Chapter 200

Chapter 200

After admiring the flowers, the couple returned to the Marquis’s residence after having a meal at a renowned restaurant in the North Market.

Spring sunshine was bright, and the two peonies placed in the room were blooming brilliantly.

These were given to Tong Sui earlier this month when she, along with other titled ladies, was invited to the palace to admire peonies. Each lady received two pots of high-quality varieties. Tong Sui’s two pots were named "Purple Qi Chaoyang" and "Yangfei Drunk."

"Purple Qi Chaoyang" had purple petals, rich and magnificent, layered densely around the golden-yellow stamens in the center.

"Yangfei Drunk" had pink petals, large flowers with soft branches. When they bloomed, they hung slightly, like a beauty intoxicated by wine, hence the name.

Even though the Marquis’s garden had peonies, Tong Sui still couldn’t get enough. Each time she returned to the room, she would continue to admire these two pots.

After a quick shower, Xiao Zhen parted the curtain and entered, only to find her seated before the two peonies once more, her eyes fixed on them.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the gauze window, illuminating her features and gilding the stray hairs on her forehead.

Xiao Zhen: "You don’t look at gold and silver jewels with such fascination."

Tong Sui glanced at him and muttered softly, "This is called refinement."

Scholars and refined gentlemen would gather to appreciate flowers. Those who gathered to admire gold and silver were typically bandit chiefs.

Xiao Zhen: "Alright, I’ll join in this elegance."

He pulled Tong Sui up, sat down himself, and then set her on his lap.

As soon as Tong Sui settled, she sensed his coarseness and, annoyed, punched his leg and tried to leave.

Xiao Zhen: "Don’t go. Tell me what makes these flowers so special."

Tong Sui didn’t want to pay him any attention.

Xiao Zhen held her with one arm and glanced from the flower to Tong Sui, saying, "If the color were a bit deeper, it would resemble you."

Tong Sui pulled away his finger that seemed poised to pinch the petal, afraid he would ruin the flower.

Unable to pinch the flower, Xiao Zhen began to pinch her instead.

——

While the two layers of gauze curtains around the canopy bed still rippled like water, A Fu’s voice suddenly came from outside: "Madam, the Third Madam is here."

Tong Sui was startled and pushed Xiao Zhen away.

Xiao Zhen held her wrist and, after a pause, spoke outward: "Say the Madam has just woken from her noon rest and ask her to wait."

A Fu blushed and responded with a soft "Yes."

She had just entered the secondary room when she heard the Madam’s voice. If it weren’t for the Third Madam’s visit, she wouldn’t have dared to disturb the Marquis and the Madam.

Inside the curtains, Tong Sui was anxious, and knowing how much she cared about Lin Ningfang, Xiao Zhen didn’t dare to keep her any longer. He hurried through a storm.

Once the rain passed, he could continue to lounge in bed, but Tong Sui had to muster her strength to get up, put on clothes, and then sit in front of the dressing table to comb her hair.

Xiao Zhen lifted the curtain and looked at her flushed side face and her trembling arms as she combed her hair, sneering: "It’s fortunate she’s from a scholarly family, yet she chooses this time to come find you."

Tong Sui glared at him: "What decent person takes such a long noon rest?"

Xiao Shen: "I didn't take a nap."

Tong Sui: "..."

After dressing, she used a cold damp cloth to wipe her face. Although her face was still a little red, it was expected for someone who had just woken up.

Glaring once more at the person still staring at her, Tong Sui quickened her pace toward the front courtyard.

Lin Ningfang didn't expect to arrive at an inconvenient time, but as soon as Afu asked her to wait, Lin Ningfang immediately guessed why. No matter when she had come before, Tong Sui would always appear right away and never made her wait.

If she left now, it would be telling Tong Sui that she had guessed correctly, which would only make Tong Sui more embarrassed.

Instead, Lin Ningfang opened the gift list she brought and began to examine it closely.

Hearing familiar footsteps outside, Lin Ningfang remained immersed, seemingly unaware.

Tong Sui let out a relieved sigh by the door and then casually turned around. Seeing that Lin Ningfang was holding something that looked like an account book, Tong Sui, guessing something was up, immediately threw her discomfort behind and curiously asked, "What is Sister-in-law looking at?"

Lin Ningfang "came to her senses," looked up, and smiled, "It's about Fourth Master's marriage."

Tong Sui was both surprised and delighted and immediately stood next to Lin Ningfang.

Lin Ningfang gently pushed her to sit on the main seat and placed the gift list on the table, pointing to a line for Tong Sui to see.

Tong Sui read aloud, "On the 26th of March in the 31st year of Shengzhi, Master Yan Zhengfu's 60th birthday, the gifts were as follows."

A long list of birthday gifts followed.

Lin Ningfang sat down again and said to Tong Sui, "Ever since we entered the capital, matchmakers have been visiting frequently. Grandfather, busy with the Southern Camp's military affairs, entrusted the marriage matters of Fourth Master and Fifth Master to us. Fifth Master is fine, but Fourth Master's age can't afford to wait any longer. I was busy renovating the ancestral home and couldn't think of a suitable candidate. The day before, I had a sudden inspiration, sent someone to inquire, and confirmed that the other party was unmarried. Today, after checking the ancestral home again, I finally found a reason to visit."

Tong Sui: "The 31st year of Shengzhi... Since last year was both the first year of Xingping and the 35th year of Shengzhi, this year, Master Yan should be celebrating his 65th birthday. Sister-in-law, do you want to use this birthday as an opportunity to introduce me to a Miss Yan?"

Lin Ningfang: "Yes, Master Yan is the third-generation Jinshi of the Yan family, which can be considered a scholarly family. Master Yan and my grandfather are good friends. However, the two elders have different temperaments. My grandfather is dedicated to reforms, while Master Yan dislikes official disputes and prefers to bury himself in editing books and writing history. After Imperial Uncle Dou took power, Master Yan feigned illness to resign. When the Emperor ascended the throne, despite recommendations, Master Yan only took charge of editing books and writing history."

Tong Sui: "The Emperor values the pure scholars and is in need of talents. Given Master Yan's qualifications, he could have been appointed as a third-rank civil official. He is truly unambitious."

Lin Ningfang: "Yes, when my grandfather was alive, he also admired Master Yan's detachment from worldly affairs. The person I want to propose for Fourth Master is Master Yan's granddaughter, Yan Mingxiu. Mingxiu is one year younger than me and is eighteen this year. Although I rarely went out to socialize due to family changes, I remember Mingxiu as a sensible and gentle lady. Her father's mourning delayed her marriage."

Tong Sui: "Has the mourning period ended?"

Lin Ningfang: "It ended last fall, but the situation was unstable. The officials and people of Luoyang were not in the mood to arrange marriages."

Tong Sui: "Then we need to act quickly before someone else gets ahead of us."

Lin Ningfang: "I mean, Second Sister-in-law should discuss it with the Marquis, Fourth Master, and Grandfather first. If they think the family background is suitable, you and I can go to Master Yan's birthday and meet Mingxiu."

Tong Sui: "Okay, I'll ask them shortly. By the way, what does Miss Yan look like? I trust your judgment, but Fourth Master can be quite particular. Last time, he specifically mentioned he wanted to marry a gentle, intelligent, and beautiful young lady. I couldn't tell if he was serious or just joking."

Lin Ningfang smiled, "If I rate Second Sister-in-law a ten in beauty, Mingxiu would be an eight. She has a sweet smile."

Tong Sui felt a sense of longing, "Just hearing you say that, I already like her. If Fourth Master rejects her, we'll propose her to Fifth Master."

Lin Ningfang: "I'm afraid Mother might not approve of the Yan family's background. If Fourth Master isn't interested, I'll introduce her to my aunt."

Xiao Ye and Xiao She are still single, and the Qiao brothers are also single.

Tong Sui thought for a moment and smiled, "No, if Fourth Master isn't interested, I'll propose her for my second brother. In terms of relations, the Qiao brothers are Xiao Shen's cousins, but Tong Gui is my cousin."

"Alright, you all can discuss it. I’ll head back."

Tong Sui escorted Lin Ningfang to the corridor leading to the Duke’s residence, watching her until she disappeared from view. Tong Sui was happy for a moment by herself, then woke up her mischievous Marquis from bed, and invited Liu Chu and Xiao Ye to Xianhe Hall.

Liu Chu had just finished her afternoon rest, while Xiao Ye had returned from outside not long ago, bringing with him two boxes of rouge and cosmetics as gifts for his two sisters-in-law.

Tong Sui said, "He treats us so well, he’ll definitely spoil his future wife."

Xiao Ye replied, "If she’s unreasonable and difficult, I won’t spend a penny on her."

Tong Sui said, "We won’t choose someone like that for you."

Xiao Ye glanced at his brother and sister-in-law and asked, "Do you have someone in mind?"

Tong Sui laughed and told him about the Yan family's situation.

Xiao Zhen said, "A scholarly family, that’s good."

Xiao Ye agreed, "I don’t have any bias against family background either. Our family used to be farmers. Both my first and second sisters-in-law come from the village. To me, they are much better than the third sister-in-law. But I need to see her for myself. I need to find her beautiful and sweet to suit my taste."

Tong Sui said, "Step by step. I’ll check her out first and gauge their attitude towards our family. If both sides are interested, we’ll arrange for you to meet."

Xiao Zhen said, "I’m afraid a scholarly lady might look down on someone like you."

Xiao Ye said, "I may not read as much as you, but where am I rough? By looks alone, I’m more likable than you. If you don’t believe me, ask the first and second sisters-in-law."

Liu Chu smiled with her eyes lowered. Tong Sui looked at the two brothers and said, "By looks alone, both of you are quite rough."

Xiao Zhen: "..."

Xiao Zhen spoke to the elder privately.

Xiao Mu said, "Ningfang has shown a lot of consideration. Our family is already in the spotlight. Marrying fourth and fifth brothers to high-ranking brides will only invite more suspicion. The Yan family is perfect. It depends on whether fourth brother has the luck to become Mr. Yan’s grandson-in-law."

——

On the twenty-fifth day of the third month, Lin Ningfang sent a visiting card to the Yan residence, indicating she would visit the next day to wish him a happy birthday.

Lady Yan looked at the visiting card and said to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Dong, "Ningfang's family has gone through such a huge upheaval. It’s commendable that she still remembers the old master’s birthday after returning to the capital."

Mrs. Dong said, "Yes, previously Mingxiu wanted to visit her, but we were afraid it might seem like we were trying to climb the social ladder, so we didn’t disturb her."

Lady Yan said, "As long as we act with integrity, we have nothing to fear. Even when the emperor offered a high official position to the old master, he didn’t care for it. Why would we need to cling to the Xiao family? As for Mingxiu, her temperament is the same as the old master's. She’s focused on compiling books and doesn’t need to curry favor with anyone."

In the evening, when Mr. Yan returned home and learned that the granddaughter of his old friend was coming to celebrate his birthday, he only lamented the misfortune of the Lin family without paying too much attention to the Xiao family because of it.

The next day, the Yan family prepared early to receive guests.

For Mr. Yan’s sixty-fifth birthday, he had only invited close relatives and friends. The alley was only a bit more bustling than usual.

When Tong Sui and Lin Ningfang arrived, Mrs. Dong and her daughter came to welcome them.

As soon as Tong Sui stepped out of the carriage, her eyes fell on Yan Mingxiu, a delicate beauty with dark eyes and snow-white skin.

"Mingxiu pays her respects to Lady Anguo."

Yan Mingxiu politely greeted Tong Sui first, then looked at Lin Ningfang. Tears welled up in her eyes, "Sister Lin, it’s been a long time."

As she spoke, her mouth revealed two shallow dimples, and as the tears fell, she was truly endearing and pitiful.

Whether Xiao Ye liked her or not, Tong Sui’s heart was already melted.