Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Confession

"So fast?" Lu Zhao's body tensed up.

"Fast? How fast?"

Grandma Lu looked at her grandson helplessly, "I don't know how long it will be before I can hold my great-grandson. How can it be quick?"

Grandma Lu was easygoing; if she couldn't persuade her grandson, she would make the arrangements for him.

Especially the marriage. If she doesn't make arrangements in advance, and some unfilial son decides to arrange a marriage for his grandson at random, what if the grandson doesn't like it and they end up fighting again?

If word got out that a father and son were fighting, people would laugh their heads off.

Grandma Lu didn't want to see this scene. She also wanted her grandson to be happy, so she would listen to him.

Lu Zhao remained silent. "Then I'll do as you say."

“You should listen to me. I’ve been there. If you keep delaying, Miss Qiao might marry someone else. Do you think a good girl will wait for you?” Old Mrs. Lu laughed. “They say a family with a daughter will have a hundred suitors, not to mention the Qiao family is known for its good character. Cuizhi told me that, from what she’s seen, no less than ten matchmakers have gone to the Qiao family.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhao also became anxious and quickly nodded, "Then it's better to hurry up."

Grandma Lu snorted, "Look at you, so you can get anxious sometimes."

The old lady burst into laughter.

The next day, the official media arrived, saying that the day after tomorrow would be an auspicious day. Old Mrs. Lu had come to Lin'an prepared, with everything ready. On the appointed day, she went to the Qiao family with the official media.

Only Zhang Shi and Qiao Youfu, along with Le Ge'er, were at home in the Qiao family.

Zhang and Qiao Youfu had heard Lin and his wife mention the Lu family, but when they actually saw Old Madam Lu bringing people to propose marriage, they didn't react for a moment.

"Grandma Lu, what are you doing here..." Zhang looked at the gifts in the courtyard.

"I've been to Lin'an twice and always thought your family was good. Mianmian is a wonderful girl, and I've come here specifically to propose marriage for my grandson." As Old Madam Lu spoke, the official matchmaker presented Lu Zhao's birth date and time. "You know my grandson quite well. Today, I've come to express my opinion: if your family is also willing to form a marriage alliance, I would be very happy."

Generally, it's the official media that makes the announcement first, but she came herself, which shows both her importance and her confidence in her grandson. From Old Mrs. Lu's perspective, her grandson is the best choice for the Qiao family, and they will definitely agree.

Qiao Youfu couldn't suppress his laughter, but Zhang Shi glanced at him and he stopped speaking.

“Lord Lu is indeed a good man; we all think he’s quite good. It’s just that my son and daughter-in-law aren’t home, so this matter is up to them to decide.”

Logically speaking, the grandparents could make decisions about their granddaughter's marriage. However, Zhang was not one to cause trouble, and even if Old Madam Lu came to their door in person, she wouldn't make the decision for her granddaughter and her husband.

Grandma Lu said she understood, “We really need to consider our children’s marriages. I’m here on behalf of the Lu family elders. I also want my grandson to have a good family atmosphere, otherwise he won’t even have someone who cares about him.”

After exchanging pleasantries, it was almost time for Old Mrs. Lu to go home.

As soon as Grandma Lu left, Qiao Youfu couldn't help but laugh, "Our Qiao family must have accumulated a lot of good karma from our ancestors. Mancang and his wife will definitely agree to such a joyous occasion!"

“Don’t be so happy yet. Lin has to listen to Mianmian too,” Zhang said.

“Why should Mianmian refuse? What’s wrong with Lord Lu? Everyone says that having connections in the government makes things easier. Who will dare to give us attitude in the future?” In Qiao Youfu’s view, this marriage was a done deal.

Zhang said sternly, "Don't say that in front of the children, Lin won't be happy. Whether it works out or not, it has to be Mianmian's own agreement. Shut your mouth and don't interrupt."

Qiao Youfu retorted, "I'm the grandfather, why can't I say a few more words?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than several neighbors came in, all drawn by the scent of gossip.

Widow Wang asked impatiently, "Aunt Qiao, has the Lu family come to propose marriage?"

Zhang declined to elaborate, saying, "I'm just here to say hello. Mancang and the others aren't home, so things are still far from settled."

"What, do you have anything to be picky about?" Widow Wang curled her lip. "Lord Lu is more than a match for your Mianmian. Hurry up and agree, or you'll miss out."

Zhang didn't like hearing this. "I'm telling you, if you have nothing better to do, go back and take care of the children. I'm going to the food shop now, I won't keep you for tea."

She made it clear that they should leave, so Widow Wang and her companions had no choice but to depart.

After leaving the Qiao family's house, Widow Wang was not happy. "I'm just stating the facts. Her Mianmian is marrying into a family that's already a step up for her. What's there to be upset about?"

Chun Sheng's mother said, "You think the Qiao family is marrying above their station, but Mianmian is the apple of their eye. In their eyes, Mianmian is the best. Who would be happy if you said that?"

“Exactly,” Jin said. “It’s like when people say your Erzhu is marrying into the family; would you like to hear that?”

"Hey, is this the same thing?" Widow Wang's eyes widened, one hand already on her hip, but Jin Shi had no intention of arguing with her and turned to go into the house. "It's really strange. It's clearly a good thing, so why is everyone saying I'm not?"

She pouted and returned home rather unhappily, but when she saw her granddaughter in her daughter-in-law's arms, she smiled again, "Our girl is the best, look how happy she is!"

Madam Chen smiled, her lips pursed. She was also curious about Qiao Mianmian's marriage. "Mother, didn't the Qiao family agree?"

"I don't know. Qiao Zhangshi is very powerful now. She can kick us out if she's unhappy. Whatever, no matter how well Qiao Mianmian marries, it has nothing to do with us."

Widow Wang felt a pang of bitterness, wishing she had a daughter. "But tell me, what's so good about Qiao Mianmian that the Lu family would propose marriage to her?"

“Mother, Mianmian is doing very well,” Chen said.

"I know, she's all talk and no action, she's got you all completely bewitched." Widow Wang snorted, not mentioning the Qiao family again.

After Zhang and his wife went to the food shop, they quickly called Lin and his wife upstairs and told them about the Lu family's marriage proposal.

"A real marriage proposal?" Qiao Mancang asked, somewhat pleased.

“Yes, the things are still at our house. Whether it works out or not, you have to make a decision,” Zhang said. “Lord Lu is a good person, but I’m afraid Mianmian won’t be able to handle his family in the future.”

Having lived most of her life, she had a more open-minded perspective. Having a capable grandson-in-law was a good thing, but how could people from humble backgrounds possibly navigate the intricacies of a large family?

Qiao Youfu said that Zhang was overthinking things. "Even Old Madam Lu came to propose marriage, which means she's satisfied with Mianmian. With a grandmother who protects Mianmian, what's there to be afraid of?"

"Can Old Mrs. Lu protect Mianmian for the rest of her life?" Zhang glanced at her husband. "Short-sighted, only thinking about immediate gains. Is our family lacking food and clothing, or so poor that we have to rely on our granddaughter's marriage to make a living?"

Qiao Youfu was rendered speechless by what he was being said, but in his heart he felt that marrying Lu Zhao was a good idea.

Lin remained silent until Zhang asked her what she thought.

"Mother, I...I'm so conflicted." Lin knew that her parents-in-law had a point, but she couldn't make up her mind for the time being.

"Then let Mianmian decide for herself. She's thought about it for so long, she should have an idea by now." Zhang asked her son to call her granddaughter, but her second son said that Lord Lu had arrived and was talking to Qiao Mianmian at the back door.

The elders exchanged glances, and Qiao Mancang asked Lin Shi, "Should we go and do something about it?"

Qiao Youfu glared at his son. "They just came to have a chat, they didn't do anything, why are you interfering?"

Lin remained silent, tacitly agreeing with her father-in-law.

At this moment, in the quiet alley behind the food shop, Qiao Mianmian was still unaware of the Lu family's marriage proposal. Looking around and not seeing any Qingjiu, she casually asked, "Didn't Lord Lu bring any Qingjiu today?"

"He was waiting for me in the lobby."

Lu Zhao looked at Qiao Mianmian and took a deep breath, "Did you know that my grandmother went to your house to propose marriage today?"

"ah?"

"It seems you didn't know, but now you do. Miss Qiao, I want to ask you, what are your thoughts?" Lu Zhao's cheeks were burning, but this time she didn't avoid his gaze, instead looking directly at Qiao Mianmian.

Qiao Mianmian had never been confessed to by such a handsome man before, so she was a little excited and her mind was a bit blank. "Lord Lu, do you like me?"

"Um."

Why?

“This…” Lu Zhao paused.

What Qiao Mianmian wanted to know most was this question: "Why do you like me, and why do you want to marry me? I want to know this."

"You are beautiful and have a good personality. Your family makes me feel very warm and I envy you."

Lu Zhao said, “Perhaps you should know some things, but not in great detail. My father kept a mistress and wanted her to bring her child into the Lu family. My mother fell ill and never recovered until her death. She hated my father. My family was not perfect. Even the marriages of many prominent families were only superficially harmonious. After seeing so much of this superficial harmony, I thought I would not yearn for a family. Until I moved across the street from your house, and I could hear laughter and joy every day, I began to envy and start to pay attention.”

This was a rare occasion when Lu Zhao spoke so much; he laid himself bare and told Qiao Mianmian what was going on.

“Miss Qiao, at first I didn’t know why I was sometimes happy and sometimes sad. Later I realized it was because of you, so I wrote to my grandmother and asked her to arrange my marriage.”

Lu Zhao said, “But my grandmother said that I can’t say more than two words in half a day, and it’s hard for me to win a girl’s heart. So I wanted to come and talk to you. You can ask me any questions you have. I have left the Lu family, and my father or the Lu family will not come to me in the future. As for my future, I just want to do my job well, live a peaceful life in a quiet corner of the world, and live an ordinary and simple life.”

Qiao Mianmian had thought before, what would she do if Lu Zhao returned to Bianjing one day?

Her family and friends are all in Lin'an. Would she leave so many people behind to follow a man?

She won't.

Qiao Mianmian is very clear-headed and rational. She may be attracted to handsome men, but she will not give up the other people around her for them.

While romantic love is important, she also values ​​family and friendship.

Lu Zhao gave her a satisfactory answer, but Qiao Mianmian still had some doubts. "But in officialdom, you can't just decide whether you want to settle in Lin'an. Lord Lu, I don't want to be separated from my family. My family is also an indispensable part of my life. What would you do if one day you suddenly gained favor and high-ranking positions and generous salaries awaited you?"

To become a first-rank imperial consort?

Qiao Mianmian hadn't thought of that.

She just wanted to live a comfortable life with money, preferably with people around her who had a little power, but not too much. She didn't have the mind for political maneuvering, and she didn't want to get involved in anything too complicated.

Qiao Mianmian wasn't that greedy. Becoming the richest person or a powerful minister after time-traveling wasn't what she wanted.

She would be content with a little more money these days.

Looking at the handsome man in front of her, Qiao Mianmian asked herself honestly, she did like Lu Zhao's face. Just looking at his face made her want to smile.

“I can assure you that I only want to live a peaceful life,” Lu Zhao said. “Last year, I made a contribution and gained the appreciation of the prefect. He wanted to take me back to Bianjing, but I refused.”

"This decision wasn't made because of you, or because of anyone else. I know very well that I want to live a simple life." Lu Zhao knew very clearly what he wanted.

This coincides with Qiao Mianmian's thoughts.

In terms of looks, background, and personality, there is indeed no one more outstanding than Lu Zhao around Qiao Mianmian.

Qiao Jiaxing and the others behind the door listened without daring to breathe.

Cao Yuan was forced to come and eavesdrop. Her own husband was so irresponsible; how could he be allowed to eavesdrop on his sister-in-law?

She gave Qiao Jiaxing a wink, signaling that it was almost time to leave, but Qiao Jiaxing grabbed her hand.

Qiao Jiaxing mouthed, "This is the crucial moment!"

Qiao Mancang, standing to the side, nodded in agreement. "That's right, how can we leave at this time? We have to hear the whole thing!"