Yin Susu had found her ideal husband.
The first person to learn the news was Yan Mingli.
"Brother Mingli, you're the best. Please help me, Brother Mingli..." Yin Susu was like a clingy puppy, circling around Yan Mingli.
After ten years, there was a touch of maturity in Yan Mingli's eyes. Under Yin Susu's persistent pleading, he finally relented and agreed to meet the young man.
...
In a small courtyard in the capital.
Yan Mingli looked at Gu Xuyang in front of him and always felt he looked familiar. "What's your name? How many people are there in your family..."
Before he could finish, Yin Susu dragged Yan Mingli away. When they reached a corner, she whispered, "Don't ask about this. His family situation is not good. It took me a lot of effort to persuade him to stay with my family."
"He's a student at the Imperial College, under the tutelage of Grand Tutor Ye and taught by Young Grand Tutor Ye. I've sent someone to inquire. He has excellent grades and is outstanding in every aspect. But for some reason, he can't take the imperial examinations."
Yin Susu's tone suddenly perked up with a hint of pride. "I'm so good - looking, and he's so smart. Our future children will surely be as good - looking and smart as Jinxing."
Yan Mingli nodded in agreement. He was good - looking, and Miaochun was smart, so Jinxing was both good - looking and smart. He reached out and patted Yin Susu on the shoulder, approvingly saying, "Not bad. As parents, we should always think about our children."
Yin Susu became even more proud. "Of course!"
Thanks to Yin Susu's interruption, Yan Mingli didn't ask Gu Xuyang's name. Instead, he taught him how to manage a household, serve elders, and take care of his wife.
...
When Yin Susu told Shen Baozhu this news, Gu Chen was greatly surprised and chased after her with questions. "What's wrong with his family? Why can't he take the imperial examinations?"
Yin Susu was dissatisfied with Gu Chen's attitude and turned her back on him.
Shen Baozhu gently patted her on the shoulder and asked, "Susu, Gu Chen is just worried about you. With me protecting you, he won't dare to say anything to you."
Hearing this, Yin Susu happily turned around.
Just then, Xu Yutang and Xu Yunmiao came in from outside. Seeing Yin Susu there too, Xu Yutang smiled and said, "This time they had a fight. Yuan Qingxi moved to the study to wash up. Since there was no one to serve him, he took a cold - water bath and made himself catch a cold."
Yin Susu let out an exclamation. "You can get sick like this! Yuan Qingxi is so amazing!"
Having been ill for a long time, Xu Yunmiao learned medicine from the Princess Jingning after she recovered. But due to various reasons, she only learned a little theory.
A few days ago, Gao Shan went to the outskirts for military training with Shen Haiyan. Xu Yunmiao was bored at home, so she came to the manor to find Xu Yutang.
Yin Susu wrapped her arm around Xu Yutang's and coquettishly said, "Sister Yutang, how did you know I wanted to ask this?"
"Zhiyi said you asked about the situation, and I guessed you'd want to know this. You, your gossipy nature is just like Mingli and His Highness the Prince Rui." Xu Yutang tapped Yin Susu on the head.
Yin Susu opened her eyes wide, leaned to one side, and rested her head on Shen Baozhu's shoulder, speaking in a coquettish tone. "There's nothing I can do. Baozhu just likes my nature, right, Baozhu?"
Then she was pushed away by Gu Chen. Yin Susu was so angry that she whispered, "Stingy! Stingy! Stingy!"
Shen Baozhu gave Gu Chen a disapproving look, then took Yin Susu's hand and softly asked, "I heard from Brother Mingli that his family background is not good. Tell me in detail. How bad is it?"
Yin Susu naturally nestled into Shen Baozhu's arms and said contentedly, "Well, he's a concubine - born son in the family. To sum it up, his mother died early, his father is paralyzed, the main wife is kind, and he's so pitiful. Oh, and there's a very, very outstanding younger brother."
Shen Baozhu then asked, "I heard his academic performance is excellent, but for some reason, he doesn't want to take the imperial examinations. Do you know why? He's studying at the Imperial College. Even if he doesn't take the imperial examinations, he can enter the court through other means. Is he willing to stay at home?"
Mentioning this, Yin Susu suddenly got energetic. She sat up from Shen Baozhu's arms and described it in detail.
Yin Susu and Gu Xuyang met at the entrance of the Imperial College. One was looking for a husband, and the other was looking for a wife. They were of the right age and good - looking. They hit it off immediately and decided to get to know each other for a few days.
They strolled on the streets and played in the outskirts. Yin Susu accompanied Gu Xuyang in his studies, and Gu Xuyang danced with Yin Susu and helped her pick spices. They were both very satisfied with each other, except for one thing - who would stay at home.
Gu Xuyang wanted to follow his senior brother's example and decide who would stay at home based on who was more outstanding. But Yin Susu firmly disagreed with this method because she wanted to get married first and then start her career. With this method, she was destined to be at a disadvantage.
To persuade Gu Xuyang, Yin Susu secretly took him back to the Yin Mansion and showed him that she was very rich and could support him.
Here, Yin Susu suddenly stopped.
Gu Chen guessed what was coming next. "Did he agree?"
"No! But he agrees now." Yin Susu deliberately kept them in suspense. "He didn't agree at first, looking like he wouldn't yield to money. But then he agreed when he saw the maid. He said the maids in my family were so nice that it would be okay to stay at home."
"Baozhu, his taste is really good! Nanny Caixing used to be the chief maid beside my aunt! He could tell!"
There was full - blown pride on Yin Susu's little face. She was truly proud of this. "And I asked Brother Mingli to check him out to see if he was suitable to manage the household. Brother Mingli said his personality was a bit cold, but his good looks and the fact that he was a disciple of Young Grand Tutor Ye made up for it. He's willing to stay at home. That's good enough!"
Suddenly, she sighed. "Cousin, you were right. I was really daydreaming. Xuyang's family background is a bit poor. I can't find a husband with a good family background, a lot of money, good looks, who will revolve around me and come at my beck and call."
Xu Yutang comforted Yin Susu. "A poor family background also has its advantages. You can control him. By the way, what's his name?"
Yin Susu nestled back into Shen Baozhu's arms. "Xuyang, Gu Xuyang!"
Gu Chen and Shen Baozhu glanced at each other, surprised. Why did this name sound the same as that of the Third Prince?
The surname Gu and of the same age as Yin Susu. Who was so bold as to use the same name as the Third Prince?
...
In the small courtyard.
After Gu Xuyang brought his senior brother to a small courtyard, he rushed straight to the kitchen. He had been practicing cooking recently.
This was what Yan Mingli had said. Yin Susu practiced dancing and needed to maintain her figure. She couldn't eat much and was extremely picky. She'd rather go hungry than compromise. So for Gu Xuyang, it was very important to cook the food Yin Susu liked and win her heart through her stomach.
Coincidentally, Yan Mingli was an excellent cook, and he had taught Gu Xuyang a few recipes.
Looking at the simple but well - located two - courtyard house, the senior brother couldn't help but be happy for his junior brother. "Good for you! You're so rich that you can afford a house here!"
Gu Xuyang rolled up his sleeves and showed a sincere smile. "It didn't cost much. This was given to me by my future wife. She said she's rich and told me to spend freely."
The senior brother keenly realized that this was why Gu Xuyang had called him over. His junior brother was showing off!
After achieving his goal, Gu Xuyang was in a great mood and volunteered, "Senior brother, I'll cover the expenses during this period. You can save your money to buy a gold hairpin in peace."
The senior brother immediately perked up. He quickly rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen to help. "Thank you, junior brother. I'll help you as an assistant."
Oh my god! Since his junior brother was relying on his future wife, he could also benefit. He hoped his junior brother and his future wife would live in harmony so that he could save enough money to buy a gold hairpin soon!