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  Chapter 12: The Cost

  Although he thought that he couldn't be too good to women, Zhu Yuhuan immediately turned out a hundred taels of silver and found a valuable jade pendant. He put them in a box along with the small handkerchief given by Lan Cixu's mother and went out to find her. Not at all thinking that he was being good to another woman again!

  Because he didn't need to sneak around anymore, he strolled openly on the street, inquiring about Hutong while walking, and was even recognized by several young masters along the way, who insisted on taking him home, but he hastily declined.

  All the way asking for directions, Zhu Yuhuan arrived at Shaoer Hutong and stood at the entrance of the alley, shaking his head. This place was obviously where poor people lived. The alley was only three feet wide, and there were piles of miscellaneous things all over the ground inside. He regretted it a bit, he could have just called a servant to come, why did he have to run here himself!

  It's already come to this, can only grit one's teeth and go in, walked to the innermost house, saw that this house didn't even have a courtyard gate, just like rural people, surrounded by a fence, inside was shabby, weeds in the corner of the wall, the main house had two decent rooms, but the west wing had collapsed, the east one looked precarious too, at the entrance there was a large water vat with a plank on top.

  Zhu Yuhuan coughed and shouted towards the courtyard: "Is anyone there? Don't jump words."

  After a while, he shouted again. This time, a woman who looked like she was in her twenties or thirties came out of the house. Despite the heat, she had a veil covering her face, revealing only a pair of eyes. She walked to the door and stopped, looking at him timidly and asking, "Who are you looking for?"

  "Spring Orchid... cough, does Spring Orchid live here?"

  The woman was even more frightened and hastily replied: "I... I am, young master, you are..."

  Zhu Yuhuan took out the small box from his bosom and said: "This was given by Miss Lan Jiu, Lan Zixun."

  That woman, upon hearing Zhu Yuhuan mention Lan Zixu's name, hastily walked forward: "Jiuniang... has arrived?"

  "Not coming." Zhu Yuhuan shook his head: "It's not good to go out recently, this was given by Ninth Miss."

  The woman came forward, trembling, and took it over. As soon as she did, her hands sank down, and with a flurry of activity, she hugged the object tightly to herself. Zhu Yuhuan also didn't let go until she had a firm grasp on it before releasing his hand.

  The woman exclaimed: "Where did Ninth Miss get so much silver?"

  "Never mind about this, just take it, these are enough for a good life in the second half of your life. That jade pendant is also worth several hundred taels, keep it for future use." Zhu Yuhuan looked at her and said: "Good luck with your planning days."

  That woman Chun Lan suddenly lowered her head in shame under his gaze, and said softly: "It's all my fault... dragging Ninth Miss down with me."

  Zhu Yuhuan didn't know what they were talking about and had nothing to say, so he said, "Alright, I'm leaving." With that, he turned around and left.

  The woman didn't wait for him to leave the alley before hastily opening the box, and then was blinded by the silver inside...

  ……

  Zhu Yuhuan walked out, still thinking in her heart that this old house was dilapidated and should be renovated. She thought it would be a good deed to help Miss Lan Qianxu, who was struggling to make ends meet every day, and decided to bring some servants over to help with the cleaning. It wouldn't be much trouble for herself, but it would be a great help to them. Thinking of Miss Lan's pitiful situation, Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but sigh.

  I also find it a bit strange that the woman, although looking frail, shouldn't be unable to move and do something to earn money. Can't she embroider flowers herself? Why should only the daughter of a wealthy family think of ways to make a living? Logically speaking, if Chunlan was really born as a maid, she should know more about making a living than Lanxiu, who is a young lady. Moreover, Lanxiu is still so young, while this woman is in her prime.

  Could it be that the woman had some invisible but serious illness? Unable to figure it out, I thought about asking her tomorrow if I could see her again.

  It turns out that Zhu Yuhuan is also a kind-hearted person and has never thought about other aspects.

  ……

  On the fourth day, Old Hanlin got up and went out with them to the Blue Mansion. Today should also be about the time to untie the knot.

  Zhu Yifei furrowed his brow, feeling somewhat uneasy when he heard that the old master was going. He recalled the incident where Zhu Yifan had tried to persuade him to break off the engagement in front of the old master, and how he had exaggerated his own knowledge of the matter. If the old master were to go, there was a possibility that he might mention this, or even ask directly with his straightforward personality.

  But then I thought again, and couldn't help but feel disheartened. Even if I had said those words, even if Zhu Yuchen really did go to the Lan and Qiu households to propose marriage, Old Master would still not consider me. It's all because of what happened with Chu Yunqing before, it's become a dead knot that can't be untied.

  It seems that sincerely wanting to marry Chu Xue is no longer possible, can only... think of another way.

  Not mentioning his consideration here, Zhu Yuhuan knew that today was the time to settle this matter as soon as he heard that Lao Yezi wanted to go.

  However, he was a bit worried. Yesterday's incident with Lan Zixiang made him feel uneasy in his heart. So he followed Old Hanlin onto the carriage and repeatedly reminded the old man to make things clear: the Blues could scold or beat as they pleased, but there was no room for maneuvering when it came to marriage!

  The old Hanlin stroked his beard, nodded and smiled: "Others' daughters are not without suitors coming to their door, why insist on finding someone uncomfortable here? Do you think after the refusal of marriage, they would still be interested?"

  Zhu Yuhuan said in a low and awkward tone: "I don't know... I just want to make things clear, so there won't be any more misunderstandings."

  The old Hanlin stroked his beard with an unfathomable smile.

  As soon as they entered the mansion, Duke Lan had already come out to greet them. He ignored Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Yuxian, only exchanging pleasantries with Old Man Chu. The two of them chatted as they walked into the study, leaving Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Yuxian waiting in the main hall.

  Chu Lao Hanlin's guess was correct, the old duke just wanted to save face, the two young princes had been sitting at home for three days, and his face was almost saved. Today, Chu Shao Shi personally came to visit, which is a way to regain face. So as soon as he sat down, he smiled politely and said: "Chu Shao Shi, please have some tea, it's really an imposition that you took the trouble to come in person."

  "Alas, you juniors indeed do things without considering the consequences... The Duke should have come in person, but I also know that without an imperial edict, he wouldn't dare make a move! So it's up to me, as the children's uncle, to help them apologize."

  "Don't say that, Chu Shaoshi's arrival is a great honor for me." said General Lan.

  "Modesty aside, Your Excellency's willingness to see me is a great honor for an old man like myself."

  Two men being polite, this matter can be easily settled. Chu Lao Hanlin repeatedly apologized, and Blue Duke also didn't dare to make accusations, they exchanged some kind words, and the matter was considered closed.

  The old Hanlin smiled and said, "Originally, there was something that shouldn't be said today... Alas, it's actually not a big deal, but those foolish children have complicated things. It's gotten to the point where I don't even dare speak."

  Lan Jueye smiled and said: "Young Master, whatever you want to say, just say it. The previous matters have been cleared up, and we won't mention them again from now on!"

  The old Hanlin nodded and smiled: "Alright, alright, I'll say it... As for your daughter's marriage, if Lord Blue doesn't mind me being nosy, I have a candidate here. Someone who came to the mansion to ask for her hand in marriage before, but was rejected by your wife... I know about this matter, and perhaps you don't, so I'm bringing it up again."

  "Oh?" Duke Lan was slightly surprised and said: "The Second Young Master of the Duke of Dezhou, Zhu Yuxun? I know about this! Cough cough, if it's him..."

  Old Hanlin heard Blue Duke and thought it was Zhu Yuchen, hastily shaking his head: "No, I also know about Yuchen's affair, but...it's not Yuchen. The one I'm talking about is someone who has come to me again, asking me to act as a matchmaker, wanting to propose to the Seventh Miss of the Duke again."

  "Oh? Who is it?" Blue Lord asked curiously.

  "The young master of the Ping'an Marquis's estate." The old Hanlin said with a smile.

  "Really? The young master of the Ping'an Marquis's manor? When did he ever come to ask for a marriage alliance? I truly didn't know!"

  Old Hanlin stroked his beard and said, "It was this March that the Crown Prince of De Xing County married a concubine... At that time, the madam was at home and said that she would not consider the marriage of Seventh Young Lady for the time being. The Ping An Hou Fu also knew about Seventh Young Lady entering the palace, so they gave up on this idea. After the princess's banquet, Seventh Young Lady did not enter the palace, and the young master of the Hou Fu came to me again. The madam knew that the eldest daughter of De Xing County was married into their Hou Fu, so it can be said that they are relatives, so they came to ask me to act as a matchmaker."

  Blue Master heard with a frown, and said in an angry tone: "This woman!" He complained to Old Hanlin: "Tell me, how dare you make decisions on your own to such an extent! What's the point of entering the palace?! The harem..." Suddenly remembering that Old Hanlin had a young lady who had just entered the palace, he quickly shut his mouth.

  Old Hanlin and he had a common language, with a sorrowful face nodding: "Alas..."

  "However, entering the palace is also good... Cough cough, the character of the second miss of the noble house can only be justified by becoming a princess."

  Old Hanlin shook his head and said, "Don't say that quickly. I'm the same as the lord, being irritated by this woman. Alas, women are unreasonable, blaming others from afar and being unseemly when near."

  Blue Master nodded in agreement: "Indeed it is!" He patted Old Hanlin's hand: "Same feeling!"

  Old Hanlin smiled bitterly and quickly said: "Don't mention those things... How is it, the young master of the Hou Mansion, a talented and handsome young man, 16 years old this year, and his age is similar to that of Seventh Young Lady. Moreover, he has been very concerned about Seventh Young Lady, and as soon as he saw that Seventh Young Lady did not enter the palace, he immediately came to me, which also shows that he has a good heart."

  It is by.

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