Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 502

Later on, Gu Yin indeed followed through with her words and began paying great attention to her health.

First, she developed the habit of going to bed and waking up early. Then, she had the Medicine Immortal check her pulse for safety every day. She also started eating more leafy greens like spinach, pumpkin, and cherries, all rich in folic acid. After meals, accompanied by Mrs. Wang, she found a cool place in the mansion to exercise for half an hour.

Regarding Food of Heaven, Gu Yin rarely went there, and when troubles arose and decisions were difficult for Manager Zhou, Ge Zhu, and the others, they would come to the mansion to report.

She felt truly sorry for this and apologized several times, asking Manager Zhou, Ge Zhu, and the others to bear with her.

Of course. Manger Zhou, Ge Zhu, and the others had no complaints. The manager said, “Actually, this is the most common nowadays. Masters are less hands-on with everything, unlike before. Master, just relax. I will send the accounts to you every half month for your review.”

Everyone told Gu Yin to take it easy, and she did for almost three months. When the fetal signs became more stable, no one said anything, but she herself couldn’t stand it anymore.

Mrs. Wang noticed this and tried to find ways to cheer her up. She invited Mrs. Xu and Ge Zhu to take turns visiting and chatting with Gu Yin to ease her boredom.

Xu Qingchuan entered the Hanlin Academy afterward. Although his official rank was not high, the Hanlin Academy was already a gilded place. The officials there were not ranked by their official positions; they were already quite noble. Moreover, Xu Qingchuan’s articles were in line with the Emperor’s intentions. The Emperor, who lacked ink in his stomach, often needed someone to read and discuss official documents. Xu Qingchuan was summoned to the palace quite frequently, and a month ago, he was rewarded with a small house. Although it had only two courtyards, it was in an excellent location, just over an hour’s walk from Duke Ying’s Mansion. Those with keen eyes knew that Xu Qingchuan’s promotion was a recent event.

Mrs. Xu was now the noble lady of the Xu family in the Hanlin Academy. However, when she heard that Gu Yin needed someone, she didn’t hesitate and went to Duke Ying’s mansion whenever she had time.

Gu Yin felt embarrassed and said to Mrs. Xu, “Auntie, there’s no need to come every day. I just complained to my mother once and felt a bit bored. How can I let you come over regardless of wind or rain to accompany me?”

Mrs. Xu, directing Mrs.Wang to bring her tea, smiled and said, “You are being too polite. Why talk about such things between our families? Qingchuan is rarely at home nowadays, and I don’t have many friends in the capital. If I don’t come to your house, where else can I go?”

Mea. Wang placed the teacup in front of her, glared at her friend, and said, “There are so many servants outside. Just call one, and they can come. Do you have to order me around?”

Mrs. Xu raised her eyebrows, smiled, picked up the teacup, took a big sip, exaggeratedly smacked her lips, and said, “Your tea is the most fragrant when you personally serve it!”

Mrs. Wang scoffed at her angrily but couldn’t help but laugh afterward.

Leaving aside everything else, just watching these two elders bantering like lively kids, Gu Yin no longer felt bored.

Later, after Mrs. Xu finished her tea, she said, “Moreover, I didn’t just come today to accompany you. I have encountered a matter and want to discuss it with you.”

When Gu Yin and Mrs. Wang inquired, they learned that someone had proposed marriage to the Xu family.

Yes, the girls took the initiative to send a matchmaker to propose marriage to Xu Qingchuan.

This was extremely rare in this era, and it seemed that all the families came at once, as if they had discussed it in advance.

Those who could act as matchmakers were undoubtedly eloquent and praised the girl to the heavens, making her sound perfect and divine.

Those words might deceive children, but it was impossible to deceive someone like Mrs. Xu, who had struggled to make a living as a widow.

Ms. Xu sent someone to inquire and found out that the young ladies from those families were not as good as the matchmaker had claimed. Most of them were not favored at home; they were merely pawns pushed forward by their families to pave the way. Ms. Xu had no objections to the girls themselves, but she didn’t want to form a connection with families of ill intentions.

However, to avoid offending people, Ms. Xu tactfully explained that her son had just finished studying and wasn’t thinking about marriage yet. She then sought refuge in Duke Ying’s Mansion.

She knew that avoiding the issue wasn’t a long-term solution, so she decided to arrange a good marriage for her son, thwarting the intentions of those families.

She consulted her son, Xu Qingchuan, who said, “Indeed, it’s time for me to get married, as mother said. After all, mother has always understood me the best.”

Ms. Xu muttered, “Although you’re my son, how can I claim to understand you? I even thought about pairing you with the eldest daughter earlier. Weren’t you interested in her as well? Or, speak carefully to your mother; tell me what kind of wife you want.”

Xu Qingchuan smiled and didn’t say much, only replying, “Mother’s choice will naturally be good. If you want me to decide, I myself don’t know.”

As her son was still not mature at this age, Ms. Xu had no choice but to rely on herself. Their family had shallow roots in the capital, and they knew even fewer people. Therefore, she sought help from Mrs. Wang, hoping she could assist in matchmaking.

This time, it was Mrs. Wang who instructed Mrs. Xu to serve tea and pour water. Mrs. Xu, with a hint of displeasure, attended to her, and along with the idle Gu Yin, the three of them began the busy task of selecting a match for Xu Qingchuan.