After saying that, Master nodded to me: "Xiao Mo, let's go back."
I find Master extremely strange today. Since we agreed to come to Aunt Gu's place to find out what was going on, why did he turn around and go home after just a few words? Where did all that imposing manner he had when he went up the steps go?
On the way, my master remained silent, his expression somewhere between being lost in thought, bewildered, or perhaps possessed by a demon. I dared not disturb him and wondered to myself.
Unexpectedly, upon returning to Guiyun Manor, something even more astonishing happened!
The master found Lady Qi and said directly, "I would like to ask my sister-in-law to grant me a favor."
Lady Qi smiled and said, "Shi Jing, why are you being so polite with me? Just tell me what's on your mind! We're now in-laws, why are you being so formal with these talk of whether or not to help us get together? Isn't that being too distant?"
The master's face flushed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "I would like to ask my sister-in-law to act as my matchmaker."
Jiang Chen, Madam Qi, and I all exclaimed "Ah!" in unison, our eyes widening as if struck by a clap of thunder.
The master's face flushed even deeper, but he said resolutely, "I want to marry Sister Gu!"
Forced marriage brings laughter, engagement brings annoyance.
"Aunt Gu?"
Jiang Chen, Madam Qi, and I gasped in unison, as if struck by lightning! What's wrong with Master? Yesterday he was avoiding Aunt Gu like the plague; she teased him a couple of times, and he ran away. Could it be that he's fallen for her at first sight today?
Jiang Chen was the first to understand. He looked at his master, then at me, and asked, "Xiao Mo, do you think we're a good match?"
This news was so sudden; I hadn't thought that far ahead yet. Whether we're a good match or not, I really hadn't considered that. Wasn't my master more fond of my mother?
Lady Qi's expression changed: "Oh dear, this, this, I'm afraid it won't do."
The master asked urgently, "Why doesn't it work?"
"She said she didn't want to get married."
Jiang Chen said, "That's other people. Someone like my master, she would definitely marry him."
Master has finally decided to settle down, and we disciples have been waiting for a wife for over a decade. I understand Jiang Chen's eagerness. However, Master's decision is too sudden; falling for someone else is catching us off guard. Although I'm confused, I've decided to support Master. Otherwise, once Master has this change of heart, when will he be able to move on? That's a question. What if he's hurt by Madam Qi and Aunt Gu and decides to remain single? That would be such a pity.
I chimed in, "No matter how discerning she is, she'd be drawn to someone like Master. Last time we went to the shop, she looked at Master with such affection and even asked if he was married."
I took it upon myself to escalate my enthusiasm to a tender, affectionate one, and as soon as I said that, my master's handsome face turned red again.
The master cupped his hands and said, "Please ask your sister-in-law to go and speak with them. Shi Jingjing awaits good news."
After saying this, Master's face turned as red as a shrimp that had been boiled. I secretly admired him; indeed, he was a man of few words but astounding success. The speed of his love at first sight and his determination to marry no one else were truly astonishing. It seems this old house is on fire, and even the Dragon King can't save it!
Lady Qi seemed a little hesitant, and after a moment's pause, she said, "Alright, I'll go ask. You wait here for my news."
After saying this, she ordered a sedan chair to be prepared and went to act as a matchmaker for her master.
As soon as Lady Qi left, I tugged at my master's arm and asked, "Master, why do you like Aunt Gu?"
There's one more thing I didn't dare say: Don't you like my mother?
The master coughed twice, a little embarrassed: "Xiao Mo, this is hard to say."
Jiang Chen chuckled and said, "Xiao Mo, what Master means is that there's no reason for liking someone. If you see something you like and it clicks with you, then you like it."
I glared at him resentfully: "Jiang Chen, you seem very experienced. Did you have a crush on someone before?"
Jiang Chen quickly waved his hand: "Absolutely not."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Chen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled broadly, feigning surprise: "Xiao Mo, are you jealous of me?"
Jealous? I was taken aback, my face flushed a little. That tone just now was really a bit sour and unreasonable.
Master gazed longingly at the road outside the hall, pacing back and forth inside the room, his mind elsewhere. His face flushed and paled in turns, his brows furrowed and relaxed, his expressions so varied that I was amazed.
Lady Qi was incredibly fast and returned very quickly.
We eagerly awaited good news, but to our surprise, Lady Qi poured cold water on our hopes: "She said she wouldn't marry anyone."
Jiang Chen and I asked in unison, "Master isn't getting married either?"
Lady Qi nodded, looking at her master with a hint of regret.
Jiang Chen and I exchanged a glance; he looked utterly incredulous. I felt the same way. Someone like Master, and she wouldn't marry him? Tsk tsk, really... sir, is there no justice in this world?
The master's eyes dimmed, and he lowered his head without saying a word.
Lady Qi smiled and comforted her master, "Shi Jing, don't be sad. I'll find you a good girl later."
Suddenly, the master's face revealed a majestic and awe-inspiring expression: "I will marry no one but her!"
Jiang Chen and I exchanged another glance, utterly incredulous! What's wrong with Master? After decades of unwavering devotion, he's suddenly fallen for a woman he's only met twice, and with such a desperate, earth-shattering move.
Alas, what is love in this world? It leaves one utterly bewildered.
Lady Qi said with difficulty, "You insist on marrying no one but her, but she won't marry anyone else. What should we do?"
The master suddenly became firm and said something shocking: "If she refuses to marry me, Xiao Mo cannot marry into your Jiang family!"
Jiang Chen jumped high: "Master, Master, you can't be unreasonable!"
Lady Qi also said anxiously, "Shi Jing, this is two different things. I've told everyone about Chen'er's marriage, and preparations have already begun. The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, you can't do this!"