Chapter 26 I've Been in Love with Her for a Long Time
Shen Qingyuan and Wei Lingze returned to the office, while Chunxi and Cao Wen returned home safely under Qingshu's escort.
Knowing that Shen Qingyuan would be very busy, Chunxi immediately made some pancakes and meat patties and sent them to him.
In case Lord Shen is busy and doesn't know the time, he can just bake the pancakes on the fire and eat them immediately. They are also convenient to carry.
Chunxi only sent cakes and did not inquire about the matter out of curiosity, but he still found out the situation the next day.
Ye Er and Mrs. Ye died.
All the valuables the two men brought with them were looted, and the guards and maids who accompanied them were also beheaded.
White banners and white lanterns were hung at the gate of the Ye family.
His Majesty was furious.
More than ten people were murdered under the emperor's feet, including the wives and children of court officials. They were completely lawless and rampant!
His Majesty demanded that the real culprit be caught and the case be closed within half a month. Hundreds of people from all levels of Jingzhao Prefecture rushed into the case. Officials searching and interrogating could be seen everywhere in the city, and the people were in a panic.
Afraid of getting into trouble, Chunxi said something to Qingshu and stayed at home to learn abacus.
Within two days, Matchmaker Zhang came to the door again.
Wang didn't know how much money Chunxi had in his hands now, and she didn't look happy when she saw Zhang the matchmaker again.
Matchmaker Zhang thought Wang was upset because of the Zhou family's affairs, so she apologized repeatedly, "Sister, I was really offended earlier. I didn't realize that Zhou Qin, a scholar, could be so petty. These days, every time I think about it, I feel so sorry for you. This time, I really found an especially good match for your Chunxi."
How good a marriage can be?
Her daughter Chunxi now owns a shop and has a lot of money hidden in her hands. Who would not make a profit if he marries her?
Wang Shi kept a straight face and didn't respond. Matchmaker Zhang didn't care and continued to flatter Chunxi: "This time, the young man is only 21 years old. He is not only good-looking, but also a rich young man. He is willing to pay 500 taels of silver to marry Chunxi."
Five hundred taels of silver are enough to marry a daughter of an official.
Could Chunxi be so valuable?
Just as Wang was beginning to feel suspicious, Matchmaker Zhang sighed and said, "This young man truly loves Chong Chunxi, but his grandmother is seriously ill, and his family is pressing him to return to Qingzhou at the end of the month to hold a wedding to celebrate the occasion. If the old lady's health improves, she might stay in Qingzhou for another two or three years. A higher betrothal gift would be considered compensation."
It turns out that he was planning to serve someone again.
Wang dispelled her doubts and felt a little melancholy in her heart.
The wedding is going to be held at the end of the month, and in Qingzhou. Doesn’t that mean she won’t be able to see Chunxi get married?
However, Chunxi seldom returned home during these years at the Wei family, and had been very rebellious recently, so Wang's melancholy soon dissipated.
Girls cannot be kept at home when they grow up. Chunxi no longer sees her as a mother. There is no point in watching Chunxi get married.
Moreover, if Chunxi really wants to live in Qingzhou for two or three years, then someone will have to help manage the shop under her name.
Wang's thoughts turned again and again, and she turned her head to look at Chunxi.
Matchmaker Zhang knew that Wang had agreed, so she quickly advised Chunxi, "Chunxi girl, trust me just this once. If you still don't like Mr. Liu after meeting him, I'll return the matchmaking money to your mother immediately."
He even mentioned returning the matchmaker's money. This Mr. Liu must be quite handsome.
Chunxi refused directly: "Thank you for your trouble, aunt, but I don't want to marry far away."
"How can this be called marrying far away? Young Master Liu's family is in Hanjing. It's just that my grandmother is recuperating in her hometown, so I went back to hold the wedding. If you're not satisfied, you can hold another one after you return from Qingzhou."
Matchmaker Zhang wanted to facilitate this marriage very much. She grabbed Chunxi's hand and spoke from the bottom of her heart: "Chunxi girl, let me tell you the truth. The Liu family gave such a huge betrothal gift. Many people want to marry their daughters to him. If I didn't feel sorry for you before, I wouldn't have come to you in the first place. If you are not even satisfied with Mr. Liu, I don't know where else I can find someone to match you with."
"Auntie, I'm grateful for your kindness. I'll cherish your kindness for the rest of my life, but I'm timid and don't dare to go to a place as far away as Qingzhou. Auntie, please give this good marriage to another girl."
Chunxi's tone was soft, but his attitude was firm.
Matchmaker Zhang tried to persuade Chunxi again, but seeing that Chunxi still refused, she left angrily.
Wang glared at Chunxi and said, "It won't hurt to meet him once. If you offend him like this, where will you find him in the future?"
Chunxi said calmly: "I can't possibly go to Qingzhou, so why waste time doing something that won't produce any results?"
Chunxi refused completely and thought that she would never have any contact with this Mr. Liu. However, the next day, this Mr. Liu came to her house.
The injured Cao Wu also returned with him.
"When I was transporting wood into the city, I encountered a search by soldiers. I accidentally startled my horse and was hit on the leg by the falling wood. Thanks to Mr. Liu who took me to the clinic to bandage it in time, otherwise my leg might be broken. Mother, please thank Mr. Liu for me."
"My son, how did you get hurt like this? Does it hurt?"
Wang threw herself on Cao Wu and cried bitterly, and had no intention of paying any attention to Master Liu. It was Chunxi who took the silver and returned it to Master Liu.
"It's just a small favor, you're welcome, young lady. I have a few words I want to say to you in private, could you spare me a moment?"
Young Master Liu was born with a handsome appearance. Although he came from a merchant family, he was not materialistic. Instead, he was polite and courteous, making people feel like they were in spring breeze and difficult to refuse.
Chunxi followed Master Liu out of the yard. As soon as they reached the alley entrance, they heard Master Liu say, "My family is in the tung oil business. Four years ago, when I was delivering oil to the Wei family, I met the young lady. She gave me a bowl of sweet water to drink."
Four years ago, Chunxi was not qualified to serve Wei Lingze. She was just a maid working in the Wei family's kitchen.
The Wei family is kind to others. Whenever someone brings something to the house from outside, the kitchen will send a bowl of sweet water.
Chunxi had given sweet water to many people and had no special impression of Master Liu, but Master Liu seemed to be immersed in some beautiful memories.
"Everyone thinks merchants are lowly, and I used to belittle myself because of that. But after drinking the sweet water the girl gave me that day, I straightened my back and became a man again."
“…”
So you've been living with your back straight for four years, and now you want to get married?
Chunxi was not moved at all. She said calmly, "Anyone who sends something to the Wei family will receive a bowl of sweet water. Master Liu is no exception. And it's not my kindness, it's the Madam's mercy."
Young Master Liu was stunned for a moment, then shook his head: "No, it's not just because of the sweet water. The way the girl looked at me that day was also very different, like... like the stars in the sky!"
Master Liu said this excitedly as he took a step towards Chunxi. "Miss Chunxi, I've been attracted to you for a long time. I know you bought a shop and want to start your own business. I can teach you. Don't worry, I won't leave you in Qingzhou."
Chunxi curled her lips and smiled distantly: "I already have a master to teach me, so there is no need to trouble Master Liu."
Chunxi refused straightforwardly, but Master Liu was extremely persistent and insisted on marrying her.
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