Sure enough, after the banquet began, the people Zhu Congjian brought confirmed her thoughts.
Looking at the several handsome young men in front of her, each with a different appearance, Zhu Jiayu felt that the Eight Treasures Cake in her hand no longer tasted good.
She swallowed the last bite of pastry with difficulty, then turned to her father in disbelief and asked, "Didn't you say it was just one friend?"
Zhu Congjian smiled gently and kindly: "Originally there was only one, but as you know my nature, I am always happy to do good deeds when I am out and about. Over time, I got to know these young gentlemen. It just so happens that they have come to visit me at my residence together today."
He glanced at Zhu Jiayu's face, sighed softly, and said with some sorrow, "You've been making big decisions lately. You went to Heling for half a year, leaving your father alone in the mansion, missing his daughter dearly and feeling heartbroken. Fortunately, they kept me company, playing chess and discussing philosophy from time to time, so that your father wouldn't be too lonely. What, Ayu, do you not want to sit with them?"
Zhu Jiayu: ...
She had heard everything from the steward. During the days she was away from the mansion, her father clearly went fishing by the Pear Cloud River. He never played chess or discussed philosophy with anyone at home.
She forced a smile: "Father, what are you saying? Since they are your friends, please take your seats."
Just then, the kitchen finished serving the dishes. Seeing that the young men all looked rather reserved, Zhu Congjian picked up his chopsticks and pointed to the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish on the plate, saying, "Everyone, please don't be so formal. Just relax and enjoy your meal. This squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is one of A-Yu's favorite dishes. Would you all like to try some?"
After he finished speaking, he took the lead and put a chopstick into his bowl. The others followed suit and started eating, but instead of putting their chopsticks into their own bowls, they all went to Zhu Jiayu's front. Some of the slower ones turned their chopsticks around and picked up a Suzhou meatball or a piece of shredded shark fin. Before long, a small mountain of food was piled up in the small bowl in front of Zhu Jiayu.
She ate a little, then put down her chopsticks, stood up, and smiled at Zhu Congjian, saying, "Father, I suddenly remembered something I don't understand. Please come with me."
After saying that, she left her seat and went to wait outside the hall.
Seeing that everyone at the table had stopped eating, Zhu Congjian smiled reassuringly and said, "You eat, you eat, don't worry, I'll be right back."
He patted the person next to him on the shoulder, turned and walked out, squinting his eyes and asking his daughter with a smile, "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry? Can't you wait a moment longer before your father comes out?"
Zhu Jiayu stamped her foot, embarrassed and annoyed, and said, "Are those people really just your friends? Did they really come to your residence today just for a meal, with no other intentions?"
Zhu Congjian's gaze darted around, stroking his beard as he looked at the surroundings, avoiding eye contact with his daughter. He mumbled, "Well..."
"Father!" Zhu Jiayu plucked a beard hair and threatened, "If you don't tell, I'll sneak into your room tonight and pluck all your beard hairs off!"
Although Zhu Jiayu went to Heling, the two still corresponded frequently. About a month ago, she learned from a letter sent by her father that many people praised his beard for making him look handsome and composed, and they valued his beard highly.
She used this as a threat, determined that he wouldn't give in.
Sure enough, when it came to beards, Zhu Congjian couldn't keep up the pretense any longer and quickly revealed his entire plan, saying, "A few nights ago, I dreamt of your mother. In the dream, she had a worried look on her face and was very concerned that you were getting older and still hadn't found a spouse. Coincidentally, there have been quite a few people proposing marriage recently, so I selected a few young men from among them who are of excellent family background and character, thinking of letting you meet them during lunch."
"So all these people today are proposing marriage to me?" Zhu Jiayu turned around and glanced at the people in the dining room. She happened to meet the gaze of a young man in yellow, who smiled at her and looked very kind and approachable.
She couldn't help but shiver, and turned around, finding the man truly repulsive.
The last man she met who smiled so much was Rong Heng.
Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, Zhu Congjian nodded and admitted, "It's all true." He then quickly added, "But don't worry, if you don't like it, your father won't force you. It all depends on your own heart."
Zhu Jiayu pursed her lips and said, "Daughter understands."
Zhu Congjian wanted to ask her what it meant to know, but he felt that his daughter was always obedient and would not go against his wishes, so he smiled and said, "It is best that you understand your father's good intentions."
Zhu Jiayu nodded and said, "But if I choose a husband, I must follow my own rules, Father, don't you agree?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Zhu Congjian readily agreed. "Of course, we'll follow your rules. After all, it's you getting married, not someone else. This matter can't be judged according to other people's rules."
Zhu Jiayu finally smiled with satisfaction and asked, "Then Father won't interfere with his daughter's rules, right?"
“Yes, yes, yes,” Zhu Congjian nodded vigorously. “As your father, I will always go along with you. As long as you are willing to meet and interact with them, I will be at ease. How could I possibly interfere with you?”
Zhu Jiayu's smile widened: "That's wonderful, then let's go back and continue eating."
Zhu Congjian smiled and nodded, walking ahead, while Zhu Jiayu followed behind him. The two entered the hall together and took their seats.
After eating some more food, Zhu Jiayu suddenly sighed softly.
One of the young men present quickly asked, "Miss Zhu, why are you sighing? Is there something troubling you? Please tell me, and I, though unworthy, would be happy to help you relieve your worries."
He spoke with such sincerity that it seemed he wished he were Zhu Jiayu, so he could take her place and bear this sorrow.
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