Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

After Liu left with her maid, Da Niu and Shi Jiu excitedly rushed in.

"Miss, are you really going to marry Lord Shen?" Da Niu asked bluntly.

"Don't talk nonsense, Mother was just saying that, I haven't agreed yet!" Xia Yu said, giving Da Niu a reproachful look.

"Miss, I knew this day would come," Nineteen said excitedly.

"Huh? What do you mean by that? I've never had any interaction with you before. I didn't even expect it myself, how did you guess?" Xia Yu asked Nineteen, somewhat puzzled.

"From the moment I was assigned to Miss's side, I could feel the master's concern for her. I just felt that the master had always cared about Miss." Nineteen couldn't explain the specific reason; it was just a feeling.

"..." Xia Yu didn't speak aloud, but inwardly scoffed. Of course he cares about me; he knows I possess a treasure that can quickly grow any plant. But it's not the kind of romantic concern you're thinking of. Even now, with his offer to marry me, Xia Yu suspects he's after my treasure. If I marry someone else, it won't be convenient for him to ask me for help. So, marrying me makes it cheaper for him to grow anything he wants.

The more Xia Yu thought about it, the more likely it seemed. But if that were the case, it didn't seem so bad, since she didn't have anyone she liked right now. Shen Jingheng had known her secret for a long time, but he had never used it to blackmail her or her family over the years. On the contrary, she felt that their cooperation over the years had been quite smooth and amicable. He was not only generous with money, but he also did his best to help her family whenever needed. Thinking about it this way, continuing to cooperate with him seemed like a good idea.

Having figured this out, Xia Yu's mood instantly brightened. Cooperation and mutual benefit, creating a better future together, didn't seem so bad. And if they each met someone they liked in the future, they could always divorce.

So, in a short time, Xia Yu happily accepted the situation. She just wondered if Shen Jingheng would worsen his chest tightness if he knew her true feelings.

In the front courtyard's flower hall, Madam Shen and Madam Liu sat on opposite sides of the eight-immortal table. Madam Liu, using her teacup as a springboard, glanced at the tall stack of brocade boxes on the tea table. It seemed Lord Shen had already explained the matter to her parents. Thinking of her daughter's expression earlier, she felt a pang of sadness; the daughter she had raised with such care was about to be married off.

"Sister, I've come to discuss something with you today," Madam Shen said, putting down her tea and dabbing her lips with a handkerchief.

“Sister, just say whatever you want to say. Do we really need to bring so many gifts between us?” Madam Liu smiled gently.

"Yes, it's here. My son Heng'er came home a few days ago and told me and his father that he has long admired the Princess and wants to ask to marry her." Madam Shen said, while keeping an eye on Madam Liu's expression. After all, her son had been married before, and she really couldn't guarantee that Madam Liu would agree to let Xiaxia enter the family as a second wife.

Hearing this, Madam Liu smiled, put her cup on the table, and said...

"A few days ago, when my family held a banquet, Lord Shen mentioned this matter to the Marquis. I was wondering when you and Brother Shen could come to visit us."

"Oh my! Sister, are you really willing to give Xiaxia to Heng'er?" Hearing Liu say this, Madam Shen was overjoyed. She did not expect Liu to agree so readily.

"What do you mean by that, sister? If I were to be picky about someone as outstanding as Lord Shen, then my daughter would be stuck with me." Madam Liu's humorous words made Madam Shen laugh heartily, disregarding her image.

After the laughter subsided, Madam Shen took Liu's hand and spoke earnestly.

"As parents, I know Heng'er isn't good enough for Xiaxia. But I really love Xiaxia so much that I had no choice but to swallow my pride and come to you to ask. To be honest, I even considered having my second son propose to Xiaxia, but... sigh... after what happened, I thought that if she couldn't be my daughter-in-law, then Xiaxia could be my goddaughter. Luckily, Xiaxia went to Beijing at the time, so the matter of recognizing her as my daughter was delayed. Now it seems that all of this was God's arrangement, wasn't it?"

Hearing her heartfelt words, Madam Liu was somewhat moved. Throughout history, countless daughters have dreaded having a formidable mother-in-law after marriage. If the mother-in-law is determined to make things difficult, the daughter-in-law's life will be unbearable. Now, hearing Madam Shen speak so frankly to her, she felt both reluctant to part with her daughter and somewhat gratified.

"Don't worry, sister. My Heng'er said that he will never have any concubines or maids in his life. No matter what happens to him, as long as I live, I will not let anyone make Xiaxia unhappy."

“Sister, we’ve known each other for so many years. You Tie and I both trust your and Brother Shen’s character. We feel at ease entrusting our daughter to you,” said Madam Liu, holding Madam Shen’s hand in return.

So, in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two verbally agreed to their marriage. Before leaving, Madam Shen left behind Shen Jingheng's birth chart and took Xia Yu's birth chart with her.

Shen Jingheng went to work in his study immediately after court today, but his mind was in turmoil. He spent a long time looking at a memorial before realizing that he didn't understand what it was about, and he couldn't even remember who submitted it without looking at it again.

Suddenly, Shen Jingheng called out to the outside, "Aoki!"

Then Aoki pushed open the door and came in, bowing respectfully.

"Master, I had the servant stand guard at the gate. Madam has not yet returned from the Marquis's residence," Qingmu replied before his master could speak.

"Go on, Madam has returned to the manor, hurry back." Shen Jingheng waved his hand impatiently, telling Qingmu to close the door and leave.

Previously, he was full of confidence, believing that as long as he presented his reasons, the Zhang family would certainly not disagree. But now, he suddenly became afraid. He was afraid that the Marquis and his wife would disagree, and he was also afraid that Xia Yu would not like him.

He paced back and forth in the room, somewhat agitated, occasionally taking out his pocket watch to glance at it. He felt that time was passing exceptionally slowly today.

Aoki, who was guarding the door, broke into a wide grin as he stepped out. He had been serving the young master since he was a few years old, almost twenty years now, and had never seen him like this before. It seemed the young master truly cared for the princess. But a moment later, Aoki's smile vanished. What if the Marquis's mansion forbade the marriage? Would the young master go mad?

As Shen Jingheng waited anxiously, his mother finally returned home. Upon hearing the servant's report, he straightened his clothes, made sure there was nothing wrong with them, and then strolled over to his mother's courtyard.

Aoki followed behind, watching his master quickly walk forward, his robes billowing as he did so when no one was around. Even as his breathing quickened, he showed no sign of slowing down. Finally, as they approached the madam's courtyard, he didn't rush in but instead slowed his pace, catching his breath. By the time he stepped into the courtyard, there was no trace of his earlier hurried walk. Aoki couldn't help but silently give his master a thumbs up.