In the side courtyard, the veranda window was half-open, revealing Su Hele's numb face.
She stared at the bright sky outside, picked up a pair of scissors to snuff out the candlewick, and then cut the remaining candle into pieces bit by bit until the candlestick was exposed. Then she crushed the candle crumbs on the ground with her feet.
She hadn't slept all night. Instead of looking tired, there was a strange flush on her face, making her look extremely excited.
Su Hele was still grinding the candle fragments, and her face gradually became distorted.
This unexpected incident had cost her her reputation. Even her father, who had always doted on her, had gotten angry with her.
It was the first time in so many years that she had encountered such a situation. But as long as He Jin came to propose marriage, none of these things mattered. She had her own way to redeem the situation.
Yesterday, she had dressed up early on purpose, wearing a plain dress and full of anticipation.
But he didn't come.
He Jin, how dare you fail me!
At this moment, there was a soft knock on the door. "Eldest Miss?"
It was Su Mo's voice, but Su Hele ignored it and continued to grind the ground forcefully.
"Eldest Miss, someone from the Marquis Mansion has come to propose marriage."
Su Hele stopped in her tracks. It took her a long time to slowly raise her head bit by bit.
When she looked up again, her face had returned to calm, looking elegant and composed.
"Mother knows what to do. I won't go."
If she rushed over after he was a day late, wouldn't it make her seem too eager?
Su Mo's voice sounded a bit hesitant. "But the matchmaker said she wants to see the Eldest Miss."
"I won't see her."
After waiting for a long time and hearing no more sound from inside, Su Mo had no choice but to return to the main hall to report.
...
In the flower hall, Deng's face didn't look good.
In front of her were a pair of listless geese and two bolts of silk. There wasn't even the three - animal offering, let alone any silver.
"Matchmaker Gao, you're here to propose marriage on behalf of the Second Young Master of the Marquis Mansion, aren't you? Is this all the betrothal gifts the noble Marquis Mansion has prepared?"
Deng's tone was somewhat dissatisfied.
Matchmaker Gao, who had been sizing up the surroundings wantonly, explained upon hearing this.
"Aunt Li said that Miss Su is a refined and elegant young lady. What she values is the sentiment. Naturally, she won't care about the value of the gifts. These are just worldly formalities."
There was a smile on her face, but her tone was somehow strange.
Hearing this, Deng turned her gaze to the pair of geese again. Since they emphasized sentiment, there should at least be wild geese, which symbolize loyalty.
What was the deal with these two half - dead beasts?
Seeing this, Matchmaker Gao quickly explained again.
"Miss Su should also know about Young Master He's situation. As the saying goes, a scholar is good for nothing. He can't carry heavy things or shoot. How could he shoot down a wild goose?"
"If he can't shoot, can't the people in his mansion do it?" Deng clearly didn't accept this explanation.
Matchmaker Gao immediately stopped smiling. "So, Madam is not willing then?"
Deng was taken aback. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Su Mo enter the hall.
"Madam, the Eldest Miss can't come for the time being."
"Oh, Madam Su is dissatisfied with our gifts, and Miss Su is also unwilling to come and meet. It seems you really don't want to form this marriage alliance.
Then I'll go back and tell Aunt Li that you don't agree to the marriage."
With that, Matchmaker Gao turned around and was about to leave.
Deng was slightly stunned and quickly said,
"Matchmaker, please wait. Whether to agree or not still depends on Ale. I'll order someone to call her again."
After saying that, she immediately winked at Su Mo, who lowered her head and left.
...
Su Hele was just about to rest when she heard another knock on the door.
This time, Su Mo didn't wait for her but directly said, "Eldest Miss, Madam says you must go."
Su Hele frowned. She couldn't even handle such a small matter properly.
Well, she would go and see how He Jin would apologize to her. After all, he was late, and she had suffered so much in vain.
After checking her dress, Su Hele walked out of the room and said,
"I don't care much about money, but since it's a betrothal gift, it should be more valuable. Why keep calling me?"
Su Mo didn't dare to reply and just silently lowered her head and followed behind Su Hele.
When she entered the flower hall, Su Hele looked around for the betrothal gifts. She wanted to see how valuable they were that even her mother didn't dare to make a decision.
After looking around, all she saw was a pair of geese, two bolts of silk, and a matchmaker with a fake smile.
"So this is Miss Su. One look and you can tell you're a well - educated young lady from a noble family, not the shameless wild girl who has secret trysts with others as outsiders say."
Matchmaker Gao had a smile on her face, but her words were full of thorns.
Su Hele was slightly stunned. If she wasn't the only outsider here, she would have thought Matchmaker Gao was here to cause trouble. How could she speak so vulgarly?
During this time, Matchmaker Gao continued,
"Miss Su, take a look. These are the betrothal gifts Aunt Li sent. She also said that the wedding gifts in the future will be in the same configuration. I'm sure Miss Su won't mind."
Hearing this, Su Hele's already pale face turned even paler.
She didn't care about money, but such shabby betrothal gifts were clearly an insult to her.
"Just now, Madam Su didn't seem very satisfied with this. I wonder if Miss Su agrees to this marriage?" Matchmaker Gao pressed on.
Su Hele secretly clenched her hand in her sleeve. Her long fingernails pierced the palm of her hand. The pain was like cutting flesh, but it also made her sober.
Su Hele raised her chin high and her face remained calm.
"These are just worldly possessions. I've never cared about them. Since Young Master He is willing to keep his promise, I can't be the one who breaks it. I'm willing to marry into his family."
Aunt Li wanted her to back down, but she just wouldn't let Aunt Li have her way. As long as she married He Jin, she would have plenty of opportunities to prove herself in the future.
She would make Aunt Li know how stupid her actions were.
Hearing this, Matchmaker Gao's expression froze for a moment, and then she forced a smile.
"In that case, Madam Su, please give me Miss Su's birth details. I can go back and report the good news."
...
Su Nansheng was feeding the koi while listening to the news Bi Tao had just heard.
"Second Miss, don't you think that matchmaker is so rude? And those betrothal gifts are no better than what a poor scholar can offer." Bi Tao sighed.
She had met several matchmakers these days, and Matchmaker Gao was the most arrogant and rude one. Why did the Marquis Mansion send her to propose marriage?
Su Nansheng threw the last piece of fish food into the glass tank, took the warm towel Bi Tao had prepared to wash her hands, and then said,
"Matchmaker Gao's intention to stir up trouble is too obvious. Aunt Li has ultimately made a wrong move."
It was easy to tell that Matchmaker Gao had no intention of bringing about a good marriage. She must have been instructed by Aunt Li.
Bi Tao understood.
"But the Eldest Miss didn't even care. She values etiquette and reputation the most."
Su Nansheng watched the koi in the glass tank scramble for food. Her voice was a bit cold.
"If she had said no, Matchmaker Gao would have immediately seized the opportunity, and this marriage would have been over. She really might have been sent to a nunnery."
So Su Hele had no choice but to not care.
Thinking of this, a bright smile appeared on Su Nansheng's face.
Su Hele, it's time for you to experience the difficulty of being alone and having no choice.