FBC – Chapter 329 Playing Matchmaker

After talking for half an hour, Gu Hua finally called someone in.

The maid was tidying up the bowls and chopsticks that Min Dongsheng had used, putting them into a food box. Just as she was about to leave, Gu Hua hurriedly said, “Have Dong Qing make me a small bowl of noodles, the same as what Mr. Min just ate.”

The maid nodded and left.

In less than fifteen minutes, Dong Qing herself came in carrying the food box.

While taking out the noodles and vegetables, she asked curiously, “Your Highness, are you hungry? Why did you suddenly feel like eating noodles? You usually don’t like the braised pork, thinking it’s too greasy.”

Gu Hua looked at the bowl, which was half the size of Min Dongsheng’s, and smiled. “Watching Mr. Min eat just now made me hungry.”

Dong Qing suddenly blushed. “Really? Mr. Min liked it?”

Gu Hua lowered her head and ate, deliberately ignoring her expression.

“Yes. Didn’t you see? He drank all the soup. Your cooking has always been excellent.”

“It was just a casual dish. I knew Mr. Min must have been really hungry, so I put extra meat and added an extra egg.”

It was indeed made personally by Dong Qing.

Gu Hua looked up, chewed carefully, swallowed, and smiled at Dong Qing.

“Dong Qing, how old are you this year?”

“Your Highness, I’m eighteen.”

“That’s not too young. I remember you have an older brother? Your parents are gone, right?”

“Yes. My brother is studying at the academy you built, Your Highness. He originally wanted to pursue officialdom, but now he’s given up. He said that being like Mr. Min would be just fine—achieving something in life is enough.”

Gu Hua understood that Dong Qing meant pursuing officialdom required going to Bianjing. Everyone in Juzhou knew that the Southern Frontier and the Bianjing court were at odds.

But it wasn’t the time to say this outright. For Southern Frontier men who wanted official careers, leaving home was the only choice. Those who stayed usually joined the military, where there were still positions like clerks or storehouse managers.

After finishing the small bowl of noodles, Gu Hua took the rinsing cup from Dong Qing, rinsed her mouth, and wiped the leftover water with a silk handkerchief.

“You’re so busy. Leave the rest of my care to Suier and Yun’er.”

Dong Qing poured her a cup of warm tea brewed with fruits and flowers. “They’re still unfamiliar, and I was worried they couldn’t serve you properly. I only came over after finishing my own tasks, so it didn’t delay anything.”

Suier and Yun’er were new maids chosen from the second-tier attendants, replacing Dong Hua and Dong Qing.

Gu Hua patted the soft couch beside her. “Come sit, I have something to ask you.”

Dong Qing obediently sat down.

Gu Hua smiled at her. “Has your family arranged a marriage for you?”

Dong Qing blushed. “No.”

Gu Hua’s smile deepened. “I saw that your relationship with Dong Mo was good before. I thought maybe you and Dong Mo…”

“No, no.” Dong Qing quickly waved her hands, frightened. “When I entered the mansion, Dong Mo guided me, so I’m familiar with him, but there’s absolutely nothing else.”

Gu Hua nodded. “Do you have a man you like? Tell me, and I can help you.”

Dong Qing quickly stood up and knelt. “Your Highness, I absolutely do not…”

“Oh, kneeling? We’re talking about your lifelong matter. Come, stand up.”

Gu Hua reached to pull her up.

Dong Qing was anxious. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Where did you get that idea?”

Gu Hua’s tone shifted: “I have a good candidate to play matchmaker for you.”

Dong Qing turned pale.

“The man has no other family, so you won’t have the troubles of serving a mother-in-law. He’s handsome, a scholar, and very suitable for you.”

Seeing Dong Qing about to kneel again, Gu Hua quickly supported her.

Dong Qing, almost in tears, repeatedly said, “Your Highness, I want to serve you my whole life and not get married.”

Since Zhou Zhilian and Zhou Chunyu had left the mansion after their marriage, Dong Qing feared that Gu Hua was displeased with her recent work and wanted to marry her off.

“Fool, you can still stay in the mansion after marriage. You know that anyone marrying into or out of the mansion will receive official documents and become a commoner. Besides, I wouldn’t let you leave anyway. I was hoping you’d take over Zhilian’s duties.”

“But…” Dong Qing didn’t know how to refuse, her eyes red.

Gu Hua smiled. “What if you marry Mr. Min?”

Tears hung from Dong Qing’s eyelashes as she stared blankly.

Seeing her expression, Gu Hua understood.

It seemed that Min Dongsheng hadn’t noticed Dong Qing’s feelings yet.

Seeing her remain silent, Gu Hua softly asked again, “If it were Mr. Min, would you be willing?”

Dong Qing’s face flushed scarlet, and she bit her lip, unable to speak.

“Then that means you’re willing. But Mr. Min is much older. Does that bother you?”

Dong Qing couldn’t help blurting out, “No… but…”

“Are you worried he won’t like you?”

Dong Qing, caught in Gu Hua’s words, nodded with red-rimmed eyes. “Mr. Min was the top scholar in the previous dynasty, and now he’s the top advisor to a prince. My humble status cannot compare. He surely hopes to marry a refined young lady of a distinguished family.”

“Even the strongest men like gentle, considerate wives. Moreover, Mr. Min is not an ordinary man. He fears no authority, disdains superficial conventions, and spent years in prison for his ideals. Do you think he would only care about family background when choosing a wife?

Marriage isn’t about appearances. It’s about giving him a warm home, understanding him, tolerating him, and caring for him. Just like today, when you saw his shoes were dirty, noticed he hadn’t eaten because he was rushing, and cooked him a bowl of noodles yourself—that’s what truly touches him. That’s the warmth he needs.”

Dong Qing was stunned, but her eyes brightened.

Now that it was clear, Gu Hua didn’t say more—she couldn’t guarantee Min Dongsheng’s response anyway.

“Since you have this heart, I’ll ask him. If he’s interested, I’ll have him come formally to propose. If not, you needn’t be upset—you deserve an even better man.”

Dong Qing nodded, moved. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Gu Hua patted her hand. “Learn well from Sister Zhilian. When you become a woman like her, suitors will be breaking down your door. Then we’ll see if Mr. Min is in a hurry.”

Dong Qing blushed, embarrassed to speak.

“Tell Dong Mo I want to see Qin Huai and have him make arrangements.”

Dong Qing quickly kowtowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Since Zhou Chunyu had gone to the army, all affairs inside and outside the mansion had been handed to Dong Mo, who had effectively become the head steward.

Dong Mo was quick. By the time Gu Hua woke from her nap, he had already brought the person.

Qin Huai had grown taller.

His eyes sparkled, and when he saw Gu Hua, he bowed but didn’t dare look at her.

“Your Highness, what are your orders?” he asked obediently.

“Please sit, Master Qin.”

Suier brought tea cups.

Qin Huai sat properly at the lower seat.

“I heard you wrote short stories in Bianjing?”

This was from the bookshop owner in Bianjing who had previously commissioned her to copy books. At that time, she had read two newly published short story booklets about local customs and amusing anecdotes. The writing was elegant and humorous, and the owner said the sales were excellent.

Later she realized that Qin Huai had written them—for money, as part of his revenge.

Qin Huai didn’t expect her to ask this. His fair face immediately turned red as he stammered, “N-no, I didn’t…”

He dared not let Gu Hua know he had written trivial short stories; it was just to survive, and he couldn’t tarnish her view of him.

Gu Hua smiled. “Don’t hide it from me. I’ve read what you wrote.”

Qin Huai froze.