The Marquis arranged for someone to deliver the letter directly to Cheng Kai. Upon receiving the letter, Cheng Kai didn't even go home. Instead, he took the letter for Xu Rao from his own envelope and went to the Liaodong government office.
After carefully reading the letter, Xu Rao discussed it with Cheng Kai for a long time. Finally, they decided to explain the actual situation of Xu Shao's family to Zhou Qing and Zhou Qing's eldest daughter. If they thought that such a family was good and that Zhao Sixing was a worthwhile marriage prospect, then they would take him to Tai'an College to meet him. If they thought that Xu Shao's family situation was too complicated and that they were unwilling to marry him, then they would write directly to their family to explain the situation.
Zhou Qing is Cheng Kai's superior. He usually stays in Tieling Guard, north of Liaodong Prefecture. His daughter and son live in their house in Liaodong City. Zhou Qing's son is currently studying at the county school built in Liaodong Prefecture.
Cheng Kai personally went to Tielingwei and invited Zhou Qing back. On the way, he told Zhou Qing about the matchmaking. Zhou Qing frowned as he listened. He was a loving father. Although his eldest daughter was already eighteen, she was still unmarried. Zhou Qing wasn't in a hurry. He figured he could raise her himself. If he died, her brother would take care of her. Would his own brother not support his sister?
Zhou Qing's first reaction upon hearing this was to refuse. Her family situation was so complicated, and she would have to worry about a lot of things every day after marrying into the family. She would also have to guard against this and that. Although she was marrying into the Marquis's mansion and becoming the wife of the eldest son of the Marquis's heir, Zhou Qing was still afraid that her daughter would be bullied.
Then he thought of his daughter, who had been practicing martial arts with him since she was a child. Her skills were unparalleled, and even two or three strong men could not get close to her. He had been managing the household for more than ten years, so he was naturally no problem with those complicated matters. What if his daughter wanted to marry him?
Zhou Qing pondered all the way, and when he arrived at Liaodong Prefecture, he said to Cheng Kai, "General Cheng, I want to go home first and talk to my daughter about this."
Cheng Kai nodded repeatedly and said, "Of course, of course. After all, this is a major event in my life. Lord Xu has already booked a banquet at Deyuelou. I will go there first. I would like to ask General Zhou to bring your daughter over so that we can discuss this further."
Zhou Qing cupped his hands in greeting to Cheng Kai, then rode home.
Zhou Qing has two children, an eldest daughter named Zhou Junhong and a son named Zhou Junyan. Zhou Qing has always felt that the personalities of these two children are somewhat reversed. The girl is strong-willed, rough but meticulous. Most importantly, she has been practicing martial arts with him since she was a child, and her heroic appearance is admirable. Zhou Qing loves her no matter how he looks at her. He always regrets that Zhou Junhong is not a boy, otherwise she would be a fierce general on the battlefield.
As for their son, Zhou Junyan, he suffered a difficult childbirth. Zhou Qing's wife also passed away early due to the difficult labor. Zhou Junyan was in poor health from a young age. He was quiet, intelligent, and loved reading. Zhou Qing spent most of his time in the military. Zhou Junyan was raised by his older sister, Zhou Junhong, and the two siblings had a very close relationship.
Zhou Qing's return at this time surprised Zhou Junhong. Zhou Qing did not hide anything and told Zhou Junhong and Zhou Junyan everything Cheng Kai had told him on the way.
Before Zhou Junhong could say anything after hearing this, Zhou Junyan frowned and said to Zhou Qing, "Father, why did the Marquis's mansion go to such lengths to find my sister for such a good marriage? What if my sister agrees to the marriage and gets bullied after marrying into the family all alone?"
After listening to her father's words, Zhou Junhong pondered for a while, then looked up at Zhou Qing and said, "Father, don't refuse outright yet. Didn't General Cheng say that you should take me to see Lord Xu? I'll get ready and we'll go now."
Zhou Junyan insisted on going with them, so Zhou Qing had no choice but to take his son and daughter to Deyue Tower.
Deyuelou is the largest restaurant in Liaodong Prefecture. Not only is the food good, but more importantly, the environment is excellent, with some very nice private rooms suitable for business discussions.
After Zhou Qingye and his two companions arrived, the attendant waiting at the door led them directly to a relatively secluded private room on the second floor.
When Xu Rao saw Zhou Qing's daughter, Zhou Junhong, his eyes lit up. This girl had thick eyebrows, big eyes, a tall figure, and a clear and upright gaze, exuding a heroic spirit.
After everyone had exchanged greetings, the waiter brought the dishes that Xu Rao had ordered to the table. Xu Rao got straight to the point and said, "General Zhou, I was entrusted by my father and uncle to act as matchmaker for your daughter. You probably already know the details."
Zhou Qing nodded, looking troubled. He glanced at Zhou Junhong, and Xu Rao immediately understood that Zhou Qing's daughter, Zhou Junhong, was probably in charge of things at home.
As expected, Zhou Junhong thought for a moment, stood up, bowed to Xu Raofu, and said, "Lord Xu, my father has already told me what happened. There is something I don't understand, and I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me."
Xu Rao quickly said, "My dear niece, if there's anything you don't understand, please speak freely."
Zhou Junhong said, "Lord Xu, you are here to arrange a marriage for the eldest son of your esteemed eldest daughter-in-law. Your esteemed eldest daughter-in-law's eldest son is the eldest grandson of a noble family in the capital, and his status is very high. Why has he not been married yet?"
Xu Rao coughed lightly and said apologetically, "My eldest sister was spoiled by my stepmother since childhood. She has a somewhat flamboyant personality but is not very shrewd. After marrying into her husband's family, she was not favored by her mother-in-law. My eldest sister is also strong-willed and always cares about saving face. For many years, she has been controlled by her mother-in-law. Her eldest son's marriage has not been settled because of her mother-in-law's interference. It was only later that my father saw that things were really out of control and sent him to my sister's place at Taishan Academy, where he was entrusted to my sister's husband to study hard. He failed the autumn examination last year and is still studying at Taishan Academy."
Zhou Junhong nodded, knowing that Xu Rao had told her all the shameful things about his family, which showed at least some sincerity. However, Zhou Junhong also knew that the purpose of arranging the marriage was to help her mother-in-law deal with her mother-in-law's mother after she married into the family.
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