Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Ch. 50 - Betrothal Gifts

There was no one else in the room, so Old Madam Zhai simply didn't hide anything. It wasn't that she never considered Cheng Yujin, but the probability was almost none. Cheng Yujin used to be too excellent. Her identity, family background, and reputation were all top-notch. Such a person would never have to worry about finding a marriage. She could easily choose any noble and reputable family to marry, so why should she enter Cai Duke manor to become a stepmother? Because Old Madam Zhai understood her family's situation, she didn't want to push things forward and put herself in an ugly position.

Hearing the Old Madam's words, Zhai Yanlin was a little uncomfortable. But he had to admit the vast difference between the first and second marriage. Even for a man, second marriage meant that the criteria for the woman would have to be dropped a lot. Zhai Yanlin's career in the court has developed very well over the years, and his growth in power complemented his disadvantage in age. Even so, among the daughters of the top-ranking families, he was still far from an ideal husband.

Especially because Zhai Yanlin also has a six-year-old son.

Zhai Yanlin didn't make a comment, but Old Madam Zhai recalled old memories and began to talk about past events: "If I mention it before, I would only invite trouble. That Old Madam of Cheng family isn't a fuel-efficient lamp and has a big ambition. When she was still in the boudoir, she was restless. After the Xue family incident, she got a big windfall and married into the Yichun Marquis manor. She strived for advancement and fought hard for the better half of her life, but both of her sons are disappointing. However, when it comes to the third generation, there is a very outstanding granddaughter. She wholeheartedly wants her granddaughter to marry high and fetch a good return. How can she be willing to let this promising granddaughter become a second wife and break the road of future wealth? If not for this eldest granddaughter to have her engagement broken and has to lower their criteria, Old Madam Cheng surely would still set her eyes higher than the sky."

This was what Zhai Yanlin most concerned about. He might never have this kind of interest before, but now, he very much wanted to know why exactly Cheng Yujin had her engagement canceled. "Mother, do you know the situation behind eldest Miss Cheng's previous engagement? Who her former fiance was, and why did he back off from this engagement?"

Regarding this, Old Madam Zhai indeed knew quite a bit. She said: "Isn't it because of Huo family's ridiculousness? They proposed marriage to eldest Miss Cheng because of her life-saving grace to Marquis Huo. In the end, Huo family claimed that they had admitted the wrong person and change the engagement to the second Miss. What a mess."

Zhai Yanlin was surprised and couldn't help asking: "Huo family? That Marquis Huo Changyuan, the one who made military achievements last year and whose family title's inheritance was personally taken care of by His Majesty?"

"Precisely him." The Old Madam nodded, "Originally, such a talented and beautiful girl has a countless choice for her marriage. Who knows that Marquis Huo would do such a thing? He arbitrarily changed the engagement from the elder sister to the younger sister. They are originally twins, and it wasn't strange for them to be mistaken for each other. But a perfectly good girl has her reputation ruined as a consequence. Even I, an outsider, couldn't help being angry."

Zhai Yanlin couldn't utter a single word. He was dazed for a long time before finally sighed: "Huo Changyuan is a talented young man. At first, I was very optimistic about him, but I never expect that he handles his personal affairs with such a mess. Even a marriage contract can be broken by him, let alone other things? Such a person cannot be placed in an important position."

Old Madam Zhai didn't understand court matters. However, looking at Zhai Yanlin's attitude, people in the court should detest this kind of promise-breaking action. Zhai Yanlin slowly figured out the events he witnessed today and said in surprise: "That means Huo Changyuan is going to marry the second Miss of Cheng family? And that second Miss is replacing her sister's engagement?"