Xu Zhi didn't expect her mother to ask so directly, and her face immediately turned red.
Zhang Zhaoci knew immediately that her daughter truly had someone in her heart, and she breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Tell your mother, who is it? Have you two talked about your relationship?"
Upon hearing Zhang Zhaoci's question, Xu Zhi's face turned pale as if she had thought of something. She shook her head and said, "Mother, no."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Xiao Jiu, you are a smart child. Although our family is doing well now, there are many dangers lurking around us. Your father and I originally hoped that you could find a suitable husband in the capital, but you didn't find one you liked. So your mother thought that since there wasn't one you liked, we would slowly pick one you liked. After all, it will be you and your husband who live together in the future. It would be better if you liked one than if your father and I liked one. But Xiao Jiu, your father is in this position now, and some people want to use your marriage to their advantage. Your father and I are not the kind of people who want to use our children's marriage to gain benefits. Your father's point is that as long as you like someone, as long as that person has good character and can treat you well, we can disregard family background and such."
Xu Zhi was surprised to find out that this was the case. She knew, of course, that many families wanted to establish a relationship with her family through marriage because of her father's current position. However, her parents were not the kind of people who would disregard their child's happiness, so they let her stay in the capital for two years.
Thinking of the person in her heart, Xu Zhi mustered up the courage to confess, but if she had feelings for someone else, did that person feel the same way about her? This thought made Xu Zhi hesitate.
Zhang Zhaoci carefully observed Xu Zhi's expression and naturally knew what her daughter wanted to say, but for some reason, she swallowed her words.
Zhang Zhaoci sighed and said, "Your father and I discussed it last night. Since you want to go back to Ganzhou to find a husband, if you don't have anyone in your heart, then your father and I will go to Hexi to find General Wei. He has many outstanding young men in his army, and we are sure to find someone you like."
After hearing Zhang Zhaoci's words, Xu Zhi was extremely anxious. She wanted to tell her parents her thoughts, but she was afraid that Zheng Boyuan was already married. If so, would her parents think that Zheng Boyuan had given her some kind of hint, which made her unable to forget him?
Xu Zhi is a very grateful person. Back in Lingnan, no one helped her except Zheng Boyuan, who secretly lent her a hand. Xu Zhi always remembered this small favor that Zheng Boyuan considered a great kindness. Xu Zhi still remembers how isolated and helpless she was in Lingnan. She was already young, but those experiences made her feel like she had gone through so much. No matter how difficult life was, she remembered her grandmother's repeated instructions before she got married, telling her to live well no matter what. Xu Zhi did just that. She gritted her teeth and followed the journey to Lingnan despite the hardships. Who knew that after arriving in Lingnan, her mother-in-law would sell her to a widower as a second wife for a few dozen kilograms of grain.
If she were a good person, getting married wouldn't be a bad option. However, Xu Zhi learned that the widower's two previous wives had been accidentally killed by him when he was drunk. Because they were both girls from poor families, he only had to pay some money to their families to settle the matter. He wanted to find another wife locally, but it was difficult to find one. Just then, this group of people were exiled to Lingnan, and Xu Zhi's mother-in-law wanted to sell Xu Zhi to buy food.
Sitting in the swaying carriage, Xu Zhi was suddenly reminded of those memories that made her life feel extremely bleak. In those memories, Zheng Boyuan was the only bright spot. Xu Zhi was always grateful for Zheng Boyuan's small act of kindness, but after arriving in Lingnan, the two families were exiled to different places, and Xu Zhi didn't know where the Zheng family went. Until her death, Xu Zhi's wish to thank Zheng Boyuan was never fulfilled.
Xu Zhi had feelings for Zheng Boyuan, something she was very clear about. Xu Zhi wasn't an ordinary girl, especially when it came to such an important part of her life. She was too shy to bring it up with Zheng Boyuan directly, but she knew his current situation; he certainly wasn't in the mood to get married and have children. Relying on this, Xu Zhi planned to wait until she returned to Ganzhou and then slowly express her feelings to Zheng Boyuan. But now, things were so urgent. Xu Zhi wondered if she were to be so direct with Zheng Boyuan, would he look down on her?
Xu Zhi sat there with a worried expression. Granny Lu, who was always with Xu Zhi, naturally knew why. Zhang Zhaoci hadn't even had breakfast that morning when she pulled Granny Lu aside and told her what Xu Rao had told her. Granny Lu was also anxious, but marriage was a serious matter, not a game. If the person Xu Zhi had feelings for was already engaged, then they would have to quickly find someone else to arrange a marriage for her. But could such an arranged marriage truly bring Xu Zhi a comfortable and happy life?
Granny Lu sighed and said, "Ninth Miss, things have come to this point. You should tell us your thoughts. As you know, with Third Master's current official position, he can't directly confront the princes. The best we can do now is to arrange your marriage as soon as possible, so that others will have nothing to say and you can escape this calamity."
Xu Zhi looked troubled upon hearing this and said, "Granny, to tell you the truth, I do have someone in my heart, but I don't know if that person feels the same way about me, and I don't even know if they're already engaged."
Granny Lu said, "Tell me quickly who it is. If the marriage hasn't been arranged yet, we'll go back to Ganzhou and arrange your marriage first. If the marriage has already been arranged, Granny Lu and Third Madam will have to find a suitable person as soon as possible."
Xu Zhi bit her lip, thought it over and over again, and finally hardened her heart and said, "Granny, I fell in love with Brother Zheng at first sight."
After listening, Granny Lu pondered for a long time before she realized that it was Zheng Boyuan.
Granny Lu said, "You should think about it carefully in the carriage. I'll go and talk to Third Madam."
Xu Zhi no longer cared about being shy. She watched as Granny Lu hurriedly got off the carriage and boarded Zhang Zhaoci's carriage.
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