CHAPTER 291: CHAPTER 291: MARRIAGE PROPOSAL (3)

The First Master pondered for a moment, then stood up and looked at Fourth Master Xiao, saying, "There are two young ladies in the government office who are not yet married. I wonder which one the Great Governor is proposing for?" Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze shifted slightly, "I leave it to Uncle to decide!" After a pause, he added, "I am not young and yet only have one son so far, which worries my mother often, hence..." Hence, of course, it must be an older one that meets this requirement, and who else could it be but Xiqiu!

The First Master understood his words and had no objection to Fourth Master Xiao’s proposal. He asked, "Might I ask abruptly, why does the Great Governor wish to marry the daughter of the official? Given your current status, you should have many choices."

Fourth Master Xiao’s face was serious, with a hint of apology in his voice: "It is to fulfill a regret of my mother’s!" He paused and continued, "Since my second brother’s wedding, my mother has always felt guilty about the Tong Mansion, feeling unable to make amends. So, I wish to fulfill this dream for her!"

So that’s how it is!

The First Master finally understood; he had been silently suspecting whether his two daughters had any private contact with Fourth Master Xiao, that he would propose so boldly. It turns out it was for the Grand Dowager, which set his mind at ease, and he asked: "So, this marriage is the Great Governor’s own idea?" Without the Grand Dowager’s consent?

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, "My mother knows!"

The First Master furrowed his brows, as this matter came too suddenly. He mentioned any young lady could suit, but regardless of age or order, or just as Fourth Master Xiao himself said, it should be Xiqiu. If it’s indeed Xiqiu, then he must consider it carefully. Although with Fourth Master Xiao’s current status, the Tong Mansion is marrying up by accepting a concubine’s daughter, this kind of situation makes him even feel there’s something fishy about it.

"Great Governor, this is the life event of my little girl. Allow me to ponder and then reply, how about that?"

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows and nodded, "Of course, when Uncle has made a decision, please send someone to notify me, and I will formally visit with a matchmaker to propose." With that, he stood up: "I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave!"

The First Master, still bewildered, saw Fourth Master Xiao off, then went to Madam Xia’s courtyard, and spoke with her behind closed doors. Qingzhi, who served Madam Mei, leaned against the wall to listen, becoming more shocked the more she heard, and subsequently reported the conversation between the First Master and Madam Xia to Madam Mei. Madam Mei sprang up: "You say Fourth Master Xiao came to the Tong Mansion to propose?" Qingzhi nodded, and a peculiar smile appeared on Madam Mei’s face. There are only two young ladies in the mansion, both concubines’ daughters, and now with Fourth Master Xiao’s status, he stooped to marry is already an extremity. Yet compared to the Eighth Miss, the Sixth Miss was not as clean, as she was previously betrothed. According to the previous dynasty’s customs, the Sixth Miss could be considered the widow of the Hong Mansion. Fourth Master Xiao, with a status like his, would certainly never look at the Sixth Miss. Thus, isn’t this marriage only belonging to the Eighth Miss?!

Her face showed unpredictable expressions, and the gloominess of recent days vanished. She felt the Eighth Miss’s glory and the first-rank imperial decree were within reach, making her very happy. However, Qingzhi’s next words were an unrelenting splash of cold water: "Madam, Fourth Master Xiao proposed for the Sixth Miss!"

"What?!" Madam Mei was stunned, her face instantly collapsing in disbelief: "What did you say? He proposed for the Sixth Miss?" Qingzhi nodded: "He said the Eighth Miss was too young."

Too young, too young. Madam Mei now hated herself for not getting pregnant earlier, for not giving birth to the Eighth Miss earlier, otherwise there wouldn’t be constraints everywhere due to age now! She paced angrily in the room, recalling the previous confrontation with the Lady at the Marquis Mansion, also due to the Eighth Miss being young. Now, Fourth Master Xiao has come to propose again, clearly as if Heaven is compensating the Eighth Miss!

It can’t be. It can’t possibly be the Sixth Miss... Madam Mei’s mind raced. She absolutely couldn’t let this marriage fall to the Sixth Miss. If she couldn’t let the Eighth Miss marry there, nor could she allow it for the Sixth Miss. With their mother and daughter acting domineeringly in the mansion, if the Sixth Miss indeed got a good marriage, they could walk sideways in the Tong Mansion in the future, leaving no place for them and the Eighth Miss!

She swiftly tidied her dress and hurried out. Qingzhi was startled and chased after her, asking, "Madam, where are you going?" Madam Mei didn’t hear her, muttering to herself as she walked, and Qingzhi could only follow behind. Only upon reaching the entrance of Zhui Garden did she realize Madam Mei was going to find the Lady.

By the afternoon, Xiqiu heard rumors in the mansion, listening to Chunliu with a face full of shock confirming, "Are you sure Fourth Master is here to propose?"

Chunliu affirmed, "Yes, it has spread throughout the mansion, saying Miss is destined for life as a noble lady, saying where there is disaster, there is blessing too. Miss suffered a great ordeal before, and certainly, this good thing followed right afterward." It was unbelievable to think of, the legitimate Fourth Master of the Marquis Xuanning, now the favored Great Governor, yet unmarried. Someone of his stature had long been the sweetheart in the Capital, with numerous noble families wishing to have their daughters matched with him, and it was unknown where the Tong Mansion would rank in line. How could it possibly fall to the Sixth Miss, a concubine’s daughter in the Tong Mansion?

But that’s how things were—it was like a pie falling from the sky, hitting the Tong Mansion on the head—they lost the marriage with the Marquis Mansion only to catch a big melon in return.

Chunliu had mixed feelings in her heart. Though Fourth Master Xiao’s status was noble, his past was notorious. Miss would not know what kind of life she would lead if married there. But then again, it wasn’t their choice now. Not to mention whether the First Master would agree, given her current status, hoping to find such a marriage was dreaming.

Lost in her thoughts, Xiqiu sat quietly on the chair, not knowing what to feel as images of her interactions with Fourth Master Xiao replayed in her mind. Those things Fourth Master Xiao had said but never made sense now suddenly became clear, and she had a feeling of being watched for a long time and falling into a net set long ago, feeling manipulated.

She furrowed her brows tightly and asked Chunliu, "What did the First Master say at the time?" Chunliu thought back and replied, "The First Master didn’t immediately agree, only said he’d think it over." Xiqiu squinted her eyes and suddenly stood up, assuming Fourth Master Xiao’s behavior; he should visit again.

Chunliu didn’t understand why Miss suddenly got angry, perhaps dissatisfied with this marriage. She thought for a moment and said, "Miss, if the First Master agrees, this marriage is actually quite good in my opinion, don’t refuse it!" Chunliu knew Miss’s methods. If Miss didn’t want to marry, even if the First Master agreed, Miss would find ways to break the engagement.

Xiqiu didn’t speak, stepping into the room, and found the He Tian Jade Hairpin Fourth Master Xiao had left with her... Perhaps she was too hasty. The other party had merely proposed, and she shouldn’t go to confront anyone.