"Yes."

Wen Zhao Ming did not beat around the bush, but gave a positive answer.

"Ming'er, it's not that we're stopping you from getting married, but how do you plan to arrange things for your younger sister?"

I have already spoken with Miss Wen. After we are engaged, Miss Su will take Yueyue to her estate for her education. Even after the wedding, Yueyue will stay with us.

YUE YUE has been intelligent since she was young. As the older brother, I don't want to hold her back. If she can study and take the imperial examinations in the future, then our maternal family line won't be broken.

Wen Zhaoming answered seriously.

Although he made this decision due to external factors, he was mainly considering his sister. Even if it meant sacrificing himself, as long as his sister had a bright future, it would all be worth it.

The village head nodded in understanding, comprehending Mingge's reasoning for choosing this way. He then sighed and said:

"Ming'er, as long as you are willing, we definitely won't stop you. We're just afraid that if Miss Su agrees now, and when you marry her in the future, she mistreats Yueyue and you, what will we do?

To be honest, this marriage of yours seems a bit mismatched. I'm worried that in the end, it will be you and Yueyue who suffer the consequences.

I met Miss Su, she's intelligent and independent. I'm just worried that she might use you and Yueyue, and we won't be able to protect you then.

Besides, you two are both currently in filial piety period, so there's no need to rush into getting engaged.

The village head still had some insight. She always felt that this marriage wasn't very reliable.

Wen Zhaoming knew that if he didn't make things clear, the village head probably wouldn't be willing to help him. After all, if something really happened in the future, the one who would be blamed would be the village head.

"Village Head, to be honest with you, I'm doing this out of desperation. "

Before winter, Yueyue almost got sold. After the first snowfall, Er Laizi Wen Xiaoxiao from the village was loitering around my place during the day and I scared her away with an arrow. Two days later, she came to climb over the wall of my house at night.

Luckily, I had prepared for burglars by sticking wooden spikes into the earthen wall and setting a trap near its base. This prevented them from succeeding, but I couldn't get a wink of sleep at night.

It's true that a thief can only steal for a thousand days, but not a thousand days can one guard against him. Besides, Yueyue is still young. What if she gets hurt?

Just as Miss Su's relatives were scheming about her marriage, after all, she was a young unmarried woman and could be considered to have boundless prospects in the future. As long as one became Miss Su's rightful husband, they wouldn't necessarily be rich and powerful, but at least they would never want for food and clothing.

Besides, Miss Su missed this year's township examination because she had to observe filial piety after her parents' death. If she had been able to participate in the examination, passing it as a scholar would have been more than enough. In the eyes of certain people in the county, Miss Su was also a piece of fat.

Therefore, to avoid these machinations and to be able to control her own destiny, Miss Su proposed a marriage of convenience to me.

"Brother Ming, you foolish child, isn't it clear she's using you as a shield? What if she goes to high school and finds better options? What if she abandons you then? Your whole life would be ruined!"

Wen Jiahong said anxiously.

“I know, but isn't that my advantage? I just want to preserve my family line. She needs someone to hold the position of rightful heir. If that day ever comes, I will readily give up this position. She would even be grateful and compensate me. In the end, I won't lose anything.”

Wen Zhaoming smiled and said.

When Miss Su proposed marriage to him, he carefully and repeatedly considered it. Although she said she liked him, which made him happy, he was very self-aware and knew that being used as a shield was the norm.

"Oh! You naughty child."

The village head sighed.

Hearing Wen Zhaoming's words, she also knew that this child had made up his mind. It was pointless for her to persuade him further. The most important thing now was to finalize the matter as soon as possible and put an end to those with ulterior motives.

"Village chief, I'm sorry to bother you."

"I understand, since you're willing to do this yourself, I'll follow your lead. But there are still proper procedures we need to follow. We can't just make things official based on Miss Su's words simply because you're from a farming family."

Even the village head has his own principles.

Miss Su said, everything should be done according to proper etiquette.

Wen Zhaoming said sheepishly.

"Mother, just now Miss Su said that she would send an official matchmaker to our door tomorrow."

Wen Jiahong reminded.

"Alright, tomorrow morning I'll have Hong'er come pick you and Yueyue up. I'll be waiting for her family's matchmaker to arrive."

The village head decided on the spot.

Wen Zhaoming's side of things has basically been settled, but the village head doesn't want to rush certain people, so he hasn't publicized it everywhere.

On the other side, things went much smoother. After returning to her family's estate, she began making arrangements. An He, along with two guards from the Guard Corps, and a master of ceremonies from Su's household, were dispatched to deliver the betrothal gift. The first step in proposing marriage is known as "nǎcè," where a matchmaker represents the Su family by visiting the bride's home and presenting symbolic gifts of good fortune.

Liàn Yī turned the tea lid in her hand, a helpless sigh escaping her lips:

"Half of winter has passed, and I still haven't found any geese. I have to prepare a different gift."

An He secretly glanced at his young mistress, really not wanting to speak. His young mistress was truly a one-of-a-kind person, thinking of something and putting it into action immediately. Once the news spread, he didn't know how many people would secretly regret it.

"Lotus, Cuihua go to meet the matchmaker. Will you be able to arrive tomorrow?"

Ripple asked anxiously.

Should be able to!

The lotus flower really didn't want to answer her mistress's question.

It takes a carriage three days at the fastest to reach Qingshan County. A day and a night is all it takes for these martial women to gallop on horseback. I wonder if, after the matchmaker arrives, they will still have enough breath left to make it to Wenjia Village and propose?

"As long as the person arrives, double the matchmaker's fee will be given afterward."

"An He, make sure all the jewelry, silks, furs, and food you're sending are prepared. Don't delay; we need to be ready for tomorrow's visit."

Yes, Miss.

An He immediately agreed, saying arrogantly as the young mistress she was, that everything belonged to her and she could use it as she pleased.

Liàn Yī slept soundly and sweetly, waking up the next day refreshed. After washing up and changing into a new outfit, she ate breakfast eagerly awaiting the matchmaker's arrival.

At this moment, the lotus flower was still galloping wildly on horseback, looking at the matchmaker with a hint of disdain who had been vomiting to the point of dizziness. If it weren't for the young lady being in a hurry and having a good reputation for this matchmaker, she really wouldn't want to bring him along. There were just too many things going on. The matchmaker had brought a large bag with him, which was currently on the back of another horse. Without this burden, her speed would be even faster.

"Is Sujiatang here yet? Ugh."

Mei Gong's face was pale as she asked.

"Almost there!"

The lotus spoke with some disdain.

You've been talking all night, I'm about to lose my nerve.

Shen Mei's public statements had ended, and she started dry heaving again. She really had nothing left to vomit up.

"Shen Meigong, if you hadn't been vomiting the whole way, we might have arrived ages ago."

"I'm so sick, I don't want to!"