Another half hour passed.

Li Guangwen burped from the wine and reached out to pat Shao Mingyuan’s shoulder: “Mm, what you say does have some merit. Although Zhaozhao is young, her talent surpasses other young ladies by miles. If there are always all sorts of messy families coming to propose marriage, it would indeed be quite troublesome. It’s better to choose a reliable person to settle things with, then we won’t have to worry anymore.”

The young general’s lips had been curved in a humble smile the entire time: “Your insight is truly profound. If this junior were to become engaged to Zhaozhao, we would listen to you regarding when to hold the wedding. This way, Zhaozhao’s age wouldn’t be a problem at all – early engagement would be beneficial without harm. Don’t you think so?”

Li Guangwen’s eyes were hazy with drink as he nodded repeatedly: “That’s exactly right.”

The young man seated across from him deepened his smile suddenly.

Li Guangwen squinted and scratched his head: “However, who knows if the families coming to propose are reliable?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “What do you think of this junior?”

Li Guangwen looked critically at the smiling young man, his head feeling somewhat dizzy. He raised his hand to rub his temples and asked: “Can you support a wife and children?”

The young man across from him nodded: “This junior has been enfeoffed as a First-Rank Marquis with an annual stipend of two thousand shi, which is sufficient to support a wife and children.”

“Two thousand shi?” The future father-in-law, half-drunk, counted on his fingers.

He was a Sixth-Rank Hanlin Scholar with a monthly salary of eight shi, which meant ninety-six shi per year. Two thousand shi would mean… uh, he’d have to work diligently for twenty years!

Suddenly, he didn’t want to work anymore!

“No one will bully Zhaozhao?”

“My father is kind-hearted, my mother devotes herself to Buddhism, and doesn’t concern herself with worldly affairs. Moreover, this junior has already established his residence. As long as Zhaozhao marries over, she can be the mistress of the household, and even this junior will listen to her.”

“That sounds quite good.” Li Guangwen nodded repeatedly, then felt it wasn’t quite right: “You’re a dignified First-Rank Marquis – aren’t you afraid of being mocked for listening to your wife?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled slightly, his expression sincere: “A man’s dignity isn’t earned by putting on airs in front of his wife.”

At this point, his smile turned cold with a hint of light mockery: “Besides, there probably won’t be anyone who would say such things in front of this junior.”

Li Guangwen was very satisfied with this answer. He smiled and nodded, glanced at his flower-like daughter, and still felt reluctant, so he asked again: “I’ve heard that noble families all have the custom of taking concubines?”

Whether noble families have this custom, this junior isn’t clear about, but this junior doesn’t have this custom. This junior only wishes to grow old together with Zhaozhao in this lifetime. I hope you can fulfill this wish.”

Hearing these words, Qiao Zhao’s eyelashes trembled lightly as she glanced at Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan looked over and gave her a gentle smile.

Li Guangwen calculated in his heart: Earns a lot, no one controls him, and won’t take concubines – such an excellent son-in-law candidate is quite good!

“So you agree?” Shao Mingyuan asked, seizing the opportunity.

Li Guangwen rubbed the corners of his eyes: “Fine, take my daughter away.”

Qiao Zhao held her forehead.

So Father had sold her off while tipsy?

Shao Mingyuan stood up and gave Li Guangwen a solemn bow: “This junior will quickly ask the elders in my family to come propose marriage again. Thank you for your fulfillment of this wish.”

As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Qiao Zhao, his slightly upturned eyes and brows revealing genuine joy and an indescribable elegance.

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes, her face unconsciously reddening.

This person was probably extremely good at coaxing people, as long as he was willing to.

Shao Mingyuan escorted Li Guangwen outside, quietly grasped Qiao Zhao’s hand, and whispered, “Wait for me.”

“You’re being handsy right in front of my father – be careful he doesn’t beat you up.” Qiao Zhao gave him a look.

Perhaps knowing that the marriage would soon be settled, Qiao Zhao unconsciously became more intimate in her attitude toward Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan chuckled softly: “He won’t. He’ll be my father-in-law in the future – who knows who he’ll side with.”

Qiao Zhao blinked, suddenly feeling this was quite possible.

With this person’s skill at coaxing people, fooling her parents would be a piece of cake.

Li Guangwen stumbled back to Yahe Courtyard.

He Shi took a damp cloth to wipe Li Guangwen’s face and hands, chiding as she wiped: “Why did you drink for no good reason?”

Li Guangwen waved his hand: “Don’t trouble yourself, you’re pregnant. Hehehe—”

“What are you laughing about, Master?”

Li Guangwen lay down on the couch, crossed his hands behind his head, waves of intoxication surging: “Let me tell you, I found a son-in-law for our daughter today.”

“What?” He Shi’s voice suddenly rose: “Master, you must be drunk!”

Li Guangwen struggled to open his eyes: “I’m not drunk, I’m completely sober. Let me tell you, our son-in-law is quite capable – his annual salary equals half my lifetime’s work. He definitely won’t mistreat our Zhaozhao.”

He Shi pouted: “I’ll give Zhaozhao a large dowry. Whether the man’s family is good can’t be measured by money alone.”

“She can be the mistress of the household after marrying over.”

He Shi’s eyes lit up: “That’s good!”

Li Guangwen chuckled continuously: “He also promised not to take concubines or keep chamber maids.”

He Shi’s eyes brightened even more.

“He also said they can get engaged first, and we can decide when to marry Zhaozhao over.”

He Shi threw the damp cloth aside and became excited: “Master, where did you find such a good son-in-law?”

Li Guangwen pointed with his hand, saying proudly: “Speaking of coincidences, he’s right next door to us.”

“What a coincidence!” He Shi clapped her hands, then suddenly realized: “Wait, right next door to us?”

Wasn’t the one living next door that big-tailed hawk?!

“Ah, no wonder it’s a heaven-destined marriage with our Zhaozhao.” Li Guangwen chuckled, turned over, and fell asleep.

He Shi placed her hand over her heart.

Heavens, her daughter was going to be carried away by the big-tailed hawk!

No, she had to go ask her daughter for the details.

“You mean Marquis Guanjun?” Qiao Zhao gestured for A’Zhu to take Er Bing away and poured a cup of hot water for He Shi.

He Shi didn’t drink it, just held the cup to warm her hands, lowering her voice: “Zhaozhao, tell Mother honestly – do you care for Marquis Guanjun?”

Qiao Zhao fell silent.

He Shi smiled and put her arm around Qiao Zhao’s shoulders: “What’s there to be embarrassed about with Mother? No matter how many good qualities the other person has, only if you care for him is most important.”

At this point, He Shi’s tone paused, and she added another sentence: “Of course, he must also care for you.”

One-sided affection – she had tasted that once and it was enough. She didn’t want her daughter to taste it again.

Thinking this way, He Shi unconsciously touched her rounded belly and smiled again.

Fortunately, everything had finally turned out well.

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes and nodded gently.

“I should have asked you earlier – then your father wouldn’t have chased away the matchmaker.” He Shi wrung her hands, looking nervously at Qiao Zhao: “You won’t blame Father and Mother, will you? Oh dear, will his family send a matchmaker again?”

“They will, Mother, don’t worry.” Qiao Zhao smiled.

What was this feeling of suddenly becoming the eager party? Miss Qiao looked up at the sky speechlessly.

The news that Marquis Jing’an was seeking marriage between his second son and Third Miss Li of the Hanlin Scholar Li family spread throughout the capital’s various residences like a gust of wind following the end of the flower-viewing banquet at Liuxing Marquis’s residence. Even Emperor Mingkang learned of this matter through Jiang Tang.

“Is this Marquis Jing’an’s intention, or Marquis Guanjun’s intention?” Emperor Mingkang raised his eyelids slightly, asking with penetrating insight.