Chapter 124

Chapter 124: Taking a Fancy Seeing Cui Zeyu standing motionless, Xie Yunting couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and yawned. "Forget it, if you don't want to say, I won't ask. But let me say one more thing to you as a brother—a man has to think more for himself in life. If you really have some history with the Duke of Dingguo, that might not be a bad thing after all." If not for the fact that Cui Zeyu had asked him to help stop someone, and that the Duke of Dingguo had waited at his residence for an entire afternoon, he never would have thought to connect the two men. It was only when he was sizing up the Duke of Dingguo just now that he noticed Cui Zeyu's features bore a striking resemblance to the Duke's—especially the eyes, which were very similar. But their temperaments were completely different. The Duke of Dingguo's gaze was like that of a hawk or vulture—the killing aura honed from years of fighting on the battlefield was not something an ordinary man could possess. Cui Zeyu's eyes, by contrast, were warm and gentle, often carrying a smile that reached the very depths, making him seem easy to get along with. The same eyes, different temperaments. Xie Yunting wasn't stupid. Though Cui Zeyu hadn't said a word about his past, he could let his imagination run wild. Xie Yunting had just reached the threshold when he heard Cui Zeyu say, "Thank you." He turned back with a grin. "Ah, this is nothing. We're good brothers, and I'm the most loyal man there is!" He closed the door for Cui Zeyu and told the servants not to disturb him. Xie Yunting himself had been exhausted for days. When he got back, he lay down and slept like a log. He had rendered meritorious service in suppressing the bandits, and the Emperor had granted him three days of rest. The next morning after waking, he took Shuanzi along to visit Cui Lingrong. Xie Yunting had submitted a visiting card, so Cui Lingrong received him in the front hall. Cui Lingrong's mind was preoccupied with her brother's matter, but this wasn't the place to discuss him, so she could only exchange pleasantries. "Congratulations, General Xie. With your triumphant return this time, the Emperor will surely value you even more." Xie Yunting chuckled. "The Emperor rewarded me with land and money, and I've distributed it all among the brothers. Today, I've come to ask a favor of Sister Cui." As he spoke, Caixia poured tea for him and Shuanzi. Shuanzi's face was red the entire time. He had only stolen a glance at the Marchioness Song when he entered, and his eyes had lit up instantly—after that, he dared not look around again. Now, seeing a pair of fair hands holding the teacup and hearing her softly call him "General," his heart tingled with a pleasant numbness. Cui Lingrong told Xie Yunting to go ahead and say what he needed. "It's like this—of the brothers who came out of the mountains with me back then, only Shuanzi remains by my side now. He's a simple man. That's a virtue, but it also has its downsides," Xie Yunting said. "He's reached the age for marriage now, and I don't know any womenfolk in my circle. I wanted to ask Sister Cui to help—see if there's a suitable match?" Shuanzi was a Baihu, and Xie Yunting had even purchased a residence for him. Finding a girl from a respectable family wouldn't be difficult at all. For something like this, going to an official matchmaker would be the simplest. But Shuanzi was the last brother left by Xie Yunting's side, and he hoped Shuanzi could find someone better—that was why he came to Cui Lingrong. Cui Lingrong's gaze shifted to Shuanzi. "I do know some families of matching standing. I'm just not sure—what kind of girl does this brother of General Xie prefer?" Xie Yunting slapped Shuanzi. "She's asking you!" "Ah?" Shuanzi looked up nervously and blurted out, "A fair one!" Cui Lingrong didn't understand. Xie Yunting, on the other hand, punched him. "I'm getting someone to arrange a match for you, and all you say is nonsense. What fair, what dark—character matters most, got it?" Shuanzi covered his head and dodged backward. "Well, I didn't say anything wrong. Good character, and... and fair skin!" As he spoke, Shuanzi glanced toward Caixia. Seeing the girl smile behind her lips, he grinned along with her. Cui Lingrong didn't notice this. She said, "My third sister-in-law's natal family has a younger sister who's about the right age. If Xu Baihu is willing, I can help put in a good word." Xie Yunting looked at Shuanzi, and seeing that he'd gone quiet again, felt his face had been thoroughly embarrassed today. He pulled the man aside. "She's talking to you—what are you spacing out for?" "I... I don't want a young lady from a great household," Shuanzi said. "We came from banditry. How would we get along with girls from those big families?" "What's wrong with you? Then what do you want?" Xie Yunting was furious. "Why didn't you say so before we came?" Shuanzi leaned his body sideways, ready to dodge in case the general struck him at any moment. "I hadn't figured it out back then." "So now you've figured it out—what am I supposed to say? You blasted fool, I already opened my mouth to her, and now you say this?" Xie Yunting really wanted to give Shuanzi a beating. Shuanzi grinned sheepishly. "Brother, good big brother, I'm really afraid of those young ladies. You know how at home I just want to kick off my shoes and sleep. But I hear those big households are terribly particular—you have to wash your face and feet and all that. I'd rather not. But then again..." At this point, Shuanzi grew a bit embarrassed. "Spit it out if you've got something to say." "But I think... that maidservant beside the Marchioness Song—I rather like her." As he said this, Shuanzi's face turned red. Xie Yunting understood now. This lad didn't actually refuse a young lady from a great household—he'd been struck by lust at first sight, taking a fancy to the pretty little maidservant. "You don't mind that her status is low?" Xie Yunting asked. He didn't care himself, but to prevent Shuanzi from regretting it later, he had to ask clearly first. "Come on, big brother, would I really be picky about her background? Back when we were robbing and looting, we were rats in the street—everyone wanted to beat us. A clean, respectable girl willing to marry me—how could I have the nerve to look down on her?" Shuanzi knew his place well. He hadn't gotten where he was today because of his own skill. The brothers from before had all been smarter than him, better with their fists. Only he was slow-witted and weak in a fight. But he knew one thing—he'd followed the big brother into the army, and he had to stay by his side. In the end, only he had survived. Whatever merits he had today, they were all thanks to the big brother. Without him, he might still be a homeless drifter in the village, probably beaten to death by now. "Good, that's all I needed to hear." When Xie Yunting looked at Cui Lingrong again, he felt a bit embarrassed. He couldn't very well say it in front of the young lady. While he was mulling over how to phrase it, he heard Sister Cui tell Caixia to bring more tea, and quickly seized the moment to bring up Shuanzi's interest in Caixia. "Miss Caixia is one of Sister Cui's people—I trust her character completely. Has Miss Caixia been betrothed?" Cui Lingrong said no. "Then that's wonderful." Xie Yunting pulled Shuanzi to his feet. "Today Sister Cui has met Shuanzi. You two can discuss it later—whether it works out or not, just let us know. No need to be shy." Shuanzi's face was red the whole time, and all he could do was grin foolishly. Cui Lingrong and Nanny Qiu were both baffled. When Caixia came in with fresh tea, the two of them looked at her at once. Cui Lingrong asked, "Caixia, was this your first time meeting Xu Baihu today?" Caixia said yes. "Yes, madam. Why are you all staring at me like that?" Cui Lingrong and Nanny Qiu exchanged a glance, then brought Caixia back to Qiushuang Zhai before raising the matter. Caixia was dazed. She had only served tea, and now someone had taken a liking to her. It took her a long while to process it. For someone of Caixia's status to marry Xu Baihu would be marrying above her station. But Caixia and Caiyue were both people close to Cui Lingrong, and she hoped they would find good homes. "I know this is sudden. General Xie said that he and Shuanzi both come from rough backgrounds, so they don't put much stock in family standing. As for Shuanzi himself—he does seem simple, but the fact that he's been able to stay by General Xie's side says his character is sound." Cui Lingrong told Caixia to think it over carefully. "Marriage is a big matter, so there's no rush. Think it through. If you're interested, I'll have General Xie arrange a meeting. You can get to know each other properly, and then talk about the future." Caixia's cheeks were as red as rouge. Nanny Qiu also told her to consider it well—such opportunities were rare. For maidservants in the household, the most respectable match would be a steward. After Caixia left, Cui Lingrong brought up her brother's matter again. "General Xie told me quietly that Zeyu is at his residence, but they haven't been able to find out who sent the assassin." "As long as Young Master Yu is safe, that's what matters. And being at General Xie's residence is good—with General Xie there, Young Master Yu will certainly be safe." Nanny Qiu asked, "Would you like to go visit him sometime?" "Let's see what Caixia decides. If she wants to meet Xu Baihu, I can use that opportunity to go see Zeyu." Cui Lingrong hoped all those around her would be well.