Chapter 5: The Engagement to the Xiao Clan Is Annulled

"Father..."

Zhao Minghua had seen countless people and done so many things that he had no idea which one his father was referring to. To be honest, he was a bit of a slacker who didn't attend to proper business.

His eldest brother had been studying medicine under their grandfather since childhood and was now a reasonably well-known Dr. Zhao at the Hundred Herbs Hall in the county seat. His second brother loved to study; what he lacked in natural talent, he made up for in diligence. After taking the examination three times, he finally earned the status of a *xiucai* scholar. His father had been so happy that he almost threw a three-day banquet, though he ultimately restrained himself, telling the boy to keep working hard and promising a joint celebration once he achieved the rank of *juren*.

As for himself, the third young master of the Zhao family, he had no interest in medicine or books. He only wanted to do business and make money. Unfortunately, his father forbade him from trading. In the traditional hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, their family’s pharmacy had already placed them in the merchant class, and his father wouldn't stand for him venturing into anything else.

Therefore, there were things he did that he couldn't let his father know about.

"Have you met a certain young lady?"

Zhao Minghua froze. *No way, did Father have someone tailing me?*

"Father, I wandered around the county seat twice this morning and walked through the town three times this afternoon. I saw countless young ladies along the way—I'm not sure which one you mean?"

Zhao Chengxun’s eye twitched. This son was determined to be the death of him.

"The young lady from the Xiao family. Have you seen her?"

Zhao Chengxun, too annoyed by his rebellious son to bother with tact, went straight to the point. After all, when he was subtle, the boy’s comprehension failed him.

"The young lady from the Xiao family? You mean the granddaughter of the head of the Xiao clan?" Zhao Minghua was averse to arranged marriages, but since one had to follow the commands of parents and the words of matchmakers, he had accepted his fate. "She is a sheltered noble lady who never steps beyond her own gate. How could I possibly have met her?"

"You rebellious brat! I am talking about the granddaughter of Imperial Physician Xiao. Have you seen her?"

"Ah... oh. Yes, I have."

Zhao Chengxun felt a surge of secret joy upon hearing this. *Just as I thought!*

"Did you give her money?"

*What?*

Zhao Minghua was dumbfounded. What was going on? He looked at his servant, Qingsheng, who shook his head frantically: *Don't look at me, I don't know anything, I really didn't say a word.*

"Father, why would the granddaughter of an Imperial Physician want my money for no reason?" *Forget it, I’ve been caught red-handed. Explaining is just covering up.* "I gave her a deposit. I know that Miss Xiao is skilled in processing medicinal herbs, and I thought that since we needed supplies for the Hundred Herbs Hall, there was no need to look elsewhere. It would be more cost-effective to have her process them for us."

"Heh, and since when did you start running the Hundred Herbs Hall?"

"It’s not like that, Father. In business, you have to seize opportunities. Opportunities are fleeting." Zhao Minghua didn't know where he had slipped up to bring his father's scrutiny upon him, but since he was the one who caused this mess, he had to take responsibility and ensure his father didn't get any wrong ideas about Miss Xiao.

"A good point about opportunities being fleeting." Zhao Chengxun slapped the table in delight, though the sting in his palm reminded him to contain his excitement. "Minghua, your approach is excellent. Buy the processed herbs from Miss Xiao. I leave this matter to you."

"Father..."

Zhao Minghua was stunned. He had only wanted to bring some ointment to the girl. Before he even reached the Xiao residence, he had heard the local women gossiping about the family's dire straits—how they had been evicted, were unable to find a place to rent, and had even accidentally burned down their kitchen. Seeing their tragic state, he had felt a flash of pity, opened his purse, and made up this excuse on the spot. He never expected his father to find out and take it seriously.

*What if Miss Xiao doesn't actually know how to process herbs?*

*No, that can't be right. How could the granddaughter of an Imperial Physician not know? If she didn't know, she would have said so at the time.*

Given their character, if they dared to accept the deposit, they must have the ability to fulfill the work.

"It is settled then." Zhao Chengxun suddenly remembered something. "A few days ago, I had your mother send a matchmaker to the Xiao clan to propose marriage, but they refused. I think we should let it go. After all, we are not a match for their social standing."

"Yes, yes, of course. I’ll listen to whatever you say, Father."

*Wonderful! I don't have to be a groom!* Zhao Minghua was so genuinely happy he felt like jumping for joy.

"You have no sense of decorum."

A dragon has nine sons, and each is different. Of his three sons, the youngest was truly the most exhausting. *Looking at him like this... how is he worthy of the Imperial Physician's granddaughter? It is a real worry.*

Regardless, he would go talk to his wife about calling off the marriage with the main Xiao clan.

"My lord, do you mean we are no longer pursuing the marriage with the main Xiao clan?"

This union had been arranged privately by his wife, Madam Zhou, and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xiao clan head. Both were very satisfied with the arrangement, and Xiao Chunlan had seen Zhao Minghua a few times and had already developed feelings for him. Naturally, she wanted to know why this had changed.

"Minghua is too flighty. The granddaughter of the Xiao clan head is a refined young lady; they are not a good fit."

"How can you say that? Xiao Chunlan is a wonderful girl. I have met her..."

"There are many wonderful girls." *But I only have my eyes set on one,* Zhao Chengxun thought, though he didn't dare say it aloud. "However, not many are suited for Minghua. A marriage is meant to forge a lasting bond, not create resentment. Minghua is still young; there is no need to rush."

Madam Zhou was bewildered, but she had no choice; her husband was the head of the household.

"I will find an excuse to tell the Xiao family."

*It is truly difficult to know how to bring this up.*

"No need to be overly elaborate. Since the matchmaker was already rejected, just tell her there is no need to visit them again."

"Is that really all right?"

"There is nothing wrong with it. As I said, Minghua is flighty. I need to discipline him for a few years, and we can discuss a suitable match when he is older."

The reason he was waiting was that Imperial Physician Xiao had recently passed away, and his granddaughter would need to observe a three-year mourning period. Zhao Chengxun felt he was truly clever, having considered every aspect.

As for how his wife would handle it, he no longer cared. Thinking of a certain possibility, Zhao Chengxun felt exceptionally good, even humming a small tune as he left the main courtyard.

"What did Minghua do today? How did he manage to provoke the master?" Madam Zhou asked, as if to herself. "That’s not right. If Minghua had really caused trouble, the master wouldn't be humming a tune, would he?"

No one knows a son better than his mother, but this time, both Madam Zhou and Zhao Minghua were completely puzzled: their father was acting very strangely today.

"Qingsheng, did you really not tell anyone about what I did? Did Father not ask you anything?"

"Young Master, absolutely not, truly."

"Then why does Father know everything?" Zhao Minghua felt quite depressed. "How does he even know about the money I gave Miss Xiao?"

"Also, don't you find it strange? Father usually forbids me from doing business, yet this time he agreed to let me handle the herbal processing trade with Miss Xiao. What does he mean by this?"

Qingsheng shook his head. *I am just a servant, I don't understand, please don't make things difficult for me.*

"I get it!" Zhao Minghua slapped his thigh, then winced. "I know now. Imperial Physician Xiao did my father a favor back in the day, so Father wants to return the kindness. He’s using the excuse of purchasing processed herbs to secretly help the Xiao family."

Qingsheng remained silent... *Third Young Master, are you sure about that?*