Chapter 4: Climbing the High Branches

Chapter 4: Climbing the Social Ladder

Inside the main house, Mother Wang and her daughter enjoyed a brief moment of tranquility.

Xu Ke was someone Mowen had met while accompanying her aunt to a social gathering.

Her original plan had been to step out and see if there were any better opportunities available.

If there weren't... well, there was always the Liang family.

But she never expected to meet him. Xu Ke, a distant nephew of the Jiang family.

The first time she saw him, Mowen was stunned. She had never seen a man like him before... handsome in features, cold and aloof in temperament, dressed in luxurious robes, and possessing an unparalleled air of pride.

When everyone was introduced, he only glanced at them politely without saying a word.

The young ladies present all blushed, wanting to look at him but not daring to... losing their composure in a flurry of nerves.

Only when he left did he seem to glance at her. Heaven knows, her legs went weak despite her forced composure.

When they met again, he actually took the initiative to speak to her.

Although it was just a polite remark, his expression and his voice nearly caused her to lose her defenses.

Moreover, when he left this time, he actually looked back at her again...

Those eyes like twinkling stars, that enigmatic smile.

It left her unable to eat or sleep for days, haunting her dreams. Just like that, she fell hopelessly in love with him.

She even developed the thought: If I cannot marry this man in this life, then I will never live a good life.

She stubbornly pestered her mother, and her mother pestered her aunt.

When her aunt heard it, she thought they were joking, because it was simply impossible. In the end, unable to withstand her mother’s pestering, she truly swallowed her pride and went to sound them out.

She knew it wasn't proper and that people would laugh at her for being delusional...

But she didn't care about anything anymore!

"Mother... how could your daughter have such good fortune?" Mowen trembled slightly with excitement.

"My Wenwen... you've climbed the social ladder! You're going to marry into a grand mansion in Houhai, West City!" Mother Wang’s voice choked with emotion, her eyes moist.

Houhai was the district for the capital's nobility. It was filled with deep courtyards and grand mansions.

When she was a maiden, Mother Wang had passed by there in a sedan chair a few times. Every time, she would lift the curtain to look for a long while!

The roads were smooth and clean, wide enough for two carriages to pass each other with room to spare!

The locust trees on both sides formed long, shaded canopies.

By the fifth month, the locust flowers would be in full bloom, filling the air with fragrance.

Neat gray walls, vermilion gates, giant stone lions.

It was quiet, with only the sounds of passing carriages. And they were all incredibly grand carriages.

The male servants following behind rode horses, looking imposing and arrogant.

The maids and matrons wore silks and satins, adorned with gold and silver hairpins.

Not one of them would even look at a person straight on!

What girl of marriageable age wouldn't yearn to marry into such a family?

Thinking of the beautiful dreams she once had... now, her daughter was going to realize them for her! How could she not be excited?

Mowen’s almond-shaped eyes were shy, and she straightened her back.

"Now, we have so many things to prepare! The old master and old mistress of the Xu family are still alive! Uncles, aunts, sisters-in-law, sisters-in-law... it won't be easy to maintain those relationships. Especially that old mistress, a daughter of the Jiang family from Huainan! A family of several hundred years—how much private property must she have in her hands? If she likes you, in the future... you know!?" Mother Wang winked.

"You are beautiful and capable. If you win the favor of your elders and can secure benefits for your small household... then Young Master Xu will like you even more!"

This was all music to Mowen’s ears, but she was also very shy: "Mother! What are you saying!"

"Isn't this just thinking out loud? You must remember what Mother says! After the New Year, I have to find you a nanny to teach you the rules. The Liang family we had our eyes on before—their life is better than the Mo family's, and you could have handled that with ease. But now..."

Mother Wang held her head high: "That’s different! Great families have many rules! Who knows, you might even enter the palace in the future! You cannot make any mistakes!"

She was shrewd and calculating.

But she was illiterate, and the atmosphere of her maiden home had limited her horizons.

Her thinking lacked logic; she often jumped from one thought to another, loved to talk, and had a quick tongue.

It was common for her to go off-topic while talking.

"Young Master Xu’s grandfather, father, and his own older brother are all capable men. By rights, he wouldn't need to work so hard, but they are all scholars! You, a title of nobility is guaranteed! When that time comes, don't forget to help your brothers."

"Mother! You’re getting further and further off track!"

Mother Wang laughed until her eyes disappeared, but after a while, she felt a bit regretful.

"Sigh! Actually... that young man Liang You is also quite good! These past few years, he’s really grown on me. If it weren't for Young Master Xu being so outstanding... marrying Liang You wouldn't have been a mistake either! Oh my... my heart actually feels a bit reluctant!"

"Mother, if you’re reluctant, then suggest him to Mo Yi!"

At this moment, Mowen was filled with ambition and happiness, her heart so full she wished for world peace.

So, she said it offhandedly...

"Ah!?" Mother Wang was stunned; she really hadn't thought of that!

Seeing this, Mowen smiled sweetly, "Sister is also over fifteen. By rights, she should be looking for a match too. We are close, so it’s normal to look together. You always forget that the Mo family has already split, and she is the daughter next in line!"

"Oh my, why didn't I think of that! Good daughter, you are so smart!" Mother Wang’s voice rose, and she clapped her hands.

"You have so many things to do every day; how could you remember everything?" Mowen replied casually, though her heart was filled with Young Master Xu’s eyes and smile.

"Heavens, if this can also be accomplished, I’ll wake up laughing in my dreams! Wenwen really has the demeanor of an older sister, knowing how to help her younger sister..."

"However..." Mother Wang thought about it and felt a bit discouraged: "I’m afraid it won't be easy. Although it was never explicitly stated... you were originally the one to marry Liang You! Changing the bride... decent families don't do that!"

"Besides, Mo Yi is far inferior to you in every way! Would the Liang family be willing?" Mother Wang shook her head; this would be difficult.

Mowen twirled a strand of her hair, smiling as she persuaded: "Mother, a marriage is originally a union of two good things, based on mutual willingness! We’ll propose it; if they aren't willing, then we’ll just find someone else for sister."

She didn't say: When the woman's side takes the initiative to propose, they lose face first.

If they were rejected, no matter how well they kept it secret, the news might leak out.

A girl’s reputation would certainly be affected.

"That’s true..." Mother Wang was persuaded. "Then tomorrow, I’ll go back and ask your aunt!? Whether it works or not, it doesn't matter!"

"Mm..." Mowen responded.

Suddenly, Mother Wang leaned into Mowen’s ear: "Don't leak either of these two things! That third aunt of yours is the most shameless! She’ll be so jealous of your marriage!

That woman is black-hearted, ruthless, and foul-mouthed; she’s detestable. If you drag Mo Yi’s matter into it, hmph... Mo Yuan is even older than Mo Yi. If she gets skipped over, Lady Liu will definitely make an endless fuss!"

Mowen listened, regained her composure, but didn't care: "Hmph! Why would she make an endless fuss? It has nothing to do with the third branch. The Mo family split long ago. I can call Mo Yuan 'Fourth Sister,' or I can call her 'Cousin Yuan!'

It’s just that the Mo family’s wealth is thin, so we are temporarily making do living together. Sooner or later, we will have to separate. If Third Aunt wants to find a husband for Mo Yuan, let her go find one! No one is stopping her!"

Mowen’s tone was flippant, looking down on them.

"That may be so, but I’m afraid of the trouble. I have so many things to do every day! Who is like Lady Liu, doing nothing all day but staring at the main branch or staring at us!"

Mowen straightened her neck and said coldly: "Mother, if I enter the Xu family, I won't be inviting them over. So, from now on, we must be cold to them! To save ourselves the trouble!"

"Isn't that so?! In the future, you’ll be associating with noble ladies and young misses of great families!" Mother Wang sneered again: "With such a good marriage as yours, Liu Sujin could work herself to death and still never find one!"

(End of chapter)