Tianliangyuan

Chapter 288 Mutual Testing with His Half-Sister

For several days in a row, Xu Zhaozhao stayed in Jinxiu Garden, only going to pay her respects to the old lady. This made the women in the mansion a little curious.

Xie Yun was already married, so she returned to her husband's family home early.

Madam Yu wasn't surprised, since Xu Zhaozhao had never really liked attending banquets. For a noblewoman like her, attending only six or seven banquets a year was quite rare.

Some people who love excitement attend six or seven events a month.

Therefore, from this perspective, Xu Zhaozhao can be considered relatively introverted.

Xu Zhaozhao rarely left Jinxiu Garden, and as time went on, Xie Zheng's two half-sisters naturally couldn't sit still any longer.

Xie Chan and Xie Juan are still unmarried. Although Daxing does not have such strict restrictions on the age of marriage for women, they still need to get engaged now. Otherwise, if they wait another two years, they will become old maids.

Nowadays, it's common for girls to get married at fourteen, but these two are already fifteen. If they still can't settle down, people will laugh at them.

People like Xu Zhaozhao, who got married at the age of seventeen, are already extremely rare.

Many people become mothers at the age of seventeen.

But Xu Zhaozhao wouldn't be laughed at, firstly because she came from a good family, and secondly because it was not uncommon for women from wealthy and powerful families to marry at the age of sixteen or seventeen.

Secondly, Xu Zhaozhao and Xie Zheng's marriage was arranged long ago. She got married a little later because Xie Zheng was away fighting, so no one would be so blind as to criticize Xu Zhaozhao.

Xie Chan and Xie Juan arrived at Jinxiu Garden together. They were invited to the hall in front of Yuehua Pavilion, while Xu Zhaozhao was still lying in her bedroom at the back, being lazy.

"Master, you should get up and go take a look."

"Alright, I thought the two sisters could keep their composure, but I didn't expect them to get impatient."

"Greetings to sister-in-law." The two sisters curtsied, their manner perfectly standard.

Xu Zhaozhao said "No need for formalities" and then sat down in the main seat.

"My two younger sisters, is there something important that you have come here today?"

Xie Chan bit her lip lightly, then took out her newly embroidered sachet.

"I embroidered this myself, and I hope my sister-in-law won't find it distasteful."

Dingxiang took it and then handed it to Xu Zhaozhao.

"Indeed, Sixth Sister's needlework is excellent. I wonder which young man will be able to marry such a skillful wife in the future."

Xie Chan blushed, but she had achieved her goal.

Xie Chan did this for two reasons: first, to please her sister-in-law; and second, to hint at her own marriage prospects.

Now that her sister-in-law had brought it up herself, Xie Chan was naturally happy.

Xie Juan also presented a handkerchief she had made herself, embroidered with peonies; it was very beautiful.

Xu Zhaozhao was not one to show favoritism, and generously praised him.

Seeing that the two sisters were still somewhat shy, Xu Zhaozhao gave them a look, and Dingxiang dismissed most of the people.

"Master, this servant will prepare tea."

“Alright. This osmanthus black tea has a unique flavor when brewed. Since you two sisters are here, please try it as well.”

Soon, the small ceramic stove, teapot, and other items were all prepared. Dingxiang slowly brewed tea on one side. No other incense was burned in the room; the aroma of the tea alone was enough to make people feel relaxed and happy.

"Seventh Sister, how long has it been since you last saw Aunt Song?"

A hint of resentment flashed across Xie Juan's face: "I don't remember the exact date, maybe it's been two or three years. My aunt's heart is with my father. Even when she was recuperating in the mansion, she was still thinking about him."

Xu Zhaozhao chuckled: "Father is far away in Jizhou, so it's good that someone is taking care of him. I don't think she intentionally neglected you; perhaps she'll be back next year."

Xie Juan didn't have any expectations for this. Whether she came back or not, it didn't matter, since she wouldn't be paying attention to her anyway.

"Sixth Sister, I heard that Aunt Jia suffers from a cough every time the seasons change. Is she still the same now?"

"Sister-in-law, my aunt has an old ailment, it's not serious, she just coughs for a few days."

Xu Zhaozhao nodded: "In the future, whenever the seasons change, I will have her drink more fresh fruit tea, brewed and ready to drink. That might help."

Xie Juan quickly thanked her, after all, Jia was only a concubine and not a proper mistress in the mansion.

"I can actually guess somewhat why you two have come. Let's start with Sixth Sister, what are your plans?"

When Xie Chan heard her sister-in-law bring up the matter, her eyes reddened slightly, and she was also a little excited.

"What plans could a young lady like me possibly have? The engagement was arranged, but who would have thought that the other party would turn around and cancel the engagement? Although I am unwilling, the old lady also said that the Duke's mansion's reputation cannot be trampled on by outsiders!"

Xu Zhaozhao nodded; she had also heard about Xie Chan's annulment of the engagement.

The man who was betrothed to Xie Chan was originally of humble origin; otherwise, he would not have been betrothed to the illegitimate daughter of the Duke.

However, his career has been going increasingly smoothly in recent years, so he no longer looks favorably upon a girl born out of wedlock.

The old lady was also quite shrewd; with just a few words, she shifted all the blame onto the man, and even publicly exposed his secret exchange of betrothal gifts with another family's legitimate daughter.

The old lady naturally wanted to save face for the Duke's mansion, so she immediately proposed to annul the engagement.

So, it should have been the man who broke off the engagement because he disliked Xie Chan's low social status. In the end, outsiders only thought that the man was dishonest and had provoked another noble lady, so the Xie family could not bear the humiliation and broke off the engagement in public.

Although it saved the Xie family's reputation, Xie Chan ultimately lost her marriage.

"Grandmother has handled this matter very well and preserved your reputation. It will not be difficult for you to find a good marriage again."

Xie Chan, no longer caring about being shy, looked up at her expectantly.

Xu Zhaozhao chuckled, "No need to rush. You're only fifteen. When we women get married, the most important thing is the groom's character, followed by his talent, ability, and family background. Do you two sisters agree with what I'm saying?"

The two sisters nodded in unison: "Sister-in-law is right."

Xu Zhaozhao smiled and said, "Since you agree with what I said, then let's not rush. We also need to see if the old lady has any other plans."

Xu Zhaozhao's words temporarily calmed them down.

When the two sisters left, they were both beaming with smiles.

Because Xu Zhaozhao also gave each of them a jade-patterned brocade feather cloak.

The two women had only brought some inexpensive things they had made to please their sister-in-law, but she had returned such a generous gift in return. Therefore, they thought their sister-in-law was a kind and generous person.

However, Dingxiang, who was standing to the side, had heard the whole thing. After the two left, she whispered, "The two young ladies seem very happy."

Xu Zhaozhao smiled but remained silent.

Dingxiang suddenly laughed out loud. The young lady had only given her two cloaks, yet the two young ladies' goodwill towards their mistress had increased significantly. However, they were completely unaware that the young lady had never made any promises regarding their marriage from beginning to end.

As expected, it has to be a young lady!