The strategy was approved by his wife, making Fan Zehao extremely happy!
Seeing the two brothers still dazed, he feared they might discover his cunning plan. He quickly pulled them over for a meal, hoping to beguile them with delicious food!
Meanwhile, Zhao Jiaqi, seizing the opportunity, slipped away, contemplating how she would introduce the two great beauties to their future partners. She couldn't just present them as potential spouses immediately, especially ones they were to marry!
While she was hesitating, she saw Su Ya approaching with a tea set. Zhao Jiaqi's eyes lit up. If she couldn't directly introduce them, she could organize a matchmaking party and let them choose each other!
The Huangfu brothers came from distinguished families, were undeniably handsome, highly educated, and possessed a charming demeanor that could easily win over girls. More importantly, neither of them had a wife yet.
This perfectly met the requirements of the Gan family daughters. With this thought, Zhao Jiaqi felt destined to be a matchmaker. However, she also felt a pang of guilt towards the two sisters.
She was using this "honey trap" to keep them tied to her, all for the sake of intricate craftsmanship and the development of cold weapon techniques. It felt rather unfair to them.
If there were genuine affection, their future lives would be harmonious, easing her conscience. But if they ended up in a loveless marriage, wouldn't she have ruined their lives?
Su Ya placed the tea and pastries on the small stone table before her. Noticing her mistress's changing expressions, like a palette of colors, she smiled and asked, "Madam, is something troubling you? Your face is more varied than a color palette!"
"I was just thinking about marriage, and it made me think of you!"
Hearing the word "marriage," Su Ya's delicate face flushed. Embarrassed, she quickly tried to change the subject. "This servant heard that the two young ladies of the Gan family want to stay and serve you as guards. This servant thinks it's a good idea!"
Zhao Jiaqi was surprised. "Oh? They don't even know basic martial arts, wouldn't it be inappropriate for them to be female guards?"
"Setting aside that, their identities are quite special, and their family head might not agree to them becoming my guards. Moreover, you know me; I absolutely will not tolerate anyone using my name or the Prince's name to bully others. So, I'm also worried that if I agree, their family head might cause trouble. I need to consider this matter!"
Su Ya nodded slightly after listening. She didn't see it as a difficult problem. "This servant overheard the sisters saying their family head is merely greedy. Why not find someone to step forward and directly purchase them? Then there would be no fear of them being bullied!"
"Furthermore, after purchasing them, we can warn their family head that if he dares to act recklessly, he will be dealt with according to the law, with no leniency. They likely wouldn't dare, as everyone in the inner city and even the entire Yun Kingdom knows of your and the master's fairness and impartiality!"
This was not a bad idea, but Zhao Jiaqi hesitated. If she bought them, they would become servants, with a lower status. She didn't know if the sisters would object.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh again.
"I'll discuss this matter with my husband before deciding. You can sound them out if you have time. If they truly don't mind, then I'm willing to spend this money!"
She also had a desire to nurture talent. She genuinely hoped these two were not spies, as she had some fears and reservations in that regard!
Su Ya nodded in response. "Yes, this servant will talk to them later and see what they mean!"
Zhao Jiaqi felt quite at ease entrusting the matter to her. Changing the subject, she asked about Su Ya's own marriage. "Speaking of which, you're twenty-five this year, which is indeed not young. When I was your age, I already had three children. Do you have any requirements for your future husband? Madam here happens to know a good candidate. If he meets your criteria, Madam will play matchmaker this time and help you two get together!"
When the topic of a potential husband arose, Su Ya's mind immediately conjured the image of Xiao Ce's calm, handsome face, exuding a true man's aura!
But she was a lowly maid, a servant, while he was high and mighty, a general, whose family had once been hereditary marquises in the Yun Kingdom. Such a status difference was like the clouds in the sky and the mud on the ground; there was no possibility.
Thinking this, Su Ya forced a smile on her dejected face and slowly shook her head. "This servant has none. In this life, this servant will only serve Madam and remain an old maid, unmarried!"
Her tone was sincere, which touched Zhao Jiaqi. However, she couldn't let her convenience in employing someone lead to ruining that person's marriage. That would be improper of her!
Since Su Ya wasn't mentioning Xiao Ce, she would bring it up. After all, Xiao Ce had decided he would marry no one but her. It was just that he was a bit awkward with words. After being rejected by Li Sisi back then, he became afraid to confess to girls again, and years had passed.
Alas, fate plays strange tricks.
"General Xiao is also thirty-three this year, much older than you. But he is capable and comes from a good family, although his temper can be a bit stubborn at times. He has his own general's mansion, and there are no concubines or mistresses causing trouble. He's not known to frequent pleasure houses. He's usually at the Prince's mansion or the army barracks. He rarely even returns to his own residence. He is upright. I think he's a very good person. What do you think, Su Ya?"
From the moment Madam spoke, Su Ya's heart skipped a beat. After listening, she gave a bitter smile. "Madam speaks so highly of him, but this servant is even less worthy. General Xiao is the kind of man who could marry a princess!"
Zhao Jiaqi frowned slightly. "Why be so self-deprecating? Perhaps status and position are not what Xiao Ce cares about at all. He might simply be attracted to you as a person, with nothing to do with anything else."
"If Xiao Ce truly cared about these things back then, he could have chosen any of the noble ladies in Yun Kingdom. Why is he still single now? So, you don't need to worry about whether someone of a certain status is worthy of him."
Su Ya remained silent, but her expression suggested she wasn't moved by Zhao Jiaqi's words. Zhao Jiaqi sighed silently.
The task Xiao Ce had entrusted to her seemed unlikely to be completed. Being a matchmaker was not easy!
Fan Zehao, who had finished his conversation inside, came out and found the worried Zhao Jiaqi. He sat beside her and asked, "What's wrong? Your brow is knitted together!"
"It's Xiao Ce's matter!" Zhao Jiaqi said listlessly.
Hearing that his wife was distressed over another man, he felt as if a jar of vinegar had been overturned, sourness spreading through him. He snorted coldly. "He's a grown man. If he likes a girl, he should pursue her! He's over thirty, is he afraid of a girl in her early twenties? How embarrassing!"
Changing tack, he glanced at Su Ya, who was standing quietly, and said directly to her, "Xiao Ce likes you and wants to marry you. He's too shy to tell you. Think about it, if you like him, agree. If you don't, you should still marry him. Go and bother him so he doesn't make my wife worry!"
This bombshell news, blurted out by the indiscreet Fan Zehao, stunned Su Ya on the spot. After processing the information from her master's mouth, she wished she could find a hole to crawl into!