The sincerity from the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion was apparent, and Mr. Shen was deeply worried this prized fish might slip away, so he posed no difficulties.

He kept calling out "dear son-in-law" with every breath.

The progress thereafter was exceptionally smooth.

Bundles of red silk-wrapped betrothal gifts were piled up in a courtyard, and the matchmaker read aloud from the list word by word, while the Shen Family took inventory.

Yu Tingwan shuffled over to sit beside Wei Zhao.

She poked him with her fingertip.

Wei Zhao, seated in a wheelchair and thinking she had something to say, looked at her warmly: "Hmm?"

Yu Tingwan: "If you were a girl..."

Wei Zhao: ?

He raised an eyebrow: "Then these betrothal gifts wouldn’t be enough; I would demand more."

"If you didn’t give it, it would show you didn’t care enough. So you must try harder."

Yu Tingwan: ???

In the past, Wei Zhao might have hesitated a bit.

Languidly telling her not to harbor such groundless thoughts.

Now, he truly had no sense of shame left.

Yu Tingwan was momentarily stunned.

Wei Zhao said placidly: "Don’t let Shen Zhiyi outshine me."

Yu Tingwan: ??

Wei Zhao: "You wouldn’t be able to lift your head in front of Xiao Huaian either."

Yu Tingwan: ???

Her train of thought was quickly led astray.

After all, she valued her face, had a strong sense of competitiveness, and wouldn’t allow herself to be overshadowed.

"Then..."

She pondered deeply.

The girl’s eyes fluttered; her lips were a vivid red, and her delicate oval face appeared all the more lustrous and fair in the light: "If I’m not capable enough to give..."

Wei Zhao: "I can make up for it, is that okay?"

It was okay.

Yu Tingwan was satisfied.

At this moment, a large creature approached.

It gestured for Yu Tingwan to take out the small pouch around her neck for snacks.

Yu Tingwan took it out.

Opening it, she saw all her favorite treats.

She cheerfully shared them equally with Fu Meng.

Fu Meng was long used to her domineering behavior, resentful but unable to speak up.

It extended its paw, asking Yu Tingwan to clean it.

It was covered in mud.

Fu Meng’s eyes darted, and before Yu Tingwan could bend down to clean it, it was already trying to rub the mud on her dress.

Their voices were low as husband and wife spoke.

Jiasan, seated up front, couldn’t quite catch what was said.

But watching Yu Tingwan laugh so freely, her brows raised, Jiasan couldn’t help but smile.

"The General and the General’s wife have a wonderful relationship, truly enviable."

The lady next to her, hoping to connect with Jiasan, spoke.

"Just at a quick glance, it seems like seeing you and the Grand Tutor in your younger days."

"Who in Shangjing doesn’t know of your good fortune, a peaceful household, and the Grand Tutor’s unchanged affection?"

Jiasan was pleased to hear this.

She nodded: "Gui Zhi is indeed as steady as Fu Ju was, and I’ve watched him grow up, so I am quite pleased. However, Yaoyao, this child, isn’t like me, being overly obedient."

Just then, they saw Yu Tingwan give the large creature a slap.

"Does it hurt? Learned your lesson yet?"

The speaker fell silent, unsure what to say next.

Gu Wu’s voice broke in.

"Elder sister really cares; hitting first, then asking later."

Jiasan: "That’s exactly right."

Gu Wu continued: "I previously inquired with Shen Zhiyi. She told me that last time when elder sister encountered a beggar on the road, she couldn’t bear it and, fearing hurting the beggar’s dignity, didn’t drop money into his broken bowl but intentionally let a gold piece fall as she passed."

Shen Zhiyi’s original words were actually this.

["She is stingy to the point of death, once accidentally dropping a piece of gold. When the beggar truly thought pie was falling from the sky and went to pick it up, she was quicker than the beggar."]

But, Gu Wu only heard what she wanted to hear.

Jiasan nodded in satisfaction, "This child has a kind heart."

The speaker: ...

As long as you’re happy.

————

Once the matchmaker had finished reading the betrothal gifts, she presented the engagement letter.

Mr. Shen received it with a radiant face, examining it closely; Mrs. Shen instructed the servant holding the ink and brush to step forward.

Mr. Shen solemnly signed it, and then handed the prepared acceptance letter from the Shen Family back.

"Please, General, have a look."

Wei Zhao, invited by the groom’s side to oversee the ceremony due to his high virtue and respect, acted on behalf of the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion. He raised his hand to take it, reviewed it, and then nodded toward Xiao Huaian.

Thus, the ceremony was complete.

The guests began to praise the perfect match.

"In the past, no one had thought of pairing Miss Shen and Heir Xiao, but now seeing them stand together, they truly seem well-matched."

"Indeed, the wedding date was supposed to be discussed at the banquet by both families, but the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion decided it beforehand. It has been some time now, considering."

"Perhaps they were afraid Miss Shen might change her mind."

"I suspect the Marquise and Marquis want the heir to settle down and become more stable sooner, instead of being always unsettled, and are eager to have a grandson soon."

Shen Zhiyi stood by Mrs. Shen’s side, showing no sign of shyness or lowering her head. She played with a fan in her hand, her thoughts unbeknownst to others.

Mr. Shen’s smile never faded, knowing the deal was done, there was no turning back.

He couldn’t help but play the role of a father-in-law.

"Huaian."

Xiao Huaian bowed to him: "Yes, sir."

"Yi, my dear daughter, I cherished greatly, and now that she is betrothed to you, you must treat her well."

"I will."

Mr. Shen saw his respectful attitude and felt increasingly satisfied.

When Shen Jin was married into the Imperial Palace, the Shen Family also enjoyed its grandeur.

But there were too many who gossiped behind their backs.

Shen Jin didn’t understand such matters and didn’t support her maternal family at all.

But now, things were different.

He straightened up and addressed the guests here for the ceremony: "All of you have traveled far to attend the engagement banquet at the Shen Mansion, and I am deeply grateful. Please come in and take your seats. If there are any inadequacies in the hospitality, I ask for your understanding."

He turned to instruct his legitimate son.

"You and your wife stay to entertain the guests properly, without any mishaps. Don’t embarrass your sister."

"Yes."

However, Mr. Shen remained uneasy.

Wanting to say more but held his tongue.

The Shen Family Brother agreed but was dissatisfied, grumbling in low tones to his wife.

"If he’s worried about me making mistakes, why doesn’t he have his precious illegitimate son entertain the guests too? It seems they’re aware that an illegitimate son is just that, and can’t hold a front in front of noble guests."

The Shen Family Sister-in-Law said nothing.

She still remembered what Shen Zhiyi had said to her after she gave birth.

— "Father is ruthless but cares about appearances. He once wanted to register an illegitimate daughter under Mother’s name, how could he not think of registering an illegitimate son?"

But an illegitimate daughter is bound to marry off eventually.

Registering her didn’t matter, it was a trivial issue.

An illegitimate son was different, as he would inherit the family estate.

— "Mother is weak, yet she has her maternal family backing her. Even if the illegitimate son gained Father’s favor, he has not yet passed any exams. No matter how well he reads, like Brother, he carries no scholarly title. Thus, he has no reason to be registered, nor does he have the confidence, and even fears not being able to silence the endless public opinion."

— "Brother is unreliable, but Sister-in-Law still has a child. Sister-in-Law needn’t care about anything else; just raise my little nephew well, ensuring he doesn’t pick up his father’s and grandfather’s calculating ways. As long as he grows up well, I will be his support, and the Shen family’s estate will only be his."

Mr. Shen dared to show authority to Xiao Huaian, but not to Wei Zhao.

He gestured to the men from the groom’s side who brought the gifts to come forward.

"This place is crowded; why don’t a few of you follow me to a quieter area of the main courtyard to discuss the detailed matters concerning the marriage at length?"

Wei Zhao nodded.

Xiao Huaian was just about to push him.

"Hold on."