The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 620 - The Cousin Who Would Marry No One But Him (3)_1

Chapter 620: Chapter 620 - The Cousin Who Would Marry No One But Him (3)_1

"No, not at all!" Pei Qian looked up at him.

The more Fang Liuming observed her, the more he felt something was amiss. The Pei Qian he knew was someone with a sparkle in her eyes, but now, that sparkle seemed to have vanished. Seeing that he couldn’t get an answer from her, Fang Liuming kept a watchful eye and, after consulting Mo Heng, left Liu’er Alley and began to inquire if anything had happened to Pei Qin’s family.

"As for what’s happened, well, there wasn’t really an incident as much as there was a good turn of events! That Old Zhao’s younger brother-in-law, Young Master Yang, during the Qiqiao Festival, made a whole river’s worth of Lotus Lanterns and even wrote poems to confess his love! It looks like they’re going to become kin!"

Another person added, "Those three sisters really do have a way about them! Each one gets married off better than the last."

"That’s because Pei Qin herself is capable, having acquired such a large estate, and even for growing sweet potatoes she was rewarded. Becoming an imperial merchant for producing soy sauce, if it weren’t for her, her two younger sisters would not have been able to marry so well. Pei Yuan’s dowry alone was even more generous than what a young lady from a noble family would traditionally receive!"

A few people clicked their tongues in envy.

Fang Liuming felt as if his heart had plunged into an ice cellar. Cousin Qian disagreed with close kin marrying and had rejected his marriage proposal. And that Yang Boyan... His approach toward Cousin Qian had indeed been with ulterior motives. If he proposed, would Cousin Qian... accept?

Just by looking at Fang Liuming’s face, Pei Qin knew he had gone out and inquired about the matter. She quietly rolled her eyes, "What are people saying outside?"

Fang Liuming glanced around the room, not seeing Pei Qian, and spoke with difficulty, "Cousin, have you agreed to Yang Boyan’s marriage proposal?"

"No," Pei Qin replied truthfully.

Fang Liuming breathed a sigh of relief but then felt something was amiss, "Cousin Qian, is it because you disagree..."

"No," replied Pei Qin.

Fang Liuming looked at her, not understanding.

Pei Qin silently looked skyward and told him about Yang Boyan’s situation. "... He has a fiancée who doesn’t wish to marry anyone but him, having waited for several years."

Upon hearing this, Fang Liuming secretly relieved himself, frowning, "He’s toying with Cousin Qian!?"

"Not entirely." Human nature isn’t just black and white; it’s more complex than genetics.

Fang Liuming implored again, "Cousin! Please marry Cousin Qian off to me! I will treat her wholeheartedly, never letting her get hurt! I will make sure to strive in the provincial exams. I may not come from as prestigious a family as those young masters, but I will fight for a future for myself, to provide Cousin Qian a sheltering sky! Please agree!"

Pei Qin fell silent for a moment.

"Cousin! You may not believe what I say now, but I ask that you marry Cousin Qian to me, and judge me by my lifelong conduct! Cousin..." Fang Liuming, having come to the town’s school for his studies and often visited, knew Pei Qian’s temperament well. She couldn’t tolerate humiliation or deceit and betrayal, which is why she always spoke so sharply and suspiciously of the intentions of those who approached her. Yang Boyan was only good at giving gifts and flattering, but he could not provide Cousin Qian with a secure and stable life!

Pei Qin looked at him intently, pondering, "Then let’s wait until after you pass the exams."

Fang Liuming gazed at her, seeing her serious and profound expression, and was instantly filled with joy, clenching his fist, "I will give it my all!"

"Then you should go now!" Pei Qin dismissed him.

"Cousin Qian...," Fang Liuming wanted to see her, to talk with her.

"She will be fine after this period. Your main priority right now should be the upcoming provincial exams," Pei Qin reminded him.

Fang Liuming really wanted to see her, but looking at Pei Qin, he bit his lip and took his leave with a respectful bow.

At home, Lady Yu and Grandma Fang, among others, didn’t dare to tell him about the Lotus Lantern incident, fearing that it might affect his performance in the provincial exams.

Fang Liuming also didn’t discuss much with his family; having packed his things, he went off to Fu City to take part in the civil service exam, accompanied by Fang Fu and with Old Scholar Fang and Fang Li by his side.

At Old Pei’s House, Pei Wenli had also made comprehensive preparations and had hurried to Fu City early, ready for the challenge. He had to pass this year’s civil service exam! With both Fang Fu and his nephew Fang Liuming participating, out of the two, they must secure at least one official title. He couldn’t afford to fall behind!

But how could the civil service exam be as easy as the spring examination?

After each round of tests, Pei Wenli felt it was very strenuous and couldn’t help worrying that he would fail.

Fang Liuming, on the other hand, was holding his breath, determined to pass—he was highly strung.

The people at home were also exceedingly worried.

Lady Yu, while at the market, came over to talk to Pei Qin, trying indirectly to ask whether she intended to be married to Yang Boyan or if she was waiting for her son Dalang to pass the exam and agree to their marriage proposal. She was indeed worried that he might fail, and though he could try again in three years, if Pei Qin firmly rejected the marriage proposal and he faced disappointments in both the examination and the pursuit of love, her eldest son might not withstand it.

When Pei Qin didn’t want to talk, no matter how hard you tried, she could lead you around in circles beyond the Fifth Ring Road.

Seeing she couldn’t get any information, Lady Yu heaved a silent sigh, still concerned about her daughter’s marital affairs. Whether it was her son’s or daughter’s issues, both were so difficult—not even making money seemed this hard!

By the time the civil service exams were over, the Mid-Autumn Festival was also fast approaching.

The market had already started selling mooncakes.

Jiujiu could now call out "Mom" and "Auntie", though he hadn’t yet mastered "Dad" and couldn’t pronounce it clearly. He was also able to walk a few steps on his own.

Feng Bo’s wife, Hua Ling, had also given birth to a son.

The entire Feng family was overjoyed, having been blessed with a plump baby boy at once.

Fang Hui still remembered the many gifts that Grandma Fang and Lady Yu had given when Pei Qin had Jiujiu. Even though their family couldn’t rival the high officials Pei Qin knew, when it came to the younger generation, her maternal family had to do right by them.

Grandma Fang and Lady Yu had also prepared in advance, not knowing how much the child’s maternal grandmother’s family would give. If they gave less, it would be embarrassing.

With Pei Yuan not at home and Pei Qian harboring a significant grudge against the Feng family, Pei Qin looked at the list of gifts given for Jiujiu’s full-month celebration and what the Feng family had contributed, then handed it to Pei Qian, "Prepare a gift according to this."

Pei Qian just glanced at it, raised no objections, and prepared the gifts in advance with the list in hand.

Seeing her like this, Pei Wendong was worried, "Elder Sister! How about Third Sister... When will she be alright?"

"She’ll eventually be alright," Pei Qin wasn’t concerned; Pei Qian needed this growth. And as for Yang Boyan, the situation was still uncertain!

Pei Wendong couldn’t say much else and let it be. He hoped that Third Sister could marry Cousin Liuming, who was gentle and kind to Third Sister and whose background they thoroughly knew. In the future, he would achieve fame in the scientific examinations and have a bright future—far better than Yang Boyan, who seemed unreliable to him. Now, he just hoped that Cousin Liuming would excel in the exams so that Elder Sister would agree to his marriage proposal.

The anxious wait day by day passed, and finally, the results of the civil service exam came out.

Fang Liuming lived up to expectations, securing his place on the honor roll and taking the top award.

Only Fang Fu had failed.

And, surprisingly, Pei Wenli’s name was also on the list.