How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Li Yun couldn't bear to listen any longer. Talking about this was too embarrassing. Although there were maids guarding outside the teahouse room, if anyone heard them, the four of them would be dead. "Talk about something else."

Mo Qingmei lowered her head, thinking about what the others had said. Although she was a little embarrassed to speak up, Xia Chu was right. This was a lifelong event, so what was wrong with choosing it herself? There was no mother to work hard at home, and her father was busy. Her aunt had children of her own, so who else could help her besides herself?

"Where's Xia Chu?" Lin Lang changed the subject. Earlier during the meal, Xia Chu had spoken about her search for her parents. Everyone sighed. They had never met Jia Qingwu, but just from Xia Chu's description of her first encounter, they could already guess how much pain she must have endured. "How long will your biological mother stay in Lin'an this time?"

Xia Chu didn't know either, but she secretly hoped Jia Qingwu would stay here. She had already decided to be filial to both mothers, and being close would make it easier to take care of them. "My mother from the Jia family has already bought a house and seems to be planning to open a shop. She will probably stay here for a long time."

"That's good." Li Yun said with a smile, "You will have two mothers to love you from now on."

Mo Qingmei looked up at Xia Chu, feeling a touch of envy. She didn't have a very vivid memory of her mother; the only thing she remembered was her bedridden state. Her face was always pale, and her voice was weak. But she would always touch her face lovingly, tears often in her eyes. Sometimes she didn't want to see her, unable to understand why she wanted to cry just by looking at her.

They chatted for a while before going home.

As soon as Xia Chu got home, she saw Zhao Huazhang. And her eldest brother, who had just left home for the military camp that morning, had returned. "Mr. Zhao, brother, why are you back again?"

"Aren't you happy that big brother's back?" Xia Tian raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at Zhao Huazhang. It wasn't him. Now he finally understood why Zhao Huazhang was so caring. He was apparently after his sister. As soon as he heard Xia Chu was back, he asked to come over for a drink. Even a fool could tell he had other intentions.

Zhao Huazhang looked at the person he hadn't seen for a long time, and he couldn't bear to look away. After being nudged several times by Xia Tian, he turned away angrily.

Xia Chu's face turned red under his direct gaze, and she glared at him angrily.

Zhao Huazhang glanced over secretly and saw his sweetheart's cheeks flushed. Her look was filled with anger and resentment, but he couldn't help laughing. However, she seemed to be even angrier.

So cute. I want to take it home and hide it.

He glared at her, yet she still laughed! Xia Chu felt as powerless as if she had thrown a punch, only to be grabbed and teased. She immediately turned and walked away, the white rabbit jade pendant on her waist swaying joyfully with the hem of her skirt.

She still kept it and wore it with her. Zhao Huazhang stood up, feeling an urge to propose marriage to the Wang family right away. But he couldn't. He wasn't sure about Xia Chu's feelings. If he was rejected, he wouldn't feel anything. He was most afraid that the Wang family would not let him in later, which would be a complete failure.

"What are you going to do?" Xia Tian looked at him warily.

"I won't do anything." Zhao Huazhang sat down again and put his arm around Xia Tian's shoulders. "If you're a brother, then give me a hand."

"Help you?" Xia Tian shook his hand away, "That's my sister."

Zhao Huazhang looked around to make sure no one was around. He whispered to Xia Tian, "It's because she's your sister. Would you be comfortable finding a stranger? We've known each other since childhood and have spent quite a bit of time together. You know me. You know my family, too. Can you find anyone better than me around here? Apart from anything else, I'm handsome, I don't have any bad habits, and I don't enjoy a life of luxury. At my age, my current achievements aren't bad either. My family is also well-off in Lin'an. Think about it carefully, am I not the best choice?"

Xia Tian knew he was telling the truth, but... "We've known each other since childhood, and you smashed my sister's head when we met?"

The past was too painful to recall. Zhao Huazhang's face froze and he was choked.

"It's not that I won't help you, but my sister has said several times that she's fine with not getting married in the future." Xia Tian told him the truth. "My parents haven't explicitly opposed this either. This is mainly up to Xiaochu's own wishes. I can't help you. Besides, a wealthy family like yours will eventually marry three wives and four concubines. My sister can't bear this injustice."

Zhao Huazhang felt a little awkward after hearing the previous words, but after hearing the last sentence, he quickly retorted: "I don't want three wives and four concubines! My mother...if I get married, there will only be one person in the family."

Xia Tian carefully observed his expression and could not find any trace of falsehood. During the time he had been in the military camp, Zhao Huazhang had a good reputation. Apart from being a bit strict, he had never heard anything bad about him. Last time when he taught the man surnamed He a lesson, Zhao Huazhang had also taken action. He had guessed some of it earlier, but his behavior did not go beyond the limit. Besides, this matter mainly depended on Xia Chu's own opinion, and he did not want to intervene. "I have no power over this matter. My sister has always been very opinionated, and once she makes up her mind, she rarely changes it. Wish you the best, Lord Zhao."

Zhao Huazhang frowned. His elder brother had decided his marriage himself. How did he end up with his elder sister-in-law? He would write a letter to ask when he got back.

During dinner, Jia Qingwu noticed Zhao Huazhang constantly stealing glances at Xia Chu, and she couldn't help but sizing him up. He was tall and powerful, with a sharp, righteous expression and handsome, well-defined features. His appearance made him a perfect match for Xia Chu. She didn't know what kind of person he was, but seeing how familiar he was with the Wang family, he must be quite good. She turned to look at her daughter, and happened to see her red ears.

If it weren't for the fact that it was hard to see under the table, Xia Chu wanted to kick Zhao Huazhang twice to make him stop. "Haven't you seen this before? You can't stop looking. Everyone at the table has noticed! Still looking!"

Even Wang Yong, who was always carefree, noticed it. He just said nothing and coughed twice.

"Brother Zhao, why do you keep secretly looking at my sister?" Wang Qiuyu tilted his head and frowned. "Is there something on my sister's face?"

Zhao Huazhang choked, his face flushing red. "I... haven't seen you for a long time, Madam Wang seems to be... hissing again..." Someone kicked his calf, and Zhao Huazhang raised his head to meet Xia Chu's shy and angry eyes, and swallowed his words back.

Xia Chu regretted it right after she finished kicking him. She felt like she was being misunderstood, like she was having something to do with Zhao Huazhang. She was sneaking around like that, and she didn't know what she was feeling guilty about. "Mom and Dad, I'm full. I'm going back to my room first."

"I'm full too. Brother Wang and Sister Dong, take your time eating." Jia Qingwu put down her bowl and followed.

She seemed genuinely angry. Zhao Huazhang watched them leave, not daring to say anything. His mind had cleared up a bit. With so many members of the Wang family, he should have kept a close eye on them. But after not seeing her for several months, it felt like Madam Wang had become even more beautiful.