“Where is this?” The maid looked at Xu Yi in shock. “Young master, this is our mansion. How could you forget after just going out? Young master, quickly wash up, or the master will get angry again.” As the maid helped Xu Yi, the black rope exposed from his clothing triggered a memory.

After Xu Yi finished washing up, he headed straight for the main hall. An elderly man was sitting in the hall. “Look at the time, and you’re just getting up. When will you stop worrying me?”

“Maybe when I take charge,” Xu Yi answered directly. The old man was furious. “You want to take charge? It’s still a long way off. You’re always idle. If you really want to, hurry up and get to serious business.” He paused before continuing, “Tomorrow, go to the Jiang family and deliver a congratulatory gift to Old Master Jiang.”

“Jiang family?” Xu Yi asked, his thoughts clearing up. He then called over a nearby maid. “Do you know anything about the eldest daughter of the Jiang family?”

“Young master, as far as I know, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family is exceptionally beautiful, skilled in the arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and has a gentle temperament. Could it be that young master wants…?” The maid was interrupted by Xu Yi.

“Help me investigate all the information on the young master of the Wang family. The payment will be arranged through the steward. Are you willing to do this?”

“Of course, young master! I’ll take care of it right away.”

In the room, Xu Yi sat back in a chair. “The eldest daughter of the Jiang family marrying the eldest son of the Wang family…”

The next day, at the Jiang family’s entrance, two sedan chairs arrived at the same time. Xu Yi lifted the curtain and saw the person in the opposite sedan chair—Yi Yu. “Who’s in the other sedan chair?” he asked.

“The young master of the Yu family, I think he’s also here to deliver a congratulatory gift to Old Master Jiang,” the coachman replied.

As they spoke, the gate of the Jiang family opened, and the steward signaled for them to enter. The two sedan chairs stopped, and Old Master Jiang greeted them warmly. “The two families’ masters are considerate. Please, sit down. I’ll have some snacks brought for you.”

“May I ask if the eldest daughter of the Jiang family is in the mansion?” Xu Yi and Yi Yu asked almost simultaneously. Old Master Jiang, sipping his tea, replied, “She’s in the garden pavilion. Do you have something to discuss?”

Madam Jiang, sitting beside him, added, “Go ahead. She’s in the garden, playing the zither…”

Xu Yi rolled up his sleeves, revealing the black rope. Yi Yu looked toward the pavilion in the distance. “I see.”

In the garden pavilion, Jiang Yu was playing the zither. Apart from the maid, there was also a guard nearby. The guard put a coat over Jiang Yu. “Miss, you just recovered from your illness. Don’t catch a chill.”

“A-Yuan, I haven’t left my room in so long. Just for a little while.” Jiang Yu spoke with a tone of pleading, and A-Yuan reluctantly agreed.

Xu Yi spoke up, “Miss Jiang.” This time, Jiang Yu noticed the two of them. “Is there something you need?”

Yi Yu got straight to the point. “May I ask, Miss Jiang, do you have someone you care for?”

A-Yuan had already unsheathed a sword and pointed it at Yi Yu. Jiang Yu stood up. “A-Yuan, put the sword down.”

“Are you crazy? Who asks someone like that?” Yi Yu’s expression was serious. “Then how should I ask?”

Jiang Yu calmed A-Yuan down. “May I ask why Young Master Yu is asking this?”

“I’m here to ask for a friend,” Yi Yu replied.

“Tell your friend to look elsewhere,” Jiang Yu responded. “A-Yuan, I’m tired. Help me back to my room.”

“Young Master Wang…” Xu Yi was eating a snack when Yi Yu kept staring at the receding figure. “Otherwise?”

Xu Yi almost choked on his food and quickly patted his chest. Yi Yu handed him some tea. “You’re not afraid of choking yourself?”

“Since we’re in the same team, I’ll be straightforward. I’ve already asked the maid in the mansion to gather information about Young Master Wang,” Yi Yu continued.

It seemed that Yi Yu already had an answer in mind. “So, the person you care about is A-Yuan?”

Tea splashed out of Xu Yi’s mouth. “No way!”