The most dissolute couple in the capital

Since she had decided to propose marriage to the Su family, Madam He did not hesitate. After much consideration, she asked an older lady from the Marquis's mansion to act as matchmaker.

Having received the request, the lady of the Marquis's mansion was surprised that such a prominent family in the capital would take a fancy to an orphan girl from a declining scholarly family, but she did not say anything. She simply followed the rules and went to the Su family with generous gifts.

The Su family's house is still the two-courtyard house left by Su's father. Although it is not spacious, it is kept extremely clean and elegant.

Su Ruolan's younger brother is currently studying at the academy, and Su Ruolan is away from home for many years, so the household has not acquired many servants.

When the Lady of the Marquis's Mansion entered, Su Heng was accompanying her mother in the courtyard, basking in the sun.

After taking their seats and exchanging pleasantries, the Lady of the Marquis's household spoke with great propriety. She first praised Su Heng's ability to "not be outdone by men" with a smile, then recounted the upright family tradition of the He family and He Li's sincere heart, and finally explained her purpose with a smile.

"What Lord He and Madam He mean is that although the Second Young Master He Li is sometimes a bit impulsive, he is truly devoted to Miss Su. If the Su family does not mind, the He family is willing to marry him with the most solemn ceremony for a principal wife."

The lady of the Marquis's mansion said with a touch of emotion, "The He family has also promised that after the marriage, everything will be as Miss Su wishes, whether she chooses to become an official or to take care of her family. The He family will respect Miss Su's wishes."

Upon hearing this, Su's mother was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a moment.

She felt her daughter pinch her and understood what she meant: "Madam, you've gone to a lot of trouble to make this trip."

She smiled and said, "The Su family appreciates Lord He's magnanimity and Young Master He's sincerity. Since the He family is so sincere and willing to respect my son so much, I will not be coy at all."

"I agree to this marriage. I would be grateful if you would trouble you to inform the He family that the Su family is willing to form a friendly alliance between the two families."

There was no unnecessary back-and-forth between the two sides, and everything went incredibly smoothly.

Even the Lady of the Marquis's Mansion, who was originally not very satisfied with the Su family, has gained a bit more favor towards the Su family's straightforward and decisive style.

Regardless of the social standing of the two parties, the fact that a marriage could be arranged is a joyous occasion for the Lady of the Marquis's household.

Lady Hou, beaming with joy, grasped Su's mother's hand. "In that case, this match made in heaven is settled! I'll return to the He family immediately to share the good news, and tomorrow we'll have them choose the nearest auspicious day to exchange the betrothal gifts!"

After the door closed, the courtyard became quiet.

Mother Su gripped her daughter's hand tightly, her expression filled with worry: "The He family... the He family is the Prefect of the Capital..."

Su Heng knelt down and gently took her mother's hand: "Daughter knows."

"Hey, you've always been a person with your own ideas."

Su Ruolan simply smiled; she had been able to sense He Li's feelings for her since they left the capital.

At first, Su Ruolan didn't take it to heart at all. She was so busy all day long that she had no time to pay attention to the young masters' romantic affairs.

At the time, I only thought of him as a troublesome person who came to gain experience. Apart from official business, I was always polite but distant and kept my distance from him in private.

But gradually, she found that this troublesome person was also quite interesting.

He began to study those dry laws and local chronicles diligently; whenever local powerful figures showed contempt for Su Ruolan because she was a woman, He Li was always the first to slam the table and stand up, scolding them mercilessly, clearing a path for her and protecting her so she could get the job done.

Su Ruolan wasn't heartless. She had witnessed He Li's transformation over the past six months, from clumsy and ineffective attempts to gradually being able to follow her train of thought.

What truly broke her defenses was when she was checking the accounts last month.

After working through several sleepless nights in a row, Su Ruolan finally sorted out the local tax accounts, but she was so exhausted that she almost fainted in the study. He Li caught her in time.

That night, He Li, his face flushed, stammered as he held a bowl of steaming ginger soup and confessed his feelings to her.

What was Su Ruolan's response at the time?

She showed no girlish shyness, but simply took a half step back: "Second Young Master He, although my Su family has fallen on hard times, I, Su Ruolan, have finally managed to serve under His Highness the Prince of Yan, and I am here to make a name for myself. We are not on the same path."

She had thought that these outrageous words would be enough to make this young master of a noble family back down, or even make him feel disgusted.

After all, what man in this world would want his wife to be out in the public eye every day, putting him in a position of power?

But He Li was not angry at all; on the contrary, he became anxious.

"Who says you have to quit your job after getting married? You're so smart, you're better at investigating accounts and solving cases than those men. If you were to be confined to the inner quarters just for the sake of marriage, wouldn't that be a waste of your talents?"

He Li took a deep breath: "Miss Su, I know what you're afraid of. I'm not good with sweet words, but I've never considered you a caged bird. As long as you agree, you can continue being a lady-in-waiting, and I'll be your support! If the world dares to laugh at you, I'll curse them back; if my mother tries to stop you, I'll beg my father and His Highness Prince Liang! You do your job, build your career, and I'll willingly serve you from behind, handing you brushes and ink!"

Su Ruolan looked at the young man in front of her who was not particularly upright and even a bit silly.

If I had to choose someone to marry, this seems like a good option...

Coming back to her senses, Su Ruolan looked at her mother, whose face was full of worry, and grasped her rough hand in return, her eyes bright and firm.

"Mom, don't worry too much." She winked playfully. "Who's marrying above our station is still uncertain."