted a title, and many people wished to arrange a marriage for him.

But after all, it was in the public eye, with many people around, making many topics unsuitable for open discussion, so everyone simply smiled and turned their attention to the storyteller in the pavilion.

They waited until people began to change places or took breaks. Then, a sister-in-law, who was very close to Old Madam Liu, went with her to sit in a side room in the main courtyard, "Sister-in-law, you don’t really have your eye on that little girl from the Zhou Family, do you?"

Old Madam Liu replied, "In families like ours, girls are taught from a young age, yet they may not be able to recite how many articles are in The Edict of King Kang, let alone memorize it. Marrying a worthy wife means family background can be set aside. I think she’s quite good."

The Second Madam frowned, "But that family background is too lacking. Before Zhou Man, they were just common peasants."

Old Madam Liu dismissively said, "Their family has a prefect in Mianzhou. Zhou Man is now a fourth-ranked editor. Their family foundation may be thin, but look at her abilities. Never mind the daughters of noble families, how many of the sons of noble families can match her?"

She continued, "I’m not putting us down, but we know our own children. Huan’er is not a particularly capable person."

"To be honest, when the palace was looking for a consort for Princess Mingda, I considered having Huan’er try," Old Madam Liu said. "I thought, although he doesn’t excel at academics and is simple-minded, if he were to become a consort, even if he can’t hold an official position, not many people in the capital would dare to bully him."

"But his grandfather didn’t agree, saying His Majesty, fond of Princess Mingda, wouldn’t approve of him. After considering it, I also felt Princess Mingda deserved the best. Though consorts rarely assume actual roles, His Majesty wouldn’t want to mistreat her. If they look for flaws, finding him deficient from every angle, they’d become resentful partners, and the matter was eventually dropped."

"In fact, my husband and I never expected him to achieve much. We just thought he could take the Ming Classic exam, and if he couldn’t pass, he would take up a hereditary county or small official position," said Old Madam Liu. "Then, we’d find him a competent wife to manage the household, with his elder brother and cousins watching over him, ensuring a safe and peaceful life."

This latter plan was well-accepted within their family. Liu Huan often joked with Bai Shan, "Once I attain a hereditary position, and after the family division, I’ll have control. What’s good about being a consort? If the relationship with the princess is strained, even entering the princess’s mansion would require consistent reports by servants. Encountering troublesome servants would mean standing outside and suffering."

"With the emperor watching you, the empress watching you, and other royal sons and daughters eyeing you, especially being the favored Princess Mingda’s consort would be so miserable."

Liu Huan, just thinking about being controlled by his grandparents for the first half of his life and then by the royal family for the latter half, found the idea terrifying.

Old Madam Liu noticed her grandson’s thoughts and told the Second Madam, "Look, just consider the families who mentioned potential matches at the feast. How many can truly compare to Zhou Liru?"

The Second Madam chuckled, "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? How could they not measure up?"

Old Madam Liu shook her head, "They truly can’t. If you analyze it carefully, how many of the proposed girls are truly a good match for Huan’er?"

The Second Madam was taken aback.

"Never mind Huan’er’s grandfather, even his father is a fifth-ranked official. Yet, among these proposals, those with a similar family status weren’t the primary daughters; they were concubines’ daughters or secondary daughters. For the primary daughters suggested, either their fathers and brothers were without official positions, relying on uncles and cousins, or held very low ranks."

"I understand, even with Huan’er being conferred the title of a baron, after meeting him, they felt his future prospects weren’t significant, particularly because he has an older brother..." Old Madam Liu paused. She had to admit her bias, as most of their household’s political resources favored Liu Dalang, leaving very little for Liu Huan.

"But Zhou Liru’s great-uncle is a Mianzhou prefect, a hero renowned across the land, the emperor himself knows of him. Not to mention Lord Zhou, and her aunt and uncle are both immensely promising. If this marriage were to happen, the ties between Huan’er and the Zhou Bai families would only grow tighter. At its core, marriage is an alliance of interests. The benefits she brings to Huan’er are no less than those of the daughters of official families."

She added, "Setting aside the alliance of benefits, in terms of the mistress’s ability and character, she is not inferior at all. You saw yourself; in terms of education, even the girls you raised can hardly compare to her. As for her abilities, she’s already determined to be like her aunt, and handling the household’s affairs in the future surely wouldn’t be a problem?"

The Second Madam remained silent.

Old Madam Liu grew increasingly enthusiastic as she spoke, "I’ll bring this up with his grandfather tonight."

The Second Madam asked, "Will the elder master agree? And what about Huan’er, will he be willing?"

Old Madam Liu replied, "We’ll know once we ask."

However, Old Madam Liu did not initially consult Liu Huan. Instead, she subtly approached Minister Liu first.

Minister Liu scoffed, "The term ’common peasants’? Look back a few generations—whose family wasn’t of humble origin? Our family is one of farming and studying, not merely bookish scholars. What’s in Jinyang’s mind, considering presenting a concubine’s grandson for a proposal?"

Pausing, he said, "I’m not saying Liu Yi is a bad kid, just that they aren’t a match. Zhou Man’s niece is still studying at the Imperial Medical Office. Of her four direct disciples, one is already an assistant at the Imperial Hospital, two are at local medical offices. Though their official ranks are low, they are still ninth rank. With Zhou Man’s current medical skills, climbing the ranks of the Imperial Hospital is only a matter of time. If you ask me, Zhou Liru’s future won’t be lacking."

"Isn’t Liu Yi about the same age as Huan’er? This age, already abandoning studies to run errands—what future holds? This marriage isn’t suitable. Don’t get involved. In case Zhou Man holds a grudge, our reputation will suffer," said Minister Liu. "She’s not someone to hold back. Even dared to challenge someone like Lord Wei at the Grand Court Assembly."

Old Madam Liu asked, "If it’s not suitable with Liu Yi, do you think it’s suitable with Huan’er?"

Minister Liu was momentarily stunned. Sensing his wife’s intent, he turned his head, unable to help but chuckle, "Oh, you! Why not just say it directly? Why go through so many turns?"

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