Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 646 - 644

Chapter 646: Chapter 644

She couldn’t get discouraged, Gao Ping comforted herself, then tried again: "Lady Rui’an County, do you know what your elder brother likes to eat on ordinary days? I... I mean, what kind of pastries do you siblings like? My family owns a pastry shop, the pastries are decent. I will have someone deliver some to you and your brother tomorrow," said Gao Ping while quickly glancing at Xiao’er, noticing her utter shock.

"Thanks, but we both are not fond of pastries." Xiao’er was so taken aback by this that she nearly choked on her mutton. After forcefully swallowing her food, she looked at Jingrui, thinking: "Jingrui is so popular in Shengping County, I wonder how much silver we could make selling posters of him?"

Jingrui just happened to turn his head and notice Xiao’er looking at him, so he asked, "Do you want more mutton, Xiao’er?"

Xiao’er shook her head: "No."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ping hurriedly said, "Young Master Shen, this roasted mutton tastes so wonderful, I’d like another portion."

Jingrui nodded and then turned his head to the cook by the giant roasted mutton and said, "Chef Liu, could you please serve this lady... "

Not knowing who Gao Ping was, Jingrui could only point at her.

"Young Master Shen, I have the surname Gao, with the given name Ping. You can just call me Ping’er. My father is the local magistrate, my maternal grandfather is..." Seeing Jingrui didn’t even know who she was, Gao Ping hastily shot him a coquettish gaze and started to introduce herself.

Jingrui: ...

He didn’t care who her father or maternal grandfather was; How was that any of his business? What on earth was going on in this lady’s mind?

Xiao’er and Yun’er just looked at each other, cringing.

"Miss Gao, you still haven’t even tasted the mutton on your plate, how do you even know if it’s delicious?" Xiao’er kindly reminded her.

She hadn’t eaten? Gao Ping turned her head and actually realized that she hadn’t even touched a single slice. She had completely forgotten about it, but that didn’t matter: "As long as it’s mutton cut by Young Master Shen, it must be delicious. Isn’t that right, Lady Rui’an County?"

Xiao’er had her mouth wide open. She looked at Jingrui. ’Brother, you’re on your own. This girl’s face is so thick; even I can’t handle her.’

"Miss Gao, please wait a moment, your mutton will be ready shortly! And remember, my family doesn’t approve of wasting food. So, remember to finish it all!" His face unwittingly turned red while saying this, leaving Gao Ping behind and dashing off.

Gao Ping bit her lip, she hadn’t even finished speaking! She still wanted to say that her maternal grandmother used to be the most beautiful woman in the Imperial Capital, and that she herself had inherited her grandmother’s beauty.

The other young ladies present were quite disgusted upon hearing Gao Ping’s words. They felt she was utterly shameless.

Seeing Jingrui sit in the farthest corner and start to chat with another man, no longer looking in their direction, Gao Ping pouted and reluctantly sat back down.

Xiao’er started chatting with the other ladies present. Until the banquet ended, she didn’t give Gao Ping another chance to speak.

Gao Ping left Liu Mansion with resentment in her heart.

That night

Mrs. Liu called Xiao’er and Yun’er over to speak with them.

"Which of the young ladies who came today do you think is suitable?"

"Mother, have you asked Aunt Tan about their character?" asked Xiao’er.

Mrs. Tan lived here and often had opportunities to interact with those ladies, so she naturally had a better understanding of their characters.

"Your Aunt Tan said that she has only met the daughter of the Magistrate once, and she seemed fine, but she wasn’t sure about her temperament. As for the daughter of the local magistrate, she said she is not suitable." What Mrs. Liu didn’t say, was that Mrs. Tan had used different words. Regarding Gao Ping, Mrs. Tan had said that she was shameless, arrogant, willful and absolutely not suitable to be brought home.

"As for the other young ladies, many of the good ones are already engaged, and there are two that are too young, they aren’t even of marriageable age yet, which makes them unsuitable." At this point, Mrs. Liu glances at Xiao’er. The Sixth Prince wouldn’t be willing to wait another one or two years.

Once Xiao’er and Yun’er had finished speaking, they each shared their own opinions.

"Miss Lin and Miss Zhu? I’ll have the housekeeper inquire about these young ladies’ characters, then let’s consider your elder brother’s opinion." Although Mrs. Liu was eager to find a bride, she wouldn’t rush to pick anyone at random just to have done with it.

The eldest daughter-in-law, the first lady, is too important. As the saying goes, one’s sister-in-law is like one’s mother. They couldn’t just choose someone self-centered.

Even if Xiao’er gets married first, and Jingrui marries a bit later, Mrs. Liu won’t rush this matter.

"We must select someone whom Jingrui is genuinely attracted to so that he can be happy in the future."

"That’s precisely it, just like Jingzhe, Jingya, Zhijie and Zixuan. Seeing them as such loving and harmonious couples gives us something to look forward to. Seeing them all happy, I keep wondering why your elder brother hasn’t found a girl who can capture his heart," sighed Mrs. Liu.

Whenever she asked Jingrui what kind of girl he liked, he said he didn’t know. Mrs. Liu was almost driven crazy by him!

He didn’t know what kind of girl he liked, how was she supposed to find him a wife then?!

Seeing Mrs. Liu almost having a fit from anger, Jingrui finally said that anyone with a good character would be acceptable.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu asked, "So, as long as the character is good, even if I find you a girl who is both ugly and fat, you wouldn’t mind?"

Jingrui responded by saying, "Beauty fades away, but the heart remains unchanged." At that time, Jingrui even thought to himself, ’what’s there to fear about marrying an ugly and fat girl? Xiao’er said before that no matter how ugly the girl is, once she gets her hands on them, she can make even a sow look like a beauty!’

The wife of the Magistrate says that having a daughter means more worries than a son, but Mrs. Liu doesn’t agree. A son-in-law will find his own way, but a daughter-in-law is up to her to pick. It’s giving her a headache, half her black hair has turned gray!

"Don’t worry, mother. He’ll find someone eventually." Xiao’er consoled.

"Fate determines marriage, mother, you don’t need to worry. Perhaps it’s not yet time for elder brother’s destiny to arrive." Yun’er also consoled.

Mrs. Liu nodded. At this time, Xiao Jingzhe in Mrs. Liu’s arms started crying, so Mrs. Liu said, "You two go back and get some sleep early. I need to comfort Zhe’er and put him to sleep."

Mrs. Liu didn’t have a wet nurse; Xiao Jingzhe was personally taken care of by her.

Seeing this, Xiao’er and Yun’er both returned to their rooms..

Once she got back to her room, Xiao’er still didn’t go to sleep. Yang Mei delivered a Pigeon Post from Shangguan Xuanyi to her.

After reading the letter, Xiao’er felt relieved.

Not long after, Zhao Yong came back, reporting the results of his investigation to Xiao’er.

When Xiao’er heard what he said, she was somewhat surprised, "The Zhu family you mentioned is...?"

"The richest Zhu family! Zhu’s business is mainly north-south trade. They have a lot of goods sent to the northwest every year. These past two years, the amount of grain and tea leaves sold to the northwest has increased. One third of the grain and medicinal supplies for General Li’s army is purchased through the Zhu family."

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er fell into contemplation.

If the Zhu family worked for General Li, then Zhu Yan’s performance today was indeed cause for deep thought.

"Zhao Yong, you go and investigate this Zhu family tomorrow." After some thought, Xiao’er instructed.

Zhao Yong nodded his agreement and then retreated.

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