Draft Calligraphy

The three of them walked back to the front hall, but Qian stopped just as she was about to step through the door. Taishi Zhengjiang saw this and was about to ask her something when Taishi Zheng pulled her inside.

Dad hasn't reacted yet.

Upon seeing the arrival of the guests, Zhang immediately put away her impatience and exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, Master Taishi, Miss Zheng. I have been waiting for you for so long, and finally you are here. May I ask what you two think about the Cui family's marriage? Please give me a straight answer."

Zhang was so startled that the father and daughter retreated arm in arm.

Perhaps realizing she was a bit agitated, Zhang quickly calmed down and stepped back. Seeing everyone quiet down, Taishi Zheng finally let go of her father and asked, "Why is the matchmaker the only one here? Where's the other one?"

"Her."

Zhang couldn't help rolling her eyes at the mention of Qian. "She hasn't come back in a while. I'm afraid she went to the East Office and dreamed."

Upon hearing this, Tai Shi Zheng sighed as if in regret.

"Oh? That's unfortunate. I was thinking of having you take this invitation all the way to the Earl's Palace while you're both here. That would save me the trouble of choosing someone to deliver it. What do you think I'm going to do now?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang's eyelids twitched, and she went to Taishi Zheng's side to offer herself for the credit. "For such an important matter, we must be on standby at all times, waiting for the master's orders. Qian is a useless old woman who makes things difficult for us. Miss Zheng, don't worry. Even if Qian, the matchmaker, makes things difficult for us, don't we still have me? Good things cannot be delayed. Why don't you hand over the invitation to me? I promise to deliver it to the Earl's Mansion for you immediately. There will be no delay at all——"

Zhang swore so confidently that she had already fallen into Taishi Zheng's trap.

The zheng still has to perform again.

She casually pulled out a prepared invitation from her sleeve and waved it in front of Zhang's eyes, seeming undecided. "Is this...appropriate?"

Zhang's eyes followed her hand again and again, and finally she simply reached out and took the invitation, "It's suitable, it's suitable. Lady Yu told us to rely on our own abilities, so you two just wait and see. I will make this marriage beautiful for you two. After all -"

"After all, you are the top matchmaker who proposed marriage to the King of Han." Zhang said only those two sentences, and Taishi Zheng was tired of listening to them.

But she actually nodded in agreement, "Yeah, right, right!"

This guy is really shameless...

The draft letter was thus handed over to Zhang, and Taishi Zheng had completed the first step she needed to take. She looked at Zhang with a smile, "Then we need to find a matchmaker, Madam."

Zhang was feeling proud at the moment, thinking that Qian was tongue-tied and unworthy of comparison. She thought that Qian had brought this upon herself. She opened her mouth and spoke to Taishi Zheng, "Young lady, you are so polite. I will just—"

"Please do as you wish." Tai Shi Zheng said.

Zhang took the note and bowed, then turned around and was about to leave. But when she flipped through the note, she felt something was wrong and asked, "Young lady, why don't I understand the words on this note?"

Tai Shi Zheng explained, "Mrs. Matchmaker, don't you know? This is cursive script."

But Zhang still had doubts. "Why does this calligraphy use cursive script? How can I report this to the Earl's Mansion when it uses such a difficult-to-understand handwriting?"

Tai Shi Zheng had expected Zhang to ask this question.

She smiled and continued, "Well, it's because my father has recently become fond of practicing cursive script, especially wild cursive script. So when he got the chance, he wanted to show it off. Especially since he heard that Scholar Cui is knowledgeable and talented, he must be quite accomplished in calligraphy. He couldn't help but write it in wild cursive script so that he can give Scholar Cui some advice."

"Right, Dad—"

Who? Me?

Your father can't read or write.

But how could Taishi Zhengjiang ruin Taishi Zheng's performance? Even if his daughter said today that he could recite poems and compose couplets, he would still have to bite the bullet and come up with one or two. "Yes, that's the case. The handwriting of this section of history is indeed very sloppy."

Huh? What kind of description is that?

Taishi Zheng didn't bother to laugh at her father. She turned to Zhang and said, "As for the matter of the handover, you can rest assured, matchmaker. The Cui family is such a scholarly family, so it won't be a problem for them to see such a rough letter. Besides, if there is any problem, it is our Taishi family's problem, and it has nothing to do with matchmaker."

"In that case, I will take my leave."

Zheng's explanation was so clear that Zhang said nothing more. She was afraid that the cooked duck would fly away, so she turned around and hurried out.

Zhang is gone.

Taishi Zhengjiang hurried over to ask, "Girl, what are you up to? Why are you making things difficult for her?"

Taishi Zheng stood on the porch before sunset, gazing at the dim sky, and spoke to her father, "Difficult? What does difficult mean? How do you mean difficult? I treat the humble with courtesy. I treat the rude with indifference. She bullies the weak and fears the strong, and is as cunning as a traitor. I wonder how many people Zhang has humiliated with her limited power. Today, I simply want to teach her a lesson. I hope she'll be more restrained in the future."

Lesson? Taishi Zhengjiang still didn't understand what Taishi Zheng was up to.

But he agreed with his daughter.

At that time, Qian came from behind the two of them, raised her hand and bowed to greet them: "Jieshi, young lady."

Taishi Zhengjiang smiled. Zheng didn't respond. She counted the time on her fingers, then pulled out a new draft from her sleeve and handed it to Qian. "It's east of the inner city, and west of the outer city in about two quarters of an hour. Matchmaker, you can leave in three quarters of an hour."

"Yes." Qian waited for the order and took the draft respectfully.

Unexpectedly, just as she was about to put the invitation into her sleeve, she was stopped by Taishi Zhengjiang, "Wait a minute—what are you guys trying to say to me? Didn't they just send someone away over there? How come there's still a copy here?"

Upon hearing this, Taishi Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Why, Father? Are they only allowed to send two matchmakers from one man in their family, but we're not allowed to send two invitations?"

Zheng said as she pulled away her father's hand that was trying to stop Qian, and changed the subject, "Oh, alright, alright. Don't worry about my affairs, Dad. Just be satisfied with this marriage. You, should you think about adding a dish to celebrate tonight? And I want some noodles, can you make some for me? I'm starving."

Okay, then don’t worry about it.

Now your brother has the final say in the army, and you have the final say at home. As for me, I’m just a cook! Cook!

Taishi Zhengjiang grumbled to himself, but didn't dare to speak out. He swung the rice spoon behind him and said deliberately, "Yes, you're right. You finally got married, so we have to add some food tonight. Let me think about it, what dish should we add... add... oh yes, add some seaweed and egg soup."

"That's great, great! I'll have to prepare it right away..."

Tai Shi Zheng heard what he meant and asked loudly, "Get out of here? What do you mean? Dad, please explain yourself clearly." But the conscientious "cook" ignored her and just left on his own.

Qian stood by, observing the deserted mansion and the joyful intercourse between father and daughter. She couldn't help but think of the bustling rooms in the Earl's mansion and the coldness of their conversations. Had the man before her truly considered this?

"Matchmaker, are you worried about something?" Tai Shi Zheng saw through her sorrow.

The evening breeze blows, and the sun sets to the west.

This time, when Qian looked at Taishi Zheng, her eyes were filled with the kindness of an elder. "Young lady, although there are still many steps to go through, the sending of the invitation means that the marriage is finalized. Are you really determined?"

Tai Shi Zheng had heard too many questions like this today, but she never showed any impatience. Instead, she asked calmly, "Mother Matchmaker, do you believe in fate?"

Qian replied, "Of course."

Taishi Zheng said, "So this is the fate between him and me."

Zheng's answer was pure and natural. At that moment, she no longer wanted to say anything, her gaze fixed solely on the corridor, where light and shadow shifted.

She became curious.

Choi Shik-jun,

What kind of person is he...

-

"Erlangjun, where are you?"

Inside the Earl's Mansion, Cui Zhijun had been busy at his desk preparing for tomorrow's class since returning from Yu Yuelan's visit that afternoon. Suddenly, he heard someone calling him, and he looked out.

how?

It’s getting dark…

Fu Qile walked around the corridor at dusk, came to his desk, and looked into the clear eyes in the shadows. "My dear second brother, why don't you light the lamps when the sun sets? Where are the servants? How can you be left here alone?"

Fu Qile was born to worry. As she muttered, she took out a lighter and lit the nearest lamp in front of her.

The light in the room gradually brightened. Cui Zhijun placed the scattered brushes in his hand on the pen holder and replied to Fu Qile, "Madam Fu, please don't be offended. I didn't want to disturb you, so I told them to leave. I wonder what brings you here, Madam?"

Gently withdrawing Ran Deng's hand, Fu Qile looked at Cui Zhijun with a smile, "Oh, it's the eldest lady who has something to ask. She wants to invite you to Xiangrong Hall."

"Okay, I'll pack up and go over."

As for what it was, Cui Zhijun didn't ask.

Fu Qile saw that the report had been received and bowed and said goodbye, "Alright, I still need to go to the second house to make a statement. I'll go ahead."

Then, Cui Zhijun set off amid the extinguished candle smoke.

Unexpectedly, on the way there, he happened to run into his master, Cui Yu, returning home from work. Father and son stared at each other in the courtyard, expressionless. Seeing this, Cui Zhijun lowered his eyes and respectfully asked, "You're back."

"Where are we going?" Cui Yu had a big argument with the old guys in the Taiyuan today, and his voice was a little hoarse.

Cui Zhijun didn't show much concern and just replied, "My mother wants me to go to Xiangrong Hall."

"She also asked you to go to Xiangrong Hall?" Cui Yu frowned slightly. "She also sent someone to the door to inform us just now. You should go with me."

"Yes." The conversation between the father and son came to an abrupt end with Cui Zhijun's response.

On the dim path, two people walked one in front of the other, reminding themselves to keep a relative distance at all times.

Cui Zhijun seemed accustomed to this kind of life. He began to fall silent until he stepped into the brightly lit Xiangrong Hall. He was awakened by his mother's voice, "Erlang, why did you come with the master today?"

"I met my father in the yard and came here together." Cui Zhijun raised his head and saw that many family members were already sitting in the hall.

He looked.

My grandmother didn’t come, but a few people from the second wife came.

And the matchmaker who was sent out this afternoon to propose marriage, I can't quite remember which one it was.

After thinking it over, Cui Zhijun began to greet everyone one by one.

During this time, Cui Yu walked up to Yu Yuelan and complained to her, "Yu Yuelan, what have you done today? Why did you call so many people over? Don't you all have anything to do?"

"Tsk, you're such a heartless person. You're always scolding me. Why did I call everyone here for nothing? Am I full? Don't ask so many questions. If you want to hear it, just sit down and listen."

Cui Yu was harsh in his words, but Yu Yuelan was no less so.

The two of them kept arguing, but fortunately Yu Yuelan was in a good mood today, so the matter was not a big deal.

When it was almost time, Yu Yuelan looked up at Zhang who was sitting there and said, "Zhang, as you requested, the master and Erlang are here, and I have called everyone here. Now can you discuss our marriage with the Taishi family with everyone? Is this a success or not?"

The marriage of the Taishi family?

Yu Yuelan's words caused everyone present to discuss among themselves.

Cui Zhiyun is even more unsolvable.

Zhang, however, was arrogant and handed the draft letter given by Taishi Zheng to Cui Yu in front of everyone, bypassing the mistress.

Cui Yu looked at Zhang's behavior and was really unhappy, so he replied, "What are you doing for me?"

Zhang remained calm upon hearing this, and flattered him warmly, "In reply to Scholar Cui, the reply from the girl's family was written by the governor himself. He hopes that those who are capable will appreciate it, as it is a sign of friendship between the two families. And among those present, the most talented person is none other than the governor. However, the success or failure of this marriage depends entirely on this letter."

Zhang spoke and forcibly carried Cui Yu up.

He had to accept the post whether he wanted to or not. Although Cui Yu didn't like her keeping him in suspense, he still took the post.

Yu Yuelan looked at Cui Yu slowly lowering his eyes, and her heart almost rose to her throat.

Zhang stood with her hands folded, then turned to meet the second wife's gaze, her arrogance only growing. Her troublemaking daughter-in-law, Zou Shuangtong, saw this and couldn't help but complain, "Mother, look at her, that little villain who has triumphed."

"She can achieve her goal if she wants to. If you can stand up for me, you can achieve your goal too." Chu Fanghua retorted, and Zou Shuangtong was speechless.

At that time, when everyone was waiting for the Lord to speak of the good news, who would have thought that what they were waiting for was Cui Yu's angry words: "Come here! Quickly kick this shameful woman out of the house and never let her set foot in my Earl's Mansion again—"