He Qingyi's heart stirred. This eldest young lady was indeed not to be trifled with. She was testing her. Old Madam Xiao had never liked this eldest granddaughter, but the Great General doted on his daughter. Xiao Man was making her choose between the old madam and herself.
"You jest, eldest young lady. How could a senior not dote on a junior? Especially a young lady as intelligent and understanding as you. If you were my daughter, I would cherish you like the apple of my eye."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man released He Qingyi's hand. He Qingyi was tactful and adept at social graces, a person who understood how to read the room and act accordingly. At this moment, He Qingyi had not yet seen her value, so she would not easily place her bet.
"The General has returned," came the voice of a maid from outside.
"Mm, what is Miss doing?"
"Miss has become increasingly lazy lately, hiding on the kangs all day and never getting down." Yin Zhu lifted the curtain, allowing Xiao Zhen to enter.
Qiu Tong quickly stepped forward, taking the cloak Xiao Zhen had removed and hanging it on the rack.
Xiao Zhen walked in slowly, and He Qingyi promptly rose to pay her respects.
"Greetings, Great General."
"Miss He is also here. No need for formalities." As he spoke, Xiao Zhen sat down beside Xiao Man and leaned over to see what she was reading. "Reading the annals."
"I have nothing else to do, so I picked up the annals to read." Xiao Man personally poured hot tea and handed it to Xiao Zhen.
"What are your thoughts after reading them?"
"They are full of flattering and extravagant words, utterly useless," Xiao Man said indignantly. "This person who compiled the annals should be dragged out and given a good beating."
He Qingyi almost choked on her tea. In Yusheng, women were not allowed to meddle in politics. Let alone read history books, even discussing them was only permitted in private. Who would dare say, like Xiao Man, that the official who compiled the annals should be dragged out and beaten?
Xiao Zhen did not appear angry. Instead, he asked for the reason: "Why?"
"The ancients say, 'Use copper as a mirror, you can straighten your hat and robes; use history as a mirror, you can understand rise and fall.' This book of annals only describes the good aspects of the Yusheng Dynasty, but not the aspects where it did poorly. Its language is ornate and full of flattery. How can people use history as a lesson, learn from mistakes, and strive for progress? This clearly misleads the future citizens of Yusheng and disrupts the eternal dominance of Yusheng."
"Man'er, you must understand that history books are written by the victors, so they naturally describe the aspects that are favorable to themselves."
"Everything has a favorable side and a detrimental side. If you only look at one side, you are easily deceived. It's like the sun; it has day and night, only then is it complete. A dynasty that dares to write down its shortcomings for future generations to learn from is a powerful dynasty!"
Xiao Zhen listened, clapped his hands, and laughed, "Good, good. My Man'er truly does not yield to men."
"Father, didn't you say you would take me to the army when you had a chance? When will you take me?" Xiao Man looped her arm around Xiao Zhen's and asked with a smile.
"After the New Year."
"I'm afraid there won't be time after the New Year," Xiao Man said mysteriously.
"Why?"
"Our family is having a wedding." Xiao Man winked at Xiao Zhen, her gaze drifting to He Qingyi. He Qingyi's face instantly turned red.
Xiao Zhen looked a bit helpless. He reached out and took a piece of pastry to eat. "This pastry is good. Qiu Tong's skill is improving day by day."
"If Father likes Qiu Tong, I'll give her to you," Xiao Man teased. "But my Qiu Tong doesn't serve as a concubine, and this pastry wasn't made by my Qiu Tong."
Qiu Tong felt relieved. When she first heard Xiao Man say she would give her to the General, her heart had almost jumped out of her chest. Now that she saw it was just a joke, she finally relaxed.
"It wasn't made by Qiu Tong?"
"This is ginger sugar date and chestnut cake made by Auntie He. Grandmother loves this the most." Xiao Man propped her chin with one hand, staring at Xiao Zhen. "Doesn't it taste especially good, sweet with a hint of spiciness, warming both body and mind when you eat it?"
Xiao Zhen glanced at Xiao Man. "Your skin is itching."
"Father, I'm telling you something important."
"My affairs are my own business."
"Who said I was talking about your affairs? I said we're having a wedding, it's Brother's wedding. Father, why did you think of yourself? Do you want to get married?" Xiao Man teased. "Father, if you want to get married, I support it with both hands. Father, you don't need to worry about your daughter opposing it!"
Xiao Zhen blushed deeply. He reached out and poked Xiao Man's forehead. "Impertinent! You're even teasing your father."
"How could I be teasing Father? Father misinterpreted it himself." Xiao Man knelt on the kang and began to massage Xiao Zhen's shoulders. "It was Father himself who..."
"Didn't you say it was about your brother? What good news does your brother have?" Xiao Zhen quickly changed the subject.
Xiao Man bowed to open a drawer and took out a letter from inside. "Brother sent a letter asking Father to propose marriage for him."
He Qingyi's eyelids twitched. Xiao Luo was going to propose marriage. As the only male heir of the Xiao family, Xiao Luo was also the future successor to the General's mansion. Old Madam had already decided on his fiancée, a young lady from her own family. Now, Xiao Luo had sent a letter back asking the General to propose marriage for him. Whose daughter was it?
"That boy wants to get married? It's not easy." Xiao Zhen took the letter and opened it. After reading it once, he still felt a bit incredulous. He read it again, truly unable to imagine that his son, who only knew how to fight battles and kill enemies, would also have such a fussy side!
"Did your brother write this?"
"It's his handwriting, no mistake!"
"What do you think about this matter?"
"I agree. After all, the other party is a good match in terms of character, family background, and appearance. Moreover, Brother likes her. It's a win-win situation. Father should visit first to sound out their feelings. If the other party agrees, then finalize the matter and prepare the betrothal gifts for Brother."
"Indeed, it's almost the end of the year, and he'll be back. If this matter can be settled, while he's back for his year-end report, we can get them married, and it will be one less worry for me." Xiao Zhen sighed with emotion. He had been worried that the boy only knew how to fight and not about his lifelong commitment. Fortunately, he had finally opened up.
"I will go and gauge their intentions another day. Once it's confirmed, we will set the wedding date. When your brother returns, he can get married directly and consummating the marriage."
Xiao Man covered her mouth and chuckled. "The ink on the marriage proposal isn't even dry yet, and Father is already thinking about the wedding and consummating the marriage. As expected, you think more than your daughter."
Xiao Zhen's old face flushed. He glanced at He Qingyi. After all, there was an outsider present. This girl didn't even leave him any face, always making fun of him, her father. Didn't he care about his reputation?
"I have official duties to attend to. You two chat." Xiao Zhen hurried out. Embarrassment in front of his daughter was nothing, but he couldn't afford to lose face in front of outsiders.
"Father, I'll have Qiu Tong cook your favorite dishes tonight. Remember to come and dine with me."
"Alright." Only his reply could be heard, and Xiao Zhen had already disappeared.