SGEIRS -Chapter 596 One Plan Fails

Two days later, Madam Chen actually went to her sister’s house and brought her niece back, under the pretext of: “staying for a while to keep her company and lift her spirits.”

The girl’s name was Huo Lingyi, fifteen years old, with a graceful figure, a small cherry-like mouth, bright eyes, and perfect teeth—truly a beauty.

The elders had suggested to Huo Lingyi that she marry Gu Xiuhong, and she was quite pleased with her handsome and talented cousin. She even personally made soups and pastries and sent them to Gu Xiuhong’s study. But after being turned away several times and realizing her cousin had no interest in her, she gave up.

Even with her aunt, Madam Chen, pushing hard for the match, she no longer felt the initial enthusiasm toward Gu Xiuhong. She treated it all perfunctorily—after all, she had no shortage of suitors and saw no reason to chase after a man who didn’t like her.

This made Gu Xuanyi like her very much, thinking her personality perfectly suited her own standards for a friend. She took the initiative to talk to her, played with her, and soon they became inseparable, spending all their time together.

Madam Chen watched helplessly as her niece was lured away by Xuanyi, without so much as a glance at her own son, and in her anger, she went straight to Madam Zhang, complaining:

“Sister-in-law, when I asked you to bring my niece here, was it to find a playmate for Xuanyi, or to set her up with our Xiuhong?”

Her accusations came all at once. Madam Zhang was taken aback. Usually, this sister-in-law was reasonable, and it was the first time she had been so unreasonable—but what did it have to do with her? She immediately shot back:

“Second sister-in-law, when I gave you the idea, you agreed at the time. Who could have predicted what would happen later? Miss Huo didn’t fancy Xiuhong, but she likes our Xuanyi. How could that be my fault?”

Madam Chen became even more furious. “Likes your Xuanyi? Don’t forget—your Xuanyi is a young lady! Can you speak properly? Lingyi is the bride I had in mind for my son.”

Madam Zhang snorted lightly, sounding exasperated: “You do know our Xuanyi is a young lady, right? No need to treat her as a rival. I’m not competing with you for a daughter-in-law. So why get worked up? If Miss Huo didn’t fancy your son, perhaps you should look for the reason in him.”

These words instantly deflated Madam Chen. She looked at Madam Zhang, her lips trembling, but in the end said nothing, sighing dejectedly.

Could she not see the reason in her son?

Her son liked that widow. She had taken a discreet look at the widow before—there was nothing mesmerizing about her, her appearance was merely gentle and delicate, far inferior to her niece Lingyi. Nobody could understand what exactly her son found appealing in her. Lingyi had good family background and youthful beauty—anyone who wasn’t a fool would choose Lingyi.

Madam Zhang had rarely silenced Madam Chen, but seeing her so troubled, she couldn’t feel happy. After all, as a mother, she couldn’t bear to see another mother worried over her child. Smiling wryly, she said:

“Now do you understand my worries? Our Xuanyi doesn’t want to marry, and I’m so worried I can’t sleep. Your Xiuhong is willing to marry, but he has set his sights on a widow.”

Madam Chen replied, “That’s different. Before, Xiuhong didn’t want to marry, so I wasn’t bothered. Now he wants to marry, but he insists on a widow—that’s what troubles me. If Xuanyi liked a widower, who’s older and of average background, would you still want her to marry?”

“That widow is twenty-two, two years older than Xiuhong, but that’s not very old,” Madam Zhang said. Then she asked, “What is Xiuhong’s current attitude?”

Madam Chen’s face darkened. “What attitude could he have? He refuses to marry anyone but that widow. I certainly cannot agree to him marrying a widow. The only condition for letting her into the household is if he first marries a proper, well-born young lady who can bear a legitimate son. After that, he can take the widow in, and I won’t object.”

Madam Zhang pondered and offered a suggestion: “Second sister-in-law, there’s no use trying through Xiuhong. Why not go through the widow? Invite her out to talk. If she truly likes Xiuhong, then she should encourage him to marry a well-matched, advantageous wife. Otherwise, don’t even think about letting him take her as a concubine. Xiuhong can handle it, but she’s a woman, and she’s not getting any younger. She can’t wait forever.”

Hearing this, Madam Chen was tempted but hesitant. “Isn’t this improper? My son insists on marrying her—why should I approach her? If word gets out, people will say I can’t control my son and am bothering someone else’s daughter.”

Madam Zhang rolled her eyes. “Fine, you’re proud. Convince Xiuhong yourself to marry a suitable wife, or you’ll have to speak to the widow.”

Madam Chen fell silent. Not even her husband could manage it; no matter how they tried, Xiuhong was impervious.

Madam Zhang asked, “You weren’t so concerned about family background before—why now?”

Madam Chen sighed softly. “I don’t mind family background too much, but I do mind that she’s a widow. If she weren’t, even if her background were lower, as long as she was proper, well-mannered, and virtuous, I could grit my teeth and agree.”

Madam Zhang said, “Third sister-in-law’s father married widows for his third and fourth wives, yet didn’t that work out?”

Madam Chen twitched her mouth and said irritably, “Can that be compared? My son isn’t the same as the old man. He’s not a man with prior marriages and children. He wouldn’t dare marry a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl. Even if he wanted to, no family of equal standing would marry their daughter to him.”

Madam Zhang was momentarily stunned, then nodded. “That makes sense.”

Madam Chen said stiffly: “Make sure Xuanyi doesn’t keep pestering Lingyi. She’s my chosen daughter-in-law, not a playmate for Xuanyi.”

Madam Zhang corrected her: “Second sister-in-law, it’s not Xuanyi pestering Miss Huo—Miss Huo actively comes to find Xuanyi. Early this morning, she took Xuanyi out to meet friends.”

Madam Chen: “……”

Madam Zhang glanced at her and said, “Xiuhong should be back by now. Second sister-in-law, have a proper talk with him.”

She sighed, melancholy: “Actually, it’s good if a child wants to marry. If our Xuanyi liked someone, even a widower, it would be a good thing—at least she’s made up her mind. But now, she doesn’t fancy anyone. If she keeps waiting, she’ll become an old maid, which worries me greatly.”

Madam Chen moved her lips but refrained from snapping back. She just glared at her and stormed off.

Madam Zhang didn’t stop her, watching her leave while muttering: “I didn’t say anything wrong. Getting angry at me won’t help. One plan fails—then make another. Who asked you to have such a stubborn son who insists on marrying a widow?”