Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 426 - 424

After Di Shaowei’s grandmother and mother left, Mrs. Liu and Xiao’er went to Ming Mansion to discuss the matter with Shen Nirui and Ming Jingya.

Ming Jingya was quite surprised to hear that the old lady and the general’s wife from the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion personally sought the lady of Marquis Shengping to discuss this matter.

"Jingya, what do you think of Young Master Di?" Shen Nirui asked, holding her chubby son.

"Young Master Di is quite good." But why did he do this? Was he taking responsibility for what happened last time, Ming Jingya wondered.

"So, you have agreed to this? Excellent, I will write a letter to inform my father of this good news. Your brother can decide directly on your marriage matter, as my father mentioned it in his last letter. Young Master Di is a man of good character, he would definitely be glad for you when he learns of this." Shen Nirui replied happily.

Recently, the couple was worried about finding a suitable match for their younger sister. After various comparisons, they found no one satisfying.

Hearing this, Xiao’er thought it was perfect, or else the county magistrate’s wife might stir up some trouble. She probably would try to stop Ming Jingya’s marriage to Marquis Zhongyong Mansion if she knew about it!

From her attempt to poison Ming Zhijie, to arranging Ming Jingya’s marriage to such a despicable man, it was clear she would be glad to see the siblings suffer.

"No, I disagree." Ming Jingya gently shook her head.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Why did Jingya turn down a proposal that people had sought after?

Mrs. Liu looked towards Xiao’er: Didn’t you say there’s affection between them?

How was she going to explain to Madam Di and the general’s wife?

Xiao’er gave Mrs. Liu a reassuring look.

"Sister Ming, I have something to say to you. Let’s go outside to discuss."

Ming Jingya nodded her head.

Xiao’er took Ming Jingya by the hand and went into the garden before asking, "Sister Ming, why did you refuse?"

"I’m not good enough for him."

"That’s not a good reason. Since ancient times, it’s been customary for a girl to marry someone of higher rank. Moreover, Brother Zhijie is currently serving in the Hanlin Academy, which is a stepping stone into the Cabinet. It’s still unknown what rank he will attain in the future!"

"I don’t want to put Young Master Di in a difficult position." Ming Jingya admitted.

Her refusal to marry the son of Qian Mansion as his secondary wife was out of unwillingness to humble herself.

Similarly, she didn’t want to marry someone at the expense of their happiness.

A kind-hearted man like Young Master Di deserved better.

Xiao’er couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Difficult for Di Shaowei? He was eager for just that!

He was willing to sacrifice half of the profits from the toy shop just to win her over.

"This is what Brother Di asked me to give you." Xiao’er handed Ming Jingya a letter.

(Xiao’er helped Di Shaowei with his courtship strategy one: A love letter that can move hearts!)

Ming Jingya took the envelope with a hint of skepticism, unfolded it, and read: May we look back at our shared years, and grow old together with deep love.

The handwriting was strong and graceful, balancing hardness with softness, in a way that beautifully reflected the writer’s personality.

Ming Jingya’s heart was deeply moved, and her face involuntarily flushed with embarrassment.

Truth be told, this was a line that Xiao’er had borrowed from a modern poem on the internet to help Di Shaowei.

Otherwise, where would he have learned to write a romantic poem! He could only rely on Xiao’er for ideas.

May we look back at our shared years, and grow old together with deep love.

When Di Shaowei heard it, he was astonished. This was exactly how he felt about his pursuit of a wife!

Returning to the mansion, Di Shaowei holed up in his study to pen down this line of poetry. His face flushed with embarrassment, then grew serious, turning into a frown of concentration, then frustration. He went through at least a hundred sheets of paper, none of which satisfied him. It wasn’t until dawn, when the eastern sky glowed faintly like a fish belly, that he chose a piece he was relatively satisfied with.

Immediately, he placed it into the envelope, and rushed to find Xiao’er.

Seeing that Ming Jingya’s face flushed, Xiao’er knew she was moved.

Most women would have two kinds of reactions to such a love declaration; if she’s not interested in the man, she’d show disgust or embarrassment.

If she is interested in the man, she’d blush, her heartbeat escalating, and she’d feel immensely moved.

Seeing how Ming Jingya reacted, Xiao’er immediately followed up. "Brother Di’s servant secretly told me that Brother Di spent all of last night writing this letter and ruined thousands of sheets of paper. Sister Ming, do you still think he would feel embarrassed for marrying you? He seems to me, terribly eager!"

After hearing terms for this, Ming Jingya’s face turned even redder, and her eyes started to well up with tears. Of course, these were tears of moving.

"Sister Ming, you may not know this, but I originally wasn’t willing to help him out. I didn’t know if you would look favorably upon him. But in order to convince me to help, he astonishingly offered half of the toy shop’s dividends. I don’t know if you are moved by this, but I certainly was. I think, for a man who is so devoted to you, if you have even the slightest interest in him, you should seize the opportunity. He will bring you happiness."

Ming Jingya wavered, she hesitated, "But I eloped to the Imperial Capital. Although I have now broken off my engagement, it’s impossible to keep this secret forever. When the world finds out, everyone will laugh at him."

Xiao’er pressed on: "Do you think Brother Di doesn’t know about this, or that Madam Di and the general’s wife don’t? When considering a marriage proposal, wouldn’t one investigate the other party’s character and family background? They knew, yet they still asked my mother to sound you out on your feelings. What does that indicate? It indicates that they don’t mind! And moreover, Madam Di and the general’s wife both personally went to my mother to discuss the matter, which indicates that they value you and sincerely accept you. If you genuinely don’t like Brother Di, then you certainly shouldn`t force yourself. But, if you have even a little bit of interest in Brother Di, would you want to disappoint three people’s intentions because of your bit of inferiority? Would you also want to miss a chance at happiness?"

Tears fell from Jingya’s eyes. She indeed felt inferior, which was why she didn’t dare to agree.

But if Young Master Di genuinely liked her, would she be willing to let go of the chance at happiness for both of them?

The answer, of course, was no!

She clearly understood the life she wanted, so much so that she disregarded the potential damage to her reputation and bravely called off her wedding!

"Sister Ming, do you need time to consider? Brother Di is still waiting for my reply to his proposal at the Four Seasons Restaurant. He hasn’t slept all night!", she appealed to Ming Jingya’s sympathy.

Ming Jingya shook her head, but her heart was immensely moved. Tears filled her eyes and she was worried that she would start to cry the moment she opened her mouth.

"Sister Ming, are you shaking your head because you don’t need to think anymore? Have you agreed to marry Brother Di?"

Though slightly embarrassed, Jingya nodded her head.

Happiness has always been something one has to seize, otherwise, it might slip away.

If he was willing to reach out his hand, unfazed by the gossip that might follow, she was willing to firmly grasp it. As for her reputation, it wasn’t as important as living a happy and carefree life. If she cared about her reputation, she wouldn’t have done something as shocking as eloping.

At first, she was unwilling because she didn’t want him to feel obligated to her, but now that she knew his feelings, how could she refuse.