Su Yinyin pursed her lips, suppressing her doubts for the moment. "I want you to step forward and persuade your mother to be the matchmaker for my elder brother."
She had thought it through. Even if the Qin family wanted a marriage alliance for now, they would surely back out once they learned about her second brother's situation.
Having someone influential act as a matchmaker first would make it impossible for them to back out later.
Su Yinyin clenched her fists, a flicker of hatred crossing her eyes.
Qin Mingyan, wasn't that the woman who had slapped her without reason in front of the General's mansion last time?
It was time to settle the score with her!
Su Yunmo looked at her. "Alright, I promise you."
Su Yinyin was taken aback, somewhat surprised by her quick agreement. "What do you want?"
She had seen through things during this period. No one would help her without a reason.
Su Yunmo stood up and looked directly at her. "After you get your revenge, I want you to personally tell everyone the truth and clear my third brother's name!"
Last time, she had been pressured by Dou Ying and couldn't speak the truth. But from now on, no one would pressure her, and it was time to reveal the truth.
Su Yinyin was stunned, looking at her with almost fearful eyes.
If it was just a coincidence that someone was waiting for her at the mansion's entrance, then these words indicated that she knew what she was planning from the very beginning.
Su Yunmo was truly terrifying. Was she just an ordinary child?
A chill suddenly ran through Su Yinyin's heart, and she even felt a sense of dread.
She really didn't know how she had survived when she had opposed her in the past.
"What do you say? This condition isn't a disadvantage for you, is it? After all, that reputation isn't just your third brother's alone," Su Yunmo said with a smile.
Su Yinyin clenched her fists even tighter. "Deal!"
The two of them made their agreement.
After Su Yinyin left, Su Yunmo sent Zi Yuan to the Qin mansion.
Dou Ying had been driven away by her mother last time, so she wouldn't come to ask her mother to be a matchmaker again.
Then, Lord Qin would have to fall into the trap himself.
Zi Yuan secretly entered the Qin mansion and stayed there for the entire afternoon.
Afterward, a rumor spread within the Qin mansion.
It was said that Dou Ying had invited the General's mansion to be a matchmaker for her son's marriage, and that the marriage had already been arranged with a noble lady from a certain family.
Qin Shu heard about it and arrived at the General's mansion the next morning with gifts.
Su Yunmo was lying on Zhou Wanyou's lap, folding paper boats.
A servant reported that Lord Qin Shu requested an audience with the Madam.
Zhou Wanyou was momentarily puzzled as to why a second-ranked official would seek her out and had him invited to the front hall.
As soon as Qin Shu entered, he cupped his hands in a bow, showing great respect.
Zhou Wanyou had tea served.
After everyone was seated, Qin Shu finally spoke. "To be frank, Madam, I wouldn't come without a reason. I have a personal matter that I need to ask of you."
Zhou Wanyou replied, "Lord Qin, please speak freely."
"It's like this, I have a young daughter who is now of marriageable age. I heard that the second brother of General Su has a son, and I would like the two children to have more opportunities to chat. I hope Madam can be a witness."
As Qin Shu spoke, he nervously observed Zhou Wanyou's expression.
He was unsure if the General's mansion knew about what had happened in the cold palace.
If the General's wife didn't know yet, it would be a godsend, and he could finalize this marriage while she was still unaware.
With this marriage alliance, if the events of the cold palace were later exposed, he believed that General Su would not be too harsh, considering the alliance between the two families.
"Lord Qin means for me to be the matchmaker?" Zhou Wanyou frowned, looking puzzled.
What was happening lately? First Dou Ying, then this Lord Qin, as if they had conspired together.
Qin Shu cupped his hands again. "That is precisely my intention. I hope Madam will not refuse."
Zhou Wanyou felt a headache coming on and politely refused. "I have never done such a thing before. If Lord Qin wishes to find a matchmaker, he should find an elder with more authority. I am truly not suitable."
If it were someone else, she might have agreed. However, the two sons of the second branch were of questionable character, and she did not want to harm any good girls from other families.
Seeing her refusal, Qin Shu became nervous, suspecting that she already knew about the cold palace incident, which was why she had refused so quickly.
Su Yunmo noticed the cold sweat on his forehead.
"Mommy, Mommy, is a matchmaker someone who helps brothers and sisters get married? That's so amazing~" The little dumpling's eyes sparkled with admiration.
She knelt on Zhou Wanyou's lap and acted spoiled. "Mommy, please agree to Uncle. Look how anxious Uncle is, and Momo thinks marriage is a good thing."
Zhou Wanyou rubbed her head helplessly. "Be good, you're still too young to understand these things."
The little dumpling pouted. "Momo understands. The teacher said it's better to tear down ten temples than to ruin one marriage."
Qin Shu quickly chimed in. "Little Miss is right. I am also satisfied with the second branch of the Su family. I just want Madam to help mediate."
"Madam, please rest assured, no matter how this marriage turns out in the future, I will bear all responsibility. It will have nothing to do with Madam."
With him saying this, Zhou Wanyou had no choice but to agree.
Qin Shu's heart finally settled. "Since that's the case, it's better to strike while the iron is hot. Madam, please quickly inform the second branch?"
Zhou Wanyou blinked, thinking that he was as eager to arrange his daughter's major life event as if he were buying vegetables in the market.
However, since the master of the house requested it, she had no choice and sent a servant to deliver a message to the second branch.
She had expected the second branch to refuse, but to her surprise, they were even more eager, wanting the two families to meet that afternoon.
Zhou Wanyou, seeing how readily the two families agreed, felt her worries completely disappear.
Su Yunmo, watching the returning servant, understood everything.
The so-called meeting of the two families could actually be considered an engagement banquet.
The meeting place was set at the main residence of the Su family's second branch.
To maintain appearances, Dou Ying even called back the maids and servants she had previously dismissed.
Zhou Wanyou, as the matchmaker, naturally had to be present.
Su Yunmo pestered her to be taken out to play, so Zhou Wanyou brought her along.
However, when Qin Shu arrived and the two families sat down, the problem arose.
Because Qin Shu had only been focused on the marriage alliance and engagement, he hadn't carefully inquired about the situation on this side. Upon arrival, he discovered that the second branch had two sons.
At this moment, Su Xingzhe and Su Xingfu were both seated at the dining table, waiting for him to choose.
"The eldest son is learned and sensible, truly dignified. The second son is also heroic and an outstanding young talent." Qin Shu said, smiling awkwardly and wiping his sweat.
Su Xingzhe and Su Xingfu sat opposite each other, glaring at each other, with undercurrents of tension at the dining table.
Zhou Wanyou's gaze shifted between everyone and she had to speak first. "Although both of them are good, Lord Qin still needs to choose one. After all, you only have one daughter, don't you?"
Qin Shu repeatedly said, "Yes."
In fact, he felt that either choice would be acceptable. The main thing was to see which young master the General's mansion was closer to.