Wait a minute? What do you mean by becoming a concubine?
Qin Xiaozhou continued, "I didn't explain clearly. My second uncle is twenty-two years old this year. Last year, he went to the capital to take the imperial examination and was fortunate enough to pass the list."
He met a girl at the temple, fell in love at first sight, and wanted to marry her, so he asked me to come and propose marriage.
"Miss Xu, you met my second uncle yesterday. Although he can't compare to the wealthy young masters of the capital, he is honest, ambitious, and handsome. He'll be taking up his post at the Hanlin Academy in the next couple of days, and he certainly won't cause you any hardship. Would you consider it?"
The Xu family mother and daughter were stunned for a long time.
Xu's mother couldn't believe such a wonderful stroke of luck. "Really to be his wife? But... but why would they choose my daughter? Our family has nothing, and we can't be of any help to him in the future!"
Then he asked his daughter, "Have you seen that person?"
Miss Xu nodded. She had met him yesterday; he was indeed handsome and dashing.
She stammers when she speaks, as if she's very nervous. It would be nice to marry a man like that and spend my life with him.
Qin Xiaozhou said, "Don't laugh at me, but my family are merchants from a small county town under Wanzhou Prefecture. We are not a respectable family. Besides, my second uncle is a stubborn man. Since he saw your daughter last winter, he has gone to the temple outside the city many times, just hoping to meet her again."
He couldn't help but sigh, "My second uncle's family also went through some hard times when he was young. He didn't return to school until he was fourteen. He has been studying hard day and night all these years and has never been in contact with women. He certainly has no concubines or maids."
"As long as Miss Xu dedicates herself to her family and lives a good life from now on, he will certainly not mistreat her."
Qin Xiaozhou truly meant what he said; if even that didn't work, he didn't know what else to do.
Xu's mother sat down in a daze, not knowing what to do for a moment. Such a good marriage seemed like a lie.
But if we let the opportunity slip away and it delays our daughter's future, wouldn't we regret it for the rest of our lives?
Qin Xiaozhou was also uneasy, afraid of messing things up, but now he could only sit and wait.
Miss Xu stared at the floor for a long time, then stared blankly at the courtyard, and finally said, "May I see him?"
"Of course." Qin Xiaozhou was almost ready to clap his hands in approval. "Could we meet at Xiangguo Temple tomorrow? There are many people there, so it won't attract attention and won't ruin your reputation."
Upon hearing this, Xu's mother's expression softened slightly. She politely entertained Qin Xiaozhou and saw her to the door.
That evening, Qin Xiaozhou told him what had happened. Lu Yunxing was so happy that he went to see Lu Yunfeng two or three times that night, changing his clothes four or five times. He only calmed down after Lu Yunfeng impatiently threw him out of the yard.
The next morning, they knocked on the door early again, and after confirming that everything was correct, they hurriedly went outside the city.
Qin Xiaozhou and Qin Jinrong were sunbathing in the courtyard. It was almost March, but the capital was still a bit chilly.
Qin Jinrong was watching ants by the flower bed, but she couldn't stay still and kept trying to drag someone out. Qin Xiaozhou had no choice but to take her for a walk.
Lu Yunxing returned in the afternoon, beaming with joy and in high spirits. He found Qin Xiaozhou and said, "I would like to ask you, Auntie, to propose marriage."
Is it done?!
Qin Xiaozhou, however, was thoughtful. “You now hold an official position, while I am merely a merchant. Seeing that the girl is the daughter of a scholar, you should wait a moment while I find someone to ask her first.”
Qin Xiaozhou was looking for Gu Yunyao. To meet her, he needed to first present a formal invitation and follow all the proper etiquette.
The next morning, Qin Xiaozhou sent someone to deliver the visiting card, and unexpectedly received a reply at noon.
Gu Yunyao invited Qin Xiaozhou to meet at the teahouse in the afternoon.
As soon as Qin Xiaozhou arrived at the teahouse, a maid was waiting at the door. "Are you Madam Lu from Wanzhou? My concubine is already upstairs. Please follow me."
Qin Xiaozhou thanked the maid before following her upstairs.
Incense burns in the elegant room, and the soft tinkling of jade pendants fills the air.
Gu Yunyao sat by the window on the third floor, sipping tea. She turned around and said, "Sit down. This tea arrived yesterday. It's the first batch of spring tea this year. Apart from the Emperor having two jars, only I have this. Please try it."
She waved her hand, and the maid withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the private room.
Qin Xiaozhou sat down and said, "Thank you, Consort."
"Hmph." Gu Yunyao snorted coldly, looking the man up and down. "You're becoming more and more like the people here. Looks like you're doing well."
Qin Xiaozhou was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Yes, she's becoming more and more like the people here. If she hadn't met Gu Yunyao today, she would have forgotten many things from her past life.
Gu Yunyao looked up at the window and said, "Speak, what do you want with me?"
Qin Xiaozhou stood up and bowed. "My husband's younger brother wants to propose to a girl. To show our respect, we would like to ask you to be our matchmaker."
"You always think of the Lu family." Gu Yunyao withdrew her gaze. "Lu Yunfeng has been kind to me, but Lu Yunxing is just a lowly eighth-rank official taking a wife. He's not qualified for me to intervene. You should ask someone else."
Qin Xiaozhou lowered her brows, concealing the emotions in her eyes. She felt that Gu Yunyao was very strange, and her words were barbed.
But that shouldn't be the case.
Qin Xiaozhou had made a special inquiry and found that the title of the War King's concubine was well-known and respected in the capital. Over the years, several students from her orphanage had become famous.
Scholars all speak highly of Gu Yunyao, and it is said that even the War King treats her like a principal wife.
Qin Xiaozhou took out the prepared gift, "This is a dessert I recently developed, please try it."
Desserts go perfectly with a light tea.
Gu Yunyao ate two pieces, picked up the food box and left. "The capital is not suitable for you. Go back as soon as possible. Also, if the Princess Consort of the War King comes looking for you, just say that you are not familiar with her. Don't tell anyone about what happened today."
Qin Xiaozhou was startled and suppressed the fear in her heart. "Yes, thank you for the reminder, Consort."
In a world where imperial power reigns supreme, it would be incredibly easy for someone in a position of authority to crush a merchant woman like her.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
