Chapter 61

Amidst the heavy snowfall, Xu Hao rode his horse alone, catching up with the convoy ahead. This immediately alarmed several mounted guards, but they did not stop him upon recognizing him.

Xu Hao slowed down and gradually approached the middle carriage. The beauty was within reach, yet he found himself at a loss for words, simply accompanying her side by side.

As they rode on, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing Zhiyan’s pretty face. She asked, "Is Master Xu following us on purpose?"

Xu Hao wiped the snowflakes from his face and shook his head, "I was just about to head home, but I didn’t expect to run into you."

Zhiyan tilted her head and asked again, "Is there something you want to say?"

Xu Hao thought for a moment and smiled bitterly, "I have a lot to say, but I can’t bring myself to speak. By the way, will Miss Xu still consider me a friend?"

"There are no male friends in Miss’s life," Zhiyan smiled lightly, "I’m sorry, but please turn back, Master."

Xu Hao sighed, realizing that his connection with Mu Ningsnow was about to end. He was not the type to drag things out; if the lady had no interest, he would not persist. In fact, even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t have the chance.

Suddenly, three young men on horseback came from ahead. One was Mu Sheng, and the other two were unfamiliar to Xu Hao. Xu Hao nodded to Mu Sheng.

Mu Sheng pulled on the reins and said, "I advise you to give up. This is Zhan Yu, the eldest son of the Minister of Personnel, and this is Yu Manting, the young lord of the Yuexi Marquis. Both are top-notch young men in the capital. What qualifications do you, Xu Hao, have to marry my sister?"

Mu Sheng’s intention was to make Xu Hao back off, but this only served to rouse his determination. Xu Hao replied calmly, "I like Ningsnow not because of her status. Similarly, if Ningsnow favors me, it’s not because of my background. Mu Sheng, you don’t need to use these two to pressure me. Ningsnow has the right to choose her own husband. I won’t give up until the matter is settled."

Mu Sheng laughed, "Then you’ll have to wait a long time. My sister still has nearly three years of mourning left. Don’t end up with nothing and become a laughingstock."

Xu Hao smiled and asked with interest, "What about these two? Aren’t they going to wait as well?"

Zhan Yu said coldly, "Unfortunately, my mother passed away last year, so I can wait."

Yu Manting’s expression was somewhat strange as he said lightly, "My father is busy with his duties in Jianan and has no time to consider our marriage. I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Brother Xu."

Xu Hao nodded in understanding and smiled, "In that case, I’ll take my leave."

"Hold on," Mu Sheng asked curiously, "You fell in love with my sister after just one glimpse of her beauty. If she were plain, would you still be so persistent?"

Xu Hao was taken aback. This question hit a soft spot. Upon reflection, he had indeed been initially drawn to Mu Ningsnow’s unparalleled beauty, then captivated by her talent, and later pursued her more vigorously after learning about her status for personal gain.

At this moment, he could have made an excuse, but Xu Hao said nothing, implicitly admitting it. Mu Sheng smiled silently, turned his horse, and continued forward. Zhan Yu, with a look of pity, politely bowed to Xu Hao.

Yu Manting couldn’t help but sneer, "I’ve seen many like you, all coveting the Mu family’s status to gain both wealth and a wife. But you are the most honest one, ha ha!"

Xu Hao was speechless. No matter how he explained it, it would sound weak and futile. He watched the convoy gradually disappear, feeling helpless and self-mocking, "If I really wanted both wealth and a wife, I might as well pursue the Zhu family’s daughter. Why make things so difficult for myself!"

This setback wouldn’t affect Xu Hao. Having lived two lives, he had a mature mindset to face such romantic entanglements.

Upon returning home, Xu Hao first inquired about household affairs. Wang Fu said that a house at the village entrance had caught fire last night, but fortunately, no one was injured, and only one house was burned down. With heavy snowfall, the village head was concerned about the risk of houses collapsing and requested that wealthy families send people to help clear the snow for the elderly and widowed.

Xu Hao said, "As usual, provide silver, rice, and wood. It’s too cold, so get the house repaired as soon as possible. Have the second steward gather the men, take tools, and follow the village head’s instructions. Prepare wine and meat to reward them when they return."

Wang Fu nodded with a smile and added, "The elder master wrote that the court will soon launch a military campaign in the north, and he is too busy to return home. The eldest son, eager to earn merit, wanted to delay his wedding, but was scolded by the elder master. He will be forced to return soon for the wedding. The letter says that only you, Hao, are at home these days, and it’s been hard on you. He instructed you to visit Prince Qin’s mansion several times and to meet all their demands, even if it means borrowing money from colleagues to make the wedding perfect."

"I understand," Xu Hao felt something was amiss, as if he was missing something. As Xu Huizhu had said, his information was too limited. He needed to pay more attention to the court’s movements, which might help him recall something.

Additionally, there were a few social obligations, which the ladies of the inner chambers would handle. There were also a few minor issues on the estate, mostly neighborhood disputes and personal matters, which had been resolved by the estate manager and the elders. Xu Hao listened carefully to the entire story and found the resolution fair. As the saying goes, even a fair judge finds it hard to resolve family matters, so it’s best to strive for harmony.

As for the petty squabbles among the servants, his mother would handle them. Xu Hao didn’t ask much, and as it was getting late, he went into the inner chambers.

In the Fushou Hall, the sisters were gathered around the old lady, recounting their experiences from the previous night. Zhulan and Yuelan were whispering outside. Seeing him enter, Zhulan smiled and came forward to serve him.

Zhulan and Qiuxiang were both maids who had entered the household at the same time, about seven or eight years ago. Initially, Zhulan felt shy when assigned to Xu Hao, but after a few days, she became more comfortable, as they had grown up together.

Zhulan took the outer robe Xu Hao had taken off and left. Yuelan came over and said with a smile, "We were just talking about how the lady of the house wants you as a son-in-law. The old lady was asking about the young lady’s appearance and character. The eldest lady said she is very beautiful and has a good character. What do you think?"

Xu Hao had already thought about this and smiled, "I think she’s great. My second brother is still unmarried, and they would be a good match."

Yuelan clapped her hands and laughed, "We guessed you would say that. Indeed, the old lady also thinks so, but we don’t know what the lady of the house is thinking. Why would she look elsewhere?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" Xu Hao and Yuelan exchanged a knowing smile, both understanding that Lady Wang had her reasons, though they were hard to express.

Seeing Xu Hao enter, the old lady asked, "You said you were back, but didn’t come in. I sent someone to ask, and they said you were busy. Have you eaten?"

Xu Hao patted his rumbling stomach and smiled bitterly, "No, I haven’t eaten all day."

"How could that be? Those scoundrels, how could they let you go hungry all day? That’s outrageous." The old lady, feeling sorry for him, immediately ordered a meal to be prepared and instructed Yuelan to go to the kitchen to add a few dishes that Xu Hao liked, to be served quickly.

Yuelan nodded and left. Xu Hao noticed that Lady Wang and Cuishao were not there and asked, "Hasn’t Mother come back?"

Xu Qinglian pointed to a seat beside her and said, "Mother said she would stay for a few more days."

The room was warm and cozy, and Xu Hao comfortably sat down. Chunyue brought a cup of hot tea and two plates of pastries, "Eat while it’s hot, to fill your stomach."

Xu Hao glanced at the excited Hongye and the quietly seated Xiaoyushi, took the tea and pastries, and bit into a piece of mung bean cake, saying with a mouth full, "Has Mother not come to pay respects today?"

Xu Qinglian looked around and whispered, "Third Aunt is feeling unwell and fell ill when she returned home. Mother heard the news and went to visit her, and hasn’t come back."

"What’s wrong with her?" Xu Hao frowned, wondering if Lady Liu was going through menopause, given her frequent mood swings.

Xu Qinglian didn’t continue, but Chunyue whispered, "When Xizhu reported, I asked her privately. She told me that the northern messenger informed us that Meilan and Julan have become Third Master’s concubines, and Third Lady was so upset that she fell ill."

Before Chunyue could finish, Xu Qinglian scolded, "Don’t say another word. If I catch you spreading such gossip again, I won’t be lenient."

Chunyue stuck out her tongue and stood obediently to one side. Xu Hao thought to himself that his uncle, despite his age, was still promiscuous. Meilan and Julan were about his age, and he would have to call them aunties once they had children. The thought was unsettling, and with three concubines and a wife, the household would be even more lively.

After the meal, he spent a long time chatting and entertaining the old lady before leaving together. The maids held lanterns and escorted their young masters back to the garden, each going their separate ways.

Upon entering the room, he saw Qiuxiang lying on the small bed, still dressed. Xu Hao walked over and gently pushed her. Qiuxiang, startled, tried to sit up.

"Stay lying down," Xu Hao was surprised and felt her forehead, "You’re burning up. Have you seen a doctor?"

Qiuxiang slowly shook her head, "I don’t want to see a doctor. If others find out, I’ll have to move out of the garden. I don’t want to cause any gossip."

Xu Hao said, "Let them gossip. I’ll protect you. What’s there to fear?"

Qiuxiang’s face was flushed and she only shook her head, saying nothing. Xu Hao couldn’t persuade her. At that moment, Qingwen suddenly entered and said coldly, "Don’t pretend to care. We maids don’t have the luxury of seeing a doctor. We’re grateful just to get a few doses of medicine to keep us alive."

Xu Hao was furious and stood up, "I’ll go get a doctor right now. Wait and see. I’ll set a rule to solve this problem once and for all."