Confession

When Wen Die heard this, she asked anxiously: "Yuan'er, are you sure?"

"I overheard Bi Xia say it, Miss." Yuan'er replied: "Bi Xia is the madam's personal maid, so there shouldn't be any mistake."

Wen Die said: "Let's go. I need to talk to my mother."

"What for? I can't believe you remembered your old mother at all." Before they could step out of the room, a graceful woman with a smile walked in. She had a face that resembled Wen Die's by about six or seven parts.

"Mother, what are you doing here? I was just going to find you!" Wen Die said, pulling her mother's hand.

"You little girl, why have you been running out so often these days? A young lady shouldn't be out in the open all the time." Madam Wen said, playfully poking her daughter's forehead.

"Mother, I heard you're looking for a match for me?" Wen Die asked.

"How did you know? I've been trying to find a suitable family for you these past few days. There is one family that I'm quite happy with, actually. Your grandfather introduced us to them. They have good backgrounds, and their son is very well-mannered and educated too." Madam Wen said with a smile.

When Wen Die heard this, she started stamping her feet in frustration: "Mother, oldest brother isn't even married yet! How can I, as the younger sister, be looking for a match before him?! Anyway, I don't want to right now."

"Both of you have a part in this." Madam Wen said: "It's just that there hasn't been a suitable girl for your brother. Why are you unwilling?"

Wen Die was at a loss for words. She finally said: "Anyway, I don't want to marry right now. I want to stay by Mother's side a little longer."

Madam Wen looked at her suspiciously. Surely I know my daughter's temperament well enough. She asked: "Die'er, tell me honestly, is there something you're hiding from me?"

Wen Die felt a bit guilty but quickly composed herself: "Mother, what are you saying! I wouldn't hide anything from you!"

Madam Wen noticed her daughter constantly pulling at her handkerchief and knew she was lying. Ever since they were young, Die'er had always fidgeted with her hands whenever she told a lie.

Madam Wen's expression hardened: "Yuan'er, tell me!"

Yuan'er kept her head down and stammered: "I... I don't know what you're talking about."

Madam Wen pressed: "You're with Die'er all day. How could you not know!"

Wen Die hurriedly spoke up: "Mother, don't blame Yuan'er. I'll tell you! I... Your daughter, I think I've fallen for someone."

Madam Wen took a deep breath and tried to calm herself: "Go on... go on and tell me. If this person is truly worthy, Mother won't stand in your way."

At that moment, Wen Yuan walked in. He saw his mother with his sister and noticed his sister's head bowed low like she was a child who had made a mistake. He asked: "Mother, what's wrong?"

Madam Wen said: "I'm afraid you're involved too! The two of you have been keeping secrets."

Wen Yuan looked puzzled and said: "Mother, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Madam Wen said: "Your sister has a crush now, and I can't believe you, as her brother, wouldn't know about it!"

"What?! Sister, you have a crush on someone? Let me help you figure it out!" Wen Yuan was surprised at first, then offered his help.

Madam Wen said: "Let her speak for herself."

Wen Die kept her head down and said: "Brother, it's... it's Master Xu."

Madam Wen thought for a moment and said: "I've never heard of a family with the surname Xu in Qingyun City!"

Wen Yuan almost dropped the cup of tea he had just picked up. Looking at his sister in disbelief, he asked: "Sister, how many times have you met Master Xu? He doesn't even seem to recognize you, right?"

Wen Die squeezed the handkerchief in her hand, glanced at her mother, but didn't say anything.

Madam Wen asked: "Yuan'er, tell me, who is this Master Xu?"

So, Wen Yuan briefly told his mother about what he knew of the Xu family.

Madam Wen said: "When your father kicked Gao Yuan out, it was also because of someone named Xu. And that night, your father came home late after drinking with an old man named Xu. Is this Xu family the one you're talking about?"

Wen Yuan nodded: "Yes, that's them!"

Madam Wen's face darkened: "Well, aren't you all clever! Your grandfather, father, and now you—the three of you keep everything from me, treating me like an outsider who doesn't deserve to know."

Wen Yuan said: "Mother, don't get upset, Father told us to be friendly with the Xu family. How could we have guessed that younger sister would fall for Master Xu?"

Madam Wen fumed: "Just wait until your father gets back. I'll make sure he explains everything in detail. Yuan'er, since you've met people from the Xu family, tell me about them. What do they do for a living?"

Wen Yuan asked: "Mother, remember that fruit wine my father brought back a few days ago?"

"Of course I remember." Madam Wen replied: "That wine is all the rage in the capital right now, and it's unbelievably expensive too. I asked your father where he got so much of it, and he only said someone had given it to him."

"The Xu patriarch was the one who gave it to him." Wen Yuan said.

Madam Wen was startled: "Is the Xu family that wealthy? Those two jars must be worth several thousand taels!"

Wen Yuan replied: "That's right! Even if you had money, you couldn't buy this wine in the capital. You need a certain status to get it. This wine is from the Xu family!"

Madam Wen was stunned and silent for a moment before saying: "I know the Xus are rich, but if Young Master Xu is a bad person, I won't throw my daughter into the fire."

Wen Yuan smiled and said: "Mother, don't worry. This Master Xu is definitely much better than the family you picked for my sister. I have seen this Master Xu. His talent and appearance are first-class. I even admire him. He came to Qingyun City this time to take the imperial examination."

Madam Wen said: "The man I picked for your sister could become a serious official in the capital one day. But where does Young Master Xu live?"

Wen Yuan replied: "His family lives in Xujia Village, Huamen Town. Although they live in the village, I have met other members of the Xu family. They are all very easy to get along with."

Madam Wen frowned in thought and said: "If they're so rich, why do they live in such a small place? How could they have any connection to the capital?"

Wen Yuan said: "Mother, when Father returns, ask him. He knows more than I do."

Madam Wen said: "I should certainly ask him properly."

"Die'er, do you truly like this Master Xu?" Wen Yuan asked.

Wen Die gritted her teeth, looking resigned: "Brother, I'm not sure either, but from the first time I saw him, my heart couldn't help but beat fast. This has never happened before, and I couldn't help but want to get to know him."

Wen Yuan nodded: "That confirms it. You've fallen for him. So why have you been going to Juxiang Pavilion every day these days?"

Wen Die gave a slight nod.

Madam Wen, exasperated, chided: "You foolish girl! What must the Xu family think of you? Let me tell you, I won't allow a young lady to take the lead in such matters. If Master Xu likes you, let him send for a matchmaker to propose!"

Wen Yuan interjected: "Mother, how can anyone say they like someone without even meeting them first? But I must say, I wouldn't mind having him as a brother-in-law."

"Die'er, you'll stay here at home for the next few days." Madam Wen declared: "I have plans."

Wen Die, too apprehensive to defy her, could only nod.

"Tomorrow is the last day of the exams." Wen Yuan pointed out: "The Xu family will probably leave Qingyun City soon. If Master Xu does well in the exam this time, will you let me get in touch with him?"

Wen Die also looked anxiously at their mother.

Madam Wen considered this: "If he really comes out on top this time, I won't just agree—I'll actively seek a match for Die'er. If he's as talented as you say, he'll surely have even greater opportunities in the future. Then he'll have his pick of the best girls. But first, I need to meet him and see for myself."