Chapter 157: Engagement

Lin Sanqian thought about it and realized it wasn’t without reason. After all, four years had passed, and her second brother had grown into a refined young gentleman, striking in appearance. Coupled with his scholarly grace, he must have captivated countless young girls as he walked down the street.

Most importantly, he was now a xiucai—a successful candidate in the imperial examination. In a big city, a xiucai might not be particularly special, but in their small town and even throughout Pingci County, it was a prized distinction. Any family whose daughter married a xiucai would boast about it for a lifetime.

“Little sister! You’d be pleased if you met that girl, and the Wang family is well-off… oh, right, your family isn’t short of money either,” Matchmaker Liu said with a smile. “What do you think?”

“But we haven’t even met their daughter, and more importantly, my second brother hasn’t seen her,” Liao Shuxia said. “I still have to respect my second brother’s opinion. How about this: I’ll find a time to talk to him about it, and if he’s willing to marry, we can arrange for the two children to meet.”

“Ah?” Matchmaker Liu was taken aback. “Is that really your plan? Since time immemorial, marriage arrangements were made by parents and matchmakers. Why does Liao Shuxia value her son’s opinion so much? And arranging for the two kids to meet— is that really necessary? There are plenty of couples who married without ever meeting beforehand!”

But since Liao Shuxia insisted, she had no choice but to say, “Alright then, but you have to hurry. The Wang family is pressing us; their daughter is sixteen and has been reluctant to marry, but now she’s finally found someone she likes and doesn’t want to miss the chance.”

“Understood,” Liao Shuxia replied.

“Well, I’ll leave first then.”

“Stay for a meal before you go.”

“No, I won’t. My husband is waiting for me.”

Lin Beitao saw Matchmaker Liu out and, upon returning, asked, “Mother, what do you think about this? Should we tell Second Brother?”

“Tell him. Whether he agrees or not, we owe Matchmaker Liu a definite answer since she came all this way.”

“Second Brother probably won’t agree,” Lin Sanqian said.

“How do you know?” Zhao Lan’er asked curiously.

Lin Sanqian smiled. “His mind is entirely consumed with studying.”

In recent years, there had been admirers of Lin Yanbei in town, some even boldly confessing their feelings to him. She still remembered one time when she brought him food and witnessed a young girl muster up the courage to confess. Lin Yanbei carefully analyzed his own strengths and weaknesses before concluding that the girl shouldn’t like him, which promptly drove her away.

“I’m just going to tell him about this. Whether he wants to marry or not is his decision,” Liao Shuxia said. “But Matchmaker Liu’s visit reminded me of something.”

“What is it?” Lin Sanqian asked.

“Second Brother is already at the marriageable age, but our eldest brother’s marriage hasn’t been arranged yet,” Liao Shuxia smiled. “As the eldest, his marriage should be settled first. Don’t you think so?”

Xiao Yawen gave a knowing “oh” and then nudged Zhao Lan’er. The latter’s face flushed red, and she didn’t know where to look.

Just then, Lin Wenyuan came home. He immediately sensed something strange; everyone wore sly smiles except for the blushing Zhao Lan’er.

Lin Wenyuan: “...”

Though the room was warm, he shivered involuntarily.

“What are you all doing?”

“Big brother, congratulations!” Lin Beitao said with a teasing grin.

“Congratulations on what?” Lin Wenyuan stamped his cold feet, bewildered.

“Your father isn’t home yet. If you’re to marry, we should wait for him, but we can arrange the engagement first,” Liao Shuxia said. “Let’s wait another year. If after a year he still hasn’t returned...”

She paused, seeming a little sorrowful, then quickly smiled again. “By then, we’ll just hold the wedding for you two.”

Only then did Lin Wenyuan understand. The tall man’s face reddened as he covertly glanced at Zhao Lan’er before averting his eyes. The two had long been in love, just never openly acknowledged it. Now that Liao Shuxia was arranging their engagement, he was delighted.

Being impulsive and decisive, Liao Shuxia acted swiftly. With no objections from the two youngsters, once Lin Beitao returned from finalizing a business deal, she hosted a banquet at home to celebrate their engagement.

Such joyous news attracted almost all their acquaintances in town. Even the county magistrate of Pingci heard about it and specially sent word asking if he could attend.

Lin Sanqian naturally did not refuse.

That day, the Lin family set up several tables in the courtyard and hired a few helpers for cooking. But the head chef was naturally Lin Sanqian herself. After all, it was such a grand occasion—the engagement of her eldest brother and sister-in-law—she wanted to personally oversee the cooking.

Zhao Lan’er wore a freshly tailored red dress, her cheeks flushed. Xiao Yawen kept her company inside.

“Sister Lan’er, you look so beautiful. Not like me—so plain,” Xiao Yawen said with a teasing tone.

Zhao Lan’er, used to her sharp tongue, gave her a playful kick. “If you were really plain, why would the butcher’s son from West Street come over every day to sneak a look at you?”

Previously, the butcher’s son had a crush on Xiao Yawen and would sneak over daily. Xiao Yawen’s scolding didn’t deter him, but Lin Beitao eventually chased him off.

“Don’t mention him, please,” Xiao Yawen rolled her eyes. “I told him I don’t like him, but he still comes every day. I really don’t know what he’s thinking.”

“You don’t like him but like Lin Beitao?” Zhao Lan’er asked.

“What? Lin Beitao?” Xiao Yawen’s eyes widened. “What a joke! I want to strangle him every day. Like him? Probably he wants to strangle me too.”

Zhao Lan’er gave a knowing look but said nothing.

“My father once said he wants to find me a husband in the army who’s both handsome and strong,” Xiao Yawen said happily.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Lin Beitao walked in carrying a plate of cookies. His expression was gloomy—no one knew whom he had offended.

“What are you doing? Why didn’t you knock?” Xiao Yawen asked displeased.

Lin Beitao glanced at her, set down the cookies, and left.

“You’re unbelievable!” Xiao Yawen grumbled, handing the cookies to Zhao Lan’er. “Look at him—why would I like someone like that?”

“He must have heard what you just said,” Zhao Lan’er said mischievously, taking a cookie.

“What I just said? Oh, I get it! He’s jealous because he knows I’ll have a handsome, strong husband someday!”

“*Cough, cough, cough...*”

Zhao Lan’er nearly choked on her cookie.