If she becomes a widow, she will be lonely and helpless for the rest of her life, and will be of no help to her family or her father and brothers. She will inevitably be abandoned by her family, and at that time, her father and brothers will have no choice but to do their best to support her and her brother.

Ironically, this marriage seems exceptionally glamorous right now, and neither the father nor the brother can find fault with it; in fact, they might even be grateful to the mother and daughter.

Yuanyuan picked a few apricots from the basket, washed them, placed them on a jade plate, and presented them to Xie Zhaozhao.

Xie Zhaozhao picked one up and slowly ate it.

Yuanyuan also picked one up, took a bite, spat it out with a "pfft," and frowned, saying, "Miss, why is it so sour?"

Xie Zhaozhao smiled, pinching the apricot, and said, "It's a bit sour, but it's not like I can't eat it."

There's still more than a month until the Dragon Boat Festival. It's not too late to stop Grand Secretary Gu from going south, is it?

“Miss, the master and the eldest young master want you to go to the front yard.” Manman ran back from the outer yard.

Xie Zhaozhao stood up, and Yuanyuan took a cloak with fox fur trim on the collar and draped it over Xie Zhaozhao. The three of them then went to the front yard.

His father, Xie Anfeng, is now a high-ranking official in the imperial court, while his elder brother, Xie Yu, is only a minor official of the sixth rank in the Ministry of Revenue.

Xie Yu was waiting outside the door. When he saw her, his cold expression softened, and he said with concern, "The weather is nice now. Don't stay in the room all the time. Go out for a walk and enjoy the flowers. Your brother is on leave recently. How about I take you out for a stroll?"

When Xie Zhaozhao saw her brother, tears welled up in her eyes, and she said softly, "Brother, you should rest more too."

Once inside the room, Xie Anfeng remained seated at his desk, reviewing documents, showing no sign of slacking off even after court.

The Xie family has prospered for hundreds of years, not only because of the legacy left by their ancestors, but also because each generation of clan head and family patriarch has devoted themselves to the cause of preserving the family's prosperity.

"Father," Xie Zhaozhao bowed respectfully, her voice tinged with a touch of girlish sweetness, "Is Father well?"

Xie Anfeng noticed that his daughter seemed to have tears in her eyes, but he assumed she was just being affectionate with her father and brothers, and asked lovingly, "What has Zhaozhao been doing lately?"

"Just like before, read books, learn to manage accounts, and do some needlework like a girl." Xie Zhaozhao finished speaking and listened to her father's teachings with a gentle smile.

"You've been sensible since childhood, so I won't say much more. Today, I'm arranging for you to marry Minister Gu as his principal wife. Do you have any objections?"

Xie Zhaozhao thought for a moment and said, "Regarding marriage, I will obey my parents' wishes. But I would like to ask, what kind of character does that Minister Gu have?"

"Speaking of this Grand Secretary Gu, he is truly a genius. He entered officialdom at the age of seventeen and entered the Grand Secretariat in just nine years. Moreover, he is self-disciplined and never frequents brothels. He has no concubines or maids and devotes all his attention to the national economy and people's livelihood. His Majesty relies on him the most."

"Your grandfather left a will that the eldest daughter of the Xie family should marry into the Pingyang Marquis's family to be together forever. As the eldest daughter of the Xie family, marrying Grand Secretary Gu is a way of repaying a debt of gratitude, and it is also a responsibility that a daughter of the Xie family should bear."

Xie Anfeng smiled and said, "It is only right that Grand Secretary Gu is young and promising, and is a good match for my daughter."

"Grand Secretary Gu is just a bit cold-hearted, but his character is impeccable," Xie Yu explained to her sister with a smile.

Her father meant that she couldn't refuse the marriage.

Xie Yu felt sorry for her younger sister and said with a smile, "You are able to marry Grand Secretary Gu, which puts you in a high position in the Marquis's mansion. As long as you live your life in peace, Father and I will be at ease."

Xie Anfeng explained to her briefly, then said, "This matter is settled. You and Yu'er can go outside and talk."

Since her father and elder brother had both said so, Xie Zhaozhao knew that there was no way to change the situation.

As Xie Yu and Xie Yu walked out of their father's study, Xie Yu whispered, "Are you unwilling to marry the heir of the Marquis's mansion?"

"Hmm," Xie Zhaozhao pursed her lips gently, "My second sister wants this marriage, I will grant her wish."

"Fortunately, it was settled by Grand Secretary Gu. Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives distorted the Living Buddha's words and fabricated stories about you, you would be an old maid."

"If I become an old maid, will my brother support me?"

"Of course, I'll be happy as long as you stay in the manor, even if it means supporting you for a lifetime."

"Thank you, brother."

Xie Zhaozhao's eyes reddened as she thought of how tragically her father and brothers died in her previous life, but the most important thing to do right now was to prevent Grand Secretary Gu from dying in Jiangnan.

"Brother, I would like to see Grand Secretary Gu. I have some things to discuss with him. Could you help me make arrangements?"

She rarely made such an irregular request, and Xie Yu was momentarily stunned.

My sister just exchanged birth charts with Grand Secretary Gu, and now she wants to see him?

“Brother, I won’t see him for long, just a few words.”

Xie Yu knew she was always composed and must have a compelling reason to meet her, so he agreed: "Brother, send a calling card to Grand Secretary Gu. Wait for my letter tomorrow."

The next day at 9:00 AM, Xie Yu sent someone to tell her to go out together to inspect the Xie family's teahouse. Xie Zhaozhao then knew that her brother had made arrangements to meet with Grand Secretary Gu.

Dressed and ready, she went out to find Xie Yu already waiting for her outside. The carriage was also prepared. She and Yuan Yuan rode in the carriage while Xie Yu rode a horse, and they went to the Xie family's Qingyuan Teahouse.

The Xie family owns many properties, and Qingyuan Teahouse is just one of them, which was also part of their mother's dowry.

Xie Zhaozhao put on a veil and went through the back door to the owner's private room on the third floor. The shopkeeper brought in the best tea and snacks in the shop.

The third floor offers a particularly wide view; opening the window reveals the entire street's magnificent scenery. Xie Zhaozhao, adhering to the rules, did not stand with Yuanyuan at the window to gaze into the distance.

Sometimes when you're looking at others, you don't realize that they're also seeing you as part of the scenery.

A short while later, a carriage stopped outside the door, and Xie Yu, who was guarding the first floor, immediately went out and greeted them with a bow.

Yuanyuan said, "Miss, Grand Secretary Gu has arrived."

"Um."

She sat down at the table inside, where a landscape screen separated the inside from the outside.

Xie Yu and Gu Shaoyu went upstairs chatting and laughing. A short while later, there was a knock on the door. Yuanyuan opened the door, and Xie Yu and Gu Shaoyu came in.

"Grand Secretary Gu, the reason I invited you here today is not because Xiuyong has something to discuss, but because my younger sister has something to say to you."

Xie Yu, courtesy name Xiuyong.

He certainly couldn't write on the calling card that his sister wanted to see him; he couldn't ruin her reputation.

Gu Shaoyu was slightly surprised, but nodded seriously: "Okay."

Xie Yu said to Xie Zhaozhao through the screen, "Sister, Grand Secretary Gu has arrived. You can speak to him as you wish. Your brother is waiting outside."

Xie Yu went out, leaving only Xie Zhaozhao and Gu Shaoyu in the room.

Gu Shaoyu couldn't see the beauty through the screen, but he tried hard to capture her information. The fleeting glimpse of her from afar in the Xie family garden inexplicably floated into his mind.

Her complexion was like the morning glow, her face like Guanyin's, her brows lowered and a gentle smile on her face, as she walked with light, slow steps. It was a composure and nobility etched into her very bones.

"What advice do you have for me, young lady? Please speak."

His voice was gentle and dignified. Xie Zhaozhao habitually lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, her ears involuntarily turning pale pink.