In early eighth month in Jinsha, the heat was so intense it killed one’s appetite. The willow branches, wilted from the scorching sun, drooped listlessly.

Equally listless, Sheng Sanlang was preparing to go out when he ran into a gatekeeper bringing in a letter.

“Where’s the letter from?” Sheng Sanlang asked casually.

“In response to Third Young Master, it’s from the Luo manor in the capital.”

The capital? The Luo manor?

Sheng Sanlang stopped in his tracks at once and reached out his hand. “Give me the letter. I’ll deliver it to Grandmother.”

The gatekeeper handed the letter to Sheng Sanlang.

Sheng Sanlang took off running inside, shouting as he ran, “Grandmother, there’s a letter from Cousin!”

Now that his cousin had become emperor, since it was a letter from the Luo manor, it must be from his female cousin.

Just thinking of his cousin made Sheng Sanlang’s heart ache.

How long had it been since he’d seen his cousin? How long since he’d eaten food prepared by his cousin and Xiu Gu? Since returning, was this any kind of life for a person?

At this moment, Old Madam Sheng was having her morning meal.

Silver thread rolls, polished rice porridge, and two or three refreshing side dishes.

It was the season for eating crab, but after hearing her third grandson mention in passing that Duke Anguo’s wife in the capital had choked to death on small crab dumplings one morning, she could no longer eat those crab dumplings.

How tasteless everything was.

Old Madam Sheng ate a bite of pickled cucumber and silently sighed.

“Grandmother, there’s a letter from Cousin!” Sheng Sanlang ran in.

Old Madam Sheng’s eyes lit up. “A letter from your cousin? Bring it here quickly.”

Taking the letter and glancing at the envelope, the old madam shook her head slightly. “This is a letter from your uncle-in-law.”

As she said this, she opened the letter and looked. She was immediately stunned.

Sheng Sanlang waited anxiously. “Grandmother, what does the letter say?”

Could it be summoning him back?

Since Father had brought him and his two brothers away from the capital, the world had descended into chaos. It wasn’t until last year when his cousin became emperor that his two elder male cousins who had remained at home were finally escorted to the capital.

But the elders had said that everywhere was still in disorder. Since his eldest and second elder brothers had official positions and should enter the capital, he should honestly stay home and not add to the confusion.

Wasn’t this discrimination against him for not studying properly in the past?

“Grandmother?”

Old Madam Sheng came back to herself, looking at her third grandson with a somewhat complex expression. “Your uncle-in-law says… your cousin is getting married after Frost Descent!”

“What? Cousin is actually getting married?” Sheng Sanlang exclaimed in shock. Hearing the maidservants covering their mouths and giggling, he calmed down. “Ahem, what I mean is, how is it so soon… Which family is the groom from?”

Old Madam Sheng had also regained her composure. “Prince Kaiyang.”

She truly hadn’t expected that her granddaughter pulling off Prince Kaiyang’s belt sash back then would actually lead to a marriage match.

Prince Kaiyang must have been won over by her granddaughter’s excellent culinary skills, right?

Old Madam Sheng thought of that bowl of braised pork, filled with emotion.

Hearing it was Prince Kaiyang, Sheng Sanlang wasn’t surprised. He asked about what concerned him most. “Is Uncle-in-law inviting us to the capital to attend Cousin’s wedding?”

Old Madam Sheng nodded calmly. “Yes.”

Perhaps considering her advanced age, the letter didn’t specifically say to invite her.

But it also didn’t specifically say not to let her go.

Hearing Sanlang say that Sheng’er had opened a wine house in the capital with food so delicious that ministers and vice ministers fought over it, how could she not go taste it?

Of course, tasting was just incidental—mainly she missed her granddaughter.

“What? Mother wants to go too?” When the entire household’s masters were summoned and heard Old Madam Sheng’s announcement, everyone was shocked.

The old madam’s face grew stern. “I have only this one legitimate granddaughter—can I not personally witness her marriage?”

Seeing the old madam so serious, everyone immediately fell silent.

Second Uncle Sheng, who had slimmed down considerably, chuckled. “Fortunately, there’s still over a month until Sheng’er’s wedding. Taking our time on the journey will be sufficient.”

Old Madam Sheng swept her gaze over everyone. “Someone must remain at home.”

At these words, Second Uncle Sheng immediately grew tense. “I’m quite familiar with the capital—there’s a roast duck place that’s absolutely delicious!”

“Eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law shall remain.” Old Madam Sheng’s word was final.

In the capital, the festive atmosphere grew increasingly thick.

Such a joyous occasion as Princess Imperial’s wedding hadn’t occurred in many years.

Moreover, this Princess Imperial was Miss Luo! Everyone was native-born and raised in the capital—who could have imagined there would be a day when Miss Luo married?

Grand Commander Luo walked in with a dark expression, venting his anger at his adopted son Yun Dong. “Are those commoners too idle? What do they mean ‘never imagined Sheng’er could marry’? If Prince Kaiyang hadn’t been sincere in his proposal and practically knelt before me, I wouldn’t have agreed.”

Yun Dong was not skilled with words and could only try his best to offer consoling remarks. “Adoptive Father speaks truly.”

“Those commoners also say that only Sheng’er could marry—the other three young ladies of the Luo manor have no hope.” Grand Commander Luo slapped the table heavily. “Hmph, once Sheng’er and Prince Kaiyang complete their marriage, I’ll have Ying’er toss an embroidered ball to recruit a husband!”

Ying’er was twenty years old—precisely the right age for marriage.

Yun Dong was startled, his expression revealing traces of something unusual. “This plan of Adoptive Father’s… does Eldest Miss know?”

Grand Commander Luo was dismissive. “Ying’er is thin-skinned. Whether she knows or not, what does it matter? In any case, just select a good family for her. Our family lacks neither money nor power, so we don’t need to rely on marrying daughters to powerful families for added glory. As long as the other party has good character and treats Ying’er well, even a commoner without rank would be acceptable.”

Of course, even if they wanted to marry higher, there was no higher family to be found.

Yun Dong, however, forgot to continue consoling his adoptive father, losing himself in thought over those words: As long as the other party has good character and treats Ying’er well, even a commoner without rank would be acceptable.

If Adoptive Father’s requirements were only this, then… could he also qualify?

Thinking of Luo Ying, the reserved and somewhat wooden man’s eyes held a trace of tenderness.

Originally, he had never considered such a possibility, but Adoptive Father had said he would have Eldest Miss toss an embroidered ball to recruit a husband. What if the husband selected that way proved unreliable?

“Alright, go attend to your duties.” Grand Commander Luo seemed to have finished complaining and waved his hand dismissively.

“This son takes his leave.” Yun Dong withdrew with an unsettled mind.

After the door closed, Grand Commander Luo smiled as he sipped his tea, inwardly cursing: If this fool still can’t figure it out, he really will have his eldest daughter toss an embroidered ball to recruit a husband.

Grand Commander Luo, who had served as Jinlin Guard Commander for many years, was certainly no brute. He had long noticed his adopted son’s special regard for his eldest daughter.

But the boy stubbornly refused to speak up.

Just thinking about it made Grand Commander Luo angry.

Prince Kaiyang was like this, his adopted son was also like this.

Did these wretched boys want to gain advantages while still playing innocent?

“Grand Commander, the Sheng household is approaching the capital outskirts pier. Old Madam Sheng has come as well.” A servant came to report.

Hearing that Old Madam Sheng had come, Grand Commander Luo hurriedly brought people to personally go to the pier to meet them.

The large boat docked at the shore. Old Madam Sheng, supported by her second daughter-in-law, disembarked. Seeing Grand Commander Luo waiting at the shore, her eyes couldn’t help but moisten.

How a son-in-law treated his daughter could be seen from his attitude toward his wife’s family.

She thought her daughter must have been happy in those years.

Grand Commander Luo strode over and personally helped steady Old Madam Sheng. “Grand Lady Taishui, this son-in-law welcomes you home.”

Old Madam Sheng nodded repeatedly. “Good, good, going home.”