agree
As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Zishi and Qi Jiami poked Taishi Zheng on the head twice with resentment.
Zheng's head shook, "Hey, what are you doing?"
Yi Zishi put her hands on her waist and scolded Taishi Zheng as if she was scolding a child, "You little girl, have you thought about it now? This is a matter of a lifetime, you can't just talk nonsense."
Qi Jiami also folded her arms and demanded angrily, "Bao Zheng, anything else is fine, but you absolutely cannot joke about this!"
They were all doing this for her own good, Zheng knew it very well.
But Tai Shi Zheng had really thought it through, even thinking of a name for the baby.
"I'm not kidding, I've really thought it through." Tai Shi Zheng held his head and looked at the Yi Zi poem, then looked at Qi Jiami.
The two of them just remained sulky and refused to respond.
Zheng stepped forward and tugged at their sleeves. "Sister Yi, didn't you say you would respect me? Eleventh Lady, didn't you say you would support me?"
"You just trust me!"
Tai Shi Zheng was known for acting like a spoiled child, and Yi Zi Shi softened immediately upon seeing her pitiful expression. But she still refused to give in. "Okay, Tai Shi Zheng. If you want us to trust you, then give us three reasons why you agree to this marriage."
"Okay." Seeing that the situation had eased, Tai Shi Zheng slowly released the hands that were holding his head.
After thinking for a while, she answered seriously, "First, Cui Zhijun's appearance can be described as piled stones like jade and rows of pines like emerald green. He is unique and there is no one like him in the world. Second, although he was born into a wealthy family, he was able to cultivate himself in peace and frugality. As for the third..."
"It must be so lively with such a big family living together. I can't even imagine how happy it would be if I could open the door every day and someone would greet me from nearby. It definitely wouldn't be like now, where my dad, I, and Yuanzi stare at each other every day. Every time we open our mouths, we know what year's almanac the other is going to talk about. I'm tired of hearing it."
Zheng seemed very satisfied with her answer and smiled proudly.
Qi Jiami, however, seemed to understand something and nudged Yi Zishi beside her, whispering, "She's been blabbering for a long time, what on earth is she saying?"
Yi Zishi held his forehead and retorted, "You really are! I told you to read more books. Zheng's point is that Cui Erlang is handsome and has good character. And..."
"what else?"
Qi Jiami asked anxiously when Yi was halfway through the poem.
"Zheng is crazy. She likes the lively atmosphere in his house." After saying this, Yi Zi Shi glanced at Tai Shi Zheng. Qi Jiami exclaimed in disbelief.
Jin Dianbu, who was used to seeing right and wrong, smiled at this moment, stood up and covered the standing screen with the golden cloth again. He said lightly: "Young Lady Zheng has her own ideas, so please don't try to persuade her. She is not confused at all. Now that this matter has been decided, I will return to the palace to report to my lady. Farewell, everyone, please don't see her off."
Jin Dianbu suddenly wanted to leave, Taishi Zheng raised his head and their eyes met.
At this point, the two of them smiled at each other and kept the matter secret.
Jin Dianbu left as everyone watched. Qi Jiami asked, confused, "Is this settled? Why is she leaving?"
Yi Zishi seemed to have sensed something and turned to look at Taishi Zheng. "Have you made up your mind? You won't change? Are you really going to get married?"
Tai Shi Zheng nodded again and again to confirm, and Yi Zi Shi was no longer troubled.
Zheng was the most perceptive. She took advantage of the situation and came over to them. She took their arms and said affectionately, "Today, thanks to you two sisters, I know you all care about me wholeheartedly. I am very grateful. Hehe, but the date has been set. I hope you two sisters will continue to work hard and give me more money~"
"You, you!" Yi Zishi stretched out his hand and poked.
"You really are..." Qi Jiami raised her hands and clapped.
Taishi Zheng quickly let go of the two men, grabbed his head, and fled. At that time, the three of them stood apart, looking at each other, laughing.
This matter is settled.
Yi Zishi was the first to stop laughing and ask, "Since that's the case, Zheng, why don't you quickly prepare a letter and exchange it with the Cui family's matchmaker? Otherwise, they'll accuse us of being negligent and ignorant of etiquette."
"Yes, I am going. But..."
Tai Shi Zheng's eyes turned, and she didn't know what crazy idea she had come up with. "Sister Yi, I remember that Concubine Xian asked a teacher to teach you how to write cursive script?"
-
In the front hall, Qian, who had been sitting with her eyes closed for over an hour, opened her eyes and saw Zhang pacing back and forth like she was on fire, muttering from time to time, "Where has everyone gone? I'm so worried. Just give me a firm answer whether you agree or not..."
Why do you become a matchmaker if you can't bear it?
Qian couldn't help but sneer in her heart.
But the owner of this house had been gone for too long, and when she looked up at the sky outside, she felt a little uneasy.
But seeing Zhang still pacing around aimlessly, Qian made up her mind and deliberately found an excuse to go to the inner courtyard. "Senior, I'll go and do you a favor. If the master is coming, please let him know for me."
"You're really a lazy donkey trying to get by. Don't be here when the boss comes out to deliver the invitation. You'll say I stole your job—"
Zhang mocked loudly.
Qian ignored him and walked around the front hall in silence.
-
After wandering around the inner courtyard three times in bewilderment, Qian finally stood in front of the first door and looked around.
But... why is such a big house empty?
She couldn't help but murmur, "In Tokyo's inner city, where every inch of land is worth a fortune, how could such a prime location and such a large house be so far away without a single messenger? Strange, this is too strange. Could the Taishi family be hiding something shameful..."
"That's not the case."
Suddenly someone took over the conversation, which scared Qian.
She turned her head back with her neck stiff, only to see Taishi Zheng standing by with his hands behind his back, smiling at her, "Matchmaker, why are you here alone?"
Qian's face was pale, but she still forced a smile and said, "It's Miss Zheng. I was just looking for a favor, but no one came, so I had to come look for her myself. I was really helpless, so I hope you won't blame me."
"Well, why blame me for such a small matter? People have three urgent needs, so I understand. Please follow me." It seemed that Taishi Zheng didn't take Qian's words to heart. She turned around and led the group to the East Office without saying a word.
Qian didn't say anything more.
-
On the way, the two of them walked slowly, one behind the other, along a path trimmed with green bamboo. The path was winding and secluded, and the bamboo was lush and shimmering. Tai Shi Zheng suddenly remembered something and said, "Matchmaker."
Qian followed up with a call: "Young lady."
Both of them seemed to have something to say, so who should speak first? Zheng naturally gave way to the elders, looked back and smiled, "Matchmaker, go first."
Qian Shi seemed to have been holding back her words for a long time. She didn't even try to argue with Taishi Zheng. She took a few steps forward and said sincerely, "Young lady, there are some things I've been unable to find the opportunity to report to you, but now it's just you and me here. I have no choice but to explain the pros and cons of the man's family to you. That way, you can make a clear decision."
But just as Qian had finished her words, Taishi Zheng interrupted her with a smile, "I guess the matchmaker is trying to say that the Cui family's mother-in-law has a fiery temper and is difficult to deal with?"
"Young lady, what's wrong..." Qian was surprised.
Zheng continued, "Mother Matchmaker, are you still trying to say that the Cui family is too talkative and difficult to deal with?"
"yes."
Qian was amazed. "How did you know so clearly?"
Zheng smiled but didn't answer. She turned and took two steps, then stopped. "Matchmaker, may I ask why you're telling me these truths? Aren't you afraid that telling the truth will ruin the marriage arranged by the master's family, and that you'll end up being blamed? Or punished?"
"Afraid." The bamboo shadows flickered, and Qian didn't think about it.
Taishi Zheng couldn't help but feel curious. As she turned her head, bamboo leaves gently brushed against her face. But Qian was silent for a moment before saying, "So what if I'm just afraid? Haven't I been blamed enough..."
"I can't do work that goes against my conscience."
"No matter how well-told a lie is, it will eventually be exposed. I might be able to get away with it, but what about those young ladies I've been matchmaking for? That will be a life they can't escape. I can't control others. I just want every matchmaking I'm involved in to be a success."
"But it's probably because of this that I haven't made any progress in all these years..."
Qian's forbearance erupted in response to Tai Shi Zheng's question, but when her shattered fragments fell to the ground, she was so silent.
She smiled.
Everyone,
After all, I prefer to hear happy lies.
At that moment, Taishi Zheng stood calmly beneath the bamboo grove, facing Qian. A thin ray of light reflected on her raised lips. Amidst the bleak autumn wind, Qian heard those gentle words: "Your sincerity is a growth that some people never achieve in their entire lives."
"Mother Matchmaker, thank you for telling me the truth."
This is a thank you that has never been given before.
Strange yet warm.
Qian should have shed tears, but when she looked into Taishi Zheng's bright eyes, she just wanted to smile.
She lowered her eyes. "Young lady, there's no need to thank me. I just want to live up to my conscience. Since you already know all this, I'm sure you have the answer in your heart. I won't bother you any further. You should go back and get scolded soon."
Seeing that Qian was about to leave, Tai Shi Zheng hurriedly tried to stop her, "Mother Matchmaker, you've misunderstood. My family has agreed to this marriage, and I've already sent someone to inform Dad. It just so happens that I have something else I'd like to ask of you—"
Upon hearing this, Qian suddenly stopped.
Please...please me?
-
At this time, outside the side door of Gaochun Garden, Qi Jiami stopped Yi Zishi as she was about to board her family's ox cart. "Something's wrong. All of you are wrong. Why did Zheng agree to this ridiculous marriage? Yi Zishi, explain yourself clearly. Have you figured something out?"
Yi Zishi turned around and glanced at Qi Jiami behind him.
She thought that this guy was a prince at best, but a stupid donkey at worst.
Yi Zishi didn't want to argue, but she also didn't want to make things too clear. After a stalemate, she simply said, "The sixth day of the winter month is approaching," and walked away. Qi Jiami was left alone, counting on her fingers, wondering what it meant.
The sixth day of the winter month, the sixth day of the winter month...
Isn’t this the day when the post-election roster is finalized?
Could it be that Zheng is afraid...
Qi Jiami suddenly realized what was going on. In the deserted alley, she said, "Oh my god, Qi Liyuan, this kid, is he still thinking about Zheng?"
Even the Prince of Bei couldn't bear the guilt of addressing the emperor by name. Fortunately, the maidservant of the Qi family was already adept at handling the situation. Before Qi could utter any more outrageous words, they helped her stuff the man into the oxcart and quickly fled the scene of the crime.
-
The people outside the yard left, but the guests inside remained.
Taishi Zhengjiang, upon receiving Fu Yuanzi's report, rushed from the kitchen in a state of surprise and delight, running headfirst into Zheng and Qian. But this time, he wasn't holding a kitchen knife; instead, he had a rice spoon.
If my daughter saw me like this, she would inevitably make fun of me.
"Dad, do you have to bring anything with you when you come here from the kitchen? Those who know me, I used to be a majestic general. Those who don't know, might think I was a cook in the Tiger Army~"
"Stinky girl, even if Dad is a cook, he is the best cook in the Tiger Jie Army."
As soon as he finished speaking, the big rice spoon landed heavily on Zheng's weather-beaten head, causing Zheng to complain in dissatisfaction: "Dad, why are you all picking on my head?"
"You? Who else?" Taishi Zhengjiang seemed to remember something. "Oh, don't interrupt. Dad has almost forgotten the important matter. I heard from Yuanzi that you are going to accept the Cui family's marriage proposal? Is this true or false? Have you really come to your senses? Don't make fun of Dad again."
Tai Shi Zheng rubbed his head, "How could what Yuanzi said be false?"
Yuanzi is clumsy and can't tell lies.
There is some truth in this.
Taishi Zhengjiang nodded cautiously, but when he looked at Qian, he asked again, "Why are you two together? Where's that chattering old woman? Or your daughter? Are you planning to choose her to help you deliver the invitation to the Cui family?"
"Yes and no. Come with me, Dad, and you'll find out."
Zheng feigned suspense and turned to glance at Qian. Taishi Zhengjiang, looking at the two people who seemed to be plotting something, was completely baffled...
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