Chapter 811: 341 Deliberately
The maid brought up grapes, pears, watermelons, and over ten kinds of fruits. All of these fruits were placed on a crystal plate, looking exceptionally colorful.
Yueyao seldom indulged in snacks, but because she paid attention to her health, she ate a good amount of fresh fruits every day. At that moment, as she looked at the grapes still bearing droplets of water on the crystal plate, they each looked like agates. Yueyao took one and peeled it, revealing the translucent flesh inside.
After eating one, she spat out the seeds and smiled, "Very sweet."
Next to her, Xiang Wei muttered, "These are tribute fruits, how could they not be sweet! Too bad we’re not at the Ma’s Mansion, or she wouldn’t be holding back right now."
Madam Ping, seeing that Yueyao was not being reserved, said, "Yueyao, yesterday, several relatives asked about your marriage, and it seems they are keen to find you a match. Yueyao, if you have any conditions, you can tell me now so I can relay them."
Yueyao was swallowing a grape when she heard this and nearly choked. Xiang Wei, seeing this from behind, patted Yueyao on the back, and only then did Yueyao catch her breath.
Yueyao was truly depressed by this constant talk of her marriage. Well, having people concerned about her lifelong matters was a form of happiness, "Sister-in-law, you know I love painting. Even if I am to marry in the future, I won’t give up on painting, so a family with too complex a background would not suit me."
Madam Ping nodded in understanding. Given Yueyao’s nature, she would not be suited to be a primary daughter-in-law, "If the other party holds no titles, what do you think?" Madam Ping felt that Yueyao was not someone who greatly valued power, so she specifically asked this. If Yueyao did not insist on the other party having official titles, the range of choices could be broader.
If this were in the past, Yueyao would have felt indifferent about whether her husband held titles or not, but now she knew that without a title, he wouldn’t even have the capabilities to protect her. What use was such a husband? With this thought, Yueyao simply shook her head.
Madam Ping felt somewhat disappointed. To find someone with talent, appearance, character, and titles was a daunting task! It was not that Yueyao did not deserve such a person, but such an ideal match was hard to find since they were quickly taken by others.
Yueyao spoke indifferently, "Sister-in-law, if one is found, that’s good; if not, it’s also fine." After all, she was not in a hurry.
Madam Ping shook her head, "How can we not be in a hurry? For young ladies, these next few years are the prime time, and beyond this period, marriage becomes even harder to arrange." From ages fifteen to eighteen were a woman’s prime years; finding a match after this period would be exceedingly difficult.
Yueyao chuckled, "Sister-in-law, I wish to return to the Ma’s Mansion tomorrow." Although living at the Marquis’ household was good, she felt less free than at the Ma’s Mansion.
Madam Ping tried to persuade her for a while, but seeing that Yueyao had made up her mind, she said no more.
On the way back to Bright Moon Courtyard, Xiang Wei said, "Miss, the Marquis’ household is quite fine, and you’re safer under the Marquis’ protection as well."
Yueyao shook her head, "As the old saying goes, a golden nest and a silver nest are not as good as one’s own grass nest."
Xiang Wei really wanted to say that the nest wasn’t hers, it belonged to the Ma Family, but refrained.
Yueyao looked up at the deep blue sky, free of even a single cloud, "Once Zhou Shu’s issue is resolved, I will move out of the Ma’s Mansion and live in my own house." Her mother’s dowry had included a residence of five courtyards, originally intended for future division within the family. Unfortunately, before the division could take place, both parents had passed away, and the house had been empty since then.
Lost in her thoughts, Xiang Wei remained silent the whole way until they reached Bright Moon Courtyard and finally added, "Miss, in fact, Zhou Shu had arrived in Capital City even before we returned here."
Yueyao was not surprised at all, "Now what?" If her guess was correct, the person who had come to pick them up that day must have been Zhou Shu; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been stopped.
Xiang Wei smiled, "The day after you met Mr. Yu Shan, Zhou Shu left Capital City and returned to Haikou."
Yueyao felt somewhat ashamed, "Was it the teacher who sought the senior disciple?" Otherwise, Zhou Shu would not have left Capital City the day after she met him; he must have been forced to leave.
Xiang Wei nodded, "Yes, after you left, Mr. Yu Shan went to the Zhou Residence to seek Zhou Xi. Zhou Shu’s departure from Capital City was Zhou Xi’s decision." Xiang Wei was unsure whether to be relieved or more cautious.
Yueyao grew increasingly guilty, "My teacher is of such an age, yet he still takes on such burdens for me." Firstly enrolling her as a disciple and now seeking Zhou Xi on her behalf, Yueyao felt indescribably guilty.
As for Zhou Xi having Zhou Shu leave Capital City without further punishments, Yueyao did not mind. Zhou Xi’s indifference towards her was mutual, much like her indifference towards this senior disciple. Affection needed to be nurtured, and mere titles were of no use.