Did Miss become a nun today?

Lan Yue became interested. "Speaking of which, I've never heard you mention how you met Miss Zhao before."

"I met her when I was thirteen."

They hadn't known each other for very long, but that's probably what they mean by instant connection.

Just like in the storybooks, she was harassed at the banquet, and her second cousin ignored her, so there was no story of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress.

Zhao Mingyue kicked over the table in front of her, grabbed the man by the collar and was about to teach him a lesson. In fact, she only cursed him a few times, which frightened the girl so much that she burst into tears on the spot.

Xie Yun Chu was afraid that she would be implicated because of her, so she cried even louder than the other person. Later, her aunt intervened, and the matter was dropped.

After that, Zhao Mingyue often sought her out to play. Coincidentally, she was also not well received at the mansion, and was not much different from Zhao Mingyue, who was living under someone else's roof.

Zhao Mingyue seemed to have endless things to say. She said she grew up in the north, but her accent was clearly southern.

She enjoys wielding swords and spears, but when it comes to knowledge, she can also compose poems. She claims to know nothing about tea, yet she can always distinguish between good and bad tea.

At that time, Zhao Mingyue always said, "I came back to Beijing to protect you."

She has rarely said this in the past year, probably because she's embarrassed.

After seeing Zhao Mingyue off, another table was delivered to Pei Changyu. The old nanny who came with her pulled her aside and whispered, "Madam asked me to pass on a message to Miss: staying on the mountain for too long is inconvenient, and it's time to go back."

"Madam understands Miss's thoughts. If we return, she will obey Miss's every wish."

"The lady is very worried about you while you are away. She has also been unwell these past few days. You should go back as soon as possible."

"Is your aunt sick?"

"It's not a serious illness, but I'm just listless all day, and the medicine the doctor prescribed isn't helping."

"Thank you for your trouble, Granny. I will definitely go back as soon as possible."

My aunt has always been in good health; common illnesses don't bother her, but once she gets sick, she doesn't recover for a while.

She was worried, so she took her people back to the city the next day.

Yesterday was the old lady's birthday, and there were still many things that needed her to decide. When she returned, the second and third wives were both there, discussing the expenses for the birthday celebration.

Cen Jingyan, who usually has inexhaustible energy, is now pale and has to lean on a cushion to speak.

"Yun Chu is back?"

"Auntie, why did you suddenly get sick?"

"It's nothing, I get sick like this every year, it'll be fine in a few days."

Xie Yun Chu was worried and insisted on staying to take care of her, but Cen Jing Yan wouldn't let her. "I know my own body, it's nothing serious. If you really care about your aunt, please promise her one thing, okay?"

"You name it, I'll agree to anything."

"Your aunt won't force you to marry your second cousin, but you're already sixteen this year, and the marriage can't be delayed any longer."

She was originally going to marry Pei Changfeng, so she wasn't in a hurry, and Cen Jingyan had never mentioned it.

But now that there's no definite news about their relationship, they have no choice but to start making arrangements.

"aunt......"

"Yun Chu, your aunt only has this one wish, are you not going to grant it?"

Cen Jingyan coughed twice, her face turning even paler. The nanny quickly fed her two sips of hot water, and Xie Yun Chu helped her catch her breath. "Aunt, please don't be angry. I promise, I promise, okay?"

She helped the person lie down, took the water from the nanny's hand, and fed her a few more sips. Her complexion seemed to improve.

"Then promise your aunt that you will go to meet the potential matchmaker tomorrow."

"Alright, you tell me who I should consult, and I'll consult whoever you want."

Cen Jingyan was finally satisfied and had the nanny bring her the names of the families she had visited in the past few days.

"Your aunt is only doing this for your own good. If you don't stay in the Marquis's mansion, what if you get bullied after you get married?"

"Your aunt wouldn't harm you; she chose someone with a good family background and good character."

She only looked at the first few and didn't look at the rest. "Yes, I'll listen to Aunt."

Once outside the room, Granny Zhao comforted her, "Miss, don't worry. Madam has a good eye for people. This old servant has also inquired about it. You will definitely have a good life after you marry into that family."

"Yes, thank you, Granny."

To her utter surprise, things developed so quickly. She had just returned from Qingyun Nunnery when she was dragged to a teahouse the very next day.

She was exhausted after meeting two people. Lan Yue couldn't help but smile. "Miss, please bear with it. Madam has arranged six for you today. This is less than half."

"Six?"

"Madam is worried about Miss's marriage. I looked at that booklet yesterday; it was over ten pages long, with dozens of entries."

Everything went black. Let her go.

After resting for fifteen minutes, footsteps sounded outside again, unhurried, steady, and powerful.

The moment the door opened and the person entered, Xie Yun Chu spat out a mouthful of water.

"Cough...cough cough cough..."

The man walked in, bowed, and sat down directly opposite her.

No, is that right?

"Why are you here?"

Wei Zhao said earnestly, "Since this is a matchmaking event, I naturally have to come."

"Miss Xie didn't look at the brochure? I should be on it."

She didn't look closely, but why is he joining in the fun?

"General Wei should know why we're here today, right?"

"Know."

I came because I knew that.

Wei Zhao wants to marry her? Why?

They didn't have much interaction; he only helped her a few times, yet he wanted to marry her?

Seeing her hesitation, Wei Zhao asked, "Miss Xie, do you still remember what you promised last time?"

"Of course I remember. I owe the general a favor, and I dare not forget it."

"In that case, I have a request."

"Please speak, General."

"When Miss Xie is choosing a husband, could you perhaps consider me? Don't be so quick to reject me?"

Xie Yun Chu was stunned. Was the favor she owed going to be used for this?

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. "I'm sure."

His tone and expression were so serious, like he was going to war.

She couldn't refuse any longer, so she nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

If it were any other time, she would definitely ask him about his injury, but in this situation, she couldn't say anything.

She picked up the now-cold tea and took a small sip, utterly at a loss for words.

Wei Zhao showed no embarrassment whatsoever; in fact, she even smiled at her when she looked over.

"I heard that Miss Xie just returned from Qingyun Nunnery."

"Yes."

"Has Wei Lin caused you any trouble?"

Xie Yun Chu shook her head. "No."

He wanted to look for it, but he didn't have the chance.

"If he does anything to upset you again, just tell me and I'll teach him a lesson."

In the past, she would have definitely complained and made Wei Lin suffer. She was happy to see that happen. But now she has figured it out. Those are all insignificant people. What is there to be angry about?

"These are just minor incidents, nothing to worry about, General Wei, you don't need to take them to heart."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room returned to silence.

Wei Zhao glanced at her from time to time, as if he had something to say.

Lan Yue, noticing her presence, asked, "General Wei, do you have something to give my young lady?"

Upon being caught red-handed, Wei Zhao coughed lightly, "Well... there is indeed one."

As he spoke, he took out a paper package from his pocket. "This is for you."

Lan Yue stepped forward and opened the oil paper package, revealing candied fruit that exuded the fragrance of osmanthus.

"When General Wei came in just now, I smelled the fragrance of osmanthus and thought that the general had put on powder."

Her teasing lightened the atmosphere, and Xie Yun Chu stared at the candied fruit in a daze.

She had only eaten this once, given to her by a nobleman outside the city.

Later, she asked around, but couldn't find the osmanthus-scented candied fruit, and naturally, she couldn't find the person who helped her back then.

"Where did this candied fruit come from?"

"My family cook made it."

Made by my own cook...

Xie Yun Chu suddenly realized, "Wasn't it a lady who saved me back then?"

The man was riding in a carriage, and the person speaking was a young woman.

"Do you remember?"

"Of course I remember. If it weren't for that person, I wouldn't even have been able to get through the city gate."

"Do you still remember the person who kept talking to you when you were taken to the Zhaoping Marquis's residence?"

When the carriage entered the city, a young voice outside kept comforting her. At that time, she was dressed in tattered clothes and her face was dirty, so she didn't dare to look up.

All she remembered was that the man kept comforting her, and he even helped her down from the carriage and led her by the hand into the Zhaoping Marquis's residence.

She was so focused on how delicious the candied fruit was that she didn't remember what the person said, what the person who brought her into the mansion looked like, or when they left.

"Is it you?"

Wei Zhao's expression brightened. "So, all things considered, we actually met quite early."

"At that time, I was going to the border with my father and happened to be passing through."

Xie Yunchu was stunned for a long time. This was what Buddha meant by "There are causes and conditions in the world, and the world is formed by causes and conditions".

Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Miss, it's almost time."

Granny Zhao kept track of the time outside, ensuring that each person's meeting would not exceed half an hour.

Wei Zhao stood up. "Then I shall take my leave."

"General, please take care."

After Wei Zhao left, he went downstairs, glanced up, and saw Xie Yun Chu by the window. He smiled at her.

But they didn't see a person standing not far away, staring angrily at the two of them.