Chapter 845: Chapter 356: Peaceful Life (2) The old nanny was speaking with great excitement and couldn’t stop: “You don’t know, ever since the An Family’s Third Young Master was adopted, many families have come to propose marriage. I heard that the Duke of Lu’s Mansion also intended to betroth their daughter to him, but all were refused by the An Family’s Third Young Master.” Xi Yu curiously asked: “He has already rented a house on South Street, yet people still come to propose? He’s so poor; surely, he’ll need his wife’s dowry in the future.” The old nanny laughed: “Isn’t there a saying, ‘Do not despise the young for being poor?’ The An Family’s Third Young Master is already of Fifth Rank at a young age, and his future is promising. What’s the problem with being a bit poor now; as long as a man has skills, he won’t lack anything in the future.” Apart from gossiping about the Marquis’ household, the old nanny also talked about some other gossip in the Capital City, but none were as interesting as those from the Marquis’ household. Xi Yu escorted the old nanny out, stuffing her with a thick red envelope: “Thank you for your hard work, nanny.” The old nanny beamed with joy. Bringing things up to the mountain in the cold weather was arduous, but each visit was rewarded generously. Although tiring, everyone loved this assignment. Seeing that Yueyao didn’t mind, Xiang Wei immediately dismissed Xi Yu, then said: “Young Lady, this An Zhichen is too poor? Are you really choosing him?” Yueyao replied: “Do you remember what An Zhichen was wearing when we saw him at the Marquis Jingning’s Residence?” Xiang Wei understood Yueyao’s point: “He could be so neatly dressed that day because he was still at the Marquis’ household. Now that he’s been kicked out, he must have nothing.” Yueyao shook her head and smiled: “You’re too close to see clearly. An Zhichen has been in Haikou for so many years, he’s not some fool who wouldn’t save up. He’s renting a house on South Street now, not because he’s poor, but to show that he didn’t take a penny from the Marquis’ household. Since the Marquis treated him so harshly, he can shirk any responsibility in the future.” Xiang Wei was a bit puzzled: “How do you know this?” Yueyao smiled: “I told you, you’re too involved to see clearly. If An Zhichen was so useless, could he have reached his current position? The soldiers in Haikou are not like those in a few military camps in the Capital City. Those soldiers in Haikou are all veterans with much experience. Moreover, Haikou is wealthy, they oversee the security of Sea City, and sometimes they even fight pirates. They might not all have a full pouch, but none are living poorly.” Xiang Wei was shocked: “Young Lady, how can you be so clear-minded?” This issue, if thought through, Xiang Wei could have understood too. But she was just worried about An Zhichen being poor and Yueyao suffering if marrying him, so she didn’t think deeply. Yueyao said: “I told you, when you’re involved, you can’t see clearly; an outsider sees it well.” Xiang Wei had a strange thought; it was as if she had swapped places with Yueyao. Otherwise, how could she be anxious while Yueyao remained so calm? After realizing it, Xiang Wei no longer felt awkward; instead, she silently mourned for An Zhichen for three minutes. Her family’s young lady, with such a cold temperament, it was unusually difficult to warm her heart. Yueyao sent a letter to Ma Chengteng, saying she listened to Master Xuan Tian’s Zen talks at Zhaohua Temple daily and gained a lot, so she wouldn’t return for the New Year and would come back after it. Ma Chengteng sighed slightly; thinking about Yueyao’s temperament, he finally agreed. Only, the past years were so lively, and this year was so quiet, he missed his grandchildren. When Yueyao sent the letter, she also sent Yuebing’s additional ornaments. Yuebing looked at the few pieces of jewelry Yueyao sent, valuable, yet not what Yuebing expected: “I knew Yueyao wouldn’t part with her masterpieces.” Many people sought Yueyao’s calligraphy, but unfortunately, Yueyao had only given away two pieces so far, far less than her paintings circulated outside. Nanny Cui beside her laughed: “The less the Third Young Lady’s calligraphy is circulated, the more precious it becomes.” If it were like cabbages everywhere, it wouldn’t be worth much. Yuebing actually also liked the piece Yueyao gave to Tingyi, but it seemed she’d have to ask for one later. Latest content publıshed on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩 Nanny Cui was worried about something else: “Young Lady, the Third Young Lady not coming back might cause some people to gossip. You should be mentally prepared.” Last time, the Second Young Master didn’t attend the wedding because he was truly ill. This time, the Third Young Lady wasn’t coming, not due to illness, but because she went to the temple. It’s hard to explain why the Third Young Lady would rather stay in a temple than return to the Capital City for her cousin’s wedding. Worse, since moving to Ma’s Mansion, the Third Young Lady hadn’t returned to the Lian family. Yuebing was a bit distressed too. Yueyao’s knot in her heart couldn’t be untied quickly, yet this matter had become a sore point for the Lian family. But when she heard in the afternoon that Tingzheng returned, she immediately felt at ease. With Tingzheng around, those gossips could be silenced. Tingzheng had suffered neglect in the Lian family when he was young, but in recent years, his days had been going well, and he didn’t hold those matters in his heart. Seeing Tingyi, Tingzheng smiled: “Sister said she’s been attending Master Xuan Tian’s Zen talks, so she can’t return for the second sister’s wedding. She asked me to come and see if there’s any help needed.” Whether it was an excuse or not, having a reason is better than none. Tingyi and Tingzheng hardly interacted, so they weren’t familiar, but Tingyi knew Tingzheng went to the Primus Battalion: “Fourth brother, are you planning to pursue a military career in the Primus Battalion?” Tingzheng nodded: “Yes. I’m no good at studying; if I were to buy an official title, it wouldn’t lead to much success. Going into the military is better.” The Li family didn’t have any objections to Tingzheng’s military path, and the Ma family wasn’t opposed either. After entering the military, Tingzheng instantly took a liking to life in the barracks. Tingyi had no objections to Tingzheng’s military path either. Since he couldn’t succeed academically, a military career was another path. Of course, Tingyi was also aware that even if they opposed, it wouldn’t matter, as the decision was in Yueyao’s hands: “Since you are pursuing the military, have you considered aiming for a title or a reputation?” Academics always thought gaining a title would lead to quick promotions later. Tingzheng didn’t hide it from Tingyi, saying: “Yes, planning to try next year.” As for his confidence in succeeding, he didn’t mention that, as they weren’t acquainted enough. Tingyi nodded: “That’s good.” The two weren’t familiar, and one was scholarly while the other martial, leaving little topic to discuss. Luckily, someone came looking for Tingyi, and the two brothers parted ways.