Cheng Jiaojiao’s pretty face turned red. "How much has Young Master Ouyang had to drink? He can't even find his way home."
Although Ouyang Wen had boasted to Situ Yan about how Cheng Jiaojiao would side with him, and he had even written a letter to express his feelings, Cheng Jiaojiao had never given him a direct response.
Of course, there hadn't been an opportunity.
As a young lady, she couldn't possibly write such things in a reply. What if the letter was lost and her reputation was ruined?
Relying on the bit of drunkenness left in him, he finally spoke, "Jiaojiao, I want to send someone to propose marriage?"
Cheng Jiaojiao froze. "Young Master Ouyang, you're drunk."
"No, no. This little bit of wine... what is it? I, I am sober."
"Then do you know what you're saying?"
"Proposing, proposing marriage." Ouyang Wen slurred his words, his eyes hazy with drink. The more he looked at the woman before him, the more charming and lovely she seemed. "Mmm, you're so beautiful."
Cheng Jiaojiao smiled self-deprecatingly. So, she was indeed destined to rely on her looks for favor.
However, after all, she had deliberately sought him out, and her wish was granted. It could hardly be considered an injustice. She smiled, "Young Master Ouyang, you're drunk. You should go back and rest."
"I'm not drunk."
"If you're not drunk, why would you say this to a sheltered girl like me? Marriage is decreed by parents and arranged by matchmakers. You can't possibly want me to elope with you, can you?"
"No, no." Ouyang Wen shook his head like a rattle drum, but his hand precisely grasped hers. "I, I've already spoken to Ah Yan’s wife. In a few days, I'll ask her to be our matchmaker. Brother-in-law dislikes me. You, you must stand by my side."
Cheng Jiaojiao didn't comprehend. "Ah Yan's wife? Matchmaker? You want to wed me... as your main wife?"
Ouyang Wen couldn't discern her hesitation. Being a talkative person, alcohol made him even more verbose. He even had the audacity to act pitiful. "Brother-in-law is so fierce, he definitely won't agree to me marrying you."
Cheng Jiaojiao wanted to shake his shoulders and ask clearly if the position of main wife was real or just drunken ramblings.
After all, she had never dared to even imagine being a Duchess.
But before she could act, Qing'er returned. "Miss, the hangover soup."
Cheng Jiaojiao was a little dejected. "Give it to Young Master Ouyang."
The young master was haughty. "I won't drink it, unless... unless Jiaojiao feeds it to me."
Qing'er: ...He wasn't drunk; he was clearly taking advantage of the situation.
But Cheng Jiaojiao seriously took the bowl.
"Miss." Qing'er tried to stop her, but then heard Cheng Jiaojiao say, "It's not the first time I've fed you anyway."
Ouyang Wen was spoon-fed the hangover soup, let out a satisfied burp, and thought, "She's beautiful and gentle. I definitely didn't choose the wrong wife." "Jiaojiao, I'll come to marry you."
Cheng Jiaojiao said, "Young Master Ouyang, it's getting late. You should go back soon."
She called two guards to escort him back.
Ouyang Wen didn't pester her further, only shouting that Cheng Jiaojiao must stand by his side, otherwise he wouldn't be able to deal with his brother-in-law.
Cheng Jiaojiao was speechless. Qing'er was even more confused. "Miss, did Third Young Master do something to Young Master Ouyang?"
"How would I know? Tidy up and go to sleep."
"But Miss, I thought I just heard Young Master Ouyang say he wanted to come and marry you..."
"Drunken ramblings can't be taken seriously, can they?"
Qing'er said earnestly, "Drunk words reveal true feelings."
"I can't be bothered to talk to you." Cheng Jiaojiao turned and went into her room, burrowing under the covers, the heat on her pretty face lingering.
She had approached Ouyang Wen with a gamble in mind because her third brother was in a dilemma regarding her marriage. After all, he had noble status, and neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Ning would easily move against him. With her status as a merchant's daughter, even if her third brother had all the money in the world, at best she would only be a concubine. But for the sake of Sister Lu, he wouldn't treat her too badly.
But the young master said he wanted to marry her...
Cheng Jiaojiao rolled twice on the bed. Even though she reminded herself repeatedly that he was drunk, she couldn't suppress her racing heart.
Wait, Sister Lu's husband's name was Situ Yan...
Situ Yan, Ah Yan...
The matchmaker he had invited, could it be Sister Lu?
Cheng Jiaojiao tossed and turned all night. The next day, she carefully applied makeup to cover the dark circles under her eyes. As she was admiring herself in the mirror, a young maid entered and handed her a card. "Miss, the Princess of Rui invites you to her mansion for a chat."
Cheng Jiaojiao's heart skipped a beat again.