The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 299: Reasons Not to Marry into the Lu Family
Lu Zhaoyang coughed anxiously on the side.
He was afraid that Gu Taohua would agree, and he wouldn’t know how to handle it.
The next second, Mr. Lu was left speechless.
Gu Taohua said, "Grandpa Lu, you think I’m good, but I think I’m even better than you imagine."
Tong Huaqiong chuckled to herself, thinking that Gu Taohua, raised by Tong Dajiao and her, might be the most confident girl in all of Ning City.
Gu Taohua glanced at Tong Huaqiong, then continued, "Grandpa Lu, you think I’m suitable to marry into the Lu family, but that’s just your opinion. Marriage isn’t like pairing livestock, where height, weight, and age match is enough. Marriage is about whether I like the person or not."
Gu Taohua looked at Lu Zhaoyang and said, "I don’t like Brother Zhao Yang."
Lu Zhaoyang almost spat out his drink.
Gu Taohua was too direct.
Mr. Lu asked incredulously, "What’s wrong with my grandson?"
Gu Taohua spread her hands and replied, "He looks weak, like a snowman that could melt with a gust of wind. I don’t like such frail scholars. Also, I have nothing in common with Brother Zhao Yang. He’s a scholar, and I’m a farm girl. He’s talkin’ about writings and quotes, while I’m talking about the pigs at home, the crops in the field, and the snacks in the shop. Plus, your Lu family has only one son per generation. Marrying in means there’s pressure to have a son. My mom said having sons or daughters is up to men. If Brother Zhao Yang can’t have a son, people will blame me."
"All these reasons make it impossible for me to marry into the Lu family."
Gu Taohua quickly listed all the drawbacks of marrying Lu Zhaoyang.
The more Mr. Lu listened, the darker his face became.
It seemed that his vast fortune didn’t attract Gu Taohua at all, and his proud grandson meant nothing in Taohua’s eyes.
Mr. Lu opened his mouth to argue but didn’t know what to say.
He surely couldn’t forcefully make Gu Taohua marry Lu Zhaoyang.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lu began resenting Tong Huaqiong, wondering what kind of girl she raised, to speak so shamelessly about a man’s inability to have a son.
But for such a shameless girl, Mr. Lu would not approve.
Gu Taohua’s words also struck a blow to Lu Zhaoyang.
Lu Zhaoyang was the Kirin talent of Wanliu Academy. Though he couldn’t match Jingzhe in looks, his elegance, combined with the delicateness of a scholar and the illness-induced fragility, formed a unique refined air at Wanliu Academy.
There were often girls who rode boats on the river outside Wanliu Academy just to catch a glimpse of him.
Weak to the point of falling with a gust of wind and speaking without rooting in reality. Also, maybe unable to have sons...
Lu Zhaoyang never thought he had so many flaws rolled into one.
What neither Tong Huaqiong nor Gu Taohua expected was that Gu Taohua’s words made Lu Zhaoyang vow to never remain so fragile, training with swords and boxing daily to strengthen himself. It’s said that many years later, Mr. Lu, now a Grand Secretary, accompanied the emperor on a military campaign and shot down an enemy general with an arrow, turning the tide of the battle, leaving the entire court both civil and military officials in shock.
Back to the dinner, Lu Zhaozhao was happy when she realized that her grandpa wanted to betroth Gu Taohua to Lu Zhaoyang.
As her best friend, Gu Taohua becoming her sister-in-law was better than anyone else.
She wouldn’t have to worry about the sister-in-law relationship in the future.
When Gu Taohua refused, she felt quite regretful.
As Gu Taohua listed Lu Zhaoyang’s shortcomings, Lu Zhaozhao was displeased and said, "Taohua, you only see my brother’s flaws, but you’ve overlooked his good points. You can ask around how many young ladies in Ning City admire my brother. If you don’t believe me, come to my Rouge Shop and see how many young ladies come just to inquire about my brother while buying rouge."
Lu Zhaozhao felt a bit aggrieved as she spoke.
Her brother was so good, yet someone was finding faults like this. If it weren’t Gu Taohua, she would’ve thought it was deliberate humiliation.
Gu Taohua insisted, "So there are plenty of young ladies admiring Brother Zhaoyang, just find one from them, no need to care about my thoughts."
"Taohua!" Tong Huaqiong coughed twice, interrupting Gu Taohua.
Gu Taohua’s straightforward words severed Mr. Lu’s intention to form a marriage alliance.
A young girl in her early teens could recklessly mention the flaws of the beloved grandson in front of Mr. Lu and refuse the marriage, and Mr. Lu wouldn’t hold it against a young girl. But if Gu Taohua kept being so direct, she would only anger Mr. Lu.
This was about refusing marriage, not making enemies.
"Old Master, my Taohua has been spoiled by me since childhood, and she always speaks her mind. Please don’t take it to heart. Marriages are predestined by fate; whom the matchmaker links together is not up to human power. Thank you for valuing our Taohua, but her temperament truly doesn’t fit your family’s daughter-in-law." Tong Huaqiong said.
Mr. Lu still looked displeased.
Tong Huaqiong gritted her teeth and said, "Old Master, your Zhaoyang is a good kid, and since you’re often away on business with no elders at home, if you trust me, I will keep an eye out for any suitable young lady and help Zhaoyang match up."
Lu Zhaoyang said, "Aunt Tong, no need to trouble you."
Mr. Lu’s anger turned to Lu Zhaoyang, saying, "No need? You’re not young anymore, and you’ll be going to the capital next year. Don’t you know the princesses, commandery ladies, and prominent families will seize promising young men during the lists? What if you get snatched by an ugly princess or a bad-tempered commandery princess? We must settle the marriage before you go to the capital."
Mr. Lu was confident his grandson would be among the top three in the examination.
With Lu Zhaoyang’s looks and talents, who wouldn’t want him?
Moreover, the Lu family being merchant-based and not involved in court politics would make such match up less stressful.
"Master Tong, you said it. I’m going overseas by the end of the year, so I’ll leave my grandson’s marriage to you," Mr. Lu said.
Tong Huaqiong: "..."
She was just being polite, but it really landed on her.
What to do?
"Alright, I’ll keep this in mind."
Tong Huaqiong could only accept, but she didn’t have suitable girls in mind. She planned to go back and consult with Mrs. Han, the wife of County Magistrate Liu in Pingchuan County, who probably enjoyed matchmaking more.
Lu Zhaoyang remained silent.
Someone like him, he would have to get married.
He also had no reason to refuse an engagement.
Seeing Lu Zhaoyang looking glum, Gu Taohua said, "Brother Zhaoyang, actually, what I just said isn’t really your faults. They’re just faults to me, not to others. You’re wealthy, decent-looking, and a talented scholar. Didn’t you hear Zhaozhao say many young ladies admire you all over the city? You’ll surely find your own beloved girl."
Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua refused the proposed marriage alliance between the Gu and Lu families, leading to a brief awkward moment at the dining table.
After the meal, Tong Huaqiong swiftly took her leave with Gu Taohua and others.
Just as Tong Huaqiong was stepping out, Mr. Lu called her back.
Tong Huaqiong pondered, is he still not giving up?
After sending Lu Zhaoyang and others away, Mr. Lu asked, "Are you close with Madam Mo these days?"
Tong Huaqiong’s eyes widened.
Wasn’t it known that Mr. Lu despised people from the brothel world? The fact he didn’t even have a concubine showed he held himself to high standards.
So why was he asking about Madam Mo?
Tong Huaqiong couldn’t help but think of a saying, those who despise might be in denial themselves.
Mr. Lu’s strong dislike for brothel people, what did this indicate?
