After lunch, Shen Liu said he had nothing much to do and wanted to go hunting nearby. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi both said they wanted to go with him. Lian Manman also wanted to go for a stroll, but Lady Zhang stopped her.

"...It’s extremely cold outside, don’t go out and get your face chapped... There are some tasks that you still have to do yourself," Lady Zhang told Lian Manman.

Lian Manman did not insist. She first went home with Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. However, in the evening, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi returned fully loaded, and Shen Liu sent half of what he hunted to the Lian Family.

Lian Manman also instructed that wine and pork and mutton be sent over to the Shen Mansion. That evening, those who went hunting with Shen Liu enjoyed a particularly sumptuous feast.

...

As the winter chill deepened, Shen Liu remained in the Prefecture City, seeking opportunities to meet with Lian Manman every few days. Though they often didn’t speak much, both were quite satisfied with these encounters. Meanwhile, there was finally some development in Wu Lang’s marriage proposal.

Shen Liu was quite diligent regarding Wu Lang’s marriage. The family background of the other side, even the girl’s character, didn’t require Lian Manman’s family to inquire elsewhere. Grandma Shen San was knowledgeable about everything. Even if she didn’t know something directly, she could always find someone to gather reliable information.

In the end, the whole family chose the Qin Family. The Qin Family had expressed several times that they were also very willing.

Qin Tongpan was a scholar and an upright official, which resonated well with Lian Shouxin. Lady Zhang and Madam Qin became closer day by day and got along very well, their temperaments quite compatible.

The family was also very satisfied with Qin Ruojian. Qin Ruojian was pretty, the eldest daughter of the family, and her speech and behavior were steady and gentle. Her virtues and demeanor were an excellent match.

During this time, Lian Manman and Qin Ruojian became good friends. With the intention of finding a wife for her brother, Lian Manman paid extra attention to Qin Ruojian. Qin Ruojian was gentle but had her own opinions. What Lian Manman valued most was Qin Ruojian’s intelligence, kindness, and integrity.

With these three essential qualities, one wouldn’t deviate or err significantly in the future.

On the Qin Family’s side, they were also very satisfied with Wu Lang. Particularly Qin Tongpan and Madam Qin, their appreciation and fondness for Wu Lang were almost undisguised.

Wu Lang was young and accomplished, upright and steady. Even with just these traits, he was an ideal candidate for a son-in-law. Moreover, he was a handsome young man whose knowledge and insights surpassed his peers. Qin Tongpan once evaluated Wu Lang’s writing, and although he only commented that Wu Lang was promising, he seemed immensely satisfied.

Both families were interested, and Lady Zhang even privately asked Wu Lang, who nodded in agreement.

Subsequently, Lian Manman visited the Qin Family, indirectly probing Qin Ruojian, finding out that Qin Ruojian also had a favorable impression of Wu Lang. At this time, both families understood each other’s intentions, and Qin Ruojian’s affection indicated that she too was interested in Wu Lang and the marriage.

"Then I’ll visit tomorrow, and make things clear to Madam Qin. If she agrees, we can send a matchmaker over," said Lady Zhang to Lian Shouxin after hearing the news Lian Manman brought back.

"That works. It’s best for you mothers to handle this, as you have a gentle touch," Lian Shouxin nodded in agreement.

The couple then discussed whom to appoint as the matchmaker.

"How about Sixth Master? He’ll surely agree. With Sixth Master as the matchmaker, Mr. Qin will feel respected," someone suggested.

"I thought of Master Chu," another said. "Though Mr. Qin is an official, at his core, he’s still a scholar. He values scholars the most, not that he doesn’t respect Sixth Master."

"If only Mr. Loo were here, that would be great," the couple said in unison.

As they were talking, Wu Lang came in with a letter.

"...It’s a letter from Mr. Loo, just delivered." Wu Lang placed the letter on the table, then sat on a chair by the kang.

Lian Manman and Xiao Qi had just gone to the west room and returned at this time.

"A letter from Mr. Loo!? Is Mr. Loo well? What did the letter say, and I wonder when Mr. Loo will visit us in Liaodong Prefecture," said Lian Shouxin.

Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi all asked Wu Lang about the contents of Mr. Loo’s letter.

"Mr. Loo is well and asked about mom and dad," Wu Lang replied simply, not mentioning anything else.

Lian Manman picked up the letter from the table, noticing it was already opened, indicating that Wu Lang had read it. Noticing this, Lian Manman made a guess.

"Brother, why don’t you read the letter to mom and dad?" Lian Manman intentionally handed the letter back to Wu Lang.

"Yes, yes," Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang both nodded.

Wu Lang didn’t take the letter, just glanced at Lian Manman. This glance made Lian Manman more certain that the letter contained something significant, making it hard for Wu Lang to speak of it.

"Let me see," Lian Manman smiled, sitting down on a chair while starting to read the letter closely.

Xiao Qi also leaned in to read the letter with Lian Manman.

As the siblings read the letter, they both looked surprised.

"Really unexpected," Lian Manman exclaimed.

Wu Lang sat there, his face slightly flushed. Only Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were still in the dark, urging Lian Manman and Xiao Qi to speak up.

"What did Mr. Loo say in the letter? Are you kids keeping your parents in the dark because we cannot read?"

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang could read a little, but they rarely read Mr. Loo’s letters. Even if they recognized all the characters, the scholarly language made it hard for them to understand.

"Mom, Mr. Loo mentioned matchmaking for my brother in the letter," Lian Manman put the letter down and said.

...

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