Wu Lang went on a long journey, and relatives inevitably ca to visit him. The Wu Family lived the closest, and as Lian Manman and the others returned from Nian Garden, the Wu Family had already arrived by carriage.
Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing brought lots of food, which they sent to the kitchen for preparing als. Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing stayed in the front hall to talk with Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Mr. Loo, while Lady Wu Wang and Wu Jiayu went to the backyard to chat with Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, and Zhang Caiyun.
"You young ladies can go play in that room." Lady Wu Wang said after sitting down for a mont.
"Go ahead," Lady Zhang also said, "You picked out quite a few things for Jiayu, why not let Jiayu have a look."
The young girls all stood up with smiles, aware that Lady Wu Wang and Lady Zhang had sothing to discuss and were deliberately sending them away.
In the west room, the young girls all sat on the kang bed, and Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman took out their gifts for Wu Jiayu to see.
"They specifically sent us out, it’s surely to discuss Sister Zhizhi and Brother Jiaxing’s marriage," Zhang Caiyun joked with a smile, "Isn’t it ti to settle the wedding date?"
The wedding date for Lian Zhizhi and Wu Jiaxing was set for the lunar winter month, though the exact day wasn’t finalized.
"Stop talking nonsense." Lian Zhizhi’s face reddened, as she chided Zhang Caiyun.
Lian Zhizhi and Zhang Caiyun laughed and teased each other, and Lian Manman sneakily shot Wu Jiayu a questioning glance. Wu Jiayu also sneakily winked at Lian Manman and made eyes towards Zhang Caiyun.
Lian Manman guessed what it was about and couldn’t help but smile, thinking, no wonder earlier in the other room, Lady Wu Wang kept glancing at Zhang Caiyun.
Lian Manman’s guess was correct, as at this mont in the east room, Lady Wu Wang was discussing Zhang Caiyun with Lady Zhang.
"...Bing Wu is eighteen this year, three years older than Caiyun, and their ages match perfectly. These two kids are right in front of our eyes; both sides know each other’s background. Their appearances and personalities are well-suited," Lady Wu Wang said softly to Lady Zhang, "Back then, when I asked Caiyun’s mother if she would be willing for Caiyun to marry over here, my heart was already set on the Lu Family’s second son at the ti."
"Lu Family’s family style and conditions are quite good, and the character of Bing Wu is impeccable... Later on, I found out that Caiyun’s grandfather and Old Master Lu considered themselves as brothers, so I didn’t ntion it again."
Lady Wu Wang smiled a little as she spoke.
"Even though I didn’t say it aloud, I felt quite regretful in my heart. These two kids are so well-matched."
"Nowadays, there have been marriage proposals from the Lu Family side too, two of which are rather decent, but they haven’t accepted any." Lady Wu Wang observed Lady Zhang’s expression as she spoke, "I think they’ve set their hearts on Caiyun and aren’t interested in anyone else."
Lady Wu Wang stopped talking at this point, simply watching Lady Zhang.
"Bing Wu is a truly good kid. When he took us to Taicang, I noticed it. He’s sincere and more capable than the average farmstead kid," Lady Zhang said, "In my view, he and Caiyun are quite well-matched as well."
"Exactly, but then there’s this generational gap..." Lady Wu Wang laughed as she clapped her hands, still watching Lady Zhang’s expression, "What a sha about that. Though, actually, they’re not blood relatives, so it’s not a big problem."
"That would be up to the Lu Family to say," Lady Zhang replied.
Old Master Lu and Zhang Qingshan were sworn brothers; despite Old Master Lu being ten years younger than Zhang Qingshan, he married late, and Lu Bingwu was the youngest son, thus making him about the sa age as Zhang Caiyun. If Zhang Caiyun and Lu Bingwu were to be engaged, Old Master Lu would be a generation lower than Zhang Qingshan.
As Lady Zhang said this, Lady Wu Wang was already grinning. She was here to sound out Zhang Family’s opinion, and Lady Zhang’s words revealed their stance on the matter.
"The Lu Family is willing!" Lady Wu Wang declared, "You’re Caiyun’s eldest aunt, and even Caiyun’s mother has said you’re the one who can decide about Caiyun’s affairs. Now that this hurdle is cleared, you can make the decision."
"I’ll send a ssage over there right away," Lady Zhang agreed with a smile.
The Wu family stayed at Lian Manman’s family for dinner. Lady Zhang had already discussed with Lian Shouxin and sent soone to Burner Pot Village to deliver the news, but it was kept from the children.
After dinner, Lian Manman seized an opportunity to pry the news out of Lady Zhang.
Lian Manman laughed for quite a while upon hearing it, amused at how both sides were willing and the matter fell perfectly into place, yet they had to go through such a process and "testing" before reaching that point, which was quite entertaining.
"I think that not only the Old Lu Family, but my grandfather’s side long had this intention. They were just held back by that little generational gap, embarrassed to bring it up, and even had to ask Third Aunt Wu today to poke through this layer of window paper.... Normally they address them like us."
Lu Bingwu was young and wasn’t comfortable being called the sa generation as Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin, so he was addressed as peers with Lian Manman and the others, according to local custom.
"That’s just daily life, but marriage is different. We see the generational gap as trivial, but for those horse traders in ’the world,’ they place great importance on it," Lady Zhang explained.
Lian Manman nodded, thinking, that must be what’s referred to as "the world," contrasting with their normal daily life.
"It’s not just about the generational gap; in matters of children’s marriage, one must be careful. Although your grandfather and Old Master Lu have a good relationship, they haven’t interacted for many years, so so ti for both sides to observe and consider is necessary," Lady Zhang added. "And because they have a good relationship, it’s all the more crucial to be careful. Otherwise, if sothing goes wrong between them, it could affect the long-standing friendship of the elders."
"Yes, yes," Lian Manman nodded repeatedly, then asked Lady Zhang, "Mother, should I first give Sister Caiyun a hint about this?"
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Extra Chapter added, looking for support with pink, official subscription, and recomndation tickets.
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Recomnded complete work by Ruoyan: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles" light house fight farmland tale, dealing with life in a grand household filled with familial feuds.
Book ID: 1771214
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