"What do you mean?" Zhu Jiayu denied. "You came all the way to the Ning residence, don't you know that Lord Ning isn't here?"
Wei Qinglou nodded: "Really? That was my oversight. I really didn't know."
He lowered his head slightly, leaned close to Zhu Jiayu's ear, and whispered, "Is that your aunt sitting in the pavilion? She looks at me with great satisfaction, so she must approve of me as her nephew-in-law. What do you think?"
Seeing that Zhu Jiayu did not answer, Wei Qinglou sighed and said softly, "Everyone knows that I admire you. Ayu, if you don't agree to my marriage proposal, I will become a laughing stock in the whole world."
Yes, what he said in court, the letter he slipped into Zhu Jiayu's book, and the deliberate attempt to get Old Master Zhu to look through the books in her study—all of these things were ultimately just to get her to agree to let him come and propose marriage.
He originally intended to gradually ease the situation, waiting for the right moment before discussing the marriage between the two.
But he heard that Lin Zhi, the third young master of the Lin family, was also interested in proposing marriage to the Zhu family, and had even hunted two wild geese from the outskirts!
Although he managed to roast and eat the wild goose from the Lin family's backyard before Lin Zhi proposed, he still felt a strong sense of crisis. After all, with Lin Zhi gone, who knows what other Wang Zhi or Xie Zhi might come along? He felt he should secure his A Yu's hand in marriage before any of them did.
Zhu Jiayu looked at him, her voice soft and sweet: "Are you forcing me to marry you?"
Instead of being angry, Wei Qinglou laughed: "Ayu, you haven't seen much of the world. How can this be called forced marriage? But since you've put it that way, I really should let you see the world."
He walked past her, head held high, and strode up to Xiao Wan, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Aunt."
Xiao Wan was so startled by his earth-shattering remark that she stood up from her chair: "Lord Wei, you and my A-Yu are not yet engaged. Isn't it improper to address each other like this?"
“Yes,” Wei Qinglou nodded, “but Ayu has been hesitant to agree to my marriage proposal…”
He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I know, she probably thinks I'm not handsome enough, or not strong enough..."
Zhu Jiayu, who followed him to the pavilion: ?
Xiao Wan glanced at her disapprovingly: "Ayu..."
Wei Qinglou quickly said, "It's all my fault. It's only natural that Ayu doesn't want to marry me. Who told me I'm not good enough? Although we can't be together, I've already considered her family as my own. So I've taken the liberty of calling you 'Aunt,' even though it's against etiquette, it comes from my heart."
Xiao Wan looked at him with increasing affection, but her gaze toward her niece was not so tender.
"Ayu—"
She had barely opened her mouth when her brother, who happened to be visiting her and had been listening for who knows how long, interrupted her: "Zhu Jiayu, Zhu Jiayu, I taught you how to conduct yourself and to be true to your conscience, but I never taught you to start something and then abandon it!"
Zhu Jiayu turned her head in astonishment: "Father, I didn't... I didn't..."
Wei Qinglou turned around and bowed deeply: "Uncle Zhu, I have kept many things from you before, it was your nephew—"
"Alright!" Zhu Congjian waved his hand and helped him up. "I've also been in the wrong these past few days. It's been hard on you, child, being bullied like this by my Ayu... If you're willing, tell your parents and pick a good day to propose marriage. I agree to this marriage!"
Zhu Jiayu: ...?
Wei Qinglou naturally agreed. After thanking the two elders for their help, he said that he had something to do and left the Ning residence, intending to go back and discuss the marriage proposal process with his parents.
No sooner had he left than Zhu Jiayu said to his aunt and father, "I'll go see him off."
Just kidding, if she stayed, who knows what her aunt and father would say to her.
After leaving the Ning residence, she went to the Hanmo Bookstore in the West Market to retrieve a copy of the "Mathematical Classic".
This book, "The Mathematical Classic," was written by a contemporary scholar who was extremely knowledgeable in mathematics. As soon as it was published, it attracted much attention, especially from officials of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and merchants.
Zhu Jiayu had ordered this book from Hanmo Bookstore earlier, intending to give it to Gu Heguang, but unexpectedly it came in handy today.
Carrying the book, she went to Xiangfenglou and bought two boxes of savory pastries.
Xiangfenglou is currently the most popular pastry shop in Yujing City. Although it almost went bankrupt due to poor management, Zhu Jiayu felt that the owner was an honest person and had inherited the family's skills. Since she was capable, she thought it wouldn't hurt to help him out. So she invested in the owner to keep Xiangfenglou running.
It can be said that without her, there would be no Xiangfenglou as it is today.
Because she saved her family business, the shopkeeper treated her as the owner, giving her six percent of the monthly income. He also privately instructed the cooks and waiters to be respectful and not to neglect Miss Zhu.
Therefore, when she wants to buy snacks, she only needs to say a few words, instead of having to wait a long time like others.
After doing these two things, she took the books and snacks and rode in a carriage to the gate of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Today is the fifteenth. Wei Qinglou said that the Duchess misses her brother. Every month on the first and fifteenth, she goes to the temple to burn incense and pray to the gods and Buddhas for her son's safe return.
Judging by the time, it should be time for her to return by now.
Thinking this, Zhu Jiayu loosened her hair again and pulled the hairpin at her temple outwards.
Just then, a carriage drove into the wide alley. Soon after, a simply dressed lady stepped out of the carriage, and her maidservant said, "Madam, it's windy outside, please go inside."
The Duchess was about to nod when she caught a glimpse of a young girl in the corner. She walked over and softly called out, "Miss?"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com