She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Chapter 259 Asking for Marriage

Shen Mingzhu held the heavy money bag, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

She knew very well that Zhao Jue didn't have much money, and neither the Duke's Mansion nor the Luo family was willing to help them.

Zhao Jue had no business to make a living, so where did he get the money?

Hearing footsteps, Shen Mingzhu looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Second Master rushing over, quickly stuffing the money bag into his sleeve.

The second master noticed Shen Mingzhu standing alone at the door, with no sign of Zhao Jue. He asked, "Jue'er is back?"

"Third Master's return to the manor was like a routine check-in at the government office; he only made a brief appearance before leaving again."

Shen Mingzhu covered her sleeve, suspecting that Zhao Jue's money was ill-gotten.

He gave her all the money, so he went out to get more money?

"Gone again?" The second master glared and said impatiently, "Mingzhu, how much silver do you have? Let me borrow some first. When Jue'er comes back, I'll ask him for the silver and then pay you back."

He woke up this morning and could no longer see Yue Niang.

The madam said that a wealthy young man had taken a fancy to Yue Niang and would redeem her from servitude in five days.

Nowadays, the Moon Goddess is no longer allowed to receive guests.

The madam also said that he was Yue Niang's patron, and that Yue Niang had feelings for him. If he could raise enough money to redeem her within five days, she would go with him.

The second master wanted to redeem Yue Niang from her servitude, but he couldn't afford to spend any money.

Selling this house would be enough to redeem Yue Niang from her servitude, but the deed is in Zhao Jue's hands.

He wanted to get some money from Shen Mingzhu to ask the madam to make an exception and let him see Yue Niang.

"Father-in-law, I don't have any money either." Shen Mingzhu touched her bulging belly and said pitifully, "We don't even have money to buy things for the baby. If Third Master can't borrow money, the baby won't even have clothes to wear after it's born."

The second master looked at Shen Mingzhu's big belly and awkwardly touched his nose.

Shen Mingzhu ignored the second master and turned to go back to the courtyard.

They stopped investigating the source of Zhao Jue's money, as long as she had money to spend.

-

Zhao Jue arrived at Wuping Lane with a heavy heart, looking up at the tightly closed gate, wondering what excuse he could use to see Yue Niang.

Suddenly, the gates of the mansion opened.

He saw Yue Niang coming out of the mansion with her maid, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected such a coincidence.

Moon Lady asked in surprise, "Young Master, what brings you here?"

Zhao Jue lied and said, "You gave me too much as a thank you gift, so I came here specifically to return the money to you."

That's what they said, but they didn't take out any money.

“There’s no reason to take back what’s been sent,” Yue Niang said dismissively. “That little bit of silver is nothing to me.”

This was originally just an excuse Zhao Jue made up, and he didn't continue the conversation with Yue Niang. Otherwise, if he couldn't come up with the money, things would get out of hand.

He asked, "You didn't seem very happy when you came out. Did you encounter some difficulties?"

The moon goddess's smile faded. She glanced at the house behind her and silently walked towards the alley entrance.

Zhao Jue followed behind her at a leisurely pace.

After walking out of the alley, Yue Niang stopped and said with a sad expression, "My aunt moved away with her whole family, leaving behind a steward. The steward was very hospitable and treated me very well. But when he learned that I was an orphan, his attitude changed drastically, and he said that my aunt had given him the house."

“How could you possibly give the house to a servant? He’s clearly taking advantage of you, an orphan with no one to rely on, and trying to swindle your money.”

The maid Qiao'er said angrily, "He said that if you don't give him money to buy the house, you should move out as soon as possible. He also said that he has a grandson who is about your age. Isn't he just trying to get you to marry his grandson?"

At this point, Qiao'er spat, "A toad trying to eat swan meat."

"Qiao'er," Yue Niang said softly, glancing at Zhao Jue discreetly, and said with great embarrassment, "I plan to buy a house and move out."

“You’re new to the capital and unfamiliar with the place, so buying a house won’t be easy.” Zhao Jue seized the opportunity: “If you trust me, I’ll arrange it for you.”

“Young master, I don’t know anyone else but you.” Yue Niang’s face was full of trust: “I gave you silver to repay me, but you thought it was too much. It’s clear that you are a virtuous gentleman.”

At this point, Yue Niang said somewhat embarrassedly, "Am I troubling you too much?"

"No, it's nothing," Zhao Jue said with a smile. "It's a piece of cake."

"Never mind, I won't trouble you." Yue Niang looked at Zhao Jue with tender eyes: "You can help me for a while, but you can't help me forever. I have to stand on my own two feet. I'll take care of the house myself."

Zhao Jue frowned, and before he could speak, Yue Niang continued, "I am all alone in the capital, holding a fortune in my hands, which everyone covets. If I can't even solve the problem of a house, I can't protect this fortune."

At this point, Yue Niang smiled and said, "Young master, thank you for your kindness. Meeting you is the only fortunate thing that has happened to me in the capital."

Zhao Jue looked at her petite and frail figure. She was all alone, in a pit of fire, helpless and alone, yet she still showed a strong side.

“Actually, there is another way to solve your current predicament.” Zhao Jue seized the opportunity and then asked Yue Niang for her hand in marriage: “If you marry me, all the problems you are facing right now will be solved.”

Moon Lady was stunned.

"Your carriage went out of control, which led you to meet me. Isn't this a match made in heaven?" Zhao Jue gazed at her with deep eyes and said sincerely, "If you marry me, I will not let you suffer any injustice. I will protect you for the rest of my life."

Looking at his handsome face, Yue Niang saw that his expression was very sincere, as if marrying him would give her someone to rely on.

She seemed moved by his words, her eyes brimming with tears, almost ready to agree immediately. But the next moment, her expression faltered, as if she had some reservations.

“I…I am just an orphan with no parents. If I marry you, I will not be able to help you at all, but will only become a burden to you.”

Moon Maiden gently shook her head, biting her lip: "Young master, you should marry a virtuous wife of equal social standing..."

She wanted to marry him, but she was also afraid of being a burden to him. Even the light in her eyes dimmed, making her appear even more delicate and pale.

“I married the woman I love, not because of her family background.” Looking at her like this, Zhao Jue slightly curled the corners of his lips: “I saved you, so logically, you should repay me with your body.”

Yue Niang suddenly looked at Zhao Jue, her lips trembling, still harboring concerns.

"Don't overthink it. Only incompetent men think about relying on women." Seeing her hesitation and indecisiveness, Zhao Jue made his own decision: "I will ask a matchmaker to propose marriage to you tomorrow."

"Son..."

“My surname is Zhao, and I’m the third son in my family. You can call me Sanlang.” A hint of tenderness flickered in Zhao Jue’s deep eyes: “And you?”

Moon Maiden blushed and made up a false name: "My parents call me Jade Maiden."

“Yu Niang…” Zhao Jue murmured her name between his lips, his tone intimate and ambiguous: “It suits you very well.”

Moon Maiden blushed and her heart pounded; she dared not look at him again.

Zhao Jue looked at her flushed cheeks, which were both shy and innocent, making her exceptionally charming and beautiful.

At this moment, he felt that marrying her wasn't too much of a stretch.

After leaving Wuping Lane, Zhao Jue hired a matchmaker and asked her to propose marriage to Yue Niang first thing the next morning.

With everything settled, Zhao Jue returned to the Zhao family home, intending to have a talk with Shen Mingzhu.