Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 270

Chapter 270: Minor Engagement

An Zhi was stunned when the eunuch announced that the Grand Princess was willing to assist her with the minor engagement. They all knew that the Grand Princess hadn’t bothered with such matters for years, and the number of times she’d met with her could be counted on two hands.

Now that the Grand Princess had suddenly said this, An Zhi’s first reaction was that someone had asked for her help, so she tactfully asked the eunuch in charge.

“Speaking of which, Young Lady An, you’re just lucky.” The eunuch, still quite old, smiled, his eyes wrinkling as he did, and he poured out flattery. “Just a moment ago, the Grand Princess sent a letter asking that she host your gathering. And then, Fourth Master Pei arrived. He used to look stern, but today, he was beaming from the moment he entered. No matter what the Grand Princess said, he had the nerve to accept it. Young Lady An, you’re truly lucky to have a husband like Fourth Master Pei.”

When An Zhi heard that Pei Que and his sister-in-law had both helped her find the Grand Princess, it seemed they’d also realized that she would need someone to keep her in check. Her heart warmed, like a gentle Spring breeze.

After thanking the steward eunuch, she had Binglu hand over the thick purse.

The steward eunuch quietly weighed the purse in his hand, feeling its weight, and his smile grew even more genuine. “Young Lady An, you will surely have a prosperous future. I will report to the Grand Princess first. Just wait for the next day. I promise your betrothal gift will be the best in the capital.”

An Zhi had Binglu personally escort the steward eunuch out. After they left, she was still a little dazed.

Meng Jie was no longer worried at all. With someone like the Grand Princess around, no matter who came, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble.

After settling one worry, An Zhi returned to her own courtyard. As she sat down, she thought of Pei Que.

Every time she saw the Grand Princess, she always looked regal and unapproachable. She didn’t know what Pei Que had said, but she thought he must have suffered a loss that he couldn’t express.

It was hard for him.

“Miss, are you thinking about Fourth Master Pei?” Binglu teased her young lady, noticing her lost in thought. Recalling the events in the main courtyard, she teased with a smile.

An Zhi, no longer easily shy, recognized Binglu’s teasing and calmly retorted, “I do miss Pei Que, but you’re getting better and better, so I should find you a husband to look after.”

“No, Miss, I was wrong,” Binglu said anxiously. “Please don’t find me a husband. I don’t want to get married!”

Binglu’s heart was completely focused on her young lady. She thought that once she got married, she’d still have to help manage the household and take care of the children. She had no time for marriage.

“Silly girl,” An Zhi smiled, narrowing her eyes. “You don’t live just for me. When you find someone you like, or if you have other ideas, be sure to tell me. You and I grew up together. I married the one I love, and I hope you can do what you like.”

“What I love is to be by your side, Miss, and serve you forever.” Binglu didn’t give her young lady a chance to speak, picking up the tea tray. “The tea’s cold. I’ll get you a fresh one.”

An Zhi watched Binglu’s back, thinking to herself that she must find a good home for Binglu in the future, to be worthy of her loyalty.

Before long, the day of the minor engagement had arrived.

An Zhi woke up early and dressed. Although she was the main character today, she didn’t need to meet any guests. Even exchanging visiting cards was handled by the elders of the two families.

All she had to do was sit quietly in her boudoir, waiting for the ceremony to be completed before the Elder with Good Fortune escorted her to the ladies’ area to meet today’s guests.

Generally speaking, she didn’t have to put in much effort.

Unlike Pei Que, who had to socialize with the usual men in the front courtyard.

Not long after she finished dressing, her aunt’s daughter, Cousin Li Sihui, arrived.

Knowing her cousin’s engagement was today, Li Sihui had woken up before dawn. Upon entering, she was struck by her cousin’s stunning beauty and showered her with compliments.

An Zhi had been a little nervous; after all, she wasn’t there and didn’t know what was going on in the main courtyard, but having Li Sihui there to chat with her eased her nerves.

She pulled Li Sihui over for some snacks. She saw her delicate features and eyebrows. She actually looked a lot like her aunt, and both her aunt and her father were handsome. So, when Li Sihui grew up, she knew she would be a rare beauty.

Li Sihui ate a few snacks and then didn’t dare eat any more. She talked about how her eldest brother had started showing off again after returning to officialdom, then about how Li Wan’s fiancé was plump, and then she recounted everything that had been going on in the Li family recently.

An Zhi listened for a long time before finally grasping the key point: “Has your eldest brother been currying favor with the Minister of Revenue?”

“That’s right. Who else could he curry favor with besides the Minister of Revenue?” Li Sihui spoke of her eldest brother with disdain.

Their conversation was overheard by Xu Wenjuan, who happened to be approaching the door.

Xu Wenjuan entered with a smile, saying, “My father once owed the old Marquis of Weiyuan a favor. An Zhi and I were close at the time, and there happened to be a vacancy at the Ministry of Revenue, so I offered this favor. However, my father won’t interfere in future matters.”

As she spoke, Xu Wenjuan sat down next to An Zhi, staring at her face in fascination. “An Zhi, let alone Pei Que, even I, a woman, would do anything for you if I saw your face.”

An Zhi was used to Xu Wenjuan’s teasing, so she wasn’t embarrassed at the moment. She still took a piece of cake and stuffed it into Xu Wenjuan’s mouth.

Xu Wenjuan took a small bite of the sweet osmanthus cake. As she ate, she said, “By the way, when I came in just now, I noticed a little girl wandering around outside. She’s a stranger. Do you know who she is?”

An Zhi couldn’t confirm it, but she had a rough idea of ​​who it was, so she asked Binglu to go out and check.

After a while, Binglu returned and confirmed An Zhi’s suspicions: it was Pei Yu’s younger sister, Pei Xue.

Pei Xue was the same age as Li Sihui, both eleven. The little girl had been spoiled by her mother, and she hadn’t gotten along with An Zhi since she could remember.

“Chunlan, go see if any of the maids from the Pei family’s main house are nearby. If they are, have them take Pei Xue to her mother.” An Zhi didn’t understand why Pei Xue was hanging around, but she didn’t want to see her right now. It was a rare good day, so there was no need to make things difficult for herself.

But before Chunlan could go out to look for her, Pei Xue appeared at the door. She was dressed in a goose-yellow brocade dress, her hair tied in a bun, and her round eyes glared at An Zhi.

“Vixen! You abandoned my brother and seduced my fourth uncle. You’re a wicked woman!”

After shouting this, Pei Xue took off running.

An Zhi tightened her grip on the teacup slightly. Xu Wenjuan called her a “stinky girl” and told Yun He to go find someone to take the unlucky girl away.