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Even though she had lived in ancient times for twelve years and had grown accustomed to the rules of the era, there were still some concepts she found unacceptable.

Ancient marriage customs emphasized parental authority and the matchmaker’s words, valuing the alignment of social status and family interests above all, with little to no concern for the affections between the man and woman involved.

Many people got married without even having seen each other’s face.

The very thought of living the majority of her life with a complete stranger made Daohua shiver uncontrollably.

In these ancient times, families who were slightly indulgent towards their children would, at most, allow the prospective bride and groom to meet during the matchmaking process. Daohua’s desire for shared values, temperament, and mutual understanding was nothing short of a daytime fantasy.

Moreover, she had no sacrificial spirit to speak of, managing concubines and educating illegitimate children for the sake of a so-called husband was out of the question for her.

Not to mention the inescapable mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.

Could someone like her lead a good married life?

Her fifteen-year-old cousin Sister Zixuan had already started the matchmaking process. Daohua herself was twelve this year. Wouldn’t that mean, in three years, she would face the same situation?

In the modern world, marriage was a choice: people could decide to marry late, to choose their partners, or to live alone. But in these ancient times, if she dared to say she did not want to marry, even the grandmother who doted on her the most would jump out in strong opposition.

Daohua felt increasingly restless, her future life seeming vague and unsettling. She did not want to compromise, yet she did not know where the way out was.

Meanwhile, Madam Li prattled on. Suddenly, her gaze swept over and noticed her daughter daydreaming, and she felt somewhat helpless. “Are you even listening to your mother?”

Daohua turned her head and nodded somewhat blankly.

Seeing this, Madam Li felt a headache coming on. She noticed that every time marriage was mentioned, her daughter seemed aloof and disengaged, unlike other young girls who were either shyly evasive or exhibited aspirations for the future. Her daughter seemed to fear it more than anything.

Alas, her daughter was still young. They could talk about it more as time went on.

At this moment, Daohua asked, “Mother, is Cousin Sister Zixuan getting married next year?”

Madam Li smiled. “Not that soon. Your second uncle and aunt love their child very much. The matchmaking process alone is expected to take quite some time, and after settling on a family, there are still the six marriage rituals to go through. It will be at least another year or two before she can leave her home.”

Daohua’s expression eased slightly. “We must let second uncle and aunt really scrutinize the candidate carefully. They mustn’t make the wrong choice.”

To a woman in ancient times, marriage was like being reborn. If the husband was kind, life could be smooth and pleasant, but if he was not, it could be said that she would endure living hell.

Although divorce was possible in this era, the process was exceedingly complicated. And even if a divorce were successfully obtained, the woman would carry a bad reputation, making it difficult for her to remarry and potentially bringing shame upon her family.

Seeing her daughter’s worried face, Madam Li couldn’t help but chuckle. “With your second uncle’s shrewdness, is there any need for you, a little girl, to worry?”

Daohua sighed. Her second uncle might be shrewd, but who could guarantee such matters when it came to judging character?

After a pause, Daohua spoke again. “I had previously invited my two cousins to visit our home, but both my eldest aunt and second aunt did not agree. They consented to let my cousins stay with us for a while this time because Cousin Sister Zixuan is about to be betrothed, right?”

Madam Li nodded. “Your eldest uncle and second uncle did not want to trouble me. This time, they wanted your Cousin Sister Zixuan to relax and enjoy herself before she gets married, as she won’t have the same freedom after that.”

Daohua pondered for a moment, “Bringing my two sisters to the gathering, is it to let the various Madams see them?”

Madam Li shook her head, “Your second uncle and the others still have self-awareness, knowing that the official aristocratic families look down upon merchants. Attending gatherings is merely to let your two sisters gain more exposure to the world, so that when they meet ladies of the official families, they won’t get stage fright or become a laughingstock.”

Daohua nodded, “I understand. However, I’m still not going to the Zhu Family. I really have nothing to say to Zhu Xiuyun. Anyway, the year-end is approaching and there will be a multitude of gatherings, so I will take the two sisters out then.”

Madam Li didn’t say much more. To them, in regards to the Zhu Family, just maintaining appearances was enough; there was really no need to make their daughter feel wronged.

…

Ever since she had received Madam Li’s instructions, Daohua had been to almost every end-of-year gathering, escorting her two sisters among the other young misses.

No matter what they truly thought, everyone outwardly seemed to get along harmoniously.

Even if they occasionally encountered some sour comments, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin were able to take it in stride. They were well aware that it was very difficult to truly befriend these ladies from official families and aristocratic families.

Daohua didn’t interfere much with the Li sisters’ social interactions. After introducing people to them, she often let them move freely on their own.

Whether they were snubbed or ridiculed by others, having these experiences wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

It’s only with a strong inner fortitude that one can confidently deal with everything that life throws at them.

Zhou Jingwan saw Daohua sitting alone in the pavilion drinking tea, walked in with a smile, looked at the Li sisters chatting and laughing with the other young ladies in the garden, and laughed, “You are rather tough-hearted, not fearing that your sisters might be bullied.”

Daohua smiled faintly, “Your family is hosting the banquet, and those present are from aristocratic families. These families value reputation the most, so I presume they are also strict with their children’s upbringing.”

With that said, she glanced at the girls in the garden.

“Even if those girls have their thoughts, they won’t show them on their faces, knowing full well that the two sisters are relatives of my family, they won’t trouble them too much.”

Zhou Jingwan immediately laughed, “You see things clearly. Besides, now in Xingzhou City, every aristocratic family has to give some face to your father.”

Everyone knew that early next year Lord Yan was going to the capital to report on his work, who wouldn’t give face to the Yan Family at this time?

“By the way, my brother wrote back. He said that the Academy will be on holiday on the seventeenth of the twelfth lunar month. He also mentioned that the Laba porridge you sent was delicious, just that it was in too small a quantity, making Brother Su complain about your favoritism.”

Daohua was puzzled, “Favoritism over what?”

Zhou Jingwan said, “Obviously, you’re biased towards the Little Prince. My brother and the others only got one bowl of Laba porridge, while the Little Prince got a whole goblet for himself. They naturally feel it’s unfair.”

Daohua was at a loss for words, “It’s just some food, all grown-ups, and they’re still quarreling over things.” She didn’t take this matter to heart at all in her words.

Zhou Jingwan felt the same way, “That’s true. It’s one thing for us girls to squabble over food and clothing, but for men to do so, it seems a bit petty.”

Daohua fully agreed, “Isn’t that the truth? Even Brother Su, he’s always liking to compare with Xiao Yeyang. My relationship with Xiao Yeyang happens to be better than with others, giving him a little more, what’s wrong with that? Who doesn’t have closer and more distant relations?”

Zhou Jingwan thought this statement made perfect sense. She too would send things to her brother, taking something along for others as well, but she would inevitably give more to Brother Yan, as Brother Yan treated her better than the others. Wasn’t this expected?