Chapter 11 Blind Date
Afraid of meeting Wei Lingze in Jingzhao Prefecture, Chunxi went directly to Qingyuan Hou Mansion.
She had originally planned to wait in the alley next to the Marquis's Mansion, but unexpectedly she was lucky enough to meet Qingshu two streets away from the Mansion.
In addition to the food for Shen Qingyuan, Chunxi also put some in a small bowl for Qingshu. Qingshu tasted it and praised it highly, and took the food box without hesitation.
In Wenxin Courtyard, Shen Qingyuan was reading again.
As soon as Qingshu entered the room, he said happily, "Miss Chunxi brought some rabbit meat for you, sir. It's delicious. Please try it."
Qingshu opened the food box and brought out a large plate of rabbit meat.
Although the rabbit meat was cold, it was covered with red oil and sesame seeds, and looked great. After opening it, a spicy and fragrant smell immediately hit the nose, making people's appetites whet.
Shen Qingyuan didn't rush to taste it. He raised his eyes and looked at Qingshu: "You didn't tell her that I was on vacation today?"
Qingshu nodded and said, "My Lord, don't you like to be disturbed when you are resting? I will help you bring the things in."
In the past, there were people who sent things to thank you, didn’t you ask him to handle it?
Qingshu felt that what he did was right, and Shen Qingyuan also praised him: "Well, you did a good job."
As he spoke, he took out the small bowl of rabbit meat from the food box.
Qingshu quickly said, "Sir, this small bowl is given to me by Miss Chunxi."
He tasted only a small piece and then hurriedly brought it to the adults, thinking that he would go to the kitchen to get some peanuts and a pot of wine to eat slowly.
Shen Qingyuan didn't stop moving. He used the bamboo skewer that Chunxi had prepared to pick up a piece of rabbit meat and put it into his mouth. He said confidently, "So, I can't eat what's given to you?"
Qingshu shook his head repeatedly.
They are all adults, and there is no food that adults cannot eat.
But the adults already have a plate this big, why are you still trying to steal his?
——
Matchmaker Zhang did not exaggerate. Only two days later, she came to Chunxi's house with a smile on her face to propose marriage.
"Mr. Li owns a shop in the east of the city, an orchard on the outskirts of the city, and more than ten acres of good farmland. The rent alone is enough to feed and drink every year. He is willing to pay a betrothal gift of one hundred taels. Chunxi can marry into their family and enjoy a life of happiness!"
Yuanwailang was of respectable status, had a wealthy family, and was generous with his betrothal gifts. Wang originally wanted to put on airs, but as she listened, she couldn't help but smile.
If she became the mother-in-law of a wealthy man, she would be proud of herself in the future.
Chunxi's face was calm, showing no joy. When Matchmaker Zhang's praises made her thirsty and she drank her tea, she asked, "How old is Mr. Li?"
Matchmaker Zhang choked a little, then smiled and said, "He's not that old, and he's rich and well-off, so he looks very young."
Chunxi didn't respond, but just stared at Matchmaker Zhang. Matchmaker Zhang said awkwardly, "She's really not that old. She's only thirty-five after the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Wow! This guy can be Chunxi's father.
The smile on Wang's face faded a little, and Chunxi asked again: "Mr. Li is already thirty-five and still hasn't married. Could it be that he has some hidden illness?"
Wang gave Chunxi a look. How could a girl ask such a question?
Matchmaker Zhang didn't mind. She patted her chest and said, "Although Mr. Li hasn't married yet, he has several concubines and sons running around everywhere. There must be nothing wrong with his health."
All the concubines in the room have sons. Won’t Chunxi, the legal wife, be torn apart by them when she enters the house?
Wang's face was completely devoid of smiles, but Chunxi was still smiling: "Aunt, I am young and cannot control others. I am not destined to go to Mr. Li's house to enjoy a good life. I also know my situation. You don't have to help me find a wealthy family. As long as the family is simple and they can live a down-to-earth life, it will be fine."
Chunxi spoke gently and didn't give Matchmaker Zhang a cold look. Matchmaker Zhang was pleased and praised her, "You are a very clear-headed girl. I have a suitable candidate for you. He is a scholar, only 25 years old this year, and teaches in a school. Your Ah Wen should know him."
Chunxi understood that this was the family that Zhang the matchmaker really wanted to tell her about.
In the evening, as soon as Zhang the matchmaker left, the teacher named Zhou Qin sent Cao Wen back home.
"The child was playing around without restraint and accidentally fell. I've taken him to the clinic. It's just a sprain, no broken bones. He should be fine in a few days."
The Zhou family's financial situation was much worse than that of Mr. Li, but Zhou Qin earned two taels of silver a month teaching in school, and he could also earn some extra money by helping people copy and proofread books after class, so their life was not too tight.
Moreover, Zhou Qin has a handsome appearance, and his gray-blue gown is simple and scholarly.
Wang wanted to return the medical expenses to Zhou Qin, but Zhou Qin refused to accept it: "Awen was injured in school. I, as a teacher, failed to take good care of him. There is no need to do this, aunt. Awen has difficulty walking these days, so I will take him to and from school."
"Would that be too much trouble, sir?"
"Won't."
As soon as Zhou Qin left, Wang couldn't wait to ask Cao Wen about Zhou Qin's situation.
Cao Wen said without hesitation, "Mr. Zhou is a very nice person and teaches very carefully. We all like him very much. Moreover, he is very filial to his parents."
When Wang heard the word "filial piety", her eyes brightened.
Although Mr. Li's family was well-off, he had several concubines and a son. Wang's mother-in-law would only give her a better reputation, and she wouldn't necessarily gain any advantage. However, Zhou Qin was a good person who valued filial piety, so she would definitely be respectful to her as his mother-in-law, and she would be able to continue to control Chunxi in the future.
Wang was immediately very pleased with Zhou Qin. She pulled Chunxi into the house and said, "This Mr. Zhou is a man of good character and both talent and beauty. I will reply to Matchmaker Zhang tomorrow. However, the Zhou family is not rich. Don't be foolish and give all your hidden money to them. You should keep some for yourself."
Chunxi has a bad temper now, so Wang doesn't dare to say that she will help keep her money. She can only lay the groundwork first and let Chunxi hand it over herself when the time is right.
Wang was already thinking about Chunxi's future after marriage. Chunxi said coldly, "We've only met once. How can I know what his character is like? I need to find out more."
"Didn't Matchmaker Zhang explain it clearly? His parents are still alive, he has only one younger sister, and he's always been chaste and never married. And Ah Wen also said he's a good person. What else do you want to know?"
Wang was very unhappy.
Marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. She asked Chunxi just for the sake of formality, but Chunxi was really picky.
Chunxi didn't argue with Wang, but said coldly, "This is a matter that concerns my entire life, so I have to be cautious. If you promise someone behind my back, I don't mind having another stepfather."
Listen to what this is saying?
Wang left in anger.
The next morning, Zhou Qin came to pick Cao Wen up to go to school. Chunxi accompanied Cao Wen and said, "I heard that other children were also injured. I will accompany Awen to the school to find out what happened. If it is Awen's fault, I will apologize to them."
Zhou Qin's eyes lit up slightly, and he praised: "Young lady, you are really sensible."
Zhou Qin carried Cao Wen on his back and walked towards the school side by side with Chunxi.
On the way, they ran into Shen Qingyuan's carriage.
After losing the bowl of rabbit meat, Qingshu came down and thought about it for a long time, and finally realized that his master seemed to treat Chunxi differently. So when he saw Chunxi walking on the side of the road, Qingshu immediately stopped the carriage.
"Miss Chunxi, where are you going?"
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