jdhmnovel Chapter 364 Ancient Unmarried Men of Advanced Age Face Collective Pressure to Get Married
Chapter 364 Ancient Unmarried Men of Advanced Age Face Collective Pressure to Get Married
"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! First I think, then I curse, then I long for you—who's longing for me now?"
"Brother Zeyu, have you caught a cold?"
"No way, no way, I'm perfectly healthy. It must be my uncle and aunt nagging me again. Alright, I have to go back now."
"Let's see if the old lady has gotten things done yet. Just wait for my news. But with my aunt involved, there's nothing she can't accomplish."
"Then thank you very much, Brother Zeyu. Come to my house for a drink sometime. I'll be waiting for you to open a bottle of ten-year-old Zhuyeqing liquor together."
When Huangfu Zhongwen revealed his private stash, Qin Mucheng's eyes lit up immediately, and he couldn't wait to go to Huangfu's house right now.
"Oh dear, ten years? Okay, okay, you must wait for me! Don't drink it secretly, I'll bring you some of the best dishes from Tianxianglou later."
Qin Mucheng put down his teacup and took away a packet of jasmine tea and pork jerky that Huangfu Zhongwen had specially prepared for him.
Of course, they were all brought back from Jiang Wenqing.
After personally seeing Qin Mucheng off, Huangfu Zhongwen returned to his own courtyard.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw a servant rushing over, "Master, the Grand Madam is looking for you!"
Huangfu Zhongwen hurriedly went to his grandmother's courtyard. Inside the house, the old lady sat upright, without a trace of a smile.
Huangfu Zhongwen seemed to be used to it, and bowed and sat down quite calmly.
"You kid, all you do is hang out with that Qin family brat all day. Tell me, what do you two old bachelors have to talk about?"
Huangfu Zhongwen looked embarrassed. An old bachelor? He's not even thirty yet, he's not that old, is he?
Zeyu is even younger than him, only twenty-seven. How come they're both still single? Grandmother is exaggerating!
"Oh, why are you bringing this up again? It's not like I've never been married before. Isn't that making me a jinx to wives?"
The first wife gave birth to two sons after marrying into the family, and then passed away. Later, both families that were to arrange a marriage also dropped the matter for various reasons. This was the grandson's fate.
Huangfu Zhongwen feigned distress, but the old lady was not impressed.
It's obviously an act. You're too naive to fool her!
"Hmph, don't try to fool me." The old lady rolled her eyes at her grandson. "Are there rumors in the capital that you're a jinx to wives? You're the one who said it yourself!"
You just want me to die with my eyes open, to have no face to meet the ancestors of the Huangfu family!
Huangfu Zhongwen quickly got up and knelt down, a practiced move that tugged at the heartstrings.
"Grandmother, it is your unfilial son, but fate is something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought. It is best to let nature take its course."
"Let nature take its course? You hang out with those unreliable people every day, no wonder you have no chance of finding a partner!"
I've heard that the Qin family's son is looking for a marriage for him, and Princess Deqing even went to the Empress Dowager to ask for his help.
And you? Are you just going to continue living like this, neither human nor ghost?
Huh? The news spread so fast? Princess Deqing is indeed incredibly efficient.
Huangfu Zhongwen silently gave Princess Deqing a thumbs up, “Grandmother, marriage cannot be forced. A forced marriage is never sweet. Don’t let a good couple turn into a resentful one.”
The old lady was so angry that she kept banging her cane on the ground. "Fate? If you don't ask for it, do you think fate will just come knocking on your door?"
Huangfu Zhongwen said helplessly, "So, does Grandmother mean for me to go for a stroll in the streets?"
The old lady was so angry she almost fell over. "Whose daughter is waiting for you to stroll around on the street? I have an invitation to the Empress Dowager's flower-viewing banquet here."
Originally, there wasn't one for you, but I pulled some strings and got one for you. That way, you and that Qin kid will have company when you go."
The old lady looked smug, while Huangfu Zhongwen looked exasperated.
What a boomerang! It ended up hurting itself!
Brother Jiang, you've made a huge sacrifice for your nephew!
"This is a flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager. Almost all the daughters of noble families and officials in the capital will attend. You must go!"
Huangfu Zhongwen instinctively wanted to refuse as soon as he heard it, but the old lady had anticipated his prediction and stared at him with an unquestionable gaze, leaving him with no choice but to agree.
"I'll have the housekeeper keep an eye on you. These next few days, you should focus on writing poems and essays and prepare to shine at the flower viewing party. Don't go out and wander around."
Very good, the road is blocked.
"I know, Grandmother. I'm all grown up now, so don't worry. I'll definitely go. I'm curious if Zeyu will be chosen by some young lady. I have to join in the fun."
"Did I get you an invitation just so you could watch the show? I don't care, you have to finalize things this year!"
It seemed the Qin family had made an appointment with the Huangfu family. At this moment, Princess Deqing was also holding an invitation card, showing it to Prince Deqing as if it were a treasure.
"Your Highness, look, it has to be me, right? Ah Cheng has a chance now. All the noble ladies from the capital will be attending the flower viewing party. Even if Ah Cheng just picks one randomly with his eyes closed, it will definitely be good."
"Oh dear, the Princess is so capable. Ah Cheng, that rebellious son, has caused the Princess a lot of trouble. Once he gets married, we'll leave him alone and let his wife take care of him!"
"Yes, yes, let his wife handle it. We won't interfere in their young couple's affairs!"
Princess Deqing and the old Prince Deqing were enjoying their wonderful future together when Qin Mucheng returned to the palace.
"Uncle, Aunt, I'm back! Did you miss me?"
"How old is this child? He's so impetuous. I wonder who he took after?" Old Deqing Wang muttered.
"Look at what Your Highness is saying. What is A-Cheng's surname? It's Qin. Who else could he have taken after? Of course, he's a member of the Qin family."
"I think Ah Cheng and you, his aunt, look quite alike. Anyone who didn't know better would probably think you were mother and son!"
"Impossible! He looks like the prince's younger brother, and he also looks like the prince!"
"No, no, it definitely looks like you, Princess!"
The elderly couple started arguing again after only a few words, and even forgot about their business.
Qin Mucheng was used to it and just waited quietly for the two to finish arguing. In the end, they didn't reach a conclusion about who he took after.
But he didn't care. He barely remembered his parents anyway, so he figured he could just go with whoever his uncle and aunt said he resembled.
The hall suddenly fell silent. Prince Deqing stroked his beard, and Princess Deqing straightened her hairpins.
The two quickly transformed into incredibly dignified and authoritative elders.
"Ahem, Ah Cheng is back. Why didn't you say anything when you came in?"
"That's right, that's right, they should really learn some manners. They're all grown up, yet they're so immature!" the elderly couple said, one after the other.
Huh? No words? Qin Mucheng was speechless. He remembered calling out before entering, just in case the old couple were arguing and it would be awkward to walk in.
The result is still the same. I was doing just fine ignoring them, and now the two of them are trying to turn their anger on me?
That's so uncivilized!
"It's the nephew's fault!"