Zhu Tao's parents rested for three days, and the number of servants in the house increased. Only then did Zhu Tao begin to put the marriage on the agenda.

It wasn't exactly Zhu Tao who brought it up first; he did intend to, but his mother was quicker.

Wang called Zhu Tao over and asked him, "You're not young anymore. Now that you've settled down in the capital, it's time to settle your marriage."

Zhu Tao: "Mother is right. What does Mother mean?"

Madam Wang didn't keep them in suspense and said directly, "You and Jiao'er are childhood sweethearts, and she's your cousin. Although your uncle's family isn't as powerful as ours now, we were once in trouble, and your uncle helped us out a lot. What do you think?"

Zhu Tao is not a person who doesn't repay kindness, but that doesn't mean he wants to repay it. As for his cousin, he will find her a good family to marry into, since he really can't marry her himself.

Zhu Tao: "I will naturally remember my uncle's kindness to us. If my uncle needs any help, as long as it does not violate the law, I will lend a hand. As for my cousin, I will find her a good husband."

Wang was immediately startled. She had some idea of ​​what had happened between her son and Jiao'er before, and now it seemed that they were going to completely sever ties.

"What about your marriage?"

Zhu Tao didn't have a deep impression of Yunqi's younger sister before, but now he felt it was the right time. He had asked around about Yunqi's younger sister and found that her reputation was good. Although these things might not be reliable, why not trust Yunqi this once?

He didn't believe he would be trapped by a woman. He was willing to marry Yunqi's sister, not seeking any benefits behind it. He needed a wife now.

“My son never had any romantic feelings for his cousin. He only treated her like a younger sister. Now that he’s grown up and she’s not young anymore, it’s time for them to rest and relax. As for his marriage, many of his colleagues have introduced him to potential partners, and he’s starting to have some ideas.”

Wang probably knew her son's plan. She thought he wanted to marry a wife who could help his career, but she couldn't quite put her finger on how to feel about it.

Wang asked, "What is that person's background?"

Zhu Tao answered truthfully: "She is the younger sister of my son's colleague. My son has never met her, but he has inquired about her. She is a well-educated and reasonable girl. She is a Manchu. My father is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites."

Hearing her son's words, Wang felt a mix of emotions, but her son was still her son, and she was closer to him than she would be later.

Wang sighed and said, "Talk to your father. Your mother can't make decisions for you."

Zhu Tao knew that his mother had agreed. As for his father, he felt it would be much easier than his mother's situation.

As expected, his father was much easier to talk to than his mother.

His father simply asked more detailed questions.

Once Zhu Tao made his decision, he began preparations. He hadn't intended to keep it a secret, and soon Wang Jiao also learned that her cousin was getting married.

She couldn't quite describe the feeling; it was a feeling that it was exactly what she expected.

Wang Jiao came to the capital with her aunt this time because of her cousin. Knowing her own limitations, she was prepared to become a concubine, so she secretly went to see Zhu Tao.

When Zhu Tao heard that his cousin had brought him food, he didn't want to see her, since he didn't have any romantic feelings for her.

But after thinking about it, I felt that this matter still needed to be resolved.

He then agreed to let her into the study.

"cousin."

"Why did my cousin suddenly think of my place?"

Wang Jiao said shyly, "Cousin, you've worked hard. I came to see you."

Zhu Tao: "Thank you, cousin. I'm not hungry right now. Leave the food here, I'll eat when I'm hungry. It's getting late, cousin, you should go home too."

When Wang Jiao heard what he said, her eyes immediately reddened.

Her voice choked with emotion as she asked, "Does my cousin really not understand my feelings?"

Zhu Tao naturally understood, but this time he couldn't afford to be.

"I've always considered you my own sister."

Wang Jiao shed tears this time. Zhu Tao's aesthetic sense was somewhat different from that of the ancients. He didn't like women who cried so much; it annoyed him.

However, since the person in front of him was at least his cousin, he told himself to hold back.

"It's getting late, cousin, you should go back and rest."

Wang Jiao sobbed, "Cousin, you are truly heartless. I don't care about titles or status; I only ask that you let me stay by your side."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Tao's gaze towards his cousin immediately changed. These words sounded very familiar; even someone who hadn't watched TV dramas knew they sounded like a hypocrite.

Zhu Tao's eyes turned cold as he said, "But I do care. I don't need a factor that could cause trouble in my household in the future. I can pretend that today's events never happened. You can go back and be a good cousin. I will talk to my mother about finding a good marriage for you in the future."

Wang Jiao was startled. What did those words mean?

This time, Wang Jiao cried genuinely.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Tao suddenly remembered a "popular science" post he had seen online before, which described in great detail the various ways women cry, what it means to fake cry, how to cry beautifully, and how to cry for real.

Seeing this cousin now, I realize that the post wasn't entirely without merit.

Wang Jiao sobbed, "Cousin..."

Zhu Tao didn't want to waste time talking to her, so he said, "I have things to take care of. You should go back now, and hopefully there won't be a next time."

Although Wang Jiao is somewhat cunning, her cunning is based on her cousin taking her seriously. Now that no one pays attention to her, her cunning has lost its foundation and is naturally useless.

But Wang Jiao still didn't want to give up. With her family background, her cousin was the best choice. She was unwilling to marry someone of equal social standing; she wanted to be superior to others.

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