Snatching Sons-in-Law from the List

Han Nanxing teased, "Big Brother has such thin skin. Just hearing that someone wants him for a son-in-law makes him bashful."

At that, Chu Siqing reached out her chubby little hand and squeezed her eldest uncle's hand, piping up in her baby voice, "Uncle... don't... be shy..."

Han Yucheng's face burned. "Don't talk nonsense. I'm not," he said awkwardly.

Princess Yu smiled at her younger brother. "Yucheng, now that you've earned your scholarly honors, it's time to consider your lifelong marriage."

Han Yucheng turned his handsome face away and said softly, "Marriage rests on the parents' command and the matchmaker's word. Father and Mother can decide when the time comes."

Thinking of the unreliable Madam Wang, Princess Yu immediately began to worry about her elder younger brother's marriage.

Yucheng had just placed fourth in the imperial examinations. If there was a suitable family, they ought to settle the match soon, lest Madam Wang make a mess of things.

Han Nanxing said mischievously, "If you ask me, whichever family comes to snatch Big Brother for a son-in-law later, we should just agree. That would be quicker."

He waggled his eyebrows at Han Yucheng. "Having your name inscribed on the golden list, and a wedding night by candlelight-Big Brother would get two of life's four great joys in one stroke."

Princess Yu did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Nanxing, don't talk nonsense. Even if he got engaged today, there is no way he could marry so quickly."

Han Yucheng glared at his younger brother, then could not help looking out the window.

He had only meant to escape his brother's teasing by looking at the scenery, but unexpectedly saw a young woman emerge from the bookshop opposite.

The young woman had graceful brows and phoenix eyes, and wore a moon-white dress with only a simple silver hairpin in her hair. Though not an extraordinary beauty, she possessed a distinctive air of her own.

She also held a book, presumably one she had just bought in the shop. She seemed to be a well-read young lady.

Han Yucheng could not help gazing at her, entranced.

Just then, the young woman raised her head, and their eyes met.

His handsome face reddened, and he quickly lowered his head. Look at nothing improper, he reminded himself. As a man, he really should not be staring at a young woman.

Yet the next moment, he could not resist looking outside again, only to find that she was still looking at him too.

Han Yucheng was at once startled and delighted, but did not know what to do.

Han Nanxing had long since noticed his elder brother's unusual behavior. His eyes darted about as he said to Princess Yu, "Sister, that young woman across the street looks quite nice. Why don't we go and ask..."

Han Yucheng hurriedly cut him off. "Nanxing, what are you saying!"

Han Nanxing said deliberately, "Hmm? I meant that she seems a good match for Big Brother. So you don't like that sort of girl? Well, I'm unmarried too, so..."

"No!" Han Yucheng blurted.

The moment the word left his mouth, he felt something was wrong. Then he saw that both his sister and brother were laughing.

Chu Siqing piped up in her baby voice, "Uncle... likes... her..."

Han Nanxing picked up his little niece and laughed heartily. "Siqing is so clever!"

Princess Yu smiled too. "Yucheng, shall I send Mei Qing to ask?"

Han Yucheng's handsome face instantly turned so red it looked ready to drip blood.

He wanted to say no, but feared the young woman might leave at any moment and he would lose this perfect chance. Swallowing his embarrassment, he could only say quietly, "Thank you, Sister."

Her eyes curved with her smile, and Princess Yu sent Mei Qing to ask.

They watched Mei Qing leave the teahouse and walk to the entrance of the bookshop opposite, where she soon began speaking with the young woman.

They were too far away to hear the conversation. All they could see was Mei Qing and the young woman exchanging words, with Mei Qing pointing toward them at one point.

Han Yucheng was somewhat nervous. He could only lift his head and straighten his back, doing his best to maintain the appearance of an elegant young gentleman.

Seeing his brother like that, Han Nanxing could not resist teasing him. "Look how seriously Big Brother is taking this. If that young woman is already betrothed, won't he burst into tears on the spot?"

Han Yucheng immediately wanted to punch his younger brother again. Unfortunately, he had to maintain his poise in front of the young woman, so he could only turn a deaf ear.

He held himself back, thinking, Hmph! I'll settle this score with you when we get home!

Princess Yu scolded him with a smile. "What a little mischief-maker! Nanxing, can't you wish your elder brother well?"

Han Nanxing cackled. "Of course I hope Big Brother gets married soon. I'm only joking a little."

He looked at Han Yucheng. "It's his own fault for always putting on such a grown-up air in front of me. Hehe."

In his arms, Chu Siqing obligingly laughed along.

Han Yucheng clenched his fists beneath his sleeves, itching to beat his naughty little brother's face into a pig's head!

Princess Yu could not help studying Mei Qing's expression, hoping to guess the outcome of their conversation.

She was a little nervous herself. After all, this was the first young woman her brother had expressed an interest in. It would be unfortunate if nothing came of it.

Before long, Mei Qing bowed to the young woman. Their conversation seemed to have ended.

Seeing the delight on Mei Qing's face, Princess Yu could not help breathing a sigh of relief. It appeared to be good news.

Sure enough, Mei Qing returned with happy tidings. "Your Highness, that young woman is the Minister of Justice's second daughter, and she is not yet betrothed. I told Second Miss Du about the eldest young master, and she has a favorable impression of him too."

Hearing this, Han Yucheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

As he watched the young woman's retreating figure, delight crept onto his face.

Princess Yu said happily, "Yucheng, shall we have Father propose the match, then?"

Han Yucheng's handsome face was scarlet, but he still gave a reserved nod.

Han Nanxing was beside himself with amusement. "I bet Big Brother's heart is blooming with joy right now!"

Seeing that the young woman had already gone far away, Han Yucheng gave his younger brother a fierce glare.

Han Nanxing teased the little niece in his arms. "Look at your eldest uncle. He's annoyed because I hit the nail on the head. Hahaha!"

Chu Siqing also teased Han Yucheng in her baby voice. "Eldest Uncle... happy..."

They all laughed and exchanged a few more words, then prepared to go home and discuss the marriage.

Unexpectedly, the moment they left the teahouse, they found a number of brawny servants waiting at the entrance.

When Han Yucheng and the others emerged, someone shouted, "That's the Earl of Ningyuan's eldest legitimate son, Young Master Han, who placed fourth in the imperial examinations!"

A whole crowd of men instantly surged around Han Yucheng.

As one, they cut Princess Yu and the others off, surrounding Han Yucheng alone before scrambling and fighting over him.

"Get out of the way! He's our young lady's husband!"

"Pah! Young Master Han is clearly our family's son-in-law!"

"Out of the way, all of you! Our young lady is already betrothed to Young Master Han!"

"Nonsense! I've checked everything. Young Master Han isn't betrothed yet. Whichever family grabs him today gets him!"

"Move, move! He's ours!"

Princess Yu and the others had not even had time to react. They stared dumbfounded at the scene before them.

Han Nanxing exclaimed in wonder, "So this is snatching sons-in-law from the list!"

Chu Siqing's eyes widened in astonishment too.

Princess Yu was already hastily ordering the guards to rescue her brother.

But these brawny servants were throwing themselves into snatching a son-in-law for their masters. Some had their shoes trampled off or their clothes torn, yet they paid no heed at all to the guards from Prince Yu's Residence.

Han Yucheng, a frail scholar, was hemmed in so tightly by these broad-shouldered, thick-waisted men that he could not see daylight. He could only shout, "Stop pulling me! My heart already belongs to someone!"