Chapter 149: Why Don’t We Hold a Silk Ball Toss to Choose a Groom?

Chapter 149: Why Don't We Hold a Silk Ball Toss to Choose a Groom?

Over the years, the person Old Master Zhou missed the most was his granddaughter. He had heard many rumors from the capital, saying that she was spoiled, willful, and domineering.

But he knew in his heart that in a family like the Ruan family, if she hadn't been like that, his daughter's life might not have been easy.

It was just a means of self-protection.

Later, when she married into the Prime Minister's mansion, Old Master Zhou became even more worried. To reach such a high position, He An was certainly no ordinary person.

He An initially did not favor this marriage, so why did he suddenly agree to propose after two years?

Being from a merchant family without noble backing, all sorts of thoughts came to mind.

Seeing her grandfather's eyes redden, knowing he was worried about her, Ruan Qinghuan held his arm: "Qinghuan is doing well now, Grandfather. You should be happy."

Old Master Zhou nodded upon hearing this.

When Qingzhou returned, he told him everything about the capital, but it was not as reassuring as seeing it with his own eyes: "Come in quickly. If your grandmother knows you're back, her illness will be half cured."

Ruan Qinghuan's smile faded upon hearing this. On her way here, she had heard that her grandmother had fallen ill due to the marriage arrangements for Shuang'er, and a surge of anger rose in her chest.

Lady He, who had been left aside, looked increasingly displeased. As the mother of the Jiangnan prefect, when had she ever been treated with such coldness?

Just as she was about to lose her temper, she saw the young lady walk over, glancing at her disdainfully.

"You must be the prefect's mother. My grandfather has made it clear that he does not agree to the marriage between our families. Do you still intend to force the issue?"

"What are you talking about?" Lady He angrily replied: "Our He family is of such high standing that my son could marry any girl he wants."

"It's just that the child is stubborn and has taken a liking to the Zhou family's daughter. As his mother, I had to put aside our family's pride to come and propose."

"May I ask, what is the status of your He family?" Chu Li, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh: "I heard that He Hongzhi is just a son from a concubine in the He family. It was only after the legitimate son died unexpectedly that he got the chance to climb to his current position."

Lady He's eyes darkened upon hearing this. The internal affairs of the He family were kept very secretive, how did this girl know?

Stung by the remark, Lady He's face turned pale: "You sharp-tongued girl, how dare you speak so presumptuously about the He family? You don't know your place."

"Someone, arrest this person who has spoken disrespectfully of the prefect."

Old Master Zhou stepped forward: "Lady He, this girl merely spoke the truth and you want to arrest her? Has the sky of Jiangnan changed its surname to He?"

"Old Master Zhou, are you trying to sever ties with me today?" Lady He gritted her teeth in anger, giving a signal to her subordinates.

Several household staff stepped forward to seize the person, but Chu Li sneered. Mere guards dared to show off their skills in front of her.

Ruan Qinghuan did not stop her, knowing Chu Li could handle it.

This way, the matter would escalate, and she wanted to see how the He family would deal with it.

Chu Li easily knocked down the men, attracting many onlookers. Even the Zhou family guards who came to help were stunned. They hadn't even had a chance to act before the men were already down. They couldn't help but look at Chu Li with admiration, thinking how formidable this girl was.

"Useless idiots." The failure of her subordinates was a blow to Lady He's pride.

If she backed down now, not only would she lose face, but it would also tarnish the He family's dignity.

Ruan Qinghuan instructed the Zhou family servants to bring a few chairs. The long horseback ride had left her legs sore, and standing for so long was already a challenge.

Seeing Chu Li's extraordinary skills, Lady He became curious about Ruan Qinghuan's identity.

Hearing her call Old Master Zhou her maternal grandfather...

The Zhou family had a daughter who married into the Ruan family in the capital. Could she be... Madam Ruan, the wife of the Prime Minister?

The He family had been entrenched in the Jiangnan region for many years, with officials rarely venturing to the capital. Madam He had never seen Ruan Qinghuan and naturally did not recognize her.

Realizing this, she toned down her arrogance and fierceness: "May I ask, madam, are you perhaps..."

Before she could finish, Chu Li retorted: "You are not worthy to know our identities."

Madam He was left speechless.

After sitting down, Chu Li felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Madam He's face turn green and white with anger.

Ruan Qinghuan glanced at the tightly packed crowd and said coolly: "Madam He, since you are here to propose a marriage, let's discuss it here."

"Madam, marriage is a significant matter. We should go inside and talk in detail."

"No need. My grandfather disapproves of this marriage, so further discussion is unnecessary. We have already made our stance clear. Please leave, Madam He." Ruan Qinghuan's voice was gentle, yet it carried an indescribable authority.

Madam He felt a lump in her throat, unable to swallow or spit it out, making her truly uncomfortable.

Without knowing the other party's identity, she couldn't act impulsively. She needed to go back and discuss it with her son.

After sending away the troublesome He family, Old Master Zhou still seemed uneasy. He pulled his granddaughter into the mansion with a serious expression: "Qing Huan, the person you sent has been properly taken care of. Did you come this time for her?"

"Xiaoyue's situation is not easy to resolve at the moment. I came this time also to see you and grandmother." Ruan Qinghuan said with concern: "How is grandmother's health?"

Old Master Zhou shook his head: "Since He Hongzhi became the prefect, he has colluded with the Qin family, monopolizing much of the business in Jiangnan."

"That's not the worst part. The worst is that he has set his sights on Shuang'er." Old Master Zhou sighed helplessly: "This man has a poor character, and your grandmother naturally opposes Shuang'er marrying him. But after several failed attempts, the He family has now started to propose marriage openly. Isn't this cutting off Shuang'er's future?"

Chu Li bit her lip hard and muttered, "What a scoundrel."

So that's the case. The He family's actions today, ostensibly a marriage proposal, were actually an attempt to force it.

In other words, the people of Jiangnan, fearing the prefect's status, dare not vie with him for a wife. Ruan Qinghuan pondered for a moment: "Grandfather, does Shuang'er have someone she is fond of?"

Old Master Zhou sighed: "She grew up with the young master of the Feng family, but the Feng family's current circumstances are unfavorable. I'm afraid..."

"Wait." Chu Li almost choked on her pastry: "Did you just mention the Feng family, one of the four major merchants in Jiangnan?"

Old Master Zhou nodded.

Ruan Qinghuan and Chu Li exchanged glances. Chu Li's lips curled into a knowing smile as she inquired: "Old Master Zhou, is the young master of the Feng family named Feng Yi?"

"Exactly."

Chu Li had initially only intended to teach the He family a lesson, but now it seemed that mere retribution wouldn't suffice.

The He family, leveraging their power in Jiangnan, not only bullied the Zhou family but also her uncle's family. How could they let this go so easily?

Ruan Qinghuan was also surprised to learn of the connection between the Zhou and Feng families: "Grandfather, why don't we hold a marriage lottery?"

"What?" Holding a marriage lottery at this time, I fear no one but the He family would dare to catch the embroidered ball.

Old Master Zhou hesitated: "The Feng family, worried about Young Master Feng's impulsiveness, sent him to another county. He doesn't know about today's events. Besides, I don't know when he will return."

If the embroidered ball falls into someone else's hands, wouldn't that ruin my granddaughter's lifelong happiness?