Gently biting her lip, Shao Yao hesitated for a long time before she stammered, "Miss knows, my mother passed away early, and I also broke my leg. My father loves me dearly. Previous households wanted to arrange a marriage for him so that he wouldn't have to take so much care of me. However, my father never accepted any, always worried a stepmother might treat me poorly, but now..."

"Now Uncle Heng wants to get married? Are you very scared?" Yang Mengchen asked with a smile.

Shao Yao shook her head, then nodded, "Yes and no."

Yang Mengchen looked at Shao Yao, her expression as gentle as the breeze and soft rain, her gaze clear and kind, "In this world, it's common to find that with a stepmother comes a stepfather. But you know better than anyone how Uncle Heng has treated you over the years. Do you think Uncle Heng would be that kind of person? Remember, you should never use your ears - don't listen to what others say.

Use your eyes and your heart to see what he does, and then think with your heart. Understand?"

Shao Yao was shaken, her expression dazed for a long time. Gradually, the furrows in her brow eased and she knelt to kowtow to Yang Mengchen, "Thank you for enlightening me, miss. I understand."

Seeing the joyous expression of Lady Xiao and the Eldest Princess with their sons, she wondered whether she should support her father in remarrying. After all, the maids said men all wanted sons to carry on the family line, so there would be descendants to offer incense and keep the memory alive. Otherwise, it would be quite sad.

But recalling the stories she had heard and witnessed about stepmothers mistreating their predecessors' children, she was very afraid and hence hesitant.

It was only after hearing the Miss's words that she realized how much her father loved her, acting as both father and mother, taking care of her over the years, and choosing to remain a widower rather than let her suffer any injustice. She believed that even if her father took a stepwife, he would still love, cherish, and protect her.

She had never considered her father's feelings before. This time, she would do it for her father's sake, hoping in the future he'd have someone caring to accompany him into old age.

Discerning Shao Yao's thoughts, Yang Mengchen smiled and asked, "Who has caught Uncle Heng's eye?"

Shao Yao looked up at Yang Mengchen, hesitant, still debating whether to ask. Would asking result not only in failing to fulfill her father's wishes but also in harming him and Qiao Niangzi?

Qiao Niangzi?

Yang Mengchen nodded silently to herself.

Qiao Niangzi was virtuous and capable, had a tacit understanding with Uncle Heng, and managed the household meticulously. They indeed seemed like a good match.

Moreover, both Qiao Niangzi and Uncle Heng were Official Slaves, destined to not be able to shed their Slave status for three generations, without private property, their children ineligible for imperial examinations. However, as long as the two remained in the household, with their status and income, they naturally wouldn't have a poor life, and the Yang family would not mistreat them.

Though she had the soul of a modern person, she couldn't release them from their servitude and break the rules. After all, her fourth brother was going to enter official service, and this could potentially become a pretext for political enemies to attack him.

Yang Mengchen picked up her teacup and took a sip without rushing Shao Yao.

After a long hesitation, Shao Yao bit her lip and asked, "Miss, can the Chief Steward and the Steward get married?"

"I've already said it before, as long as the two are mutually fond, I will support it."

"But aren't you worried that the Chief Steward, colluding with the Steward, might control both inside and outside the house, or even do something that harms the interests of the household?"

"Their servitude contracts are in my hands. If they dare betray their master, the consequences will be severe. Besides, do you think they would do such a thing?"

"Of course not!" Shao Yao answered without a second thought.

Yang Mengchen smiled and said, "Well, there you have it."

"So you agree to my father and Qiao Niangzi's marriage?" Seeing Yang Mengchen nod, Shao Yao felt relieved but then became dejected again, "But Qiao Niangzi is unwilling."

Yang Mengchen couldn't help but tease, "How do you know Qiao Niangzi is unwilling? Also, did Uncle Heng tell you he likes Qiao Niangzi?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.