Chapter 40: Aim for the best, settle for the middle

Second Brother, you didn't tell anyone about yesterday's matter, did you?

Cuiyu pulled Zhao Xiang to a corner and whispered her question.

Uh, I told the Eldest Young Master, and the Elder Master already knows!

... How are you so capable?

Hearing her second brother say that, Cuiyu grew angry—this wasn't consistent with the Miss's plan.

What's up? Did the Seventh Young Lady give any instructions?

Zhao Xiang didn't think he'd done anything wrong; for this sort of thing, the Seventh Young Lady certainly isn't suited to show herself, so we need to find outside help.

The Eldest Young Master is quite good—he can show himself and also incidentally relieve the Seventh Young Lady's worries.

The Miss said, "Let the arrows fly for a while!"

Forget it—you've already said it; later I'll go back and discuss it with the Miss. The Miss has something she needs you, Second Brother, to run an errand for!

Spit it out—what's the matter? Leave it to Second Brother, it's taken care of!

Just don't act on your own initiative!

Cuiyu glared at her own second brother, annoyed, and said, "The Miss wants you to look into the situation of those young ladies from the Li Clan!"

The Eldest Young Master also told me to check this out!

He even gave me a reward of over ten taels!

Zhao Xiang ostentatiously shook the ten-plus taels of silver he had just received.

What's the big deal about that?

The Third Madam also rewarded me!

Cuiyu wasn't the slightest bit envious.

She got that reward far too easily.

Zhao Xiang was thinking of giving some silver to his little sister, but upon hearing this, he instantly pocketed his own money—he still needs to save up to marry a wife!

Second Brother, the Eldest Young Master told the Elder Master about the matter, but did the Elder Master say anything in response?

Cuiyu whispered her question.

I don't know about that!

But after the Eldest Young Master saw the Elder Master, he was in a good mood; the silver was his reward then, and having me investigate the Li Clan ladies was also arranged at that time.

I guess the Elder Master and the Eldest Young Master might be planning to cut off the firewood from under the pot.

Really?

Cuiyu instantly understood what her second brother meant—were the Elder Master and the Eldest Young Master planning to help settle a marriage for the Li Clan ladies?

However, that does seem like a pretty good idea.

The Maternal Uncle has no marriageable female relatives left for an alliance—that's having the will to strike the enemy but lacking the power to turn the tide.

Second Brother, then hurry up and do what the Eldest Young Master asked—I'm heading back first!

Having received the news, Cuiyu hurried back, needing to report this good news to her own Miss.

……

Miss, do you think the Elder Master's method will work?

It should be roughly fine!

That Maternal Uncle's idea is certainly not bad, but the problem is, distant water can't put out a nearby fire.

Marrying so far away, even if one wants to lend a hand and help the natal family, one must see whether one's reach can stretch that far.

Furthermore, can this newlywed daughter-in-law stand firm in her husband's household, or is that still unknown?

In short, the Maternal Uncle's idea is good, but its effect on changing the Li Clan's situation is really not much.

By contrast, if the Shen Family here could help introduce a few decent matches, the Li Clan ladies' families might not necessarily refuse.

You say the Maternal Uncle is the Elder Master of the Li Clan?

In that case, all we can do is laugh.

With no money and no authority, how much sway can such a head of household really have?

Anyway, Shen Yunyao feels this Maternal Uncle is useless!

Miss, then we wouldn't have to worry about this, would we?

In theory, yes!

But in practice, it's hard to say!

Shen Yunyao shook her head slightly, "I'm just afraid that the Maternal Uncle's actions will merely be a catalyst, causing certain other people to have thoughts they shouldn't."

There won't be few people who are envious and jealous of this marriage.

After all, in others' eyes, Shen Yunyao is a woman whose engagement was broken off.

Even if the fault isn't hers, she will still be blamed.

Yet such a woman has somehow landed such a fine marriage—how could those around her feel at ease?

Surely not?

With the Maternal Uncle's past lessons as a warning, could anyone still be blind?

Who knows!

Shen Yunyao didn't continue with any further speculation.

She feared she might accidentally jinx it!

……

Inside Wenxi Hall.

Li Yifu was having breakfast with Lady Li; the siblings, who hadn't seen each other in years and had just resolved many years of grudges, now enjoyed a rare harmony.

Sis, I have a matter I want to ask you for advice!

Li Yifu looked at Li Shi with some difficulty, as if wanting to speak but holding back.

Li Shi, seeing this, immediately spoke: "If you have something to say, just say it. After all these years, why don't you change that hesitant manner of yours?"

This isn't in front of you, older sister!

When the elderly Li Yifu said that, it reminded Li Shi of many scenes from her youth.

Thus, Li Shi was moved again.

He's my own younger brother!

Only in front of his own older sister does he reveal his true nature.

Speak, what's the matter?

Li Shi's expression softened considerably: "As long as I, your older sister, can do it, go ahead and speak."

Sis, our Li Clan is deteriorating day by day; the young good-for-nothings!

When I was around, the Li Clan could still hold on!

If I leave, the Li Clan will have no one to bear the burden; I fear it will collapse completely in just a few years.

Clearly the Li Clan, under Li Yifu's control, is already a wreck, yet he acts as if his presence alone keeps it barely alive, and without him it would surely collapse immediately.

If Li Shi still had her original wisdom, she would see Li Yifu's meddlesome stubbornness.

Unfortunately, Li Shi now has nothing but family on her mind, losing her basic judgment.

Just say it—what do you want your older sister to do?

Li Shi waved her hand, signaling Li Yifu to hurry up and get to the point.

Sis, I want to marry the young granddaughter of my elder paternal cousin into the Shen family!

The eldest son of my elder nephew's family would be a great match for our family's Red Phoenix!

This…?

Li Shi's expression grew grave upon hearing Li Yifu's words.

Her eldest grandson is the one who will inherit the Shen family in the future.

Her eldest grandson's wife is destined to become the matriarch of the Shen family.

It's not that the Li Clan's young ladies are bad; they're just unsuitable.

Nowadays, the Li Clan is not worthy of the Shen family.

This marriage arrangement won't do.

Sis, do you think our Li Clan isn't good enough for your Shen family?

Li Yifu's remarks really hit the mark.

The phrase "our family" reminded Li Shi that she, too, bears the Li surname.

And the phrase "your Shen family" reminded her again that she now sees herself as part of the Shen family, no longer considering her natal home.

If it were something else, this old woman could still say a few words.

But this matter really won't work!

These days, my words don't carry the weight they used to in this household!

At this moment, Li Shi is especially grateful for her eldest son's disobedience; otherwise, she wouldn't have sufficient grounds to refuse her younger brother's request.

But Li Shi didn't realize that Li Yifu, in saying this, had never intended for it to succeed from the start.

As the military classics say: Seek the highest and obtain the middle; take the middle and obtain the lowest.

He made a request that was rejected; so, if he steps back another step, can this sister still save face and refuse?

(End of chapter)