"Twenty-two, huh, that’s a bit old." Ye Qiu muttered, but being six years older isn’t too much, and there’s a benefit to age; they tend to be more caring.
"How did his family pass away?" she asked again.
Seeing her mother-in-law genuinely interested, Ji Qiuyan explained carefully, "Zhou Qi’s elder sister-in-law wasn’t a local. When she went back to her parent’s ho with her husband, their boat was overturned by a wave, and none of the family of three could swim, so they were gone just like that."
"And what about his parents?"
"His father was poor early on and couldn’t afford treatnt, so he died dragging out his illness. As for his mother, while Zhou Qi was taking the Imperial Examination in the Prefecture, a thief noticed that there was only an old woman at ho and had wicked intentions, but no one expected that the theft would fail and the Old Lady discovered them. The thief’s heavy hand was too much."
Ye Qiu sighed, "The child is quite pitiful."
"Isn’t he? I heard before the incident, many families were proposing marriage to him, but he refused them because he was preparing for exams, who knew it would turn out like this?" Ji Qiuyan said, looking regretful.
"I’ll ask Shuchen about this Mr. Zhou when he cos back."
Ji Qiuyan exclaid in surprise, "Mother, do you really want to marry my sister to him?"
"Why not, if his character and everything else are good? He’s without family, we can lend more support in the future."
After Yang Shuchen ca back from school, he was full of praise for this teacher, "Grandmother, is Mr. Zhou really going to be my little aunt’s husband?"
Seeing his excited face, Ye Qiu chuckled, "We may be interested in him, but he might not be interested in us, let’s wait for grandmother to figure it out."
Although she said so, in her heart she had already made up her mind, especially after eting him twice under the guise of delivering things to her grandson, she was even more satisfied.
So that night she spoke to her daughter Yang Yuzhen, "I’ve t this Zhou Qi, he’s quite handso, has real talent and learning, understands courtesy well, young yet already a scholar; though he missed the Imperial Examination due to mourning, even if he doesn’t beco an Advanced Scholar, he has a promising future. If you don’t object, I’ll find soone to propose."
Hearing her mother praising this Mr. Zhou, Yang Yuzhen shyly blushed, "I leave everything to mother’s decision."
After a series of incidents at ho, and the failed introductions of two potential suitors, Zhou Qi had grown indifferent to marriage. Sotis he thought, not hurting other girls is fine too. After all, he was destined for a lonely life, who knew a matchmaker suddenly ca saying a family was interested in him, wanting to marry their daughter to him.
His first thought was whether the girl wasn’t attractive, otherwise why would they be interested in him?
But after hearing the matchmaker speak, he realized that he knew the family, his student’s aunt; considering that Yang Shuchen, though young, was handso and refined, his aunt shouldn’t be too far off.
Why would she be interested in him? Could her reputation be tarnished? It shouldn’t be. Judging from Yang Shuchen’s behavior, one could tell he ca from a well-taught family, why would they be interested in him? Aren’t they afraid of being jinxed?
Though he had prepared to remain single for life, after being lonely for a long ti, he couldn’t help but yearn for the warmth of family, so Zhou Qi agreed to et with Yang Yuzhen.
The eting was set on a holiday when the students were off, at Ye Qiu’s ho, and Yang Shuchen was also present and very enthusiastic.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhou, for making the trip, our ho only has thin tea, please forgive us," Ye Qiu said with a smile, observing him.
Zhou Qi suddenly realized that the Old Lady he had t twice before wasn’t by accident; she had purposely co to see him.
Realizing this, he blushed discreetly, feeling a bit awkward.
"You’re a scholar, while our family is just commoners, it’s an honor that you would consider us."
"No, no," Zhou Qi hurriedly waved his hands, "It’s my honor to be considered by the Old Madam, although my fate isn’t good, I know you must have looked into it before seeking out, you might not be afraid, but I am."
"Fate is sothing fictional, we never believed in it; if fate were real, there would be no need to strive, just waiting for heaven’s arrangent, wouldn’t that ss up society? Fate is earned by oneself, although sotis accidents happen from others’ mistakes or malice," Ye Qiu said with deep aning.
Instantly moved, Zhou Qi’s eyes reddened, no one knew the accusations he suffered after his elder brother, sister-in-law, and mother died, yet now soone was telling him it wasn’t his fault, how could he not be touched?
Why didn’t they bla the careless boatman? Why didn’t they bla the violent thief? Rather, they blad him. Did he wish for his family to suffer?
"The Old Madam is truly wise." He suppressed his feelings for a long ti, only managing those few words, but he said them sincerely.
Ye Qiu still chuckled, "What wisdom, not really, it’s only that I’ve lived a few more years than you. We won’t talk about anything unnecessary today, the key is to let you two young ones et."
Saying this, she spoke to Shuchen, "Go and call your little aunt out."
The mont was approaching, Zhou Qi’s heart was pounding erratically, his gaze lost on where to focus.
In fact, Yang Yuzhen had been secretly watching in the back earlier, asking Shuchen to call her out was just an excuse.
Watching this tall, refined gentleman, she couldn’t help but blush, taking graceful steps forward.
Zhou Qi dared not look up at her, but his lowered gaze caught sight of a pink hem and dainty feet, causing him to blush again, hastily turning his head away, not daring to look further.
"How can you both et with your heads down? Just look up; there’s no need to be embarrassed," hearing the matchmaker say this, they both gathered their courage and looked up, eting each other’s eyes bashfully.
With just a brief glance, Zhou Qi didn’t really see Yang Yuzhen’s face clearly, but those delicate eyes were etched into his mind, with only one thought, he must marry her!
"Oh dear, both of you are so shy?" the matchmaker teased, "Yuzhen, I heard from Aunt Six you’re good at embroidery, could you embroider a wallet for Aunt Six?"
"Mm." Yang Yuzhen’s voice was surprisingly soft, as Zhou Qi’s heart settled.
This matchmaking ca with its own etiquette; according to their local custom, if mutual interest was established, the matchmaker would request an item, and if the other party complied, it ant they were interested; if refused, it ant they weren’t.
Upon hearing Yang Yuzhen agree, how could Zhou Qi not feel delighted?
Next, when the matchmaker asked him for a painting, he gladly agreed.
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