"Young Master Meng, are you alright? Have some water to quench your thirst."
Meng Qinghua, coughing, accepted the cup without looking, but just as he was about to drink, he noticed the red imprint on the cup's rim.
Startled, he quickly put the cup down and poured himself a full cup of water, drinking it in one go.
Seeing that he was still behaving himself and not casually using utensils previously used by other women, Su Zirong was quite pleased. However, this test alone was not enough; she naturally intended to continue.
After lunch, everyone returned to their rooms to rest, but Su Zirong, carrying some pastries, stood at Meng Qinghua's door.
In the corner, Su Yuxi also stood secretly, watching the scene.
At the dining table, Meng Qinghua had conducted himself properly and behaved himself. However, all of that was in front of everyone. Even if he had any ulterior motives, he wouldn't act on them in front of others.
Since she wanted to test him, she naturally needed to observe his character in private.
She nodded to her elder sister beside her and then pushed open the door to enter the room.
"Young Master Meng, I saw you were not feeling well during lunch. Here are some pastries I made myself. Please try them and tell me how they taste."
Her voice was charming, and upon entering the room, she walked to Meng Qinghua's side.
Seeing her suddenly barge in, Meng Qinghua frowned slightly in displeasure. However, remembering that Su Zirong was also a guest, he replied politely.
"Thank you for your kindness, Second Miss. I don't usually eat much, and lunch was very satisfying. I appreciate your concern."
He stood up and sat down at the nearby writing desk, showing no inclination to engage further.
Seeing him evade her, Su Zirong smiled with satisfaction.
"He appears to be a gentleman on the surface. Let's see if he can remain unmoved when tempted."
With this thought, Su Zirong again approached him with the pastries.
"Even if you ate well, you should try these. I spent the entire morning making them. No one else has tasted them; you are the first to receive them."
After speaking, she picked up a pastry with her hand and brought it towards Meng Qinghua's mouth.
This woman's sudden attentiveness genuinely startled Meng Qinghua. He quickly reached out to block her, his expression turning displeased.
"I appreciate your kindness, Second Miss, but I have always disliked sweets. Please take them to others."
Seeing him dodge her, Su Zirong prepared her final move.
She put down the pastry she was holding and, taking advantage of his slight fluster, crouched down and attempted to sit on his lap.
Disturbed by the woman's actions, Meng Qinghua pushed her away forcefully, his expression no longer amiable.
"There should be a distinction between men and women. Miss Su Er, I hope you will respect yourself. Please do not come to this room again in the future. I have no intentions towards you."
Although Meng Qinghua was angry, Su Zirong became happy. Firstly, she could rest assured that he had no intentions towards her. Secondly, she had helped her elder sister test his character.
Thinking that she had been rather bold today and had done something embarrassing, Su Zirong quickly stood up and moved aside.
All of this was observed by Su Yuxi, who was secretly watching from the corner.
While she was not yet certain if he liked her, the events of the day indicated that this Meng Qinghua indeed possessed noble character and was a true gentleman.
Since this test was complete, and fearing that Meng Qinghua might speak ill of her, Su Zirong immediately changed the subject.
"Actually, I don't like you. I just wanted to see your feelings towards our sisters. Since you have no intentions towards me, what about my elder sister? Do you like her?"
Seeing Second Miss Su suddenly shift the topic to Su Yuxi, Meng Qinghua flicked his sleeve and sat to the side.
He was naturally angry and thought that this Second Miss Su was toying with him.
Su Zirong looked at his actions. He remained silent and expressionless. Could it be that he had no interest in her elder sister?
Thinking this, Su Zirong became anxious and decided to trick him into revealing the truth. She placed the food box aside and, with a ladylike demeanor, sat opposite Meng Qinghua.
"Hmph, I'll tell you, my elder sister is already betrothed. Although we haven't met, it's an arrangement made by our parents through a matchmaker. Do you understand?"
She tried to hint at it to Meng Qinghua. Upon hearing the word "betrothed," his eyes finally showed a change.
"Matters of the heart cannot be trifled with. Since they have never met, even if it's an arrangement by their parents, the two will not be happy in the future."
Meng Qinghua's words carried a hint of sourness. Su Zirong understood but still wanted to tease him a bit, especially after he had just said such harsh words to her.
"Alas, but in our Nan Yi Kingdom, once a mother has decided on our marriage, even if we are unwilling, we cannot object, or we will be criticized by the family."
She shook her head repeatedly, not giving Meng Qinghua a chance to speak before picking up the food box and walking out.
This man had feelings for her elder sister. However, he currently seemed like a block of wood, oblivious to affection. It would be better to create a crisis for him so he would learn to express himself.
Seeing her sister emerge, Su Yuxi anxiously walked up to her.
"Why did you tell him I am betrothed? When did Mother arrange that for me?"
If her favored suitor misunderstood, she would truly be unable to clear her name.
Seeing her sister's anxiety, Su Zirong struggled to suppress her laughter.
"You, my dear, I was merely continuing to test him. If he truly has feelings for you and is someone worth entrusting yourself to, he will surely find a way to protect you. Such a man is worth marrying."
Hearing her sister's words, Su Yuxi felt a little uneasy, but she nodded. He did have feelings for her; this much was confirmed. After all, they had not spent much time together. If they were to have a future, it was natural to see if he was steadfast in his feelings for her.
She had caused enough commotion today, and Meng Qinghua's situation was now settled.
Tomorrow, Su Yuxi would test Duan Xifeng's feelings for her younger sister.
However, that man was not as refined as Meng Qinghua. To orchestrate such a scene for her younger sister, she doubted it would succeed.
Su Yuxi was not one for subtlety. Given Duan Xifeng's personality, direct questioning would be faster than any roundabout tests.
The next morning, Su Yuxi arrived in the courtyard.
Duan Xifeng practiced his martial arts here every morning. With everyone still asleep, this was the perfect opportunity to ask.
"Young Master Duan's martial arts are truly exquisite. No wonder you were the one taking care of my second sister when she was confined."
Su Yuxi brought tea into the courtyard and initiated a conversation with Duan Xifeng.
"I took care of her? That woman, I don't know if she's accustomed to being pampered or if she's just foolish. She doesn't even know how to cook. Those palace attendants don't indulge us. If I hadn't stepped in, who would be responsible if she starved to death?"
He spoke of the palace situation without any reservation.
Su Yuxi took a deep breath. This Duan Xifeng was truly devoid of any romantic sensibility.