Xu Zhi said worriedly, "Grandma, you haven't been eating well lately. You should see a doctor to take a look at you and get some prescriptions to help strengthen your spleen and improve your appetite."

Madam Zheng gently shook her head and said, "I do this every year at this time, there's nothing wrong with it. Your great-aunt called you here at this time to tell you that you shouldn't interfere in the marriages of the children here in the future. You are just their sister-in-law from another branch of the family, not their parents. They still have parents."

These words were quite impolite, and Madam Chen's face turned pale with anger. Marquis Pingxi's face was also very ugly. Old Madam Zheng could see through their expressions, so she smiled and said, "The marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers. You gave birth to the children and raised them. It is your duty to find them wives and husbands. Why do you have to chase after a young woman and make her arrange a marriage for your children?"

Marquis Pingxi quickly bowed and said, "Mother, I know about this. I will arrange the marriage of the two children in a few days."

Madam Zheng nodded and said, "I won't say much else, just remember one thing: our Zheng family's daughters will not become concubines, not even if they marry into the royal family. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Chen's expression immediately changed. However, Marquis Pingxi nodded and said, "Mother, remember this: our Zheng family's daughters will not become concubines."

Madam Zheng waved her hand and said, "I'm fine. You should go back quickly. It's only four in the morning. You can get some more sleep when you get back."

Xu Zhi was then sent back to the Zheng residence by someone arranged by Old Madam Zheng. As she walked, Xu Zhi pondered what was going on. It seemed as if she had been specifically summoned just to say a few words. Since Xu Zhi disagreed with Zheng Yuanyuan marrying any of the princes, not even as their principal wife, she didn't really care. It was just Old Madam Zheng's attitude that puzzled her. Even after returning home, tidying up, and lying in bed, she still couldn't figure it out.

However, Xu Zhi had made up her mind. After breakfast, she would go to Old Madam Zheng's place. Although Old Madam Zheng was nominally the great-aunt of Zheng Boyuan and his sister, she was actually their biological grandmother who had watched them grow up since they were little. She should always pay more attention to her affairs.

After waking up in the morning and having breakfast, Xu Zhi hurriedly went to Old Madam Zheng's courtyard with several servants.

Old Madam Zheng had already gotten up early and was having breakfast. When she saw Xu Zhi arrive, she pushed a yam and red date cake on the table in front of Xu Zhi and said, "The kitchen made this dessert today. Yuan-ge's daughter-in-law, please have a taste."

Xu Zhi picked up a piece, but before she could even put it in her mouth, she smelled a rich aroma of dates. Although she had already eaten breakfast, she felt a bit hungry again.

Seeing Xu Zhi eating happily, Old Madam Zheng was also very pleased. She had someone serve Xu Zhi a bowl of rice porridge and said, "At your age, you are in the prime of your growth. Don't be afraid of eating too much. Eat when you are hungry. Don't force yourself to eat, it's not good for your health."

Xu Zhi agreed and quickly finished the bowl of rice porridge. After serving Madam Zheng breakfast and tea, the two of them sat down to talk.

Madam Zheng smiled and said, "Did I frighten you last night? Your great-aunt also had a headache from your eldest aunt's nagging. She stayed here with me all night, which gave me a headache. In the end, I had no choice but to ask your eldest uncle to come over."

Xu Zhi nodded and said, "No wonder. Yesterday afternoon, my aunt invited me over here because of Yun's marriage. Grandmother, you know I'm not cut out for these things. How old am I? Even when I go to big events, I'm always with my mother or my aunts and uncles. Asking me to take Yun to meet people for her marriage proposal? Grandmother, I'm afraid people will laugh at me."

Madam Zheng nodded and said, "That makes sense. Although you are capable, you are getting on in years. Your great-aunt understands your difficulties. So, even though the timing wasn't right, your great-aunt still had someone invite you over so that things could be explained in front of everyone and so that she wouldn't have any complaints later."

Xu Zhi nodded and said, "It's naturally very good that your great-aunt is involved. Great-aunt, I'm also worried about Yuan'er's marriage. What do you think I should do to handle this?"

Madam Zheng sighed deeply and said, "It's also my fault. I didn't arrange a marriage for Yuan'er sooner. A few days ago, when the two princes were discussing marriage, Yuan'er suffered such grievances. If she had a real mother, would she have suffered so much?"

Xu Zhi remained silent. This was after the grudges from years ago had been settled, and as a daughter-in-law who had only recently joined the family, she naturally couldn't say anything casually. Most importantly, the topic was her mother-in-law, who had passed away long ago.

Old Madam Zheng looked somewhat dejected. Holding Xu Zhi's hand, she said, "Yuan-ge's daughter-in-law, your great-aunt still has to rely on you to arrange Yuan-jie's marriage. You get along well with Yuan-jie, so you can naturally consider things carefully for her. Sometimes, families like ours don't fare well when they marry into families of similar social standing. It would be better to find some ambitious scholars from humble backgrounds, someone with good character and a drive to marry Yuan-jie."

Xu Zhi nodded and said, "Grandma, you have a long-term vision, and we certainly can't compare to you in terms of thinking. When I visit Yuan'er in a few days, I will definitely discuss it with her properly. If she is willing to marry someone like that, her brother and I will naturally help her find a good match."

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