Since the two families had already discussed the engagement face-to-face, the subsequent matters became easier. Each family took the initiative, with Lian Manman’s side inviting Grandma Shen San to be the matchmaker, and Madam Qin there inviting the wife of Qin Tongpan’s superior, Inspector Du, to do the matchmaking. Such a good thing, who wouldn’t want to add flowers to the brocade? Naturally, Grandma Shen San and Lady Du were happy to oblige. Especially Grandma Shen San, who was very dedicated, assisting with everything, from matching the birth dates, exchanging gifts, and placing the betrothal... every matter was handled one by one.

Wu Lang also wrote back to Mr. Loo, informing him that the engagement was settled and expressing how grateful the family was to Mr. Loo. Lian Shouxin also specifically asked Wu Lang to write in the letter, hoping that Mr. Loo could come to the wedding banquet when Wu Lang was getting married.

"Mr. Loo has an imperial mandate, he may not be able to come when the time comes." Lian Manman privately said to Lady Zhang.

In this era, officials cannot leave their posts without an imperial decree, unless it is authorized, and the same applies to Mr. Loo in his post in the Capital City.

"Regardless of whether he can come, our intent should be clear. Your father is truly grateful to Mr. Loo and misses him too." Lady Zhang said, "Even if Mr. Loo cannot come at the time, your father will understand that Mr. Loo has no choice."

"That’s true." Lian Manman naturally understood this principle. Speaking of which, since Mr. Loo left Liaodong Prefecture, besides Wu Lang having visited Mr. Loo in the Capital City, the family had not seen him for years. Thinking back to those years together, time really flies.

"Wanting to see Mr. Loo isn’t hard." Lian Manman thought about it and then smiled, "Once my brother’s matters are settled, mom, why don’t you and dad also go out for a visit. Haven’t you heard what my brother said? There are many interesting places outside. You can head south, go to the Capital City for a stroll, and just get to see Mr. Loo."

"That would be wonderful." Lady Zhang listened and also smiled, "We can go on a journey. Once your brother’s matters are resolved, we still have your matters to attend to. Once both of your matters are settled completely, we will feel liberated. Going out for a stroll and broadening our horizons."

"At that time, it would be perfect to bring along Xiao Qi, hasn’t he always admired my brother?" Lian Manman said.

"Yes, that’s right." Lady Zhang smiled. For the future life, Lady Zhang was also filled with anticipation and confidence.

With the engagement of the Lian and Qin families, many ladies came to visit, offering congratulations to Lady Zhang, inquiring about the wedding date. Lady Zhang and Lian Manman’s life became more lively and busy, with almost daily visits from ladies. The mother and daughter often had to go out to gatherings and return visits. Besides preparing for welcoming the new bride, they also secretly prepared Lian Manman’s dowry, busy from morning until night.

During this period, the blueprints for the warming shed had been mostly sold, and several households either in the suburbs or in their own gardens in Prefecture City had already built warming sheds. The vegetables produced were naturally consumed by the families themselves. Both Wu Lang and Lian Manman also handed out a few blueprints as favors.

Among these newly built warming sheds, naturally, the Shen Family’s was the largest and most impressive in scale. Wu Lang deliberately selected skilled workers from the estate to help build the warming shed and assist with planting vegetables. Many vegetable seeds and seedlings were also transported from the Lian Family’s estate.

Apart from the warming shed, new greenhouses on the estate were also built, and the first batches of pea seedlings and mushrooms were already available for sale in the market. The pricing for these pea seedlings and mushrooms was naturally not cheap, but not so expensive as to be unaffordable. As precious fresh vegetables in the winter, ordinary households could purchase some to entertain guests, making banquets more respectable. As for wealthier households who couldn’t afford or were inconvenient to build warming sheds, these vegetables were even more welcome.

Occasionally, when there was a surplus of vegetables from the warming shed, some small shallots would appear in Lian Family’s general shop. Usually, these vegetables would be quickly snapped up once put on display. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The purchasing power of the Prefecture City’s residents was still quite impressive.

Adding this revenue stream, the Lian Family’s wallet naturally became even fuller, needless to say.

On this day, Lian Manman and Lady Zhang had just seen off Commander Zhang’s wife and her sister when a young maid came in to report that Yan Daopo had arrived.

"Why has she come again?" Upon hearing that it was Yan Daopo, Lian Manman frowned slightly.

This Yan Daopo is quite well-known among the wealthy families in the Prefecture City. She lives in a Taoist temple at the northeast corner of the city, wandering through the streets daily, flattering the ladies and grandmothers of wealthy families. It is said she was taught by a celestial master descended from a certain star deity, possessing some Dao skills, able to communicate with spirits, and summon gods. As the celestial master passed on some divine prescriptions to her, she can also specifically treat some mysterious ailments of women, especially skillful in performing ritual dances.