Lian Manman was waiting for Lady Zhou to get to the main topic, but Lady Zhou didn’t mention it, instead talking about other things, including the gifts Younger Lady Zhou and Shang Huaide sent to Wu Lang and Xiao Qi.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi excelled and naturally, the Shang Family sent gifts, which were quite valuable. Naturally, Lian Manman’s family also invited the Shang Family over for drinks and to listen to opera. In future, if the Shang Family had any events, they would reciprocate.

"We’ve sent them." Lian Shouxin replied.

"Your third aunt cares for you... like no other. If you have anything going on, she never neglects you," Lady Zhou continued, "Our family doesn’t have many close relatives, just your eldest aunt and third aunt, both living nearby. They treat you well, you should appreciate that."

Lady Zhou’s tone was deliberately gentle, but as she spoke, hints of her nature showed through.

Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Lian Manman all understood Lady Zhou’s character. Her words did not concern them too much. But Lady Zhou’s topics did not seem to revolve around Younger Lady Zhou, but rather Lady Da Zhou, which puzzled Lian Manman.

Could it be, contrary to her predictions, Lady Zhou was not sending gifts and inviting them over for her own matters, but for Lady Da Zhou and Younger Lady Zhou?

That shouldn’t be the case, thought Lian Manman, especially since neither Lady Da Zhou’s family nor Younger Lady Zhou’s family had any pressing matters lately in need of their assistance.

"In a few days, Baorong is getting married, have you prepared the items for the dowry?" Lady Zhou suddenly asked.

The Shang Family had firmly put down roots in Thirty Mile Camp. Not only did they no longer rent others’ houses, but they also acquired a courtyard and purchased some twenty acres, leased to tenants. The annual rent also provided for the family of several mouths. Shang Huaide had partnered with others and set up a store in the town, dealing in cloth and tailoring work. The Shang Family was doing quite well, considered rather well-off in Thirty Mile Camp.

Since the Shang Family arrived in Thirty Mile Camp, matchmakers constantly proposed marriage for Shang Baorong. However, Younger Lady Zhou was highly picky about her daughter’s match, neither accepting high nor low suitors, delaying the marriage until Baorong grew a year older. Younger Lady Zhou grew anxious and finally decided on a match for Shang Baorong as spring arrived.

This match was arranged by Matchmaker Sun, with the other family residing five miles northwest of Qingyang Town in a village called Guan Village. Their surname was Guan, and they owned considerable farmland and property. Two brothers, the elder already married with children, proposed to Shang Baorong for the younger.

The Second Young Master Guan was even a year and a half younger than Shang Baorong, reportedly of exceptional appearance and temperament, without any coarseness typical of a farmer, even bashful like a young lady at times.

Matchmaker Sun’s message was that with such a character and disposition, the young couple would have a harmonious relationship. The implication was that Second Young Master Guan’s good nature meant he would always accommodate Shang Baorong.

The two Guan brothers, the younger was especially favored by the parents. The matchmaker hinted that when it comes to familial matters and future property division, Second Young Master Guan wouldn’t suffer any losses, and naturally, neither would Shang Baorong.

The two families saw each other once, found satisfaction, and set the formal engagement in March, arranging the wedding for late August.

Upon hearing Lady Zhou’s inquiry about preparing the dowry, Lian Shouxin glanced at Lian Manman. For such matters, Lian Shouxin usually didn’t concern himself as they were typically arranged by Lady Zhang and Lian Manman.

"It’s prepared, my mom told me to prepare generously." Lian Manman replied with a smile, "Grandma, since you asked today, I’ll tell my mom to add a little extra."

Lady Zhou looked at Lian Manman briefly then retracted her gaze, dropping the subject of the dowry.

"...When the time comes, you... no matter what, you should visit." After pausing for a while, Lady Zhou raised her head, looked at Lian Shouxin, and said with a tone and expression that were quite insistent, clearly wanting Lian Shouxin to agree.

"Alright, I’ll go." Lian Shouxin thought for a moment and agreed cheerfully.

Lady Zhou seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Did you notify your wife’s family? Even though Erlang hasn’t visited in the past, he should send a gift this time. We don’t have too many close relatives. Your elder sister, I’ve informed her too, she should come as well," Lady Zhou added.

Lady Zhou was asking Lian Shouxin to notify Zhang Qingshan, hoping the Zhang Family would also send gifts, and she hoped Lian Shouxin would have Erlang send one too.

"My father-in-law will definitely send a gift, as for the visit, we’ll see then. Erlang will certainly send a gift," Lian Shouxin replied.