During famine years, I had a divination slip in hand, and my whole family ate chicken, duck, fish, a

Why is the old lady so enthusiastic? Is it because she's interested in her kidneys?

As Ye Qingqing followed the maid through the covered walkway, she took in the layout of the Zhao residence.

The courtyard has three entrances and three exits. The main house has five rooms with side rooms. The east wing has a study and a flower hall for receiving guests, and there is a small garden on the west side.

This kind of spectacle is truly unique in this remote border town of Kaoshantun!

The charcoal fire was burning brightly in the main hall.

The old lady sat in the huanghuali armchair at the head of the table, wearing a dark purple silk robe with cloud patterns, her hair neatly combed, and adorned with a fine jade hairpin.

Her elegant and luxurious demeanor was on full display!

When she saw Ye Qingqing come in, her face lit up with a smile, and she looked incredibly kind and gentle.

"Miss Ye has arrived, please have a seat."

The old lady waved to her and said with a kind and gentle expression,

"It must be cold on the road, right? Someone, bring up some rock sugar bird's nest soup to warm the young lady up."

"You're too kind, Madam."

Ye Qingqing bowed respectfully and sat down on the stool below her.

The maidservant then handed over a small, delicate porcelain bowl. Ye Qingqing took it, smelled the aroma first, and then slowly took a sip.

"Thank you, Madam."

This is her first time trying bird's nest. It's great!

The old lady smiled and looked her over, her gaze sliding from her face to her hands, and then from her hands to her waist.

"Look at these hands, young lady, so fair and delicate, they don't seem like the kind of hands you'd use for rough work."

Ye Qingqing smiled and said, "Please forgive me, Madam. Although my family are hunters, my father, my elder brother and sister-in-law dote on me and don't make me do any work."

Actually, they didn't dare ask her to do it.

Before the words were finished, the curtain was suddenly lifted, and a familiar figure slipped in.

Ye Qingqing frowned. Holy crap?

Zhao Yuanlang!

He changed into a dark blue robe with dark cloud patterns, a jade pendant hanging from his jade belt, and his hair was tied up with a mutton-fat jade crown. He looked every bit the noble young master, so good that no one could find a single fault with him.

Ye Qingqing blinked. Zhao Mansion... Zhao Yuanlang?

So this is his house!

Zhao Yuanlang was surprised when he suddenly saw Ye Qingqing.

"Qingqing? Grandmother, you didn't tell me we had guests today!"

"You silly child, do I need to report everything to you when I invite a girl over for dinner?"

The old lady gave him a reproachful glare, then turned to Ye Qingqing with a smile and said, "This is my grandson, Yuanlang. He grew up with me and I've spoiled him rotten. He doesn't even greet guests properly! Please don't take offense, Miss Ye."

"Grandmother, I know Miss Qingqing well, there's no need to be so polite."

Zhao Yuanlang smiled politely, sat down opposite Ye Qingqing, took the tea offered by the maid, first served a cup to the old lady, and then placed two pieces of osmanthus cake in the small dish in front of Ye Qingqing.

"Miss Qingqing, try this. It was made by the cooks in the manor; you can't buy it anywhere else."

Pshaw, who knows you?

I wouldn't even bother getting to know you!

Ye Qingqing chuckled inwardly, but said "thank you" aloud, picked up a piece, and pretended to take a bite.

"Mmm, delicious! It's really soft, sweet, and fragrant."

Zhao Yuanlang sat diagonally opposite her, chatting casually, asking about the shop's business, the price of wild vegetables, and the recent harvest in town.

The questions were all asked casually, but every sentence steered the conversation toward her business.

This annoyed Ye Qingqing so much that she wanted to get up and leave immediately!

Out of respect for the old lady, she had no choice but to give a perfunctory reply.

After finally sitting down at the table, she had only taken a few bites when the old lady put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and looked at her with a smile, saying...

"Miss Ye, I have something to say, but please don't take offense!"

Ye Qingqing slowly chewed the pickled goose in her mouth, smiling politely.

"Please speak, Madam."

Actually, you'd better not say it.

"My grandson, Yuanlang..."

The old lady reached out and patted Zhao Yuanlang's hand, looking at him with a smile.

"He's 19 this year and still not engaged. He has very high standards! But he's been steady and diligent in his studies since he was a child. He was an official in the provincial government. Later, when his grandfather wanted to return to his hometown to retire, he resigned without hesitation and came back with him... His filial piety is impeccable."

He's the child I raised, so of course I know him. He has a good temperament, is kind to everyone, and everyone in the family speaks highly of him.

Ye Qingqing, "..."

Madam, what do you mean by this?

"Qingqing, you're fifteen already, aren't you? Back in our day, we got engaged at thirteen or fourteen."

Seeing that she didn't speak, the old lady thought she was shy and laughed even harder.

"The moment I saw you today, I took a liking to you! You're good-looking, you have a good personality, you're good in every way!"

I said, "Such a wonderful child, isn't he a perfect match for my Lang'er? You two are so compatible in looks and personality; if I don't speak up, I'm afraid someone else will snatch this wonderful marriage away!"

Ye Qingqing took a breath.

"Madam, you flatter me. I don't think so..."

"Grandmother, actually I also... "

As if on purpose, Zhao Yuanlang interrupted her, a gentle smile on his face, "My grandson, like his grandmother, felt that Qingqing was gentle and virtuous the first time he met her."

Ye Qingqing blinked.

I?

Gentle and kind?

skilled?

Zhao Yuanlang, when did you go blind?!

The old lady said with a surprised look,

"Really? My grandson has such good taste! Qingqing, look, Yuanlang has long had his eye on you!"

Although our Zhao family has some standing in the provincial capital, we don't care about social status when it comes to marriage. As long as the girl is a good person, we treat her the same.

Ye Qingqing grinned. "Really?"

Hehe... I appreciate your high regard!

"Miss Qingqing, would you like to give Yuanlang a try?"

The old lady said with a smile, "The banquet today was originally intended to thank the young lady, and also to give you two a chance to talk. If you're willing, I'll have someone invite a matchmaker tomorrow..."

"I don't want to."

Before she could finish speaking, Ye Qingqing put down her chopsticks, raised an eyebrow, and smiled faintly.

"Madam, please don't misunderstand. It's not that Young Master Zhao is bad, it's me! I'm not good enough for Young Master Zhao."

The room fell silent for a moment.

The old lady's smile froze on her face, but only for a moment before she recovered and said with a smile,

"Young lady, marriage is a serious matter; it can't be decided on the first meeting. You should get to know Yuan Lang better first, he..."

"Madam."

Ye Qingqing quickly interrupted her, waving her hand and saying, "It's not a matter of understanding or not understanding; it's just that I'm not attracted to Young Master Zhao at all! Sorry, I won't consider this matter."

The old lady and Zhao Yuanlang were both taken aback.

A call coming in?

What does that mean?

Zhao Yuanlang was the first to react, chuckled, and joked,

"Qingqing, you're so funny... No spark? Does that mean not now, or not at all?"