Huo Manor
Old Madam Huo looked at her grandson: “A’Jin, what are your thoughts? Do you truly intend to marry the Luo Family’s fourth daughter?”
Grand Tutor Huo also frowned deeply, saying: “A’Jin’s marriage must be settled quickly. The Crown Prince intends for him to marry the daughter of the Marquis of Gu.”
“This won’t do!” Old Madam Huo said: “Our Huo Family is already close to the Emperor. If we form another marriage alliance with the Crown Prince’s in-laws, I fear His Majesty might become suspicious.”
“Grandmother is right. Your grandson has already politely declined.” Huo Jin paused before continuing: “At Su Manor, after all, I had physical contact with the Luo Family’s fourth daughter. For the sake of her reputation, I should propose marriage.”
Old Madam Huo turned to her daughter-in-law and asked: “Yesterday, when you sent someone to Luo Manor, what was their attitude?”
Madam Huo, recalling what the messenger had reported upon returning, immediately felt awkward. After weighing her words, she said: “The Luo Family’s old madam and the principal wife were quite willing, only… Third Madam Luo didn’t quite agree.”
Not only did she not quite agree, she had even angrily and indirectly called little Rui’er a little troublemaker. Of course, she didn’t dare repeat these words to her mother-in-law, lest it upset her health. In her mother-in-law’s eyes, both great-grandsons were her precious treasures, and she naturally wouldn’t tolerate others insulting them.
Her son hadn’t elaborated on what happened that day at Su Manor, but from Third Madam Luo’s attitude and what she had managed to learn from the nursemaid, she could roughly guess that the Luo fourth daughter’s falling into the water was likely caused by her grandson.
“She still doesn’t agree?” Old Madam Huo said angrily: “She’s merely the daughter of a merchant, and Luo Lao San is just a minor fifth-rank official. What dissatisfaction could she have about her daughter marrying such an outstanding grandson of mine? Is her daughter some peerless beauty?”
Madam Huo said: “Mother, please don’t be angry. The couple has only had this one daughter after many years, so naturally they hope for a satisfactory marriage for her. It’s understandable that they might be momentarily unable to accept it.”
“In your opinion, what is the fourth daughter’s temperament like?”
“She has decent looks and an upright character, without any tendency to fawn on the powerful.” Only she doesn’t particularly like children. Madam Huo didn’t dare say this last part, otherwise her mother-in-law would absolutely refuse this marriage proposal.
Madam Huo hadn’t been very satisfied with this marriage proposal either, but her grandson insisted on having her. Since losing his mother, this child had become domineering and arrogant, and wasn’t close to A’Jin. At most, she would just be a second wife. With her keeping an eye on things, she wasn’t afraid of any trouble arising.
A servant reported from outside: “Old Madam, the two young masters have returned.”
Huo Rui walked in, with the nursemaid carrying Huo An following behind.
“Great-grandmother, grandfather, grandmother, father!” Huo Rui greeted each in turn.
“Great…grandmother…”
Huo An only managed one greeting, not bothering with the others. It wasn’t that he was lazy, but he couldn’t yet speak complete sentences.
Old Madam Huo chuckled happily: “Come! Little Rui’er, little An’er, great-grandmother’s good grandsons, where did you go playing so early in the morning?”
Huo An climbed down from the nursemaid and threw himself at her.
“Mo…ther!” His eyes shone brightly as he said in a milky voice: “Play…ball! Awesome!”
Everyone looked at him in surprise, as they rarely heard him say so many words at once.
Huo Rui explained: “We went to Luo Manor.”
Old Madam Huo felt sour – the marriage hasn’t even been settled yet, and they’re already eagerly rushing over to the other family’s residence.
Grand Tutor Huo asked, somewhat confused: “Who is little An’er calling mother?”
The wet nurse beside him replied, “Reporting to the master, Young Master Xiao An seems to like the Fourth Miss Luo very much. He called her ‘mother’ as soon as they met.”
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Huo nearly spat out his tea.
Old Madam Huo’s expression also darkened slightly. As his great-grandmother, she had taught him for a long time, yet he could only call her somewhat haltingly. Now, he was affectionately calling a stranger.
Seeming to sense his great-grandmother’s displeasure, Huo An, like a little adult, raised his chubby hand and gently patted her head.
This gesture warmed Old Madam Huo’s heart. She poked his little cheek, sighed, and instructed her daughter-in-law, “Tomorrow, take A Jin to Luo Manor again.”
Madam Huo nodded, “Yes, your daughter-in-law will remember.” Her mother-in-law had agreed.
The next day
Luo Chaoyan had just finished playing ball with Fengli, washed up, and was enjoying a fragrant breakfast.
An unexpected guest arrived outside the door.
Shulan led the person in, “Miss, Nanny Qin is here.”
Nanny Qin bowed to Luo Chaoyan and said, “Miss, there are distinguished guests visiting today. Old Madam asks you to change your attire and do your hair, then go to Yanshou Hall to receive the guests.”
Luo Chaoyan was taken aback. This shouldn’t be happening! Ever since her parents were punished to kneel in the ancestral hall, aside from her father being able to attend court, she and her mother had been confined to the house. Why would they suddenly ask her to receive guests? Could this be a trap? Perhaps it was the little demon?
Thinking this, she grew uneasy. She suddenly recalled what the little demon had said before leaving yesterday and tentatively asked, “Is my cousin going too?”
Nanny Qin’s expression stiffened slightly, but as a long-time steward in front of the old madam, she naturally hid it well. She smiled and said, “Of course she is.”
If her cousin was also going, then it wasn’t about the little demon. Luo Chaoyan nodded, “Then I’ll change and go. Please inform Grandmother that I’ll be there shortly.”
Nanny Qin did not leave but waited outside the courtyard gate.
Fengli found this puzzling. She entered the room and saw Shulan applying makeup for the young lady. She said, “Miss, Nanny Qin is still waiting outside the courtyard.”
Luo Chaoyan sighed upon hearing this, “Grandmother is afraid I’ll dress too plainly!” How difficult it was to try and slack off. She glanced at the jewelry box, picked out a few exquisite yet lightweight hairpins, and had Shulan insert them.
Once everything was ready, Luo Chaoyan left the courtyard gate.
Nanny Qin saw that she was dressed brightly but not ostentatiously and nodded in satisfaction.
“Nanny Qin, let’s go.”
When Luo Chaoyan arrived at Yanshou Hall, she saw a dignified and proper lady sitting to her grandmother’s right. She stepped forward and bowed to the elders one by one.
Old Madam Luo introduced the lady beside her, “A Yan, this is Madam Huo.”
Luo Chaoyan bowed respectfully, offering a polite smile. However, a storm of anger raged within her heart. How could she have believed that little demon would keep his promise!
“This must be the Fourth Miss Luo!”
Madam Huo carefully observed the Fourth Miss Luo. Seeing her proper manners and graceful demeanor, she did not seem as unpleasant as the rumors had suggested. Her worries eased slightly.
She had someone bring two gift boxes and said with a smile, “This is my first visit, and I wasn’t sure what young ladies like, so I had Baoyue Pavilion make two sets of headpieces.”
“Both young ladies, come and take a look. Choose whichever you like. If you don’t care for them, I’ll have them replaced.”
Luo Zhao Ning knew she was merely a foil on this visit, which had already left her somewhat discontented. However, upon seeing the two exquisite sets of head ornaments, she felt tempted. They were even more beautiful than the ones she kept as her most treasured possessions.
She glanced at Luo Chaoyan and noticed her indifferent expression, which irked her further—it made her seem unsophisticated. She pursed her lips.
Yin Shi said, “Madam Huo, you are too kind. We cannot accept such generous gifts without having done anything to deserve them. How could our young ladies presume to take them?”
Old Madam Luo glared at her in anger upon hearing this.
Zhao Shi smoothed things over, saying, “Regardless of their value, these are simply a token of Madam Huo’s goodwill. Third Sister-in-law, one must not refuse the gifts of elders.”
Cao Shi also smiled and said, “A Yan, A Ning, come quickly and choose one for yourselves.”
Not wanting her mother to incur their grandmother’s displeasure over this matter, Luo Chaoyan selected a set along with her cousin.
Madam Huo smiled and remarked, “Speaking of which, Fourth Miss Luo is quite connected to our Huo Family. Yesterday, my two grandsons returned home and mentioned how much they enjoyed playing with her!”
Yin Shi shot a reproachful look at her daughter. “I heard from the maids as well.” Then, with a hint of concern, she added, “Our A Yan was rather thoughtless yesterday and didn’t know to yield to the young Lang Jun. I hope the young gentlemen weren’t injured in any way?”
“Children are naturally mischievous; bumps and scrapes are unavoidable. It’s no trouble at all!” Madam Huo replied diplomatically. It was clear that Third Madam Luo was hinting that her daughter was not adept at handling children and that their family dared not aspire to this match.
Zhao Shi said enviously, “Madam Huo is quite right. Yesterday, I noticed Young Master Rui had such spirited, thick eyebrows and bright eyes, and Young Master An was as delicate and lovely as carved jade. Having two such grandsons must be a true blessing—I can’t help but feel envious.”
“You flatter me, Madam,” Madam Huo replied with a smile.
After some more casual conversation, Zhao Shi found an excuse to invite Madam Huo to the main household’s inner courtyard along with her daughter.
Cao Shi also made an excuse and left Yanshou Hall.
Once they had departed, the smile faded from Old Madam Luo’s face.
Luo Chaoyan exchanged a look with her mother, both feeling as if they were sitting on pins and needles, uncertain of the old lady’s intentions.
“Yin Shi! You stay.”
Old Madam Luo nodded to Mama Qin and said to Luo Chaoyan, “A Yan, the crabapple blossoms in the garden are in full bloom. Go with Mama Qin and pick some for your grandmother.”
Luo Chaoyan looked at Old Madam Luo, then at Yin Shi, pursed her lips, and finally nodded.
Leaving Yanshou Hall, she walked leisurely toward the garden, showing no sense of urgency.
Mama Qin grew anxious but hesitated to rush her, merely gazing at her with unspoken words.
“There’s someone waiting for me in the garden!”
Mama Qin’s expression froze, realizing she couldn’t hide it from her, and nodded. “Yes, Fourth Miss.”
“Huo Jin?”
“You are astute, Miss!”
Luo Chaoyan halted abruptly and, ignoring Mama Qin’s reaction, turned to leave.
Mama Qin panicked and cried out urgently, “Fourth Miss!”
After a few steps, Luo Chaoyan resignedly turned back.
Mama Qin stared at her breathlessly, afraid she might leave again.
Luo Chaoyan found it somewhat amusing and decided not to make things difficult for her. “Let’s go,” she said. “We mustn’t keep our distinguished guest waiting.”
When they reached the garden, they saw a man standing with his back to them in the pavilion.
Hearing their footsteps, he turned around.
Mama Qin bowed to him and then retreated, though she remained at a distance to avoid any unnecessary gossip.
Luo Chaoyan looked at Huo Jin and had to admit that this man indeed possessed the capital to attract attention. His posture was upright, his facial features were well-defined and flawless. Especially those deep eyes, which held a captivating magic.
Huo Jin also sized her up. That day, she had appeared delicate and fragile, but today she seemed quite different.
“That day, Huo Rui was being mischievous and frightened you, Fourth Miss. I apologize on his behalf.”
Luo Chaoyan was somewhat surprised. Did he mean that he knew everything that day was orchestrated by Huo Rui?
As if understanding her confusion, he said, “Fourth Miss, I know that day was no coincidence. You have been wronged, and if you have any requests, you may state them. However, I hope our marriage can be settled as soon as possible.”
It seemed that a father knows his son best, or perhaps like father, like son? But this man exuded an air of aloofness, quite unlike that little devil. Luo Chaoyan looked at him and asked, “What if I refuse?”
Huo Jin was taken aback, then frowned and said, “Fourth Miss, that day, you and I… had physical contact. If you do not marry me, it may not be good for your future marriage prospects. I hope you will consider this carefully.”
Luo Chaoyan stared at him for a long time, then sat down on the pavilion chair, poured herself a cup of tea, and slowly drank it. Only after finishing the entire cup did she say, “I’m afraid of trouble!”
Huo Jin didn’t understand, but then he saw her spread her hands and say earnestly, “I heard that Old Madam Huo dotes on her great-grandson. Now that I have such a ‘grudge’ with him, I’m afraid our future interactions might put Old Madam Huo in a difficult position.”
He almost wanted to laugh. It was the first time he had seen someone so candid yet so self-assured. What she meant was that she was afraid his grandmother would side with Huo Rui and make things difficult for her.
“Huo Rui and Huo An have been raised in Grandmother’s courtyard since childhood. They will not cause you trouble.”
Yeah, right! Since ancient times, women have been expected to serve their husbands and raise children. How could she avoid it forever?
Luo Chaoyan pondered the feasibility. The little chubby one liked to stick close, and his temperament could probably be molded into something she liked. As for Huo Rui, they would definitely be like enemies meeting, eyes blazing with hatred. She secretly formed a plan in her mind. Hmph! Little devil! You want me to be your stepmother, don’t you? I’ll grant your wish. I hope you won’t regret it later.
“I… I have one more request!”
“Go ahead.”
“It’s just… you already have two children. Can we… uh, not have any for now?”
Huo Jin nodded. “Agreed.”
“Deal!”