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"Mother doesn't want her daughter to endure?" Fu Hui was startled, for her mother's words seemed to imply that she was weak and shouldn't tolerate it any longer.
"One must endure!" Third Daughter Kang Ning then spoke, "However, from now on, it's he who should endure, not you!"
"Second Sister is so beautiful and virtuous, yet he doesn't cherish her!" Fifth Daughter Le Shan stepped forward, hands on her hips, striking a bold pose, saying, "Since he doesn't know what's good, others will!"
"What do you mean? You want your second sister to remarry?" Fourth Daughter Hao De was surprised, blinking her eyes and asking, her face somewhat bewildered.
"If this husband isn't reliable, what's wrong with remarrying?" Third Daughter Kang Ning was the least concerned about such matters, saying directly, "Eldest Sister is widowed now, and isn't it quite good for us sisters to eat and live together?"
Remarry? Fu Hui was startled. Among the many options in her heart, she truly hadn't considered this possibility. But for Fu Hui, who had had enough of the Fan family's constant vexations, this path seemed to hold no resistance, and she even felt a faint sense of anticipation. At this moment, she couldn't help but recall the scene when her eyes met Wei Tingyu's. Although she had been married, she was still a virgin! Was it possible for such a situation to catch the eye of Marquis Jining?
Because when she saw the bright and lively Dou Ming by Wei Tingyu's side, Fu Hui couldn't help but remember herself before she was married. Of course, compared to her, Dou Ming was very fortunate! Because she could marry the ideal husband in her heart. Even if it meant being a concubine, there was nothing wrong with that! After all, the smile on Dou Ming's face couldn't be faked! On the contrary, her own so-called legitimate wife status was bitter, and it might be better to be a happy and joyful concubine like Dou Ming. If she had the right to choose, she would probably make the same choice as her, right?
"Oh, right! Our family has received such great kindness from the Marquis, shouldn't we go and thank him?" At this moment, Fifth Daughter Le Shan suddenly slapped her forehead, then looked at her mother and sisters and said. She had no other thoughts; being young, it wasn't yet time for her to actively choose a husband for herself. But she had been educated since childhood that kindness should be repaid, and naturally, she remembered this matter.
However, as soon as she said this, Lady Li Niang's eyes immediately lit up! That's right! Repaying kindness is a very good excuse! At least after receiving such great kindness from the Marquis, using this reason to connect with him, no one can say anything. Who knew, perhaps one of her three unmarried daughters might actually be promoted to the Marquis's Residence! In that case, Lady Li Niang would be able to wake up laughing from her dreams! In the future, she, a lone mother with her daughters, would be able to smoothly establish roots in the capital...
"Yes, yes, yes! We should indeed thank the Marquis properly, otherwise wouldn't we be ungrateful?!" Lady Li Niang nodded quickly at this thought, then stood up and paced around the room. "But we truly don't know what to use to thank the Marquis now!"
"They are a ducal/marquisate family, accustomed to fine clothes and rich food. Our wealth and silver are simply not presentable!"
"Furthermore, these worldly possessions, who knows if the Marquis would even bother to look at them, and might even think we reek of copper!"
...However, Lady Li Niang had never dealt with aristocrats before, and she was at a loss as to what these dukes and marquises actually liked.
"Mother! Don't worry!" Eldest Daughter Shou Hua smiled upon seeing Lady Li Niang's appearance. She stepped forward and took Lady Li Niang's hand, who was still pacing around the room, saying, "It's alright if we don't know; don't we have Second Sister?"
"Since Second Sister has lived in the capital for some time, and her in-laws are also involved in business, she must know the preferences of these ducal/marquisate families. Why don't we just ask her?"
"That's right! How could I forget Fu Hui?" Lady Li Niang was startled, then nodded with a sudden realization. She then turned to look at her second daughter and asked, "Fu Hui! Tell me, what do the dukes, marquises, and noble lords in the capital like?"
However, as soon as she finished speaking, she saw no reaction from her second daughter, Fu Hui. The other party was still kneeling there blankly, her thoughts seemingly having wandered far away.
"Fu Hui? Fu Hui?" Lady Li Niang was stunned. She walked forward and waved her fair hand in front of her daughter's face, finding that there was still no reaction. She immediately frowned!
"Second Sister!" Fourth Daughter Hao De quickly stepped forward and gently shook Fu Hui's shoulder, pulling her back from her recent fantasy into reality.
"Ah?" Fu Hui blinked, now wide awake, and looked at her mother, who was so close, asking in bewilderment, "What's wrong?" She had been completely immersed in the fantasy of whether she could form a marriage with Wei Tingyu, and had actually drifted off for a moment? Now that she realized it, her face turned bright red!
"Second Sister! You actually wandered off to the Ninth Heaven?" Fifth Daughter Le Shan was the most lively and daring with her words! She blinked and jokingly said, "Could it be that what was just said awakened Second Sister, and she's now looking for a good man to remarry?"
"Nonsense!" Fu Hui's face grew even redder upon hearing this. She quickly glared at her fifth sister, scaring the little girl into immediately shrinking her neck and remaining silent. However, Fu Hui's reaction only made Lady Li Niang more puzzled. Could it be that her fifth daughter had spoken the truth? Was her second daughter contemplating remarriage now? But she understood this completely! After all, this Fan family truly wasn't a good set of in-laws! In good conscience, Lady Li Niang truly didn't want her daughter to continue suffering such vexations in this in-law's family!
But if she truly had a husband in mind for remarriage, why wouldn't she tell her mother? Would her mother harm her? Moreover, this matter was easy to think about but difficult to do! If the Fan family refused to divorce, then how could the matter of remarriage even begin? Of course, doing something illicit to force the Fan family to divorce her was possible, but in that case, not only would Second Daughter Fu Hui's reputation be ruined, but none of the other sisters in the entire Li family would be able to marry into a good family again! Even if she herself was willing, and her sisters didn't care for Second Sister's happiness, with Fu Hui's personality, she would absolutely never do such a thing!
"Alright, alright, everyone stop talking about Second Sister!" At this moment, Third Daughter Kang Ning walked forward with a smile and slowly helped Fu Hui up, then looked at her and said, "Mother and sisters were just discussing how we should repay Marquis Jining for the great kindness we received today?"
"That's right! Even if we wanted to go to his residence to express our gratitude, we have no connections!" Lady Li Niang quickly nodded and interjected, "That's why I asked you, what do the dukes and marquises in the capital like?"
"What do ducal/marquisate families like?" Fu Hui was startled. This question truly stumped her. Money, of course, was something everyone liked! But noble families with titles all acted very aloof, as if they were pure as the wind. Directly approaching them with money would surely be met with disdain! Of course, beautiful women were also something these nobles liked! But alas, the Marquis already had wives in his household. Sending beautiful women directly to his residence might please the Marquis, but it would offend his wives, so it wasn't a good idea when considering the overall benefit! Furthermore, Fu Hui now had some affection for Marquis Jining in her heart. The thought of sending other beautiful women to his residence to accompany the Marquis made her feel a little jealous.
"This... I don't know either..." Thinking of this, Fu Hui directly shook her head and said. However, just as her mother and other sisters showed expressions of disappointment, she added, "Since Mother wants to know, why not ask the Marquis himself tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?" Lady Li Niang was startled, her eyes wide as she looked at Fu Hui. At this moment, she was a little confused. How could she personally ask Marquis Jining tomorrow?
"Daughter hadn't had time to say..." Seeing her mother's and sisters' bewildered expressions, Fu Hui smiled and revealed the secret: "Tomorrow, the Marquis's unmarried concubine is going to visit the Fan Residence, and the Marquis will accompany her!"
"What?" Lady Li Niang's bewildered expression suddenly turned excited upon hearing this, and her eyes even brightened a few shades!
"Quick, quick, quick! No more talking! Everyone quickly go to bed and rest!"
"You must get a good night's sleep tonight! You absolutely must not show any fatigue in front of the Marquis tomorrow!"
"Oh, right! Quickly take out all your best jewelry and hairpins, and take out your prettiest clothes and hang them up. You'll wear them tomorrow!"
"Fu Hui, you girl! Why didn't you say such an important thing earlier?! You made us waste so much time; it's almost midnight now!"
Lady Li Niang immediately displayed her decisive and efficient style, bustling about while scolding. Her daughters also exchanged glances at this moment, especially Fourth Daughter and Fifth Daughter, who were even more bewildered.
"Alright, alright, don't just stand there! Mother will scold you for being slow-witted again later!" Eldest Sister Shou Hua was, after all, more experienced. She immediately understood Lady Li Niang's actions. Of course, she herself also hoped that one of her three unmarried younger sisters would be fortunate enough to enter the Marquis's Residence, so she quickly stepped forward and said to her fourth and fifth sisters.
"Oh!" Hao De and Le Shan nodded upon hearing this. Although they didn't quite understand Lady Li Niang's plans, for girls their age, wearing pretty clothes and beautiful jewelry was naturally a happy thing.
Only Third Daughter Kang Ning slightly furrowed her beautiful brows, and this momentary change in expression was caught by Eldest Sister Shou Hua.
"What's wrong, Third Sister?" Shou Hua walked to Kang Ning's side again, gently took her hand, and asked softly.
"Big Sister..." Kang Ning frowned again and asked, "Do you think we women are truly destined for this fate? Can we only be chosen, and not actively pursue our own happiness?"
"..." Shou Hua was startled. She had always known that among the five sisters, Kang Ning's thoughts were the most unique! Sometimes, they could even be said to be at odds with her other four sisters! However, her questions often made one ponder deeply and struck at the soul! Shou Hua had spent her first twenty years or so waiting passively, with others making all the decisions for her, and ultimately returned to her maternal home as a young widow.
"The fate of most women in this world is like this!" Thinking of this, Shou Hua nodded and said, "However, this doesn't mean your fate is also like this!"
"If you have the heart to pursue your own happiness, Big Sister will support you no matter what! I believe Mother and our sisters won't hold you back!"
"But for now, you still need to listen to Mother; don't go against her!"
"After all, how do you know that you, dressed up beautifully tomorrow, won't meet that genuinely beloved man?"
Shou Hua was, after all, the eldest sister. Her gentle and serene persuasion immediately resolved Kang Ning's inner conflict... She smiled and nodded, then joined her mother and sisters in tidying up. And Shou Hua, looking at her busy mother and sisters, felt a surge of melancholy again. At least her sisters still had hope and aspirations for their respective futures, unlike herself, who was already like a walking corpse, probably destined to be lonely in old age!
On the morning of the second day, in front of the main gate of the Fan Residence, a bustling crowd of luxuriously dressed people gathered. They were all standing on tiptoes, peering towards the entrance of the alley. Apart from the Fan family members, Lady Li Niang and her daughters had also already arrived at the Fan Residence. However, they couldn't go back to rest first; after all, Lady Li Niang, no matter how foolish, would never miss such an important event as welcoming Marquis Jining. Of course, besides these people, there were also some high-ranking officials and merchants gathered. They had all heard that Marquis Jining was coming today, so they had specially come to curry favor. Especially a few young noble sons, who came from official families and studied in the same private school as Fan Lianghan, the son of the Fan family. However, these people had previously looked down on Fan Lianghan's origins and had never visited him out of camaraderie. Now, even they had come, which only goes to show that such a good opportunity as establishing connections with the Marquis's Residence was unattainable not only for merchant families but also for ordinary official families.
Of course, these young noble sons from official families were not exactly gentlemen either. At this moment, they were gathered together, secretly eyeing the Li family sisters, constantly scrutinizing them. After all, the Li family women were also dressed in their finest today, having chosen their best clothes and jewelry! Even Eldest Daughter Shou Hua, the young widow, wore a very elegant light pink blouse, complemented by her high chignon and striking beauty, which made every man who saw her inwardly gasp in admiration!
Naturally, this scene could not escape the notice of Lady Li Niang and her daughters!
"These lechers! Their eyes are darting about like thieves!" Fifth Daughter Le Shan frowned, grumbling under her breath, feeling her teeth itch.
"Let me teach them a good lesson! Let's see if their eyes still dare to wander!" Fourth Daughter Hao De also secretly clenched her small fists.
"My two younger sisters, don't be rash!" At this moment, Eldest Daughter Shou Hua quickly pulled their sleeves and whispered, "We are in front of the Fan Residence, with many people and eyes everywhere. Don't let others truly think that the women of our Li family are tigresses!"
"But their eyes are so shifty, I find them disgusting!" Fifth Daughter Le Shan, feeling indignant, spoke directly.
"Let them be shifty! They only have the heart, not the guts!" At this moment, Lady Li Niang, who was at the very front, spoke. Her face still maintained a smile, but she spoke in a hushed voice through her back teeth, "The Marquis will be here soon! If I see you with disheveled hair and broken hairpins, fighting with men, I will not spare you!"
As soon as her words fell, even Second Daughter Fu Hui, who was beside her, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
"These people only dare to look with their eyes; they would never dare to cause any trouble!" Of course, besides laughing, Fu Hui still tried to persuade her two younger sisters, "After all, they are also from official families; they still have their dignity to uphold! My two younger sisters, just consider yourselves stared at by stray dogs!"
There was nothing they could do! Since they were going to dress up beautifully to welcome Marquis Jining's esteemed presence, they couldn't be too concerned about the gazes of others around them! Otherwise, it's not like you can cover everyone's eyes as soon as you go out! That would be too overbearing! Moreover, those so-called young noble sons were merely whispering a few words and furtively glancing with their shifty eyes! For such a thing, you have no evidence to say that they were looking at you! If you rashly broke off relations and started a fight, others would only think you were a shrew, and they certainly wouldn't side with you!
Of course, while Fu Hui tried to persuade them, she couldn't help but inwardly complain. She had never seen these young noble sons before. It was said they were classmates of her husband, Fan Lianghan, in the same private school! It seemed this private school wasn't very good after all; how did it produce such shifty-eyed, useless men? Looking at their ridiculous appearances, they were just like her soft-hearted husband, unlikely to achieve anything great!
However, unlike her five daughters, Lady Li Niang was quite smug at this moment! Her five daughters were all beautiful, with exquisite features and graceful postures! Now, after being beautifully dressed, they stood there, each exuding five completely different charms—it was simply the perfect embodiment of the phrase "a vision of grace"!