Xue Ru was dumbfounded. She never expected that Mrs. Cui would actually fall in love with her. Even Tang Ning was surprised.
It's not that she thinks A'ru is not good. In her private mind, A'ru is the best in everything and is more than worthy of being a son of any family in the world. However, some things are extremely realistic in the eyes of others.
Not to mention Aru's past with the Song family, just because she was a concubine and had no relatives to rely on, and later "expelled" herself from the Song family and changed her surname, it was enough to make some people who respected rules look down upon her.
The Cui family is one of the eight aristocratic families, and Mrs. Cui is also from a distinguished family. For a family like them, the most important thing is the family, and they care more about the woman's wealth and background than her appearance and character. However, Mrs. Cui actually proposed to marry Aru on behalf of her only legitimate son. .
It is better to hire him as his wife, promising to take over the power of the Cui family's inner house in the future. This...
Tang Ning did not immediately answer for her, but frowned and looked at Xue Ru: "Aru, since it's your marriage, what do you think?"
Xue Ru hesitated for a moment and then looked at Madam Cui: "I want to know why Madam Cui chose me?"
Before Mrs. Cui could speak, she said softly:
"You don't need to tell me anything about your appearance or character. I know what I look like. Although I'm not ugly, I'm not stunningly beautiful either. And it's just the first time I've met you. Before, let alone praise in Beijing, I've already gained notoriety. There is a basket."
"Cui Xiaolangjun is the legitimate son of the Cui family. Although the Cui family has lost some face this time, the family fortune is still there. If he wants to get married, there are many noble girls in the capital who are willing to marry in. The young lady would never choose me like this. A reason to abandon the clan and become a lonely girl."
Xue Ru was not as shy as before, and her words were not aggressive, but her meaning was very clear.
"I want to know why Mrs. Cui chose me?"
Mrs. Cui saw that Xue Ru looked calm. Although she was a little confused, she was quick to grasp the key points. She didn't care to mention her past without any cowardice. Moreover, when she spoke, Tang Ning indulged and acquiesced, which was obviously She allowed herself to ask.
Mrs. Cui felt a little more satisfied. She said seriously: "Since you asked me honestly, I won't lie to you."
"I had previously intended to propose marriage for my son, and indeed wanted to marry with several other families. However, after this palace banquet, I saw clearly that so-called marriages have no effect on aristocratic families. They fall out when they should, and add insult to injury when they should. Not one is missing.”
"My son is the legitimate son of the family, but he was disliked by his grandfather and father because of my talkativeness that night at the palace banquet. In addition, the incident involving the Xuan Qin family damaged the reputation of the Cui family. I had previously discussed marriage with my son. Those people suddenly became indifferent to him..."
"So I am Mrs. Cui's second best choice?" Xue Ru asked bluntly.
"of course not."
Mrs. Cui replied without hesitation: "Even if the Cui family is damaged again, its foundation is still there as you said. If I want to settle for the next best thing, even if they are not noble ladies from aristocratic families, there are still many in the capital who are from official families." Girl, no matter what happens, there is still a direct descendant from my mother's family. I chose you because I have gotten to know you during this time."
She paused:
"I would like to apologize to you first. I sent someone to check some of your past."
There was no anger on Xue Ru's face, she just listened quietly with clear eyes.
Mrs. Cui was even more satisfied. She said warmly: "Song Tan and his wife didn't think much of you before, and Song Tan even treated you harshly because of your biological mother. But I checked about your biological mother, and there was a misunderstanding between her and Song Tan." It's not her, it's Song Tan who is sorry."
"When you were in the Song family, you were timid and timid, and rarely saw outsiders. The slaves sold alive by the Song family didn't even remember you as a concubine of three wives. "My family, I saved you when I destroyed the Duke's Mansion, and even kept you by my side afterwards to protect and take care of you in every possible way. I think there must be a reason..."
"Young lady, be careful what you say!"
Tang Ning suddenly turned cold and put down the snacks in her hands.
Mrs. Cui quickly said: "Princess, please calm down. I'm not referring to Miss Xue's scheming. I just think that you and Governor Xiao are both people who can't tolerate sand in their eyes. If Miss Xue can be valued by you, her character must be of good quality." of."
"Her life was difficult when she was young, and she was treated harshly by the Song family. If she were an ordinary person, she would have lost her temper long ago, but she can still bloom in the mud."
When she looked at Xue Ru, there was unabashed appreciation in her eyes:
"I have checked what happened to the Song family before the accident, and naturally also checked the relationship between the princess and her. When you went to the Song family to help her break away from the clan, you kept saying that you were the daughter of the Rong family. If you were an ordinary person, you would definitely try your best to cling to the Rong family. , as long as you join the Rong family lineage, not only will you have a bright future, but at least your marriage will be worry-free."
"But after Miss Xue left the Song family, she took the surname of her mother whose reputation was slandered and criticized. This alone is enough to surpass many people."
The anger on Tang Ning's face softened slightly after listening to Mrs. Cui's words, while Mrs. Cui said seriously:
"After the incident at the Duke of Song Dynasty, she entered Jiuyun Lane. She did not sit back and enjoy the success just because the princess and Governor Xiao protected her. On the contrary, she made great progress."
"She is the only female student in Rongsheng Academy. She has made amazing progress since enrolling. Moreover, I heard that Miss Xue is taking care of some businesses and family properties in the hands of the princess. The Song family will definitely not teach her these things. In just half a year She has been able to transform to this extent, I can only say that she is an extremely intelligent girl."
"The Cui family's family status is high enough, and my mother's family is also a distinguished family. What my son needs is a wife who is of good character and can help him stabilize the family and be smart and capable."
"I like Miss Xue very much, so I took the liberty to ask for this marriage for my son. If the princess agrees, I promise you that my son will respect her in the future and will never bully her. No one else will be allowed to interfere except her."
Tang Ning looked at Mrs. Cui and was about to speak, but Xue Ru had already spoken first: "Mrs. Cui, what you just said has something to do with the mineral that you gave to Governor Xiao earlier?"
"of course not!"
Mrs. Cui did not hesitate: "I sincerely want to ask you to marry me on behalf of my son. How can I treat this matter as a sideline? It is not only a slight to you, but also a humiliation to my son. I really sincerely want to marry you." I want to hire you into the Cui family as the head matron."
Xue Ru smiled a little when she heard this: "Thank you, Mrs. Cui, for caring so much about me."
"Then this marriage..."
"I'm afraid I can't answer you."
Mrs. Cui frowned slightly: "Why?"
She had already laid out the conditions very well, and she thought she valued Xue Ru enough. As the legitimate son of the Cui family, she had hired a concubine as her wife. It seemed to everyone that she was marrying at a low price, which was enough to show her sincerity.
She thought Xue Ru would agree, but she never thought she would refuse.
