Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Space Supermarket-Chapter 400 - 373: Heart Knot

Madam Sun brought up Zhao Erya and Gao Yishui to Yu Xiaolian, and Yu Xiaolian, according to Zhao Erya’s wishes, rejected Gao Yishui.

Madam Sun knew about Zhao Erya’s unfortunate past, but one can’t remain unmarried just because of that. Even widowed women can remarry; how could a young woman in her prime spend her entire life alone?

Madam Sun urged Yu Xiaolian to counsel Zhao Erya so she wouldn’t end up in a hopeless situation.

Yu Xiaolian whispered to Madam Sun about Zhao Erya possibly having someone she was fond of. She suspected the most likely person was Sun Mancang, the grandson of Fifth Master Sun, because the grandsons of Fourth Master Sun had all married over the past year, except for Sun Mancang. Moreover, Sun Mancang was the one Zhao Erya interacted with the most.

Madam Sun laughed. As long as there was someone she fancied, that was good—better than spending life alone.

Yu Xiaolian was not as optimistic as Madam Sun. Love had to be mutual to be meaningful. What Sun Mancang thought, they still didn’t know. Zhao Erya losing her chastity at Baihua House could be a concern for any man, unless they all conspired to lie.

Though it was a well-intentioned lie, the thought of deceiving Sun Mancang left Yu Xiaolian feeling uneasy—like bullying an honest man.

Madam Sun pondered for a moment and said, "This isn’t really deceiving. As long as the two of them live happily in love, this lie is a great kindness.

I’ll drop a hint with Mancang to see if he has any feelings for Erya."

Yu Xiaolian puzzledly asked Madam Sun, "Then how do you plan to tell Mancang that Erya isn’t a virgin?"

Madam Sun didn’t answer directly, "That’s a small matter. The main thing is whether Erya can get over it herself. I worry that even if we arrange it for her, she might refuse."

Yu Xiaolian’s grandfather worried about this point; Erya could be quite stubborn in certain areas.

After leaving Madam Sun, Yu Xiaolian went straight to Zhenpin Pavilion.

The long-standing peace and quiet gradually eased the Yu Family’s age-old worries and anxieties.

Therefore, Yu Xiaolian started venturing out more frequently, visiting places out of whim, with Zhenpin Pavilion and Immortal Music House being her favorite spots since she discovered significant changes in the Immortal Music House after Song Qingrui took over.

Every popular song Yu Xiaolian entrusted to Song Qingrui ended up with a perfectly fitting melody—some even more elegant and appealing than the original. Truly, Song Qingrui was a talent imbued with an artistic soul.

Ignoring the curious glances at her peculiar attire and some murmurs, Yu Xiaolian arrived at Zhenpin Pavilion, asked Zhao Sanyan to mind the store, and called Zhao Erya to the third-floor balcony for a private conversation.

Yu Xiaolian bluntly asked Zhao Erya if she liked Sun Mancang. Zhao Erya didn’t answer, but her bashful expression was enough of a confirmation for Yu Xiaolian.

"If you agree, my mother is willing to mediate for you. With Madam Sun’s involvement as a matchmaker, the marriage between Sun Mancang and Zhao Erya was nearly assured.

Zhao Erya hardly hesitated before declining Yu Xiaolian, "There’s no need. Let Godmother refrain from worrying about my marriage affairs. When Sanyan grows up, help find her a good family. As for me... I’ll just live like this."

Seeing Zhao Erya’s self-deprecating demeanor made Yu Xiaolian angry, "Don’t belittle yourself. You are quite outstanding, or else why would that Gao Yishui choose you among all our maidservants? I’ve heard my mother say that many of the unmarried laborers at home speak well of you, but they all know they’re not worthy and wouldn’t dare offend you.

Honestly, that Sun Mancang, being as honest as he is, couldn’t match you!"

"No, don’t say that. He... he’s very good!" Zhao Erya recalled the sweet memories of Sun Mancang’s attentive care during Yu Xiaolian’s absence.

"If he’s good, why won’t you accept? Why are you so stubborn? Just say whether you agree or not. If you refuse again, I’ll let that maid Xiangcao marry Brother Mancang by the end of the month." Yu Xiaolian used reverse psychology to provoke Zhao Erya.

Zhao Erya panicked at Yu Xiaolian’s words, "No! Xiaolian, let me think, let me think..."

Yu Xiaolian, with a pleased smirk, whispered to Zhao Erya, "Not all virgins have a bloody sheets. Some who engage in heavy physical work may damage their hymen and won’t experience bleeding."

Zhao Erya was skeptical about Yu Xiaolian’s explanation.

"Just wait," Yu Xiaolian said, entering the space to quickly retrieve a forensic science book, "Look, Chapter eight, page one hundred sixty-three..."

Yu Xiaolian gave Zhao Erya a brief medical explanation.

However, to Zhao Erya, Yu Xiaolian’s convincing words seemed deceptive. She thought that even if she were to be with Sun Mancang, she should be honest with him. If Sun Mancang minded, then it wasn’t meant to be.

Yu Xiaolian strongly disagreed with Zhao Erya’s thinking, "No, if you tell the truth, it turns one person’s burden into a crossing for two people. Whenever there’s any discord, he would use your lack of virginity against you. Such a life would lack resilience and invite resentment."

Although Sun Mancang seemed honest and kind, such people often took such matters to heart, potentially leading to brooding or even passive conflict, which wouldn’t be good.

Zhao Erya, hearing Yu Xiaolian’s argument, fell silent, then smiled wryly, "Forget it, I still think I’d live most freely by myself. If you wish to match Xiangcao with him, go ahead. I don’t mind anymore."

Zhao Erya felt that keeping it from Sun Mancang would make her always feel guilty, but if it would lead to the shared suffering of both as Yu Xiaolian analyzed, then why should she do that?

The conversation between Yu Xiaolian and Zhao Erya concluded without resolution.

Frustrated with Zhao Erya’s self-deprecating attitude, Yu Xiaolian stormed off.

After all, in the twenty-first century, many high-quality women were single. If Zhao Erya insisted on spending her life alone, so be it. Maybe in her twenties, she would understand, and by then, it wouldn’t be too late.

The Autumn Examination, which was held every three years, was approaching, creating a tense atmosphere in the academies as students studied late into the night. Meanwhile, two rare guests arrived at the Yu Family’s doorstep.