Chapter 287: Meeting for Matchmaking
“Stay for lunch,” a fair-skinned, round-faced woman said sincerely, grabbing Qin Luoxia’s hand.
Madam Dong had an innocent and lively nature.
Even at her age, she loved reading storybooks. She especially liked stories about swordswomen roaming the world, upholding justice.
When she first saw Qin Luoxia, who had come to visit, she was stunned.
Wasn’t this the very embodiment of a swordswoman? She looked at her with starry eyes.
Moreover, watching every move Madam Jiang made, it was exactly like the swordswomen in her mind. The hairstyle, the clothes, the shoes—oh my, everything was the same.
If the occasion hadn’t been inappropriate, she would have pulled her daughter over to fangirl with her right then and there.
She had already heard from her husband last night. He said he had found a good match, and this time it was guaranteed to be steady.
Minister Dong felt that Meng Qingshe was definitely not a liar. Meng Qingshe was a man who spoke his mind; if something was bad, he would criticize it directly, so there was no need to force praise.
Moreover, Meng Qingshe’s son, Meng Shaoxia, had been able to live at his father-in-law’s house for so many years without a single word of complaint, only praise, which showed the quality of his character.
Either his character was flawless, or he was extremely good at handling people and incredibly hypocritical, to the point where no one felt uncomfortable. Regardless of which it was, it was enough for his daughter.
Meng Shaoxia was smart and could be considered an outstanding talent among the younger generation. If even he didn’t feel uncomfortable, then with his daughter’s easygoing nature, she certainly wouldn’t live unhappily.
Considering every aspect, Minister Dong felt it was excellent. He wanted to cut through the Gordian knot and settle it quickly; otherwise, once that group of old foxes in the capital reacted, it wouldn’t be his daughter’s turn anymore.
The next day, Minister Dong had to go to work. Madam Dong stayed at home to receive the guests. Her husband had said that if the other party was interested, they would come to visit.
Madam Dong had the servants tidy up the house, though in truth, the house was cleaned every day, so there wasn’t much special to do.
The Minister Dong residence was configured as a Minister’s manor. Although the salary was not high, there were various other additional rewards and income. The Emperor was very generous to officials he favored, rewarding them with money, land, houses, jewels, and titles…
Madam Dong had one son and one daughter. Her son, like old Dong, worked in the Ministry of Works. Her son had been taught to be very scientific and liked to immerse himself in the technical departments of the Ministry of Works. He wasn’t cut out for officialdom, but he was good at technical work.
Her daughter was at home, waiting to be married.
Having to entertain guests made Madam Dong slightly nervous, but fortunately, she had experienced nannies by her side. Meetings between wealthy families usually didn’t involve any intense actions; she just had to follow the nannies’ instructions. Besides, she had been through this for so many years and had gained experience.
However, when she finally saw Madam Jiang, Lady Qin, in person, she exploded. “Boom!”
Madam Dong didn’t understand how someone could naturally possess such a swordswoman’s air. She was just too, too beautiful; every point hit her heart.
The two nannies exchanged a glance and then looked away.
Madam Dong admired the swordswoman for a good while before remembering, upon the nannies’ reminder, that she needed to call her daughter out to meet the guest. Let’s fangirl together!
Worried about her daughter’s rebellious psychology, she hadn’t said who it was. But when her daughter saw Madam Jiang, she was very enthusiastic.
She was truly her own daughter; they probably read the same kind of storybooks.
Dong E had big, sparkling eyes and two dimples. Just looking at her made one feel the smile she held; she was incredibly cheerful.
As soon as Qin Luoxia saw this girl, her heart settled, and she liked her immediately.
In this day and age, when discussing marriage, although it was a union between two families, it was best to have a chance to see the child herself.
Although one shouldn’t believe or spread rumors, there were people outside saying Miss Dong was spoiled, that her personality was bad, that she was jealous, and various other things. In short, in matters of broken engagements, it was always the woman’s fault.
Her husband had asked her to visit, and Qin Luoxia knew it wasn’t for climbing social ladders; it was just to let her see what the girl was really like, to assess her for Feng-ge’er. She couldn’t just look at a strange girl.
They didn’t care about family status; they just needed someone who could live a good life. She had said the same to Aunt Yin.
The gifts she brought were neither heavy nor light. If she was satisfied, they could set the date; if not, they would just treat it as a social visit to build connections, which didn’t matter. Anyway, it wasn’t a big, public affair.
Qin Luoxia still wanted to stay and observe more, so she brazenly agreed to stay for a meal.
Dining actually revealed a person’s upbringing very well.
Eating together, Dong E didn’t really know how to serve others; she looked like a child raised in luxury, but her table manners were very proper. When Madam Dong put food in her bowl that she didn’t like, she frowned but ate it anyway, not wasting anything.
Then, she took the spare ribs she liked and put several pieces into Qin Luoxia’s bowl.
“Auntie, this is delicious, this is also delicious, and this is delicious too.”
She loved to share. She loved to laugh.
When she ate something delicious, her smile was sweet.
When she ate something she didn’t like, she frowned slightly, but quickly, upon eating something delicious again, she couldn’t help but smile.
After one meal, Qin Luoxia liked this girl even more.
She was a bit like Jiang Yu in that they both loved to eat, but in all fairness, she was much more likable than her own Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu’s speech could be a bit biting and was always very direct and sharp. If not for the fact that the in-laws were good people, she wouldn’t be at ease with Jiang Yu getting married.
Dong E had no hidden agendas; she was like Jiang Yu, but her speech was as sweet as honey.
She was very lively, chattering away without stopping. She wasn’t reserved either.
Qin Luoxia was very satisfied.
When leaving, she took the jade bracelet off her wrist and put it on the young girl’s wrist.
It had originally been prepared for the girl; Qin Luoxia didn’t like wearing such things herself—it would be a waste if she couldn’t use the jade bracelet to smash someone at a critical moment.
If she was satisfied, she would give it to the other party; if not, she would just continue wearing it.
The young girl didn’t refuse and happily accepted it.
Madam Dong was, after all, a Minister’s wife. Seeing that bracelet and its quality, it was extremely valuable—one in ten thousand, like sheep-fat jade, honey-like and oily. It was a bracelet that even their family felt was precious. This one bracelet could perhaps buy a house in the capital.
Her husband had said the other party had family wealth, but she hadn’t fully believed him, thinking at most she would just give more dowry. But seeing this bracelet, she felt her husband was right.
After sending off Madam Jiang, she saw her daughter holding up her hand against the sunlight, looking at the bracelet, happy and carefree.
Madam Dong asked cautiously, “Do you know why Madam Jiang gave you the bracelet?”
“I know, Auntie likes me! Mother, I’m going to see if my wedding dress is embroidered yet, otherwise it will be too late.”
The daughter skipped away, swinging her arms, to go embroider her wedding dress.
Madam Dong was dumbfounded. Did her daughter understand or not??
She turned to ask the nanny, “Nanny, do you think I could wear an outfit like Madam Jiang’s? And those boots too.”
The nanny shook her head tactfully, “The outfit Madam Jiang wore requires a certain height. You have to be tall to pull off that look.”
Madam Dong glared at the nanny. Are you saying I’m short?
Soon, Madam Dong got excited again, “Madam Jiang is so tall. If the daughter that E’er gives birth to in the future is also that tall, she can dress like that too. The number one swordswoman of the pugilistic world! Ho ho ho!”
The nanny looked up at the sky:…
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