Chapter 148 I'm Not Worthy of the Prefect

The four seasons in Jiangnan are like spring, with beautiful scenery. Different from the cold early spring in Beijing, you can see colorful and beautiful plants everywhere.

It was getting dark after they entered the city. Along the way, the two were worried that Jiang Qi would catch up with them, so they didn't dare to stop for long. They were both exhausted at the moment.

Especially for Ruan Qinghuan, this was her first time riding a horse for such a long time, and she felt like both legs no longer belonged to her.

I found an inconspicuous inn to stay in, took a comfortable hot bath, and ordered a table full of delicious dishes.

"I underestimated my sister-in-law in the past." Chu Li said sincerely. He never thought that Ruan Qinghuan, a pampered lady, could ride all the way to Jiangnan.

Ruan Qinghuan rubbed his legs and said, "I am trying hard. If it is any further, I am afraid I will not be able to hold on."

The two of them ate and chatted, and listened to the diners around them gossiping about their daily lives.

"Have you heard that the newly appointed Jiangnan prefect He Hongzhi wants to marry Miss Zhou?"

"I heard that a prefect married a woman from a Shang family. The Zhou family got the upper hand."

"I don't think so."

Everyone looked over when they heard this. The man pretended to be mysterious and said, "You may not know that the Zhou family has strong backers. I heard that someone is an official in the capital."

"The current prime minister is the grandson-in-law of Mr. Zhou. It's hard to say who will curry favor with whom."

Someone interrupted the guests at the table and said, "Hey, if we ask for one thousand to ten thousand, the girl from the Zhou family won't agree, and the He family can't marry her either."

…

Chu Li looked at Ruan Qinghuan and said, "How about I teach these gossipers a lesson?"

"No need. We are here to gather information. If you make a fuss, won't we be unable to hear the truth?"

Yes, Chu Li has calmed down.

Although the He family did not hold official positions in the capital, many of their family members served in the government, most of them in the Jiangnan area. The highest-ranking official among them was the Jiangnan prefect.

The Zhou family is a famous merchant family in Jiangnan. It is said that their wealth is equivalent to half of the country, but I don’t know whether it is true or not.

If this marriage goes through, I'm afraid no one in Jiangnan will be able to compete with the He family.

Chu Li was curious: "Sister-in-law, is your grandfather's family really rich enough to rival a country?"

Ruan Qinghuan picked up some food and put it in her bowl: "That's a metaphor, how is that possible?"

After listening for a while, Ruan Qinghuan discovered that the Zhou family did not seem to be satisfied with this marriage, but the He family was unwilling to give up and heard that they had already begun to prepare for the betrothal.

Are you going to marry her by force?

Chu Li: "Miss Xiaoyue should have arrived in Jiangnan before us. Should we go to the Zhou family tonight?"

Ruan Qinghuan shook his head: "Have a good rest tonight and go back early tomorrow morning."

Ruan Xiaoyue was arranged to stay at Zhou's house, so nothing would go wrong. She was too tired today, so she would go back after she had a good rest, so as not to worry her grandfather.

**

The next day, Chu Li and Ruan Qinghuan, who were sleeping soundly, were awakened by the sound of gongs and drums. Chu Li was already irritated with his bed, and he hadn't gotten enough sleep at this point, so his mood got even worse.

He opened the window and was about to argue with him, but was stopped by Ruan Qinghuan.

Chu Li came to his senses a little more and realized that this didn't seem to be a wedding procession, but rather a betrothal team.

He looked at the big "He" on the betrothal gift and his pupils suddenly dilated: "Could this be...sent to the Zhou family?"

That’s probably the case, Ruan Qinghuan’s expression turned cold.

The two changed their clothes and went downstairs. They had to get to the Zhou family before the He family.

In the main hall of the Zhou Mansion, Mr. Zhou, who is over 70 years old, has gray hair on his temples. He is leaning on a cane with a solemn expression.

As the sound of joy got closer, the anger in his eyes grew stronger and stronger: "This He Hongzhi is really going too far."

The maid ran in crying, "Old man, Miss Sun is so upset that she wants to commit suicide."

Everyone in the room was anxious after hearing this. A younger woman burst into tears and asked, "How is Shuang'er?"

"Fortunately, the maids stopped her, but the young lady is determined to commit suicide. What should we do?"

The young woman knelt in front of the old man and said, "Father, Shuang'er is my life. If she dies, I will have no way to survive."

"Why are you crying? Go back to your room and stay with her. Let Shuang'er put her mind at ease. This marriage will never happen."

The young woman heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this and went to the backyard with the help of her maid.

The other people in the room are all the heads of the various branches of the Zhou family. Now that the He family is forcing a marriage, it will be detrimental to the Zhou family whether it succeeds or not.

But if they refused firmly, the Zhou family was just a merchant and would never be able to get ahead of the government.

Old Man Zhou made up his mind and his expression became more determined. As long as he didn't agree, the marriage would not be possible. At worst, he would have to spend all his family wealth and move away.

But he did not forget his granddaughter's request, and ordered: "Settle the people Qinghuan sent to another garden to avoid unnecessary trouble."

**

Outside the gate of the Zhou Mansion, while Ruan Qinghuan was waiting for his subordinates to report, the team of subordinates from the He family also arrived.

The leader was a woman with gorgeous clothes and outstanding appearance, and the one wearing red and green beside her must be the matchmaker.

The matchmaker bypassed Ruan Qinghuan and Chu Li and asked the doorman to pass the message.

But the doorman stood there without moving, apparently having been instructed to turn away the He family.

The matchmaker was anxious when she saw this: "You servants, do you know who is here today? This is the mother of the prefect, who is here to discuss marriage with the Zhou family."

"If you delay your work, you may lose your lives."

"Mother Lin, please talk nicely. It's a happy day and we are here to get married, not to cause trouble. You need to know the etiquette."

The matchmaker said "Yes"

But despite the change of attitude, the concierge still did not report it, and the woman who maintained her elegant demeanor was obviously a little unhappy.

It was the first time that Chu Li encountered someone who forced a marriage proposal, and he wanted to go up and argue with him.

Ruan Qinghuan held her and shook her head. She wanted to see what other tricks this Prefect He's mother had.

"Grandpa Zhou is really old and confused. Our He family sincerely wants to marry the daughter of the Zhou family, but he is unwilling to even offer a cup of tea. He really doesn't take the He family seriously."

"Someone come here..." Since the other party didn't know how to behave, it was no wonder that she had to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Just as he was about to order a forced entry, he noticed some movement in the mansion.

The gate of the mansion was wide open, and all the heads of the Zhou family hurried out.

When Mrs. He saw this, her anger subsided a little, thinking that they knew what was going on.

Just as he was about to take a step forward, he saw the old man Zhou looking around, as if he couldn't see him who was right in front of him.

"Grandpa Zhou, today..."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted. He turned and walked towards the two girls by the door, looking excited: "Qinghuan girl has grown up so much, grandpa almost didn't recognize you."

"Grandpa, Qinghuan is here to see you." After not seeing grandpa for many years, his hair had turned white. Ruan Qinghuan felt a surge of sadness in his heart.

Mrs. He's face turned cold when she saw this. It turned out that the Zhou family members did not come out to greet her, but for the two little girls. She was immediately furious: "Grandpa Zhou, are you deliberately embarrassing the He family?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhou turned around and said, "What are you talking about, Madam He? I am unworthy of your kindness. My little granddaughter is incompetent and uneducated, and I am not worthy of you, the prefect."

"Whether I am worthy of you or not, I have my own considerations. Let's discuss this marriage carefully today."