Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Although Madam Shen complained about her son, she was secretly delighted that her blockhead son had finally come to his senses, and besides, she genuinely liked Xiaxia. Now, hearing her son say this, she put aside all thoughts of the Li and Yin families and began to plan how to bring up this matter with Madam Liu.

She had initially intended to marry Xia Yu to her second son, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he married a girl from the Gu family instead. Although she wasn't entirely satisfied with the marriage, she thought about how the young couple had become a harmonious and loving couple. Gu Rou'er was also obedient, gentle, and respectful to her parents-in-law, and had given birth to a granddaughter for the Shen family. Even if she didn't like her at first, she had now accepted her as a daughter-in-law.

Two days after the banquet at the Marquis's residence, Zhang Youtie and Madam Liu had also been agonizing over the matter for two days. In the end, they both accepted that Shen Jingheng was indeed more suitable for their daughter. However, their agreement alone was not enough; Xiaxia's consent was ultimately required.

On the third day of the banquet at the Marquis's residence, Lady Liu sent a message to the palace, asking Xia Yu to return home if he had time. Upon receiving the message, Xia Yu assumed something had happened at home, hurriedly told Zhou Luo, and left the palace with his entourage.

"Mother, why did you call me back in such a hurry? Is something wrong?" Xia Yu asked impatiently as soon as she saw Liu Shi.

Lady Liu glanced at the maids following her and said...

"You may all leave now. I have something to say to the Princess."

"Yes"

Even the palace servants Xia Yu brought from the palace obediently left. Everyone knew that the Lady of the Marquis was the eldest princess's biological mother, so naturally, they had to listen to her. When they left, they thoughtfully closed the door behind them.

"Mom, what's going on? Why are you being so secretive?" Xia Yu asked with a smile, seeing her mother's attitude.

Instead of answering her daughter's question, Madam Liu took her hand and led her to sit on the daybed in the inner room before quietly asking her...

"A few days ago, we had a housewarming banquet at our residence, and quite a few young gentlemen came over. Did you find any of them appealing?"

"No," Xia Yu shook her head and answered honestly.

"Not a single one?" Liu asked, still somewhat unwilling to give up, and then continued...

"I think the eldest grandson of Minister Peng is quite good. He is only eighteen years old and has already passed the imperial examination. He is also very handsome."

"I don't like him. He's too handsome. What's the point of a man being so beautiful? And he has those flirtatious eyes; they make him look restless." Xia Yu immediately pictured Young Master Peng and shook her head vigorously. He was indeed handsome, and many women couldn't compare to him. But Xia Yu disliked him after just one glance at his alluring flirtatious eyes.

"What about the young master of Minister Zhou's family? I think he's quite good too. I heard he's devoted to his studies and doesn't get close to women." Although Madam Liu had reluctantly accepted Shen Jingheng as her son-in-law, she was still unwilling to give up and wanted to see if her daughter had any men she liked.

"I don't remember." Xia Yu thought carefully, but couldn't recall what this young master Zhou looked like.

"Mother, is this what you rushed me back to say?" Xia Yu said with a hint of coquettishness.

"Oh, you silly girl, don't you think about how old you are this year? If you don't get engaged soon, it will really be a waste of your life." Madam Liu gently tapped her daughter's forehead, worried about her lack of understanding.

"Mother, it's actually quite good not to get married. In a couple of years, when the Emperor grows up, I'll leave the palace and come home to be with Father and Mother. By then, my elder brother will have married his wife, and we'll leave the affairs of the mansion to them. I'll take you and Father on a trip!" Xia Yu painted a beautiful picture of her future for Liu Shi.

Unfortunately, Liu was not a modern woman; in her mind, how could a woman not get married? Moreover, she couldn't understand what her daughter meant by "travel." That was probably a word from another world she belonged to.

She had initially hesitated about marrying her daughter to Shen Jingheng, but after hearing her daughter's words, she became even more determined to do so.

After thinking for a moment, she asked again.

"So what do you think of Lord Shen?" Perhaps it was because Madam Liu's voice was too loud, but Xia Yu was so startled by her words that she jumped up from the daybed.

"Mom, don't talk nonsense, you'll scare people to death." As she spoke, Xia Yu patted her chest in lingering fear.

"Your mother isn't making this up. After the banquet the day before yesterday, Lord Shen spoke to your father personally and told him that he wants to marry you. What do you think about this?"

"He...he...he said he wanted to marry me, how is that possible?" Xia Yu couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Why is it impossible? He told your father himself, how could it be false? What are your thoughts? Do you like him?" Madam Liu asked gently.

"I never thought about what would happen between us. Now that you're asking me this, I don't know what to say." As the mother and daughter spoke, Xia Yu understood why Shen Jingheng had suddenly stopped her and said those things that day. Wasn't the person he was talking about—someone who knew her secret, accepted her, and could protect her?

Thinking back to what she had said to him that day, Xia Yu couldn't help but chuckle. He must have been feeling quite down at the time. A smile involuntarily appeared on Xia Yu's face. However, this expression was misunderstood by Madam Liu, who thought she harbored feelings for Lord Shen.

“Madam, Madam Shen has arrived, and she has brought many gifts.” Green Cloud’s voice came from outside.

Green Cloud's voice startled Xia Yu, who was recalling the events of that day.

"Mother, Aunt Shen is here!"

"Yes, Mother heard you. I guess it's about you. You wait here, Mother, I'll go check on you." With that, Madam Liu got up to open the door and go out.

"Mother..." Xia Yu suddenly called out to her. She wanted to tell Liu Shi that she didn't want to get engaged right now; if possible, she would like to get to know the other person first—in modern terms, to date. But then she remembered that dating wasn't fashionable in this day and age, and for a moment, she was conflicted while quickly racking her brains, trying to find the right words to express her thoughts.

Madam Liu turned to look at her daughter, who was clutching her handkerchief somewhat helplessly, a slight blush on her face. Smiling, she reassured her, "Mother knows what you're thinking, don't worry." With that, she opened the door and went out, leading the maids to the reception hall.