Chapter 3

After Xue Shao left,

my brother dissolved into tears. “A true…a true gentleman! He puts all those fashionable young nobles to shame. You might as well make this pretense real, little sister…”

I laughed. “I’d be willing enough. But he wouldn’t.”

“What? Surely not. I thought he…”

“Enough, Brother. I understand men better than you do.”

My brother opened his mouth.

He seemed inclined to argue, but he was so accustomed to believing that I was right about everything that he could find nothing to say.

Two days later, the Xie family came to perform the first betrothal rite on Xue Shao’s behalf.

The princess resented me. The person accompanying the matchmaker was merely an old Xie servant. It was so improper that it amounted to an insult.

My aunt received them coldly. She ordered only the side gate opened to admit the matchmaker and the servant.

“Apparently any stray cat or dog can come knocking at the Jiang family’s door now.”

My cousin stood with me behind a screen. At this, she looked at me and laughed behind her hand. “Don’t say that, Mother. He isn’t a stray cat or dog. That half-servant will soon be one of the family, calling you Aunt!”

“Hmph. It would soil my ears!”

The old servant belonged to the princess and remained unruffled. After all, my aunt was insulting Xue Shao, not the Xie family or the princess.

The matchmaker was an official one, but even she had never encountered such a reception. Usually eloquent, she stood speechless, holding the carved wooden goose brought as a betrothal gift.

Mother could bear it no longer. “Sister-in-law, that is going too far! The old lady may be a concubine in the marquis’s household, but Xue Shao himself comes from a respectable family. And Pingting, how can you keep calling him a half…a half-servant…”

Her voice dwindled under my aunt’s sharp gaze, but at least she finished.

Father and my brother gave her a thumbs-up.

Behind her back.

Where my aunt couldn’t see.

…How impressive.

I gave a scornful laugh and was about to step out from behind the screen when a servant entered with an odd expression. “Madam, Master Xue…Master Xue has come with a betrothal goose. He says he wishes to perform the rite himself in his late father’s place.”

My aunt frowned and was about to object when the servant timidly added, “He also says that if you won’t admit him, he doesn’t mind asking the neighbors to witness it…outside the gate. Everyone in the city already knows about this marriage, and unlike a great family such as the Jiangs, he has no reputation to protect…”

“…Let him in.” As she spoke, my aunt shot Father and Mother a venomous look.

Soon Xue Shao entered the main hall carrying a live goose tied with red silk and bundles of black and crimson silk.

…Only three days had passed. With the Xie family obstructing him at every turn, how had he managed to assemble the betrothal gifts?

“Xue Shao, how insolent! In all the world—”

My aunt tried to seize the upper hand.

But Xue Shao did not even glance in her direction. He bowed deeply to my parents. “I am Xue Shao. My parents died when I was young and cannot present the goose themselves. As their orphaned son, I act in my late father’s name, respectfully offering these silks and this live goose to seek an alliance with the Jiang household. I wish to take Jiang Zhiyu as my lawful wife.”

Father paused. He glanced at my aunt, whose face had turned livid at being ignored, then summoned the courage to help Xue Shao rise. “No need for such ceremony, my boy. Well…well…since Zhiyu is willing to marry you, her mother and I have no objections. You may not know this, but in our branch of the family, Zhiyu decides—”

“Ahem! Ahem!” Mother coughed abruptly, then whispered, “Too much. You’re saying too much!”

Father hurriedly corrected himself. “In any case, her mother and I agree to the marriage. We only ask that you treat Zhiyu well and listen to her more…no, consult her about things.”

Xue Shao looked briefly startled.

Then his lips curved, his eyes softened, and he bowed again. “I shall remember your advice. From now on, I will be sure to listen to her.”

That man.

His face already hovered between fierceness and sweetness.

With that smile, it was as though ice and snow had melted, leaving him inexplicably…adorable.

My face suddenly felt warm.

The hall must have been stuffy.

My cousin turned to look at me and gave an abrupt little snort. “Whatever happens, he’s only a half-servant. What have you got to be so pleased about?”