When An Shuyi woke up and opened her eyes, she saw a familiar face. She raised her hand to hit him, but her hand was weak and she had no strength at all.
"You drugged me?"
"Madam, I did this only to prevent you from running away. Please don't be offended. I really like you so much, but you don't like me back. So you can only come to my territory and cultivate our relationship."
"I'll let you come back when you like me. If I'm not mistaken, the condition for your departure is to sit on the throne, right? As long as I stop you, you won't leave, will you?"
He initially didn't believe her, as it seemed too far-fetched, but then he thought, maybe it was true. Sure enough, judging from her reaction, he knew it was true.
"Did you leave a message for Hua Hua?" An Shuyi asked.
"Don't worry, Madam, I'll keep you here. I said I'd take you away for a few months, and I'll send you back when the time is up." He naturally wouldn't let that Madam Xia interfere with their efforts to cultivate their relationship.
"Alright!" An Shuyi didn't say anything more. Anyway, they wouldn't make a move for several months, so going to the border to have some fun wouldn't be bad.
On the other side, Xia Hua and Cheng Yumo went out for a while and then went home. However, Shu Shu did not return the next day. Before she could go looking for her, she saw a letter on the table in the room.
Upon opening it, I found it was left by Xiao Yubai. He was going to take Shushu to the border for a trip and would bring her back when the time was up. Without even asking, I knew that the old man was coercing Shushu.
However, she wasn't worried about Shushu, but rather about Xiao Yubai. That silly woman must be upset that he had tricked her, and who knows what kind of trouble he would cause him. It's better this way, as she can have some peace and quiet by herself.
"Madam, the official matchmaker has arrived and is waiting in the hall," Tao said hurriedly.
Upon hearing this, Xia Hua tossed the letter into the storeroom and said, "Go and serve some tea. I'll be right there." She then changed into a dress before heading to the hall.
As soon as she entered the hall, the official matchmaker stood up and asked, "This concubine has met Lady Shu, but may Lady An be here?"
"An Shuren has to go back to the village. If you have something to say, just tell me. I can make the decision." It seems to be about that boy's marriage.
Upon hearing this, the official matchmaker smiled and said, "Shuren, I was invited by Grand Tutor Dong to act as matchmaker for his fourth grandson, Dong Yanbo. The matchmaker is asking for the daughter of Shuren An, Miss Ruohua."
If it were any other family, she would have spoken highly of them when she acted as matchmaker. But the Grand Tutor instructed her to only mention that family and not to say too much, fearing that if she spoke too well, she might ruin the young lady's chances.
Helpless, she could only do as the tutor said, and say that any family would do.
"Grand Tutor Dong, I understand about this matter. I will send someone to inquire with Consort An and then get back to you."
"Yes, then I will come again tomorrow. I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave now," the matchmaker said, standing up.
Xia Hua couldn't let her leave like that, so she went over and handed her a purse, saying, "Come back tomorrow, and I'll definitely give you an answer."
"Yes, thank you, Lady Xia!" The official matchmaker took the purse and left. When she got outside, she saw that it contained gold ingots, each weighing ten taels. If she exchanged them for silver, it would be twenty taels. Lady Xia was truly generous.
After she left, Xia Hua asked Tao to invite Ruohua over and ask her opinion first. As for Shushu, she was not important. As long as Dong Yanbo was good, there would be no problem. If Ruohua was satisfied, the marriage could be settled.
She remembered that Dong Yanbo was the second-place scholar in the imperial examinations, and Wen Liu had praised him before. He also seemed to be working at the Hanlin Academy. She would ask him about it when she got back that evening.
"Xiuyi, go and find out what secrets Dong Yanbo's family has, how many people are in the family, whether they are easy to get along with, and most importantly, whether Dong Yanbo has concubines, maids, or even lovers outside. Don't even let the brothels go."
"Yes, Master." A voice came from the air, and Xiu Yi left after receiving the order.
"Auntie, did you call me here for something?" Ruohua asked softly as she entered and saw her aunt sitting in the seat of honor, deep in thought.
Xia Hua snapped out of her daze and looked at Ruo Hua's face. This girl was really good-looking, resembling Shu Shu by five or six points. Her features were delicate, and she was dignified and elegant, making her the most suitable person to be a legitimate wife.
"Auntie, why are you looking at me like that?" Ruohua said softly, feeling embarrassed by her gaze.
"You've grown up so much, it's time for you to get married."
"Auntie, I'm still young. I want to stay with Mom and Auntie for a couple more years." Although she didn't understand, she knew that someone was arranging a marriage for her.
Seeing her shy expression, Xia Hua said, "You're not a child anymore. A daughter is not meant to stay at home. Your mother has to leave for a while. Your aunt will take care of your affairs. This time, we're talking about the fourth grandson of the Dong family, Dong Yanbo."
"You should have some influence over this person. He even helped you before. You can consider him, but I'll have to send someone to inquire about him first to make sure there are no problems before you give me an answer."
Unlike men, for girls, marriage is like a second reincarnation. If they marry the wrong person, their future lives will be ruined, so it is essential to investigate thoroughly.
"Auntie, didn't my mother say where she was going?" It's strange that her mother and auntie would be separated one day. As far as she can remember, her mother and auntie have never been separated before. This is the first time.
"I didn't say anything. Don't worry, your mother will be fine. You can tell your aunt anything you're thinking, don't be shy." Although she said that, she knew it wouldn't happen.
Ruohua is a bold girl with her own ideas and persistence. Moreover, Shushu stays by her side to teach her whenever he has time, so her personality and way of doing things are also very good.
"Don't worry, Auntie. If this Young Master Dong is really good, I will consider it carefully." She was also a young woman and had expectations for the person she would marry in the future. However, she trusted her aunt and was sure she could find out the truth.
"Alright, then you can go back now. I'll send someone to find out more."
"Alright, Ruohua will take her leave."
Not long after, Xiu Yi came to report, "Master, the Dong family is very small. Dong was widowed early and never remarried. He doesn't even have a concubine."
"He has two sons. His eldest son, Dong Ying, is the head of the Hanlin Academy. His wife is the daughter of a minor official. They have two sons and a daughter."
"The second son, Dong Ting, did not enter the court to serve as an official, but stayed at home in retirement. His wife was Dong Ting's distant cousin. They had two sons, Dong Yanbo being one of them. Neither of Dong Taifu's sons had concubines, and their daughters-in-law were easy to get along with."
"Grand Tutor Dong's three grandsons are all married, and none of them have concubines. Dong Yanbo has never been engaged or decided on a marriage before, nor has he ever been to a brothel."
Upon hearing this, Xia Hua knew that this family was quite good. Just the fact that they didn't have concubines would attract countless girls willing to marry into their household. "Has no one come to propose marriage to Dong Yanbo?"
Xiu nodded, "Yes, but the Grand Tutor's words shut them up and no one came to visit anymore."
"What are you saying?"
"Only if there are no concubines in the household can one go to propose marriage."
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