In the hall, the official matchmaker Nanny Xue was full of smiles, her voice loud and festive.

"Congratulations to Madam Xiao! Your family’s Young Master Chun Ning is talented and renowned throughout the Capital. Everyone in the Zhong family has heard of him and is delighted."

Nanny Bi said: "I have specially come to propose on behalf of the Zhong family, and fortunately, I have succeeded in my mission. The Zhong Mansion wishes to form a lasting bond with the Xiao Mansion!"

"Thank you, Nanny Bi, for making this trip. The Zhong family is known for educating their children in poetry and etiquette, and Miss Zhong is known for her virtue; I have heard of this. That Chun Ning is favored by the Zhong family is his good fortune. We will discuss this matter promptly."

Mrs. Xu sat upright, a smile at the corners of her mouth, her tone dignified yet gentle.

She slightly tilted her head as a cue, and the maid beside her respectfully handed over a prepared red envelope: "A little token for tea, Nanny, please do not refuse."

"You’re too kind, Madam, you’re too kind."

Nanny Bi was naturally filled with joy,

holding Chun Ning’s golden-lettered proposal letter in hand, its exquisite cover, heading to the Zhong Mansion for the proposal.

After seeing off Nanny Bi, a servant announced that the second young lady and her husband had returned to the mansion.

"Quickly, please invite them in."

Mrs. Xu took a sip of tea, massaging her old waist: "Ah, getting older, there are so many things to do day by day, it really is tiring."

The household affairs had been entrusted to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhu, but when it came to significant matters concerning Chun Ning, Chunyan, and Chun Shu, Mrs. Xu had to take charge.

"You’re working hard, elder sister-in-law."

Mrs. Xu smiled broadly: "These matters can only be handled well by you, elder sister-in-law."

"You, you, really have fortune that makes one envious."

Mrs. Xu shook her head helplessly at her younger sister-in-law.

Also being a wife and mother, Mrs. Xu was peculiarly serene.

She did not manage her son’s marriage, leaving it to her husband’s elder sister to handle.

Yet, the children all excelled remarkably.

"Indeed, meeting my sister-in-law is my good fortune."

Mrs. Xu... what could she do?

She had to pamper her sister-in-law.

"Yes, having our elder sister-in-law is our good fortune."

Chun Nuan entered with a smile.

"Nuannuan greets elder sister-in-law, greets mother, greets elder sister."

"Nuannuan, my dear Nuannuan, you’ve finally come back, come sit."

Mrs. Xu pulled Chun Nuan to sit beside her.

Mrs. Xu was too lazy to bother as her daughter would still come back and be close to her again.

"Nuannuan, was your journey smooth?"

"It was fine."

Choosing to share the good news rather than burdens, leaving out the child’s illnesses during the journey, which were minor issues easily handled. There’s no need to dwell on past matters, as speaking of them would only add unnecessary worry.

"Now it’s wonderful, our family is finally reunited in the Capital; truly marvelous."

Mrs. Xu remembered: "Nuannuan, Chun Ning’s good news is close."

"Which joyous occasion should we celebrate first, Chunyan, Chun Shu, or Chun Ning?"

"Chunyan and Chun Shu’s events are next month, Chunyan on March 18th, Chun Shu on March 26th, just days apart," Mrs. Xu said. "Chun Ning is waiting for the matchmaker to pair the birth dates, then we’ll discuss the wedding date with the Zhong family."

"Three joyful occasions, each in separate branches of the family, or else they would clash," Mrs. Xu said. "This way is best; every branch has a celebration."

"Indeed, according to tradition, a family cannot simultaneously marry or give in marriage in a year. It works out well, as we are three branches, not affecting each other."

It wasn’t that they rushed for marriages, but the circumstances compelled them.

Sons grown into men and daughters matured to brides; the Xiao family’s hardships over the years delayed their marriages, and they can’t be postponed any longer.

Who knows what further changes might arise if delayed?

After all, the patriarch of the Lin family was not in good health either, and if mourning arose, there would be complications.

"Wonderful indeed."

Chun Nuan was full of delight.

"Is the elder sister not back?"

"Chunyu and Panpan have gone to the estate; Mrs. Xia enjoys the estate lifestyle."

"Not so coincidental."

Chun Nuan realized her elder sister should be living quite happily.

"I estimate our family will have a reunion dinner when Chunyan gets married."

Indeed, even in the same city, it’s not always easy to meet as desired.

With Chun Nuan’s return, the matter of Chun An and Muyang’s apprenticeship was scheduled.

"We’re all family; no need to formalize it so much."

Aunt surprisingly insisted on a formal apprenticeship ceremony, which Chun Nuan thought unnecessary.

"Precisely because we’re family, we should have the ceremony; custom shouldn’t be abandoned."

Eventually, it was decided to hold the apprenticeship ceremony the day before Chunyan’s wedding.

Both Chun An and Xiao Muyang were quite pleased.

"You’re entering my tutelage as my disciples, and I have two requirements."

"Aunt, please instruct us."

"First, acquire real skills; second, gain true knowledge. Reading should not be neglected. Can you accomplish this?"

"We can."

Though they verbally agreed, inwardly they lamented; poor children, learning medicine while also having to study.

Nonetheless, they had to comply with Aunt’s requests.

On the male side, Zhao Minghua and his father-in-law chatted briefly, but the latter felt awkward, aware that his time in the Northern Desert made him quite unfamiliar with the happenings in the Capital, opting to leave first, leaving his son Chun Ning to accompany his brother-in-law.

Chun Ning and Zhao Minghua were old acquaintances, and both were young.

Moreover, Chun Ning had always admired his brother-in-law Zhao Minghua, feeling that he was more than just a simple businessman.

Indeed, while sipping tea and chatting, Chun Ning realized: His brother-in-law knew more than he did!

In their conversation, the wisdom of navigating officialdom imparted by his brother-in-law was quite beneficial.

Curious about the source of his brother-in-law’s insights, Chun Ning wondered: How does he gain access to such knowledge?

"Chun Ning, don’t rush; take things step by step."

Knowing his little brother-in-law idolized him, Zhao Minghua felt elated inside, but his words were humble: "You’re very capable, having joined the Hanlin Academy at a young age, with a promising future ahead."

"Brother-in-law, you flatter me!"

During their chat, they discussed Chun Ning’s marriage.

Chun Ning felt shy as could be.

"Not even the birth dates have been matched yet."

Meanwhile, at the Zhong Mansion, Nanny Xue delivered Chun Ning’s birth information, smiling brightly.

"Madam Zhong, here is Mr. Xiao’s birth information. Madam Xiao instructed that Miss Zhong’s proposal letter must be brought back for calculation by the Astronomical Bureau, hoping for a destined match."

Madam Zhong had already prepared her daughter’s proposal letter, wrapped it carefully in a new piece of brocade, and solemnly handed it to Nanny Xue.

"Thank you, Nanny. This is my daughter Lan’er’s proposal letter. Hopefully, the children’s birth charts will align well, blessing them with good fortune."

Her tone carried a trace of undetectable anxiety, as this concerned her child’s lifelong happiness, a mere formality yet crucial.

Indeed, her relationship with the Xiao family’s ladies was amiable, and Chun Ning was her daughter’s favored choice.

Nonetheless, there was genuine concern about the compatibility of their birth charts.

After seeing off Nanny Xue, Zhong Lan approached.

"Mother..."

Her face full of shyness and anticipation.

"This child, how is your wedding dress sewing?"

Indeed, a grown daughter cannot be kept; they stay and turn into a grievance.

Look at her, the child anticipates becoming a bride so eagerly.

"I’ve been sewing all along, and it should be finished next month." Zhong Lan shyly asked: "Is there any news from the Xiao family?"