The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

But since the Shen family had already extended an invitation, Hua Sirong couldn't refuse.

She's just a cousin living under someone else's roof; she can't be so ungrateful.

Ms. Shen pointed to the several pages of paper on the table and introduced them one by one, "You said before that you were looking for someone who could read, and it didn't matter if the family was poor."

I thought you weren't short of money, and even though the man's family was poor, with you managing the household, they should value you more.

My aunt didn't choose many from those families that were well-off.

Granny Yan frowned slightly, but Hua Sirong's expression remained unchanged. "Thank you for your trouble, Aunt. I originally thought that since I come from a merchant family, it would be more appropriate to marry someone from a poor family."

That way, if I marry into his family, I won't be bullied at will.

Madam Shen, looking like she doted on her niece, glanced at Hua Sirong and said, "With your aunt here, no matter which family you marry into, I won't let you suffer any losses."

Next, Ms. Shen carefully introduced the good candidates she had chosen to Hua Sirong.

"This scholar Li lived in the suburbs of Beijing. His family were farmers with many brothers and sisters. The whole family worked together to support his education, and he achieved the title of scholar at a young age."

Rongjie, don't be fooled by their heavy burden. As long as the whole family works together, they can't be a bad family. They must be kind-hearted and easy to get along with.

You grew up without a mother or any siblings to help you. If you go to his family, your life will be complete! It'll be so lively with a big family like that.

“If you don’t like Li Xiucai, let’s look at the next one, Wang Xiucai.”

"This family currently lives in the western part of the city, renting a house together with the widowed mother and her younger sister. They also have a house and land in the countryside, but it's inconvenient for them to attend school, so they rent it out to the clan."

It is clear that he is a shrewd and calculating person. The neighbors also say that Wang Xiucai is ambitious and would immerse himself in his study every day after returning from school.

The whole alley was fast asleep late at night, but this scholar Wang was still studying diligently. Who knows what kind of high-ranking official he'll become someday?

"And another thing, this is Chen, a scholar who passed the imperial examination. It's said he'll be taking the exam next year to become a Jinshi. You'll become an official's wife as soon as you enter the family."

However, there was one downside to Chen, the scholar: his wife had died before, leaving behind a three-year-old daughter.

Your aunt didn't intentionally find someone like that for you; it's just that there's no shortage of scholars in the capital, but a successful candidate in the provincial examination is definitely someone with real talent and learning.

With money in your hands, you can help with the bribing process. Even if Chen remains a mere scholar for life, he will still be able to wait for an official position.

As for that three-year-old girl, just give her an extra bite to eat, and the family will have one more person to help out in the future.

"..."

"..."

"There's no rush. Take it back and take a good look at it first. Once you've chosen one you like, your aunt will arrange for you to meet privately. If it's a good match, we'll ask a matchmaker to propose marriage, okay?"

Hua Sirong blushed and said shyly, "Auntie, you can decide."

Madam Shen was pleased with Hua Sirong's tact, thinking that she had gone to great lengths to select these few seemingly impeccable families.

Just as Hua Sirong was about to take her leave, another maid came to report that someone from the gatehouse had come to propose marriage to the second young lady.

Madam Shen was shocked. "Who is it?" The second young lady had just broken off her engagement today, this is truly...

The maid replied, "A scholar surnamed Xin."

Only then did Madam Shen realize who it was, and Hua Sirong, after overhearing it, also understood.

The poor scholar who saved the second young lady, Xin Yucheng.

Madam Shen then asked, "Does the old lady know about this?"

Maid: "Reporting to Madam, the Old Madam requests that you personally receive the guests. As for whether this Young Master Xin and the Second Miss are destined to be together, that is entirely up to you, Madam."

Shen was suddenly entrusted with an important task and was somewhat unaccustomed to it.

However, considering that the old lady was angered by the Meng family this morning, it's understandable that she doesn't want to see guests right now.

Besides, Xin Yucheng was just a minor scholar; the old lady didn't need to personally receive him.

Madam Shen smiled kindly and said, "Alright, then please invite Scholar Xin to the front hall for tea. Also, send someone to invite the Second Miss to wait at Yimei Garden."

Seeing that Madam Shen had something to attend to, Hua Sirong quickly got up to take her leave.

She and Granny Yan left Yimei Garden, but did not go far. Instead, they found a secluded place to hide and enjoy the scenery.

Granny Yan: "Whatever Your Highness wants to know, this old servant will go and find out. Your health is weak, you should return to Qingwu Courtyard as soon as possible."

Hua Sirong gently shook her head, "There's a hand warmer, and I'm wearing a thick coat, so standing here for a bit won't hurt."

When Madam Shen saw Scholar Xin, she didn't give him a friendly look. "You said you've come to propose marriage?"

Seeing that there was nothing behind this person, could it be that he was planning to get something for nothing?

Thinking that Zhuzhu must have married such a poor and ungrateful man in her previous life, Shen's face turned even uglier.

Xin Yucheng observed Shen's expression and sensed something was wrong, so he quickly added, "Reporting to Madam Hou, I heard that the Meng family came to our door today to annul the engagement."

I have come to your residence to plead my case. If it is true that the Second Miss is unmarried because of her drowning, I would be grateful if you would grant me the honor of marrying her.

I swear, I will cherish your second daughter for the rest of my life, treating her like a precious jewel.

Shen felt no emotion, only disgust, upon hearing Xin Yucheng's absurd words.

But considering that the old lady had entrusted this matter to her, and pondering her son's ambiguous attitude towards Xin Yucheng, reason ultimately prevailed.

"Alright, you can be considered my second young lady's savior. Our Marquis's mansion has always been benevolent and righteous, and there is no reason to repay kindness with enmity."

I'll go and fetch the second young lady right now; she said she wanted to thank you in person for saving her life.

Actually, the purpose was to have the two young men speak to each other in person to see if He Zhihuan would take a liking to the poor scholar Xin Yucheng.

Xin Yucheng was overjoyed, having originally thought he was going to be ridiculed by the Lady of the Marquis.

He clenched his fists, silently encouraging himself; success or failure hinged on this moment.

Outside Yimei Garden, in a small pavilion, He Zhihuan and Xin Yucheng were talking. Not far away, several maids and servants were watching over them, making sure they didn't overstep their bounds.

Xin Yucheng first bowed, though his entire appearance was completely out of place with the wealth and status of the Marquis's mansion, exuding a sense of shabbiness.

But the upright figure of the pine tree, paired with the faded white clothes, further highlighted Xin Yucheng's proud spirit as a scholar.

The second daughter was a woman of great learning, and she admired Xin Yucheng's resilience in adversity more than his family background.

A talented man and a talented woman, in just a few words, felt a wonderful sense of mutual understanding and friendship.

Looking at the second young lady's shy face, Xin Yucheng decided to add fuel to the fire, "Actually, this is not the first time I have met you, young lady."

I still remember the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern riddle guessing game on Chang'an Avenue. Though the streets were packed with people, the young lady's talent stood out from the crowd; I remembered it at a glance.

Xin Yucheng then recited the series of riddles that He Zhihuan had guessed that day, which made her believe it even more.

"Among my sisters, I am not particularly beautiful. On that day of the Lantern Festival, the streets were crowded with people, and beauties were everywhere. Did you really remember me at first glance?"