In fact, for this kind of thing, there is no need for Lian Shouxin to remind. In this era, people attach great importance to their ancestral home.

"We just go back to the old residence for New Year, and then we’ll definitely return to the Prefecture City for the Lantern Festival," Lian Manman continued.

The old residence that Lian Manman referred to was not the one Lady Zhou lived in, but the house they lived in at Thirty Mile Camp. That, indeed, was their family’s ancestral home. Nowadays, whenever they talk to outsiders, this is how they refer to it. The residence where Lady Zhou resides only comes up in private family discussions and is no longer referred to as the old residence.

In the future, their ancestral home would also be that grand mansion under the Imperially Bestowed Archway, and it would be passed down to their descendants. The house in the village that Old Master Lian arranged for was surely the part that would be inherited by Lian Jizu and his lineage generation after generation.

"By coincidence, our Sixth Master sent someone to inform us that this time he can stay at home a few more days," said Grandma Shen San, and then she asked Lady Zhang, "I seem to have heard that Lord Du’s wife wanted to matchmake your Wu Lang?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Well... we haven’t seen Lady Du since we arrived. It’s just that their men were jokingly talking, seemingly mentioned it," Lady Zhang cautiously said, "I’ve long thought of arranging a marriage for Wu Lang, but his Mr. Loo said we should wait until he passes the graduate examination before discussing it to avoid distractions."

"Isn’t it just the right time now?" Grandma Shen San said.

"Indeed," Lady Zhang nodded, "I am eager to arrange a marriage soon. He is the eldest son, and in the future, all major and minor matters of the family will have to be managed by him and his wife. I’m thinking of someone around his age. If the girl’s too young, while her parents might agree, I can’t bear it."

The Du Family did suggest matching Wu Lang to one of their nieces. Regardless of other factors, the girl was only fourteen. Upon hearing this, the Lian Manman family didn’t pursue it further, as Lady Zhang mentioned, the responsibilities of an eldest son’s wife are many. They preferred someone slightly older, ideally the same age as Wu Lang, or one or two years older.

Grandma Shen San nodded in agreement.

In Liaodong Prefecture’s customs, people prefer marrying brides a bit older. There’s a saying among the common folk, "A girl three years older holds the gold brick." Older girls are stronger, more likely to bear children soon, manage household chores better, and care more for their husbands. A very practical consideration, this is how most families think, whether big or small.

Besides, the Lian family was marrying the eldest son’s wife, meaning the burden of expanding the family lineage and managing household affairs was even heavier.

In such matters, Lian Manman wisely chose not to interject. Seeing Shen Yi and Shen Shi seemed a bit shy, she got up and took Lian Manman, suggesting they go to their room for a chat. Lian Manman smiled, rose, and bid farewell to Shen Yi and Shen Shi, secretly giving Lady Zhang a knowing look as she left.

"...I don’t know many people in the Prefecture City. I’m not aware of whose family has good girls. If you know of any, do let me know," Lady Zhang took the hint and quickly said to Grandma Shen San.

Back home, Lian Manman and Lady Zhang had discussed finding a suitable wife for Wu Lang, utilizing all their connections. Grandma Shen San, having lived in the Prefecture City for so many years, was naturally a great choice.

Leaving Lady Zhang and Grandma Shen San to continue discussing Wu Lang’s matters, Lian Manman joined Shen Yi and Shen Shi in stepping out. The three young ladies felt stifled inside and decided to take a walk in the garden for some air. As they strolled, none of them stopped talking. Lian Manman had her mission too, to gather more information on the young ladies of the Prefecture City through Shen Yi and Shen Shi.

By dinner time, both Lady Zhang and Lian Manman had a mental catalog of the young ladies in the Prefecture City. After sharing a meal at the Shen Mansion, the family bid farewell and went back home.

After the Lian family left, Grandma Shen San sat with Shen Yi and Shen Shi, chatting indoors until the sound of footsteps from outside indicated the arrival of Shen San.

As Shen Yi and Shen Shi stood up, they greeted their father respectfully. Shen San nodded and sat opposite Grandma Shen San on the kang. Seeing Shen San slightly flushed, clearly having had some wine, Grandma Shen San gestured to their daughters to leave. Shen Yi and Shen Shi made their exit after bowing, each accompanied by their maid.

Grandma Shen San busied herself by ordering a sobering soup to be brought for Shen San.

"Did you send those two pots of flowers?" Shen San, claiming not to be very drunk, asked Grandma Shen San.

"I did," Grandma Shen San replied. "She declined initially, but accepted after I mentioned our two daughters."

"That shows she knows her manners and isn’t thoughtless," Shen San said.

"Indeed," Grandma Shen San agreed. "In these past two years, I’ve come to appreciate her more deeply. Both her looks and temperament are really rare. No wonder everyone likes her so much."

"It’s all part of one’s destiny," Shen San remarked.

"...and the fortune is good," Grandma Shen San added. "Even if the roots are shallow now, the future will be extraordinary."

"Speaking of roots, who is born with everything?" Shen San commented, "Our Emperor’s ancestors were hunters in the mountains just a few generations ago. Our family’s forebear, when he first rose, wielded a hoe."

Grandma Shen San couldn’t help but smile at that.

...

Seeking support votes. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com)