Matchmaker Liu's words were like a thunderclap in Su Hele's ears, making them ring.
Cao Xingwen. Why was it him?
She thought it was He Jin. What should she do now?
Su Hele's mind went blank. She wanted to explain, but when she opened her mouth, she found her throat so dry that she couldn't utter a single word.
"Of course, Young Master Cao can't compare with the nobles from the aristocratic families. I wonder if the marriage you just agreed to still counts?"
Matchmaker Liu wore a smile on her face, but there was a hint of mockery in her tone.
Su Hele's fingertips clutching the silk handkerchief turned slightly white, and her face flushed.
The marriage she had been tricked into just now surely couldn't count. She didn't want to marry that poor scholar.
But she was also reluctant to go back on her word herself.
Su Hele could only look at Deng for help. But before Deng could say anything, she heard Su Nansheng say:
"What do you mean by comparing? Sister has always been indifferent to fame and wealth and never curries favor with the powerful. Matchmaker Liu, don't talk nonsense."
Hearing this, Matchmaker Liu curled her lips, and the mockery on her face grew stronger.
"It was my mention of the Anshun Marquis Mansion that misled A Le. Since it was a misunderstanding, it surely doesn't count."
Deng quickly explained.
Matchmaker Liu looked at Su Hele, who still held her chin high, and snorted.
"Then I have to make it clear this time. Miss Su thought the proposal was from the Anshun Marquis Mansion before, so she agreed. But then when she found out it was from Scholar Cao, she disagreed. Is that what you mean?"
Su Hele's face turned pale instantly. The chin she had been holding high finally dropped a little, and she looked at Deng again.
Deng motioned for her to leave first while taking off a jade bracelet from her wrist.
"Matchmaker Liu, that's not how you should put it..."
Su Nansheng quietly slipped out of the flower hall. Looking at Su Hele's still straight back, her eyes darkened.
So she and He Jin had already reached the stage of discussing marriage. But in the previous life, He Jin clearly didn't propose so early.
But no matter what, she had to speed up her plan.
Otherwise, if He Jin really came to propose, wouldn't all her bait be in vain?
"Second Miss, I didn't know the eldest miss knew Young Master He. But how did they meet?" Bi Tao was excited and surprised.
This was so exciting. It turned out that the seemingly indifferent eldest miss had feelings for Young Master He. But didn't she disdain the powerful?
Su Nansheng didn't stop walking. "You'll find out."
...
In the side courtyard, Su Mo was guarding outside the room, hardly daring to breathe.
An entire hour had passed, and there was not a single sound from inside. It was eerily quiet.
"Su Mo."
Su Mo shuddered. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and then lowered her head and entered the inner room.
The vases and teacups in the room were intact, but there was cotton wool all over the floor.
Looking further inside, she saw that the brocade quilt on the couch was full of holes and in a sorry state.
Looking to the side, the brocade pillow and the bed curtain were all damaged.
"The quilt was eaten by moths. Clean it up."
Su Hele stroked the jade hairpin beside her temple, her voice calm.
Su Mo quickly tiptoed to clean up without making a sound.
"A Le?" Deng's voice came from outside the room.
Su Hele frowned first, then paced to the outer room. Her voice trembled. "Mother!"
Hearing her grievance, Deng felt extremely heartache. The words of reproach turned into comfort.
"Why are you so aggrieved?"
"Mother, I thought the Anshun Marquis Mansion wasn't satisfied with marrying my sister and now wanted to propose to me. I only reluctantly agreed to spare Father the embarrassment. I never thought that matchmaker would humiliate me like that."
There were tears in Su Hele's eyes, but she held her head high to keep them from falling, looking as proud as a white chrysanthemum.
Hearing this, Deng had no mind to blame her. She quickly comforted her softly.
"It was Matchmaker Liu who misunderstood and was so overbearing and rude. She made my A Le suffer."
Su Hele wiped the corners of her eyes and said:
"Mother, you know I've never cared about family background. If Matchmaker Liu hadn't been rude first, I would have considered Young Master Cao even though his family is poor."
Deng nodded, indicating that she understood.
"If a scholar comes to propose again in the future and is really talented, I will surely agree." Su Hele's voice returned to calm.
There couldn't possibly be another scholar coming to propose, right? No, there wouldn't be.
...
Outside the Su Mansion, Matchmaker Liu weighed the silver pieces in her hand and looked at the jade bracelet on her wrist.
She curled her lips. Did they think this little bit of silver could silence her?
She rolled her eyes upwards, showing the whites. The second young master of the marquis mansion.
That Miss Su actually had an affair with the second young master of the marquis mansion. This was really something new.
A woman as pure as a chrysanthemum?
Matchmaker Liu spat and strode forward.
...
In the Anshun Marquis Mansion, Chen Wanrong's eyes were red, and her tone was full of blame.
"I've called you back so many times before, but you didn't come. But this time you came back so quickly."
He Xun was dressed in a dark purple and contrasting narrow-sleeved riding outfit, with a golden embroidered shoulder guard. A black and gold belt was tied around his waist, making him look noble and cold.
Although he had traveled day and night, there was no sign of fatigue on his face. His eyes were still sharp, and he exuded an imposing aura without even getting angry.
But his mother's red eyes made his straight back bend a little, and the coldness on his face faded a bit.
He Xun bent down to make tea for Chen Wanrong and rarely explained:
"I know mother is worried that I'll suffer in the northern border, but I'm fine there. Mother doesn't have to worry."
"You always say not to worry. You're just like your father. He's been guarding the southwest for twenty years and still won't come back. He even leaves such an important matter as proposing marriage to me alone."
Chen Wanrong complained half-jokingly.
He Xun felt sorry for his father, who had been innocently implicated, but he didn't show it on his face.
"When I achieve something, father will naturally retire from the army and return to the capital to enjoy his old age."
Chen Wanrong gave him a sideways look.
"Then you'll stay in the northern border for twenty years, and your son will replace you when you come back. Are you all hostages?"
He Xun let out a silent laugh and offered the teacup with both hands. "Mother, be careful with your words."
Chen Wanrong snorted and took the teacup. After taking a few sips, she said:
"I've met that girl from the Su family. She has good character. I like her very much. But she might not take a fancy to you."
He Xun was adjusting his sitting position. The chair was a bit low, and he didn't know how to place his long legs comfortably.
Hearing this, he paused and asked, "Why?"
"I don't know. Maybe she doesn't know your character and is not at ease. How about looking at other girls? Although our marquis mansion doesn't need to strengthen our position through marriage, it would be even better if we could marry a noble girl."
Hearing this, He Xun didn't say a word. He just lowered his head and played with the purse hanging on his waistband.
Seeing this, the corners of Chen Wanrong's lips curled up slightly, and she couldn't help feeling proud.
Let's see how you run to the northern border now.
After waiting for a while and still not hearing He Xun speak, Chen Wanrong said slowly:
"Since you're not willing, then meet that girl more often. Maybe she'll agree when she sees your good attitude."
She wasn't going to tell He Xun that the girl had already agreed. She just wanted to make him anxious.
He Xun cleared his throat. "Actually, she's not the only one."
"Oh? Then I..."
Before Chen Wanrong could finish her sentence, she saw He Xun get up and bow.
"Mother, I'll go back to rest first."
Chen Wanrong glared at He Xun's quickly disappearing back. Such a stubborn mouth.
After He Xun left the room, his steps slowed down.
He took out a wooden hairpin from his purse. The hairpin was small and had no patterns on it. Only a mythical beast was carved on the head of the hairpin.
He Xun's big, bony hand stroked the hairpin, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Doesn't know my character?"