He Shi sat below Old Madam Song. Seeing Old Madam Song put on her reading glasses to examine the betrothal gift list, she spoke with a trace of awkwardness. “Though their family has some ancestral property, it’s far inferior compared to yours. Though you might not think much of these things, for their family, to say they’ve given everything they have isn’t an exaggeration.”

A provincial graduate’s household, while still considered well-off, was only so relative to village farmers. How could it truly compare to these noble families of long standing? Even among these items, more than half came from the provincial graduate’s mother’s dowry. Even He Shi felt it was too meager and added some things.

Old Madam Song set her reading glasses aside. Hearing this, she actually smiled. “Where does dislike or not dislike come into it? Their family’s circumstances were never hidden or concealed from the start—they told us everything honestly, and we knew it in our hearts. Now looking at this list, it’s actually better than I imagined. From the looks of it, my in-law is an utterly honest person. Like mother, like son—if my in-law is so honest, how bad could the child be? We’re not marrying off our daughter seeking rank and birth. As long as she gets along with her mother-in-law and husband, living peacefully and smoothly for a lifetime is enough.”

These words truly spoke to Third Madam Song’s heart. Seeing Old Madam Song look her way, she immediately nodded and voiced her agreement. “That’s exactly what our Old Madam means. If we were truly fixated on betrothal gifts, we wouldn’t have agreed in the first place. As a mother, I have nothing else to wish for—I only hope they can be a harmonious couple and live peacefully to old age.”

Moreover, these betrothal gifts were indeed much more abundant than she’d anticipated. What was even more rare was that there was actually a pair of live geese. Though this was ancient ritual, how many people still observed it? That the Feng family could do this was sufficient proof they were sincerely seeking to marry Song Chumi. With this sincerity, nothing else mattered.

He Shi relaxed, loosening the handkerchief twisted in her palm, and smiled. “What parent in the world doesn’t care about their children? I only dared suggest this after my distant relative vouched that though Madam Feng became a widow young, she isn’t like those other difficult widows who are demanding and harsh—she comes from a minor official’s family, knows propriety and manners, and is gentle, magnanimous and easy to get along with. Otherwise how would I dare introduce her to our Fourth Miss who’s precious as a jade vase?”

Third Madam was about to say more when she saw Yushu beside her making eyes at her. She quickly smiled and made an excuse about checking today’s menu in the kitchen before standing to leave.

Fenyi was already waiting for her in the corridor. As soon as she came out, Fenyi hurried forward with some difficulty to report that Song Chumi was throwing a tantrum, even clamoring to shred the two trunks of silk and cloth fabrics that Madam Feng had sent this time.

Third Madam silently invoked Buddha, hurriedly looking around to see if anyone had overheard, while supporting herself on Fenyi’s hand as she rushed toward the third branch residence. Just as she entered the main courtyard, she heard Third Master’s scolding voice. Her legs went weak as she quickened her pace into the room. Sure enough, she saw Song Chumi kneeling on the ground crying, while Third Master Song was so angry his face had turned pale blue-white.

“What’s happened?” Third Madam forced a smile, bypassing Song Chumi to support Third Master. “Why are you so angry with the child?”

Third Master ignored her, striding forward to pull Song Chumi up, asking in a deep voice, “You truly don’t want to marry? If you really don’t want to marry, no one is forcing you. Come with me now and explain it clearly to Old Madam. Don’t make your grandmother and your eldest aunt work themselves to death arranging things for you, you ungrateful wretch. Go back to the separate estate and never come out again for the rest of your life!”

Song Chumi was so frightened her legs went weak. Struggling as she fell to the ground, she covered her face with a handkerchief, crying heartbreakingly.

Fenyi had long since wisely closed the door and gone out to warn the young maids.

Third Madam stepped forward several paces and angrily struck Song Chumi several times, yet couldn’t help crying herself. “Why won’t you listen no matter how we speak to you, kindly or harshly? Must you really wait until I’m dead before you’ll obediently listen to us once?! Your father and I have already lost face over your matter. If you continue like this, you’re forcing us to our deaths!”

Song Chumi felt she was choking. Even without drinking water, she wanted to cough and retch. Leaning in Third Madam’s embrace, she cried breathlessly, finally making up her mind completely. “Fine, I’ll marry!”

The commotion in the third branch didn’t reach the second branch. Song Yi looked with some pleasant surprise at Shen Qingrang, who used to always be around, stroking his excellently maintained goatee and laughing several times. “In just a few years, you look like you’ve grown up completely. Truly excellent.”

Shen Qingrang sat across from him with a respectful expression, putting away the chess pieces, modestly repeating he didn’t dare. “My father says only Uncle’s chess skills deserve the word ‘good.’ I still have much to learn from you.”

He’d never been someone who liked accepting fate, nor someone who retreated after encountering setbacks. Previously when Song Chuyi clung to him, he looked down on her. Now that Song Chuyi was cold and indifferent, he was instead stirred to determination.

Song Yi recalled how well he used to get along with both Song Chuyi and Song Chuning, becoming somewhat distracted for a moment. After a long while, he sighed deeply. Back then the young children had been childhood sweethearts in warm harmony, but now Song Chuning was dead, and Song Chuyi always maintained that indifferent manner, never returning to their former closeness with him. His heart always felt somewhat pained.

Thinking this way, he suddenly remembered that Song Chuyi had come out of mourning and was now thirteen years old. By rights it should be time to look for matches for her. His heart stirred.

Ever since Song Chuning had framed him and it was instead Song Chuyi who had helped him, he’d always felt several parts guilt and unease toward Song Chuyi, constantly thinking of how he could compensate her somehow.

Over these years he’d made efforts—sending clothes, jewelry, and small pastries and trinkets that girls liked according to the season. But there never seemed to be any effect. Song Chuyi remained lukewarm toward him, not even as close to him as she was to Song Ren.

Thinking now, as her father, what he should truly consider for her was her major life event—Song Chuyi had lost her mother after all, so such matters should be his father’s concern. Moreover, he couldn’t insert himself into other matters anyway—Old Madam Song had long since arranged everything.

And looking at the situation, Shen Qingrang was the suitable candidate—well-matched families, childhood friends who’d grown up together, always having some affection between them, knowing each other thoroughly. In the future, the two families would be doubly related through marriage, making it even more suitable.