Cheng Shu sat up straight on the small stool, assuming a posture of attentive listening.

The Old Madam smiled. “Be more at ease with your grandmother.”

Cheng Shu chuckled. “I’ve always been at ease. I’m just curious what matter you want to ask me about.”

“Shu’er, you’re nineteen this year, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Hearing the Old Madam ask about his age, Cheng Shu’s heart stirred.

Could the Old Madam be arranging a wife for him?

At this possibility, Cheng Shu felt a surge of excitement.

Stay calm, stay calm—he couldn’t let the Old Madam see how eager he was.

The Old Madam sighed softly. “Time really flies. When your father left home, you were only three.”

Cheng Shu’s mother had died in childbirth, so Cheng Zhiyuan had brought Cheng Shu to the General’s Manor, entrusting him to his sworn mother, the Old Madam’s care. After that, Cheng Zhiyuan never remarried. When Cheng Shu turned three, he left to travel.

Over these years, Cheng Zhiyuan had returned to the capital very few times, with only occasional letters.

“It has been quite fast.” Cheng Shu grew somewhat nervous.

The Old Madam definitely wanted to arrange a marriage for him—he just didn’t know which family’s young lady she had her eye on…

“Your father’s most recent letter was over a year ago, asking your grandmother to keep an eye out for your marriage prospects.” At this, the Old Madam’s expression dimmed somewhat. “But not long after, your grandfather passed away, and this matter has been delayed until now.”

“Grandmother, I’m not anxious at all—” Seeing the Old Madam like this, Cheng Shu felt somewhat distressed.

The Old Madam recovered her smile. “You’re not anxious, but your grandmother is. You, Chan’er, and Ah Hao—you’re all not young anymore. Your marriage matters should be expedited. Grandmother called you here to ask—what do you think of Chan’er?”

“Eldest Sister?” Cheng Shu’s mouth fell slightly open, his embarrassment replaced by shock.

Cheng Shu’s reaction made the Old Madam secretly frown.

This didn’t look like pleasant surprise.

“Eldest Sister… Eldest Sister is very good…” After recovering, Cheng Shu awkwardly tried to salvage the situation.

Having just dealt with her daughter’s troubles, the Old Madam was at her most sensitive about such matters. Seeing Cheng Shu like this, she said seriously, “Shu’er, your grandmother has always regarded you as a true grandson. I want to bring you and Chan’er together because I think well of you. But you absolutely must not go against your own heart for some nonsensical reasons.”

She understood Shu’er’s character—if she asked him to marry Chan’er, he would certainly agree without a second word. But what she wanted to see was him genuinely wanting to marry her from his heart.

Cheng Shu grew somewhat restless, shifting on the small stool. “Grandmother, I truly think Eldest Sister is very good—”

The Old Madam interrupted him. “Chan’er being good goes without saying. But do you have feelings for Chan’er? If not, your agreement would only delay both of you.”

Cheng Shu understood the Old Madam’s meaning.

He fell silent for a moment, then honestly confessed his thoughts. “Perhaps because I’m too familiar with Eldest Sister, I’ve always regarded her as a real younger sister…”

The Old Madam smiled. “Then what kind of young lady does Shu’er like? Tell your grandmother, and she’ll keep an eye out for you.”

Having reached this point in the conversation, Cheng Shu thickened his skin and spoke up. “First, she must be especially beautiful. She can’t be too fierce, but also can’t be too quiet. She can’t be petty, but also can’t be careless. She can’t…”

The Old Madam listened silently, her expression momentarily twisting.

What kind of swan meat does this rascal think he can get!

After a full tea’s worth of time, Cheng Shu stopped and showed an embarrassed smile. “Grandmother, are my requirements too high?”

The Old Madam smiled. “Not high at all.”

When Lin Shi came later to ask the Old Madam about Cheng Shu’s thoughts, the Old Madam sighed. “I think Shu’er still has a child’s temperament. Let’s wait a couple more years for him to mature before discussing marriage.”

By then, Wanqing should have completely escaped Wen Rugui’s shadow, and she could hand over the rascal’s marriage matters to her daughter to worry about.

The next day, Cheng Shu went to the Wen residence in high spirits.

In just a few short days, almost all the servants on Wen Rugui’s side had dispersed. Those who remained were either Lin Shi’s dowry servants or people brought from the General’s Manor a couple days ago to watch over Wen Rugui.

“All checked?”

A steward-like person said, “Young Master, rest assured. Everything has been checked. The total value of the items Master Wen is taking doesn’t exceed half of his salary over these years.”

Cheng Shu sneered. “He’s getting off cheap.”

Even without having tasted life’s hardships, he knew how superior his aunt’s household’s lifestyle had been these years. With Wen Rugui’s salary, forget having half left over—spending it all wouldn’t be enough for a month’s expenses.

However, the Old Madam had said not to do things too absolutely. This wasn’t for Wen Rugui’s sake, but rather the General’s Manor’s principle of conduct.

In any case, the beast with a human face Wen Rugui was getting off cheap.

Cheng Shu didn’t even blink as he watched Wen Rugui leave the Wen residence with two cartloads of belongings.

“Close the gates!”

At his shout, the black lacquered gates slammed shut with a bang, completely severing the relationship between this spacious, imposing residence and the Wen family.

Cheng Shu directed the servants to properly arrange the precious objects and artifacts, then walked toward the General’s Manor with light steps.

“You, come here.”

The steward Wen Ping, who had been pacing by the wall corner, hesitated when Cheng Shu beckoned to him, then walked over.

Cheng Shu frowned as he looked Wen Ping up and down. “I find you strangely familiar.”

Wen Ping forced out a cautious smile. “This humble one is a Wen family steward—”

“Oh, I remember now—you’re Wen Rugui’s steward.” Cheng Shu’s face darkened. “Speak up—what bad scheme are you plotting?”

He’d seen Wen Ping countless times before—how long had it been since the man had trimmed his beard that he hadn’t recognized him?

“Young Master is joking. How would this humble one dare plot anything bad?” Wen Ping bent his waist, speaking humbly.

These past two days he hadn’t dared return to the residence to sleep. Thinking of the pitch-black future ahead, where was the spirit of the Attendant’s Manor’s head steward?

“Then what are you sneaking around here for?”

“This humble one—” Wen Ping hesitated.

Cheng Shu’s eyes widened. “Don’t spin me lies, or believe it or not, I’ll have you arrested!”

“Young Master, please don’t be angry, don’t be angry.” Wen Ping knew these were just threatening words.

They weren’t the Jinlin Guard—they couldn’t just arrest people at will. But if they really wanted to deal with a small figure like him, it would be effortless.

Wen Ping glanced left and right, then said quietly, “This humble one came to find Second Miss.”

He was just worrying that the General’s Manor’s gates were hard to enter and he couldn’t see Second Miss. Having this young master pass on a message would work too.

Cheng Shu’s face completely turned cold. “You’re looking for Ah Hao?”

This wasn’t his misunderstanding—the former Wen residence’s head steward seeking out a young lady raised in her inner chambers, what else could it be but looking for trouble?

Wen Ping’s scalp tingled. In a flash of inspiration, he said, “It’s Second Miss who’s looking for this humble one.”

Under Cheng Shu’s suspicious gaze, Wen Ping said with conviction, “It’s truly Second Miss who’s looking for this humble one about something. If Young Master doesn’t believe it, just go ask Second Miss. If this humble one has spoken even half a lie, you can have me arrested.”

“Then you wait here. If you dare lie to me, you’ll regret it!”

Cheng Shu entered the General’s Manor and went directly to Luoying Residence.

Lin Hao’s quarters at the General’s Manor were also called Luoying Residence.

When Cheng Shu walked in, Lin Hao was in the courtyard feeding Lin Xiaohua green grass, while Baozhu held a bamboo fan, languidly fanning Lin Hao and Lin Xiaohua.

Cheng Shu looked deeply at Lin Xiaohua and thought to himself that this donkey was probably living more comfortably than Wen Rugui now.