eurekapd Chapter 132 Proposal
Chapter 132 Proposal
“I have nothing now, so what can I offer to propose marriage? Even if I go, your Madam Qiao and Second Master Qiao will not agree.”
Qiao Qingshu shook her head with a smile.
“Now I’m the one in charge of the Qiao family. Just go ahead and ask. I won’t let you go for nothing.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Quanshu carefully examined Qiao Qingshu in front of him, not understanding why Qiao Qingshu was helping him.
Why did you do this?
Qiao Qingshu slowly stood up and said,
"I just want to find a suitable marriage for my second sister. You two are in love, I'm not helping you, I'm helping my second sister."
Zhou Quanshu's brows were still furrowed.
“Young lady, if I fail to pass the imperial examination, won’t Qingqiao suffer poverty and hardship with me?”
Qiao Qingshu didn't stop walking. She stepped across the threshold, tilted her head slightly, and said...
"I've read your poem; with your talent, passing the imperial examination is only a matter of time."
Qiao Qingshu continued walking out, her melodious voice echoing in Zhou Quanshu's ears.
"Prepare well, and come to propose marriage the next day."
At this moment, Xia Zhi, who was two steps behind Qiao Qingshu, stuffed two silver notes into Zhou Quanshu's hand and gave him instructions.
"Buy some things to take with you; these can serve as betrothal gifts."
Zhou Quanshu was so shocked that he dared not accept it, and hurriedly ran out to block Qiao Qingshu's way.
“Miss Qiao, I am already extremely grateful that you have allowed me to propose marriage. How could I possibly use your money to prepare betrothal gifts?”
Qiao Qingshu raised her eyebrows slightly.
"So you're planning to go and ask for my second sister's hand in cash?"
He then glanced at Zhou Quanshu and said,
"Just keep this money in your heart. When you become successful, you can pay me back with interest."
After saying this, he got back into the carriage with Wanqiu's help.
Holding the large denomination silver note of five hundred taels, Zhou Quanshu watched the departing carriage, feeling a surge of intense gratitude.
He thought to himself that if he ever achieved great success in the future, he would definitely repay Miss Qiao properly.
Day two.
As the Qiao family members were having breakfast together, they heard Steward Lai rush in to report something.
"Master, young lady, there's a young master Zhou at the door requesting an audience. He says he's here to..."
Butler Lai hesitated, seemingly reluctant to speak, while Qiao Qingshu didn't even look up, continuing to pick up food.
"Butler Lai, please speak freely."
As if encouraged, Lai Da finally spoke.
"This young master Zhou said he's here to propose marriage; he wants to marry our family's second daughter."
Qingqiao was sitting at the table, head down, drinking porridge. Upon hearing this, she dared not lift her head.
Even without lifting her head, her face was flushed.
The third younger sister, standing nearby, asked curiously,
"Young Master Zhou? Which Young Master Zhou?"
Qiao Jizhou was also very curious. There was no young Master Zhou in the capital, so this Master Zhou must not be some high-ranking official or nobleman.
But he didn't know what kind of person this was. If he was someone important, it wouldn't be good to just get rid of him easily. So he waved for Lai Da to invite the man in.
When Zhou Quanshu, dressed simply, entered the room carrying some ordinary gifts, Qiao Jizhou's face immediately turned cold.
Qiao Qingshu and Qiao Jizhou sat in the main room to receive guests, while the second and third younger sisters were led to the inner room by the maids.
The two rooms were separated only by a screen, so you could hear everything they said clearly.
Qiao Jizhou looked down on the visitor because of his shabby appearance and put on airs.
"Young Master Zhou, whose Young Master Zhou are you? I've never heard of you before."
Zhou Quanshu bowed respectfully.
“Master Qiao, my name is Zhou Quanshu. I am from Jiangzhou and I am currently staying with relatives in the capital to prepare for next year’s imperial examination.”
A mocking smile appeared on Qiao Jizhou's lips.
"Oh, so it wasn't anything after all."
He looked Zhou Quanshu up and down, and then looked at him with disdain.
"How did you know that my second daughter is not yet betrothed, and why did you come to propose marriage?"
Zhou Quanshu knew what he should and shouldn't say, so he only said that he had heard of the Second Miss's beautiful name and had admired her for a long time, which was why he had come to propose marriage.
Qiao Jizhou looked at Zhou Quanshu as if he were a fool. Only a foolish young man with no social standing would dare to come to his door and invite a scolding.
Although Qiao Qingqiao was pretty, she was by no means a stunning beauty; her only notable quality was her exceptional talent.
She was extremely skilled in calligraphy and painting. Even the family's private school sighed when she was young, saying that if the second daughter were a boy, she would surely bring glory to the Qiao family.
Qiao Jizhou had no intention of marrying his second daughter into a high-ranking or wealthy family; she was not qualified as a concubine's daughter.
However, she would be more than capable of marrying a minor official in the capital and becoming his principal wife, which would also be a great help to his career.
Looking at the clueless young man in front of him, Qiao Jizhou clearly looked down on him.
If this penniless young man were to marry Qingqiao, wouldn't he be getting a huge bargain for free?
It would be of no benefit to the Qiao family at all, and he could not possibly agree to such an unprofitable deal.
Qiao Jizhou shook his head seriously.
"My daughter is still young, and we have no plans to arrange a marriage for her yet. Young Master Zhou, please return."
Sitting in the inner room, Qingqiao bit her lip, her two beautiful eyebrows furrowed deeply, looking very anxious.
Seeing her like this, Qingyue comforted her.
"Second sister, this poor, pedantic scholar is dreaming. He wants to marry you. What makes him so special?"
"If you marry him, won't you suffer from the cold and hardship every day?"
"Don't worry, your father won't let you marry her, so you don't need to be afraid."
Zhou Quanshu, who was outside, had anticipated that Qiao Jizhou would give him an evasive answer. He took out a five-hundred-tael silver note from his pocket and said...
"I know that my request to marry the Second Miss is truly an honor, but I am sincere and beg Lord Qiao to grant my request."
Qiao Jizhou squinted at the silver note, somewhat tempted.
The betrothal gifts for minor officials in the capital are usually around three hundred taels of silver. For this young man to be able to come up with five hundred taels shows he is quite sincere.
He hesitated, deep in thought, when Qiao Qingshu stepped forward and whispered in his ear.
“Father, the news about Qingqiao at Wufu Temple a few days ago has already spread quietly in the capital. If we don’t get engaged soon, it will be even more difficult to arrange a marriage later.”
"Before the news spreads, it would be good to settle the marriage sooner rather than later, so as to put your mind at ease."
After hearing what Qiao Qingshu said, Qiao Jizhou was completely swayed.
If this matter were to come to light, Qiao Qingqiao would not only be unwanted by ordinary people, let alone by the minor officials in the capital.
Rumors and gossip can completely ruin a girl's reputation.
Seeing the gleaming silver notes in Zhou Quanshu's hand again, he was deeply tempted.
Qiao Qingshu immediately took the silver note and stuffed it into her father's arms, saying,
"Young Master Zhou, seeing your sincerity, this marriage seems quite good."
"I'll agree on behalf of my father. You'd better kneel down and thank your future father-in-law quickly."
Zhou Quanshu immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.
Qiao Jizhou reluctantly agreed.
However, Qiao Qingle, who was inside the room, stood up angrily and shouted,
"How could you do this, big sister!"
"I told you she can't stand us! She'd only be happy if we both married poor guys!"
"Second sister, how can you still laugh? If it were me, I would rush out right now and fight eldest sister to the death."