In the early morning, at the first crow of the rooster, Luo Ping’an rose early in the rear courtyard of the Yihou Banking House.

Yesterday, Wen Qian mentioned they needed to go to the goods warehouse early today as a shipment of Songjiang cloth was due to arrive. As the carriage driver, Ping’an couldn’t be careless about preparing the horses and inspecting the carriage.

At this time, Ping’an’s wife also got up and put on her clothes.

“The rooster has only crowed once. Why are you up so early? Get some more sleep,” Luo Ping’an said to his wife.

“I won’t sleep anymore. Wen Qian was drunk last night – who knows what he was so happy about? First, he had drinks with Li Jingfu from the Eight Branch of the Li family in the afternoon, then he dragged Manager Yan for another drinking session. He vomited around midnight, and his servant Shunzi especially woke me up to brew him some sobering soup. I figured Wen Qian wouldn’t have much appetite this morning, so I got up early to make some plain porridge. I have some pickled vegetables at home too, which should help stimulate his appetite.”

“Mm, Wen Qian still hasn’t started his own family yet. When we came here, Third Grand Uncle specifically instructed us to help take care of his daily needs,” Luo Ping’an responded with a nod.

“Yes, I understand,” Ping’an’s wife nodded, then continued, “But lately, many people have been asking me about Wen Qian’s intentions. Now that he has established himself somewhat, there are many interested parties. I wonder what he thinks about it?”

“Don’t concern yourself with these matters. Just focus on your duties. When we came here, Third Grand Uncle was clear – we shouldn’t meddle in his private affairs unless he brings them up himself. We’re not from the main branch after all, and getting too involved might cause resentment.”

Luo Ping’an was a member of the Luo clan from Huizhou, but the current Luo clan members were no longer the original Luo family’s main lineage. After the incident with Luo Longwen, the main lineage had scattered and declined, with most finding refuge with distant relatives. Even Luo Wen Qian himself had left Huizhou to seek his fortune in the north.

Among Luo Wen Qian’s immediate family, only his married sister remained in contact, reportedly living with her husband’s family in Wuxi.

The current Luo clan members were from a branch line, mostly settled in Luo Village in the outskirts, not far from Li Family’s Sixth Branch in Li Manor. While the blood ties had grown distant, this branch of the Luo clan had taken over the maintenance of the main ancestral hall after Wen Qian left Huizhou, unwilling to see it fall into disrepair. This was in remembrance of how the old master of the main Luo lineage – Wen Qian’s grandfather – had helped the village survive a flood years ago.

Later, when Luo Wen Qian arrived in Nanjing and learned of this, he wrote back inquiring about the situation, gradually establishing contact with Luo Village.

During the New Year, after paying respects at the main ancestral hall, Wen Qian visited Luo Village and spent the holiday there. Afterward, he brought back the Luo Ping’an couple and two young men from the clan – Luo Ping’an’s son Luo Wuzi, and Third Grand Uncle’s grandson Luo Duan. Both fourteen or fifteen years old, they were placed in the warehouse starting from the bottom as general workers.

Though the work was hard, both Third Grand Uncle and Luo Ping’an approved of this arrangement.

“Born in Huizhou due to poor karma in the previous life, thrown out at thirteen or fourteen,” was a self-deprecating saying among Huizhou people, reflecting their harsh living conditions. But it was precisely this hardship that forged their resilience and endurance. Huizhou people didn’t fear hardship; they only feared lack of opportunity.

Fourteen or fifteen was the right age for young men to be tempered into capable adults. Because of this, the clan members in Luo Village naturally wanted to get closer to Luo Wen Qian. The best way to strengthen relationships was through the interaction of women in the household, but given Wen Qian’s status as a bachelor, only Third Grand Uncle could talk to him. Thus, some people inevitably started planning regarding Wen Qian’s marriage prospects.

The Luo Ping’an couple, who had come with Wen Qian, became everyone’s connection to him. However, Third Grand Uncle had foreseen this and instructed them early on not to interfere with Wen Qian’s marriage unless he brought it up himself.

Because of this, the Luo Ping’an couple only focused on their work and stayed away from other matters, which made Wen Qian value them more and more.

“I know that well enough without you telling me,” Ping’an’s wife responded to her husband before heading out. After washing up with well water in the backyard, Luo Ping’an went to tend to the carriage while his wife entered the kitchen. Soon, the fragrance of plain porridge wafted out.

At this time, Luo Wen Qian came over wearing a hemp robe. “Sister-in-law Ping’an, making plain porridge this morning?”

“Yes, I thought your stomach might be upset from vomiting last night. Plain porridge is best for the stomach, and I stir-fried some pickled vegetables to help stimulate your appetite,” Ping’an’s wife replied with a smile.

Luo Wen Qian nodded, “Sister-in-law Ping’an is always so thoughtful.” Then he added, “Sister-in-law, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“Well, I’ve taken a liking to Li Zhenniang from the Li family. Before the New Year, Third Master Cheng helped arrange an introduction with the Li family, but then the old emperor passed away, so we couldn’t proceed with the marriage talks and had to put them aside. Recently, after the new emperor’s general amnesty, we picked up the matter again. The Li family thinks this match is good, and now we’re just waiting for Old Madam Li in Huizhou to make the final decision. I’ve had someone notify the Third Grand Uncle and Third Grand Aunt, and things are settled. They’ll probably come over in a while. I hope you can visit the Li family when you have time and chat more with Mrs. Li. Also, if you hear any rumors about Zhenniang from the Xu family these days, please help clarify things.”

“Oh, this is wonderful news! I understand what to do,” Ping’an’s wife was delighted. She had some inkling about Wen Qian’s interest in the Li family’s daughter – Manager Yan’s wife had mentioned it during her visits – but seeing no movement on the matter, she had kept quiet. She hadn’t expected things to be settled so suddenly.

As for the Xu family inquiring about Miss Li, she had heard some rumors yesterday but hadn’t believed them. Being from Huizhou, they knew something of the Li family’s affairs. Regardless of whether she was considered unlucky for husbands or not, Li Zhenniang had had her engagement to the Tian family broken off – how could a family like the Xu’s be interested in her?

Though she had only been in Nanjing for a few months, her husband Ping’an often drove Wen Qian around and knew much about the Xu family, which he would discuss with her during their evening talks.

She had thought the rumors about the Xu family inquiring about Miss Li were baseless, but hearing Wen Qian speak of it now made it seem true. If so, Miss Li was giving up quite a fortune.

Thinking of how Miss Li occasionally spoke with Wen Qian when their paths crossed, she grew increasingly pleased. Regardless, the fact that Wen Qian had entrusted her with this matter showed he considered her family.

Seeing that his sister-in-law understood, Wen Qian said no more. After having plain porridge with Luo Ping’an, they went to the warehouse together.

After tidying up, Ping’an’s wife hurried to the market to buy vegetables.

The market was right by the Qinhuai River.

In the early morning, along the riverbank, a line of black-awning boats carried fresh vegetables, fish, flowers, and various goods. The boat women called out their wares from the boats, while buyers stood on the dock selecting fresh produce.

Some courtesans from the nearby brothels would lean out their windows, lowering baskets on ropes to the boats below, chattering as they picked out flowers or cosmetics, completing their transactions.

“Madam Yao, shopping for vegetables?” Ping’an’s wife was standing on the dock selecting vegetables from a boat when she heard two women greeting each other. She glanced over – Madam Yao was the owner’s wife from the Yao Fabric Shop next to Li Mo’s, and the one greeting her was Old Mrs. Shen from the ready-made clothes shop.

“Oh, Old Mrs. Shen! Been busy lately?” Madam Yao responded.

“Busy with what? Just the usual,” Old Mrs. Shen waved her hand, then mysteriously asked Madam Yao, “By the way, have you heard that the Xu family is asking about Li Mo’s Li Zhenniang?”

“I heard about it, but it must be false. How could a family like the Xu’s be interested in Li Zhenniang? That girl had her engagement to the Tian family broken off,” Madam Yao dismissed it with a wave.

“Well, this time you can’t be sure. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Since the rumor is out, the Xu family might have such intentions. If so, the Li family would be making quite an advantageous match…” Old Mrs. Shen clicked her tongue.

“Old Mrs. Shen, don’t spread baseless rumors,” Ping’an’s wife interjected.

“How is it baseless?” Old Mrs. Shen glared at her.

“Of course it’s baseless. Madam Yao sees it clearly – the Xu family and Li family aren’t of the same social circle. Besides, let me tell you, our master had Third Master Cheng propose to the Li family before the New Year, and the Li family agreed. It was only because of the emperor’s passing that the engagement procedures had to be put on hold. Now with the general amnesty, we’re just waiting for Old Madam Li to make the final decision…”

“So Miss Li is to be engaged to Master Luo? They do make a good match,” Madam Yao was surprised but approved of the pairing between Li Zhenniang and Master Luo.

Thus, news of the intended marriage between the Li and Luo families spread, completely overshadowing the already dubious rumors about the Xu family.

Eight days later, Old Madam Li, Old Manager Li, and the Luo family’s Third Grand Uncle and Third Grand Aunt arrived in Nanjing together, confirming the marriage arrangement between the Li and Luo families.