Seeing this, He Zhiran did not think much of it, because Lan Er had always been diligent and perceptive, and it was not unreasonable for her to take good care of her elder brother.
She did not notice the details.
Now, after hearing the conversation between her mother and brother, He Zhiran suddenly had a feeling of sudden clarity.
At first, she did not like people waiting on her, so Lan Er and Yu Er had the sense not to go to her room without being told. Perhaps it was because he was worried that Mo Jiuye would change his heart, so the two of them walked around when they saw Mo Jiuye.
First, not to mention how Lan Er was able to read between the lines, just her proper demeanor and knowledge was enough for her to have no problem being the mistress of the house in the eyes of He Zhiran, who believed in equality.
A marriage of mutual affection indicated that the two had compatible personalities, which was certainly better than an arranged marriage by the parents.
Her elder brother had finally gotten rid of Princess Yujun with great difficulty, and she truly hoped that he could live a happy life.
"Ranran, do you also feel that your elder brother and Lan Er are a good match?" Madam He was now wavering.
"Mother, as long as elder brother likes her, I don't see anything unsuitable.
Lan Er is meticulous, and is more steady in her interactions than the young ladies in the capital. Don't let the fact that she is just the maid of the Fourth Princess fool you. Her knowledge and insightful mind make her fully capable of being a good wife and mother."
He Zhiran was not just saying this casually. Lan Er had been with the Mo Family for some time now, and no one knew her temperament better than He Zhiran.
Seeing his sister speak for him gave He Ziming courage.
He stood up and solemnly knelt before Madam He.
"Mother, since childhood, father had brought me to his side and taught me to see through the deceit and hypocrisy of officialdom. I always thought that father hoped I would have academic achievements and obtain a position to bring honor to the He family.
I had been working hard for this responsibility.
But you and father did not know what kind of life I actually wanted.
Ever since coming to the Northwest, and seeing the Mo Family people living self-sufficient lives day after day, I really envied them.
There is no intrigue here, no deceit, only the simplicity and diligence of the people.
Mother, I ask for your consent to stay in the Northwest and open a medical clinic to treat illness and save lives, and live out my life in peace and simplicity."
When he finished speaking, He Ziming heavily kowtowed three times to Madam He, and then looked up waiting for her reaction.
He Ziming's words did shock Madam He. She never knew he had such thoughts.
If she had not come to the Northwest herself, she would probably be completely unable to understand He Ziming's ideas. But ever since coming here, even she did not bear to leave.
Madam He did not immediately ask He Ziming to get up, but solemnly examined him.
He Zhiran also did not expect her elder brother to have such thoughts. After all, the original owner only saw a hardworking and studious elder brother who was very obedient to his father.
He Ziming was already past the rebellious age of youth, and was exceptionally steady and moderate. He Zhiran absolutely believed he was speaking the truth.
Although she understood her elder brother's thoughts, she did not speak up to help him at this moment.
After all, Madam He came from a wealthy household, and many ideas were deeply ingrained in her mind.
Wanting to immediately change her thinking was impossible. This matter could only allow her to think through some principles herself.
As a daughter, she also did not want to push her mother too quickly, and wanted to give her some time to think.
Madam He was thinking, but she had not reached the point of being completely unable to accept these ideas.
She could not even figure out herself, if this was in the past, and He Ziming said such things, she would surely have thought he lacked ambition.
The current her did not seem to reject her son's words, and even felt an urge to stay here with him.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, He Ziming was still kneeling, Madam He stared at him deep in thought, and He Zhiran stood behind her.
Lan Er finished washing the grapes in the kitchen and came out, immediately seeing this scene.
He Zhiran knew Lan Er's thoughts. She was utterly loyal to the Fourth Princess, and only hoped to see the day she would avenge her grudge. And this girl was stubborn, if she insisted on not being with elder brother, wouldn't this situation with mother and elder brother become an embarrassing mistake?
"Cough cough... Mother, elder brother is a grown man now, even if he makes mistakes you can't make him kneel like when he was a child!"
Madam He reacted quickly as well, deliberately keeping a stern face. "I'll let you off this time, get up!"
He Ziming stood up and dusted off his clothes, continuing to keep his head lowered.
Lan Er did not know what had happened. She only thought that the He family's eldest young master had displeased Madam He, and hurriedly brought over the washed grapes.
"Madam He, Eldest Young Master, Ninth Young Lady, these are the grapes Yu'er and I picked from the mountain. Please have a taste."
After speaking, she placed the tray on the stone table, and brought another tray of grapes to the main house for the women watching the babies.
Seeing Lan Er leave, He Zhiran pulled He Ziming to sit on either side of Madam He.
"Mother, our lives are only a few decades short. If possible, everyone would want to live according to what they enjoy, not just elder brother, but me as well.
In the past in the capital, I spent my days in the inner residence reading, never considering what kind of life I wanted for myself. I thought I would be like you, mother, spending my days at home teaching my children after getting married.
Ever since following the Mo Family in exile, I've come in contact with more people and events, and we live by the fruits of our own labor every day. This kind of life is a bit more arduous, but it makes me feel more fulfilled.
Especially after coming to the Northwest, through our own hard work we claimed land, reclaimed barren mountains, and built homes...
As a result I discovered that this is the life I enjoy, compared to the mundane rules of the capital, I prefer the fulfilling days now.
"Mother has also been struggling recently, and does not wish to return to the capital.
On one hand, I cannot bear to part with you, Zhu'er and Mingzhu. More importantly, mother enjoys life here."
In the capital, Minister He would rise early every day for court. She also had to get up at that time, although her husband often told her to sleep a bit longer, she did not agree, because this was the custom since ancient times.
If the wife was still lazing in bed when her husband got up, even if others did not gossip, the servants in the household would secretly ridicule her.
And in some wealthy households with lax discipline over the servants, these ugly matters would quickly spread in whispers.
Fortunately, Minister He did not have elders, so she did not need to pay daily morning and evening greetings, and also had no concubines causing trouble for the main wife.
Many distinguished ladies in the capital envied Madam He's days.
