Propose marriage

Side courtyard path,

Someone was walking hurriedly with a kitchen knife in hand, but stopped when he approached the front hall.

He listens.

"You are such an ignorant maid. How dare you? It's ridiculous." It was Zhang who was shouting again.

Seeing this, Qian coughed twice as a reminder, but she ignored him. "Could it be that all the servants in the Taishi residence are so ignorant of the rules?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Yuanzi's eyes darkened with rage. He hurried down the stairs and said angrily, "Let me see, let me see! Who on earth doesn't know the rules? I was wondering whose matchmaker this is? How dare she act so presumptuously in our Taishi residence? How shameless!"

"you--"

"What about me?"

Zhang pointed, Fu Yuanzi glared at him, and the two of them started arguing.

But how could Taishi Zheng tolerate such nonsense to continue? If this really got out of hand, it would definitely hurt the reputation of both families, and no one would look good.

Although Zheng kept silent, she knew that confronting Zhang was not the best option. Furthermore, since it was the Earl's Mansion that was seeking a marriage, they naturally held the final word. There was no need for them to taunt Zhang.

Tai Shi Zheng waved her hand, "Matchmaker Zhang is a guest. Yuanzi, please don't be rude."

"Young lady, she...she..."

Fu Yuanzi approached Taishi Zheng in a huff. She wanted to criticize Zhang for being too much of a bully, but when she saw her master's righteous and stern expression, she swallowed the words back.

Young lady?

Who is that young lady?

Could it be——

After hearing this, Zhang no longer cared about arguing with Fu Yuanzi, and just looked around blankly with Qian.

Normally, they should have known something about the size of the mansion and the characteristics of the host family before they came, but because the Taishi family was too low-key and mysterious, they were able to learn very little, and ended up making such a joke.

After calming down, they both turned to look at the person in the yard. Only then did they feel from her simple dress that she had a different upbringing and manners from that of ordinary people.

But what should I do if I offend the young lady?

Qian was very worried.

Taishi Zheng spoke up, "My little girl is ignorant. Zheng will apologize to Matchmaker Zhang on her behalf. Please don't blame me, Matchmaker."

"Oh my, why blame me? Why blame me? I should be grateful to that Yuanzi girl for her advice. I should be blamed for not recognizing a great man. I deserve a beating. I was just wondering which family would have a maid as magnanimous as you, Miss Taishi?" Zhang was truly a woman who spoke one way and another. One moment she was bossing around, the next she was servile and subservient.

She was not at all timid.

But what about Qian, who was so shy? She was so ashamed that she bowed for a long time, her face flushed red, and she couldn't utter a single compliment.

At this moment, the person eavesdropping through the wall smiled and walked in, holding a kitchen knife. He came up behind Taishi Zheng and pretended to be surprised and said, "Zheng, Dad just asked you to buy some cabbage and stew meat tonight, why did you bring all these idle people back? Let me tell you, we don't want such sharp-tongued women in our family."

This is a comfortable thing to say.

Tai Shi Zheng looked back at Tai Shi Zheng Jiang, and after secretly making a gesture of appreciation, she restrained herself and called out, "Dad."

Taishi Zhengjiang still had a stern look on his face, which made the people present feel uneasy.

Tai Shi Zheng turned around and was about to speak out to help.

Zhang came forward and said to herself, "I believe this awe-inspiring and dignified gentleman must be Master Taishi. Master Taishi, you've misunderstood. We are not servants. Look at how we're dressed. We are matchmakers. Master Taishi, do you know why we've come here today? We've come to bring you great news!"

"Matchmaker? Good news? Do we need you to bring good news to our family?" Tai Shi Zhengjiang said disdainfully.

He turned and walked into the front hall, throwing the knife on the table.

Zhang shamelessly flattered him, "Master Taishi is right. Your family is blessed with a star like you, so it's natural that good things will come to them. But who doesn't like to have something extra, something even better? Master Taishi, don't you want to hear what good things are?"

"Tsk, you're such a talker. Tell me, I want to hear what good news it is." Taishi Zhengjiang stroked his robe and sat in the middle. "Zheng, come over here too."

Taishi Zheng gave Fu Yuanzi a look, and Fu Yuanzi served the tea and left. Turning back, she said to Qian Shi in a gentle voice, "Please take a seat."

But Qian was embarrassed, ashamed. She had been forced into this, and now she had offended the young lady from the Taishi family. How could she have the nerve to talk about this marriage again?

Seeing her hesitation, Taishi Zheng said soothingly, "Ignorance is not a crime. Your visiting card has been accepted at the Taishi residence. Don't worry about what happened just now."

"Young lady." Qian was full of apology. Taishi Zheng smiled and said, "Please come in."

The two of them finally made it to the hall.

Matchmaker Zhang took advantage of the gap and spoke before Qian.

"Master Taishi, as the saying goes, the four joys of life are: rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night, and passing the imperial examination. The good news I want to tell you today is the marriage of our Miss Taishi and Cui Zhijun, the eldest son of the Cui family in the Pingkang Earl's Mansion."

"I'm not trying to brag, but I'm a top-notch matchmaker for the Prince of Han's Palace. The Earl's Palace specifically invited me here, which is a testament to their respect for you and the importance they place on this match. Finding a good husband for your young lady would certainly fulfill one of your dreams."

"Moreover, Mr. Cui is handsome and elegant, and even at such a young age, he has become an eighth-rank Imperial College doctor. His knowledge is naturally beyond words. If such an upright family of scholars could marry a loyal and forgiving military family like yours, it would be a perfect match, a match made in heaven. I'm afraid there wouldn't be another family in Tokyo that is as well-matched as this."

"Tell me! Isn't this a great thing?"

Tai Shi Zhengwang saw Zhang's eloquent speech, which frightened Tai Shi Zhengjiang so much that he cheered repeatedly. This would not be a good thing if it continued.

Then, Tai Shi Zheng's eyes turned and he changed her subject, "Dad, what the matchmaker said is indeed correct. But don't just listen to one person, there are two matchmakers here today."

"Our Zheng said. Then, this matchmaker who has been silent for a long time, you tell me which family you are talking about--" Tai Shi Zhengjiang was very tactful. After hearing his daughter's words, he immediately raised his eyes and looked at Qian.

Qian was silent for a moment, then stood up and took out a draft invitation from the Cui family and handed it to Grand Historian Zhengjiang. "Like matchmaker Zhang, I'm also sent by the Earl's Mansion to propose marriage for the Second Young Master of the First House, Cui Zhijun. This is the man's draft invitation, please take a look."

"Huh?" "What!"

Both father and daughter were amazed.

Two matchmakers for one man is something I have never heard of or seen before.

But their reaction was within Qian's expectations. She just looked at her silently moving the hand holding the draft letter forward a little.

Taishi Zhengjiang came back to his senses and saw it and took the draft letter hesitantly.

Qian bowed and continued, "The conditions from the man's family have been clearly stated. Please and your daughter take a closer look. If you have any further questions, I will answer them for you. I know that what I did today was a bit abrupt and absurd, and I apologize to both of you."

"But this Erlangjun is indeed a good man. I hope you will consider him carefully. Don't let us delay this good fate. If you and your daughter have seen him, asked him about him, and are interested, you can exchange drafts with me or the matchmaker Zhang to make this a good story."

"I hope your love can find a good home."

Qian is an honest person.

Taishi Zheng could tell her words were sincere, unlike Zhang's false and exaggerated words. But as for this marriage, she had her own ideas. The sages taught her that there was no rush, a truth Taishi Zheng always kept in mind.

On the other side, Taishi Zhengjiang unfolded the calligraphy, and Cui's glorious deeds appeared before his eyes.

A century-old family, rich in gold, purple, silver and blue.

After glancing at it a few times, he recited truthfully, "My ancestral home is Yongqiu, Bianzhou. I currently live in Qingpingfang, the outer city of Tokyo. My great-grandfather, Cui Gongyou, was a fourth-rank secretary general. My grandfather, Cui Zhengfeng, was a sixth-rank inspector of the Secretariat. My father, Cui Yu, was a third-rank Hanlin scholar. Cui Zhiyun, the second son of the Cui family's eldest son, is an eighth-rank doctor of the Imperial College. He was born on June 13th. My mother, Yu Yuelan, was a third-rank noble lady. We discussed marriage eight times. The proposal was made on September 10th."

This one is pretty good...

Taishi's father thought that if his daughter could marry into the Cui family, it would change the family's history of no one having studied for three generations. Unfortunately, in the Taishi family, marriages were never decided by the elders.

I recall the year when my eldest son, Taishi Kong, married a female general. He was married at the border for half a month before he wrote a letter to inform his family. Taishi Kong's reckless behavior made his father unable to get out of bed for half a month, but he dared not speak out.

His two children are both very smart.

Tai Shi Zhengjiang closed the draft helplessly, raised his eyes to look at his graceful and pretty daughter, but he could no longer suppress the smile on his lips.

He could have no say in the matter if he wanted to. He'd spent half his life in the military, neglecting his upbringing. Now his children were grown, he felt nothing but indebtedness. Taishi Zhengjiang wished his children happiness, but even if they weren't, what good would it do? He still had them to look after.

Oh my god, it won’t collapse.

After Taishi Zheng heard his father read the draft, he looked at Qian and Zhang's expectant expressions and said in feigned surprise, "Oh! Dad, do you still have meat stewing on the fire?"

Upon hearing this, Taishi Zhengjiang was stunned for three seconds. After exchanging a glance with his daughter, he quickly stood up and hurriedly left the inner courtyard with Taishi Zheng. "Oh, how could I have forgotten this! This is terrible, this is terrible——"

Tai Shi Zhengjiang had just left.

Tai Shi Zheng seized the opportunity and, without waiting for the two people in the hall to react, grabbed the kitchen knife on the table and said loudly, "Dad is really careless. How could he forget to take the kitchen knife? Please forgive me for making fun of you. I will take the things to my father right away. Excuse me, excuse me."

Tai Shi Zheng stepped back with a stiff smile on his face, but was tripped by the threshold before leaving.

Qian and Zhang were so frightened that they stood up from their seats.

Tai Shi Zheng waved her hand hurriedly, "It's okay, it's okay, both of you sit down and have some tea, have some tea."

The acting of Taishi and his daughter is too poor.

After Taishi Zheng left, Zhang couldn't help but complain to Qian, "What do you think they mean by this? Are they planning to leave us hanging? I've never seen a family like this before. Think about how I was treated in the Prince of Han's mansion. I've never been treated like this before."

It’s the Prince of Han’s Palace again.

Why do you always mention those old almanacs?

This person probably only mentioned this official relative...

Qian sat down patiently without saying a word, and ignored the people around her.

Matchmaking shouldn't be rushed, so why not wait a little longer? Qian felt it was best for her to avoid provoking troublemakers like Zhang.

But for some reason, Taishi Zheng turned back again.

Looking back at Zhang who was still talking nonsense, she immediately stopped talking, put on a smile and asked, "Young lady, do you have any instructions?"

Tai Shi Zheng ignored her, ran to the gate of the house, bent down, picked up the leftover cabbage, and flew away like a swallow.

In the vast front yard, only the murmur of "How could I have forgotten it?" echoed in the wind. That touch of green was no longer visible.

"Oh."

"I thought he was polite, but I didn't expect him to be so impetuous. Tsk tsk, look at how deserted this house is. He doesn't even want to invite a servant."

The person disappeared, and Zhang started to speak in a sarcastic way again.

Qian couldn't hold it in any longer. "I respect your clever words, which can produce countless lotus flowers. But having said so much, I can't help but remind you a few words: good fortune has its omens, and disaster has its causes. Don't be too careless in your feelings, and don't talk too much. An ant hole can burst a river, and a river can collapse a mountain. Disease comes from the mouth, and disaster--"

"From the mouth."

"It is our duty in this line of work not to make irresponsible remarks about the master's family. Miss Taishi is a straightforward person, and her simple home is also a thrifty virtue."

"This time, Senior has overstepped his bounds."

These words hit Zhang's sore spot. She demanded, "From Ruyizhai? Are you lecturing me? This marriage hasn't even been finalized, and you're already claiming to be the master?"

Zhang kept chattering on and on.

Qian pretended to be innocent and stared at Zhang for a long time. In the end, she only replied, "Junior, I dare not." Then she closed her eyes and stopped arguing with her.

The fighting in the front yard came to an abrupt end.

In the inner courtyard, Taishi Zheng, holding cabbage in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other, had just reached the corner of the corridor when he was caught red-handed by Taishi Zhengjiang, who was squatting in the Muchun Pavilion. "Zheng, don't go. Dad is here—come here."

"Why are you doing here instead of going to the kitchen?" Tai Shi Zheng asked from afar across the fragrant trees in front of the pavilion.

Taishi Zhengjiang walked out of the pavilion with a smile. "Dad's waiting for you. I'm stewing the meat in the kitchen over a low fire. It won't take long. Zheng, tell me what you think of the Cui family and Cui Erlang."

So, how much can you trust a matchmaker's words?

It is difficult to distinguish true from false, how to judge?

Tai Shi Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Dad, do you like it?"

"That's right." Taishi Zhengjiang took the knife and cabbage by himself.

But when he accidentally met his daughter's meaningful eyes, he quickly changed his words, "Ah!? What's the point of Dad liking him? It's good enough if our Zheng likes him. As long as our Zheng likes him, even if he's a poor scholar, Dad will accept him."

Dad’s words were like a reassurance.

Tai Shi Zheng's expression changed and she started to act coquettishly, "Hey, Daddy is so nice."

Taishi Zhengjiang felt warm at heart upon hearing this, but he held the back of his knife against his daughter's face and said disdainfully, "Don't give me that! You're definitely not here just to give me something. Stupid girl, go do what you want to do. Don't leave me hanging, or else people will find fault with you. Yes, yes, no, no. Although I, your father, don't care about face, I do know the rules."

"Yes~" Taishi Zheng bowed, "Then I'll go! Dad, don't forget the gasso noodles for the stew tonight."

Taishi Zhengjiang smiled and shook his head. Just as he was about to leave, he called out, "Zheng, wait a minute—" Taishi Zheng turned around and looked back. Taishi Zhengjiang took two or three steps forward and said, "Here, keep this note safe. Don't lose it."

"Thank you, Dad."

Tai Shi Zheng held the note, and the two looked at each other for the last time before parting ways at the corner.

-

Afterwards, Taishi Zheng went alone to her Gaochun Garden and, leaning over the table, wrote four identical slips in one breath: "Urgent, urgent, urgent, Cui Zhijun, the second son of the eldest son of the Cui family in the Pingkang Earl's Mansion in Qingpingfang, is here to propose marriage. If anyone knows anything, please bring it to my house as soon as possible so I can discuss it. I will be very grateful."

The black swallow in the signature shows Taishi Zheng's haste.

She walked carefully to the pigeon cage and released the note and the pigeons together. Watching the pigeons scatter, Taishi Zheng clasped her fists in joy and prayed.

"May the saints bless you, may my mother bless you, may the bodhisattva bless you. My dear friends, please come quickly!"

But this wish has just come true.

I heard three knocks on the door.

Someone is coming outside the side door of Gaochunyuan.