Chapter 60

Early in the morning, Xu Hao habitually wanted to wash his long hair, but it was inconvenient to do so at the Wang family's residence. In this era, men often went ten to fifteen days without washing their hair, and some even went years without washing, claiming that frequent washing would harm their vital energy. Once the scalp itched, they would use a comb to scratch it. It was said that the dirt and dandruff could be used to predict one's health and recent fortune based on their color and quantity, and many people took this very seriously.

Xu Hao didn't want to trouble the servants, so after washing his face with cold water, he tidied up his long, troublesome hair himself. At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Xu Hao said, adjusting his bangs in the blurry copper mirror.

A young maid he didn't recognize pushed the door open, bowed, and said, "Greetings, young master. I am called Xiaohong. The ladies of the household have invited you to meet them in the inner quarters."

Since it was an order from his elders, Xu Hao couldn't refuse. "Then lead the way," he said.

They passed through several halls and courtyards, encountering many servants along the way, and finally arrived at a large courtyard in the inner quarters. Upon entering the main room, he saw a room full of women, the scent of cosmetics overwhelming. Xu Hao, who had long been accustomed to this, approached and formally greeted the old lady.

The old lady of the Wang family smiled and looked him up and down, saying, "This child is indeed excellent."

Wang Shi, standing beside her, added, "Our third son has changed a lot over the past year. Not only has he become more understanding and considerate, but he also handles affairs efficiently and thoroughly at a young age. Now, he manages all the external affairs of the family. He is increasingly favored by the old lady, and all the sisters and younger sisters are close to him. Most importantly, he doesn't have the habit of frivolous behavior. Everyone says that among his brothers, the third son is the most steady."

What is this about? Xu Hao felt uneasy and secretly worried. It seemed that the old lady was scrutinizing him as a potential son-in-law. This was bad.

Sure enough, the old lady of the Wang family said with satisfaction, "Then it's settled. Look, if the third daughter stands with him, they truly make a perfect pair."

The six ladies of the Wang family and a group of concubines and relatives immediately began to speak auspicious words, such as "a perfect match," "a heavenly union," and "a young man and a maiden," saying whatever sounded good.

To be honest, although Xu Hao was from the second branch of the Xu family and his father had no official position or title, he was still a direct descendant of the Wei Guogong Xu family. Since Xu Da's generation only had two brothers, the four Xu Hao brothers were more prestigious than those of equal status in other families. As a family of merit, the third daughter of the Wang family could be considered a match, but in terms of status, Xu Hao was actually marrying up.

At this moment, Xu Hao had no chance to speak against it. He couldn't offend the entire Wang family with Wang Shi present. Fortunately, the matter still needed the old lady's approval, leaving some room for refusal. Xu Hao stood there for a while, being observed, and then excused himself, saying he had something to do, and left in a bad mood.

Behind a marble screen on one side of the room, separated by a beaded curtain, Xu Cuibao smiled and asked her pretty cousin, Wang Xuanqing, "How about it? Are you satisfied?"

Wang Xuanqing, blushing, turned and ran away without a word. Xu Cuibao giggled, "It seems she's very interested, otherwise why would she run away so shyly?"

At this moment, Xu Qinglian, seeing no one around, frowned and said, "Do you not know that Hao likes the princess of the Mu family?"

Xu Cuibao pouted and said, "That's just a rumor. Don't daydream. Even when our eldest brother from the manor proposed, he was rejected. Why not marry my cousin happily? In what way is she inferior to the third son? If we really compare, my cousin is the one who is being wronged."

Hongye couldn't help but say, "Then don't think about my brother. It's not just your family who wants this. We don't want it either. Humph!"

Xu Cuibao glared at her and said, "Shut up. This isn't our home. If someone hears your nonsense, it could cause trouble."

Hongye knew her second sister was right and immediately closed her mouth. Xu Qinglian shook her head and said, "You don't know Hao's personality. He will definitely ruin this matter."

Xu Cuibao dismissed it and said, "In matters of marriage, the third brother has no say. Sigh! If I had a choice, who would want to marry far away to the north to be a concubine? Compared to me, the third brother should be content."

Hongye looked at her second sister in disbelief. In the past, her second sister always seemed pleased, and she thought she was willing. She had secretly criticized her second sister for being greedy for fame and fortune many times. After all, it wasn't as if she was marrying the crown prince of the Qin Kingdom. What was there to be so pleased about?

On the contrary, Xu Cuibao was open-minded. After a moment of reflection, she touched Hongye's smooth face and said softly, "When you grow up, you'll understand. Not all women have your mother's good fortune. Once married, you must follow your husband. Is that just an empty phrase?"

"Then I won't get married," Hongye said, her face showing a rare look of helplessness.

Xu Qinglian watched silently. Compared to Cuibao, who already had a place, what would her own future be? Would she be alone for life or become a concubine like her?

Sitting on one side, the third lady, Liu Shi, felt uncomfortable. With the marriage alliance between the first and second families, she would be left isolated. She said she had some matters to attend to at home and prepared to leave with Xu Qinglian and the others.

After the irrelevant people left, the second daughter-in-law of the Wang family suddenly changed her expression and said to the old lady, "I disagree with this marriage. Xuanqing is a legitimate daughter, and the other party is not the eldest daughter. She cannot carry on the family name. Why marry her? It would be better to match her with the son of the Minister of Justice."

Wang Shi frowned and countered, "That son is not the eldest either. How is he different from our third son?"

The second daughter-in-law sneered, "There's a big difference. No wonder you've been living in the countryside for so long and don't even know this."

"You," Wang Shi's face turned red, as this hit her weak spot. She was somewhat angry and said, "Then tell me the difference."

The second daughter-in-law immediately said, "Your third son is just a noble youth. In the future, he will likely be a low-ranking military officer. The son of the Minister of Justice, on the other hand, comes from a scholarly family and will surely become an official. Compared to the two, who would be a better match?"

Wang Shi mocked, "So you can see the future clearly? If you were so capable, why did you marry into our family?"

The second daughter-in-law was speechless and turned her head, saying, "I disagree anyway. But if the fourth daughter is matched, I support it. Mother, do you know that the second daughter of the Fu family is already engaged to the son of the Minister of Justice? Having connections in the capital is beneficial."

The old lady, hearing this, was moved. Her husband had been serving with Fu Youde for years, and the two families were close. The Wangs admired Fu Youde's character, and with the Fu family as a model, they could also form an alliance with a high-ranking official.

Seeing her mother moved, Wang Shi stopped persuading. This was just a spur-of-the-moment idea, and whether it succeeded or not didn't matter much. Originally, she wanted her son to marry her cousin, but the eldest daughter of the Wang family was already married, the second daughter was sickly, and she didn't like the third daughter, so it fell to Xu Hao.

The old lady looked at her daughter and, not wanting to embarrass her, smiled and said, "I think that young man is very good. Let the third and fourth daughters stay at the eldest daughter's house for a while, and let the old lady of the Xu family choose. If the Minister of Justice's family proposes, we can consider it."

The second daughter-in-law nodded in agreement. She was happy to see the fourth daughter matched with Xu Hao, and the proposal from the Minister of Justice was just an intention. If it didn't work out, marrying her daughter to the Xu family would still be a good outcome. After all, she had seen Xu Hao herself and admitted that he looked very good.

Xu Hao, unaware of the internal changes in the Wang family, learned that Liu Shi was taking the sisters back home. He quickly came out and instructed the servants to prepare the carriage. He didn't want to see Liu Shi, so he gave some instructions to the manager and left the Wang family with a few guards.

At this moment, he especially missed Mu Ningsnow. He instinctively spurred his horse toward the Qianning Wang's residence. Upon arrival, he learned that Mu Ningsnow and her mother had gone to their countryside villa.

Snow began to fall again, and Xu Hao, lost in his thoughts, was brought back to reality by the melting snow on his skin. He remembered the hotel business and realized that the only person he could rely on was the Crown Prince of the Yan Kingdom, Zhu Gaochi. The deeper their connection, the more beneficial it would be for the future, but it had to be done secretly.

Fortunately, with his identity as a relative of the Yan Kingdom, he could visit openly without arousing suspicion. Xu Hao immediately headed to the Yan Kingdom.

Just as Zhu Gaochi was preparing to go to the palace for his studies, the two met at the gate. Xu Hao walked to the sedan chair and explained the hotel situation. Zhu Gaochi smiled and said, "This is easy. But to avoid suspicion, wait a few days. By the way, greet Qinglian for me."

Xu Hao nodded, thinking about the complicated relationship between his sister and Zhu Gaochi. He couldn't bring himself to say it outright.

After seeing Zhu Gaochi off, Xu Hao, anxious, led his guards out of the capital. He was truly afraid that the old lady would agree to the marriage.

Snowflakes fell from the sky, and the galloping hooves splashed wet mud. The road was muddy, and the world became bright and clean. The distant mountains and forests, covered in snow, looked elegant and charming, a vast expanse of white, like a fairyland.

In the distance, a convoy was slowly making its way through the snow. The decorations on the carriage were very familiar, and Xu Hao's spirits lifted. He immediately spurred his horse forward.

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