Lady Jiang the Younger was a clever woman. She immediately instructed Yuetao to fetch Old Madam Chu from the rear courtyard.
Old Madam Chu had been unwell lately, and after hearing about her daughter’s divorce, she had been so upset that she hadn’t eaten for days. Now, upon hearing that someone had come to propose marriage, she hurried over in excitement.
But as soon as she entered, she saw the Xue mother and son…
"Old Madam Xue, Marquis Chengen—have you had a change of heart?"
Her face lit up with delight, assuming the Xue family had come to reconcile. She immediately turned to scold Chu Jing, "Jing’er, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and apologize to your mother-in-law and husband! Which nobleman in the capital doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? So what if Marquis Chengen took in a mistress? As the principal wife, how can you be so petty?"
Chu Ruoyan lifted her eyelids slightly.
This grandmother of hers was, as always, more concerned with reputation than anything else—preferring her daughter to suffer in a miserable marriage rather than leave it.
Chu Jing kept her head lowered, unmoving.
Just as the old lady was about to lose her temper, Lady Jiang the Younger quickly interjected, "Mother! The one here to propose to Aunt Jing is Lord Cao from the Cao family!"
"What Lord Cao? Some minor official could never compare to Marquis Chengen—wait, which Lord Cao?" Old Madam Chu’s mind raced—there were only two prominent Cao families in the capital…
Before Lady Jiang the Younger could answer, Cao Yang stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting. "Old Madam Chu, this humble official is Cao Yang. Having heard of your noble daughter’s gentle virtue and refined grace, I have come to sincerely propose marriage, hoping to unite our families in a blessed and everlasting bond!"
Old Madam Chu was stunned.
Who did he say he was?
Cao Yang?
That Cao Yang—the Minister of Revenue, a first-rank official?
Seeing her hesitation, Lady Su quickly chimed in with a smile, "Old Madam Chu, this is a heavenly blessing! Lord Cao serves in court alongside your son, the Duke, and now he seeks to marry your daughter—what greater joy could there be? Though we didn’t have time to prepare gifts today, they will certainly be delivered later. Isn’t that right, Lord Cao?"
Cao Yang nodded, then after a brief pause, took out a jade pendant from his sleeve.
It was pure white, smooth and luminous, with the character "Cao" engraved in the lower right corner. Lady Su couldn’t help exclaiming, "It’s mutton-fat jade!"
This was a gift bestowed by the emperor when Cao Yang was appointed to the Ministry of Revenue. Only five such pieces existed in all of Great Xia—the other four had been given to imperial princes. Lady Su had been fortunate enough to see one once, on Prince Qin.
"Today’s visit was rather rushed, so I offer this jade as a token of sincerity. Old Madam Chu, what do you think?"
He handed the jade to a maidservant, who passed it to Old Madam Chu. The old woman’s hands trembled as she held it.
"You… you’re not joking, are you?"
Chu Jing was a twice-married woman, and a mother at that. Which temple god had she prayed to, to land such an outstanding match?
Old Madam Xue, finally convinced this wasn’t a joke, couldn’t resist sneering, "Have you lost your mind? Marrying such a used shoe will bring shame upon your entire Cao family!"
Cao Yang frowned, giving her a cold glance.
The Xue family truly was a lineage of fools.
"Old Madam Xue, mind your words. Lady Chu is virtuous and dignified. It is my honor to marry her—where is the shame? Besides, didn’t you hear how fond my mother is of her?"
Old Madam Xue choked, recalling what Cao Yang’s mother had declared at the ancestral hall that day—
"Divorce today, marry into our house tomorrow!"
So it was true!
"You—adulterous scoundrels! You—mmph!" Before she could finish, her son clamped a hand over her mouth.
Xue Gui hissed, "Mother, stop talking!"
If the Cao family really allied with the Chus—one the Minister of Revenue, the other a Duke—how could a mere third-rank official like him afford to offend them?
Chu Jing had somehow stumbled into incredible luck. Of all the women Cao Yang could have chosen, why her?
Meanwhile, Old Madam Chu was still dazed by this heaven-sent fortune. The Cao family!
Never mind Cao Yang’s brother-in-law, the imperial son-in-law. Cao Yang himself had climbed step by step from a seventh-rank censor to his current position as Minister of Revenue—how many people envied and fawned over him?
And he had the poor taste to fancy her twice-wedded daughter!
"Ahem, Lord Cao, now that the betrothal gift is given and the matchmaker is here, you can’t go back on your word, can you?"
"I would never dare renege on such a coveted match."
Those eight words sealed the engagement.
As the Xue mother and son tried to slink away, Cao Yang called out, "Marquis Chengen, a moment."
Xue Gui stiffened, but Cao Yang only said, "Regarding Miss Xue’s household register, please have it delivered to the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow. Would that be acceptable?"
"Of course, of course! I—ahem, this Marquis will send it without fail!"
With that, he dragged his mother away in disgrace.
Xue Ling, overwhelmed with joy, dropped into a deep bow before Cao Yang. "Thank you, Lord Cao!"
Chu Ruoyan teased, "Cousin, still calling him 'Lord Cao'?"
Xue Ling’s face flushed crimson. Just then, Chu Jing stepped forward, her eyes brimming with gratitude as she prepared to speak.
But Cao Yang, who had been perfectly composed moments ago, suddenly reddened at the ears and awkwardly cut in, "No need for thanks. I just remembered urgent matters at the Ministry. I must take my leave."
Chu Jing quickly replied, "Official duties come first. Please go ahead."
At this point, the Xie Family grandmother and grandson, who had been watching the entire scene, approached.
Old Madam Xie was all smiles, her eyes nearly disappearing into creases. "Congratulations, Lady Chu! What joyous news, to be united in marriage with Lord Cao!"
The stark contrast from her earlier attitude made even Xie Zhizhou uncomfortable. "Grandmother, perhaps we should—"
"Quiet!" Old Madam Xie shot him a glare before turning eagerly back to Chu Jing. "Lady Chu, this old woman was rude earlier, but now that you’re betrothed to the Cao family, Miss Xue will be the Cao household’s legitimate daughter. Since she and my Zhizhou are so fond of each other, why not let them marry?"
As if she hadn’t just declared them an ill-matched pair moments ago.
Chu Jing held her tongue out of politeness, but Chu Ruolan had no such restraint. "Didn’t someone just come to propose to me? Now suddenly it’s my cousin? Aunt, you’d better think carefully—since when is Xie Zhizhou some imperial prince, picking and choosing between women?"
Old Madam Xie’s face froze. Xie Zhizhou, mortified, said, "I am unworthy of your cousin and dare not hope for this match. Old Madam Chu, esteemed elders, the Xie Family takes our leave!"
He dragged his grandmother away despite her protests. After all, whether it was Chu Ruolan or Xue Ling, either would have been a lofty connection.
And now that the Chu and Cao families were joining forces, whoever married into this circle would have two high-ranking officials paving their way to success!
But no matter how much Old Madam Xie coveted the opportunity, Xie Zhizhou pulled her away.
Xue Ling opened her mouth to call after him—"Xie—" but Chu Ruoyan stopped her with a shake of her head.
Xie Zhizhou might be a good match, but if the Nanping County estate was ruled by his grandmother, married life would be anything but peaceful.
After all, Chu Ruoyan hadn’t forgotten how this old woman had schemed with Yan Shu to pressure her into helping Earl Changlu’s nephew—only to now pretend nothing had happened.
Such a calculating nature was not to be trifled with!
Suddenly, Cao Yang, who had just left, strode back in with hurried steps. It seemed he had heard some troubling news, his expression grave. When his gaze landed on Chu Ruoyan, he paused briefly before saying, "Miss Chu, I must trouble you to come with me for a moment!"
