Xie Chong was overjoyed upon hearing this.
When it came to his youngest son, in terms of looks, character, and ability, he was outstanding in every aspect.
However, he just had no interest in women. In the early years, matchmakers almost broke the threshold of their house, but he just refused to agree.
But today, this lad had unexpectedly changed his tune.
"Are you just trying to amuse me?" Xie Chong asked suspiciously.
"After all, I'm already twenty. I'm afraid I'll be considered old."
Xie Chong nodded in satisfaction and quickly said, "Lin Bao'er, the legitimate daughter of the prefect, is good-looking and talented."
"Oh, and there's also Su Wan, the youngest daughter of the governor of Huaizhou. Although the governor's official rank is a bit lower, Miss Su has always been infatuated with you. She's stubbornly refused all match - making proposals until she's eighteen."
At this moment, Xie Chong wished he could list all the noble young ladies he knew from his memory.
Ruan Jiu's eyes dimmed. Whether it was the prefect's legitimate daughter or the governor's youngest daughter, either of them would be a good match for Xie Jingchu.
But why did she feel a tightness in her chest, as if something was about to well up in her eyes?
She put down the chopsticks in her hand and said, "Grandfather, I just remembered that there are still some accounts in the silk store that I haven't sorted out. You all enjoy your meal."
After saying that, without waiting for Xie Chong to reply, she stood up, bowed, and left.
A glint of cunning flashed across Xie Jingchu's eyes.
-
The Silk Store
For some reason today, even though it was already dark, Ruan Jiu still couldn't figure out the accounts in her hand.
Frustrated, she threw the abacus aside and closed her eyes, rubbing her temples.
Suddenly, the scene of Xie Jingchu agreeing to the marriage proposal popped up in her mind again, and it felt as if a big rock was weighing on her heart.
She suddenly opened her eyes and covered her chest with her hand, her eyebrows slightly knitted.
What was wrong with her?
Could she have a heart disease?
She took a deep breath and then picked up the abacus again.
Just then, the candle in the room suddenly went out.
"Chun Tao? Chun Tao?" she called out quickly.
Seeing that there was no response for a long time, she got up and groped her way towards the door in the dark.
With a "creak", the door of the room was pushed open.
"Chun Tao, the candle in the room went out. Go and find a new one quickly."
Maybe because she cried too much when she was a child, her eyes couldn't see well at night.
Suddenly, she felt something hard in front of her. Curiously, she pinched it with her hand.
What was this?
"Have you felt enough?"
Xie Jingchu's lazy voice came from above her head.
She was immediately so scared that she took a few steps back. In her panic, she didn't know what she tripped over, and her body fell straight backward.
Just when she thought it was all over, a pair of warm hands tightly wrapped around her slender waist.
At this moment, although she couldn't see Xie Jingchu's face, a warm breath was fanning on her face, and a faint smell of pine wood wafted into her nose.
She could hear Xie Jingchu's rapid breathing getting closer and closer. Her heart began to race out of control, beating faster and faster, as if the whole room could hear her heartbeat.
What was he going to do?
She nervously grabbed the hem of her skirt, her little face flushing. Somehow, she closed her eyes.
"Be careful." Xie Jingchu's voice was like mellow wine flowing, intoxicating.
After only a moment of daze, she suddenly opened her eyes and pushed Xie Jingchu away.
She lowered her head and said in a small voice, "Thank you, Fourth Master." Then she carefully touched her flushed cheeks.
For a moment, Xie Jingchu didn't say a word, and she didn't know what to say either. They just stood there like that.
Fortunately, Chun Tao ran over and broke the awkward silence.
"Miss Cousin, here's the candle."
The candle in the room was lit again. Xie Jingchu sat in the main seat, flipping through the account book that Ruan Jiu had just left on the table.
Ruan Jiu stood obediently beside him, lowering her head and nervously pinching the corner of her clothes. The scene just now kept popping up in her mind.
"These are the ones you can't figure out?"
"Huh?" Ruan Jiu looked up and saw Xie Jingchu gently tapping on the account book on the table.
She nodded and then pursed her lips.
Xie Jingchu closed the account book. This was not her level. She had been able to calculate such accounts since she was ten.
Thinking of her hasty departure during the meal, could it be because of that matter?
"What are you angry about?" Xie Jingchu asked directly.
"Nothing." Ruan Jiu replied, with no emotion showing on her face.
Seeing her being so obedient again, Xie Jingchu couldn't help but say, "You were cuter when you were a child."
"What?" She looked at him in confusion.
Xie Jingchu squinted his eyes slightly. The first time he saw her on the street, she was so small but extremely stubborn.
She was beaten by a group of much older beggars, but she neither admitted defeat nor begged for mercy. She seized the opportunity and bit others tightly.
The determination in her eyes was something he still remembered clearly.
He sighed. "It's nothing."
Then he stood up and said to her, "Come on, let's go home."
-
Early the next morning, just as Ruan Jiu was walking out of the main gate, she was called out by Xie Yanchuan.
"Wait a minute."
Ruan Jiu turned around and saw Xie Yanchuan running over in a hurry.
"You should really thank me."
"Thank you for what?"
Before Xie Yanchuan could answer, they saw Xie Jingchu walking out.
"Go and pack your things. I'll wait for you in the carriage." Xie Jingchu said.
"Me?" Ruan Jiu pointed at herself in confusion.
Xie Jingchu nodded and then walked towards the carriage.
Ruan Jiu turned to look at Xie Yanchuan, her face full of confusion.
"Fourth Uncle said he was going to Huaizhou yesterday. I specially begged him to take you with him, so that Father won't always keep thinking about arranging a marriage for us."
After saying that, Xie Yanchuan proudly lifted his chin, looking like he was waiting for Ruan Jiu's praise. For this matter, he had begged Fourth Uncle for a long time yesterday. He had almost thrown a tantrum on the ground.
Huaizhou? Didn't Fourth Master just come back? Why was he going again? Could it be to meet that Miss Su?
Ruan Jiu forced a smile and said, "Thank you."
Xie Yanchuan crossed his arms in front of his chest and nudged Ruan Jiu's arm. "You're welcome."
Ruan Jiu rolled her eyes at him and then went back to the courtyard to pack her things.
-
In the carriage, Ruan Jiu deliberately sat far away from Xie Jingchu.
Although she didn't say a word, it was obvious from her face that she was reluctant.
"You don't want to go to Huaizhou with me?" Xie Jingchu asked.
"You're going on a marriage - seeking visit. What do you need me for?" Ruan Jiu mumbled in a low voice.
So that's what she thought.
Xie Jingchu coughed lightly, suppressing the upward curve of his lips, and then closed his eyes to take a nap.
When they arrived in Huaizhou, it was already getting dark. The carriage stopped at the main gate of the governor's mansion.
As soon as she got off the carriage, Ruan Jiu saw Su Cheng, the governor of Huaizhou, standing at the main gate to greet them. Standing beside him was a young woman. Presumably, this was the Miss Su who, according to her grandfather, had been in love with Xie Jingchu for a long time.
"Fourth Master." Su Wan stepped forward and called out sweetly, her eyes staring directly at Xie Jingchu, showing her feelings without any concealment.
"Such bad manners." Su Cheng glared at Su Wan and then said to Xie Jingchu with a smile, "Fourth Master, let's go in and talk while having dinner."
There was only an eight - legged table with just the four of them sitting around it. The dishes on the table were obviously carefully prepared by Su Cheng.
Although Ruan Jiu was very capable in business, she still felt uncomfortable in such a situation. She silently watched Xie Jingchu and Su Cheng toast each other.
To cover up her awkwardness, she had already drunk several cups of wine.
"Fourth Master, who is this?" Su Cheng asked, looking at Ruan Jiu.
"Mine in the family." Xie Jingchu replied indifferently.
Ruan Jiu was taken aback. This statement was not wrong, but it just felt a bit strange.
Su Wan looked at Ruan Jiu. In fact, she had noticed Ruan Jiu as soon as she got off the carriage. She had never seen such a beautiful woman before.
She had a graceful figure and a charming face. Especially those beautiful peach - blossom eyes, they could almost take one's soul away.
"When did a concubine - in - waiting get to sit at the main table for dinner?" Su Wan pouted and stared at Ruan Jiu.
This face was really enviable.