Chapter 249 Exchange of Interests
"Thank you very much!" Zhong Liuniang replied with a smile.
Through conversations about books, the two gradually became acquainted and started talking about more and more topics.
As they arrived at the place agreed upon with Wei Jia, Min Yuexi began to listen for any sounds around her. When she saw someone coming this way, she steered the conversation toward the planned destination.
"Miss Zhong, if I remember correctly, you're sixteen this year, right?" Min Yuexi asked casually.
“Yes. I’ll be seventeen next year.” Zhong Liuniang said frankly, without a hint of anything unusual in her expression.
Min Yuexi was surprised by Zhong Liuniang's open-mindedness, but she still suppressed her curiosity and said calmly, "My reputation has been ruined by the repeated rejections of engagements, and I also have health problems, so it is only natural that I cannot get married."
"But Miss Zhong comes from a good family, has good character, and is good-looking, so why isn't she engaged yet?"
Normally, there are quite a few people who are not married by the age of sixteen, but there are not many who are not engaged by the age of sixteen.
Seemingly afraid that she had spoken too abruptly, Min Yuexi quickly added after speaking, "Don't misunderstand, I just recently heard that Her Majesty the Empress is selecting a consort for the Third Prince. I thought that with Miss Zhong's talent and family background, she would definitely be the first choice. That's why I thought of asking about it."
Just a heads up.
If you don't want to be the Third Prince's wife, you'd better make plans as soon as possible.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Miss Zhong frowned slightly and looked at Min Yuexi with suspicion. "I didn't even know about the Third Prince's selection of a consort. How did Miss Min find out?"
Min Yuexi seemed oblivious to her suspicions and explained with a smile, "My aunt was summoned to the palace by the Seventh Princess earlier."
The rest was self-explanatory.
The Empress Dowager dotes on the Seventh Princess, so naturally she wouldn't hide the matter of the Empress Dowager choosing a consort for the Third Prince from the Seventh Princess.
As someone close to the Seventh Princess, it's not surprising that he knew about this.
Zhong Liuniang frowned, her eyes filled with inquiry as she looked at Min Yuexi: "Who told you to say those things to me?"
Min Yuexi paused for a moment, sighed helplessly, and honestly confessed, "I told Miss Zhong Liu these words in advance, just to give you a heads-up and curry favor."
"If possible, I would also like to take this opportunity to ask Miss Zhong Liu for a favor."
Zhong Liuniang was startled and looked at Min Yuexi with displeasure. She hated people who approached her with ulterior motives.
However, seeing that Min Yuexi was relatively honest, she patiently asked, "What kind of help do you want me to do?"
Min Yuexi bowed respectfully and said sincerely, "I would like to ask Miss Zhong to put in a good word for me with the old lady of the Zhenguo General's Mansion."
Zhong Liuniang's heart skipped a beat, and she demanded, "What are you planning?"
Min Yuexi dared not hide the truth and said, "My father and grandmother do not get along, and I am closer to my grandmother. Therefore, my father wants to marry me off to a distant place outside the capital."
At this point, she sighed and explained, "You know, I have a bad reputation and my health is compromised, so I can't have children. I'm afraid no one in the capital will marry me. Therefore, I have no choice but to marry someone from afar."
"But I don't want to marry far away, and I don't want my father to throw me away like a rag."
Zhong Liuniang was surprised that Min Yuexi would be so frank about the internal conflicts of the Xuanping Marquis's mansion, and for a moment she felt a little sympathy for Min Yuexi.
"what you up to?"
"I want to find a place to settle down before my father marries me off to a distant place," Min Yuexi earnestly requested. "I want to marry into the Zhenguo General's Mansion, even if it means marrying a dead man with a memorial tablet in my arms, I'm willing."
"I need Miss Zhong's help."
"How, how did you know?!" Miss Zhong was both shocked and angry, but then she thought of Min Yuexi's cousin who had entered the palace.
The old lady of the Zhenguo General's Mansion was surnamed Zhong. She was her grandfather's youngest sister and also her great-aunt.
My great-aunt only gave birth to two sons in her lifetime. Because of the Zhong family's power and the fact that the old General Zhenguo was stationed at the border for many years and had no interest in romance, the General Zhenguo's mansion had no other offspring besides the two sons born to my great-aunt.
Unfortunately, his great-uncle and eldest cousin died in battle one after another, leaving only a young cousin who had just come of age and was not yet married.
Because my eldest cousin died suddenly, my youngest cousin was given a critical mission and rushed to the border.
More than a month ago, news came back that my cousin had been ambushed by the Western Scorpion Army, was seriously injured, and was unconscious.
A few days ago, I received accurate news that my cousin had succumbed to his injuries and passed away. His body will be transported back to Beijing soon.
This news is currently known only to her and her grandmother within their family.
Everyone else thought her cousin was just seriously injured and unconscious.
Her grandfather told her this news so that she would visit her great-aunt at the General's Mansion more often when she had free time.
From a young age, her great-aunt adored her and often invited her to stay at the general's mansion.
Thinking of this, Zhong Liuniang finally became more cautious about the aunt mentioned by Min Yuexi.
The fact that she was able to obtain such inside information shows that Min Yuexi's aunt was highly regarded by the Seventh Princess.
And since the Seventh Princess is the Crown Prince's younger sister, it's not surprising that she would know something from the Crown Prince.
But, "You want to marry my cousin?"
"Yes," Min Yuexi readily admitted. "I don't want to leave the capital. The General's Mansion is the best place for me."
"Heh, you're dreaming. But why should I help you?" Zhong Liuniang looked at Min Yuexi with amusement.
After a moment's thought, Min Yuexi said earnestly, "Will I remain faithful to Young Master Yuan for the rest of my life and never disgrace the reputation of the General's Mansion?"
"I will also serve Madam Yuan faithfully and fulfill my filial duties to the Second Young Master Yuan."
“If Madam Yuan is willing, I can also adopt a child from the Yuan clan and raise him under my care to carry on the family line.”
"I promise……"
"Stop!" Zhong Liuniang interrupted Min Yuexi, "Anyone can do what you're saying. It's not like it has to be you."
“If my great-aunt were willing, there would be countless women who would want to marry into the General’s mansion. Even if my little cousin were dead, it would not stop those young ladies who wanted to rise to the top from marrying him and becoming widows.”
Zhong Liuniang narrowed her eyes slightly, concealing the glint in them, and asked with a half-smile, "Your reputation isn't good. What good would it do me to marry you? Why should I help you?"
Min Yuexi smiled and lowered her voice, saying, "The Zhenguo General's Mansion will become Miss Zhong's back garden, and the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion will also become Miss Zhong's support."
"If that's not enough, the Enping Marquis's Mansion can also be a reliable support for Miss Zhong in critical moments."
“The Earl of Enping’s Mansion!?” Zhong Liuniang was taken aback.
Min Yuexi explained with a smile, "Speaking of which, the Earl of Enping is my third sister. Although my third sister and I are not very close, she treats my grandmother as her own grandmother."
Zhong Liuniang was secretly shocked. What a capable and intelligent young lady, Miss Min!
Min Yuexi has so many powerful connections behind her, and now Min Yuexi needs her help. If she lends a hand... it doesn't seem like a bad deal.
Zhong Liuniang thought for a moment, then smiled and replied, "I can help you. But you have to do me a favor too!"
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