"If Second Young Miss already has someone she fancies, and that person happens to be suitable, then you, Noble Consort, have matched them, it would make a delightful tale!"
Xia Ruqing pondered for a moment and her eyes lit up.
"Hmm! This is indeed a good idea, Zi Yue, you may have some talent, have you ever been a matchmaker before?"
Zi Yue blushed and hurriedly replied.
"This servant... this servant hasn’t, Noble Consort, please don’t say such things!"
Xia Ruqing chuckled.
"I’m not joking, I’ll send a letter and ask!"
"Such matters are best asked by one’s own mother, anyone else would be inappropriate!"
"Noble Consort is wise!"
Xia Ruqing immediately wrote a letter and entrusted Zi Yue to deliver it.
That night.
Zhao Junyao came to Duanning Palace for dinner, afterward, the two of them read on the soft couch.
Zhao Junyao casually asked.
"Did you receive a letter today? What was it about?"
Though he usually wasn’t interested in gossip, for some reason, he wanted to know everything clearly concerning Qingqing.
Xia Ruqing thought and then spoke.
"My second mother wants to propose marriage for my second younger sister and asked for my help to look into it!"
Zhao Junyao’s eyes brightened; this truly was a big piece of gossip!
Xia Tingfeng was now his trusted official, and surely many families wished to align themselves through his sister.
If not handled well, she might be deceived.
Some people are willing to do anything to climb up the social ladder!
Zhao Junyao offered a word of caution.
"You certainly should keep a sharp eye!"
"Naturally, although she isn’t my own sister, my second mother treats me well, so I will certainly do my best!"
Upon saying this, Xia Ruqing looked sideways at Zhao Junyao.
"Emperor, you are the Emperor, you probably know which family’s young gentleman has a good character, or which family has a progressive outlook, right!"
Zhao Junyao: "..."
What does she mean?
Does she want me to propose marriage for her sister?
That’s a bit bold; I’m the Emperor, after all!
Has anyone ever asked the Emperor to act as a matchmaker? Requests for royal marriages don’t count.
Zhao Junyao felt quite helpless.
"Qingqing, perhaps you should just be straightforward!"
Strangely, he felt a bit happy; what could that mean?
Her sister is well, she is pleased, and if she’s pleased, then he’s pleased, is that it?
Zhao Junyao inwardly mocked himself; to please a woman to such an extent, he must be insane!
Xia Ruqing didn’t think about it too much.
As he wished her to be straightforward, she was indeed straightforward.
"Emperor, will you provide a few names for us to deliberate on?"
After saying that, she gave him a look of aggrieved helplessness, with teary eyes.
Just one glance, and he surrendered.
"Alright, alright, I’ll give it to you!"
Someone happily kissed Zhao Junyao’s face left and right.
"Emperor, you are truly wonderful!"
Zhao Junyao secretly thought, ’Hmm, this list was well worth it!’
"So how will you thank me?"
Xia Ruqing glanced coquettishly at him, using classic lines from a play to respond.
"For the great kindness of saving my life, this young woman has nothing to repay. If the gentleman doesn’t mind, this young woman is willing to give herself in marriage..."
Zhao Junyao immediately picked her up and threw her on the bed, then waved his hand to pull down the curtains,
"No objections!"
"Ah! Emperor... be gentle... ah!"
Little Bun was just leaving after visiting his younger brother.
He planned to come over to consult with his father about some problems he encountered while practicing calligraphy.
Unexpectedly, he hadn’t entered yet when he heard these sounds.
The clever little one shook his head first, then nodded, muttering to himself.
"Although I really wish to discuss calligraphy with Father, I rather want a little sister!"
’Father and Mother Consort, keep up the good work!’
He spoke, then walked away with his hands behind his back, as though nothing had happened.
Sister Huang watched on, somewhat shocked.
’This truly is a little clever one!’
’How did His Highness the Crown Prince become so intelligent?’
Observing that both the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince were equally clever and smart, Noble Consort Xian really gave birth well!
No wonder the Emperor is so fond of her!
...
After the second day of the second month passed, Lady Wen received the list handed out from the palace.
This list recorded the names of many suitable unmarried young men in the Capital City.
Of course, in addition to names, there were also brief introductions to family background, character, appearance, current positions, and personal qualities.
These were all orally described by Zhao Junyao, and Xia Ruqing carefully compiled them.
Xia Ruqing referred to it as: ’The Matchmaking Bible!’
In the palace, she had many inconveniences, but with this list,
Elder Brother and Sister-in-law could make inquiries, as they all seemed to come from decent families.
When the time comes, Second Mother will make the final decisions; won’t that be fitting?
The whole family understands and certainly won’t push Cai Yang into a pit of fire!
Thus, she didn’t trouble herself too much with this.
She just awaited the results!
Hou Mansion.
Lady Wen rarely visited, and didn’t fuss too much; she stayed in the same courtyard with Cai Yang.