Lu Qian's reaction was greatly beyond Lu Huan's expectations.

  He can't think that a word from him would move Ling Jingxuan, right? Ling Jingxuan had already refused herself, so how could she possibly fancy Lu Qian who is two years younger and inferior to her in every way?

  Lu Hong furrowed his brow and reminded him in a low voice, "If your cousin refuses you, you can't keep pestering her." The two brothers grew up together, and he knew Lu Qian's stubborn personality all too well.

  Lu Qian raised an eyebrow and smiled confidently: "Sister Ju will not refuse me."

  Lu Hong: "......"

  Where did his confidence come from?

  Lu Qian didn't say anything more and turned around to leave.

  Lu Hong stood still for a long time, motionless. His handsome face was filled with regret and pain.

  ......

  Mrs. Ling's birthday banquet lasted for three days in a row.

  After the longevity banquet ended, everyone in the Ling Mansion was exhausted. However, there were still many subsequent things to attend to, and the women couldn't rest yet.

  The household chores were managed by several daughters-in-law, and the eldest daughter-in-law, Sun, had returned to the mansion but only stayed for a short while before returning to Beijing. She didn't interfere with these trivial matters. Every day, she accompanied Old Lady Ling and Ling Shi in conversation, carefree and at ease.

  Li and others may not be so lucky, just busy with counting gifts, entering accounts, calculating the expenses of the birthday banquet, etc., which is enough to make people's heads ache.

  Ling Jingyu had been busy for several days and was a bit tired. Fortunately, after she bluntly rejected Lu Hong that day, Lu Hong never appeared in front of her again, which greatly improved her mood.

  "Sister, come to Aunt's place."

  Ling's face was kind and gentle as she beckoned, indicating for Ling Jingxian to come forward. Although Ling Jingxian was reluctant in her heart, she had no choice but to walk forward and softly called out "Aunt".

  Lu An sat beside Ling Shi, his eyes naturally falling on her body.

  Just like being stared at by a greedy and venomous snake, her whole body immediately tensed up stiffly. This was an entirely subconscious reaction of her body, and no matter how calm and composed Ling Jingxuan was, she couldn't control it.

  Ling Jingyu calmed her nerves and bowed to Lu An: "Greetings, Uncle."

  Lu An smiled and asked casually, "Sister Ju, I heard from your aunt that you're good at growing famous peonies. What varieties have you grown? Tell me about them."

  Her gaze swept swiftly and secretly over Ling Jing's delicate face and slender figure.

  Since Lu An arrived at the Ling's house, he had been busy with socializing and rarely stayed in the inner courtyard. Ling Jingyu also deliberately avoided him, so it was the first time for the two of them to be so close and talk alone.

  My stomach is churning nonstop, and that nauseous feeling has come back again.

  The touch of Bilu's hand was even stronger than hers.

  Ling Jingxian suppressed the urge to vomit, her pretty face slightly pale, but her expression still calm: "Aunt must be exaggerating. Actually, I was just bored and passing time."

  "You're such a girl, not even willing to take credit. I've already taken your aunt and uncle to the Peony Garden and shown them all the peonies you planted. Your aunt was full of praise!"

  Ling smiled and pulled up Ling Jingxian's slender, cool hand: "However, Miss doesn't need those empty titles. Your cleverness is something we've all seen!"

  These two days, Ling asked privately twice more. Lu Qian's attitude was very firm; he liked Ling Jingxuan and would not marry anyone else.

  Her own son, what kind of temperament is so stubborn, Ling Shi is the clearest. Helplessly pondered this marriage. Ling Jingxu was two years older than Lu Qian, and the age difference was not too great either. First settle the engagement, wait a few more years before getting married, it's also suitable...

  Thinking of this, Ling's gaze at Ling Jingyu became even more affectionate.

  "Aunt is praising me so much, I really don't dare to accept it." Ling Jingxu pretended to be shy and lowered her head, naturally leaning closer to the Ling family.

  This couple, she hated them just as much. However, being close to the Lings was slightly better than being close to Lu An.

  Ling and Yan Yuese smiled and said: "When a family talks, there is no need to cover up or pretend. This aunt of mine really likes you sincerely!"

  He said, looking at Ling Wuyi again, half-jokingly: "Fifth brother, I and Sister Ju are very compatible, and I really like her. Let Sister Ju be my daughter-in-law!"

  Ling Wu Ye didn't take it seriously either and smiled casually: "Alright, then it's settled."

  If Ling was really willing to form an alliance by marriage, Lu Hong would be a good match, being well-educated and of excellent appearance, and as the eldest son of the main branch of the Lu family, such a good marriage would not humiliate Ling Jingxuan.

  Ling Jingxu's heart sank.

  Damn you, Lu Hong!

  She had already rejected him mercilessly and without hesitation, yet he still begged Ling to be his matchmaker...

  However, children's marriages are important matters after all. Such jokes can't be taken seriously. Ling Shi was just testing Ling Wu Ye's reaction. The topic was quickly changed: "Sister-in-law, when do you and brother plan to return to the capital?"

  "Actually, I'd like to stay a few more days," replied Sun with a smile. "However, Master is busy with official duties in the Ministry of Works and only has a two-month leave, so we'll have to spend quite some time on the road. So, if we stay for a few more days, we'll have to pack up and set off soon."

  Ling felt somewhat regretful: "I thought I could spend a few more days with big brother and sister-in-law!"

  At this time, the mountains are high and the water is far away, and transportation is very inconvenient. Ji Zhou and Luoyang are thousands of miles apart, and it's very difficult to move around. After this reunion, who knows when we'll meet again, maybe in the year of the monkey or the month of the horse?

  Ling's words made Old Mrs. Ling feel a little sad too.

  She is already seventy this year and only wishes for her children to be around her knees and her grandchildren to fill the hall. But after the birthday, one by one they will have to go their separate ways again.

  ......

  After everyone had bid their farewells and left, Old Lady Ling specifically kept Ling alone to have a word with him.

  "Ahui, were you serious about what you said to Lao Wu just now? Have you discussed it with your husband?"

  Ling smiled and nodded: "Such a big thing, how dare I speak casually. It was discussed with the old master long ago, and the old master had a very good impression of Sister Yu, and also strongly approved of the marriage between our families."

  Mrs. Ling let out a sigh of relief, and a smile floated in her eyes: "Since it's the young master who has a heart to be related by marriage, there's nothing wrong with that either, it's also a joyful event of adding kinship on top of kinship."

  Ling's coughed slightly, his expression somewhat embarrassed, and lowered his voice: "The engagement is indeed a happy event. However, this matter differs from what I said before."

  Mrs. Ling was taken aback and asked in puzzlement: "What's going on?"

  "The person I want to propose marriage for is not Ah Heng," Ling's expression became increasingly awkward, yet she had no choice but to reveal the truth: "It's Ah Qian!"

  Mrs. Ling: "......"

  She didn't hear wrong!

  Mrs. Ling couldn't believe her ears: "Ahui, what did you say? Weren't you the matchmaker for Ahong?"

  "I asked Ah Heng, he wants to focus on his studies and doesn't want to get married early. I thought that this marriage would be called off then." Ling Shi sighed with a bitter smile: "Who would have thought that Ah Qian actually said he likes your sister, making a fuss and asking me to propose..."

  "What nonsense!" Old Lady Ling finally came back to her senses and blurted out, "Ah Heng isn't even engaged yet, how could it be him?"

  Not to mention, in Old Lady Ling's eyes, Lu Qian was still a child who hadn't grown up. Where did he understand what it meant to like someone and get married?

  Ling sighed again: "Yes, I scolded him like that at the time. But he was as stubborn as if possessed, saying that in this life he would not marry anyone but his sister. If I didn't propose marriage for him, he would be lonely and childless... He said a lot of nonsense. Fortunately, it was just between us, if his father knew about it, he would definitely be furious!"

  "For the past two days, I've been thinking it over and over. Ah Qian has been weak since childhood, and his personality is also a bit arrogant and willful. If he marries older sister Rong, who is two years older than him, it would be a good thing. Firstly, it would fulfill his heart's desire, secondly, older sister Rong is meticulous and steady, and in the future, she can take care of him more."

  Mrs. Ling calmed down, thought for a moment, and said slowly: "Your consideration is reasonable too. However, this way, it can't be helped that sister Ju will be inconvenienced. She'll have to wait several more years before she can get married."

  Lu Qian was only twelve years old, and that frail little body had to be at least sixteen before he could get married. This way, Ling Jingxu would have to wait until she was eighteen to get married, and her youth would be delayed in vain.

  Ling Jingxu had been gentle and obedient since childhood, which pleased Old Lady Ling the most. When Old Lady Ling thought that Ling Jingxu would have to wait until she was an old maid before getting married, her heart began to hesitate.

  "Mother, I understand what you're saying." Ling Shi grasped the old lady's hand and softly implored: "I also know that this is an injustice to Sister Ju. But Ah Qian has made up his mind to marry her, and I couldn't change his stubborn nature, so I had to swallow my pride and ask Mother for your consent. As long as you agree, I think Fifth Brother won't refuse either."

  Old Lady Ling furrowed her brow and hesitated, with a look of indecision on her face.

  Sister is a granddaughter, Ah Qian is a grandson. The palm and back of the hand are all flesh, and being wronged by either one is not pleasant to the heart.

  Ling saw that Old Mrs. Ling did not refuse, and her heart was greatly settled. With a sincere face, she said: "Mother, I am the birth mother of Rong's sister, and naturally, I love her dearly. In the future when Rong's sister marries into the Lu family, I will definitely treat her well and not let her suffer any grievances."

  Old Lady Ling finally sighed: "Forget it! Since you have this intention, I'll take charge and agree first. As for Old Five's side, I'll talk to him about it."

  "Ahui, don't forget what you said today. In the future, be sure to treat your sister well and don't let her suffer any grievances."

  Ling saw that he had convinced Old Mrs. Ling, and his heart was both delighted and stirred. Without hesitation, he replied: "If you still don't feel at ease, I'll make a vow here. If in the future I do anything to wrong my sister, may I be struck by lightning and not die a good death."

  Mrs. Ling glared at Mr. Ling and said, "What's the point of making such a poisonous vow? As long as you have this heart, that's enough."

  ......

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  It's a brand new week again, and I'd like to ask all book friends to vote for recommendations to rush the new book chart. This is also the last week of this book rushing the new book chart, starting from next Monday, I'll start double updates ~O(∩_∩)O~