After this old friend from Gaoqing County named Lin Zhining, he visited the Marquis's residence several more times, but each time he only met with the Marquis in the front courtyard to discuss matters.
Xu Yao never expected that she would meet the young man who had stirred her heart again in her own home.
Xu Yao's current state of mind is somewhat indifferent to honor or disgrace. After seeing him, she only felt her heart beat a little faster before returning to calm. Xu Yao is well aware that her reputation among the young ladies in the capital is actually not very good. Among the young ladies of average age in the capital, there are very few who are still unmarried.
After Xu Di finished the imperial examination, he entered the Hanlin Academy and was appointed as an editor there. He went to work at the Hanlin Academy every day, leaving early and returning late.
Xu Di had his own life plan. He intended to stay in the Hanlin Academy for two years before seeking a post outside the capital. This way, he would gain experience in the Hanlin Academy and grassroots work experience. For someone who aspired to a high-ranking official position, this arrangement was the best.
Things at home gradually got back on track. Ning was still worried about Xu Yao's marriage. Chen Zhaoci was busy taking care of Li Yuexi's health all day long. Everyone in the mansion, whether masters or servants, would come to Chen Zhaoci for help with health issues. Chen Zhaoci was always very enthusiastic in helping to diagnose and prescribe medicine.
Madam Yao is now busy arranging the marriage for her second daughter, Xu Tong. Xu Tong is being married off to her maternal grandparents' family. Her husband is the eldest grandson of Yao, the Imperial Academy Chancellor, who is also Xu Tong's cousin. Xu Tong's parents approve of the marriage, and the old lady and the Marquis have no objections. In addition, the marriage of her sixth daughter, Xu Gui, to Lu Mingzhang, the eldest son of a concubine from the Ningguo Duke's family, is scheduled for this year. Therefore, Madam Yao has discussed it with her family and has also set Xu Tong's marriage for this year.
That day, after Xu Di returned from outside, he went to the Marquis's study. They talked for a long time before he came out. Then the Marquis hurriedly went to the old lady's place.
Although the master's behavior was somewhat unusual, the servants of the Yongning Marquis's mansion were strictly disciplined, and no one inquired about the reason. However, after dinner, the young master and Ning were invited by the Marquis to the study in the front courtyard.
Soon, Ning hurriedly went to the Fourth Miss's courtyard. After saying something, the Fourth Miss followed Ning back to the Marquis's study.
It wasn't until after dinner that Xu Di arrived at Chen Zhaoci's room. Xu Bai and Xu Zhi were already sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at Xu Di with bright eyes.
Xu Di frowned and said to Xu Bai, "What do you mean by this? Are you staying up all night just to listen to gossip?"
Xu Bai smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Brother, look at what you're saying. How can this be idle talk? This is a major event in our household. As a member of the household, I need to be fully aware of what's happening in the household, if not completely so. Don't you think so?"
Chen Zhaoci pulled Xu Di to sit down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and said, "Hurry up and tell me, stop keeping me in suspense."
Xu Di sighed and said, "I think you guys have too little to do and too much free time. What could possibly be wrong? Lin Zhining, who came with me to kowtow to the old grandmother last time, wants to marry our fourth daughter. He asked me to ask if it's possible. If it is, he'll send someone to propose marriage."
Xu Bai and Xu Zhi stared wide-eyed in surprise. Xu Bai said, "Is this the charm of love at first sight?"
Xu Di said, "The two of them had met a long time ago. Lin Zhining said he greatly admired Fourth Sister's character. At that time, he didn't dare to come directly to our house. He waited until he passed the imperial examination before coming to our house."
Chen Zhaoci asked with interest, "Where is this Young Master Lin now?"
Xu Di said, "I'm in the Ministry of Revenue. I plan to stay in the capital for a while and then seek a post outside the capital. This young master Lin is good in every way, but there's one thing I don't like about him. He has two concubines, who were arranged by his elders. They didn't come with him for this imperial examination and are still at home in Gaoqing County."
Xu Bai laughed and said, "Oh dear, that's hard to say. None of the men in our household have concubines. There's no reason for married daughters to have to suffer the gossip of mistresses."
Xu Di glared at Xu Bai and said, "Don't be so outspoken at such a young age. You're used to making mistakes at home, but you'll always make mistakes when you're out. Lin Zhining said he wrote home and asked his mother to help him get rid of it."
Xu Bai frowned and said, "Scumbag!"
Xu Di ignored him and said to Chen Zhaoci, "This matter should be decided by Fourth Sister herself. Moreover, Lin Zhining is the eldest son in the family. The Lin family is a prominent family in Gaoqing County. I heard that half of the land in the entire Gaoqing County used to belong to their family. However, their descendants were unworthy, which led to the family falling apart. Lin Zhining's father is a capable man. Over the years, the family's old property has been almost completely recovered. What I am worried about now is that after Fourth Sister marries into the family, as the matriarch, she will have to stay at home and cannot go with Lin Zhining to take up his post outside the county."
Chen Zhaoci waved his hand and said, "These are all issues to consider later. Right now, there's something that hasn't been resolved yet. Your eldest aunt wants Fourth Sister to be her daughter-in-law. Fourth Sister is going to get engaged to Young Master Lin. How much trouble is your eldest aunt going to cause?"
Xu Di smiled and said, "Mother, don't worry about that. Grandfather and Uncle have already come up with a solution. Mother, have you heard of General Zhou Qing in Liaodong Prefecture?"
Chen Zhaoci thought for a moment and said, "I've heard that there is no mistress in their household. Whenever there is an occasion that requires family members to appear, it is General Zhou's daughter who will step forward. I have even seen that girl. She is very dashing."
Xu Di smiled and said, "The Marquis and his uncle asked my father to act as matchmaker, to arrange for this Miss Zhou to marry my cousin Xing. I guess Miss Zhou has already arrived in Tai'an and met my cousin Xing."
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