NFBE Chapter 332 Xie Yanli's smile deepened.
Chapter 332 Xie Yanli's smile deepened.
Chu Yi lowered his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.
Xie Jingchun's sword, and even everything he just saw and found, was deliberately designed by him.
Having been schemed against to this extent, she was still foolish enough to give him the sword.
Just as the master had predicted.
Xie Jingchun is simple, passionate, and easily gets carried away, making him the best entry point...
Dinner at the Marquis's residence.
Madam Xie sat at the head of the table, with Marquis Xie beside her.
The family ate their meal quietly.
Xie Wanning's gaze swept across everyone's faces, a smile she couldn't suppress playing on her lips.
It's time to let them know.
"Grandmother, Father, Mother," Xie Wanning suddenly spoke up, "I want to marry Young Master Li."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was taken aback.
What did she just say?!
Didn't you only meet Hua Hui once? How come you're getting married already!
Madam Xie frowned slightly, and her hand holding the chopsticks suddenly stopped.
"Wanning, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
Xie Wanning immediately said, "Grandmother, Young Master Li truly loves me. He has already expressed his feelings for me today and will be coming to propose marriage soon!"
Lord Xie raised his head, his brow furrowed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of doubt.
"You said Li Yuanheng is coming to propose marriage? When did he tell you about this?"
Xie Wanning immediately said, "It was today that he personally expressed his feelings to me, saying that he wanted to marry me and would come to propose marriage soon."
Lord Xie's gaze darkened. "A few days ago, I met with Duke Li and we talked about some family matters."
"He didn't mention the marriage at all, and he had no intention of marrying into our family."
Xie Wanning paused for a moment, then looked up at him, somewhat at a loss.
"Perhaps...perhaps it's because Young Master Li hasn't mentioned it to his elders yet, after all, he just confessed his feelings to me."
Lord Xie frowned, a hint of doubt creeping into his heart.
If Li Yuanheng had already intended to marry her, why didn't he even inform his father?
Everyone at the table thought the same thing.
Marriage is traditionally arranged by parents and matchmakers. To discuss it privately without informing one's family is rather... frivolous.
Madam Xie had already begun to feel a bit disgusted with Li Yuanheng.
“Wanning, you are still young and your views are inevitably a bit naive. Marriage is a big deal, and whether this marriage is suitable needs to be considered carefully.”
“I still think the He family has a more upright family tradition and is more suitable for you.”
Xie Wanning panicked upon hearing this and looked up, saying urgently, "Grandmother, I don't like Young Master He, I like Young Master Li!"
Lady Hou kept her eyes down and remained silent.
She naturally favored Li Yuanheng, after all, the Li family had a better family background.
However, she also found this matter somewhat strange.
How could he propose to Xie Wanning in private?
Seeing how much Xie Wanning liked it, she couldn't help but speak up and say a few words on her behalf.
"Madam, in my opinion, Li Yuanheng's family background is indeed excellent, and his talent and character are well-known. If we can form a marriage alliance, it would indeed be a very respectable match."
Madam Xie did not respond to her words, but instead turned her gaze to Qin Jiuwei beside her.
"Jiuwei, what do you think? Which family is better, the He family or the Li family?"
Qin Jiuwei, who was sitting to the side, immediately frowned.
In terms of character, He Jinchuan is naturally the better one.
But she had no grudge against He Jinchuan, so she couldn't possibly push him into a fire pit!
Xie Yanli, who was drinking tea nearby, looked at Qin Jiuwei with a smile in his eyes upon hearing this.
Knowing she was in a difficult position, he couldn't help but tease her with a hint of amusement.
Qin Jiuwei scolded him and reached under the table to hit him.
The smile in Xie Yanli's eyes deepened.
Old Madam Xie was still waiting for her answer. After thinking for a moment, Qin Jiuwei gently raised her eyes.
“Grandmother, this marriage really needs to be carefully considered. Although the Li family is of noble lineage, Young Master Li has never passed the imperial examinations. Whether he can truly be entrusted with one’s life remains to be seen.”
"Although the He family has a strict family tradition, it may not be suitable for Wan Ning's temperament. I think it's better not to rush to a conclusion and to observe for a while longer before making a decision."
“Jiuwei is right,” Madam Xie said immediately.
"We don't know these two young masters very well, so why don't we observe them in person before making a decision?"
She turned to look at Lord Xie and his wife, "How about this, we'll hold a family banquet at the manor tomorrow and invite Li Yuanheng and He Jinchuan."
"These two children, one comes from a good family and the other is calm and composed. Although Wan Ning is biased towards Li Yuanheng, we still need to see them for ourselves to make a proper judgment."
Xie Wanning sat to the side listening, somewhat dissatisfied.
I don't understand why it's so complicated!
She likes Li Yuanheng, and Li Yuanheng likes her too. Why not just let her marry him?
But seeing that Madam Xie had already made her decision, they could only nod helplessly in the end.
"I will follow my grandmother's and father's arrangements."
The Xie family banquet was held as scheduled the following day.
Inside the main hall, Madam Xie sat at the head of the table, with Marquis Xie and his wife seated on either side.
Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli sat together, while Xie Wanning sat next to the Lady of the Marquis.
Before long, a voice announced their arrival from outside the door, and Li Yuanheng and He Jinchuan arrived one after the other.
Li Yuanheng, dressed in a jade-colored robe, with a gentle expression and a humble smile, bowed to Madam Xie.
"I hope you are well, Madam. I am honored by your invitation today and have come to bother you."
Immediately afterwards, He Jinchuan also stepped forward to bow.
He was dressed in a dark blue straight-cut shirt, with a calm and composed demeanor, and his words and actions exuded competence and steadiness.
"Thank you, Madam, Lord Marquis, Madam. I apologize for my intrusion. Thank you for your hospitality today."
After exchanging pleasantries, the two took their seats, and the family dinner officially began.
First, we chatted about everyday things, asking about poetry and classical texts, and then we talked about the current situation in the capital.
Li Yuanheng was quick-witted and spoke with elegance and fluency.
Although He Jinchuan was not as refined as Li Yuanheng, he answered with composure and politeness, and his demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant.
Xie Wanning's eyes almost never left Li Yuanheng.
Every time I see it, my heart is moved.
But when her gaze fell on He Jinchuan, the smile on her face vanished instantly.
She sized him up, a clear look of disdain in her eyes.
He Jinchuan had a wooden, dull air about him, like a piece of wood that had come to life.
Seeing that he sat upright even when answering questions, I couldn't help but roll my eyes inwardly.
If she really married a man like that, she probably wouldn't be able to survive even a single day!