Upon hearing Jiang Yuanchao mention Qiao Zhao, Jiang Shiran reflexively frowned but still replied: “Yes, the engagement between Marquis Guanjun and Third Miss Li has been one of the major events in the Capital recently. What a pity that Thirteenth Brother just returned and missed all the excitement.”

She always felt that Thirteenth Brother was somehow different when it came to Third Miss Li. She wondered what his reaction would be upon hearing that Third Miss Li was engaged.

With his deep, inscrutable nature, Jiang Yuanchao naturally wouldn’t let a young girl detect his thoughts. After a slight pause, he smiled: “That truly is a pity.”

Jiang Shiran immediately breathed a sigh of relief and shook Jiang Yuanchao’s arm: “Thirteenth Brother, let’s hurry home.”

“Alright, let’s go home.” Jiang Yuanchao glanced from afar at the departing Shao Mingyuan, quietly clenched his fist, then withdrew his gaze to stare at the ground.

The stone-paved road had become muddy from the snow. His white-soled black boots were splattered with mud spots, just like his current mood.

She was engaged!

During countless sleepless nights, as he repeatedly pondered the words she had spoken that day, speculated again and again about her possible identity, denied his absurd fantasies time and again, yet yearned to confirm them repeatedly, she had become engaged.

Jiang Yuanchao suddenly felt as if a hole had been torn in his chest, with cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushing in, making him want to bend over from the pain. Yet on this bustling street filled with people coming and going, he could only straighten his back and walk forward.

He had to see her!

He must!

“They’re here, they’re here! The third son-in-law has arrived!” The Li residence servants, keeping watch outside, rushed in to report, and the main gate of the Li residence immediately opened.

Li Guangshu stood up intending to go greet him, but was stopped by Li Guangwen: “When a son-in-law comes to pay New Year respects, what logic is there for elders to go out and greet him?”

Li Guangshu’s lips trembled.

What incredible luck his elder brother stumbled upon to have such a son-in-law!

Before Shao Mingyuan could enter, another servant came rushing to report: “Old Madam, the New Year gifts the third son-in-law brought won’t fit in the courtyard!”

Just as the report finished, Shao Mingyuan walked in accompanied by the steward.

Today he wore a form-fitting vermillion robe with a black cloak draped over it. Tall with long legs, eyes bright as stars, just looking at him filled one with joy.

A personal guard beside him took the black cloak Shao Mingyuan had removed and stepped aside.

Shao Mingyuan properly paid his respects to the elders.

Old Madam Deng smiled with pursed lips: “Son-in-law, please sit down quickly. You child, it’s enough that you came—why bring so many things?”

Shao Mingyuan leaned forward slightly, assuming a respectful posture, and said with a warm smile: “These are just a small token of your grandson-in-law’s feelings. As long as you don’t find them lacking.”

Li Guangshu observed coldly from the side, his eyes flickering slightly.

In the few days since returning, he had taken the opportunity of visiting old friends to inquire about many matters. The more he heard about Third Miss’s engagement, the more confused he became.

But seeing today’s encounter, at least from Marquis Guanjun’s attitude, he could confirm that the marquis took this engagement very seriously.

In that case, he would need to change his attitude toward his elder brother in the future.

Shao Mingyuan’s peripheral vision swept over Li Guangshu’s hand, lightly tapping the chair’s armrest, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Since Zhaozhao didn’t like this second uncle who had returned from Lingnan with his beautiful concubine and young child, naturally, he couldn’t like him either.

Thinking of Qiao Zhao, Shao Mingyuan’s heart grew fervent: He wondered if Zhaozhao had finished making his undergarments yet?

“This must be the Son-in-law’s first time celebrating New Year in the Capital in several years?” Old Madam Deng asked.

“Yes, in previous years I celebrated in the Northern Territories. This year, celebrating at my residence, I’m still somewhat unaccustomed to it.”

“Son-in-law didn’t celebrate New Year at the Marquis Jing’an residence?” He Shi interjected.

Shao Mingyuan’s smile slightly diminished: “My mother devotes herself to Buddhism and doesn’t concern herself with worldly matters, so I celebrated New Year at my residence to avoid troubling my sister-in-law.”

“How lonely to celebrate New Year alone! Besides, New Year involves the most trivial matters—how could a man manage it all clearly?” He Shi was straightforward in her thoughts, and her gaze toward her future son-in-law carried some sympathy.

Shao Mingyuan accepted such a gaze gladly, agreeing: “Indeed, it was quite lonely, and due to inexperience, I made quite a few mistakes. I also feel that a residence without a mistress simply won’t do.”

He Shi nodded repeatedly: “Exactly right—how can it work without a mistress!”

Li Guangwen coughed heavily and gave He Shi a pointed look, his meaning clear: Are you being foolish? The future mistress of Marquis Guanjun’s residence will be our daughter. By sympathizing with this young man like this, do you want to marry our daughter off to him right now?

With this thought, Li Guangwen immediately found the young man disagreeable.

His daughter was only fourteen—was this fellow already too impatient to wait?

However, He Shi didn’t understand Li Guangwen’s meaning and asked with concern: “Master, are you getting overheated?”

Li Guangwen: “…” Don’t stop him—he was going to divorce this foolish woman!

Li Guangshu, on the side, felt incredibly bitter in his heart.

Elder Brother and Sister-in-law were truly being coy despite their good fortune. Marquis Guanjun’s meaning was clearly that he wanted to marry Third Miss sooner rather than later, yet they were still putting on airs!

Although families could address each other as in-laws once engaged, there had been cases of broken engagements after betrothal. To prevent complications from arising over time, marrying Third Miss off early was the proper thing to do!

Li Guangshu couldn’t help but glance at Old Madam Deng.

Elder Brother might have problems with his thinking, but Mother was no fool. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have specifically assigned two matrons to watch his household affairs, having them bring contraceptive soup for Bingniang to drink under supervision every time he shared a bed with her.

Old Madam Deng saw the meaningful look from her younger son, smiled, and said nothing.

Li Guangwen cleared his throat: “As the saying goes, ‘an elder brother is like a father, an elder sister-in-law like a mother.’ With no one to manage the Son-in-law’s residence, you should still go to the Marquis Jing’an’s residence for the New Year next year. Who would find returning to one’s own home troublesome?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled and agreed, thinking privately: It seems he should properly invite his father-in-law for drinks another day.

Li Guangshu’s expression darkened.

What “elder brother is like a father”—Elder Brother was clearly saying this for his benefit, wasn’t he?

“We have a wintersweet tree in our garden that’s blooming beautifully. Marquis, you needn’t accompany us old folks—go have a look.” Old Madam Deng said with a smile.

This was permission for Shao Mingyuan to go see Qiao Zhao.

For engaged men and women, as long as it wasn’t the period right before marriage, meeting was perfectly proper. Elders were happy to see young couples cultivate feelings before marriage.

After Shao Mingyuan left, Li Guangshu couldn’t help but speak up: “Mother, I recall that Third Miss has a spring birthday, right?”

“That’s right, Third Girl was born in the first month.”

“That’s exactly it. After this New Year, Third Miss isn’t young anymore. Although she hasn’t had her coming-of-age ceremony, with no one in charge at Marquis Guanjun’s residence, having her marry over earlier would be quite reasonable.”

Upon hearing this, He Shi became displeased and pouted: “What is Second Uncle saying? Zhaozhao doesn’t have to do anything at home—I can’t bear to have her marry early and start working.”

Li Guangshu’s expression changed repeatedly.

What did she mean by “working”? That would be managing the marquis residence! How many women spent their entire lives hoping for the power to be in charge?

Old Madam Deng glanced lightly at Li Guangshu: “Remember this—pursuing too eagerly never makes a good bargain.”

Second Master Li was completely defeated in this one-against-three battle and silently swallowed his frustration.