The matter of the Li family seemed to have settled down just like that. Because of Nanny Yu's words, no unfavorable rumors about Ren Yaohua spread outside.
A few more days passed. In the evening, when Ren Shimin came to Purple Magnolia Courtyard, he told Madam Li, "This afternoon, someone from the Qiu family came and said that the marriage between the Qiu family's third young master and Hua'er needs further consideration."
Madam Li was serving tea to Ren Shimin. She carefully felt the temperature of the tea bowl with both hands, confirming it was the warmth Ren Shimin preferred for drinking tea in summer. Just as she was about to hand over the bowl, she suddenly heard this news. Her hands nearly trembled: "The Qiu family says they need to reconsider? Husband, has something happened? Wasn't everything fine before? Why suddenly reconsider?"
When it came to Ren Yaohua's marriage, it was impossible for Madam Li not to worry.
Ren Shimin glanced at the tea bowl in Madam Li's hands, frowned slightly, and signaled Nanny Zhou, who was serving nearby, to help Madam Li take the bowl. Only after the bowl left Madam Li's hands did he continue, "Today, the Qiu family's representative said in Father's study that Old Madam Qiu had someone match Hua'er's and the Qiu young master's birth characters. The result was that they are not compatible."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li was greatly alarmed, her face even turning pale: "Husband, does the Qiu family say Hua'er's birth characters are unfavorable?" Unfavorable birth characters were a serious matter. If Ren Yaohua's birth characters truly had issues, finding a suitable marriage match in the future would be difficult.
Ren Shimin shook his head and raised his hand, signaling Nanny Zhou to bring another bowl of tea. Nanny Zhou was anxious to hear the rest of Ren Shimin's words, but seeing his request for tea, she could only give Xier a meaningful look, urging her to quickly fetch it.
"It's not that her fate is bad. The fortune-teller said Hua'er's destiny is also quite noble. It's just that when combined with the Qiu young master's birth characters, it results in a 'male earth, female wood' fate. Something about 'earth and wood spouses have different intentions, turning hostile and clashing. With food but no sons, she would overcome the husband, half a lifetime of marriage ending with empty family wealth.'"
Madam Li was startled by these words.
Nanny Zhou hurriedly asked, "How could it be so serious? Husband, isn't there any way to resolve it?"
Ren Shimin took the tea handed over by Xier: "The fortune-teller did mention a few methods to resolve it, but Old Madam Qiu and First Madam Qiu are still uneasy, which is why they sent someone to say they need to reconsider."
Nanny Zhou asked further, "What did Old Master Qiu say about it?"
"Old Master Qiu neither agreed nor disagreed, but he did not stop Old Madam Qiu from sending someone over."
Madam Li couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Even if the incompatible birth characters could be resolved by some means, the Qiu family would likely still harbor misgivings. Qiu Yun's status was precious within the Qiu family. Otherwise, Old Master Qiu, who had always wanted to facilitate this marriage, would not have remained silent.
It seemed Ren Yaohua and Qiu Yun's marriage might not come to fruition.
Ren Shimin, however, was indifferent about whether this marriage would succeed. He took a sip of tea, thought for a moment, and said, "If the Qiu family marriage doesn't work out, so be it. That Qiu third young master, in my opinion, is a mediocrity, lacking any spark of talent. He's not even as good as that Han family boy, so there's nothing to regret. Although Hua'er doesn't have Yao Yao's literary talent, her character is upright and proper. Moreover, she is the legitimate daughter of the third branch. Why worry about not finding a good marriage?"
For Third Master Ren to say such words was a rare attempt at comforting someone. Hearing this, Madam Li felt somewhat better.Nanny Zhou also said, "The master is right, madam. Didn't the fortune-teller also say that our Third Miss has an excellent fate? Third Miss is not someone just anyone can match. Old Madam Ren dotes on our Third Miss and will surely arrange a good marriage for her in the future."
At that moment, Xier reported from outside that Fifth Miss had arrived.
Naturally, no one would stop Ren Yaoqi from entering the main room, so she happened to hear the last sentence Nanny Zhou said.
After paying her respects to Ren Shimin and Madam Li, Ren Yaoqi asked directly, "Has something changed with the Qiu Family?"
Madam Li felt embarrassed discussing such matters with Ren Yaoqi, but Ren Shimin had no such reservations and repeated what the Qiu Family's messenger had said that day.
After listening, Ren Yaoqi pondered thoughtfully, "Father, do you know who the person the Qiu Family invited to match the birth characters was?"
Ren Shimin thought for a moment, "I believe the surname was Xiao."
Ren Yaoqi's heart stirred, "Could it be that Aunt Xiao?"
Ren Shimin thought again before nodding, "I think that's how the Qiu Family's people referred to her."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but wonder if this matter had anything to do with Concubine Fang. Others might not know, but she was aware of the relationship between Aunt Xiao and Concubine Fang.
Old Madam Qiu had never been satisfied with the marriage arrangement with the Ren Family. If Concubine Fang had instructed Aunt Xiao to visit the Qiu Family at this time, wouldn't it be like delivering a pillow just when Old Madam Qiu was feeling drowsy?
Seeing Ren Yaoqi frowning in silence, Ren Shimin thought she was also worried about Ren Yaohua's marriage to the Third Young Master of the Qiu Family and comforted her, "Your grandmother said she would invite several more experts to take a look. Besides, matters of fate are only effective if you believe in them; if you don't, they hold no significance. There's really no need to worry about it."
Ren Yaoqi nodded without saying anything.
The Qiu Family merely wanted an excuse to call off the marriage. Even if future experts praised the compatibility of Ren Yaohua and Qiu Yun's birth characters to the skies, the Qiu Family could simply insist on Aunt Xiao's interpretation.
The question was whether the Ren Family would consider substituting someone else to marry into the Qiu Family in Ren Yaohua's place. Besides Ren Yaohua, those eligible to become Qiu Yun's principal wife included herself, Ren Yaoting, Ren Yaoyu, and Ren Yaofeng from the capital.
However, having gone to such lengths to exclude Ren Yaohua, the Qiu Family would likely not easily agree to another marriage with the Ren Family.
Later, Ren Yaohua also learned of the matter. After the previous incident where Aunt Xiao entered the mansion, claiming that her birth year clashed with the Grand Duke and forcing her to move out of Glory and Splendor Courtyard, Ren Yaohua had learned Aunt Xiao's true background from Ren Yaoqi.
She sneered, "How kind of her to say my fate is noble. I thought she'd label me something like 'Celestial Fiend Lone Star' and condemn me to grow old and die in the Ren Family."
Ren Yaoqi shook her head, "It's better to destroy a temple than to break up a marriage. I suspect when Aunt Xiao told the Qiu Family that your and Qiu Yun's birth characters were incompatible, she must have been extremely discreet. At the very least, she wouldn't have said anything like, 'Earth and wood spouses harbor different intentions, turning hostile and clashing without affection. With food but no sons, she overcomes the husband; half a lifetime of marriage ends with empty family wealth.' She likely also suggested many ways to resolve the issue."
Hearing this, Ren Yaohua understood, "And that's exactly what Old Madam Qiu wanted. As for the message her messenger delivered to Grandfather, were they just exaggerating the dangers?"Ren Yaoqi nodded, "Aunt Xiao can be considered a frequent visitor to our Ren Family. If it weren't for someone deliberately hinting at her this time, even if she truly saw that you and Qiu Yun's eight characters were incompatible, she would have first privately informed our grandmother. So she absolutely wouldn't speak ill of your fate. Otherwise, why didn't she notice it when she came to our mansion before? It's not like she didn't know your birth date and time? Anything out of the ordinary is suspicious. If she did that, it would only make the Ren Family doubt her, and in the future, no one in Yanbei would trust her anymore."
So the silver the Ren Family usually gave to people like Aunt Xiao wasn't for nothing. Of course, people like Aunt Xiao weren't to be easily offended either.
Afterward, news that the marriage arrangement between the Qiu Family and the Ren Family was falling through spread within the Ren Family. After all, everyone had a clear understanding of what the Qiu Family's previous visits to the Ren Family were about.
It was hard to say what others thought, but Concubine Fang and her daughter were satisfied.
Ren Yaoying hugged Concubine Fang's arm and cooed, "Mother, you're amazing. I really made a mistake before."
Concubine Fang stroked Ren Yaoying's head and said gently, "I taught you long ago that to achieve your goals, you don't necessarily have to confront things head-on. Don't do things that harm the enemy a thousand but cost you eight hundred."
Ren Yaoying nestled in Concubine Fang's arms and nodded obediently, "Mm, I understand, Mother. But Grandmother dotes so much on Third Sister. Now that the marriage with the Qiu Family has fallen through, she'll definitely find another prominent family for her. What do we do then? Should we have had Aunt Xiao declare her fate as one that brings misfortune to her husband? That would have solved the problem once and for all!"
Concubine Fang shook her head and explained to Ren Yaoying what Ren Yaoqi had said to Ren Yaohua: "Some things can be done once but not twice. If we use the eight characters as an excuse next time, it will arouse suspicion."
Ren Yaoying nodded thoughtfully, "Then what should we do? Anyway, I don't want to see Ren Yaohua acting all high and mighty."
Concubine Fang smiled slightly, "Ying'er, you will definitely be better than them in the future. I promise you that."
As long as she was around, she would secure a good future for her daughter and not let her follow the same old path or suffer the grievances she had endured. For this purpose, she was willing to do anything.
Over at Old Madam Ren's side, she summoned Aunt Xiao into the Ren Family to ask about the matching of Ren Yaohua and Qiu Yun's eight characters.
Aunt Xiao, true to her reputation as someone well-traveled and knowledgeable, spoke eloquently from the start, leaving Old Madam Ren unable to find any fault with her. Moreover, Aunt Xiao also said that she hadn't spoken definitively in front of the Qiu Family. If the two families truly wanted to marry, there were ways to turn misfortune into blessing. However, after hearing just a few words from her, Old Madam Qiu and First Madam Qiu were unwilling to listen further.
Old Madam Ren understood all too well what that sister-in-law was thinking. She was seething with anger, but since the Qiu Family insisted that Ren Yaohua and Qiu Yun's eight characters were incompatible, there was nothing she could do.
Old Master Ren suggested she try mentioning Eighth Miss Ren Yaoyu and Ren Yaoting from the Eastern Mansion to Old Master Qiu. Sixth Miss Ren Yaofeng was in the capital, and Second Old Master Ren Yongxiang and Fourth Master Ren Shixu intended to find a suitable family for her there. As for Fifth Miss Ren Yaoqi, it seemed Old Master Ren had other plans in mind.
However, although the Ren Family had made their calculations, for some reason, no further news came from the Qiu Family.This chapter was written in the afternoon when I had some free time~｀（∩_∩）′
There will be another update around 11:30.
(You know how these previews go╮（╯_╰）╭... What I really mean is that if you don't see an update after 11:30, don't wait around, because it might be posted in the early morning. Don't waste your sleep time waiting for the chapter.)
Also, I should be able to maintain two updates tomorrow. (Feel free to keep me accountable...)
Lastly: I'm shamelessly asking for pink votes...
The pink rankings are brutal, this author is about to fall...〒_〒.
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