Xu Lanyin said, "Fan Zhong wants the Hu family's dowry, but he also thinks Hu Yi isn't smart enough. He doesn't even consider that Hu Yi is as smart as ice and snow, so how can he be worthy of her?" She then explained, "People outside are spreading rumors. Hu Yi is not stupid, otherwise how could we get along so well? She just had an illness before, but it was cured later. As long as those around her continue to love and care for her, she won't get sick again."

Old Mrs. Xu said, "I've met Miss Hu a few times. She's a bit naive, speaking and acting like a child, but she's not stupid at all. It's pitiful. She's so pretty and her family is rich, but she's been ruined for no reason by that guy named Fan."

Xu Lanyin glanced at her. This old lady was so cute most of the time.

Xu Lanyin stayed here for lunch, and seemed to casually talk about what Hu Yin's 40,000 taels of silver dowry included, how Hu Yin's illness was not as serious as rumored, how capable Hu Wan was and had great potential, and so on.

She didn't show any intention of mediating. The old lady was a shrewd person, and she knew what was going on. If they were willing, she knew she was there to ask for mediation. If they weren't willing, she could just pretend she hadn't said anything.

After dinner, Xu Lanyin said goodbye and left. She did not go home, but went to Qin's house.

The woman from the Qin family asked some more questions about Hu Yin and sighed.

Qin Che left the yamen and Xu Lanyin told him about Xu Ershi.

Qin Che said, "There's a vacancy in the clerk's office. Let him go to see Master Li tomorrow and don't let anyone else take it."

The so-called vacant positions were for minor clerks with official positions, who received monthly salaries from the court. For temporary positions, the prefect could fill them however he pleased; there was no such thing as a vacancy.

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "My cousin's ability is average. It would be better to give him room for improvement and let him know how to make progress."

Xu Lanyin wasn't willing to help all at once. Gu's mindset was that if this was too easy, she might develop other ideas later. Even if she wanted Xu Ershi to be a "royal savior" in the future, she had to do it step by step. Alternatively, it would be better to leave this matter to Hu Wanlai.

Qin Che was so smart, he could tell the difference when someone said something. He smiled again and said, "Then let him go to the barracks. Young man, you need more experience."

It had been agreed that Zhao Wu would come to the Qin residence for dinner. After dinner, the couple went home together.

At noon the next day, Xu Ershi came to find Xu Lanyin excitedly.

He bowed deeply and said with a smile, "Thank you, Sister Lan Yin. Master Li has arranged for me to stay in the barracks. He told me to hurry back to my hometown tomorrow to handle the paperwork and report for duty at the beginning of next month."

After telling Xu Lanyin the good news, he quickly hired a donkey cart and returned home.

Upon hearing the good news, the Xu family was overjoyed.

Xu Qingming said, "Thank you, Mr. Prefect and Mr. Li, for helping Ershi so much."

Old Lady Xu said, "Boss, after all that has happened, you still haven't figured it out. Without the girl, who would the prefect and Mr. Li know you to be? Which way does your door face?" Then she said to Old Man Xu, "You're scolding people for asking for help, so of course they won't want to help. Look, as long as we're genuinely kind to them, they'll help us without us even asking."

Old Man Xu was speechless, and Gu quickly smiled and said, "That's right. We all remember the girl's kindness." She added, "Ershi is handsome and now works as a clerk in the provincial government. Second Uncle is a high-ranking official in the Imperial Guards. If he finds a good girl, his life will be even better than Dashi's."

Gu had always believed that her eldest son was capable, her eldest daughter-in-law was vicious, and that their family would surely have a better future. This made her feel even more distressed for her second son, believing that he was smart and good-looking, but unlucky, and that his future would be far from a good one, unlike the older family. Now that her second son had come to the provincial capital to work as a minor official, he might even have a chance at great things in the future. She was overjoyed.

Old Lady Xu shook her head and said, "Ershi has no future and can't endure hardship. He can't compare to Dashi. His career as a minor official has reached its end." Seeing that Gu's face darkened, she continued, "Don't be upset. I'm telling the truth. Yin gave Dashi a chance. Dashi is capable. Not only did he make the pastry shop better and better, he also opened two grain shops on his own, and his wife opened a dowry shop. And what about Ershi? Yin got him a job as a minor official in the Nanping County Government. He's still the same as when he entered, with no improvement. If it weren't for Yin, he wouldn't be able to come to the provincial capital. He has to live his own life. People can't help him for the rest of his life, right?"

This made Gu so angry that his liver ached, but he couldn't refute it. Old Man Xu and Xu Qingming scolded Xu Ershi. Xu Ershi sat aside with his shoulders slumped, sulking, without the joy he had just had.

Old Lady Xu continued, "I think Miss Hu Yi is pretty good. If..."

Gu and Xu Qingming's eyes lit up. They had been talking about this matter for most of the night yesterday, thinking of waiting until their second son got a job in the government office before discussing it. They didn't expect the old lady to bring it up first.

Gu laughed and said, "It would be great if Ershi could marry Miss Hu."

Xu Ershi hurriedly asked, "Miss Hu is really not stupid?"

Among these people, he is the only one who has not seen Hu Yi

Old Man Xu also felt that if he could marry into the Hu family, not only would Xu Ershi's future be better, but his family and his eldest grandson would also benefit. Especially since his eldest grandson was a businessman, he would have an easier time doing business in the future.

He smiled along his beard and said, "Silly boy, your parents and I have seen Miss Hu, how can you be stupid."

…

That afternoon, just as Xu Lanyin got up from her lunch break, Old Man Xu, Old Lady Xu, Xu Qingming, and Mrs. Gu came.

They were asked to sit down and the maid served tea.

Old Lady Xu smiled and said, "After discussing it a bit, we all think Miss Hu is quite good. She's pretty, simple, kind, and doesn't have the scheming and cunning that only rich people have. My second son, Ershi, is handsome, literate, good-tempered, and kind-hearted. And my second uncle is a high-ranking official. We all think, haha, Miss Hu and Ershi are the perfect match. What do you think, girl Yin?"

Xu Lanyin thought seriously for a moment and smiled, "Oh, really." Then she said regretfully, "Hu Yi and her mother have gone to the farm on the outskirts of the city to recuperate, and I'm not feeling well right now. Wait a little longer, and you guys should think about it more. If you're still willing, we can talk about this after I give birth to the child."

When those people saw Xu Lanyin agreed to help mediate, they all smiled happily.

Xu Lanyin said solemnly again, "I still want to remind you. Hu Yi is not stupid, but she is not without illness, it's just that her illness is under control. If you want to marry her, you must be patient with her, not bully her, and treat her sincerely... Although Hu Yi is honest and simple, her family is not easy to mess with, especially Hu Wan, who knows many high-ranking officials..."

Several people expressed their determination that if they married the girl, they would treat her well.

On the afternoon of October 28th, Qin finally arrived in Ningzhou Prefecture from the capital, accompanied by Xu Lanting.