Later, the Lu family had members who became officials, and many matchmakers from the capital came to visit, but Lu Yunxing remained indifferent and didn't seem to care much.

On the eve of taking office, Lu Yunxing visited a temple outside the city again.

Qin Xiaozhou and Lu Yunfeng also went along, partly to look for someone and partly to enjoy the spring scenery.

Qin Xiaozhou had never been to a temple before, and this time he came to sincerely kneel and worship.

As the three of them left the temple, Lu Yunxing, who had been indifferent, suddenly stopped and looked excitedly up the temple steps.

Qin Xiaozhou followed his gaze.

On the steps, the young girl stood gracefully. Although she was dressed in ordinary cotton clothes and her hair was tied up with a blue ribbon without any hairpins, her beauty was still undeniable.

Qin Xiaozhou also became nervous. Whether the marriage would go through depended on this woman. She leaned closer and whispered, "Lu Yunxing, is this the person you're looking for?"

Lu Yunxing was very excited, "It's her, it's her, I'm going..."

"Wait a minute." Qin Xiaozhou grabbed him. "You, a man, suddenly went to talk to a girl and damaged her reputation. Instead of just watching from here, your brother and I will go and find out what's going on."

The woman first knelt and prayed in the hall, and then went to the marriage tree to make a wish.

Qin Xiaozhou quietly reassured Lu Lao Er: "She can come to the Marriage Tree to make a wish, so it seems she is not engaged yet. That makes things easier. You go to the car and wait for me."

Qin Xiaozhou reached the girl's side, but her body swayed and she was about to fall onto the girl. The girl quickly steadied her, asking, "Is Madam alright?"

"I think I've sprained my ankle. Could you please help me to sit over there?" Qin Xiaozhou pointed to a flower bed on one side of the temple.

I never imagined that one day she would resort to such tricks.

The girl was kind-hearted and actually helped her to sit down to the side.

Qin Xiaozhou lowered her head and rubbed her ankle. "Today I went out with my husband and uncles. They are just outside the temple. I can leave after sitting for a while. I shouldn't have made you late."

The girl shook her head. "Madam, you're too kind. I'm fine."

Qin Xiaozhou became more and more satisfied with her. She wondered whose daughter she was, but her way of speaking and acting was very pleasing to the eye.

Fearing arouse suspicion, she didn't ask too many questions, and only said, "This temple is really popular. This is our first time here. Don't laugh at us, we are from Wanzhou and only came to the capital before the New Year. We are still having trouble getting around in the capital."

The girl smiled and said, "Xiangguo Temple is famous far and wide, and many people come here."

That's a really tight mouth. I couldn't get any useful information out of her. Qin Xiaozhou had no choice but to get up and say, "I'm going back now. Should I go back too, Miss?"

The girl helped Qin Xiaozhou down the steps from the temple. Lu Yunfeng rushed over from beside the carriage, "What's wrong?"

"I twisted my ankle, it's nothing serious. This young lady is kind-hearted, and with her help, I'm much better now." Qin Xiaozhou played her part completely, supporting Lu Yunfeng's arm.

Then he said to the woman, "Miss, when will you come to Xiangguo Temple again? I must repay your kindness today, otherwise what will I do if I don't repay your kindness and my wish cannot be fulfilled?"

The girl looked troubled. "I don't know when I'll be able to come."

"Then may I ask where you live, young lady?" Qin Xiaozhou pretended to be embarrassed. "Please give me a chance to express my gratitude, otherwise I will feel uneasy."

After a moment's thought, the girl finally gave her address and name. "I live in Wanxiangfang in the north of the city. My surname is Xu, and my name is Xu Yuan."

Qin Xiaozhou smiled and said, "In that case, let's go back together."

The Lu brothers sat outside driving the carriage, while Qin Xiaozhou pulled Xu Yuan inside.

Xu Yuan insisted on getting off at the city gate. Lu Yunxing stammered out a couple of sentences, but couldn't get to the point. He could only watch as the girl disappeared into the crowd.

Now that they know who it is, they should hurry up and go to propose marriage.

Back home, Lu Yunxing was still excited. "Please ask my sister-in-law to propose marriage on my behalf."

Lu Yunfeng poured cold water on his younger brother's enthusiasm, saying, "We still need to find out more about him first. If his character isn't up to par, I won't agree no matter what."

Lu Yunxing's family had worked hard to get him into university, and he was determined that for the next ten years, the Lu family's future could not be ruined by a moment of arrogance.

Lu Yunxing naturally understood this principle, "I would be grateful if you could make this trip for me, sister-in-law."

The next morning, Qin Xiaozhou went to the Xu family early with all the things she had prepared.

After making inquiries from various sources, we finally found the Xu family's house, which was sandwiched between two houses and had only one small door.

The neighbor lady chuckled and said, "You're looking for the Xu family? This is it. What's your relationship to the lady in that family?"

Qin Xiaozhou was dressed in a brocade dress, adorned with pearl hairpins, and followed by a maid; she looked very wealthy.

The woman didn't dare to look at him too closely, only glancing at him briefly.

He couldn't help but wonder, did the Xu family have such wealthy relatives? Then why had his family been suffering all these years? They could have just gone to live with their relatives!

Qin Xiaozhou asked, "Who are the members of this family?"

"Hey!" The aunt waved her hand, realizing that she wasn't a relative of the Xu family, and spoke without restraint.

"He used to be a scholar who passed the imperial examinations. His family was relatively well-off. But after he died, he left behind a widow and her daughter. Life became difficult, and they made a living by washing clothes for others."

The Xu family is so self-important. So many men want to marry Xu Yuan, just because they're pretty, but her mother has turned them all away. Who knows who she'll end up marrying into.

After thanking the woman, Qin Xiaozhou sent someone to knock on the door. The small door opened, revealing a woman with gray hair. "Who are you?"

"Excuse me, is this place owned by someone surnamed Xu?"

The woman invited the man in, and through a narrow path, a small courtyard came into view. The courtyard was not large, only about seven or eight square meters.

The courtyard is filled with blooming flowers, like a paradise in the bustling city. To the south are two small houses, facing north, which are shaded and kept clean.

Qin Xiaozhou went inside and sat down.

The woman served tea, saying, "Our home is simple, and this tea is from my own yard. Please don't mind, madam."

Qin Xiaozhou nodded slightly, "You're too kind. I received your daughter's help at Xiangguo Temple yesterday, and I've come today to express my gratitude."

The woman said politely, "She went to deliver clothes and should be back soon."

Qin Xiaozhou drank a cup of tea, and sure enough, Miss Xu returned. Today she was wearing a brown coarse cloth dress and a headscarf, but her beauty was still undeniable.

Qin Xiaozhou first thanked the woman for her kindness yesterday, then paused for a moment and said to her, "Your daughter is kind-hearted. I came here today not only to thank her, but also because I want to become relatives with your family."

“No.” The woman was very agitated and stood up, saying, “If it’s about this, then there’s no need to say anything more.”

Miss Xu's complexion was also not good; her face was pale, as if she had been greatly humiliated.

Qin Xiaozhou didn't expect the Zhao family to react so strongly. Besides, it's natural for men to marry and women to marry when they're of age. There's nothing wrong with talking about this kind of thing. Even if she didn't want to get married, she could just inform them normally. This family's attitude is like they want to kick her out!

"But your daughter is already married?" Qin Xiaozhou felt regretful, wondering what to do about that stubborn Lu Yunxing, who seemed to be lovesick.

“No.” The woman’s face fell, and she raised her chin. “But my daughter would never be anyone’s concubine.”