Chapter 465: Chapter 454: The Top Scorer from a Farming Family
Although Lady Xiao strongly insisted, Xiao He still disagreed to take her to find Xiutong, instead, he dawdled on his own to the floral shop.
"Cough!" Upon entering, Xiao He saw Xiutong busy and didn’t notice him, so he deliberately coughed to get her attention, and he successfully achieved his purpose, Xiutong finally noticed the big stick-like figure standing there.
"Is the Marquis here to buy flowers again today?" Xiao He has become a major customer for Xiutong; as long as he is not odd, Xiutong generally maintains a good attitude toward him.
"Just looking around." Xiao He’s gaze wavered; ever since he affirmed his feelings, he was too afraid to look directly at his beloved.
He actually felt quite beastly. Xiutong had not yet come of age, and he in his last life was old enough to be her father, yet he harbored such sordid thoughts.
However, he wouldn’t give up, the first time in two lifetimes that he had loved someone so much, to give up because of a little guilt would really be unfair to himself, and he was this confident, apart from him, Xiutong couldn’t find a second man who would treat her so well.
"Oh, then the Marquis can take a look first, let me know if you need anything." It was quite late at this hour, and there were no other customers in the shop, so Xiutong began moving the flowers displayed outside indoors, preparing to close the shop.
"Where are the shop assistants? Why are you doing this?" Xiao He frowned, then grabbed the flower pot from Xiutong’s arms, "Let me help you, where should I put it?"
"No, no need, I can manage." Xiutong hurriedly said, then reached out to take it.
But Xiao He wouldn’t allow her to do such tiring work; with a slight movement, he turned to the side, indisputably stating, "I’ll help carry it, where should I put it?"
For the first time, Xiutong saw him adopt such a firm attitude and was stunned for a moment before pointing to a corner; Xiao He then followed her direction and placed it accordingly.
In the following time, the two of them, one directing and the other moving, quickly managed to move all the flowers that were displayed outside the shop indoors.
After finishing the work, Xiutong saw Xiao He looking here and there, neither buying flowers nor leaving, finally unable to restrain herself, she asked the question in her heart: "Marquis, do you like me?"
This wasn’t the first time Xiutong had such a thought; ever since last year when she and her elder brother saved the Marquis, he occasionally appeared in front of her using various excuses. The feeling hadn’t been this strong before, but today she felt the Marquis’s attitude was really too awkward.
After asking, she felt a bit presumptuous, but little did she know that Xiao He had frozen in place the moment she uttered those words.
"Sorry, I misspoke. What flowers does the Marquis like? Thank you for helping me with the flowers today, and I won’t charge you."
"No, you didn’t say anything wrong," Xiao He suddenly looked at Xiutong very seriously, "I do like you."
Xiutong’s eyes widened, suddenly feeling at a loss for words.
"I heard your elder brother is setting you up for marriage viewing recently, what do you think of me?" Xiao He asked very nervously, then promised, "I assure you, after marrying, I will not take any concubine, and only you will be the one for me forever."
Xiutong, having been in business for a long time, had cultivated the ability to read people, and she could tell that Xiao He was not lying. However, he was a Marquis and she was just the sister of a Sixth-Rank Official without parents. How could it be possible between them? Moreover, she currently had no intention of getting married.
Thus, Xiao He was naturally rejected, and Lady Xiao felt some resentment towards her disheartened son for not being more assertive.
Ye Qiu noticed that recently his second younger sister seemed a bit off, frequently absent-minded, and when he was on duty at Hanlin Academy, he would often encounter Xiao He, who not only tried to please him intentionally or unintentionally but also indirectly inquired about Lady Xiutong’s preferences.
Realizing something, Ye Qiu instantly narrowed his eyes. Like Xiutong, he also felt that Xiao He was not a suitable match. Even though he had become the top scorer, which in others’ eyes was a soaring achievement, it was still insignificant compared to the hereditary noble family of Marquis Wei Yuan Mansion. If Xiutong were to marry into that family, could he protect her?
Hearing that Xiutong currently had no intention to marry, Ye Qiu breathed a sigh of relief. However, he didn’t realize that women could not withstand persistent pursuit, especially from someone like Xiao He who was sincere and knew how to cater to her preferences. Xiutong’s defenses were soon breached.
When Xiao He once again expressed his feelings and said he hoped Xiutong would not reject his proposal, it was the first time she did not outright refuse.
When Ye Qiu heard that Xiutong had accepted Xiao He, he felt like he had been struck by lightning, followed by deep worry: "You should know that your elder brother is just a Sixth-Rank Official at Hanlin Academy. If he treats you badly, your big brother won’t be able to protect you."
"It won’t happen," Xiutong confidently said, "Big brother, I can see his sincerity. He has promised he will treat me well."
Ye Qiu was not as confident as Xiutong. Men’s words are deceitful like those of ghosts, trusting men was like trusting ghosts. But what could he do if his sister liked him? He could only strive to improve himself, hoping that one day he would be capable of supporting his sister.
So, when the matchmaker from Marquis Wei Yuan Mansion came to their door, Ye Qiu, albeit reluctantly, let her in.
"Oh? You say that the Marquis Wei Yuan Mansion has arranged a marriage with that girl’s elder sister?" Empress Dowager Liu, always keeping an eye on Little Ya, also got the news immediately.
Far from opposing, she was actually very pleased. In her heart, Xiuying was destined to enter the palace, thus her maternal family’s status naturally warranted consideration.
Her eldest brother became the Golden Science Top Scholar, and Empress Dowager Liu was indeed surprised when she first heard the news, and even more delighted to learn that behind Ye Qiu there was no trace of any power play—well nurtured, he could definitely become a competent official for her son in the future.
Little Ya’s elder sister married his classmate, also an Advanced Scholar of this term. Now that her second elder sister was married into Marquis Wei Yuan Mansion, this made her even more relieved.
The Marquis Wei Yuan Mansion was different from other powerful noble families that formed cliques; they were loyal only to the emperor, especially Xiao He, who took over the responsibility from his father and had done quite a few tangible things for her in these two years.
With no other factions and a royal ally only loyal to the emperor, Empress Dowager Liu was increasingly satisfied with Xiuying. Originally prepared to offer only a concubine position, Empress Dowager Liu started to reassess Xiuying’s value.
Ye Qiu was unaware that while his second sister’s marriage negotiation was still ongoing, Xiuying, only eleven years old, had already caught someone’s attention, and unless there was a rebellion, no one could surpass that family.
Soon after the engagement, it was time for Xiutong’s coming-of-age ceremony. As the sister of the Golden Science Top Scholar and the fiancée of the Marquis, Xiutong’s ceremony was celebrated grandly, even the Empress Dowager from the palace sent a gift, and many guests expressed satisfaction with their own correct decisions.
Everyone thought the gifts were out of respect for Marquis Wei Yuan Mansion’s most prestigious reputation, little did they know it was because of little Xiuying.