Chapter 119: The Marriage Proposal is Settled
One should be cautious during the matchmaking process, but when it comes to proposing and marrying, one should be generous and magnanimous, as this reflects the sincerity of marriage.
Beating around the bush and being overly subtle at crucial moments is just a joke.
Wang Qiluo was watching all of this from behind the screen, so nervous that she couldn't speak.
Outside, Liu Shuhui, seeing General Wang preparing so many things, finally frowned and asked, "General Wang, are you suggesting a marriage alliance with me?"
"Indeed!" General Wang was straightforward, "To be honest, my daughter has admired you for a long time and has mentioned your name to me several times. Her mother and I have carefully observed you and believe that you, Young Master Liu, are upright. I would like to betroth my daughter to you."
Liu Shuhui's frown deepened, and he fell silent.
Beside them, Madam Jiang, seeing his hesitation, asked, "Could it be that Young Master Liu is already betrothed in his hometown?"
Liu Shuhui shook his head, "That's not the case."
"Then, do you have a beloved already?"
"No," Liu Shuhui shook his head again.
"What is it then? Do you think our dowry is insufficient?"
At this, Liu Shuhui fell silent, a clear sign of refusal on his face.
Watching Liu Shuhui's silence from behind the screen, Wang Qiluo's face also cooled. As time passed, General Wang became impatient.
Being a man of action, he appreciated directness. He had been impressed by Liu Shuhui's straightforwardness when he first met him.
But now, with their sincere offer on the table, if he wasn't interested, he should just say so directly.
This constant silence, what did it mean?
"Liu Shuhui, the reason I value you is not because you are the new top scholar. Even if you had failed the imperial examination and only received the rank of 'same jinshi,' I would still have invited you to the banquet. Your hesitation now, could it be that you think less of our Wang family's status?"
"No, General Wang," Liu Shuhui replied.
"Then what! If you don't fancy my daughter, just say so!"
At this, Wang Qiluo rushed out from behind the screen, "Father, don't pressure Young Master Liu!"
Lu Lingyun couldn't even stop her. As she ran out, Lu Lingyun followed, "Qiluo, what are you doing!"
Marriage proposals are matters for the elders. Even if it doesn't work out, it's left unsaid, and no one speaks of it.
For a girl to get involved, it could lead to gossip.
"What are you doing here? Go back to your room!" Madam Jiang also remarked.
Standing in the middle, Wang Qiluo looked at Liu Shuhui, "Young Master Liu, don't mind what my parents are saying. If you don't wish to, then just leave."
Lu Lingyun, hearing this silly girl's words, was exasperated. Without waiting for Liu Shuhui to respond, she directly addressed him, "Liu, I recommended this marriage to Uncle and Auntie. Initially, I also appreciated your character. But marriage requires mutual consent. It's my oversight, and if you're unwilling, let's just treat this as if it never happened after one drink."
She couldn't let Wang Qiluo, an unmarried girl, suffer a bad reputation.
Being already married and having actively recommended the match, she was willing to take on the responsibility to protect her reputation.
Saying this, Lu Lingyun poured a cup of wine to conclude the matter.
Liu Shuhui looked at her, "You recommended this match?"
"Yes, I appreciated your character and thought you could be trusted with my sister's life."
After a flutter of his eyelashes, Liu Shuhui pushed away Lu Lingyun's cup and addressed General Wang, "Uncle Wang, my initial hesitation wasn't because I disapprove of Miss Wang. It's just that I, Liu Shuhui, come from a poor family. Although I now hold a title, I don't have an official position yet. If you trust me, when I receive an official appointment, I will come to marry Miss Wang."
"By then, I only hope you won't think my position is too low."
Liu Shuhui's words were firm and resolute.
He spoke with great seriousness.
General Wang and Madam Jiang were both taken aback. General Wang was the first to react, "You stubborn boy! What are you fussing about over such a small matter! As a new top scholar, you'll definitely get an official position!"
Liu Shuhui stubbornly and firmly shook his head, "As a man, I must have responsibilities. Without an official position, I dare not ask a woman to entrust her life to me."
The unspoken implication was, once entrusted, he would take care of her for life.
Beside them, Wang Qiluo looked on dumbly.
Liu Shuhui looked at her seriously, "Miss Wang, would you be willing to wait for me?"
Wang Qiluo, after a moment of stunned silence, smiled through her tears, her eyes sparkling like stars. She nodded, then grabbed Lu Lingyun's hand and quickly ran back into the room.
Seeing this, General Wang and Madam Jiang both laughed.
General Wang pointed at Liu Shuhui, "You rascal! You almost scared my daughter!"
"Young Master Liu, you didn't need to be so formal," Madam Jiang also laughed.
Liu Shuhui, watching Wang Qiluo and Lu Lingyun leave, turned back to them, "Since General and Madam trust me so much, I, Liu, must be even more serious."
"Alright, let's eat."
"Yes, let's eat!"
Lu Lingyun was taken back to Wang Qiluo's boudoir, with Wang Qiluo chattering non-stop throughout the way.
The emotions and thoughts of those young lovers were impossible to hide.
She kept going back and forth about the few sentences Liu Shuhui had just said in the room.
After analyzing his words for a long time, she said again, "Sister, do you think Young Master Liu said that on purpose so I wouldn't lose face?"
"Do you think that stubborn mule is the kind of person who cares about others' dignity?" Lu Lingyun said with a smile.
"Sister, you are not allowed to call Young Master Liu a stubborn mule again!"
"Alright, alright," Lu Lingyun quickly responded, "You're not even married yet, and you're already taking his side."
"I hate you, I hate you!" Wang Qiluo pounded on Lu Lingyun.
After dodging a couple of times, Wang Qiluo threw herself into Lu Lingyun's arms, "Sister, is it really happening?"
"Enough, enough, going back and forth with these few sentences, are you worried about Young Master Liu's character or whether he will get a position as an official?"
"Naturally, I'm afraid something unexpected might happen," Wang Qiluo's voice grew softer.
Lu Lingyun said directly, "If he can't earn an official position, I'll donate one to marry you off to him!"
Wang Qiluo burst into laughter, shyly nestling in Lu Lingyun's arms, no longer saying anything else.
After leaving the Wang family, Lu Lingyun happened to run into Liu Shuhui, who had just finished the banquet. The Wang family arranged a carriage to send him back.
The two met at the door, and Liu Shuhui, seeing her, said, "Why do you trust me? Aren't you afraid that I might be unreliable and harm your sister?"
Lu Lingyun smiled calmly and replied without hesitation, "No, I trust you. I believe you are a good person, will be a good official, and even more, a good husband."
"I forgot to congratulate you, Young Master Liu. In the future, you will surely rise to great heights and achieve your ambitions."
After saying this, Lu Lingyun left.
Liu Shuhui stood there, stunned by her words. After a long while, he blinked his long lashes, and there was more confidence and determination in his eyes as he said, "Let's go back."
A few days later, the official positions for the new imperial scholars were assigned.
Liu Shuhui was personally appointed by the emperor as the prefect of Yangzhou.