Chapter 86: Proposing Marriage (2)

  Gu Ying didn't say a word, and Madame Guan looked at his gloomy face, and couldn't help but secretly worry in her heart. What she feared most was that Gu Ying would look down on Rong Hua again and find another excuse.

  Gu Ying let out a cold "hmm" and sat down in the chair beside him, taking a sip of tea before crossing his legs. What did it matter if Tao Ba's daughter was beautiful or not? He wasn't here for that. With the evidence he held in his hand, he should get far more than this. Gu Ying set the teacup down.

  The woman seemed to want to continue saying something, but was stared at by Gu Ying, the woman didn't understand what was going on, and her smile froze on her face.

  Gu Ying's face was light and frivolous, "Madam doesn't know, this tea must be drunk with the best, otherwise it would be a waste of such good Yuyao tea bowls."

  The lady's face changed instantly.

  Mrs. Dai looked at Ronghua, who still had a light dusting of powder on her face, with an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows and bright eyes. She seemed to have been intimidated by Gu Ying, and hung her head low, looking very wronged.

  Gu Yin looked at Tao Ba's face, which showed a shrinking fear, and the whole person seemed to be careful not to make mistakes and be blamed. Obviously, she didn't look like a young lady from a big family, but rather worse than the maids in the house. Thinking of this, Gu Yin's hand slipped and accidentally dropped the tea bowl on the ground, and suddenly the whole room heard the sound of shattering porcelain, and everyone was startled.

  The eighth lady on the chair seemed to have done something wrong, and she shuddered as she looked at the madam. Everyone's eyes were on Gu Ying, but only Gu Ying saw the eighth lady like this.

  The woman had never seen such a scene before and hurriedly went to apologize to the mistress, "Young master is so careless."

  Gu Ying, however, did not think so. She stood up, a smile playing on one corner of her mouth, but her eyes were icy cold. "I'll come visit you again another day, Master and Mistress."

  Mrs. Dai's hands and feet turned cold all of a sudden, not knowing what to do. If this matter didn't work out, she had no idea what kind of demands Gu Ying would make in the future. She was also afraid that Gu Ying would do something in a fit of anger. Hurriedly asking: "Where is Master Gu staying?"

  Gu Ying didn't say anything else, "Lian Sheng Inn in the east of the city."

  The lady said: "Wait for the old master to come back, then go and invite the young master over as a guest."

  Gu Yin didn't say a word, just twisted her mouth and turned to leave. Mrs. Dai, however, saw her all the way to the door. She waited until Gu Yin was far away before returning to the house.

  Ronghua is still waiting in the house.

  The madam looked at Ronghua with a glance, without the usual warmth and intimacy, as if facing a useless object, with a hint of disdain. These concubines were not useful at all in critical moments.

  The big wife waved her hand casually and said, "I'm tired, you go back and rest too!"

  Ronghua walked to the door, just as Chunyao and Feicui hurried over to greet her. Chunyao bowed slightly and entered the house, while Ronghua smiled gratefully at him with a lowered face.

  Feicui and Chunyao talked about Ronghua's bad points for half a day, feeling much more comfortable in their hearts. Ronghua took off the perfume pouch from her waist and handed it to Feicui, "Didn't you always like this perfume pouch of mine?"

  Jade looked at the sachet in some surprise.

  Rong Hua smiled slightly, "Thank you for your hard work in making this set of clothes."

  Thinking of what she said about Miss Ba earlier, Feicui's face suddenly turned red.

  Ronghua didn't think so, she should thank Feicui instead. After this time, that Master Gu shouldn't have any more ideas about her, using the chips in his hand to exchange for a concubine who could be abandoned by the Tao family at any time, it was really not worth it.

  A prodigal son is just a lucky devil.

  ……

  At night, Tao Zheng'an returned home, and his wife said, "It seems that Gu Ying doesn't seem to like Rong Hua. What can we do about it?"

  Tao Zheng's face sank, and he didn't expect Gu Ying's matter to be so thorny. "How is the situation at the Hou Mansion?"

  The old lady hastily said: "I heard that they are discussing the renovation of the garden, everyone says it's for the young master's wedding." She paused and said: "I think it's better to come up with a way to stall Gu Ying first, when the time comes and the Hou Mansion comes to propose, no matter how much Gu Ying makes a fuss, it will be useless."

  The next day, Tao Zheng went to find Gu Ying, but unexpectedly, Gu Ying had set his sights on a mansion. Mr. Tao couldn't afford to offend Gu Ying, so he suppressed his anger and tried to placate him first. Meanwhile, he dispatched more people to investigate Gu Ying's relatives and friends, to see if anyone had recently gotten close to Gu Ying. As long as they could find evidence in Gu Ying's hands, he wouldn't have to fear Gu Ying anymore.

  Who would have thought that Gu Ying, this rascal, was so cautious and careful, and for the time being, there was no clue to be found. Tao Zheng'an could only go back and discuss with his wife. His wife said, "It can be seen that he is a greedy person, why not get rid of him first, maybe he will behave himself for a few days."

  At present, there is no other choice but this situation.

  Tao Zheng'an raised his eyebrows, "I'm afraid that if I give him the house today, he'll want even more tomorrow. When will this kind of person ever be satisfied?"

  "What can be done about it?"

  Tao Zheng'an was indecisive, and Gu Ying came again the next day to stir up trouble. Tao Zheng'an was at a loss for what to do. However, there was already good news from Madame's side: "Madame Xue had asked Madame Ren, the wife of the Surveillance Commissioner, to be the matchmaker." Madame Ren had dealings with the Tao family on ordinary days, and she guessed that she had come to their house to discuss a marriage proposal.

  Tao Zheng'an raised an eyebrow, "Really? That's great. It's best to get it right, just in case Gu Yingming comes tomorrow, and we can let him know that our Yao Hua is going to marry into the Hou Mansion."

  The old lady nodded repeatedly, "In this case, Gu Ying also gave up."

  ……

  Mu Ge changed the charcoal in Rong Hua's hand warmer. "The madam had a doctor come over to examine Second Miss again, and today the tailor brought clothes for Second Miss to try on. Everyone in the manor is saying that the Hou Manor will soon be coming over with a marriage proposal."

  Ronghua nodded slightly.

  "Miss, aren't you worried at all?"

  Rong Hua smiled slightly, having done all she could, now it was time to quietly await the outcome.

  Just as Mu Ge finished speaking, Jin Xiu entered the house and said: "A madam from the Tongzheng Temple has arrived at our mansion." After a pause, she continued: "She is looking for Third Madam."

  Rong Hua's eyes flashed slightly, and it was possible that Jing Hua's affairs had come to an end.

  The wife of the Tongzheng Temple consultant has just arrived, and the news is spreading in the mansion. The wife of the Tongzheng Temple consultant, Mrs. Zhang, came to propose a marriage, having taken a liking to Miss Jinghua, the tenth young lady. The third madam led the consultant's wife to meet the old lady.

  The senator's wife mentioned her own nephew Zhang Cheng, "the legitimate son of the clan."

  Being able to join the Langfeng Guard, his background naturally goes without saying.

  Mrs. Tao said: "It's just a pity that this child's parents passed away early."

  "Although Uncle Zhang passed away early, Auntie has been raising and educating this child with great difficulty over the years. It's not necessary to mention how well she taught him. Just in recent years, after Auntie passed away, the child's marriage was delayed."

  How much care can a fatherless child get in the family? Now that his mother is also gone, it's no wonder that this marriage has been so troublesome. If Zhang's mother were still alive, the Zhang family would have sent someone to ask about it long ago. For children who have lost both parents, their fate must be strong. Old Lady Tao was somewhat dissatisfied in her heart, but since Jinghua and Zhang Cheng had met before, she didn't make any further demands.

  Mrs. Tao reluctantly turned over this page and finally asked Zhang Shi and Zhang Cheng to come to the mansion as guests another day.

  The Zhang family's natural eyebrows opened with a smile, and this marriage was settled.

  ……

  Rong Hua went to see Jing Hua, Jing Hua was sitting on a chair not knowing what she was thinking about. Seeing Rong Hua arrived, Jing Hua hurriedly came forward, facing Rong Hua's gaze, Jing Hua's face suddenly turned red. Looking at Jing Hua's appearance, Rong Hua smiled slightly, no matter what the future holds, at least now Jing Hua is happy.

  Two people chatted for a while, then someone outside said: "Miss Liu has arrived."

  Yan Hua and the distant relative of the Second Old Lady's family have matched their eight characters, and both sides are preparing to select a lucky day to exchange engagement letters. Yan Hua has been staying in her room these days, making embroidery products for the engagement ceremony. Since Fourth Aunt passed away, Yan Hua's temper has also become more subdued, and Big Madam's control over her has relaxed a lot, except that whenever Sixth Miss goes out, she is always followed by two nursemaids.

  Yan Hua met Jing Hua, and the emotions of a young woman waiting to be married stirred up, and a feeling of closeness naturally arose in her heart. Jing Hua invited Yan Hua into the house, and the two of them chatted for a while. Yan Hua even kindly gave Jing Hua some embroidery patterns, which Jing Hua bashfully accepted.

  Yan Hua glanced at Rong Hua beside her, no longer showing the usual hostile gaze. Although she didn't marry into the Yi Cheng Hou Fu, neither did Rong Hua, and instead, Yan Hua was able to marry a distant relative within their clan, while Rong Hua might end up marrying that scoundrel. Moreover, due to what Rong Hua said last time, Yan Hua had developed some goodwill towards her in her heart.

  Taking advantage of others' inattention, Yanhua glanced at Ronghua and whispered: "Last time at the old lady's house, I heard that the second old lady has a distant relative who is a filial piety, currently at home waiting for an official position."

  Ronghua raised her head, what did Yanhua mean by this? Was she revealing a message, letting her go and strive for it?

  This filial and incorruptible person is even better than what was said to Rong Hua's shengyuan. Even if Yan Hua no longer has any animosity towards her, she wouldn't be so generous.

  Yan Hua glanced at Rong Hua, "Doesn't Eighth Sister trust me? If it weren't for you helping me out last time, I wouldn't be telling you all this."

  Looking at Yanhua's appearance, it seems like there are many opportunities in front of her. I'm just afraid that Yanhua's words can't be completely trusted.

  Yan Hua pulled up Rong Hua's hand and said, "I heard that although the child is born ugly, he will have a bright future."

  It's quite ugly, I'm afraid it's not just a little bit.

  Even if Yanhua's words were true, what could she do? Go cry to the old lady? Let the old lady make decisions for her? The affairs of the mansion had already been known by Yanhua, let alone the old lady.

  Yan Hua said: "Are you just resigned to your fate? Are you going to let others manipulate you?" Seeing Rong Hua still not speaking, Yan Hua said: "You really are infuriating me." After finishing speaking, she stood up and left with the maid and wet nurse.

  Jinghua sent Yanhua out of the courtyard and came back to say, "Eighth sister, sixth sister said something, what does it mean? Could it be that mother really wants to marry you off to that...that..."

  As long as the engagement is not settled, no one knows what will happen. Besides, Renhua's character won't be simply good to one person. What Renhua said was a distant relative of the second old lady... even before getting married, she has already started scheming, first and foremost to solve a major problem for her husband's family.

  Jinghua looked at Ronghua, "Eighth sister, you should be prepared. When I sent Sixth sister away, Sixth sister said that no matter what you think, she will still repay the kindness you showed her."

  Ronghua's heart skipped a beat, and he hastily called Jinxiu, "Go see where Sixth Miss has gone. If she went to Old Lady's place, stop her from going in and tell her I have something to say to her."

  Jinxiu nodded and immediately went to catch up with Yanhua.

  Jinxiu chased after him all the way and indeed saw Yanhua entering the old lady's courtyard.

  Jinxiu hastily called out to Yanhua, "Sixth Miss, our miss says she has something to say to you, please go over there again."

  Yan Hua furrowed her brow and looked at Jinxiu, "I'll go over later." She said, still wanting to move forward.

  Jinxiu naturally wouldn't let her off like this, "Sixth Miss, my young lady really has an urgent matter to discuss with you."

  Yan Hua saw Jinxiu's attitude and suddenly became displeased, raising her willow-leaf eyebrows. "I said I'd go over in a bit. Do you want to stop me?"

  Jinxiu was about to speak when she heard Ruiqing's voice, "Sixth Miss has arrived."

  Yan Hua raised her eyes and saw Rui Qing, who suddenly smiled. Rui Qing came out to greet her, Jin Xiu didn't dare say anything else, she could only watch as Yan Hua walked into the house.

  Jinxiu hastily returned to Miss Shigusa's room and told Ronghua about this matter.

  At this critical moment, all these people in the mansion were present, and even Yan Hua, who she thought was not worth worrying about, came out to join in the excitement.

  Yan Hua might have had some good intentions, but she thought she was doing others a favor and venting her own discontent. She assumed that just because the old lady helped her, it meant she liked her more, so she hurried to show off.

  Originally there was nothing, but after Yan Hua made a fuss, I don't know what will happen next.

  Rong Hua took Jin Xiu back to her own room.

  After a while, Rui Qing came and said: "Eighth Miss, the old lady has asked you to go over for a visit."

  An old lady wearing a crimson longevity-patterned robe sat in a chair, benevolently looking at Ronghua. Ronghua paid her respects and the old lady asked Ronghua to sit beside her. Ruiqing brought up a cup of tea and then took Jinxiu away, leaving only Old Lady Tao and Ronghua in the room.

  Rong Hua sat quietly beside her, waiting for the old lady to speak.

  The old lady sighed, "Just now your sixth sister came here to speak for you."

  Rong Hua raised his head, although there was no excessive surprise, his face was very complex.

  The old lady slightly furrowed her brow, as if she was really considering for her granddaughter, "What are you thinking in your heart?"

  Rong Hua bowed her head softly, "Parental orders and matchmaker's words, the granddaughter dare not have any other thoughts, only hoping that everything is done with propriety, putting the reputation of our Tao family first." Every word was clear and without a hint of insincerity.

  The old lady looked carefully at her eighth granddaughter, with a gentle yet strong demeanor, although she was born and raised outside the mansion, she was much stronger than those born and raised inside.

  The old lady smiled slightly, "You can rest assured, with this kind of thought, the Tao family will not treat you unfairly. As long as one is wholeheartedly for the family, there's no reason to be let down."

  Ronghua lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tears. Just because of Old Lady's words, whoever heard them would be moved. Especially a neglected concubine-born daughter, it's just a pity that she has already been reborn and has a deeper understanding of the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

  Ronghua stayed with the old lady until after dinner before leaving, and it was a rare closeness between the grandmother and grandson.

  Rong Hua left, and Rui Qing cautiously approached and asked, "Does the old lady really want to arrange a good marriage for Eighth Miss?"

  The old lady smiled, "There's no need for me to help her with any marriage arrangements," she said, slightly furrowing her brow, "Yao Hua..." She stopped mid-sentence, unwilling to continue, and changed the subject, "Eldest brother and his wife tried their best but ended up with nothing."

  The young and old have their order; there are a few ladies in front who want to speak first.

  Some plots are necessary.

  My brother is getting married, I'm currently in the countryside, it's not easy to write this, but there are still a few hundred words left to add, so I'll just post them all together. Tomorrow is the wedding day, and tonight the newlyweds will sing until dawn...

  I don't know if I can type...

  But it will definitely be better.

  Tomorrow is the day when the Hou Mansion comes to propose a marriage.