An Zhichen paused for a mont at the entrance of The Ministry’s Mansion. Ma Chengteng is a very affable person. In plain words, Ma Chengteng is a kind and friendly elder, and An Zhichen naturally didn’t feel nervous eting him. It’s just that he heard Li Guoxing is a very strict person, which made An Zhichen a bit nervous. Yes, how to describe that feeling, it felt like eting one’s father-in-law.
The steward led An Zhichen to the small parlor. An Zhichen knew that the small parlor is usually used to entertain close acquaintances, so this was considered an acknowledgnt of him!
Hearing footsteps, An Zhichen imdiately stood up. Looking at the dignified Li Guoxing, An Zhichen respectfully called, "Lord Li."
Li Guoxing started evaluating An Zhichen as soon as he entered.
Today, An Zhichen was dressed in a royal blue brocade round-collared robe, with a jade crown on his head. He had a tall build, a broad back, a slim waist, and stood with a straight posture, looking dignified.
Li Guoxing found nothing to criticize about An Zhichen’s appearance. Yueyao was also tall, so they matched well. However, he was a bit puzzled; he had heard that An Zhichen’s face was as black as ink, yet he only appeared slightly dark, nothing like ink, proving rumors are unreliable. "Call Uncle," Li Guoxing said, unlike Ma Chengteng, as he was naturally a ticulous person, inevitably giving a stern impression.
An Zhichen obediently nodded and said, "Uncle."
Li Guoxing walked to the head seat, sat down, and then gestured, "Sit down, treat it like ho, don’t be reserved."
An Zhichen had heard that Li Guoxing cared for Yueyao and her siblings as if they were his own children, and the rumors turned out to be true. "Alright," replied An Zhichen. In the presence of soone so stern and who was a senior, how could he truly be at ease?
Li Guoxing asked An Zhichen many questions, starting with Haikou and then about his current service in the Imperial Guards. Of course, Li Guoxing only asked family-related questions, not involving military matters.
An Zhichen responded appropriately.
From outside, a servant said, "My lord, it’s ti for dinner."
That day, An Zhichen dined at The Ministry’s Mansion, and after dinner, the steward saw him out. Returning to the inner courtyard, Li Guoxing said to the inquiring Lady Li, "He is a man with depth and understanding, no wonder he has reached the position of a Fourth-Rank official at such a young age."
Lady Li softly replied, "But he is still a military man, and if he is sent to a post elsewhere in the future, he will have to travel continuously, which is quite exhausting."
Li Guoxing neither agreed nor disagreed. Letting one’s wife suffer was a sign of a man’s incompetence. Observing An Zhichen, he wasn’t soone who would let his wife endure hardships. Li Guoxing couldn’t help but admire Yueyao’s good judgnt. Compared to An Zhichen, Li Han seed nothing more than a child.
Lady Li, seeing Li Guoxing in a seemingly good mood, proceeded to say, "Old Master, my sister-in-law from my maternal family thinks Tingzheng is quite good, wishing to match Sister Wenwen with Tingzheng. What do you think?"
Li Guoxing thought for a mont and said, "I rember Sister Wenwen is your sister-in-law’s niece from her maternal family, and her parents have already passed away?"
Lady Li nodded, "Yes, her brother and sister-in-law have both passed, leaving only this line of descent. But my sister-in-law has raised Sister Wenwen as if she were her own." Being an orphan, especially one fostered in an aunt’s ho without siblings, it’s difficult to arrange a marriage. Not only prominent clans but even ordinary families would hesitate to marry such an individual. Yueyao, even after an annulled engagent, could still be picky because of her prominent reputation. Otherwise, she would likely have to marry into a low-status family.
Eldest Lady ng cherished her niece dearly and was very concerned about her marriage. She once heard Lady Li ntioning Tingzheng, and although she thought Tingzheng’s military background was not ideal, his other qualities were excellent. Most importantly, the family was simple, aning she would be in charge after marriage, so she approached Lady Li about it.
Li Guoxing shook his head, "Tingzheng is only fourteen this year, there’s no need to rush."
In a few years, Sister Wenwen might miss the Blooming Apricot Period. Lady Li, suppressing her criticism, softly said, "Old Master, Sister Wenwen’s looks and talents, her managent skills, her needlework and cooking, all are comndable; otherwise, I wouldn’t suggest it." Lady Li felt frustrated inside; if her husband could consider matching Yueyao with their son, why couldn’t Sister Wenwen be proposed for Tingzheng? Lady Li genuinely felt Sister Wenwen was excellent and liked her very much.
Seeing this, Li Guoxing explained, "Tingzheng will pursue a military career in the future, so it’s best for him to marry soone who can support him in that path. If Tingzheng married your sister-in-law’s niece, it would offer him no advantage. Currently, Tingzheng is still young and has no official titles, so discussing marriage wouldn’t secure a good match. After a few years, once he gains titles or an official position, arranging a marriage will be easier." It’s not that Sister Wenwen was unsuitable, but marriage isn’t rely about the individual; it requires consideration of all aspects.
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