The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 624 Heading to the Imperial College (4)_1

"Let’s discuss Wenlee’s marriage," Old Pei also felt her suggestion was too impractical. They didn’t know any powerful people, and getting that special exemption was too difficult.

Speaking of Pei Wenlee’s marriage prospects, Lady Chen’s expression immediately soured. After calling off the engagement with Zhao Junchao, none of the families she approached for a match were willing. Her son had passed the Graduate examinations, and they dared to look down on their family!?

A few women in the village gathered to gossip about the competition between the Fang family and Old Pei’s House. Equally situated, each with a grandson who had achieved the Graduate title, Old Pei’s House even had a government official, but obviously, they lacked the influence of the Fang family. Fang Liuming had gone to the capital to attend the Imperial College, and his future prospects were clearly brighter than Pei Wenli’s.

Based on Old Pei’s reputation and the fact that Pei Wenlee had called off an engagement, even if she was prettier than Fang Fang, she was not as marriageable as Fang Fang.

However, Lady Yu saw it differently. She knew her daughter best: the girl was only guilty of being fat and lazy. If she slimmed down, even if slightly unattractive, she would find it easier to get married.

After the news of Fang Liuming and Fang Fu going to the capital to the Imperial College spread, a family that had previously called off an engagement with Pei Zongli when he obtained the Eighth Rank Preaching position came back with a proposal.

The Li family, Grandma Li, once again expressed her desire to form a marital alliance, seeking Fang Fang’s hand. Now that Fang Liuming had succeeded in the examinations and even attended the Imperial College, at the very least, he could secure a government position. Being his brother-in-law would greatly benefit Li Baoxiang. Fang Fang, being simple-minded, was an ideal candidate; once married into their family, she could be easily molded.

But Li Baoxiang still hesitated, "Fang Liuming’s success in the examinations was only with Mo Heng’s guidance, right? And his attendance at the Imperial College, wasn’t that helped by Pei Qin finding Shen Songming? If we must marry, isn’t Pei Qian a hundred times better than Fang Fang!?"

Marrying Pei Qian... Grandma Li was stunned, a bit troubled. "Their family is not like the Fang family, and since it’s a remarriage, getting Pei Qian won’t be easy."

Li Baoxiang was aware of the difficulties, but if he had to choose Fang Fang, he’d rather try for Pei Qian. It was said he could marry into the Yang family’s young master’s family, but there has been no progress, right?

As the year turned, the spring exams were coming up quickly. Grandma Li thought it best to first test the waters.

When Jiujiu turned one year old, they were unprepared for a large celebration and didn’t invite many people. Still, Grandma Li brought Li Baoxiang over to visit, bringing a substantial congratulatory gift.

Lady Yu’s eyes flickered when she saw the gold lock they gave—more valuable than what she had offered.

Mo Heng held his daughter for the first birthday fortune-telling ceremony.

On the large table were various items symbolizing different futures, along with silk flowers and rouge.

Pei Qian, Pei Wendong, Chang Yonglin, and Xiao Yong gathered around, making sure she didn’t crawl away and instructing her which item to grab.

Some chanted for books, some for pens, others for gold ingots, and some for a beauty’s mirror.

Amidst the chaos of shouts, Jiujiu drooled, wiped her mouth with her small hand, and her eyes, large like black grapes, darted around, unsure of which item to choose.

"Jiujiu! Jiujiu, look at your auntie over here! Grab this gold ingot!" Pei Qian called to Jiujiu.

Grandma Li was observing her closely—Pei Qian was famously brash, stingy, and avaricious. Even if she did marry into their family, she might be difficult to control. However, her gaze then fell on Pei Yuan, who was wearing a cotton satin embroidered jacket with a pearl-inlaid Silver Step Shake on her head and pea-sized pearl earrings. She exuded grace and refinement. Grandma Li remembered Pei Qin’s ample dowry for her daughter. If Pei Qian were to marry, she would surely also receive a substantial dowry.

Upon looking at Pei Qian again, she no longer seemed so unsuitable. She appeared calmer, and Grandma Li deduced that as she had grown up, ready for marriage, she must have learned some manners.