Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 020

Chapter 20: Family Background

In front of so many people, Lin Shuyao didn’t dare to get angry, so she had to put on a smile and told An Zhi to stop making trouble so that people would think they were still good friends.

An Zhi shouldn’t make a fuss at this moment, so she should stop while she’s ahead.

She enjoyed her meal quite happily.

After lunch, the stage was set up in the garden.

When Madam An went to change her clothes, she called An Zhi to go with her, and Li Sihui also wanted to go with her.

“I’ve been looking for people for your father these past few days, and I’d like to help you too. That Madam Wang here today, she’s interested in marrying you as her daughter-in-law. But I think you don’t need to look around her family. At first, I thought she came to me for the legitimate youngest son, but it turned out to be the illegitimate son. If the illegitimate son is motivated and useful, I might still consider him, but he’s just a jerk who’s been spoiled by his legitimate mother and only loves eating, drinking and having fun.” Although Madam An’s relationship with An Zhi was average, she was not a bad person, and An Zhi was the only niece from her maternal family. Of course, she didn’t recognize An Rong, so she was sincerely looking for someone for An Zhi in this regard.

“Bah.” Li Sihui snorted, “My cousin is so pretty, the Wang family really has no eyes.”

“What are you talking about?” Madam An glared at Li Sihui, then looked at An Zhi. “Officials prioritize character over beauty when choosing a wife. Zhi’er, I have to say something unpleasant. You are indeed exceptionally virtuous and beautiful, but your father’s position is limited. I don’t expect you to curry favor with a prominent family, but I don’t want you to marry down either. Do you understand what I mean?”

Madam An had married into a wealthy family, and she knew the pain of not being a good match. When the old Marquis was around, he’d been very kind to her, but even then, she had to be very cautious and careful in the mansion, not daring to offend anyone. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have handed over the reins of the household right after the Marquis’s wife arrived.

“I understand.” An Zhi could tell that Madam An was genuinely concerned for her. “Thank you for your concern, auntie. But right now, father’s affairs are more important. Please worry about him. He’s been losing weight these past few days because An Rong and Pei Yu eloped. He really needs someone to take care of him.”

“Of course. I’ve almost picked out three candidates. I know you’re a big shot. When you get home later, I’ll send the three girls’ names to your house. Give me your reply later, and we’ll continue our discussion.” After changing her clothes, Madam An saw her daughter sitting aside with a pout, clearly unconvinced. She took her daughter’s hand and said earnestly, “Sihui, your cousin is here today, so listen carefully to what I’m saying. For us women, marriage is like a second life. If we don’t choose the right one, our current life will be ruined. So you must know yourself clearly. Don’t be conceited, but don’t underestimate yourself either.”

In terms of character, Madam An was very satisfied with An Zhi. She was also quite satisfied with her previous sister-in-law Madam Bai, otherwise she would not have considered An Zhi’s marriage.

Li Sihui nodded thoughtfully, and the three of them walked out accompanied by their servants.

The stage outside had been set up, and An Zhi sat down and watched the show attentively.

On the other side, the men, after eating and drinking, some watched the show and some played the game of pitching pots.

Pei Que stood in the pavilion, with only Li Da around him.

“Why do you look like that? Didn’t you talk to the beauty after you caught up with her just now?” Li Da asked with a smile.

Pei Que sighed. He was Li Da’s study partner, and they had a very good relationship. “Your Highness, if you are so concerned about my marriage, why not go and propose for me yourself?”

“Do you think I’m stupid?” Li Da glanced at Pei Que. “You’re such a tough guy, yet you haven’t proposed marriage yet. Either your father doesn’t agree, or the girl doesn’t agree. If I force you to propose marriage, wouldn’t that be a double-edged sword? I won’t do it.”

At this point, Li Da saw Pei Que’s brows furrowed slightly, “I was right, come on, tell me, is it because the girl dislikes you because you hang out in brothels too much and have a bad reputation, so she doesn’t want you anymore?”

“Your Highness, you should worry more about your own marriage.” After Pei Que said this, he walked out of the pavilion and Li Da followed him.

Not long after they walked, they heard a drunk man talking about An Zhi.

“Don’t disbelieve me, my mother has already told the old lady of Weiyuan Marquis, and she is very satisfied with my family.”

Pei Que turned around and saw two men supporting the drunk Wang Wenhao.

Wang Wenhao’s face flushed red, drunkenly, “From now on, the most beautiful woman in the capital will be my wife. But to be honest, she’s marrying up, a woman whose engagement was broken off. When she marries into my family, I’m going to… Ugh, who the hell is hitting me?”

Li Da glanced at the two men on the side and used his status to pressure them, “Just do what you need to do, and pretend you don’t know what’s going on here.”

“Hey, that’s enough.” Li Da held Pei Que back. “Your blows are enough to disable him for half a month. After all, he’s the illegitimate son of the Minister of Works, and he’s at the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion. At least give them some face.”

Wang Wenhao was lying unconscious on the ground, with several cuts on his face and countless wounds on his body.

Seeing that Pei Que didn’t make a move, Li Da winked at the servant behind him, “Hurry up and get him out of here quietly. Don’t let anyone see him.”

When An Zhi learned that Wang Wenhao had been beaten, she was already in the carriage on her way home and heard it from the coachman.

“I heard that when Prince Wang was found, he looked so miserable, his face was completely disfigured.”

Binglu was a little scared. “Logically, the prince should have been attending the banquet at the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion today. How could he have been beaten and left in the woods? Miss! Is he someone from the banquet…”

“Don’t speculate.” An Zhi interrupted Binglu. “Young Master Wang’s affairs have nothing to do with us, so don’t meddle in them. If the Wang family feels uncomfortable with this matter, they will report it to Tianbo Mansion. If we ask about it or say too much, it will be bad if others hear us.”

Binglu covered her mouth and nodded to show that she understood.

When we got home, Cuisi said that her aunt had sent her three business cards and she had placed them on the desk.

An Zhi opened three of them, put them in a row, and began to read them one by one.

Binglu didn’t know many words, so she asked curiously, “Miss, which young ladies did the aunt choose for our master?”

An Zhi smiled, “I’ve always said my aunt is shrewd. She’s really interesting in choosing people. These three are General Meng’s eldest daughter, who has grown old due to mourning, the concubine’s daughter of the fourth-rank Si Li Yun family, and the legitimate daughter of Duke Chengguo who was widowed two years ago.”