Chapter 54

"Oh, Lady Yan has come over. I was just about to visit your residence later," Lady Gong said, surprised that Lady Shen, who was known for her pride, would actually come to discuss Shen Linfeng's marriage.

These two families truly have a special connection!

Lady Zhen's face lit up: "It can't be that Lady Shen is entrusting you to come to our home..."

Lady Gong smiled at Lady Zhen: "Isn't it obvious that I'm the perfect matchmaker?" Last time, she had wanted to arrange a marriage between the Yan and Shen families, but she fell ill. Her sister-in-law then asked Lady Liu to be the matchmaker, and everyone knows what happened after that. It's said that Lady Liu lost all her dignity, and it wouldn't be appropriate to ask her again now.

"Good, good, good." Lady Zhen finally felt relieved.

Lady Gong looked at her: "What brings Lady Yan here today?"

Originally, she had intended to discuss her daughter's marriage, but seeing how cooperative the Shen family was, Lady Zhen changed the subject: "Oh, I heard your daughter-in-law is about to give birth, so I came to bring some nourishing gifts."

Clearly, Lady Gong knew that Lady Zhen wasn't really there just to deliver gifts. The Yan family wasn't an ordinary household and wouldn't go out of their way to send such things, but since Lady Zhen didn't say anything, neither did she.

Lady Zhen chatted casually for a few more minutes before leaving, calling Ying Niang over: "For the next few days, don't go to the third house. Stay at home; the Shen family will send a matchmaker soon."

Ying Niang's eyes sparkled: "Mother, is this true?" She blushed as she spoke.

"Of course, Lady Gong herself said she would come to our home," Lady Zhen patted her daughter's head.

Ying Niang touched her braid: "Mother, I can hardly believe it."

Lady Zhen chuckled: "Yes, a dream that has always been in my heart is finally coming true, yet it still feels unreal."

Compared to Ying Niang's marriage, Jingwen's marriage was also a significant matter. Lady Zhen had mentioned it to Yan Yingqi, who suggested that they wait until Yan Jingwen passed the college examination and became a scholar before discussing marriage. Naturally, she agreed with this idea. At his age, it wasn't too late, and if he could distinguish himself in the imperial examinations, it would be more advantageous for arranging his marriage.

Ying Niang contained her immense joy and even smiled at Zhen Li, who was there to greet her, much to Zhen Li's surprise.

Lady Zhen was quite fond of this niece, treating her with the same respect as her own daughters. She often took Zhen Li out on visits, and with such beauty, if she didn't find a good husband, it would be a waste of the effort put into bringing her to the capital.

"Aunt, I was thinking about Miss Yan San's birthday. I've prepared a few birthday gifts, but I'm not sure if they are appropriate. Could you help me check them?" Zhen Li listed the items she planned to give.

Meanwhile, back at the Shen residence, Lady Shen wasn't as pleased as one might expect. Instead, Shen Mo tried to reassure her: "Mother, don't let the eldest Miss Yan influence your opinion of the third Miss Yan. This is such a good match, and clearly, Brother prefers the third Miss Yan. In the past, he treated the eldest Miss Yan like a sibling."

Lady Shen pouted: "That's what worries me even more. Although the eldest Miss Yan did something improper, she seemed more straightforward and honest. But this third Miss Yan, despite being a young lady, has managed to make a man so devoted to her. It's truly alarming."

Shen Mo thought about it and then went to find Shen Linfeng. Shen Linfeng had recently been promoted directly from a probationary official to a compiler at the Imperial Academy, waiting for his new uniform from the Ministry of Rites before returning to his post.

It was early morning, and although the sun was up, Shen Linfeng was still half-lying on his bed, taking a nap.

Hearing someone knock on the door, Shen Linfeng turned over and continued sleeping until he heard his sister's voice, prompting him to get up and let her in.

"Brother, were you reading in your room?" Shen Mo asked.

Shen Linfeng lied without changing his expression: "Yes."

Shen Mo sat down: "Brother, Mother went to the Gong residence today. Your marriage will be settled soon."

"Is that so?" Shen Linfeng seemed to wake up from a daze, remembering the day when the third Miss Yan came to see him off to the examination. Regardless of her feelings, a proud woman like her waited for him with all her heart, which couldn't help but move him.

Why choose anyone else when the third Miss Yan was available? Even if his parents thought no princess was good enough for him, he had already avoided any suspicion. What kind of marriage could he possibly want?

Shen Mo smiled: "Brother must be very happy."

Shen Linfeng glanced at Shen Mo: "What's there to be happy or unhappy about? Right now, I don't want to think about anything. I just want to rest for a while before heading to the Imperial Academy."

Previously, he was only a probationary official, but now he was a compiler a year ahead of Yan Jingzhao. Shen Linfeng was determined to prove himself, but he was already exhausted and had no energy for idle chatter. He barely had the strength to speak.

"You even knelt down and begged Mother to agree to your marriage with the third Miss Yan. No wonder Mother says you've changed. Who knows what kind of luck the third Miss Yan had in her previous life to earn your favor? Everyone finds it hard to believe. Remember, everyone thought you and Wang Girl were a perfect match, but at that time, our family and hers didn't get along well, and you completely ignored her. The Wang family was one of the top noble families," Shen Mo was genuinely puzzled.

If it was about beauty, the third Miss Yan was indeed beautiful, but there were others who were even more beautiful. If it was about family background, there were many others with better pedigrees who admired you.

Shen Linfeng lowered his gaze: "Enough, Sister. This isn't your concern. I made a verbal agreement with her family, and a man without integrity is not a man."

Shen Mo was confused: "Brother, you're suddenly so concerned about integrity."

Shen Linfeng thought about it. Born into a noble family, he indeed had advantages over commoners, but he was also a tool for his parents and clan. What others saw of him wasn't necessarily the real him, as those were the images his family wanted others to see.

Shaking his head, Shen Linfeng felt sleepy again.

**

Since Yan Jingzhao and Li Shi were both getting older, this marriage was being expedited. The Yan family was quite satisfied with Li Shi, whose father was a vice-minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Although her mother was a stepmother, she was known to be a wealthy household in the northwest. Without any siblings, this was seen as an advantage by the Yan family.

Without other brothers or sisters, and with an aging father, she would rely solely on her husband's family and consider herself part of the Yan family, unlike Guan Shi, who always tried to assert her superiority.

After the eight characters were matched, the engagement was set. The third branch of the Yan family had a strong foundation. They had previously given a large dowry to Guan Shi, who died childless, and now the dowry would have to be provided again by the third branch.

Even wealthy families had to go through great lengths for a grand wedding, and Xie Shi had to prepare her daughter's dowry. Fortunately, the income from the family's estates was sent to her.

Yao Niang came over with a smile, helping her mother organize the accounts. She wasn't particularly worried about such matters in life, but everyone liked to seek her help, especially Xie Shi, who found her more adept at managing finances than the hired accountants.

"Mother, am I just lazy?" Yao Niang preferred painting. Her recent work on the Flower Fairy album had reached the plum blossom section, and Yan Jingwen had even tried to take one of the paintings, but she stopped him.

Xie Shi said: "Tomorrow, your brother will present the betrothal gifts, and then it will be your birthday. This year, the heat is unbearable. I thought we could spend a few days at the estate to escape the heat. Your second sister-in-law is pregnant and feeling very hot, so she can join us too."

Yao Niang understood that the main house had bought an estate with hot springs when they first moved to the capital, and the third matriarch, never one to be outdone, had also purchased one. Now, these estates were under her father's management, and Yan Yingqi often had Yan Jingzhao help with them.

Xie Shi and Lady Zhen were both heads of their households and couldn't leave, so only the sisters could go.

"Mother, why do we all have to go?" Yao Niang was puzzled.

Xie Shi smiled: "Your second sister's marriage is settled, and I think your father has a good idea about yours as well. As for Ying Niang, after so long, the head of the main house might have found a good match for her. I noticed the secretive yet unmistakable joy on Aunt Wei's face, so I suspect Ying Niang's marriage will be settled soon. There's no need to worry, so why not relax a bit?"

Yao Niang nodded.

The next day arrived quickly, and Xie Shi had everything arranged perfectly. She had also invited Lady Gong to be the matchmaker, and Lady Zhen and Lady Yu were both present. Lady Gong was afraid the Yan family might refuse, so she deliberately mentioned it in front of a crowd to avoid rejection.

"Second Lady, actually, besides the matter of your eldest son, I have another piece of good news to congratulate you on," Lady Gong said.

At this moment, Lady Zhen had not yet realized what it was and still smiled in response, thinking she had become closer to Lady Gong: "I wonder what good news? Could there be any greater joy for our family than today's event?"

Lady Gong teased, "Of course, your eldest son's marriage is of the highest importance, but isn't your daughter's good news also of the highest importance?"

By now, Lady Xie had already understood, but she still asked: "Oh, I wonder what good news does my Yao Niang have?"

"It's naturally the Left Censor Shen family coming to propose. Their young master has always had a connection with your family. I heard that Governor Yan and Governor Shen in Kaifeng have already intended this match, but the young master of the Shen family insisted on passing the imperial examination before he could marry your daughter with honor. Otherwise, he would have come to propose upon returning to the capital," Lady Gong spoke sincerely.

The stone in Lady Xie's heart finally fell into place, but Lady Zhen's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, and she even unusually asked: "Why is it Shen's eldest son and the third young lady?"

Lady Gong thought she might have said something wrong and repeated herself: "Naturally, it's the eldest son of the Shen family and your third daughter. Your second daughter is already betrothed to the Wen family, so it must be your third daughter, right?"