She refused to marry.

When Su Wanwan found Chunhua, Chunhua was kneeling in the front yard.

"You knelt because I told you to. You're my person, when have you ever taken orders from others?" Su Wanwan helped her up. "You're spineless."

Helping Chunhua into Jinrong Courtyard, they heard her third aunt scolding them, followed by her mother trying to mediate.

"Jinse is superior to others in looks, music, calligraphy, and painting. Why would you sacrifice her happiness for the sake of a mere title of heir? You're foolish..."

"Good sister, you're the one who's confused. So what if she's a concubine? A mother's status depends on her son. She'll be rich and powerful after she gives birth to a son. Why does she need to go through all that trouble like our son?" Zhao sat down dejectedly.

"But she is, after all, a concubine. Aren't you afraid that she will be bullied by the main wife or neglected by the heir?" Madam Wang sat down beside her.

"Good sister, we're both getting on in years. Tell me, how many men in this world truly keep their word? In the end, aren't we all the same? What's the point of a principal wife or concubine? Wealth and status are in your own hands. Living comfortably is the most important thing..."

Zhao took a sip of tea and looked at Su Jinse with resentment in her eyes.

"Why are you crying? You're useless."

Su Jinse turned her back and cried even harder.

She was almost tricked by the Prince of Huai's son today and couldn't even leave. Fortunately, Lu Huai'an's men arrived in time. Otherwise, she would have become a laughing stock like Su Wanwan after today.

"Madam Zhao, there are plenty of good sons-in-law in the capital. Please don't push Jinse into a fire pit. Today, when Master learned about Jinse's situation, he was so angry that he couldn't stand up for a while, so I rushed over first. If Third Brother finds out, he will be heartbroken." Wang Shi had just finished speaking.

Then she saw her husband appear at the door and enter the courtyard.

"Father." Su Wanwan went to greet him, took the servant's hand, and pushed the wheelchair through the door.

Su Hongxuan entered the room with a displeased expression. "Sister-in-law, our third brother has not yet returned to the manor. Isn't it too hasty for you to make decisions about your children's marriages on your own? Even if you want to make such decisions, shouldn't you discuss it with your second brother?"

"Second brother, I had no choice. Please allow me, your ignorant sister-in-law, to say a few words." When Zhao saw Su Hongxuan enter, her tone instantly softened, and she choked up as she spoke.

"Second brother, you watched Qirui grow up. He failed his studies from a young age and had no hope of passing the imperial examinations, but he is neither stupid nor lazy."

This time, my elder brother made some arrangements, and Jiyuan has already been promoted to the position of Assistant Magistrate of Suzhou. But my Qirui is all alone outside, all by himself, without anyone to take care of him.

He wrote that as long as the money was available, he could donate an official position so that he could come to the capital sooner and reunite with his family.

"Second brother, our Su family has now established itself in the capital. If you were willing to lend a hand, Qirui could contribute to the Su family's influence in the court in the future, which is much better than him wandering outside."

The room fell silent immediately.

"Qi Rui doesn't aspire to instant success; he only hopes to secure a position in the capital, even if it's just a sixth-rank official or a seventh-rank secretary. That would be under the emperor's nose, and there would be hope for future promotions. In the capital, with his second brother and third uncle looking after him, things are definitely different."

Su Hongxuan took a deep breath. "Donating an official position means paying money and grain to the imperial court in exchange for the qualification to become an official."

Even after obtaining the qualification, one still has to wait for a vacancy. Official positions in various departments and offices of the capital are like radishes, each with its own opening; they can only be filled when a vacancy arises.

After donating money to obtain an official position, one must first undergo a three-year probationary period in the yamen (government office). Upon completion of this period and passing the assessment by the superior, one can then become a candidate for the Ministry of Personnel.

How long it takes depends entirely on luck. If you're lucky, it might be made up in three to five years; if you're unlucky, it could take eight to ten years.

After hearing this, Zhao's eyes reddened. "That's still better than being alone outside. If I could find a job in the capital, I would be here now, while Qi Rui's wife and child are still in Suzhou. Just thinking about this makes my heart ache and keeps me up at night."

Su Wanwan felt a mix of emotions upon hearing these words.

My third aunt is greedy, snobbish, and favors sons over daughters.

For the sake of Brother Qirui, he actually thought of sending Sister Jinse away.

"Let's discuss this when my third brother returns," Su Hongxuan said in a low voice.

"Second brother, are you just going to stand by and watch your nephew wander alone, never seeing his wife and children or his parents? If it were your aunt, she would feel the same way I do..."

The room was quiet.

Madam Zhao continued her rambling, "When Second Brother came to the capital, he had to be taken care of everywhere. Hongsheng scraped together the money and put in a lot of effort. Now that we need Second Brother, he's making excuses. Isn't this going to break Third Brother's heart?"

Upon hearing this, Wang withdrew her hand from Zhao's and looked at her husband.

Su Hongxuan sighed, "Sister-in-law is right. Although the second branch of the family has suffered a great calamity, they have not lost their integrity. I will keep an eye on the matter of donating official positions."

Su Wanwan and her mother exchanged a glance.

After the last raid, most of the valuables in the house were lost.

She had already instructed Qiu Shi to take the money from the shops she had dealt with to Jiangnan to purchase goods.

We're about to arrive in the capital. Is Father planning to use this money?

If this money is not available, the whole family will starve.

The third uncle held an official position, so he naturally wouldn't starve. But the second wife was different; she was one thing, but her two younger sisters' dowries hadn't been prepared yet.

Her parents couldn't bring themselves to speak about this, and neither could she; to do so would be to offend her third uncle's family.

But if they don't speak up and let their third aunt control them, things will only get harder in the future.

Moreover, donating an official position is not a simple matter of a hundred taels of silver. Given the greed of the Crown Prince's faction, they would ask for money again and again.

We must not allow the third wife to undermine our foundation.

She needs someone who can speak up for her without putting her third uncle in a difficult position.

After much thought, she realized that only by finding a sharp-tongued husband could she shut her third aunt up.

That night, she went to her parents' room, but her mother confessed.

Wang nodded in agreement, "You mustn't let your father know about this. He cares a lot about his reputation, and if he finds out you're planning this, he definitely won't agree to your reckless behavior."

"So, Mother, you'll have to whisper in my ear about this. Tell her I'm looking for a husband," Su Wanwan said, taking her mother's hand.

"Alright, Mother will definitely find you a good marriage. Three years ago, you absolutely refused to get married, but now, for the sake of this family, you've actually agreed. My heart is filled with both joy and sorrow," said Madam Wang.

"Mother should be happy," Su Wanwan said with a smile.

"Yes..." Wang sighed, "We really should be happy."

Su Wanwan touched her mother's hand. Her mother was probably going to be heartbroken. She was notorious in the capital and had a long history of misdeeds. It would be difficult for her to find a husband in a short time.

Moreover, the Su family has already fallen from grace. Who would curry favor with a Tai Ling who has just been dismissed from his post? Even if he did, he might not be a good person.

To everyone's surprise, just two days later, someone delivered a visiting card.