Everyone congratulated and then asked Lian Manman.
"This is my youngest daughter, she’s only thirteen this year, and hasn’t been betrothed yet. After her sister’s matters are settled, we’ll have to arrange her brother’s, she’s still young. Only after her brother and sister’s affairs are taken care of will it be her turn." Lady Zhang said.
"What a pity, I see this young lady is rare in character, there happens to be a good family considering her for a proposal, but now it’ll be another two years?"
"It’s not just you, we are talking about the sa thing over here." Soone from another table laughed and said.
Lian Manman could only lower her head, secretly amused. These people weren’t necessarily serious about matchmaking, they were just enjoying the conversation.
"The child is young, don’t scare her like wolves do." The Third Mistress, clearly familiar with these people, laughed and said this, then turned to Lady Zhang, "Speaking of the young lady’s brother, has your son been betrothed?"
"Not yet," Lady Zhang said, "He’s only fifteen this year. He’s young, and is currently studying, he just passed as a Scholar. He will study hard with his teacher for another two years, and after the autumn exams, we will discuss the matter based on his teacher’s approval, so as not to disrespect the family of the girl."
"That makes sense." The Third Mistress nodded with a smile, and the people at the table all agreed.
After discussing her own family, Lady Zhang smiled and asked the associate magistrate’s wife about her daughter’s age, and whether she had been engaged. The topic naturally shifted.
The table was lively with conversation, and the three of them, glancing at each other, shared a smile.
The responses were prepared beforehand, resulting from the family discussing the matter together. It wasn’t an excuse, but the truth. Taking advantage of today’s occasion to speak about it saved a lot of trouble.
Xiao Qi was obviously too young. As for Wu Lang and Lian Manman, they didn’t have plans to get engaged so soon. Crucially, they were still unfamiliar with the Prefecture City. Refusing proposals hastily was not good, but agreeing to a match just because the family was seemingly on par was unacceptable without knowing their background.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, because of Lian Zhizhi’s situation, were hopeful that a familiar family, knowing each other’s backstory, and establishing a good relationship, would lead to a naturally successful engagent and marriage. It would forge a favorable union for both families, and the children would live comfortably.
Lian Manman also thought this was quite nice.
When the banquet ended, Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman erged from the Warm Pavilion in the garden, approached by a steward’s wife and Xiao Qi’s servant, Xiao Hetao, who invited them to go to the Phoenix Tower.
"The Master, the eldest young master, and the second young master are all present, as well as Master Chu. The mistress and the two young ladies are kindly requested to go over for a discussion," Xiao Hetao said with a bow.
"It’s appropriate to go and pay respects to Master Chu," Lady Zhang said.
Lian Manman nodded in agreent, joining everyone as they headed to the Phoenix Tower.
The second floor of the Phoenix Tower was still the sa room used to see off Mr. Loo last ti, with Master Chu, Lian Shouxin, Xiao Qi, and Shen Qian sitting around a tea table.
Xiao Qi saw Lady Zhang and the others coming in, quickly got up and ran over, followed by Shen Qian, who then erged from behind the bookshelf with Wu Lang.
After the greetings, Xiao Qi led Lady Zhang and her daughters forward to see Master Chu, and the three of them bowed together, expressing gratitude for Master Chu’s teachings of Xiao Qi.
Then, Lian Shouxin and Master Chu moved to the adjacent room to talk, while Shen Qian pulled Xiao Qi over to Lian Manman.
"Manman..." Shen Qian had just begun to speak when a cough was heard from behind the bookshelf.
Lian Manman, startled, looked over at Wu Lang.
"Ninth Master, the mistress is asking for you." A maid lifted the curtain and walked in, bowing to Shen Qian while speaking.
"Tell the lady that I’ll go over in a mont," Shen Qian waved his hand to the little maid and said.
"Ninth Master, the mistress wants you to go imdiately," the maid insisted, not daring to retreat.
"Xiao Jiu, the lady is calling you, you should go quickly." Shen Liu’s voice ca from behind the desk.
It turned out that the person who had coughed was indeed Shen Liu. Lian Manman, unaware of Shen Liu’s presence, quickly glanced at Wu Lang, subtly pointing her finger towards the back of the bookshelf.
Wu Lang nodded, confirming that Shen Liu was sitting behind the bookshelf.
Shen Qian hesitated a little, yet couldn’t disobey Shen Liu, and slowly walked off.
Lian Manman was just thinking about how to pay respects to Shen Liu when she heard him speaking up inside again.
"Manman, co here."
Lian Manman responded, but didn’t walk inside imdiately; instead, she signaled to Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi. They both bowed towards the bookshelf, addressing and greeting the Sixth Master.
"No need for formalities," Shen Liu’s voice responded, "Since you’re here, Wu Lang, show your mother and sister around."
Phoenix Tower is the most renowned place in the Prefecture City, yet few have the chance to visit. It was the first ti for Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi, so they were naturally eager to look around. Lian Manman winked at Wu Lang, then pulled Xiao Qi along as she turned past the bookshelf.
The room was very warm, and Shen Liu sat behind a desk, wearing only a casual, slightly worn, wide robe without a belt or hat, with his thick, black hair fastened casually on top of his head with a jade hairpin.
"Sixth Master, I hope you have been well." Lian Manman approached the desk, once again bowing to Shen Liu.
"Take a seat," Shen Liu glanced at Lian Manman, then at Xiao Qi, who ca in; his lips barely curled upward as he gestured for Lian Manman to sit at the desk.
Lian Manman thanked him, pulling Xiao Qi to sit down with her.
"I have sothing for you." Shen Liu turned slightly, retrieving a carved lacquer box from beside him.
Third shift delivery, please support with pink votes. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welco to visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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