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  Chapter 12: The Cost

  With these words, the housekeeper felt relieved and immediately took people to drive out the Xue family. The old lady's maidservants were scolded by the old master and stared at them from afar. Seeing that someone had really come to drive them away, everyone went up to help. Even with a thick face, Xue Wangshi couldn't withstand this, and she was driven out with her tail between her legs along with Xue E and Xue Rong.

  The housekeeper ran back to ask Chu Nancai, "Old master said that the yard was burned down. Is it really burned?" Chu Nancai was so angry that he almost kicked him: "What's burning? Can you burn your own home? Take water and wash the yard and house from inside to outside until they are clean."

  The housekeeper hastily replied and left again.

  When the steward who was in charge of contacting the opera troupe remembered the troupe, he went to look for them again, but the entire troupe had already slipped away. He too was afraid of taking responsibility and saw that they had run off, which suited him just fine. The mansion was currently in a state of chaos, and the masters were temporarily unable to think clearly. He still hoped that this troupe would quickly roll out of Beijing.

  Chu Lao Hanlin had the servants from the old lady's side called in one by one to question them, but rumors were not easy to investigate. Although everyone was saying she said this and that, it all became a mess, and the old master was talked into a state of dizziness.

  However, the wind in the empty cave is not necessarily without cause. Since this matter had already been circulating among the lower people before, then, as the aunt of Xue E, how could the old lady not know?

  Even if we assume that they really didn't know, but isn't it the family of the mother's side? Don't they need to investigate clearly before daring to discuss marriage with their own granddaughter?

  After inquiring to the end, what people said with their mouths was that it was all hinting that the old lady had known about this matter beforehand. Moreover, Chegui and his two sons swore that the old lady really knew, otherwise why didn't she bring anyone from the mansion to serve her when she returned to her mother's house these years?

  Not to mention the old master was furious, even Chu Nan Cai was also particularly dissatisfied. Since his mother knew that Xue E was such a person, why did she still insist on marrying her own daughter off? Did she only have eyes for her nephew from her natal family and not for her own granddaughter?

  This thing had been making a big fuss for the whole morning, Chu Kei was listening to Bai Guo, Qing Guo and Jing Er's continuous reports on the latest developments in the house, and they were all thrilled.

  In the afternoon, Zhu Yujian accompanied his mother, Consort Liu, and his elder uncle, Liu Maoxi, a secretary of the Imperial Clan Court.

  Chu Ke heard Jing Er's report and hastily got up, tidied herself up, and was called by someone in front to go upstairs.

  Chu Xue arrived at the upper house, and as soon as she entered the room, she felt that the atmosphere in the room was clearly not right. The old lady sat at the top, her face looking extremely unpleasant. Ce Fei sat on the right hand side, while Chu Gao's mother sat on the left accompanying her. There was no one speaking in the room, and the atmosphere was very awkward.

  The old lady had not yet recovered, and even the most basic courtesy was gone, unable to maintain her dignity, she sat at the top in a daze, with only a few words. However, the concubine was well-prepared, seemingly nonchalant, with a smile on her face that still looked very comfortable.

  Chu Ke's wife walked forward and paid her respects, the concubine pulled her over to sit beside her, smiling as she stroked her hand, asking in detail: "Is it hot? How have you been these past few days? Is there anything you need?"

  She asked with a clear and intimate tone, as if inquiring about her future daughter-in-law. Chu Ke'er's face turned slightly red as she replied softly: "Everything is fine, Auntie. How has your body been since you returned this time?"

  "Alas, thinking of my mother, I couldn't help but feel unwell and fell ill as soon as I got back. Fortunately, Yuchen took good care of me by my bedside, and also shared some good news with me, which made me feel a bit better and lifted my spirits."

  This is almost as good as saying it outright. If she could say it in front of Chu Ke'er, Concubine Shao would probably be able to say it too.

  The old lady coughed desperately, and Chū Gāo Shì hastily smiled and interrupted: "Consort Cè, please have some tea..."

  The old lady apologized and said: "I'm really not feeling well, let the daughter-in-law and San Niang accompany Ce Fei instead."

  The concubine smiled and nodded: "Let the old lady rest, you take care of your body, I'll sit with Kei for a while."

  The old lady stood up, and Meng's family hurried forward to support her. Chu Gaoshi also went over to support her, but the old lady frowned and shook her head, so Chu Gaoshi let go of her hand.

  As soon as she left, the concubine quietly spoke to Chu Kei, while Chu Gao was left aside, lost in her own thoughts, not paying attention to what the concubine and Chu Kei were saying.

  ……

  In the study in front of the upper house, Chu Lao Hanlin sat at the top, Liu Mao Xi sat on the right, Chu Nan Cai Jing accompanied the left, and Zhu Yi Zhen knelt in the middle.

  Chu Lao Hanlin was having a big fire in the morning, and his spirit was actually quite depressed. But as soon as he heard that it was someone from the Liu family, and that they had come to ask for San Niang's hand in marriage, he immediately changed into new clothes and came over to see them.

  As soon as he entered, Zhu Yichen knelt down. Chu Nan and Chu Lao Hanlin took a look and indeed came to ask for a marriage. The old man didn't say anything for the time being. Liu Maoxi smiled and said: "The two are cousins, although they haven't seen each other much since childhood, they have been together since childhood. When Chen'er was at home, he often thought of her, this time because of his aunt's affairs, the two met in the temple, Chen'er returned and couldn't eat or sleep, asked me to come... ask you, old man."

  Chu Lao Hanlin looked at Zhu Yutong kneeling down and asked blankly, "Why didn't Sheng come? Is he still angry with me?"

  Liu Maoxi's smile on his face disappeared as soon as he heard this.

  The Tree Born that Old Man Chu said was Liu Shu Sheng, the father of Liu Luo Su and the maternal grandfather of Chu Ke Qi. Originally, Liu Shu Sheng was a student of Old Man Chu, but more than 20 years ago, Madam Chu forced Liu Shu Sheng to give his only biological daughter, Liu Luo Su, to become the concubine of Patriarch Chu Nan Cai. Since then, Liu Shu Sheng rarely visited the Chu family again, and Old Man Chu felt guilty towards this student for half a lifetime.

  This time, Liu Su was determined to become a nun. As the only daughter of Liu Sheng, she ended up in such a situation at the Chu family. Old Hanlin Chu felt extremely ashamed and couldn't face his students, but he became even more infatuated with her.

  Chu Nan was also on that side, his butt felt like it had sat on a needle, he was restless and fidgety, his face was burning with shame, he didn't dare to lift his head.

  This was equivalent to reminding Lao Yezi and Chu Nancai again that Lao Taitai had done something like this before.

  Liu Maoxi hurriedly smiled and explained: "Second Uncle indeed didn't come, this matter is the Duke's household affair, it has nothing to do with Second Uncle, therefore he wasn't disturbed... Chu Shaoshi, if you want to see my Second Uncle, just send someone to call him, he'll definitely come immediately."

  Chu Lao Hanlin's heart ached as he thought of his students, and the events of these years flashed before his eyes. This morning's incident brought back all the overbearing things the old lady had done over the years. He shook his head sorrowfully: "He won't come, he doesn't want to see me..."

  Zhu Yichan took a look and saw that the old man might let this matter slide, which was not acceptable. He quickly knocked his head and said: "Yichan really admires cousin Keqi, please ask Master Laoye and Master Chu to grant permission." Then he turned around and respectfully knocked his head again for Chu Nanchen.

  Chu Nan couldn't sit still anymore, and hastily went up to support him, saying in a low voice: "Just call me Brother-in-law... it's fine."

  In the past, Liu Su was his aunt, and to mention it now, Zhu Yichen wasn't even qualified to acknowledge him as an uncle. Now that he's brought it up, Zhu Yichen is speechless, not knowing what to say. On the other hand, Liu Maoxi was also very dissatisfied in her heart. Her younger sister had been treated poorly in their household and ended up becoming a nun. Now that everyone has left, they want to acknowledge this relative? What's the point of that?

  Just to save face for my nephew, I'll grant his wish. So, with a smile still on my face, I said: "Yes, old sir, take a look at my nephew and see if he's worthy of your granddaughter, Ke'er? If he is, just give the word and we'll prepare the betrothal gifts and send a matchmaker to propose."

  In front of the Chu Mansion, Zhu Yichen repeatedly reminded his uncle to point out clearly that he wanted to marry Third Young Miss Chū Qiè. Based on his understanding of Old Lady's lowly nature, Zhu Yichen suspected that if he didn't make it clear, she might actually use Chú Yúnqīng as a substitute.

  Chu Lao Hanlin sighed and looked at Zhu Yutong again, hesitating for a moment: "Yutong is actually a good kid..."

  "What's troubling you?" asked Liu Maoxi immediately.

  Chu Nan hastily laughed and said: "Nothing much, just that a few days ago another family came to ask..."

  Liu Maoxi smiled and said, "That's right, that's right, it's only proper. However, Hui Zhen is indeed a rare good child, and he has a deep affection for Ke Qi. Old master, you and the old madam should discuss this, if we can give face to the Duke's mansion, it will not only be a joyful event for the Duke's mansion but also an honor for our Liu family."

  His words are reasonable, and the old man is feeling guilty towards the Liu family. By saying this, it's as if Zhu Yuchen and Chu Keqi's marriage is still related to the Liu family. If the old man really feels apologetic towards Liu Shusheng, he won't be able to refuse outright, and Chu Nanchen will also not be able to express disagreement.

  He also said to let the old man and the old lady discuss, the old man was furious with the old lady when he heard this, looked at Zhu Yuxian carefully, Zhu Yuxian stood there, tall and slender, elegant and refined, really a rare talent. Compared with Xue E, the old man thought of a word: despicable

  He looked at Zhu Yuchen and said decisively: "Yuchen is a good kid, I think this marriage can work"

  As soon as these words came out, Zhu Yichen's heart skipped a beat and he nervously raised his head to look at the old man, somewhat disbelieving.

  Chu Nan hesitated for a moment, he was a person who only obeyed his father and mother's orders. Now that his mother had made a mistake, he naturally listened to his father. As soon as he heard Old Man Chu say this, he nodded: "I think Yue Chen is not bad either..."

  Zhu Yuchen was overjoyed

  Liu Maoxi smiled and shouted: "Yong Chen, hurry up and kowtow! This kid is so excited he's gone silly?"

  Zhu Yichan hastily kowtowed: "Thank you, old master, thank you, sir"

  Liu Maoxi smiled and said, "Go quickly and tell your mother to come over, let's discuss the marriage." (If you like this work, welcome to subscribe to the starting point mobile network (), reward, your support is my greatest motivation.)

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