Chapter 370

Zheng Mama slapped her thigh urgently and said: "It's the Third Young Master Zhuang from Zhongyi Hou Fu!"

Zhuang Wei?

Zhuang Wei?

Why is it him again?

How is it him again?

He's sick, right?

Is he sick?

Li Qingluo cursed him in her heart, and her face darkened uncontrollably.

Li Qingluo cursed him loudly in her heart, and her face darkened uncontrollably.

What's wrong with him? Even the Zhongyi Marquis Estate is letting him run amok like this!

"What madness is he having? Does the Zhongyi Hou Fu just let him run wild like this?"

Previously, Zhuang Wei caught Liu Qinzhu and Prince Yun in the act of their affair.

Earlier, because Liu Qiongzhu and Prince Yun were having an affair, Zhuang Wei caught them red-handed.

From then on, the Li family daughter's reputation was completely destroyed in Jinling.

From then on, the reputation of the Li family's daughter was utterly ruined in Jinling City.

Zhuang Wei doesn't need to agonize over how to call off the engagement with Li Qingluo.

There was no need for Zhuang Wei himself to struggle and rack his brains over how to break off the engagement with Li Qingluo.

The Zhongyi Marquis Estate themselves wouldn't dare mention this marriage again.

The Zhongyi Hou Fu themselves dared not bring up this marriage again.

Even though Li Qingluo was later pestered by Zhuang Wei twice more.

Even though Li Qingluo was later entangled by Zhuang Wei two more times.

She thought he was like this because he had something wrong with his head.

She felt that he was also like this because he had a brain problem.

Why is there still talk about him now?

How come there's still something about him now?

Granny Zheng said, "This time, the one who came to propose is the old lady of the Zhongyi Marquis Estate. She personally brought the Third Young Master Zhuang here!"

Zheng Mama: "This time, the one coming to propose marriage at the door is the Old Lady of the Zhongyi Hou Fu. She personally brought Zhuang Wei here!"

Moreover, the gifts they brought have already filled the front courtyard!

"Moreover, the gifts they brought have already filled the front courtyard!"

Miss, this is not good.

"Young lady, this is not good."

The old lady and the old lady of the Zhongyi Marquis Estate have known each other since childhood and are longtime friends.

"The Old Lady and the Old Lady of the Zhongyi Hou Fu have known each other since childhood and are longtime friends."

The old lady certainly wouldn't agree to this marriage, would she?

"Surely the Old Lady won't agree to this marriage, will she?"

Granny Zheng still favors Prince Su.

Zheng Mama still favored Prince Su more.

Although Prince Su once wanted to behead her and break her limbs, making Granny Zheng tremble with fear whenever she recalls it...

Although Prince Su once wanted to behead her and chop off her limbs, making Zheng Mama tremble with fear whenever she recalled it...

But the Prince's feelings for the Miss are sincere and unmatched; no one in this world can compare.

But the Prince's feelings for the young lady are sincere and unmatched; no one in this world can compare.

Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a true lover is rare.

It's easy to find priceless treasures, but hard to find a true lover.

The Miss and Prince Su are a match made in heaven; as for Zhuang San, who used to have that fake Liu Qinzhu in his heart, let him keep chasing that fake and stop bothering the Miss.

The young lady and Prince Su are a match made in heaven; as for that Zhuang Wei, who previously had Liu Qiongzhu—that fake thing—in his heart, let him keep loving that fake thing; why does he come to pester the young lady?

Ptooey!

Pah! (sound of spitting)

Prince Su is still too slow.

Prince Su's actions are still too slow.

Granny Zheng feels she's about to die of worry.

Zheng Mama feels she'll die of anxiety.

Li Qingluo also feels a headache.

Li Qingluo also feels a headache.

But she quickly calmed down again.

But she soon calmed down again.

Grandmother will not agree to this marriage.

"Grandmother won't agree to this marriage."

Grandmother knows her current situation.

Grandmother knows her current situation.

A granddaughter poisoned with deadly toxin, who could at any moment turn into a blood‑sucking monster; given Grandmother's nature, she would never allow her to marry into any household and become a menace to others.

"A granddaughter poisoned with deadly toxin, who might at any moment erupt and suck human blood like a 'monster'—given grandmother's nature, she would absolutely not let her marry into any household's inner quarters to 'bring disaster' upon others."

Li Qingluo relaxed and decided to continue practicing her spear for a while.

Li Qingluo relaxed and decided to continue practicing her spear for a while.

Granny Zheng said, "Miss, you really can keep your composure. Aren't you going to go take a look?"

Zheng Mama: "Young lady, you really can keep your composure. Aren't you going out to take a look?"

Li Qingluo said, "What's there to see? Do you want to accompany me in practicing?"

Li Qingluo: "What's there to see? Do you want to accompany me in practicing for a bit?"

Granny Zheng quickly waved her hands.

Zheng Mama hurriedly waved her hands.

The Miss strikes too hard; sometimes even her old bones can't withstand it.

"The young lady's strikes are too fierce; sometimes this old bones of hers can't withstand them."

Do you remember, Miss, when we went to the Macau casino, the heir of the Zhongyi Marquis Estate was also there?

"Do you remember, young lady, when we went to the Macau gambling house, the heir of the Zhongyi Hou Fu was also there?"

Moreover, later in the forest battle, that heir suffered serious injuries.

"And afterwards, in the big battle in the woods, that heir also suffered severe injuries."

It's said... that he was ruined there.

"It's said... that he was crippled there."

Li Qingluo was very surprised: "He can't be a man anymore? Does the Lotus Sect have a grudge against him?"

Li Qingluo was very surprised: "He can't be a man anymore? Does the Lotus Sect have a grudge against him?"

Granny Zheng said, "Who knows? Moreover, that heir hasn't fathered a son yet; afterwards they say they want to adopt a son from Zhuang San's line to be the heir."

Zheng Mama: "Who knows. Moreover, that heir hasn't yet fathered a son, and afterwards... they say they want to adopt a son from Zhuang Wei's name to be the heir."

This Zhuang San, even before he's married, his future son is already being eyed by his own brother.

"This Zhuang Wei, even before he's married, his future son has already been eyed by his own brother."

Li Qingluo said, "The Zhuang family's second son is a concubine's son, so now the entire Zhongyi Marquis Estate especially values Zhuang San?"

Li Qingluo: "The second son of the Zhuang family is a concubine-born son, so now the whole Zhongyi Hou Fu places extra importance on Zhuang Wei?"

Granny Zheng said, "That's exactly what I mean."

Zheng Mama: "That's exactly what I mean."

Miss, you might not have noticed, but Zhuang San recently placed thirteenth among the first‑class jinshi in the latest imperial examination.

"Young lady, you might not have noticed, but Zhuang Wei recently placed thirteenth among the first-class jinshi in the latest imperial examination."

The Zhongyi Marquis Estate has now swept away the gloom of the heir's serious injury and is feeling elated.

"The Zhongyi Hou Fu have now swept away the gloom of the heir's severe injury, and are feeling elated."

In his previous life, Zhuang Wei was a second‑place finisher (tanhua); this life he only got thirteenth place jinshi, but he is still outstanding among his peers.

"Zhuang Wei was a second-place finisher in his previous life; this life, although he only got thirteenth place among jinshi, he is already an outstanding talent."

This shows that he indeed still has some talent for study.

"One can see that in his studies, he indeed still has some talent."

Li Qingluo said, "What the Zhongyi Marquis Estate has to do with me is none of my business."

Li Qingluo: "What the Zhongyi Hou Fu has to do with me is none of my business."

In his previous life, Zhuang Wei and Li Kechuan were not much different.

"In his previous life, Zhuang Wei and Li Kechuan were not much different."

He believed that Liu Qinzhu's self‑immolation was caused by his return, and he repeatedly called himself a poisonous woman.

"He believed that his return caused Liu Qiongzhu to burn herself to death, and he repeatedly called himself a poisonous woman."

Although he had once saved her life, he also used that as an excuse to have the Zhongyi Marquis Estate send a nursemaid to the general's residence to torment Li Qingluo, making her suffering unbearable.

"Although he also saved my life, he also used the pretext to have the Zhongyi Hou Fu send a nursing mama to the Jiangjun Fu, making my life there miserable beyond words."

If Li Qingluo hadn't been tortured to death by Li Kechuan, even if she later really married into the Zhongyi Marquis Estate, she would surely still endure endless suffering at his hands...

"If Li Qingluo hadn't been tortured to death by Li Kechuan, even if she later really married into the Zhongyi Hou Fu, she would surely still have endless suffering at his hands..."

She shook her head.

She shook her head.

After I and my grandmother severed ties with the clan, our family background is now lowly and ordinary, making us unsuitable as a match for the Zhongyi Marquis Estate.

"After I and my grandmother severed ties with the clan, our family background is now lowly and ordinary; we are no longer a match for the Zhongyi Hou Fu in terms of social standing."

Could the Zhongyi Marquis Estate overlook lineage and even my former tarnished reputation to come to my door and propose?

"How can the Zhongyi Hou Fu disregard pedigree, and even come to my door to propose marriage despite my former tarnished reputation?"

This matter is certainly not that simple.

"This matter is certainly not that simple."

Just as she finished speaking, Granny Zhang arrived.

Just as she finished speaking, Zhang Mama arrived.

Miss, the old lady wants you to go to the front courtyard.

"Young lady, the Old Lady has summoned you to the front courtyard."

"They say they have something good to ask you about."

Good news?

Li Qingluo's head suddenly throbbed.

Grandmother had long known her own feelings; she would never agree to marry into Zhongyi Hou Fu, so why ask herself again?

She must have run into some trouble.

Li Qingluo replied immediately, "Then let me freshen up and I'll go."

Although she didn't like the people of Zhongyi Hou Fu, she was drenched in sweat at the moment, and going out like this was no proper hospitality; it would only disgrace her grandmother.

So Li Qingluo returned to her room and had Cui Er and Que'er together wipe away all her sweat, then applied a bit of scented balm.

She changed into clean clothes, restyled a proper, dignified bun, inserted two vermilion hairpins, and only then went to the front courtyard.

The moment her figure stepped into the front hall, Zhuang Wei rose nervously and uneasily from his seat.

"Miss Li…"

Li Qingluo, as if she hadn't heard or seen anything, hurried straight toward her grandmother.

"Luo'er pays respects to Grandmother, pays respects to Old Lady."

The Old Lady of Zhongyi Hou Fu fixed her gaze on Li Qingluo.

Surprise flashed across her face.

This little girl, how does she become more delicate and beautiful as she grows?

Even the last time she saw her, she was already graceful and elegant, with flower-like beauty.

Among all the girls in Jinling City, she already stood out.

But it's only been a few months since they last met?

She now even surpasses her former looks by several points.

Her face like a bright moon and lotus, bright eyes and white teeth, ice-like skin and jade-like bones.

One could say she has a celestial bearing and jade-like beauty!

So, how on earth did Pei Xiuzhen raise this granddaughter?

How could she, in just a year, turn a village girl into a little celestial maiden?

Although before arriving, the Old Lady of Zhongyi Hou Fu still harbored some reservations about Li Qingluo.

After all, times have changed; even though the grandmother and granddaughter still lived in a "Jiangjun Fu", that Jiangjun Fu sounds impressive but has no real use.

Xiuzhen holds no official rank.

Their family also lacks a husband.

Although Pei Xiuzhen was once a famed female general who earned many battle merits, after thirty years of carrying that glory, now only the most useless "glory" remains on her.

In truth, it's just a family of widowed elders and children; which respectable family in Jinling would take such an outcast household as a primary wife?

Not only could they offer no help to their husband's family, but the matters of the Jiangjun Fu in Dongyin Alley might even involve this side, unknown.

Therefore, when Zhuang Wei again mentioned his intention to marry Li Qingluo, the whole clan opposed it.

Only Zhuang Sanlang had prospects.

He had mustered his own strength and passed the imperial examinations.

He also threatened by comparing the family's future with that of his legitimate elder brother's offspring.

"If you don't agree, I will never marry in my life. Even if I resort to any means to marry someone else, I will not bear children with her."

"Do you truly want a puppet, or a flesh‑and‑blood, living person like Zhuang Sanlang?"

"Can't you accommodate this one thing for me?"

"From now on, I will brave fire and water for the whole clan, no matter how many deeds I perform, it will be sweet to me. All I ask is that you comply this time!"

"Anyway I'm not the primary heir; even if I marry her, whose family is of low status and has no support or prospects, what's the problem?"

"Even if my primary wife's family cannot support me at court later, I will never regret it!"

Zhuang Sanlang had caused countless quarrels at home.

He understood everything in his heart.

All matters of benefit and future were clearly laid out with him.

He was determined, wanting to marry Li Qingluo with all his heart.

Seeing him grow thinner day by day.

If the dispute continues, that hidden drive of his may dissipate…

The Old Lady of Zhongyi Hou Fu could no longer bear the strife, and she finally spoke to settle the matter.

"Grandmother, shall we go propose?"

She had thought that, given their Marquisate could still tolerate the grandmother and granddaughter and even desire the already tarnished Li Qingluo, her old friend would gladly agree.

After all, Li Qingluo had almost married into the Qu family before.

What is the current state of the Qu family? They themselves didn't know.

Escaping such a rotten nest, and Zhongyi Hou Fu still willing to turn around and discuss marriage with them—what a blessing and joyous occasion!

Never did she expect that the old stubborn Pei Xiuzhen would even say, "I still wish to keep her by my side for a few more years. The marriage is still a bit early now."

Early? It's almost time for her granddaughter's seventeenth birthday, isn't it?

Which respectable family's daughter is still unmarried at sixteen?

If delayed further she'll become an old maid, and what good marriage can be arranged?

The Old Lady of the Marquisate quickly understood.

She, Pei Xiuzhen, is unwilling?

"Xiuzhen, aren't you still unaware that our Sanlang just placed sixteenth in the first class, and will soon be appointed as an editor at the Hanlin Academy?"

"Such a fine grandson‑in‑law, do you truly not want him?"

Even though the Hou Fu Old Lady had spoken so plainly, Pei Lao Furen couldn't very well slap her in the face.

She merely smiled and said, "Our Luo'er plans to take in a son-in-law."

"How could your family possibly let Sanlang go? To continue the incense of my Xiuli Jiangjun Fu?"

The Hou Fu Old Lady was so angry she almost jumped to her feet.

She gazed sharply at Zhuang Sanlang.

As if saying: "Do you understand? Even if your Hou Fu voluntarily lowers its head to propose marriage, they simply don't want it!"

But Zhuang Sanlang's hesitant expression made the Hou Fu Old Lady's heart skip a beat: Could it be that this clueless worm actually truly wants to marry into this family?

The Hou Fu Old Lady only felt a sudden heart-wrenching pain.

She clutched her chest and said, "Pei Lao Furen, being so arbitrary, is selfishly ruining Li Qingluo's true future happiness."

Pei Lao Furen: "Why don't you ask her yourself? This girl now has her own big ideas; even as her grandmother, I can't easily make decisions for her."

That's why Li Qingluo ended up being called out this time.

After Li Qingluo had met the Zhongyi Hou Fu Old Lady, the Old Lady truly grew more fond of her the more she looked.

This girl's demeanor has become all the more steady.

Compared to Liu Qiongzhu, who is superficial, flighty, and shallow, she truly possesses the grace that Pei Xiuzhen had in her youth.

"Good, good child."

No wonder Zhuang Sanlang loves and is devoted to her; it can be said his eyes have finally improved.

Moreover, these two children were originally meant to be a natural pair!

Back then, when I arranged their marriage, wasn't I referring to these two?

The Hou Fu Old Lady, momentarily excited, grasped Li Qingluo's hand: "Luo'er, Sanlang once made a mistake, mistaking fish eyes for pearls."

"But he has long known his mistake; now, striving hard to achieve success in the imperial examinations, he merely wants to show you his determination."

"Good child, would you be willing to give him another chance?"

"In this world, such a sincere husband is hard to come by."