Chapter 386: Contingency Plan (1) (1/2)

The hall that had been full to the point of bursting emptied out in an instant.

Miss Su stood on the right side of the hall with her mother and aunts. She had her head and eyes lowered, the very picture of a virtuous and humble woman.

Old Duchess Ying cast a measuring gaze over her before she was satisfied. She beckoned to Miss Su, “Miss Su, come over to Grandmother.”

Miss Su shot a quick glance at her mother before hurrying over to the old duchess.

The old duchess patted her head with affection, “Our Miss Su has already grown into a young lady in the blink of an eye. Look at how lovely these cheeks are. Grandmother still remembers when you were just a tiny little infant in your mother’s arms!”

These ‘caring’ words were very generic and had been used hundreds of times over. Back when it had been time for Second Miss to be betrothed, the old duchess had said the exact same words. The same had gone for Fourth Miss. Now that she was saying them to Fifth Miss Su, everyone pricked up their ears.

As much as Miss Su didn’t like this grandmother of hers, she still showed her respect. “Granddaughter thanks Grandmother for her concern.”

“Ay, my good granddaughter.” Old Duchess Ying spoke with so much feeling that it almost seemed like her eyes were about to tear up.

If not for the unspoken understanding in the family that the matriarch didn’t like girls, they might even have been moved by this show of grandmotherly love.

One of the maidservants handed the old duchess a handkerchief just in time and the old duchess dabbed at the corners of her eyes.

“Since you’re already a grown lady, Grandmother can’t keep you any longer. I’ve been in discussion with your grandfather these few days and we’ve chosen a good husband for you. You and your mother should be familiar with the man in question- he’s our estate’s top scholar!”

When Miss Su heard this, her body trembled in shock. She lost control of her emotions and was about to reject it on the spot. However, before she could say anything, her mother tugged at her.

The madam of the main branch chuckled and said, “That really is a good marriage partner for our Miss Su. You’ve worked hard, Mother.”

There were all sorts of expressions on display in the hall right now, making for a marvellous show!

Miss Yuan was standing next to her own mother. When she heard the news, her eyes immediately widened and she looked as if she was in disbelief.

Mister Xiao had such extraordinary looks and he was the top scholar to boot! How could he possibly marry Miss Su?!

After the imperial examinations, Xiao Bojian had visited the Ying Estate often. Due to his newly earned status, he came and went from the estate freely. House Ying was falling over themselves and trying their best to treat him as one of their own, as if that would somehow make him one of their descendants.

He had already created a reputation for himself in the imperial college even before he had attended the imperial examinations. Later on, when he had become the top scholar, he had become even more popular as a target of admiration for most of the men and women in the capital.

Miss Yuan hadn’t seen him much previously. Now that Xiao Bojian was regularly coming and going from the Ying Estate, Miss Yuan had found a chance to sneak a peek at him. From just that one peek, her heart had fallen for him.

She wasn’t a young child any longer. She would turn fifteen and become of marriageable age in the new year.