“Madam Liu, I heard there is another young master in your household?”
Madam Lin’s tone was as casual as if she were merely making conversation.
Madam Liu’s smile stiffened for the briefest moment, but she quickly composed herself.
Although she disliked Shi Huai, she still had to put on a show in front of outsiders.
“You mean Huai’er? That child is indeed quite promising. He studies at the Imperial Academy, and all his teachers praise him.”
Madam Liu called him “Huai’er” with great affection, and the smile on her face became a little more genuine.
Inwardly, however, she was thinking that respectable scholarly families valued family harmony above all else. She could not let anyone find fault with her.
Madam Lin nodded, the smile at the corners of her lips deepening.
“Everyone in the capital knows of Young Master Shi’s talent. My husband recited the poem he wrote at that poetry gathering several times after he came home.”
Madam Liu modestly brushed off the compliment, while inwardly wondering why Madam Lin had suddenly brought up Shi Huai.
Madam Lin, meanwhile, was sighing to herself. One glance at Madam Liu’s forced enthusiasm was enough for her to see that this was a woman with little sense.
It was truly a pity that Young Master Shi had been born into such a family.
If he were her son, she would have cherished him in the palm of her hand.
Madam Lin sighed again.
If only she were twenty years younger—or if Young Master Shi had been born twenty years earlier…
What a pity. What a pity!
Still, it was fortunate that her Wanqing had such good judgment and knew to send her to sound things out.
At the thought, the smile on Madam Lin’s face became even more sincere.
Looking at Madam Liu’s somewhat stiff grin, she patiently continued making polite conversation.
“Madam Liu, how old is your second daughter this year?” Madam Lin asked, lifting her teacup for a sip.
“Sixteen.”
The moment her daughter was mentioned, Madam Liu immediately perked up.
Madam Lin nodded, her tone casual. “That is indeed a fine age. My second son is fifteen this year, and he also studies at the Imperial Academy. The two children are close in age.”
When Madam Liu heard the words “Imperial Academy,” something suddenly clicked in her mind.
The Lin family’s second son?
Was Madam Lin here to propose a marriage for her son?
Her heart gave a violent leap, but she showed nothing on her face. She lifted her teacup and took a leisurely sip while her mind raced.
The Lin family was an esteemed scholarly household. Lord Lin was a favorite before the emperor and was almost certain to enter the Grand Secretariat and become a chancellor in the future.
Although the Lin family’s second young master could not compare with their eldest son, he was still a legitimate son. A marriage to her Youlan would hardly be beneath her daughter.
The more Madam Liu thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and she could not suppress the smile spreading across her face.
Still, she remembered that a young lady had to be demure and could not appear too eager.
“The children are still young. There’s no need to rush. Besides, Youlan is a slow-to-warm girl. These things have to happen gradually.”
Madam Liu spoke vaguely, neither agreeing nor refusing, while putting on an appropriately reserved air.
When Madam Lin heard the words “the children are still young,” however, she grew anxious.
She was afraid Madam Liu had not understood her meaning, but she was also afraid that being too direct would damage Wanqing’s reputation. All she could do was continue circling around the subject and offering praise.
“Madam Liu is right. There is no need to hurry when it comes to the children’s future. Still, one must make plans early when it comes to a good family. So many households in the capital have their eyes on them.”
Madam Lin’s tone remained gentle.
Yet every word carried the hidden implication: your young master is highly sought after, so you had better move quickly.
Madam Liu heard this and became even more certain.
The Lin family truly had come to ask for Youlan’s hand. Otherwise, why would Madam Lin say that one had to make plans early when it came to a good family?
She took another sip of tea, the smile on her lips impossible to suppress. Her thoughts had already turned to the matter of the dowry.
Seeing Madam Liu’s utterly clueless expression, Madam Lin grew so anxious she felt as though fire were raging in her chest.
She wished she could simply say, “I’m here to propose a marriage to your young master.”
But she could not.
“Madam Liu, what does the young master usually do at home? My husband says his essays are excellent and would like to seek his advice.”
Madam Lin steered the conversation back to Shi Huai, her tone filled with just the right amount of praise.
Madam Liu was displeased to hear her compliment Shi Huai, but she still wore a beaming smile.
“Huai’er does nothing but study. He’s no good at anything else.”
“Studying is good. One can only get ahead through learning.”
Madam Lin nodded repeatedly. “My husband often says that Young Master Shi is destined for a brilliant future.”
The praise made Madam Liu feel light-headed with delight.
She continued to put on a modest front, but inwardly she was thinking that the Lin family was so sincere about marrying Youlan that they were even praising Shi Huai. They certainly knew how to show their good faith.
Madam Lin went on to praise Shi Youlan as well, saying that she was skilled at embroidery, beautiful, and good-natured. Her words filled Madam Liu’s heart with joy.
“Madam Liu, you truly are blessed. Both your son and daughter are so outstanding.”
Madam Lin’s tone was so sincere that it did not sound like empty flattery at all.
Madam Liu waved her hands repeatedly, though the smile on her face refused to fade. By now, she was completely convinced that the Lin family had come to seek Youlan’s hand in marriage.
“Madam Liu, have you made any arrangements for the young master’s marriage?”
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu became even more certain.
The Lin family really had come to ask for Youlan’s hand. Otherwise, why would they be asking about Shi Huai’s marriage?
They must be sounding her out, trying to find out whether the marquis’s residence intended to use Youlan’s dowry to support Shi Huai.
After all, even if she refused to acknowledge it, Shi Huai was indeed the only male heir in the household.
She lifted her teacup and took another sip. When she set it down, she deliberately let out a sigh.
“Huai’er is still young. But Youlan, on the other hand, is sixteen this year. It’s time to start looking at suitable matches for her.”
When Madam Lin heard this, her heart gave a sudden leap.
She thought Madam Liu was hinting that Shi Huai’s marriage could now be discussed, and she hurriedly followed the opening.
“The second young lady is indeed at a good age. But the young master is not so young either. He is twelve, and it could take a year or two to find a suitable match for him.”
Madam Liu nodded, but inwardly she was thinking that Madam Lin must be eager to settle the matter, afraid that Youlan would be snatched up by someone else.
She deliberately put on a haughty air and drawled, “Isn’t that the truth? Someone came to inquire a few days ago.”
Madam Lin’s expression shifted slightly, and the teacup in her hand nearly slipped.
Someone had already come to inquire?
Who was it?
Which family?
How had they moved so quickly?
She took a deep breath before managing to steady herself. Her voice remained gentle.
“Really? May I ask which family it was?”
Seeing that Madam Lin was anxious, Madam Liu grew even more pleased with herself. She deliberately answered evasively.
“It was that family or another—I can’t quite remember. In any case, the families in the capital are all much the same. They come and go, and there are only so many of them.”
Madam Lin was so irritated by her coy evasiveness that she wished she could pry Madam Liu’s mouth open and demand the truth.
But she could not. She had to maintain her dignity, remain reserved, and preserve the Lin family’s reputation.
“Madam Liu is right. The families in the capital do indeed come and go, and there are only so many of them.”
Madam Lin lifted her teacup and took a sip, using the motion to calm herself.
“Still, there aren’t many truly good families, so it is best to make plans early.”
Madam Liu nodded repeatedly, the smile on her face impossible to conceal.
She was now utterly convinced that Madam Lin had come to ask for Youlan’s hand, and her thoughts had already returned to the matter of the dowry.
Madam Lin heard the renewed warmth in her tone.
“Madam Lin is absolutely right. There are indeed few good families. We will have to choose carefully.”
Madam Liu nodded repeatedly.
She took Madam Lin’s words as a hint that the Lin family was small and uncomplicated, and that her Youlan would not be mistreated after marrying into it.
Though she agreed aloud, she was already wondering whether she should give them a definite answer today. But then she felt that would make the Marquis’s household seem too eager to curry favor with the Lin family. Perhaps it would be better to keep them waiting a little longer.
