No sooner had one worry been laid to rest than Madam Zhu came to seek her counsel.
"Berlin is already fourteen. During social interactions with relatives and old acquaintances, his marriage prospects are always mentioned, either openly or subtly. I've been looking for suitable young ladies, but good matches aren't found everywhere. Moreover, families like ours must consider every aspect carefully - we can't favor one side over the other. It will likely take at least a year or more to settle on someone."
Madam Zhu sighed deeply. Before the Hua family's restoration, she had worried about her children's marriage prospects being difficult. Now that the family's status surpassed even before, she feared bringing in a daughter-in-law with ulterior motives who might disrupt the family's peace and harmony. A parent's worries never cease.
Hua Zhi listened patiently to her mother's concerns. Had her mother not reminded her, she would have forgotten that Berlin was already fourteen - the age when engagements were typically arranged in Daqing. Young men from prominent families had little freedom in this matter, especially the eldest sons and heirs. Most had their marriages arranged early. Given the Hua family's current standing, Berlin was probably already being watched by many.
But fourteen years old! Even if they waited two or three years for the wedding, he would only be sixteen or seventeen.
"Zhi Er, do you have any thoughts on this?"
Collecting her thoughts, Hua Zhi looked at her mother's rosy, carefree face. "Have Grandfather and Father said anything about Berlin's marriage arrangements?"
Madam Zhu smiled. "Your grandfather hasn't intervened in this matter. Your father just told me to choose carefully, and to consult you if I couldn't decide. So here I am."
Hua Zhi didn't know what to say. How could her father so naturally expect a married daughter to manage her family's affairs? Yet this profound trust warmed her heart. After some thought, she asked, "What about Berlin? Does he have any thoughts?"
"What thoughts could he have? Marriage arrangements have always been decided by parents and matchmakers. We can't possibly let him make his own choice." Remembering her daughter's unconventional approach to marriage, she tapped Hua Zhi's forehead. "Your case is the exception."
Hua Zhi didn't argue, agreeing with everything said until she had satisfied her mother and seen her off.
"Send someone to wait at the palace gate and invite Berlin here."
Ying Chun acknowledged the order and immediately made arrangements.
Hua Bolin visited the Wang residence frequently, but this was the first time his elder sister had summoned him. Thinking something might be wrong, he rushed over immediately. Despite the bitter cold and the biting wind that chilled his face, his back was damp with sweat from anxiety. Only when he saw his elder sister was unharmed did he relax.
"Why such haste?" Hua Zhi rose to approach him, but Hua Bolin waved her off, consciously moving to stand by the fireplace to warm himself, careful not to bring the cold air near his elder sister.
By then maids had brought hot water and tea. Hua Zhi sat back down as he wished, watching their activities with an amused expression. "Mother visited today," she said.
Hua Bolin looked at her.
"About your marriage." Seeing her brother's unsurprised expression, Hua Zhi realized he must have known already. "Will you follow the family's arrangements?"
"I have no one in mind, so I haven't given it any thought. Anyway, Mother and Elder Sister would never make me marry someone unreasonable."
That was absolutely impossible - Hua Zhi was confident of that much. "But this is the person who will accompany you for life. Don't you have any requirements at all?"
After drinking a bowl of ginger soup in one go and feeling warmth return to his body, Hua Bolin took a seat near his elder sister. He looked up at her, noting that her features showed traces of their former peaceful appearance. "If she can measure up to even one or two aspects of Elder Sister, that would be enough."Hua Zhi shot him a mock glare before breaking into a smile. "Should I say your standards are too high or too low? Finding someone as skilled in business as I am is no easy task, but finding someone whose beauty is merely a tenth of mine... would that even be worth looking at?"
If someone had even a tenth of your capabilities, they’d already surpass many, Hua Bolin thought to himself. Without exposing his elder sister’s feigned ignorance, he chuckled and said, "In any case, I trust Elder Sister’s judgment in selecting a match for me."
Hua Zhi had never intended to shirk this responsibility. Even if it invited gossip, she was determined to oversee it. He was her only blood-related younger brother, and they had always been close. If she didn’t find him a suitable partner, it would weigh on her mind day after day.
Yet, finding the right match was far from easy. The capital had only so many eligible candidates, and after sifting through them repeatedly, the year ended without success.
"Your Highness, the Bai family’s young lady has delivered New Year’s gifts."
"Uncle Bai’s daughter?"
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