pjbooks Chapter 234 Xi Family
Chapter 234 Xi Family
On the Xi family's side.
Xi Qingyi returned home with a heavy heart.
Madam Xi helped Xi Qingyi take off his official robes and put on his everyday clothes.
"Master, is something wrong? You look so troubled," Madam Xi asked with concern.
"Madam, someone has come to propose marriage for our Zhizhi today."
"What's wrong with arranging a marriage? Is it because the family they're talking about isn't good? If they aren't, just refuse them." Madam Xi said, puzzled.
"Could it be?" Madam Xi suddenly wondered, wondering if it was some important figure they couldn't afford to offend.
"No, Madam, you're overthinking it," Xi Qingyi quickly explained.
Madam Xi was relieved. As long as her daughter didn't fall for some spoiled brat they couldn't afford to offend, she only hoped that her daughter could marry into a good family and live a happy life.
"Madam, the person who is proposing marriage today is Minister Xiao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who wants to find a spouse for his nephew."
"The Xiao family? Is that the same Xiao, who rose directly from county magistrate to vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"
"The Xiao family?"
"Master, do you feel that the Xiao family is not good enough for our Zhizhi? But I remember that Lord Xiao has several nephews. Which one are you referring to when you mentioned Zhizhi?" Madam Xi understood.
"They're talking about Xiao Siyuan, the second son of the eldest branch of the Xiao family."
"If you're not willing, sir, then we can just cancel it."
“Madam, you don’t know this, but Xiao Siyuan saved our son on the battlefield. I can’t just refuse him directly.” This was the reason why Xi Qingyi was in a dilemma.
"So that's how it was—who did you save?" Madam Xi was unaware of this.
"Sir, what do you think of Xiao Siyuan? Do you look down on their family background or on Xiao Siyuan himself?"
"I am not satisfied, Madam. I quite admire Xiao Siyuan. He is already a captain at such a young age. However, the eldest branch of the Xiao family has no foundation and is just a businessman."
“Master, you’re overthinking it. Although the eldest branch of the Xiao family are just merchants, they have Lord Xiao backing them up, and behind Lord Xiao is Grand Tutor Shen. Their family background is not bad either.”
"Besides, didn't you just say that Xiao Siyuan is now a captain and has a bright future? He could be a good match for our Zhizhi."
Mrs. Xi didn't care much about family background; as long as Xiao Siyuan was ambitious and good to her daughter, that was enough.
Xi Qingyi pondered for a long time, and finally began to waver.
"However, this matter still depends on Zhizhi's opinion." They doted on their youngest daughter.
Speaking of Xi Ningzhi, Madam Xi had a headache. Ever since her daughter came of age, many people had come to propose marriage, but Xi Ningzhi just wouldn't take a liking to any of them.
No, it should be said that they rejected it without even looking at it.
I wonder what will happen this time.
"Okay, then I'll go talk to Zhizhi later and see if she's willing to go for it."
Xi Ningzhi's room.
"Mother, I don't want to get married yet. Can you please stop bringing it up with me?" Xi Ningzhi felt a headache coming on when she heard her mother bringing up marriage again.
"Look at you, you're almost eighteen now, if you don't get married soon, when will you?" Madam Xi was even more troubled.
“You have to go see him this time. I heard from your father that this Xiao Siyuan is already a captain at such a young age. He is a promising young man with good character. He even saved your older brother before. Take a look first. If you don’t want to, we can look for someone else. And your older brother…” Madam Xi could only continue to persuade him.
"Mother, who did you just say it was?" Xi Ningzhi was still a little impatient, but she immediately asked when she heard Xiao Siyuan's name.
Mrs. Xi was interrupted and was still a little confused: "Xiao Siyuan, what's wrong?"
"Xiao Siyuan, does he have a third uncle named Xiao Qinian?" Xiao Siyuan had told Xi Ningzhi about his family members before, and Xi Ningzhi remembered that he had a third uncle who was a county magistrate in the local area.
"Yes, Zhizhi, do you know her?" Madam Xi guessed, seeing her daughter's excited expression.
"Ah? Mother, I..." Xi Ningzhi's face suddenly felt hot.
When Mrs. Xi saw this, she understood immediately; her daughter's relationship with her was more than just acquaintance.
She was suddenly a little angry because her first thought was about her daughter's reputation. If people found out, it would be considered a secret affair, and her daughter would be overwhelmed by gossip.
Moreover, he also had some doubts about Xiao Siyuan's character.
Madam Xi's face darkened: "Zhizhi, tell me honestly, when did you and Xiao Siyuan meet?"
Wasn't Xiao Siyuan stationed at the border? He just returned to Beijing; how could he know his daughter?
Xi Ningzhi was still immersed in joy when she heard Madam Xi's words. She immediately looked over and saw that her mother's face was somewhat dark.
"Mother, Xiao Siyuan and I met two years ago."
Two years ago, wasn't that shortly after Zhizhi came of age? Could it be that Zhizhi has been unwilling to meet potential partners these past two years because of Xiao Siyuan?
And they've known each other for two years, yet they have absolutely no idea. They're incredibly slow!
"Zhizhi, how did you two meet?"
"Mother, two years ago I went to the outskirts..." Xi Ningzhi told Madam Xi about that time.
"You brat, how dare you be so bold? What would you do if something happened to you?" After hearing this, Madam Xi was both angry and relieved, and couldn't help but slap Xi Ningzhi hard on the back.
"Mom, it hurts so much! I'll never do it again!" Xi Ningzhi quickly dodged away.
"Alright, sit down and tell me properly." Madam Xi said reluctantly, though she was a little annoyed.
Xi Ningzhi then recounted the events that followed to Madam Xi.
"You shameless girl, alright, I'll talk to your father about this." Madam Xi chuckled when she heard that Xi Ningzhi had pursued Xiao Siyuan; her daughter was truly bold.
"Hehe, then Mom, you should talk to my dad properly, otherwise he'll punish me." Xi Ningzhi quickly smiled apologetically.
"Hmph, your father should teach you a lesson, otherwise you'll think you're invincible." Madam Xi rolled her eyes at Xi Ningzhi.
"Mother~~~~~" Xi Ningzhi tugged at Madam Xi's sleeve and acted coquettishly.
"Alright, just stay put."
"Thank you, Mother. I knew you were the best." Xi Ningzhi happily released Madam Xi.
After Madam Xi left, Xi Ningzhi thought of Xiao Siyuan, covered her face with her hands, and sat in a daze.
She was very worried when Xiao Siyuan was about to go to the border. She was afraid that Xiao Siyuan would never come back.
However, as a soldier, it was Xiao Siyuan's duty to go to the battlefield to defend his country. Moreover, Xiao Siyuan had his own ideas, which Xi Ningzhi understood even though he did not explain them to her.
For over a year, she had no news of Xiao Siyuan and was very worried, but she always firmly believed that Xiao Siyuan would come back alive, as he had promised her.