Chapter 9, Encountering Obstacles

Ji Yaoting felt uncomfortable seeing Zhao Xiuyuan's overly familiar expression. In the past, we were all just kids. It was normal to go to Huanhua Creek together to catch shrimp and fish, playing and having fun. As we grew older, you became close to my sister, and as her older brother, I turned a blind eye to it. However, your mother has already made her stance clear; she will not seek a marriage for you with Yingying. If you continue to be so close to my sister, it will ultimately be Yingying who suffers.

Fearing to delay Erlang's efforts, the design has already been completed. I truly feel sorry to trouble you to come in person.

Ji Yaoting turned towards the backyard and said: "The punishment for embroidering the scriptures in the courtyard is coming. This time my mother is serious about it"

Zhao Xiuyuan stood up abruptly, his voice slightly trembling: "What did you say? Yingying is getting engaged? To whom?!"

Who said I wouldn't marry her? Zhao Xiuyuan suddenly recalled the scene of exchanging glances with Ji Yingying across a street, his heart racing anxiously. Just the thought of her marrying someone else made him feel as if he could only watch her from afar in the future. Perhaps he would never see her again... A wave of bitterness surged within him, making it difficult for him to keep his fists clenched. Zhao Xiuyuan declared emphatically: "I will marry her. Dawang, my mother promised me that after the ninth day of the tenth month, she would go to the Ji family to propose." ... A wave of bitterness surged within him, making it difficult for him to keep his fists clenched. Zhao Xiuyuan declared emphatically: "I will marry her. Dawang, my mother promised me that after the ninth day of the tenth month, she would go to the Ji family to propose."

Zhao Bingsong was completely unconcerned, leisurely finishing his porridge. He took the handkerchief twisted by the maid to wipe his mouth, then picked up a cup of tea to sip, letting out a long breath of the stale air he had accumulated overnight, feeling refreshed. Upon raising his head, he saw a distorted face resembling a shao mai and couldn't help but chuckle: "What are you in such a hurry for?"

Early that day, Zhao Xiuyuan had not left the vine garden, and the news of his search for Ji Yingying was passed around like a game of passing the parcel, eventually reaching the inner residence

Ji Yingying's attitude determined Ji Yaoting's attitude. Upon seeing Zhao Xiuyuan walking with an air of confidence, Ji Yaoting smiled and invited him to sit down.

Fine, no longer pretending to call her Second Sister Ji, but instead addressing her as Big Brother. He is actually a year older than himself. Ji Yaoting knew that Zhao Xiuyuan was not so easy to deal with. In his eyes, Zhao Xiuyuan was like a hedgehog. When it shows its soft belly, reaching out to grab it would guarantee a body full of spikes. It is no wonder that Yingying was manipulated by him like dough.

Ji Yao Ting also wore a gentle expression, gazing lightly at Zhao Xiu Yuan: "Is that so?"

What?

The main entrance of the Ji family is located at the side alley. In front, facing the street, are two shops that have been passed down through generations. A signboard for the silk dyeing workshop hangs prominently. When Ji Yaoting is not in the dyeing workshop, he is at the shop. When Zhao Xiuyuan arrived, the shop's door board had just been taken down, and Ji Yaoting had just finished his breakfast, sitting in a small partition on one side of the main hall, drinking tea

Zhao Xiuyuan used a tactic that Ji Yaoting had employed: "I heard that the young master is looking for me to paint a few samples?"

Sir, please advise Erlang. He has become infatuated with that girl from the Ji family!

Zhao Xiuyuan thought he had misheard

In the past, Zhao Shenshi would slowly savor a bowl of lotus leaf porridge for breakfast, chew on two small steamed buns, and pick up a few chopsticks of stir-fried tender bean sprouts. After the meal, she would tidy up her husband's clothes, ensuring there was not a single wrinkle, and exchange a few playful glances to enhance their affection before waving him off at the door. Then, accompanied by her maid and servants, she would linger in the courtyard, inhaling the fragrance of jasmine flowers, completing a moment of health cultivation. At this time, she could not afford to eat breakfast, nor could she bear to part with her flirtatious glances, as she held the handkerchief and pointed at the door for quite a while, yet she did not dare to have the doorman stop her son from leaving.

The competition for the brocade is imminent. Everything is centered around the brocade. For the past two months, let Erlang be; do not ruin his mood. Zhao Bingsong said, lowering his voice, "In order to protect the Ji family's secret recipe, Widow Ji even refused to be the legitimate wife of the third son. Did you not say you conveyed the message to Ji Dalang? Just wait and see, the Ji family will surely give Erlang the cold shoulder."

As expected, Zhao Xiuyuan was not dismissed; instead, he stood up with a beaming smile and bowed deeply to Ji Yaoting, saying, "It has been a long time since we last met, and I have missed you greatly. I ask for your brotherly support!"

Zhao Xiuyuan was unaware that by the time he finished his breakfast, his parents' thoughts had already twisted into a complex web of emotions. He cheerfully set off towards the Ji family across the street, facing the rising sun.

When will the season's host go out? I just need to talk to her for a moment through the courtyard gate

After being angry for a while, Zhao Shenshi still chose to seek help from her husband

Ji Yingying has been a troublemaker since childhood. Every few days, she either finds herself confined in the ancestral hall for reflection or is grounded. After each incident, she always complains to Zhao Xiuyuan. He has become accustomed to it.

"Yingying said, if you cannot marry her, she will not blame you. After all, our families are not well-matched. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, she will be waiting for you at the Immortal Bridge. Just hear you tell her in person, and she will not trouble you at all"

Ji Yaoting expressed both gratitude and persuasion. Zhao Xiuyuan no longer had a reason to stay. However, he had a thick enough skin. He sighed and said: "To be honest, my lord, I am here to discuss the matter of Dou Jin and would like to ask Second Madam for her insights."

Zhao Bingsong chuckled, calm and composed: "Without our seal, how can Erlang go to the yamen to exchange for the marriage certificate?"

There are distinctions between men and women, which makes it somewhat inconvenient

The aloofness he displayed caused Zhao Xiuyuan to tense his face

Oh, Najiying Ying is not at all opposed to being a concubine. Upon thinking of this, Zhao Shenshi's mood immediately became calm.

To speak frankly, Zhao Xiuyuan is indeed very outstanding. He is handsome and elegant, comes from a distinguished family, and has a pleasant personality. It is a pity that no matter how good he is, he will be someone else's husband and not my brother-in-law. Ji Yaoting said slowly, "My mother is going to arrange a marriage for Yingying. It will not be convenient to meet privately anymore."

Why the hurry? Dawang is marrying the daughter of the Liu family, a prominent brocade merchant in Yizhou City. Not to mention anything else, Erlang is currently supported by the public funds, and Dawang's wife has brought along three shops, one of which is in Chang'an! Their financial resources, vision, connections, and relationships—does the daughter of the Ji family's dyeing workshop have any of that?

"Once again confined!" Upon hearing Ji Yaoting's words, Zhao Xiuyuan couldn't help but laugh

"What are you shouting about?" Ji Yaoting was startled and quickly pulled him back, feeling somewhat angry, "Is it not allowed for my sister to get married just because the Zhao family hasn't come to propose?"

Uh ... ...

Ji Yao Ting rolled his eyes. He was full of confidence, and in his hand, he was holding seven or eight suitable candidates for marriage.

The reasoning is sound, yet she does not wish to fall out with Erlang, as it would tarnish her image as a loving mother. Zhao Shen said angrily: "If we do not dissuade Erlang from his intentions now, he will dare to confront even you, his father, when he gets stubborn."

Zhao Bingsong's response was quite shameless: "It is not us, Erlang, who suffers losses. If our reputation is tarnished, it is not as if our family cannot afford a concubine."

The reason lies not with the Ji family, but with the Zhao family

What does the Zhao family's brocade weaving have to do with my sister? Ji Yaoting is unwilling to accept this accusation: "Er Lang, your words are too harsh. Not to mention that my second sister does not understand brocade weaving, even if she did, she would not dare to make arbitrary suggestions, would she? Er Lang, you should go back."

Zhao Xiuyuan remained silent, stood up, and performed a deep bow. He then turned and left

Zhao Shenshi was still worried: "If Erlang, in his youthful fervor, were to do something with Ji Erniang..."

As the competition approaches, Erlang, do not let trivial matters distract you. I am just waiting to come and congratulate you.