Chapter 106 The Imperial Concubine's Flattery: A Marriage Scheme with Hidden Daggers in Her Smile

Xiao Xingyuan's expression softened somewhat, and then he said with a smile, "Then let's hold a few more banquets and let Madam Zhao have a good selection."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand." Consort Liu immediately agreed, and sat down on Xiao Xingyuan's lap, smiling gently at him.

The news quickly reached the Zhao family. Madam Zhao was somewhat bewildered upon hearing the news. Logically speaking, it was only natural for Zhao Dongzhi to get married at his age, but if the emperor intervened, then it would be a different matter.

She frowned: "Go check and see what the young master is doing."

“Madam, the young master took Miss and Miss Meng to the estate outside the city. He sent a message home beforehand saying that he wanted to entertain Miss Meng.” Aunt Liu immediately replied.

Madam Zhao was initially a little confused, but after hearing this, she realized what was going on. Zhao Dongzhi had previously said that he liked Meng Yanzhi, and at that time Madam Zhao had a good impression of Meng Yanzhi. So she had mentioned it to the Meng family once, but the Meng family's attitude was very clear: they did not want to form a marriage alliance with the Zhao family. Now that the two of them were together, it was probably not appropriate.

Thinking of this, Madam Zhao's expression changed, and she said, "Hurry up and pack, let's go to the estate to take a look."

“Madam, this might not be a good idea. Won’t it damage the young master’s reputation?” Aunt Liu looked at Madam Zhao with some concern. After all, Zhao Dongzhi was no longer a child; he was now a proper young general.

Madam Zhao knew, of course, that this would damage her child's reputation, but compared to the rise and fall of the Zhao family, it really didn't matter!

She gave Aunt Liu a cold look: "Go!"

"Yes!" Aunt Liu dared not say anything more and could only turn around and go out to make arrangements.

After arriving at the manor, Meng Yanzhi was as happy as a bird released from its cage. She took Zhao Bailu to the river to catch fish and caught several large carp. They are now tidying up the fish.

"Wow! Rouge, you're amazing! That fish is huge!"

"Oh right, there are rabbits in the back hill too, brother, I want to eat rabbit meat!"

Zhao Bailu clapped her hands incessantly, her joyful voice carrying far and wide.

Madam Zhao heard her daughter's loud shouting from afar. A hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, but more than that, she felt love. She smiled gently and walked towards the direction of the sound.

At this moment, Zhao Dongzhi was cleaning the rabbit, Meng Yanzhi was cleaning the carp, and only Zhao Bailu could do nothing but laugh. It has to be said that the sunlight shining on these lively young people made the scene too beautiful. Even Madam Zhao was reluctant to go forward and interrupt such a beautiful moment.

"mother!"

As soon as Zhao Bailu turned around, she saw Madam Zhao, who was hopping and skipping over barefoot.

"Mother, what brings you here? You've come at the perfect time! We're having fish and rabbit for dinner tonight. Rouge is a great cook, shall we eat together?" Zhao Bailu took Madam Zhao's arm and introduced the dinner plans with a cheerful laugh.

Meng Yanzhi hurriedly put down the carp in her hand, stepped forward, smiled and looked at Madam Zhao, and bowed: "Greetings, Madam."

“Mother.” Zhao Dongzhi walked over at night and bowed.

Standing next to Meng Yanzhi, Zhao Dongzhi was a truly pleasing sight. Madam Zhao felt a little regretful, as she still preferred Meng Yanzhi as her daughter-in-law, but unfortunately, the Meng family was unwilling.

"Knowing you were at the estate, I came to join in the fun. How about it? I hope it won't bother you?" Madam Zhao smiled slightly, her gaze falling on Zhao Dongzhi with a hint of questioning.

Zhao Dongzhi immediately sensed her mother's emotions, but did not ask immediately. She just smiled and said, "It's so good that Mother is willing to come out for a walk. Mother, just wait to eat!"

As he spoke, Zhao Dongzhi stepped forward, helped Madam Zhao up, and said with a smile, "Mother must be tired from the journey. Let me take you to rest for a while."

This child is quite sensible.

Zhao Bailu was rather simple-minded, so she didn't notice anything amiss. She just smiled and looked at Meng Yanzhi: "My mother doesn't usually like to go out, but she seems to be in the mood today, hehe!"

"Alright, let's hurry up and clean up." Meng Yanzhi pulled Zhao Bailu: "You better get to work properly, you've been avoiding labor the whole time!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bailu smiled sheepishly and took over Zhao Dongzhi's task, their cooperation being quite tacit.

Inside the house, Madam Zhao looked at Zhao Dongzhi with some helplessness: "I've already told you what the Meng family meant, why are you still..."

"Mother, it's not what you think. Bailu brought her here. I thought Miss Meng was a woman and couldn't stay in the military camp, so I brought her here."

"Then why not go home?"

Madam Zhao still felt that this matter had not been handled properly.

Zhao Dongzhi shook her head helplessly: "What else could it be? It's because Bailu doesn't want to get married and is afraid you'll nag her. Mother, I also think that marriage is a lifelong matter. Why don't you reconsider? If my sister really doesn't want to, there's no point in forcing her, right?"

Madam Zhao was only observing the situation and had not yet decided on this marriage, but she never expected that Zhao Bailu would be so resistant to it.

"Your sister is getting older and will definitely have to get married, but this little girl only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun every day and doesn't think about this at all. Tell me, what kind of person does the young master like if she doesn't like him?"

How would I know what kind of person my sister likes?

Zhao Dongzhi felt helpless, but he just smiled at Madam Zhao.

"Mother, actually, my sister hasn't really figured things out yet, and besides, she's not that old. Why don't we wait a little longer?"

Madam Zhao also felt that forcing them was probably not a good idea.

She looked at Zhao Dongzhi: "You're a few years older than your sister, so tell me, what are your plans for marriage?"

Zhao Dongzhi glanced outside almost instinctively. The person he liked was right there, but alas…

"Mother, I'm not in a hurry."

"You're not worried, but the Emperor is. The Imperial Concubine has sent word that the Emperor wants to bestow a marriage upon you!"

The reason Madam Zhao came in such a hurry was because of this matter.

It's better to find a spouse yourself than to wait for the emperor to bestow a marriage upon you.

Zhao Dongzhi was also somewhat surprised: "Why would His Majesty suddenly care about my marriage?"

"I don't know either. In short, the Zhao family is always a target of trouble because of its size, so we should be careful in everything we do."