If not abolished

"Oh, old lady, the young master of the Du family is one of the most learned people in the whole Jining City. His family background and character are also well matched with the third young lady. Why don't you find an opportunity for the two to meet each other?" The matchmaker came to the Hu family again to propose marriage.

After the old lady heard what the matchmaker said, she said, "It's hard for you to come here so many times. You just said so much. Come and have some tea."

The matchmaker didn't even pick up the tea, but waved her hand and said, "You're too polite, old lady. This is just the beginning. Under normal circumstances, it would take me most of the day. Can you please see what I just said..." The subject was changed back.

"To be honest, I am the only elder here. Marriage is always decided by parents. My granddaughter's parents are not in Jining now, but far away in Beijing. Such a big thing must not be informed to my son and daughter-in-law. It is not easy for me to make the decision."

"That being said, the third girl is already grown up. It's impossible for the master and the mistress to stay in the capital and not talk about marriage. Besides, you are the third girl's grandmother. If you make the decision, the master and the mistress will not object."

"Well...how about this? I'll write a letter to the capital and ask their opinions. If they think it's okay, then I'll invite you over to complete this marriage. How about that?" Old Mrs. Hu took a step back.

Seeing that the old lady had said so much, the matchmaker could not say anything more and said with a smile, "That's fine. This is also urgent. If the old lady has any news, please let me know."

"Of course, there will be news in half a month at most."

"Okay, okay, I'll go back today and come back when I have news."

"Quick, send the matchmaker away."

After sending the matchmaker away, Madam Liu massaged Old Madam Hu's legs while asking, "This matchmaker keeps coming to our house. Why is the Du family so anxious to find a wife?"

"You're right. I'm afraid there's something wrong with you being so anxious. It seems like we should take a closer look at what the Du family is like. It's always good to understand it better."

"Yes, we have to find out the truth about this. If there is any problem, it will harm the third girl."

"Send someone to investigate someday."

Hu Shanxiang was checking the accounts in the study. As soon as she finished and looked up, she saw Lingzhi standing in front of her, wanting to say something but hesitant.

Hu Shanxiang put down her pen, picked up the tea beside her and took a sip, "Just say whatever you want to say, don't hold it in."

Lingzhi immediately relaxed, as if she had been pardoned, "Girl, guess which young man the matchmaker is going to introduce you to?"

"Can't guess?" Hu Shanxiang was telling the truth. She didn't know many men in this city. Those she knew might be her relatives. However, she hadn't seen them much in the past few years, so she didn't know any opposite sex at all.

"The eldest son of the Du family." Lingzhi knew that Hu Shanxiang would definitely not be able to guess it, so she immediately announced the answer.

"How did you know?"

"I heard from the old lady's mother that she wanted to find out about the Du family."

"So? What other information did you find out?" Hu Shanxiang had a feeling that this girl didn't know this little bit of information.

"I've been waiting for you to say this, young lady. The Du family is a well-known family in Jining. They have been scholars for generations. Although there are not many high-ranking officials in the family, they are a clean family with a very good family tradition. I heard that the Du family does not allow concubines. Many people in the city want to marry into the Du family. However, Mr. Du has only one son and one daughter, and there are many people who want to marry Mr. Du."

"So according to what you said, this Young Master Du is very popular, then why did they send a matchmaker to our house to propose marriage?" Hu Shanxiang didn't understand. There were many women in the city who were better than her. The Du family wanted to marry any kind of girl they wanted, so why did they choose her? She didn't understand.

"Is that right, young lady?" After hearing what Hu Shanxiang said, Lingzhi also felt strange.

"Have you found out anything about the eldest son of the Du family?" Hu Shanxiang suddenly wanted to know more information so that she could analyze it.

Lingzhi thought about it carefully, "The Du family is well-known in the city, but the eldest son Du is very low-key and mysterious. I only know that he should be eighteen this year. I heard that he passed the examination for a scholar at the age of thirteen and a juren at the age of sixteen. He is devoted to studying at home. I don't know anything else."

"So this guy is quite capable."

"Of course not. I heard that Mr. Du has been very good at studying since he was young, even better than the second uncle-in-law." Lingzhi said secretly.

"My second brother-in-law is not bad either. There's no need to compare him like this." Hu Shanxiang thought to herself. It would be terrible if her second sister heard this.

Hu Shanji, who was far away in Guangzhou, sneezed.

"My lady, have you caught a cold?"

"Probably not."

"Since grandma has gone to get the news, let's just wait and see what happens."

"This is the only way. The old lady will definitely keep a close eye on the young lady."

"Okay, have you prepared everything for praying tomorrow?" Hu Shanxiang asked.

"It has been prepared for a long time."

"That's good." After coming back, although Mrs. Hu didn't have any major health problems, she still had minor ailments from time to time. When the old lady was in good health, she would go to the mountain to pray for blessings every ten days. Now she can't go very often, but she still thinks about it, so Hu Shanxiang sometimes goes for her.

"Madam, I found out."

"What? Tell me now."

"The eldest son of the Du family is going to die this year. Madam Du wants to find a good backer for her son in advance. She wants to establish a relationship with our family so that the master can help her when the time comes." Mother Liu told the old lady the news she had obtained.

"I see. I was wondering why you were so anxious to settle down. What do you think of Mr. Du's literary talent and character?"

"It can be said that Mr. Du's character and literary talent are both among the best in the city. Even if he doesn't seek marriage, it won't be difficult for him to pass the imperial examination with his own ability."

"So this is a nice guy."

"Who says it's not true? The Du family is also a noble family with a good family tradition. It would be a good idea for the third girl to marry there."

"Then write a letter to Rong'er and see what they think."

"it is good."

"Master, I have found out that the family that proposed to Miss Hu San is the Du family in the city. The eldest son of the Du family is about the same age as Miss Hu San."

"Really? How old are you? What's your family background? What kind of person is he?"

"This young master of the Du family is eighteen years old this year. His father is a sixth-rank judge in Jining Prefecture. I heard that the young master of the Du family is a well-known talent. Will he take the imperial examination this year?"

"How can you be the same age when you are already 18? You are about to take the imperial examination, but you still want to get married? You are so indecisive."

"Sir, the Du family is right next door to ours?"

"next door?"