The Young Duke Ouyang Wen's reputation for being a rake was known far and wide.
Situ Yan could not praise him for his character, so he had to find other ways to make up for it. "Both the Crown Prince and Prince Ning's factions are keeping an eye on Cheng Beizheng. Cheng Jiaojiao's marriage is the best tie they've found. It's not easy to find a young talent in the capital who is both upright and not beholden to either side, otherwise, why would she still be unmarried?"
Lu Nianfu grumbled, "The Young Duke has nothing to do with being upright, does he? He still has a confidante at Deyilou, and I've heard he has quite a few concubines in his mansion."
Quite a few concubines and he also frequented brothels...
Which truly loving parent would marry their daughter to him?
Situ Yan: ......
Brother, I really did my best, but your reputation is just too bad.
At dinner, Ouyang Wen was invited to Zui Xiang Lou. The brothers ate from sunset until the moon rose above the willow branches, exchanging pleasantries. Only then did Situ Yan feel slightly relieved. "If Miss Cheng San is willing, then this marriage isn't so bad."
Ouyang Wen was quite dejected. "I always thought I was a sought-after catch in the capital, that if I wished, I could pick from at least ninety percent of the girls in the city. But when it came down to it, I realized that no respectable young lady considered the Zhen Guo Gong's mansion anything but a fiery pit."
Situ Yan felt no sympathy for him. "I told you long ago that being a rake has its price. You never listened, who could save you?"
"This time, it all depends on sister-in-law. If I can't win the beauty's heart, I'll drag you out for drinks every day."
"Why me? It's not like I'm stopping you from getting married."
"Good brothers share hardships. I'm heartbroken from a failed romance, and you're comfortable in the arms of a beauty?"
Situ Yan gritted his teeth. "...Who's your good brother? I don't know you at all."
Ouyang Wen hugged his neck with his wine cup, looking like bosom buddies. "You're saying that too late."
As the two of them became tipsy, Situ Yan was called away by Song Ming, who said he had chanced upon a girl on the street and asked for his help to inquire about her family. If she was suitable, he would propose.
The March spring breeze was intoxicating, carrying a few pink peach petals. Situ Yan chuckled, "This season is good; everyone seems to be opening up at this time. Tell me, what are the girl's features?"
Song Ming had followed him for many years. Now that he had finally fallen for someone, he had to help him snatch his bride back.
"Oval face, large eyes, two dimples when she smiles." Song Ming's face was one of foolish infatuation. "She's so beautiful when she smiles, more beautiful than the peach blossoms on the branches."
Situ Yan couldn't help but slap him on the forehead. "Get to the point. With these features alone, you'd find at least a hundred or so girls in the entire capital."
Song Ming grunted, not daring to argue further. After thinking carefully, he said, "Your subordinate only heard her call her maid Xi Que."
"Do you know which mansion she's from?"
"No."
"You're an idiot! Couldn't you have found an excuse to strike up a conversation? Even if not, you could have followed her to see where she returned."
However, the maid's name was barely enough. He decided to go to the Shun Tian Fu tomorrow to check the registered servants. Although the name Xi Que was common, there wouldn't be too many who served a young lady. Heh, he never expected that within a single day, both he and his wife would be matchmakers for others.
After Situ Yan left, Ouyang Wen, still tipsy, mounted his horse. However, he didn't return to the Zhen Guo Gong's mansion. Instead, relying on his memory, he stumbled into Cheng Jiaojiao's courtyard.
Unfortunately, his unsteady breathing due to the alcohol gave him away as soon as he entered, and he was caught by the guards. Fortunately, the guards recognized him and did not make a loud fuss, or he would have lost all face.
Cheng Jiaojiao stopped them before they could alert the family. She didn't let him into the house either, only sitting down at the stone table in the courtyard and sending Qing Er to make hangover tea.
The night wind was cool. Ouyang Wen's ruckus had already shaken off most of his drunkenness, even without the hangover tea.
He looked at Cheng Jiaojiao, a gentle and pretty girl, and a rare shyness washed over him, causing his ears to redden.