The Marriage Proposal Envoy

Bai Jingyao smiled and lifted the carriage curtain. Uncle Fu hurried to help his two masters down one after the other. The middle-aged woman beside Bai Jingyao was Tang Xin, the vice minister of war and Bai Mo's aunt by marriage.

She had a refined, graceful beauty and impeccable manners. As Bai Mo remembered it, her aunt had always treated her extremely well.

Bai Mo gave her a proper bow. "Aunt, it's been a long time."

"Elder brother, sister-in-law, you're here! Come inside, quickly. This girl has always been unruly. She's grown so big and she's still as mischievous as ever. Sister-in-law, please don't take offense."

Bai Peilan hurried forward and courteously welcomed Bai Jingyao and his wife into the residence.

"Peilan, you mustn't say that. Momo is simply being true to herself, and I like her very much."

"I wish she were my daughter. Haha..."

"My wife is absolutely right. Things aren't like they used to be. Young ladies from noble families love putting on airs these days. There aren't many as innocent as our Momo."

Bai Peilan shook her head, then nodded. "That's true enough. In my eyes, Momo is wonderful in every way. She takes after me, hahaha."

The group walked toward the Peach Blossom Courtyard, chatting and laughing.

Tang Xin gazed at Bai Mo with great affection. Bai Jingyao was especially fond of his niece, and loving the house, Tang Xin loved the crow on its roof too. Naturally, she found Bai Mo very pleasing.

Today, she had heard that Bai Mo wanted to marry the legitimate son of the Grand Preceptor's Residence. She had deliberately rearranged her days off to come along and discuss the marriage.

"Greetings, sister-in-law. Greetings, elder brother."

"Shuang'er greets Aunt and Uncle."

Madam Chen and his daughter waited at the entrance with beaming smiles. They greeted Bai Jingyao and his wife warmly, but Bai Jingyao gave them no pleasant looks, merely nodding offhandedly.

Seeing this, Tang Xin could only shake her head with a wry smile and politely tell Madam Chen and his daughter to dispense with the formalities.

"No need for ceremony. Sorry to trouble you today."

Madam Chen and his daughter exchanged another lengthy round of pleasantries before seeing everyone comfortably seated.

At that moment, Bai Yuanshuang was the most upset of all. She had come back early today because her father had specifically told her to spend more time with her aunt and uncle.

But as soon as she returned, Madam Chen told her that Bai Mo wanted to propose marriage to Shen Qing. Bai Yuanshuang felt as though her lungs would burst with rage. How dare that good-for-nothing Bai Mo?

Shen Qing was a dream beyond her reach. She had secretly admired him for so many years that even approaching him felt like a luxury, yet Bai Mo actually wanted to marry him?

Her mother was indulging her madness and even wanted to use the vermilion writ and iron certificate? She would never agree to it. She, Bai Yuanshuang, was a legitimate young lady through and through, and she had a share of the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State's estate too. Even if she had to sacrifice her reputation, she would not let this happen.

"Momo, your mother told me everything. You wouldn't admit it last time, but I said then that Young Master Shen was such a talented and handsome young man. What woman wouldn't be moved by the sight of him? Hehehe."

Bai Jingyao looked at Bai Mo, his eyes full of teasing.

Bai Mo: !!!

Bai Mo recalled the scene that day, still vivid in her mind, and let out a slightly embarrassed chuckle.

"I didn't know my own feelings then, but I do now. I intend to propose marriage to him."

Tang Xin saw the sincere affection in her eyes and found it interesting too. "Your uncle and I discussed who should deliver the proposal. I thought about it for a long time. Anyone of low status might not even make it through the gates of the Grand Preceptor's Residence."

"After much thought, I do have someone in mind."

"Who?"

"Who is it?"

Bai Jingyao and Bai Peilan both asked at once.

Tang Xin took a sip of tea and said mysteriously, "The former Grand Preceptor, Xiao Ming-Elder Xiao."

"Elder Xiao has been retired for many years, and we have little to do with the Xiao family. Sister-in-law, do you have a way to make the connection?" Bai Peilan hurriedly asked.

"My wife, I remember that you're also one of Elder Xiao's students."

"Mm, Elder Xiao was my mentor."

Tang Xin had been a brilliantly gifted female top scholar in her day. She had studied under Xiao Ming before taking the imperial examinations and was an exceptionally outstanding student of hers.

If Old Madam Bai had not snatched her up as a daughter-in-law beneath the examination results board, and if Bai Jingyao had not been so extraordinarily handsome, such a fine match would never have fallen to the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State.

"The current Grand Preceptor is Elder Xiao's junior. If Elder Xiao were to deliver the proposal, I think the match would have a chance."

"If Elder Xiao were willing to step forward, that would be wonderful in every possible way. But she's far away in Ru'an Commandery, and she's advanced in years. How could we persuade her to come?"

Seeing how anxious his younger sister was, Bai Jingyao hurried to reassure her.

"Peilan, there's no need to worry. My wife is resourceful. Since he's brought it up, he must have a way."

Tang Xin saw her husband comforting his younger sister, though his own face was anxious too, and found him utterly adorable. "Don't worry, A-Yao. The Xiao family received help from me once. I'll make the trip to Ru'an Commandery myself. If I hurry along the road, I'll certainly be back in five days, when Momo's examination results are posted."

Bai Peilan and Bai Jingyao both brightened at her words, and the group continued discussing the proposal.

The more Madam Chen and his daughter heard, the more anxious they grew. What kind of figure was Elder Xiao? She had been the imperial tutor to three emperors, a true elder stateswoman of three reigns. The Xiao family had now withdrawn from court, but Elder Xiao's prestige was something no one dared challenge.

Bai Yuanshuang could hardly bear to listen any longer. She looked at Bai Mo, her eyes full of resentment and unwillingness to accept it.

Bai Mo was in high spirits when she suddenly felt a hostile gaze directed at her. She shot a sharp glance back and saw all the malice in Bai Yuanshuang's eyes.

Bai Yuanshuang had been away from the residence lately, and the two had not even had a chance to meet, so Bai Mo had been unable to do anything to her. Was she in such a hurry to offer up her head?? There was still poison...

Bai Mo blinked and looked at Bai Yuanshuang with an innocent expression. "Why are you glaring at me with such resentment, little sister?"

Bai Yuanshuang: "..."

Madam Chen glanced at his daughter, furious. How could this fool be so unable to keep her composure? He hurried to smooth things over.

"You must have seen wrong, Momo. Shuang'er respects you, her elder sister, more than anyone. Why would she glare at you? You mustn't talk nonsense and falsely accuse her. You're her elder sister, after all."

"She was glaring at me with resentment, not just glaring at me."

"I'm getting married. Aren't you happy for me, little sister?"

Bai Peilan and the others had all turned to look at Bai Yuanshuang as soon as Bai Mo spoke. Bai Yuanshuang was still young, after all, and could not withstand the provocation. She had yet to completely hide the disgust in her eyes.

Bai Jingyao's face turned cold, and he scolded angrily, "You're quite something, brother-in-law. Even I saw the look on Shuang'er's face, yet not only did you say nothing to her, you immediately started blaming Momo instead? What of Momo being the elder sister? Does being the elder sister mean she deserves to be at the mercy of others' moods?

"Her birth father passed away early. So this is how unwelcome she is in this family? If that's the case, she might as well come back to the vice minister of war's residence with me."

Madam Chen was left at a loss by the rebuke and could only look to Bai Peilan for help.

Seeing him like this, Bai Peilan frowned deeply. Madam Chen usually treated Momo very well-at least, he did so in front of others—and he never dared utter a word out of turn.

Bai Peilan did not want to utterly humiliate him, so she turned to Bai Yuanshuang and asked reproachfully, "Shuang'er, explain yourself. What do you mean by this?"

Bai Yuanshuang was full of indignation. When her mother questioned her, she replied aggrievedly, "I'm worried about our family too. Leaving the Grand Preceptor's Residence's status aside, just look at who Young Master Qingya is. To name only those close at hand, both the Third Princess and Princess Ping'an are enamored of him and set on marrying him."

"It's not that there's anything wrong with Elder Sister, but if she tries to compete with a princess and a commandery princess for him, I'm afraid it will bring great trouble upon our residence. Mother, Aunt, please think this over."