Xue Yuan didn't understand what was going on and waited quietly for Bai Youxin to say the next words.
Bai Youxin put down her teacup and asked, "Brother Xue, what do you think of the fourth young lady of the Su family?"
Xue Yuan was not stingy in praising Su Shunci, saying that her vision and ability were not inferior to those present today.
Bai Youxin continued, "Miss Su is fifteen years old this year, and she's already at the age to discuss marriage. I stayed here today to remind Brother Xue that this is an opportunity."
Xue Yuan was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "When did Bai Shaodong start acting as a matchmaker?"
Bai Youxin continued, "I'm not joking. Doesn't the Xue family want to marry into the Ning Palace?"
"Don't blame me for not reminding Brother Xue. The Third Madam of the Shen family loves this concubine very much."
Xue Yuan shook his head and said, "Miss Su Si is the biological sister of His Royal Highness Prince Ning and Madam Shen San, and the cousin of the future Crown Princess. How can the Xue family, a mere merchant, be worthy of her?"
Bai Youxin laughed, "Brother Xue seems to know nothing about the fourth young lady of the Su family. Then I'll be honest with you, she won't marry into an official family."
Xue Yuan was stunned. "How do you mean?"
Bai Youxin analyzed the situation with her, "Firstly, the fourth young lady of the Su family is a concubine of the Pingning Marquis's mansion, and she was expelled from the mansion by the Pingning Marquis, which means she is no longer connected to the Su family."
"Don't look at her living in Prince Ning's Mansion now, but if you really want to argue, she is not considered a member of the Su family."
"Besides, she has been doing business for a long time, and now her business is growing bigger and bigger. Any prominent family in the capital would be reluctant to marry her. If her family background is low, she can't have a say in the Ning Wang Mansion, and those with higher backgrounds will look down on her background."
"Besides, I think this Fourth Miss Su is ambitious and won't be willing to give up her business and be trapped in the inner house."
"So, a well-known merchant family would have a better chance of success. Although the Xue family is a merchant family, their ancestors were also scholars. They have a good reputation and a good family tradition."
"This is an opportunity for the Xue family to move to the next level!"
As Bai Youxin analyzed the situation meticulously, Xue Yuan put away the smile on his face and began to ponder her words.
If what Bai Youxin said is true, then this is indeed an opportunity.
And to be fair, he did have some admiration for Su Shunci.
If such a person were to marry into the Xue family, not to mention her background, her ability alone would be an opportunity for the Xue family to move to a higher level.
Xue Yuan thought so in his heart, but his expression did not show any obvious thoughts.
Instead, he looked at Bai Youxin inquiringly, "Bai Shaodong, are you saying this to me today just because you feel sorry for me being single?"
Bai Youxin was amused by Xue Yuan's words. "Brother Xue, you're joking. You're just too proud to care about ordinary people. You have nothing to do with being pitiful."
Knowing that Xue Yuan would be suspicious, Bai Youxin said, "To be honest, Brother Xue, the Bai and Lin families are getting married."
"Of course, I have a selfish motive in telling you this. I'm worried that Fourth Miss Su will marry into another family and affect the Lin family's shipping business."
Xue Yuan was stunned and asked, "The Bai family and the Lin family are getting married? Could it be Bai Shaodong and the Third Young Master Lin?"
Bai Youxin nodded, confirming Xue Yuan's guess.
Xue Yuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment. If Bai Youxin and Lin Wuchen were really discussing marriage, then it would not be surprising for Bai Youxin to do this.
There are not many people doing shipping business now, but that doesn’t mean others don’t want to do it.
The Xue family was relatively good, having always been on good terms with the Bai and Lin families. They also had a clear moral compass and had been well-behaved businesspeople for generations.
But if Su Shunci married into another family, she would meet someone with no principles who would disrupt the market. With the help of Su Shunci and the power behind her, she might be able to muddy the waters of shipping.
You may be able to catch fish in muddy water, but you may not even catch a single shrimp.
Bai Youxin saw that Xue Yuan took it to heart, so she stopped talking. Everything should be done in moderation, not too much.
Before leaving, she instructed Xue Yuan, "Brother Xue, please keep today's events confidential. I don't want my words to be spread to the Lin or Su families."
"Brother Xue, you don't want the Su family to think that your proposal of marriage is a decision made after weighing the pros and cons, right?"
Without waiting for Xue Yuan's response, she walked out of the private room. She believed that Xue Yuan was a smart man and would not say anything he shouldn't say.
After Bai Youxin left, Xue Yuan sat alone in the private room for a while.
It was really a bit abrupt to rashly go to Prince Ning's mansion to propose marriage. He thought about it and suddenly had an idea in his mind.
As he stood up and walked out, he told the servant waiting at the door, "Prepare the car and go to Lin's Trading Company."
Just as the servant was about to reply, Xue Yuan stopped again, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Go home first."
If he went to Lin's Trading Company at this time, Lin Wuchen might be suspicious of Bai Youxin.
To be on the safe side, Xue Yuan waited for three days before going to Lin's Trading Company to find Lin Wuchen.
When he entered, Lin Wuchen was busy in the warehouse. When he heard that Xue Yuan had arrived, he hurriedly ordered him to go to the study.
Then Lin Wuchen washed his hands and hurried to the study.
As soon as he entered, he smiled and said, "Brother Xue, you are a rare guest. Someone bring tea."
Xue Yuan stood up and said, "Did I delay Brother Lin's business?"
Lin Wuchen gestured for him to sit down, and he sat down behind the desk, saying, "As you know, our business is full of trivial matters. You've come at the perfect time. Yesterday, we brought some fine aged Huadiao wine from the south. Let's not stop until we're drunk at noon."
Xue Yuan did not refuse and smiled heartily, "Then I'm in for a treat today. I've been craving that."
He didn't explain his purpose, and Lin Wuchen didn't ask.
He ordered people to prepare wine and food in the hall, and also brought some wine.
The best Shaoxing Huadiao wine was warmed up by the staff before being delivered.
The two drank three bowls of wine in a row before Xue Yuan began to formulate his words in his mind, preparing to explain his purpose to Lin Wuchen.
Lin Wuchen happened to be talking about the banquet that day, and Xue Yuan took over the conversation.
"Speaking of the banquet that day, I have something to ask Brother Lin."
Lin Wuchen drank three bowls of hot wine, a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. Hearing this, he said cheerfully, "Brother, what's the matter? Given our relationship, there's no need to ask for anything. As long as I can do it, I'll do my best to help you."
"But if I can't do it, please don't make it difficult for me."
Xue Yuan smiled and said, "Of course I won't make things difficult for Brother Lin. This isn't a business matter; it's my lifelong concern."
Lin Wuchen was stunned. "A lifelong event? Brother, you don't want me to be your matchmaker, do you?" He poured another bowl of wine for Xue Yuan and asked, "Brother, which girl have you chosen? Why did you find me?"
Xue Yuan took the wine poured by Lin Wuchen and drank it in one gulp.
Then he said, "I said this person is none other than the fourth young lady of the Su family. Because Brother Lin has a close relationship with the Ning Wang Mansion, I would like to ask Brother Lin to help go to the Ning Wang Mansion to sound out the situation."
"I wonder if Brother Lin is willing to help with this?"
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