Seeing Marquis Jing’an looking completely dumbstruck, Shao Mingyuan cleared his throat lightly: “Father?”

“Ah, go ahead.” Marquis Jing’an snapped back to attention with a start.

“Your son wants to ask, when will you go propose marriage on my behalf?”

Marquis Jing’an was so shocked that upon hearing the words “propose marriage,” he began to feel dizzy and subconsciously asked: “Mingyuan, didn’t you say before that you weren’t quite… capable—”

Only after the words left his mouth did Marquis Jing’an realize what he had said. He quickly bit his tongue and began coughing violently.

For a moment, he didn’t dare look at his second son. He coughed until tears streamed down his face, then cautiously observed Shao Mingyuan: “Mingyuan, what I meant to say was, are you capable now? No, wait, I don’t even know what nonsense I’m spouting. Just pretend I said nothing.”

Marquis Jing’an spoke incoherently, wanting to bang his head against the wall.

As a man, he clearly understood how damaging that rumor was to another man, especially since this wasn’t even a rumor but something his second son had personally admitted to him. How could he have been so confused as to ask such a thing?

Just as Marquis Jing’an was regretting his words, he heard Shao Mingyuan say with complete seriousness: “I’ve troubled Father with worry. Your son suddenly feels he’s capable again.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Marquis Jing’an breathed a huge sigh of relief, his eyes full of joy.

Shao Mingyuan asked calmly: “So can Father propose marriage on your son’s behalf?”

“May I ask which family’s daughter Mingyuan has his eye on?”

Shao Mingyuan replied without hesitation: “The second daughter of Hanlin Academy’s Scholar Li, residing in Xingzi Alley, ranked third among the children of the Li family’s East and West residences. If Father needs any other details, you may ask me.”

“That’s quite detailed.” Marquis Jing’an said blankly.

Was his second son afraid he might propose to the wrong person?

“Wait, is that Miss Li the same Miss Li who went south under the Empress Dowager’s orders?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded: “Yes, exactly that, Miss Li.”

Marquis Jing’an couldn’t help but frown: “There are quite a few rumors about that Miss Li circulating in the capital—”

“Your son will marry no one but her.” Shao Mingyuan directly interrupted Marquis Jing’an’s concerns.

Marquis Jing’an looked deeply at his second son sitting across from him.

When he had the child, he had once taught martial arts and archery hand by hand, and grew up into such an opinionated and responsible young man?

He was overjoyed that his second son was willing to take a wife and have children—he certainly wouldn’t stand in the way. But that Miss Li’s reputation—

Looking at his outstanding son, Marquis Jing’an couldn’t help but feel heartache.

They had wronged this child too much. He hoped the best young lady would match him, so he wouldn’t suffer any more grievances in the future.

“The best young lady?” Shao Mingyuan understood Marquis Jing’an’s meaning and curved his lips slightly, saying solemnly: “Father, it’s not because she’s what the world considers the best that I’m fond of her; it’s because I’m fond of her that she is the best in my eyes.”

Marquis Jing’an’s expression shifted slightly.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Of course, she truly is the best. Please trust your son’s judgment.”

The father and son gazed at each other for a moment before Marquis Jing’an smiled: “Since you put it that way, naturally I have no reason to object.”

He wanted to give his son the best to make him happy. If it had the opposite effect, only a fool would do such a thing.

Shao Mingyuan’s heart settled, and the smile at the corners of his mouth made him look even more handsome: “Please arrange for a matchmaker to go today, Father.”

“What?” Marquis Jing’an’s voice rose. Realizing Shao Mingyuan wasn’t joking, he said with mixed laughter and tears: “Don’t be ridiculous. Marriage is a major affair—how can it be so hasty? At the very least, we should wait until after the new year to discuss marriage.”

“Your son can’t wait that long.” Shao Mingyuan said with an unchanged expression.

Marquis Jing’an was stunned and nearly knocked over the teacup beside him, his expression particularly complex: “Mingyuan, could it be that I’ll be able to hold a grandchild next year?”

Shao Mingyuan glanced coolly at Marquis Jing’an: “Miss Li will only be fourteen next year.”

Marquis Jing’an blinked, unable to say whether he felt happy or disappointed.

He had thought his son was moving too fast, but after all this, the young lady wouldn’t even come of age until next year—there would be quite a wait.

“In that case, what’s the rush?”

“I’m anxious because others are randomly throwing mud at her reputation, and I can’t legitimately teach those people a lesson!” Shao Mingyuan spoke calmly, but a cold light flashed in his eyes.

As a father and son who had both fought the Tatars in the Northern Territories, he knew that frank communication between them was most effective.

Hearing this reason, Marquis Jing’an couldn’t help but be amused: “Alright then, I’ll arrange for a matchmaker to propose marriage for you.”

The corners of Shao Mingyuan’s lips curved upward, warmth flowing through his heart: “Thank you, Father.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Marquis Jing’an pointed to the teacup on the table. “Drink some tea to moisten your mouth—look how cracked your lips are. Aren’t you afraid the young lady will find you unsightly?”

Shao Mingyuan twitched at the corners of his mouth.

Was this his real father? He was already finding fault with him so quickly.

Seeing Shao Mingyuan obediently drink his tea, Marquis Jing’an said seriously: “You previously requested leave from His Majesty, saying you would observe mourning for your deceased wife for one year. Although that period has ended, isn’t seeking to marry another family’s daughter immediately afterward a bit too hasty? I fear it might damage your reputation.”

The commonly mentioned one year of mourning meant nine months. From Lady Qiao’s death at the beginning of the year until now, that period has long passed.

Shao Mingyuan chuckled lightly: “Father, between seeking a new wife and my being ‘incapable,’ which do you think damages my reputation more?”

Everything feared comparison most. Marquis Jing’an immediately changed his mind without hesitation and decided: “Alright, I’ll send someone to invite the best official matchmaker right away.”

In the residence next to the Li family’s West residence.

The young lady sleeping on the beauty couch in the study turned over and opened her eyes.

“Miss, you’re awake.”

Her vision was somewhat hazy at first. Qiao Zhao rubbed the corners of her eyes and sat up: “Where is the Marquis?”

A’Zhu smiled: “Seeing that you were sleeping, the Marquis quietly left.”

“How long did I sleep?”

“About an hour.”

Qiao Zhao frowned: “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”

A’Zhu quickly explained: “The Marquis said you’d been too tired these past two days and instructed this servant not to disturb you. He said to wait until you woke up naturally before accompanying you home.”

Qiao Zhao got up from the couch: “Then let’s hurry back.”

For safety reasons, she had been copying Censor Xing’s handwriting here for the past three days. Now that she had finally finished transcribing the account books, she should return home early.

In just a few moments, they arrived home. The gatekeeper reported: “Third Miss, two young ladies are waiting for you in the reception hall.”

Qiao Zhao nodded and walked toward the guest reception hall. Binglu, who had been guarding the corridor, hurried over and whispered: “Miss, it’s that princess and Miss Jiang. This servant feels they don’t have good intentions. Perhaps you should return after dark?”

Qiao Zhao reached out and tapped the little maid’s smooth forehead: “What nonsense. This is my home—what sense would it make for the host to hide from guests?”

Binglu nodded repeatedly: “Miss is right!”

What sense did it make for guests to come and cause trouble? If they made things difficult for Miss, she wouldn’t be polite either!

The little maid picked up a brick and followed along.

In the reception hall, Princess Zhenzhen and Jiang Shiran had grown impatient from waiting and kept looking toward the entrance.

As soon as they saw Qiao Zhao enter, Jiang Shiran shot to her feet.