Chapter 27

The next day, after Qiao Tianjing returned from the court, he was summoned by Mrs. Qiao.

“Mother!”

Qiao Tianjing came over in his official attire, a gentlemanly demeanor, with features like a painting, already of marriageable age.

Qiao Jiaojiao already knew Mrs. Qiao’s plan, so she sat aside and smirked.

Mrs. Qiao pulled Qiao Tianjing to sit down and asked gently, “Eldest, what do you think of Miss Han I mentioned to you last time?”

As soon as Mrs. Qiao said this, Qiao Tianjing immediately blushed.

“Whatever mother chooses must naturally be the best.”

Mrs. Qiao was not satisfied with this answer. She smiled and asked, “I’m asking about your opinion.”

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but chuckle.

[Brother’s face is as red as a monkey’s butt!]

Qiao Tianjing felt even hotter on his face now. “I… I am also pleased.”

After saying this, unable to bear Qiao Jiaojiao’s gaze, he suddenly stood up.

“Mother, there are still official duties ahead. I’ll take my leave. Everything is up to mother’s decision.”

Seeing her eldest brother fleeing in embarrassment, Qiao Jiaojiao laughed so hard that she rolled into a ball on the bed.

Mrs. Qiao acted swiftly. That afternoon, she asked Mrs. Yang from the Ministry of Industry to go to the Han family and sound them out.

Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Qiao were very close friends in the women’s circle.

When prominent families in the capital wanted to arrange marriages, the groom’s side would usually invite a distinguished lady to inquire about the bride’s side.

This was a matter of prestige for the bride’s side and also to avoid direct contact between the two sides, which could lead to gossip and even enmity if the marriage proposal fell through.

Mrs. Yang was happy to make this trip for Mrs. Qiao. In the afternoon, she went to the Han family and presented her visiting card.

As Mrs. Yang was the superior of Mr. Han, Mrs. Yang was naturally warmly received when she arrived at the Han residence.

Mrs. Han couldn’t guess Mrs. Yang’s intentions. She thought her husband had offended someone again, making it difficult for the household, so she was quite nervous for a while.

Mrs. Yang was easygoing. Seeing Mrs. Han’s uneasiness, she quickly stepped forward and took her hand.

“Sister Han, I’ve come today to tell you some good news.”

Mrs. Han was a little confused for a moment. Her husband not offending anyone outside was already fortunate enough, let alone thinking about good news.

Mrs. Yang smiled slyly, “I heard that Miss Han from your family is gentle, intelligent, and well-educated. Can you let me meet her?”

Mrs. Han’s heart skipped a beat when she heard this. Was Mrs. Yang here to discuss a marriage proposal?

And for which family?

In fact, she had been considering her daughter’s marriage recently. The wife of the Assistant Minister of Justice had hinted at a possible match with their family. Their statuses were quite similar, which was a good choice.

“Nanny, go and bring Miss over. Say that an honored guest wants to meet her.”

The nanny on the side hurriedly went, feeling startled. Being able to invite the daughter of the Minister of Industry to discuss marriage was unexpected. They needed to make sure Miss looked her best before meeting her!

Han Yaxian was practicing calligraphy in the room.

Every stroke was full of strength, showing her diligence in calligraphy. But for some reason, the last stroke ended up crooked.

Seeing this, Han Yaxian felt a bit discouraged and put down her brush, unable to calm her heart.

Last night, her mother had mentioned a few families for her to consider. The son of the Assistant Minister of Justice seemed to be the most suitable match, with matching social status.

Han Yaxian knew in her heart that the son of the Assistant Minister of Justice was indeed the best choice, but in her heart… in her heart…

Thinking of this, Han Yaxian felt sour and bitter because she knew very well that she and that person were quite different in terms of social status.

Moreover, they had only met briefly; perhaps he had already forgotten about her…

As Han Yaxian was thinking this, Grandma Gu hurried over.

“Miss, madam is calling you to meet a guest.”

Han Yaxian was slightly surprised. “Who is it?”

Grandma Gu, not daring to be careless, said in a deep voice, “Miss, it’s the wife of the Minister of Industry.”

As soon as this was said, Han Yaxian’s expression suddenly changed. “Could it be that Father has offended someone again?”

Grandma Gu hastily waved her hand. She knew that some things shouldn’t be said in front of Miss, but considering the importance of the matter, Grandma Gu couldn’t help but reveal a sentence:

“Miss, Mrs. Yang specifically asked to see you.”

After a moment of bewilderment, Han Yaxian finally realized that Mrs. Yang had come specifically for her.

As a young lady of the family, the only significant matter that would warrant Mrs. Yang’s attention was her lifelong marriage.

Thinking of this, Han Yaxian sighed softly and turned to sit in front of the dressing table, saying to her maid,

“Chunxi, please change my hairstyle for me.”

Regardless of who Mrs. Yang was proposing a match for, she represented the face and upbringing of the Han family and could not afford to neglect such an important guest.

Chunxi was skillful and quickly dressed Han Yaxian in a new style.

She put on a long lake-green dress, her features delicate and charming, like a piece of warm jade.

When Mrs. Yang saw Han Yaxian, her eyes couldn’t help but light up.

The girl was elegant and pure, with clear eyes and graceful manners, truly a rare good girl!

Mrs. Yang stood up, took Han Yaxian’s hand, and took off a bracelet from her wrist and gave it to her.

“Good child, you’re truly a good child.”

After Han Yaxian left, Mrs. Yang formally stated her purpose.

“Sister, to be frank with you, it was Mrs. Qiao who asked me to act as a matchmaker. Their eldest son wants to propose to Miss Han from your family.”

Han’s wife was suddenly shocked. “The Qiao family?”

Han Yaxian hadn’t gone far yet when Mrs. Han’s short exclamation fell into her ears.

She stopped abruptly, standing still in place.

At this moment, a mix of joy, fear, and disbelief rushed to her heart, making Han Yaxian feel a bit dizzy.

Was it… that Qiao family?

Mrs. Yang saw Mrs. Han’s incredulous expression and couldn’t help but smile.

Don’t blame Mrs. Han. Even she was greatly surprised when she heard it from Mrs. Qiao’s mouth.

After all, everyone in the capital knew that the eldest son of the Qiao family had the qualification to marry even a princess.

Mrs. Han was somewhat fearful. “Mrs. Yang, this… I’m afraid…”

She had felt that Mrs. Qiao’s expression when she talked about Xian’er was a bit meaningful, but the eldest son of the Qiao family was famous throughout the capital. She didn’t dare to think in the direction of marriage.

Of course, Mrs. Han naturally felt that her daughter was the best choice, but this difference in status… was quite significant.

She worried that her daughter would have to endure being treated unfairly after marrying into such a family.

Mrs. Yang saw Mrs. Han’s concern and comforted her gently,

“Don’t worry, Miss Han. The Qiao family genuinely wants to propose to your daughter. I won’t hide it from you. Mrs. Qiao is a close friend of mine. She specifically asked me to ensure this matter goes through.”

“I know Mrs. Qiao very well. She is gentle and kind, and she will definitely treat your daughter well. As for the eldest son, I’ve watched him grow up with my own eyes. He has exemplary character, and anyone who sees him praises him.”

“As for Miss Han’s concern about the difference in status, Mrs. Qiao specifically instructed me to tell you that they, the Qiao family, do not care about this. If Miss Han marries into their family, she will be loved as if she were their own daughter.”