Chapter 1351: 1348: Obviously Something's Up

Chapter 1351: Chapter 1348: Obviously Something’s Up

Moreover, her son was right, he was honest by nature, and it would be better to marry a woman with a gentle disposition who wouldn’t despise him for continuing to fail the exams.

Madam Wang didn’t want her son to marry an overly ambitious wife; she simply wished for a daughter-in-law who could peacefully care for her son, not use him as a bragging asset.

Ah Zhang was willing to study hard because he enjoyed it, and he had indeed made an effort, so becoming a scholar was already quite an achievement. As for future success, both she and Chu Cai didn’t press for it; you could say they didn’t pressure Chu Zhang. She just wanted Ah Zhang to be happy.

At the very least, with Ah Zhang’s status as a scholar, his future life would be comfortable, so whether he continued his studies or not, both Madam Wang and Chu Cai wouldn’t intervene.

After listening, Madam Wang shook her head, “I see, I’m not sure about that. The county magistrate’s wife did mention it, but her daughter is very pampered and seems rather delicate. I’m afraid she might not think highly of my Ah Zhang. There’s nothing I can do, Ah Zhang is just too honest.”

Chu Zhang sat at the side, touched his nose but said nothing. He had actually met the magistrate’s daughter too. Lively by nature, although delicate, she wasn’t spoiled and seemed like a fine young woman.

But he had only spoken a couple of words to her, so he couldn’t say whether he liked her or not.

“I just want Ah Zhang to marry someone with a gentler disposition, who wouldn’t look down on Ah Zhang’s honesty,” said Madam Wang. As someone with an honest nature herself, she directly stated her requirement and then said to Madam Liu, “Mother, when the time comes, we’ll need your help to find a suitable match for Ah Zhang.”

Madam Liu nodded, “Your thoughts are reasonable; Ah Zhang is naturally steady and honest. If he were to marry someone with a dominant personality, I fear he may not be able to hold his ground in the future. However, we can’t have someone too soft-spoken either. Someone slightly intelligent who can prioritize Ah Zhang would be the most suitable match.”

The two spoke with earnest expressions, clearly voicing their true thoughts.

However, sitting next to Madam Zhang, Chu Qingxiang’s complexion turned somewhat pale, and she struggled to maintain her composure.

Madam Zhang thought of her eldest daughter’s marital family and her brow furrowed slightly.

With such obvious expressions from mother and daughter, Madam Liu, now even more perceptive than before, couldn’t ignore it even if she wanted to.

She raised an eyebrow and looked toward Chu Qingxiang, noticing her weary look, dark circles under her eyes, a possible furrow made from frequent frowning between her brows, and she wore a cotton dress—not new but not old either—that was washed clean, a choice very much in line with her granddaughter’s personality.

However, just a cotton dress itself didn’t really match the current situation of the Chu family.

Madam Zhang and Madam Wang were wearing cotton dresses because they were entertaining guests at home and feared damaging silks and satins, while Chu Qingxiang was visiting.

Not wanting to worry Madam Zhang, her mother, she should have dressed better.

Thus, there were two possible reasons for the situation: either Chu Qingxiang had intentionally dressed down to seek pity when visiting her mother’s house, or this was the best attire she had.

Madam Liu had also expressed concern about the Song family’s situation in her letters over the past two years.

Last year, Song Lu had taken the imperial examination but failed to place first. It was said that he was unlucky at the examination site, assigned to a poorly ranked examination cell, and he fainted before completing the exam.

Nevertheless, she knew that Madam Zhang, her eldest daughter-in-law, was secretly supporting Qingxiang, so her life should not be too difficult.

And Song Lu was only nineteen this year, just two years older than Ah Sheng and Ah Zhang. Even if he failed last time, there was always a chance to succeed in another two years.

Still, looking at their expressions now, there evidently was another issue, and it surfaced after Madam Wang’s earlier comments.

Madam Liu spoke calmly, “Eldest daughter-in-law, Qingxiang, is there something you wish to say?”