"Minghua brother, don’t you remember me?"
The girl’s voice was still so sweet and tender, every time she called "Minghua brother," Zhao Minghua felt a suffocating sensation, as if his life was being shortened.
"Should I remember you?"
Zhao Minghua looked at Qingsheng, puzzled. Qingsheng’s eyes had already started twitching. Mrs. Zhao was right; young master’s memory was indeed eaten by a dog. Wasn’t this the eldest lady from the Xiao family who was proposed to him?
Oh my, he doesn’t remember her, and then what? She would be heartbroken and cry incessantly, and young master wouldn’t even know how to console her!
"Minghua brother, I’m Chunlan!"
"Chunlan?"
"Yes, I’m Chunlan, don’t you remember me?"
"Isn’t Chunlan the big maid in sister-in-law’s courtyard?" Zhao Minghua asked Qingsheng again. Qingsheng... Young master, I’m not responsible for covering up your mess.
"Ahem, young master, that Chunlan is the big maid. This one is the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Clan Leader of the Xiao Family, Xiao Chunlan, Miss Chunlan." Sigh, how else can I explain it? I’ve already given you such a clear hint.
"Oh, that’s how it is? Sorry, I don’t know you." After Zhao Minghua realized who she was, he had only one thought: run quickly, with someone like her as a wife, he wouldn’t live long: "Qingsheng, let’s go."
Qingsheng found that young master wasn’t walking but running. His long legs took three steps in one, running at lightning speed, not caring at all about the person behind calling out "Minghua brother," her voice almost breaking.
"Young master, wait for me, wait..."
"Young master, why are you running so fast?" Out of breath, Qingsheng finally caught up with his master: "Young master, are you running so fast because you’re afraid she might eat you? Isn’t she your fiancée? Are you afraid of her?"
"Who said she’s my fiancée? Don’t talk nonsense. It’s a miracle if you’re not beaten to death for ruining a girl’s reputation."
"Why isn’t she?" Qingsheng asked in confusion: "I heard my mother say that Mrs. Zhao invited a matchmaker to propose."
"That was in the past. That was something my mother decided on her own. It’s already been canceled, so don’t mention it again." Zhao Minghua quickly said, "Even if I stay single for life, I will never marry her."
Minghua brother, Minghua brother, good heavens, this is not the voice of a proper young lady; it’s so coy it gives him goosebumps.
"Really, young master, it’s really canceled? You’re not marrying her?"
Speaking of which, Qingsheng also felt that this Miss Xiao really... didn’t match his young master at all.
The third young master of the Zhao family was basically a grown-up kid who needed pampering, and this Miss Xiao also hadn’t grown up... Tut tut, can’t even imagine how lively the future Zhao family’s third household would be if she were married in.
"It’s true. My father said so personally."
That’s good!
Qingsheng thought my life also matters. If the master’s life is tough, the servant’s life will be tough too.
Zhao Minghua’s quick escape left Xiao Chunlan bewildered.
She immediately went back to report to her mother, Mrs. Wen.
"Mother, is the engagement with the Xiao family confirmed yet?"
"You little girl, don’t you know how to be shy? What’s the rush? Saying ’no’ makes you seem eager to marry." Mrs. Wen comforted her daughter not to be anxious, but she was puzzled in her heart. It’s been a month and a half since the matchmaker came for the proposal; why haven’t they come for the second time?
Something’s not right. Usually, there should be a second visit every ten to fifteen days.
"Mother, I saw Zhao Minghua in town today. I called out to him, and he didn’t even acknowledge me."
"My child, if he ignored you, that shows he has good manners. Think about it, how appropriate is it for him to talk to a girl with a smile on the street?"
"But he knows it’s me, and after hearing my name, he ran away without saying a word."
"That’s because he’s shy."
"What’s there to be shy about?" Xiao Chunlan pouted, "I’m the one who should be shy, okay?"
"Yes, you’re the one who should be shy, but you rush to call out to him. What girl behaves like that?" Mrs. Wen had a headache: "Chunlan, rushing isn’t a good deal; don’t be so enthusiastic. It makes you seem cheap. You’re the eldest lady of the Xiao Family, you’ve got to hold your stature. You’re more than a match for Zhao Minghua, this would be marrying down, understand?"
"Understood, mother."
What difference does it make if it’s marrying up or down?
Anyway, as long as she likes it.
"Mother, I’m almost sixteen, mother..."
"You child, your father and I were thinking of keeping you for another year or two. Getting married at eighteen is better." Mrs. Wen was helpless regarding her spoiled daughter: "At home, you’re treated like a treasure, but once married, you’ll have to honor the in-laws and serve your husband, being bound by other’s family rules. It’s nothing like the freedom in the girlhood home."
"Mother..."
Xiao Chunlan leaned on her mother, acting coy, the meaning evident without words.
"A grown woman can’t be kept home; keeping you too long breeds resentment." Mrs. Wen smiled wryly: "Mother understands. I just don’t know what’s so special about Zhao Minghua that makes you so impatient."
"Mother, everything about him is good."
"Yes, yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
"Hehe, mother is the best, Chunlan loves mother the most."
"Shoo, shoo, that trick won’t work on me. Do you think I’m your grandparents?" Mrs. Wen said: "You, your temperament is spoiled by your grandparents; I’m really worried..."
"No need to worry, Mrs. Zhao and I are old acquaintances. We know each other’s background; she’s not the kind to oppress a daughter-in-law."
"Mother..." Xiao Chunlan blushed. Being called the Zhao family’s daughter-in-law was music to her ears.
Mrs. Wen, understanding her daughter’s hint, wanted to finalize the matter with Zhao Minghua as soon as possible. It seemed she wished to marry within the year.
But why was there no movement from the Zhao family for so long?
"Nanny Chen, give the Zhao family a hint; another month has passed, and you need to strike while the iron is hot."
"Yes, ma’am."
Nanny Chen, who recognized the matchmaker, immediately went to find her.
"Alright, alright, I’ll go and ask Mrs. Zhao right away."
Not only the Xiao family was anxious, but the matchmaker was also in a rush. Both the Xiao family and the Zhao family were affluent households. If this match was successful, the matchmaker’s fee would be enough for her to live on for a year!
However, unexpectedly, when she went to the Zhao family to ask, Mrs. Zhao said there was no rush.
"What happened?" The matchmaker, realizing something was wrong, asked, "Mrs. Zhao, I’m renowned for matchmaking in these parts. Rest assured, once I step in, this match is guaranteed!"
"Thank you, sister." Mrs. Zhao’s words were simple: "My husband says the third one is still immature and is just a child himself. It’s not suitable to discuss marriage too early."
What?