Engagement Arrangements

"Oh dear, this child!" Madam Sun laughed and cried at the same time, quickly ordering the servant to take the sleeping Su Shirong inside.

"Mother, I'll go take care of brother!" Su Lanxiang was very sensible and volunteered to go home.

"Alright, you all go ahead." Madam Sun nodded. With Su Lanxiang and Yuan Jie's servant there, she had nothing to worry about.

After sending the children off, Madam Sun returned to her seat.

Su Sanyun laughed and said, "Look at that child, already drunk. Such ambition!"

Madam Sun chuckled, "Oh, Shirong is no longer young, it's time to arrange a marriage for him."

Su Sanyun slapped his forehead, "Right, Shirong is already fourteen, time to talk marriage! Alas, as a father, I've been so careless to forget such an important matter."

Once marriage talk of Su Shirong was mentioned, the women at the table perked up with interest.

Wang and Chen, especially attentive, said to Madam Sun, "Third son's wife, tell us what kind of daughter-in-law you want, and we'll keep an eye out for Shirong."

Madam Sun thought for a moment and smiled, "Someone virtuous, capable, and filial. As for the family background, preferably well-off, and the appearance shouldn't be too bad either."

Given Su Sanyun's current status, Madam Sun's conditions for a daughter-in-law weren't too high, especially since Shirong was now mingling with Yuan Jie, promising a bright future.

"Alright, we'll keep a closer eye out for Shirong." Wang and Chen agreed with a smile.

The women gathered together chatting about matchmaking, and soon their talk turned to the unmarried people present of marriageable age.

Bai Lu was of marriageable age but unmarried; since she was a girl, no one spoke ill of her, so Yuan Yu became the subject of gossip.

Fourth uncle and his wife knew Yuan Yu's feelings, but Wang and Madam Sun did not.

Madam Sun looked Yuan Yu over and smiled, "Young Manager Yuan is truly a fine lad, handsome and capable. I wonder what kind of girl could be worthy of him."

Wang also liked Yuan Yu, nodding, "Yes, Yuan Yu is a good boy. Yuan Yu, have your parents arranged a marriage for you in Jiangnan yet?"

Yuan Yu's face turned slightly red as he glanced secretly at Bai Lu, "Not yet."

Wang smiled and said to Madam Sun and Madam Chen, "How about when we look for a match for Shirong, we also look for one for young Manager Yuan?"

Madam Chen, knowing Yuan Yu's feelings for Bai Lu, only smiled, "Yuan Yu is a thoughtful boy; let's see what type he likes."

Madam Sun recalled that her eldest brother had a daughter of suitable age and good looks. For a man like young Manager Yuan, who would be in high demand outside, Madam Sun naturally hoped to keep the advantage in the family. She said, "My eldest brother's niece is a good girl—handsome, diligent, and filial. She's my eldest brother's daughter. I've watched her grow up; she's truly excellent and well-known to us. I think she'd be a good match for young Manager Yuan."

Yuan Yu quickly waved his hands to decline, "I, I have achieved nothing yet, how can I be worthy of such a fine girl?"

Madam Sun took Yuan Yu's words as modesty and smiled, "Young Manager Yuan is talented and promising. If you say you have achieved nothing, then all the young men in the village should be ashamed to the point of jumping into the river! I'll go back to my family in a few days and inquire about my eldest niece's marriage prospects."

Madam Sun was enthusiastic, but young Manager Yuan couldn't refuse her face in public, so he reluctantly agreed for the time being.

Yuan Yu sat down somewhat embarrassed, glancing at Bai Lu beside him.

Bai Lu showed no visible emotion on her face and smiled cheerfully, holding up her wine cup, "Brother Yuan Yu, you're about to have a wife soon. Here, let me toast you first as an early congratulations."