Have You Taken a Fancy to Juren Zhou?

Old Master Xu was dumbfounded; he truly hadn't expected Zhou Yi to actually come to their house to propose marriage.

Old Master Xu frowned and asked, "Is this the Zhou Family's intention?"

The two matchmakers quickly nodded.

Old Master Xu shook his head and said, "Our daughter is in poor health; I'm afraid she's not a good match for Juren Zhou."

The plump matchmaker smiled and said:

"Old Master Xu, this is an immense Fugui! Scholar Juren Zhou doesn't look down on your young lady; she'll become his official wife."

These days, it's popular to have a "chow for good luck" ceremony. What if this happy event actually cures your daughter's illness? Wouldn't that be double happiness?

As you know, he was a scholar who passed the imperial examination at the age of 23.

Once this opportunity is gone, it's gone forever.

In ancient times, becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) was a significant achievement, transcending social classes.

Having already transcended the common people, the licentiate enjoyed tax exemption and corvée labor exemption. They did not need to kneel before the county magistrate, and could not be arbitrarily punished for their crimes.

Moreover, they were qualified to become officials and could be selected and appointed by the Ministry of Personnel to grassroots positions such as county magistrate or instructor.

With good luck or strong connections, one could even fill the vacancy of a county magistrate.

Old Master Xu stood there motionless, wondering what a coincidence this could be.

The little girl had just said it yesterday, and today she came to propose marriage.

Old Master Xu took out two silver ingots and handed them to the matchmakers, saying, "Thank you both for your hard work. Please take these and have some tea. I need to discuss this matter with my daughter."

The two matchmakers exchanged a smile and said, "Alright, we'll come back tomorrow."

After seeing them off, Old Master Xu went straight into Xu Fengjiao's boudoir and told her about this strange incident.

Xu Fengjiao stared blankly at her father and said, "Father, are you saying that Juren Zhou?"

Old Master Xu nodded and said:

"I still can't believe it's real; it feels like a dream."

Fengjiao, what should we do?

Xu Fengjiao said shyly, "Father, I think Juren Zhou quite good."

Old Master Xu frowned and looked at her, saying:

"Fengjiao, I think we should think about this carefully."

"Once that girl comes to examine you, we'll ask her what exactly happened."

Xu Fengjiao said with a smile:

"Father, I know what happened. Do you still remember the Yaoniang?"

She had been the one who helped me take care of my health before. The Yaoniang was Juren Zhou's sister-in-law, so Juren Zhou had met me once before.

Old Master Xu was secretly alarmed:

"How dare you, girl! You think you can just see any man you want?"

If people find out, then... then your reputation will be ruined!"

Xu Fengjiao smiled faintly and said:

"Father, you know my health; I don't even know how long I'll live. Why worry about so much?"

Actually, I only caught a glimpse of him from afar, but I just felt that if I could marry a man like that, I would have no regrets in this life.

Old Master Xu was startled and said, "You... you've taken a liking to Juren Zhou?"

Xu Fengjiao looked shy and nodded slightly.

Old Master Xu sighed deeply and said:

"Jiaojiao, let's think about this carefully. We don't know anything about that Juren Zhou's background."

I think we should be more cautious.

Xu Fengjiao kept her head down and didn't say a word. When Zhou Wanwan came to see her for treatment, Xu Fengjiao didn't mention Juren Zhou's matter at all.

After giving her the acupuncture, Zhou Wanwan said:

"My sister's illness is much better now; she only needs to take this pill."

After about six months, your body will be no different from that of a normal person, but you should avoid extreme joy or sorrow.

Old Master Xu spun around with joy, looking at Zhou Wanwan and exclaiming, "Oh my! Little miracle doctor, your medicine really cures everything!"

Zhou Wanwan waved her hand and said:

"I wouldn't call myself a miracle doctor, it's just that I happen to know how to treat this particular ailment."

However, your daughter's illness requires her to avoid overexertion and extreme emotional fluctuations, otherwise her old ailment could easily relapse.

Old Master Xu nodded repeatedly and said, "Understood."

Zhou Wanwan looked at him with a half-smile and said, "Remember your contract? If your daughter really marries Juren Zhou, you must give me 60,000 taels of silver."

Old Master Xu chuckled awkwardly and said, "No, no, no, how could my daughter possibly marry Juren Zhou?"

Zhou Wanwan sighed after returning to the mountain stronghold, saying, "It's hard to reason with a damned devil. This Xu Fengjiao is probably going to marry Juren Zhou."

Second Miss Zheng Xing'an was completely dumbfounded. "Miss, you've helped her so much, why does she still want to marry Juren Zhou?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at her with a smile and said:

Weren't you the same way back then?

It's easy to guess a young girl's thoughts; it seems Xu Fengjiao has taken a liking to Juren Zhou.

Zheng Xing'an pursed her lips and said, "Should we remind her?"

Zhou Wanwan shook her head and said:

"Everyone has their own cause and effect, and we've already tried to persuade them to this extent."

Xu Fengjiao was determined to marry Juren Zhou; it was fate, and we couldn't force it.

In just three days, Zhou Wanwan heard that Xu Fengjiao was going to marry Juren Zhou. That was incredibly fast.

Zhou Wanwan went straight to the Xu Family. When Old Master Xu saw her, he immediately laughed and said, "Oh my! You actually came? So you know about my family's affairs?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at Old Master Xu and said, "Are you trying to break the contract?"

Old Master Xu quickly waved his hand and said:

Hey! You little brat, what are you saying about me?

I, Xu, am not so greedy as to covet your small amount; 60,000 taels of silver is nothing to my family.

I've already prepared everything for you. Not only the 60,000 taels of silver, but I've also prepared some top-quality medicinal herbs."

Old Master Xu led Zhou Wanwan inside directly. He was quite generous, bringing cordyceps, bezoar, musk, agarwood, and deer antler.

Zhou Wanwan smiled and said, "Old Master Xu is very generous, then I will respectfully accept your offer."

Old Master Xu shook his head and said, "I'm very curious, how did this little girl know that Juren Zhou would marry my girl?"

Zhou Wanwan originally didn't want to talk about it, but seeing what Old Master Xu did, she couldn't just ignore it.

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said:

"What if I overheard this by chance? That Juren Zhou, is having an affair with his sister-in-law, and that the Yaoniang is already pregnant with Juren Zhou's child."

They conspired together to marry your daughter to cover their tracks.

"You only have one daughter, and Xu Fengjiao is in poor health. Once she dies, won't everything belong to the Zhou Family?"

As soon as Zhou Wanwan finished speaking, Xu Fengjiao rushed out and said:

"Where did this wild girl come from? What nonsense are you spouting? Yaoniang is Juren Zhou's sister-in-law, how could she possibly be in cahoots with him?"

You little brat, you'll say anything for money.

Zhou Wanwan looked at Xu Fengjiao and said:

"Then what do you think Juren Zhou saw in you? Was it your frail health, or your inability to have children?"

Be realistic. All you have is your father's vast fortune. Have you ever thought about why Juren Zhou married you?

Xu Fengjiao snorted coldly:

"The Yaoniang said that Juren Zhou was attracted to me because I was knowledgeable, reasonable, gentle and virtuous."

After going to the Zhou Family, she will surely be able to support her husband, raise her children, respect her parents-in-law, and become a qualified wife.

Besides, I'm much better now, Zhou Lang will definitely like me."