"Yes! It’s the second uncle from Sang Wan’s natal family!" Aunt Fang hurriedly said: "Master, don’t you see that this is a ready-made candidate? The second uncle is a talented man and has already passed the Xie Yuan examination, sure to become an Imperial Scholar next year! Master, having an Imperial Scholar as a son-in-law, how prestigious would that be!"
"Indeed! How did I not think of it!" Second Master Shi slapped the bed and felt enlightened, thinking more and more that it made sense, and couldn’t help but joyfully say: "You’re right, you’re right! The two families are already related by marriage, this just adds to our ties!"
"Master is wise! Exactly!" Aunt Fang saw that Second Master Shi repeatedly agreed and felt even happier. If her own daughter became an official’s wife and received a royal decree, wouldn’t she, as her mother, also enjoy good days?
"However, the second uncle is already nineteen years old, right? Our Arui is only twelve by nominal age; isn’t she a bit young?" Second Master Shi couldn’t help but feel a little regretful, wishing his daughter was a few years older!
"Not too young! Even thirteen-year-olds participate in the royal selection!" Aunt Fang hurriedly laughed: "This marriage can be set first. If the Sang family is in a hurry, Arui could marry at age fourteen in two or three years, and if the Sang family is not in a hurry, Arui can marry after her coming-of-age ceremony just the same! Our Arui is so clever and sensible, with an outstanding character and appearance, and she is genuinely from a reputable family, a perfect match for the second uncle!"
"Alright! Then let’s agree on this!" Second Master Shi listened and felt it made sense, heartily nodding and laughing as he slapped the tea table: "Tomorrow I will call someone to invite the second uncle from Sang family over for a chat, and discuss this with him in person!"
"Oh, Master!" Aunt Fang chided: "You are getting too excited and muddled! How could we discuss this directly with him in person? I think it’s better this way, I’ll find an excuse to visit our Lady Sang Wan tomorrow, hint to Lady Sang Wan, and let her talk to the second uncle, asking him to inform his family and formally send a matchmaker to propose! Master, we can’t mess this up! Our young lady is a precious person; we cannot have the lady chasing the man! The man must take the initiative to propose so that our young lady can maintain her dignity, and you and the madam can also maintain yours!"
Upon hearing this, Second Master Shi burst out laughing, smacking his head and repeatedly saying: "You’re right, you’re right! What would it look like with the lady chasing the man? Our Shi family isn’t lacking either; we can’t let others look down on us!"
"Exactly!" Aunt Fang laughed: "Master, then shall we settle it ? Shall I visit Lady Sang Wan tomorrow?"
"Mm! While the second uncle is still at our house, let’s finalize this quickly!" Second Master Shi laughed.
"Rest assured, Master; your servant understands!" Aunt Fang was overjoyed.
Aunt Fang was so excited that she could not sleep well all night, conversing and scheming for a long time with her trusted housekeeper Mrs. Yin by her side. Just thinking of the benefits after the marriage arrangement, Aunt Fang was delighted from the bottom of her heart.
The next morning, timing when Sang Wan would likely be free after handling her household affairs, Aunt Fang changed into a red cockscomb red five-colored printed outer coat, a light purple dark-flowered pleated skirt, combed her hair into a flat talisman bun, adorned with gold and silver jewelry, and meticulously dressed, then she took Mrs. Yin and went off.
The mood of the servant and master was a bit excited, their hearts thumping rapidly as they conversed softly along the way.
"Mrs. Yin, do you think Lady Sang Wan will agree?"
"Oh, rest assured! Although second uncle Sang has passed the Xie Yuan exam promising a limitless future, our Shi family is also the richest in Qingzhou. When you think about it, it’s hard to say who is less advantageous! Our Miss Arui is also such a good person; this marriage is more than suitable, it’s a match made in heaven! Second uncle Sang is not foolish; how could he refuse! Moreover, Lady Sang Wan is just passing on a message; whether she agrees or not isn’t up to her!"
"Right, right, right! Look at me, all confused! Speaking nonsense! Lady Sang Wan is such a kind person, she would definitely help with passing on a message!"
"Hehe, that’s right! It’s not that you’re confused, but rather, you’re excited, excited!"
The two of them laughed together as they spoke.
Unfortunately, their laughter turned to pain with cries of "Ouch!" just as they stopped laughing! It turned out that two women, not noticing them, came tumbling out from a path beside them playing and jostling; the one dressed in goose yellow dress bumped into Aunt Fang, while the other wearing light blue attire stepped on Mrs. Yin’s foot!