After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 713 Reminder
Jin Jiashu was invited back to the upper room.

Ma learned from Aunt Cui that he had brought new gossip, and she couldn't help but regret that she had only taken care of family matters before and sent Jin Jiashu away without asking him clearly about his purpose. Fortunately, he didn't leave, but went to chat with his granddaughter Haitang in the west wing, otherwise wouldn't she know the latest news later than others?
Ma asked about Wu Ke's marriage with concern. Although this good marriage did not end up with her granddaughter, Wu Ke was still Xie Wenzai's student, and she watched him grow up. He was also the nephew of the Zhenguo Mansion, so she would naturally care about his lifelong affairs.

Jin Jiashu actually heard some inside information from Wu Ke in bits and pieces, and combined it with some information accidentally leaked by Ma Shangyi and Chunyu, he pieced together a gossip version, thinking that it was at least 80% true. Even if it was only used to deal with Ma, it was enough. As long as the marriage was not decided, any changes were possible. Even if the news that Ma heard from other places conflicted with his statement, it would not affect anything.

Jin Jiashu gave a brief account of what he knew. Although there was not much new content, Ma was still satisfied.

She sighed, "I have been busy at home these past two days and have no time to take care of other things. I didn't know that there are so many secrets behind the marriage between the Wu family's son and the Xin Zhifu's daughter. I have to find time to visit the Sixth Madam at the Zhenguo Mansion some other day. The Wu family's daughter has just recovered from her illness, so my Tangtang should also go to visit the little sisters and give them some gifts and express some condolences."

She asked Jin Jiashu again: "What has Sister Ma been busy with these days? She hasn't come to our house to talk for a long time. I wanted to go and chat with her, but she is always busy. Could it be that she is still worrying about the marriage of the Wu family's son for the wife of the Zhenguogong?"

Jin Jiashu smiled and said, "That's right. I thought the Xin family's marriage would be settled soon, but I didn't expect it to take so long. After all, Wu Ke is of Zhou family blood, and the Empress Dowager in the palace is also concerned about his lifelong affairs. How could Ma Ma ignore it?"

Ma sighed: "She is just like that. She will always do her best to do what the Queen Mother tells her to do." Thinking back to the past, it was because Ma Shangyi liked her granddaughter that she wanted to vigorously promote the marriage between Haitang and Wu Ke. It can be seen that she is really very close to the Hai family. It's a pity that her granddaughter and the boy of the Wu family are not destined to be together after all. The daughter of the Xin family has a good reputation, but they are not familiar with her, and they don't know Haitang as well as they do. Naturally, they are worried whether her temperament is suitable for being the wife of the Wu family. No wonder Ma Shangyi is so concerned and goes to the Zhenguo Mansion every day to help the Duke's wife.

Thinking of this, Ma looked at Jin Jiashu again: "Sister Ma is so busy, can she take care of the family affairs? Can you make new clothes for this winter? Are there firewood and charcoal for three meals a day and heating at home? If there is anything missing, just ask, we have bought everything and can give you some at any time. Don't tell others about it."

She was a little suspicious. These past few days, Jin Jiashu came to Hai's house almost every day to sit around, and sometimes he would stay for dinner. Could it be that the family was too busy to take care of him for the time being?
Jin Jiashu said hurriedly, "Don't worry, Grandma Hai. Everything is fine at home. The three meals a day are provided normally, and Aunt Lu never lets me go hungry. As for new clothes, I heard they are still being made. The weather is not too cold right now, and I can survive with last year's old clothes. There is no need to disturb Aunt Ma's business for such a small matter."

Ma sighed and said, "You are such a sensible kid! You would rather suffer yourself than cause trouble to others. Well, I know your difficulties." Ma Shangyi was sent by the palace, not Jin Jiashu's biological father, but was ordered to take care of him. It was human nature that he was embarrassed to ask Ma Shangyi, not to mention that Ma Shangyi also had to pay attention to the marriage of Wu Ke, the nephew and grandson of Empress Dowager Zhou. Even if Jin Jiashu was Concubine Xu's nephew, he could not bypass Wu Ke!

Well, Ma Shangyi has always treated her like her own sister and always thought about her husband and children. Ma felt that she had nothing to repay this elder sister. It was her duty to help Ma Shangyi find out the gaps and take care of Jin Jiashu to prevent her from making mistakes in her work.

Thinking of this, Ma said, "We have already got new winter clothes for this year. The needlework lady is free right now. I will ask her to make you two sets of new winter clothes that can be worn at home. They can be made in three or four days. You can wear them for now. There is no need to distract Ma. When your new winter clothes are delivered, they will be just right for the New Year."

Jin Jiashu was stunned and tried to refuse, but Ma said, "You are so familiar with our family. It's just two pieces of clothing. Do you still want to be polite to us? That means you treat us as outsiders."

Jin Jiashu immediately shut up, blushing slightly and smiling, "Grandma Hai, how can your family be outsiders? In my heart, I have long regarded you and Grandpa Hai as relatives. If you don't think it's too much trouble, then... I'll leave all my winter clothes for this year in your hands." Ma then showed a satisfied expression, "Don't worry, I will do it properly."

It was getting late, and the matchmaker was already outside the door. Ma Li's wife came to report the news, and Jin Jiashu stood up and said goodbye with a tactful look.

Ma ordered Aunt Cui to send the man away, and then turned to her granddaughter Haitang who had been sitting quietly beside her and said, "Why did you leave him at home to talk? The two of you have been chatting in the west wing for so long, and you didn't even call a maid to serve tea. Aren't you afraid of gossip?!"

Haitang looked indifferent: "He often comes to our house and has lived in our house for a long time. Those who know that he went to the west wing today are all our own family members. Who would bother to gossip about me? Besides, the news he brought me happened to be of interest to me. I was only concerned about asking him about it. How could I think of anything else?" She glanced at her grandmother and said, "Didn't grandma invite him back to ask about Wu Ke's marriage as soon as she heard that there were twists and turns?"

Ma coughed twice, a little embarrassed, and whispered: "Then you don't need to talk for so long... He doesn't know much, and he can finish it in a few words..."

Haitang sneered, "I'm not as familiar with him as my brother is, and I can't speak freely. If I ask him about other people's marriage matters, it would be too awkward. I have to lay the groundwork and exchange a few pleasantries."

Ma thought what she heard made sense, and she didn't want to lecture her granddaughter anymore. She just said, "When our family buys a new maid, you will have someone to serve you. Next time you go to ask the Jin family's brother for information, with a maid present, you won't be considered a single man and a single woman, and you won't be afraid of being gossiped about."

Haitang curled her lips and said, "When did our family become so concerned about etiquette and rules? When Brother Jin came to our house before, you never mentioned anything about the separation of men and women, but now you are paying attention to it."

"You can't say that. You're grown up now. You're not as good as you were when you were little." Ma lowered her voice. "If you're used to being casual in Chang'an, your family won't think it's a big deal. But when you go to the capital, people will gossip about you! Your grandfather and I are thinking of finding a marriage partner for you in the capital. It's best to find a good and respectable family. The respectable families in the capital all value rules and etiquette. What if they find fault with you? For your future, you'd better be honest. It's better to be strict with the rules. They will only be strict for a few years. When you get married well in the future, you don't have to worry about your life, and your grandfather and I can rest assured!"

Haitang pursed her lips, feeling extremely bored.

She knew that it was impossible for her not to get married in this life. She was not going to enter the palace to be a lady-in-waiting, nor was she going to become a nun. She was in good health and had a good reputation, so there was no reason for her not to get married.

But why does she always feel uncomfortable when she really has to get married blindly and live with someone she doesn't know at all?

(End of this chapter)