Chapter 76 I've made the decision; I've arranged a marriage for Xiaoyu.
When Su Xiaoyu saw him, she was poised and confident, flashing a bright smile and giving a proper bow.
"Cousin Xinghe, it's been a long time!"
Her voice was clear and bright, and her smile was as warm as the spring sun, making Lu Xinghe's heart race.
"Yes...yes, it's been a long time." Lu Xinghe stammered in response.
Zhao Yueru looked at the young couple with a smile on her face and said to Su Zhong, "Let's go, we can talk as we walk, don't just stand here."
The four of them walked slowly along the bluestone path. Su Zhong and Zhao Yueru walked in front, talking in hushed tones.
Su Xiaoyu and Lu Xinghe were a few steps behind, also talking.
"Is my cousin coming to Beijing to stay for a long time?"
"Well, Father said I should come to the capital to broaden my horizons and maybe find a job." Lu Xinghe tried his best to appear calm, but his gaze kept drifting towards his pretty and charming cousin beside him.
"I never expected my cousin to be so capable, he's already a young general." Su Xiaoyu gave him a thumbs up.
Lu Xinghe smiled shyly: "You...you've grown up too, you're much better looking than when you were little."
Seeing Su Xiaoyu smiling, the two gradually started talking more. Lu Xinghe talked about what he had seen and heard along the way, and his eyes became brighter.
Su Xiaoyu listened attentively, occasionally letting out a silvery laugh.
Not far away, Xiao Jingheng was walking into the hanging flower gate with his parents, but for some reason, he turned around and glanced back.
In that instant, he saw Su Xiaoyu laughing hysterically at the unfamiliar young man, whose hand was even out over her head in an intimate gesture.
Xiao Jingheng stopped, his eyes seemingly frozen in an instant.
Su Xiaoyu was always well-behaved and cautious in front of him.
When have you ever seen such a carefree, bright, and friendly smile?
Xiao Jingheng felt a strange displeasure, as if he had been pricked by something subtle.
It doesn't hurt, but it's extremely noticeable.
He withdrew his gaze expressionlessly and continued walking, only giving an order as he passed Changfeng:
"Go and investigate the background of that young man following Guard Su."
Changfeng had followed Xiao Jingheng for many years and was extremely astute. Upon hearing this, he immediately lowered his head and said, "Yes, Your Highness."
...
That evening, the Marquis's residence hosted a banquet, where the whole family gathered together. Except for Xiao Jingxuan, who was studying at the academy, everyone in the Marquis's residence came together to welcome the Marquis of Yongning.
After the banquet, Su Zhong went to Zhao Yueru's room and lit an oil lamp.
Zhao Yueru was making shoes for him when she saw this and glanced behind him, asking:
"Why are you back so early? Have you settled Xinghe in yet?"
Su Zhong grunted in agreement, walked to the table, but didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he reached out and took the shoe sole from Zhao Yueru's hand, his tone solemn:
"Her mother, don't be busy yet, I have something to tell you."
Seeing that his expression was different from usual, Zhao Yueru's heart skipped a beat. She quickly put down her needlework and asked nervously:
"What happened? Are you in the military camp...?"
"Everything's fine in the barracks, don't worry." Su Zhong held his wife's hand; it was rough but warm.
"Then what is this...?"
Su Zhong pulled her to sit down again, thought for a moment, and said, "On the way back to the capital, I heard some rumors about the Crown Prince and Xiaoyu, and I felt uneasy."
"What rumor?"
Su Zhong frowned: "People outside are saying that some time ago, in order to save that girl Xiaoyu, the young master risked his life by venturing alone into a bandit's den, disregarding his own safety. He was even impeached in court for this. Is this true?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yueru felt relieved.
"I thought it was something serious. Don't listen to the rumors outside. That's just what Madam said on purpose to protect the Second Miss's reputation."
"Oh? What happened?"
Immediately afterwards, Zhao Yueru told Su Zhong everything she knew, and at the end she explained:
“Xiaoyu is my daughter. I know her personality. She would never have any improper thoughts about the young master. Don’t let her carefree attitude fool you. In reality, Xiaoyu is very thoughtful and honest.”
Upon hearing this, Su Zhong's brows did not completely relax.
He was silent for a moment, then said with concern, "Even if there is a reason for it, the rumors have already spread. Yue Ru, tell me the truth, Xiao Yu... has she ever had any inappropriate thoughts about the young master?"
"The young master treats her so well, won't she...?"
Su Zhong's biggest fear was that his daughter would develop a desire to climb the social ladder, or fall into inappropriate feelings in her ignorance, ultimately hurting him.
Zhao Yueru immediately shook her head, her tone certain: "That's impossible! Don't you know Xiaoyu? Besides, she mainly serves by the Second Miss's side now, and doesn't have many opportunities to meet the Young Master. She knows what she should and shouldn't think, and wouldn't have such delusional thoughts."
Hearing him say this, Su Zhong recalled what had happened before he went to the capital and sighed heavily.
Seeing that his expression remained serious, Zhao Yueru couldn't help but feel uneasy: "Did you hear something else?"
Su Zhong sighed and stopped hiding it.
"When we returned to the capital, the Marquis and I stayed at an inn. We overheard everyone talking about this matter. Their words were quite speculative, and I noticed that the Marquis's face darkened. Although he didn't lash out, he was clearly displeased."
To prevent the rumors from escalating, I took it upon myself to arrange the marriage between Xiaoyu and Xinghe before the Marquis.
"What!?"
Zhao Yueru stood up in surprise, her face full of astonishment.
"Engaged? Such a big deal, how can you..."
"Keep your voice down." Su Zhong pulled her back down onto the stool.
“Yueru, you are also an old member of the Marquis’s family. At this time, even if there is only the slightest sign, we must be cautious. I cannot joke with Xiaoyu’s life.”
"Besides, Xinghe is a child we've watched grow up. His character and appearance are impeccable. If Xiaoyu is with him, I believe she will have a good life in the future."
Zhao Yueru calmed down and, upon closer reflection, found the thought terrifying.
Yes. What is the status of the Crown Prince?
Would a marquis allow a mere maid to ruin his reputation?
If the parents don't take a stand in time amidst the rumors, they'll cut off their own escape route. If the Marquis and his wife have to step in to deal with it, then it might not be as simple as just marrying Xiaoyu off.
Zhao Yueru had previously felt that Xiaoyu was still young and wanted to keep her for another two years.
Furthermore, the lady didn't say anything on the surface and even arranged for Xiaoyu to be given to the second young lady.
She thought that the matter was over.
Little did she know that it was only because of the change in her identity that she was blinded by a single leaf.
If it were any other maid, she would surely be sold off or married off if her reputation were implicated.
However, now that the object of her affections is her own daughter, Zhao Yueru subconsciously doesn't want to think about it too deeply.
So they didn't realize that.
Now, after being awakened by her husband, Zhao Yueru's back was covered in a cold sweat.
After a long while, she managed to utter a single sentence.
"That's... fine too."
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