Free Web NovelChapter 1017: Chapter 1008: Marriage (2)
Xing pursed her lips and smiled lightly, nodding and saying, "Sixth Aunt, please thank Nanny Qiu for me." After speaking, she held the food box in her arms: "I want to save a few pieces for Twelfth Aunt." Then she squatted to the side to divide the pastries. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Xiqiu smiled, took up her tea, and drank quietly.
"Sixth Sister." Madam Jiang stood up and took Xiqiu’s hand, with a mysterious look: "Come with me." Xiqiu followed Madam Jiang out the door and into the neighboring room with a puzzled look. Madam Jiang pulled her to sit down, and couldn’t help but smile: "Can you guess what I want to tell you?"
Xiqiu had some idea in her mind but shook her head on the surface and said, "I don’t know." Madam Jiang then laughed and replied: "Mr. Zhao’s wife sent someone to our mansion with the intent to inquire. It seems that the Zhao Family wishes to betroth their eldest granddaughter to Seventh Young Master."
Indeed, it was regarding Tong Minzhi’s marriage, but it was unexpected that Mr. Zhao had already sent someone to "probe" the situation.
"Mr. Zhao is an upright person. Though he holds no official title, he has taught and nurtured students across the court for many years. Seventh Young Master marrying Miss Zhao is a suitable match." Xiqiu nodded slightly and asked Madam Jiang: "How did Sister-in-law respond?"
"I haven’t spoken to Father yet, I wanted to hear your opinion first." Having heard what Xiqiu said earlier, she roughly knew her stance. So she said: "I agree with your thoughts, but it would only be proper to see Miss Zhao first. If she is indeed virtuous, then this marriage is certainly worth considering."
Xiqiu originally thought there was only Miss Zhao, but Madam Jiang’s expression shifted with a smile: "It isn’t just the Zhao Family." She said, covering her face and laughing: "There’s also a colleague of Lord Pang, surname He, who serves as an experience in the Ministry of Communication. His family has a suitable age eldest daughter... Though it wasn’t mentioned directly to me, it is to your elder brother, but it seems there’s that intention."
They say a woman is sought by a hundred families; little did they anticipate Tong Minzhi’s marriage was so in demand.
No wonder Madam Jiang’s enthusiasm was so high. Xiqiu couldn’t help but feel happy as well; she was worried about finding a high-status match for Tong Minzhi, fearing he might feel inadequate, while a low-status one might not offer support. There were always such worries and hesitation...
Unexpectedly, just a hint from Tong Mansion, and two families have presented an olive branch!
"We should be thorough in our selection." Madam Jiang seemed very pleased. Tong Minzhi being Tong Shen Zhi’s only brother meant a good marriage would certainly be advantageous for them: "There’s no rush anyway, what do you think?"
Xiqiu nodded, deciding internally to have someone inquire about the personal temperaments of the two young ladies from the two families.
"First, seek Father’s opinion, and then carefully observe the two young ladies to decide."
Madam Jiang nodded, replying: "Very well, I’ll send someone to thoroughly investigate, then see which family is suitable."
Xiqiu agreed.
After returning home, she had people inquire at Zhao Mansion and the He Family. Those who returned reported: "Miss Zhao rarely goes out, is said to enjoy gardening, and tends to flowers in the backyard herself. Her embroidery skills are also quite good..."
Enjoying gardening suggests a gentle temperament; a hasty person wouldn’t manage such delicate tasks.
They also said: "Miss He is slightly older, came of age last year, born in August, not particularly remarkable in appearance, raised by her grandmother and extremely devoted. Those in the mansion praise her with thumbs up!"
Raised by her grandmother implies either a very gentle strictness or a luxury upbringing, holding a reserved opinion on Miss He.
Instantly, she thought that since Lord He is Pang Guibin’s subordinate, perhaps Xiao Yanzheng knows something, and decided to ask him sometime.
Two days passed, before she got a chance to ask Madam Jiang’s opinion, Tong Minzhi approached, having grown a lot taller at sixteen. Standing in front of Xiqiu now, he was just above shoulder height. His eyebrows had matured, more gracious and attractive, very scholarly. His face blushed: "...Sixth Sister, could you please speak to Sister-in-law, and choose Miss Zhao?"
Xiqiu was stunned, thinking he had already developed feelings for Miss Zhao, so she asked: "You favor Miss Zhao?" Tong Minzhi heard and shook his head, replying: "No, Mr. Zhao is my mentor, I cannot refuse him..." Mr. Zhao is willing to marry his granddaughter to him, conveying trust. He paused before saying: "To be honest, marrying anyone is the same, as long as she can live with me, life will be prosperous." He looked at Xiqiu with longing: "Don’t you think so?"
Xiqiu was not expecting Tong Minzhi’s views on marriage to be like this, as if he did not care who he married: "Do you really think that way?"
Tong Minzhi darkened his gaze, and affirmed with a nod.
"I understand." Xiqiu sighed inside and said: "I’ll discuss with Sister-in-law later; she’s like a mother, you’d better heed her opinion." She added: "Concubine ought to be informed too, after all, this is your lifelong matter, can’t take it lightly."
Tong Minzhi lowered his head and agreed.
In the evening, Fourth Master Xiao returned, finding Xiqiu deep in thought alone in a side room. He approached and asked: "What’s the matter?" Sitting by her side.
"You’re back!" Xiqiu picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for him, sighed, and recounted what Tong Minzhi told her: "...Is his heart still reminiscing about Le Yao?"
Fourth Master Xiao frowned deeply, pondering for a while, and replied: "Since he can say such words, it means he has let go in his heart. Marriage is his affair, better let him decide." He paused yet asked: "Did you inquire about Zhao Family?"
"Yes." Xiqiu confirmed, sharing what she knew of Miss Zhao: "...She enjoys flowers, has good embroidery skills, reads a lot. Her temperament seems gentle, matching well with Seventh Young Master..." She wasn’t dissatisfied but concerned about Tong Minzhi’s indifferent attitude.
A young man without a concubine, discussing marriage usually carries expectations and shyness. Today she observed Tong Minzhi, his face showed no expectation; it was as if purchasing furniture or clothing, something necessary for the household, as long as it’s functional, rather than caring what style it was.
The next day, Xiqiu was preparing to return to Tong Mansion when Ruan Pingrong suddenly arrived.
She had a daughter in February and instead of gaining weight, she had become thinner, happily entering like she did when she was a maiden. Xiqiu smiled and said: "What brings you here today?"
"Feeling bored at home all the time, so I thought I’d come by." Ruan Pingrong smiled and said: "How is Aunt Jingliu? I haven’t seen her for quite some time."
Xiqiu nodded: "She doesn’t go out, busy all day at the clinic." Ruan Jingliu had changed in some ways, speaking less than before.
Ruan Pingrong acknowledged, talked about other things, then slyly asked, "...Are you going out?" Xiqiu nodded with a smile: "Have to take care of some things at home."
"Is it about Seventh Young Master’s marriage?" Ruan Pingrong asked impulsively and then realized it was slightly improper, awkwardly added: "There’s talk outside, so I just asked spontaneously."
Xiqiu looked at her and replied: "Yes, but it’s not finalized, just planning."
Ruan Pingrong’s expression slightly changed. She opened her mouth wanting to ask which family’s daughter was considered but decided to swallow her words eventually, smiling: "If it’s settled, I must have a cup of celebratory wine."
Xiqiu smiled and nodded: "That would be truly desirable."
