Shi Fa Ke didn’t know that the once innocent and adorable little chubby boy before her had already gone down the path of becoming a sesame-filled bun and would never return. She said somewhat uncertainly, “Would it be useful if I went to persuade him?”

Taking on disciples wasn’t a small matter—what use could a word from an outsider have?

When her Third Brother became a disciple, that great scholar had tested him for a whole year.

“Whether it’s useful or not doesn’t matter, as long as you go and speak for me.” Zhu Li waved his hand, speaking very magnanimously.

Shi Fa Ke hesitated for a moment. She would just say a word—whether to take on a disciple would still be up to Lu Chi himself. She agreed, then said, “Can you tell me now what Madam Zhu invited me here for?”

Zhu Li sighed deeply, “Properly speaking, this matter involves my eldest sister’s reputation, so I shouldn’t speak of it to outsiders. But Miss, you are the teacher’s friend, so you’re not really an outsider. Moreover, you’re the matchmaker my great aunt invited, so you’ll learn about these things sooner or later anyway. I’ll tell you first so you can be prepared.”

The eldest sister he mentioned was Zhu Yanyan.

This roundabout and convoluted way of speaking would have been impossible for Zhu Li to say before, and he would have considered it nonsense. But after witnessing the darkness and sinister nature of human hearts, he knew that such roundabout nonsense was quite necessary—at least it put him on the moral high ground, leaving others unable to find fault.

Shi Fa Ke watched as little Zhu Li, despite his young age, put on such a profound appearance. It was truly adorable and she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

“My eldest sister is ill.” Having laid the groundwork, Zhu Li went straight to the point, “She’s been bedridden for several days, and it’s said…” He hesitated slightly here, “It’s said to be because of my teacher.”

Shi Fa Ke was startled. Could it be that the Zhu family’s eldest daughter knew Lu Chi? But Lu Chi had never mentioned it before.

“My eldest sister is naturally quite shy and usually doesn’t like to meet people…” Zhu Li said this much but didn’t continue.

He couldn’t understand either how his naturally shy and afraid-of-strangers eldest sister could fall in love at first sight with the teacher and insist on marrying no one but him…

He wouldn’t admit it himself, but compared to his eldest sister whom he rarely saw, he favored his teacher more. Although the Zhu family’s status was decent enough, he always felt that eldest sister wasn’t a good match for the teacher. Compared to the frail and reclusive eldest sister, he’d rather the teacher marry the lively and cheerful Fourth Sister.

This had led to that previous matchmaking attempt, though it ended up getting him into terrible trouble… Sigh, he had clearly meant well, but the teacher was truly ungrateful!

How could he have known that when he saw the teacher everywhere arranging marriages, the person the teacher secretly wanted to marry might be this very young lady before him?

Shi Fa Ke understood the situation, thanked Zhu Li, and under his hints, agreed with mixed feelings to remember to handle his request, though she also made clear that whether it could ultimately be accomplished would depend on Lu Chi’s own wishes.

Both were satisfied and expressed their pleasure at the cooperation.

Zhu Li had finally managed to escape for some fresh air, but was soon caught by a book boy who came looking for him and dragged back to the study to read. Shi Fa Ke went to meet Madam Zhu as arranged.

Compared to the previous two occasions of neglect, this time Madam Zhu showed complete courtesy, and the tea and refreshments were much more refined.

Before she had finished even one cup of tea, Madam Zhu arrived.

Though her makeup was proper and she maintained her overall dignity, this beautiful woman couldn’t hide the exhaustion between her brows and eyes. How pitiful the hearts of parents throughout the world—Madam Zhu had probably been worried sick over her daughter Zhu Yanyan.

“I trouble Miss Shi.” She spoke very politely.

“It’s no trouble. I wonder what matter Madam has invited me here for again?” Though Shi Fa Ke understood the situation, these questions still needed to be asked.

Madam Zhu paused, seeming unsure how to begin.

After a long while, she gently sighed and said, “Last time, Miss Shi mentioned having doubts about this marriage proposal from the Zhu family. Indeed, from a conventional standpoint, this marriage is mismatched in social status and seems somewhat suspicious. Though Scholar Lu is a scholar, what our Zhu family lacks least are scholars.”

Madam Zhu picked up the topic that had fallen apart last time, her attitude uncommonly sincere.

“Yes, then why did you choose Scholar Lu for Miss Zhu?” Shi Fa Ke asked accordingly.

Madam Zhu fell silent again for a long time, seeming to find it difficult to speak.

“In truth, it wasn’t I who chose Scholar Lu for my daughter, but my daughter who chose Scholar Lu herself.” Finally, Madam Zhu managed to say it.

Shi Fa Ke showed just the right amount of surprise on her face.

“This matter is indeed somewhat difficult to speak of. Originally, my daughter had inadvertently seen Scholar Lu once…” Madam Zhu’s expression was somewhat stiff.

Having one’s own daughter fall in love at first sight with a strange man and insist on marrying no one but him… this kind of thing would be quite shameful even in a small household, let alone in a prestigious family like the Zhus that valued literary traditions and propriety.

This time Shi Fa Ke was genuinely surprised. Earlier when she heard from that little chubby boy that Miss Zhu had fallen into melancholy and become bedridden because of Lu Chi, she had thought that Miss Zhu might have known Lu Chi through some chance encounter and thus given him her heart… but it was actually just a one-time meeting?

…Did Lu Chi’s appearance really have such devastating power that it could make Miss Zhu fall in love at first sight and then insist on marrying no one but him?

Shi Fa Ke hesitated somewhat.

“May I meet Miss Zhu?” Shi Fa Ke suddenly said, “I’d like to talk with her.”

She had seen Miss Zhu from afar once before, but seeing someone from a distance couldn’t solve any problems. She needed to actually speak with Miss Zhu.

This Miss Zhu had always stayed within the inner quarters, never venturing out—a true daughter of a great family. Moreover, her personality was extremely shy, almost like a mimosa plant that would curl its leaves at the slightest touch. Yet she had the courage to insist on marrying no one but him? And all because of a single meeting? What was this? Love at first sight?

Shi Fa Ke really couldn’t understand, but if she was to be a matchmaker, she needed to understand the unclear things first.

Madam Zhu frowned, “To be honest, ever since I refused the marriage proposal last time, my daughter has been bedridden with illness. If it weren’t for this…”

If it weren’t for this, as a household manager who was quite decisive, how could she have compromised so easily, humbled herself to this extent, and invited Shi Fa Ke over again?

It could only be said: how pitiful the hearts of parents throughout the world.

Shi Fa Ke showed no strange expression on her face, only saying sincerely, “I know Madam has a devoted heart full of love for her daughter. Most parents under heaven are like this—they can never do anything about their children. My parents are the same. Please set your mind at ease, Madam.”

Hearing her say this, Madam Zhu’s expression softened considerably.

“I just find it somewhat strange. With Miss Zhu’s shy personality, how could she develop such deep feelings and insist on marrying no one but him just from seeing Scholar Lu once?”

Madam Zhu looked thoughtful.

Because of what her daughter had experienced in childhood, she was more timid and shy than others. Madam Zhu felt sorry for her daughter suffering such fright at such a young age and couldn’t bear to pressure her too much. As a result, she still hadn’t figured out why her daughter, who usually didn’t like meeting strangers, would care so much about a man she’d only met once, to the point of refusing to marry anyone else.

Speaking of which, this was indeed somewhat strange.

But Madam Zhu still didn’t agree.

She shook her head, “My daughter doesn’t like meeting strangers.”

Even seeing her from afar might startle her, let alone wanting to talk with her. Now that her daughter was still ill, Madam Zhu didn’t dare take the risk.