Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1147 - 1144_1

Chapter 1147: Chapter 1144_1

When Xiao’er returned to her parental home, Yun’er’s letter had not yet arrived, so Xiao’er stayed in the main courtyard to chat with Mrs. Liu.

"Xiao’er, your father mentioned that the Imperial Master intends to betroth Qiling to Jinghao, but worries that Qiling might be too young. We are in a hurry to find a wife for Jinghao. Do you think Qiling is too young? To be honest, I would also like Jinghao to get married soon." Mrs. Liu liked Gu Qiling, who got along well with her own daughter, but her concern was not only about Qiling’s age but also her unstable and lively temperament. Marrying such a girl might be troublesome.

Take Lai Zhemin’s wife as an example. Since she gave birth to their son, she has become even more uncontrollable, creating so many problems over the years that in the end, Madam Lai couldn’t stand it and had to arrange a consort wife for Zhemin.

Mrs. Liu wanted to find a wife for Jinghao who had a temperament similar to Zhu Yan’s—someone who was efficient, well-organized, and able to manage the household with minimal fuss. Since Zhu Yan joined the household, Mrs. Liu felt a lot more at ease.

Xiao’er understood Mrs. Liu’s worries. However, Jinghao and Jingrui were different. Jinghao was not as rigid as Jingrui and had been studying under the Imperial Master’s tutelage after coming to the Imperial Capital, spending almost all his days there. This meant that he and Qiling were childhood friends.

Xiao’er had noticed that Jinghao was quite invested in his little junior sister. When Qiling fell into the water last time, Jinghao was in great distress.

With this in mind, Xiao’er commented, "Mother, the Gu family is well-educated and I am sure Qiling has received strict upbringing. Lively as she is, I don’t believe she is foolish. She is more than capable of managing a household. Besides, Jinghao seems to be particularly fond of this little junior sister. Mother, let’s not interfere in their relationship."

Even the stern Imperial Master was deeply fond of Qiling. If she were really as troublesome as one might think, who would like her? Many people liked Qiling, including the Empress Dowager who always showed interest in her. A woman who is liked by many can’t be a fool, she must have unique qualities.

"If Jinghao also likes her, there is nothing I can do about it. If she doesn’t know how to manage a household, she can learn over time. I was no better when I first got married. I couldn’t even read, but now I can, right? Considering Qiling comes from a scholarly family, she certainly knows more than I did."

"Rest assured, she will not be incapable of managing the household. Perhaps she will do it more easily than you and I," Xiao’er was not worried about that at all.

"Mother, you are just too concerned after seeing the wife of Lai family’s eldest son. Not all ladies from scholarly families are like her. She’s even more unsophisticated than the villagers we knew back then. Our villagers were all kind at least, which she certainly cannot claim to be."

Upon hearing these words, Xiao’er was amused, "How can you compare her with Qiling? Their natures are totally different. Besides, not all girls coming from scholarly families turn out to be like Zhu Yan. Look at my fourth sister-in-law. She comes from the Gu family and she’s quite wonderful."

"You’re right. If that’s the case, I’ll have the matchmaker arrange for their engagement. They can get married after she officially becomes a woman," Mrs. Liu decided.

At that moment, Jinghao came in with Yun’er’s letter, having heard his mother’s words, he asked, "Wait for who to officially become a woman, then get married? Is it Xi’er? Mother, to which family’s son are you betrothing her?"

As his only sister, Jinghao was very concerned about Xi’er. He knew all the young men in the Imperial City and was going to be very wary about his sister’s future husband.

"You guessed wrong this time, not Xi’er, she’s too young. It’s you we are having a marriage talk about! My dear brother, do you have a girl you like?"

Jinghao didn’t expect it would be about his own marriage. Hearing Xiao’er’s words, he blushed, "Marriage is a major event determined by parents and matchmakers. Whatever parents decide will be fine."

He naturally knew his mentor’s intentions towards Qiling. Remembering the day when he wiped away the lip print on her face, he remembered the soft touch of her skin and a strange sensation swept over him.

Seeing Jinghao getting shy from a single remark, Xiao’er couldn’t help but tease, "Mother, was I wrong? Jinghao did say to let you make the decision. And that girl has been childhood friends with Jinghao. Let’s settle it this way then! Jinghao, do you have any objections?"

Childhood friends, the only childhood friend he had was little junior sister!

So, Jinghao nodded his head, "No objection, it all depends on parents’ decision."

"Mother, you should hurry up and write back to Dashi in Shengping County to settle the engagement!" Xiao’er remembered that back in the village, Jinghao used to play with Dashi’s son, and there was always a little girl following them with two small braids. That was Dashi’s daughter, Yue Ya.

Upon hearing Xiao’er’s words, Jinghao became stiff. Dashi’s daughter? Childhood friends? What kind of childhood friends was this?

He wanted to say something, but he had just said that he had no opinion and it was all up to his parents. Retracting his words so quickly would seem like he was contradicting himself!

But if he didn’t speak up, would he really have to marry Dashi’s daughter? He had no idea what to do and was feeling nervous for the first time!

He held his tongue.

Mrs. Liu looked at Xiao’er in surprise, and Xiao’er gave her a sly smile. It wasn’t difficult for Mrs. Liu to realize that Xiao’er was trying to tease Jinghao and figure out his true feelings, so she didn’t say anything else.

While Jinghao was racking his brain to figure out how to say he didn’t want to marry Dashi’s daughter, he didn’t notice the knowing looks exchanged between the mother and daughter.

The two women then quietly enjoyed Jinghao’s distraught expression.

After some internal struggle, Jinghao could no longer hold back and spoke up, "Mother, my mentor once hinted that he wants me to..."

Jinghao stopped there, feeling a little embarrassed to go on. He looked at Xiao’er for help, believing that she, with her intelligence and quick wit, would definitely understand him. As his eyes met Xiao’er’s, he saw the teasing and amusement in her eyes. What else could he not understand?

So, he had been teased by Xiao’er on purpose!

She must have known something and intentionally misled him.

Mrs. Liu saw that Jinghao didn’t continue, and couldn’t hide her laughter anymore, "What exactly did the Imperial Master say?"

Now that both of them knew, Jinghao felt relieved. If he continued to be embarrassed, they would just want to tease him more. So, clearing his throat, Jinghao finally answered, "My mentor has expressed his wish to marry his granddaughter, Qiling, to me. So, mother, it would be best if you propose the marriage to the Gu family."