Madam Cui assumed the terms weren’t generous enough and hurriedly said, “Is it that you find the Cui family unsuitable, or that my sincerity falls short?”
“I can assure you that upon marrying into the Cui family, you’ll suffer no injustice whatsoever. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the household and taken charge, I won’t interfere in the inner quarters as your mother-in-law. My son is a few years younger than you, with a steady and kind nature. You could meet him first before deciding…”
Xue Ru shook her head. “It’s not about Young Master Cui. It’s me.”
“Ah Ru!”
Tang Ning seemed to know what Xue Ru intended to say and frowned sharply.
Xue Ru smiled, her expression gentle and soft. “Elder Sister, I can’t keep my health a secret from others forever. Moreover, Madam Cui is approaching this with such sincerity, I don’t want to deceive her.”
“I’m truly grateful for your regard, Madam Cui, but while you know of my miserable childhood and the Song family’s mistreatment, you don’t know that my body has long been weakened. The imperial physician said I cannot marry or share a bed with a man until I turn twenty, and even then, there may be difficulties with bearing children.”
“Young Master Cui is your only son and will one day lead the Cui family. I absolutely cannot hold him back.”
Madam Cui was stunned. “How could that be…”
She looked at Xue Ru, whose frame was slender but whose complexion glowed with health, showing no trace of illness in her features.
Xue Ru smiled. “Madam Cui, you didn’t see me half a year ago, sallow-faced, skin and bones, my height no greater than a ten-year-old child’s. It was Elder Sister who pitied me, having people prepare nourishing soups and medicinal meals every day, and begging Lady Qin to give me acupuncture treatments every few days to regulate my qi. Only in these past six months have I gained some flesh and started to look like a normal young woman.”
“I may appear healthy now, but the depletion inside isn’t so easily mended. Lady Qin said my affinity for children is shallow. It’s not that I can never have them, but I imagine Madam Cui wouldn’t want to gamble her son’s future on that possibility.”
“He’s the future head of the Cui family. His wife must bear heirs for the clan, for the sake of the lineage and to set the family’s hearts at ease. Young Master Cui can’t afford to wait with me for a fate that may never come. So, I cannot accept your proposal.”
Madam Cui’s expression shifted repeatedly. She wondered if Xue Ru’s words were merely an excuse to refuse the marriage to the Cui family.
But Xue Ru’s face was too earnest, and with the Cui family seeking her out, even if she truly didn’t wish to marry in, she had no need to “defile” herself like this.
Her background already carried stains, and as an illegitimate daughter, she was looked down upon. If word spread of her difficulties with children, how could she ever hope for another match?
Madam Cui’s lips parted, on the verge of suggesting they try anyway, perhaps a renowned physician could treat her, or she might bear children in time.
But thinking of her young son, she hesitated. What if Xue Ru truly never conceived? Would she let her occupy the principal wife’s position, subjecting her son and the Cui family to ridicule?
Madam Cui wavered.
Seeing this, Xue Ru smiled. “Thank you for your hospitality today, Madam Cui. Elder Sister, shall we go?”
Tang Ning rose. “I’ll convey your earlier request to my brother. As for the rest, consider it never mentioned.”
Madam Cui stood hastily. “Countess, I didn’t mean…”
“I understand.”
Though Tang Ning’s expression wasn’t entirely pleasant, she remained considerate. “Seeking Ah Ru’s hand was a fine intention on your part, Madam Cui, but she and Young Master Cui are simply not fated. Besides, Ah Ru is still young, I’d like to keep her with me a few more years. Please keep what was said today confidential.”
Madam Cui grew solemn. “Rest assured, Countess. I won’t breathe a word to outsiders.”
“Then thank you, Madam Cui. Ah Ru and I will take our leave.”
Tang Ning led Xue Ru away. Madam Cui, far from harboring resentment over the rejected proposal, personally escorted them out of the residence. Only after watching their carriage depart did she return inside and let out a soft sigh.
“Why the sigh, Madam? Did the matter not go through?” the matron beside her asked. “But I saw the Countess take the brocade box with her just now…”
“It’s not that it didn’t go through. It’s…”
Madam Cui paused, dismissing the others nearby before lowering her voice. “That Lady Xue has an old ailment.”
“An old ailment?”
“With children.”
Madam Cui uttered the words softly, and the matron’s face registered shock. “How could that be?”
“She said it herself.”
Madam Cui’s face was full of regret. “I truly liked that young lady. Such a pity…”
“We knew she had a hard time in the Song family, but I never imagined a grand ducal household could be such a den of wolves and tigers, mistreating a girl until she was worse off than a beggar.”
The matron asked quietly, “Then why did you still give them the mine?”
“Why not?” Madam Cui’s expression turned cold. “Even without marrying Xue Ru for added security, just look at how they didn’t hide this from us. From that small detail, you can tell the kind of people the Countess of Xiangning and Lord Xiao are.”
“That night at the palace banquet, I spoke out for the sake of the Cui family and to save Cui Lin’s life. Yet they accused me of being heartless, even scheming to use Yu’er’s future to get at my dowry.”
“They begged me upfront to sell my dowry to make up the shortfall and redeem Cui Lin, only to turn on me the moment he was back. Do they truly think I’m so easily bullied?”
It was she who had saved Cui Lin, and half the Cui family’s stability came from her dowry. Everything in the Cui family naturally belonged to her son.
Moreover, when she had been raising funds recently, her elder brother’s trusted aide, sent to assist her, had spoken of Lord Xiao with utmost caution. He advised her to avoid antagonizing him if possible, and ideally, to mend ties. He mentioned that her brother had discreetly investigated the Xiao family and nearly stumbled at the first step.
Her brother had said Lord Xiao was no ordinary man.
Madam Cui might not fully grasp it, but she knew her brother was always exceedingly prudent and never spoke without cause. Besides, the mine was from her maternal family, her brother had lent it to her specifically to gift to Lord Xiao. He wanted to help her secure the household for Yu’er quickly, and this was also his way of extending an olive branch to Lord Xiao.
If her brother was willing to part with it, what reason did she have to hesitate?
Madam Cui glanced at the maids standing in the distance. “No one is to mention today’s events again. Don’t let a word slip to Yu’er either. If anyone asks, say I kept the Countess and her companion to discuss Lord Xiao’s impending ennoblement.”
“I feared he might settle old scores after receiving his title, so I sent the Countess some rare treasures and ancient books as a gesture of goodwill. Understood?”
The matron replied promptly, “This old servant understands. Rest easy, Madam.”
…
Unaware of the Cui family’s affairs, Tang Ning sat in the carriage frowning at Xue Ru.
“Why tell her about your difficulties with children? You know Lady Qin said your constitution is weak, but with proper care, marriage and bearing children won’t be an issue in the future.”
“If you didn’t want the Cui marriage, you could have refused outright. Why defile yourself like that?”===================
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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