Chapter 723: The Marriage Proposal for Shu Yu

Chapter 723: Chapter 723: The Marriage Proposal for Shu Yu

When the term "marriage proposal" came up, the old lady’s expression grew somewhat complicated.

Shu Yu was surprised, "Marriage proposal? For whom?"

She suddenly thought of the conversation she had overheard by the riverside while collecting grass carp, and then remembered there was a Pingning in Aunt Zhang’s family. She immediately asked, "Could it be Zhao Xi?"

Outside the door, just as Zhao Xi hastened home, dusty from travel, he entered the courtyard and heard this astonishing conversation, his eyes bulging in disbelief, nearly losing his footing.

Marriage proposal? A proposal for him?

He turned his head, silently looking at Meng Yunzheng beside him. The latter raised his eyebrows, sized him up and down for a moment, and said softly, "At your age, it’s indeed time to think about marriage. I’ve been remiss for not considering it, sorry."

Sorry my ass, who needs your apology?

With gritted teeth, Zhao Xi strode toward the living room.

The two inside the room didn’t hear the commotion outside. After Shu Yu’s outcry, the old lady spoke with an air of resignation, "A marriage proposal for Doctor Zhao? You’re thinking too much. It’s you who Aunt Zhang has come to discuss a marriage proposal for."

She frowned, "You’ve reached the age for marriage proposals as well. How could you not think it applies to you?"

In the courtyard, just as Meng Yunzheng was about to step inside, he and Zhao Xi stopped dead in their tracks, their brows knitting together instantly.

Zhao Xi immediately felt a wave of relief wash over him, taking malicious delight as he looked at Yunzheng.

Seeing that Yunzheng was about to continue inside, he quickly grabbed him, whispering, "Let’s listen first, see what attitude the old lady has. That way you’ll know where you stand."

Meng Yunzheng naturally cared about what the Lu family thought and could only stop upon hearing this.

Zhao Xi even pulled him to secretly hide beside the front door of the living room, eavesdropping.

Inside, Shu Yu was shocked by the old lady’s words. She pointed at herself, "A marriage proposal... for me?"

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered herself, but she was currently a banished criminal. Thoughts of marriage proposals or business deals were not even within her scope of consideration at this critical juncture.

Now that the Zhang family was free, surely they’d want an innocent girl of good family?

Unsure, Shu Yu asked, "Grandmother, are you sure you heard correctly? Did Aunt Zhang truly mean me?"

The old lady glared at her irritably, "Are you suggesting I’m old and hard of hearing, or that my memory’s failing, that I could get this wrong?"

Shu Yu’s expression was earnest, "Not at all!" She couldn’t be falsely accused.

The old lady huffed, "Yu, I know what you’re thinking. You believe with your current status, no marriage proposal will come your way, right? Let me tell you, that might not be the case. My granddaughter might be a convict, but she is still highly desirable and smart—hot property. The Zhang family has insight and knows to strike first."

"So what if you’re a convict? Weren’t the Zhang family exiled here as criminals a few years ago? Now that they have a better life, you will too, in a few years. You’ll be no different from them. No, there will be a difference, at least you’re already the manor’s steward, and your future only looks brighter."

The old lady was quite proud of this fact; the Zhang family wasn’t foolish.

If they were to establish ties with Yu, they could also foster good relations with the other stewards on the manor, and might even get to meet the governor.

Moreover, Yu wouldn’t need to do heavy chores or be supported by them.

After all, Yu still had the Lu family behind her—a family with a good record, free to travel anywhere in the Dasu dynasty.