northernbook Chapter 93 The Reborn Heroine Won't Get Married (3)
Chapter 93 The Reborn Heroine Won't Get Married (3)
Qingmo nodded in satisfaction, thinking to herself, "Isn't this reborn female lead trying to get rid of the male lead?"
She insisted on bringing the two of them together and getting married.
If the female protagonist can easily forgive the murder of her family members, then as a mother, it is reasonable for her to find a talented husband for her daughter.
Taking a sip of tea, Qingmo said, "Go back and prepare today. We'll formally propose marriage another day. If you get married soon, you can focus on preparing for the imperial examinations next year."
Gu Shiyan nodded in agreement, then quickly bowed and took his leave.
He had given up hope of this marriage, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better. As for Zhang Yueying's statement that she didn't like him, he didn't care.
He married her with impure motives to begin with, so why should he care about this little bit of love? Even if Zhang Yueying was unwilling, as long as the Zhang family agreed, she would still have to obediently marry him according to her parents' wishes and the matchmaker's words.
Qingmo returned to her own courtyard and began to take stock of the original owner's belongings. Since her daughter was getting married, she, as the mother, naturally had to provide a dowry. However, that was the original owner, not her.
The original owner had prepared a dowry of sixty-six loads for Zhang Yueying, but now it's hers instead.
Hehe, mine, mine, all mine.
The original owner kept the key to her dowry storeroom herself, and no one usually went in. Now it's convenient for Qingmo to use it.
She told the servants to wait outside, and then went in and put everything into her spatial storage. The remaining boxes were empty, though they looked full, but were actually empty inside.
Why is it that when a daughter is getting married, the mother's dowry must be included? Is the Zhang family unable to afford it?
My cheap husband can only prepare as much dowry as he can afford. Using hers is impossible, absolutely impossible.
Qingmo had just finished tidying up when she heard a commotion outside.
Upon going outside, they found it was the female lead, Zhang Yueying, who had come to question them after learning that Zhang Yueying had sent Gu Shiyan to propose marriage.
"Mother, how could you do this? I have no feelings for Young Master Gu, why are you forcing this marriage?" Zhang Yueying asked, her face streaked with tears.
Qingmo, however, disagreed, fiddling with her nails as she said, "Feelings can be cultivated slowly. Young Master Gu is exceptionally talented and handsome. You two were already engaged, so isn't it only natural that you get married?"
“You don’t understand at all. I have my own ideas. I will not marry Gu Shiyan,” Zhang Yueying cried.
Qingmo sneered inwardly, but said calmly, "That's not up to you. Do you intend to break off the engagement? What about the Zhang family? Outsiders will say you're a gold digger who broke off the engagement. How will your mother face anyone after that?"
"You... Mother... How could you be so unreasonable?"
A sharp slap landed on Zhang Yueying's face, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"Are you awake now? Is this how you talk to your mother? Guards, take the young lady back to her own courtyard. She is not allowed to leave without my permission."
Zhang Yueying, looking hurt, was carried away by several old women. Even back in her courtyard, she was still in shock. Her mother had never hit her before, but today...
In her memory, her mother was always gentle, both towards her and towards the concubines in the household.
In her past life, her mother also disapproved of her marrying Gu Shiyan. What happened now? How could her mother have changed so much?
Could it be? He considered one possibility, then shook his head.
Impossible. If her mother was reborn like her, knowing full well that Gu Shiyan was a trap, why would she still let her marry him? Where exactly is the problem?
Zhang Yueying was completely baffled. Just as she was deep in thought, she suddenly heard a slight noise coming from outside the window.
She became alert and asked in a low voice, "Who is it?" A dark figure flashed in, and it was her personal maid, Cui'er.
"Miss, I came to see you secretly. You've suffered so much, sob sob sob," Cui'er whispered.
Qingmo: Suffering? What suffering? Being locked in a room is suffering!!
Seeing that her mistress looked gloomy, Cui'er said, "Miss, please don't be unhappy. Perhaps Madam has some difficulties."
Zhang Yueying was taken aback. "Difficulties? What difficulties could there be?"
Cui'er hesitated for a moment, "Miss, I've heard that Master has recently offended many powerful figures in court. Could Madam's actions be to protect you?"
Zhang Yueying's eyes widened. She had never considered this possibility. It was impossible. In her previous life, the Zhang family had not encountered any trouble at this time.
Qingmo said: "Imagining things is a disease, and it needs to be cured."
"Miss, please don't worry, I'll go and inquire some more." Cui'er said and then hurriedly left.
Zhang Yueying sat on the bed, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She clenched her fists, her eyes gradually hardening. No matter what, she would never marry Gu Shiyan again.
How could she possibly become husband and wife with the person who wiped out her entire family in her past life?
When her husband returned home that evening and heard about the incident, he rushed to Qingmo's courtyard.
"Madam, I heard that you agreed to let Yueying marry that boy from the Gu family? Madam, you are confused. Why didn't you wait for me to come back before discussing it?"
It's clear that Zhang Zhenlin is in a hurry; he genuinely loves his daughter and doesn't want her to suffer after marrying into the Gu family.
"I know you're in a hurry, but listen to me, don't rush things. Haste makes waste."
Upon hearing Qingmo's words, Zhang Zhenlin was clearly taken aback. These words did not seem like something that his gentle and composed wife would say.
"Husband, do you really intend to break off the engagement with the Gu family? What will outsiders say about the Zhang family? We don't care, but how will you maintain your standing in the court?"
The two families already have a marriage agreement. Besides, I carefully examined Gu Shiyan today; his character and appearance are both excellent. We cannot judge him by his appearance just because of his family background.”
“This…Madam, you should have discussed this with me first, no matter what. Even if people laugh at us, we can’t let our daughter suffer.” Zhang Zhenlin was indeed a good father.
However, that has nothing to do with Qingmo; she doesn't care anyway.
"Does my husband only have one daughter? We also have three legitimate sons and a bunch of illegitimate sons and daughters. Are they just going to throw away their reputations? If word gets out that the Zhang family is disregarding past affections and insisting on breaking off the engagement, how will those children ever get married in the future?"
Qingmo looked earnest and sincere, as if she were truly thinking of the entire family.
Zhang Zhenlin was speechless for a moment. Although he loved his daughter dearly, he also had to consider the family's reputation. "But that girl Yueying would rather die than marry him..."
“If she doesn’t want to marry, there are ways to make her willing.” A cold glint flashed in Qingmo’s eyes.
Zhang Zhenlin couldn't argue with Qingmo, so he had no choice but to compromise and then prepared to stay overnight.
Qingmo Erkang, don't come any closer, you old hag.
Using the excuse of feeling unwell, she sent Zhang Zhenlin to her aunt's courtyard.
Actually, the original owner was already in her fifties. Zhang Zhenlin would occasionally come over but only stay overnight, and nothing would happen between them. However, Qingmo still couldn't stand it. It was so disgusting to have an old man sleeping next to her.
They've been married for a long time, and Zhang Zhenlin only shows respect to the original owner as he would to his first wife. He actually prefers his beautiful concubine, but he will still give face to the original owner.
Qingmo: Back off, back off, don't give me face, I don't care about face, don't come, please, I don't want to kill you.