A Marriage Proposal

"Your family is coming, but why did you bring a relative along?"

Lin Huabin was very dissatisfied.

The reason his marriage to Zheng Shi failed back then was because of the Zheng family.

Zheng family's parents-in-law looked down on him, deeming him the least promising of his three brothers, even though he was still young at the time! Zheng Shi's mother said many hurtful things. Later, when he came to propose marriage, his mother-in-law truly humiliated him.

He's always been very magnanimous, but he's quite bothered by this matter.

"Sir, the visitor is a scholarly relative. Aren't you most sympathetic to those poor yet ambitious scholars?"

Zheng Shi speaks more and more gently now, and no longer dares to throw tantrums or act coquettishly in front of her husband as she used to.

It wasn't that she felt guilty.

That stepdaughter was just an unwanted member of the family; she deserved to be driven away back then.

But Yun Wan seemed to be becoming more and more important in the master's heart... However, she was just a daughter who was about to be married off, and he couldn't keep holding on to her forever.

Yun Jiao still wants to get married.

Lin Huabin took it seriously when he heard that the man was a scholar.

Where are you studying? And to what extent have you progressed?

Zheng Shi said with a smile, "He studied in our hometown. Although it wasn't a famous county school, he still passed the county-level exam and became a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations). His family said it's rare for a relative to become a Xiucai, and he's so young. They said he might even pass the provincial- Provincial Examinations next year and become Provincial Graduate successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations)."

Lin Huabin, himself a scholar, said gently, "Provincial Graduate a successful candidate in the provincial examination) is not easy."

... He's only a Provincial Graduate a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) now.

Knowing her husband might not like hearing this, Zheng Shi smiled awkwardly and agreed, "You're right. I was just saying it's possible."

Lin Huabin nodded, thought for a moment, and asked curiously, "Be more specific, how old is he? What does he look like and how tall is he?"

Being a scholar is not just about being able to read books.

One must be a respectable person to look dignified and appear respectable when wearing official robes and engaging in social gatherings.

Speaking of this, Zheng Shi became quite talkative, as if she were talking about her own son. "Master, I'm not just saying this to praise my nephew—"

How big exactly?

Lin Huabin didn't really want to hear the Zheng family's rambling, unspeakable stories.

Zheng Shi stopped her rambling and said succinctly, "She's eighteen. She's as tall as you, sir."

Lin Huabin thought about it in his mind... and suddenly felt it was a good idea.

"Are you ready to get married?"

"No. My sister-in-law is worried about this. You see, sir, such a good scholar, he devotes all his energy to studying, and he's so old, yet he still hasn't found a wife."

He spoke while observing Lin Huabin's expression.

She wouldn't say that the scholar passed the imperial examination six years ago, and in the five years since, he hadn't made any progress. He was brilliant in his youth, but grew up to be a tragic figure.

Lin Huabin didn't think too far ahead. He took a sip of his tea and said casually, "It's time to get married."

He was a man, and he had his own perspective. "An eighteen-year-old scholar isn't old. Unlike women, men don't need to marry late."

Following Lin Huabin's words, Zheng Shi said a few words, then said with distress, "My sister-in-law would like to act as a matchmaker for her nephew, but she can't find a suitable girl. She also thought that since there's a rare promising young woman among the Zheng family's relatives, she's considering entrusting this to me."

"I..."

Seeing that Lin Huabin's expression remained unchanged, she continued, "I don't want to agree, but you've always treated your peers kindly and loved the younger generation. I think even if I don't agree, you'll have to."

Lin Huabin understood what he meant.

If it's truly a matter for scholars, there's nothing wrong with him lending a hand.

The Lin Clan has quite a few scholars; there's practically no place in Jiangqian where you can't find someone from their Lin family.

However, the Elder Brother has always been the head of the household, so it would be a good thing if he had more of his own people.

"Which family's girl has your sister-in-law set her sights on for him?"

Zheng Shi sat down next to Lin Huabin and leaned close to him intimately.

Lin Huabin became wary.

My wife always manages to cause trouble whenever she throws a tantrum or acts spoiled.

"Sir, I think he's a good match for Yun Wan..."

"No!"

Lin Huabin stood up angrily, while Zheng Shi slumped onto the table, her hairpin falling off her head and her hair becoming a mess.

She adjusted her hairpin, stood up, and said angrily, "I didn't harm Yun Wan!"

Lin Huabin said with a stern face, "I told you long ago that Yun Wan's marriage is none of your business. Did you just ignore me?"

Zheng Shi was terrified.

No matter how angry her husband gets, it's always about the issue at hand.

Why do you change your attitude so quickly when the topic of your stepdaughter comes up?

They've been married for over a decade, and they've rarely argued to this extent.

She suppressed her displeasure and patiently said, "... He's just a scholar now, and a scholar is good enough for Yun Wan. But as her stepmother, of course I want Yun Wan to marry someone of higher status."

"My nephew will definitely Passing the Provincial Examinations next year. If you don't believe me, go and test his knowledge yourself."

"Sir, not every place in Jiangqian is Provincial Graduate in the imperial examinations. Why don't you arrange a marriage for Yun Wan first? Once he passes the imperial examinations next year, no one else will have a chance."

Zheng Shi sighed, "At that time, outsiders understood my good intentions."

He even said, in his own self-righteousness, "I will prepare a generous dowry for Yun Wan."

"Provincial Graduate husband, a generous dowry, and a lively send-off for the child—isn't that enough, sir?"

Zheng Shi sighed inwardly; her stepmother had done so much and so well.

... But if it weren't for getting rid of that plague, why would she go to such lengths!

Lin Huabin did not refute Zheng Shi's statement further.

He didn't want Zheng Shi to interfere in his fake daughter's marriage; Zhao Jingyi had the final say in Yun Wan's marriage. However, Zheng Shi was right about one thing: Provincial Graduate weren't everywhere.

Zhao Jingyi's illegitimate daughter is just an illegitimate daughter... more than enough to marry a Provincial Graduate has passed the imperial examinations.

Zhao Jingyi himself hadn't even decided on his daughter's marriage yet. What if he offered to arrange it for him? How would Zhao Jingyi him?

"Master?"

Zheng Shi was a little confused about what her husband was thinking.

She's made such a big concession, what else is there to think about, why would she need to think about it for so long?

Lin Huabin raised his hand and said, "... Don't speak yet."

Zhao Jingyi's attitude towards this daughter was really strange. He said he loved her, but he didn't care about her marriage. He said he didn't love her, but he was afraid that she would be mistreated in the Lin Residence.

His mother had warned him not to offend anyone he didn't know. Lingxiang didn't seem to be a gift from Zhao Jingyi. But perhaps he could test Zhao Jingyi's attitude regarding Yun Wan's marriage?

Who exactly did he offend? And does it have anything to do with this fake daughter?

Perhaps all of these can be found out by testing.

Lin Huabin said, "If he really passes the Passing the Provincial Examinations, that would be quite good."

If this marriage were to actually take place, he would have a son-in-law who Provincial Graduate passed the imperial examinations, which would bring him honor.

Overjoyed, Zheng Shi asked, "You agree?"

Lin Huabin said, "... Let's ask Yun Wan's opinion first."

If Yun Wan strongly resists, it's unlikely that she can persuade Zhao Jingyi.

Zheng Shi's expression stiffened.

Why should a stepdaughter be consulted about matters arranged by parents and matchmakers?

The master is really spoiling his eldest daughter too much!

But she has plenty of methods.

"Don't worry, sir. If Yun Wan disagrees, I will not make things difficult for her."

"Um."

Lin Huabin had official business to attend to, so he went to his study.

With a worried look on her face, Nanny Fan asked, "Madam, can you really persuade Eldest Miss?"

She didn't believe the Eldest Miss would listen to her Madam.

Zheng Shi laughed angrily, "Whether she agrees or not, she has to agree!"

The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became. "I carefully chose such a good husband for her, why doesn't she agree? Does she really think that Provincial Graduate is so easy? If she doesn't even have this much self-awareness, then she's truly an ungrateful wretch!"

She truly cared for her stepdaughter... she just wanted her to get married in style as soon as possible!

"Prepare a banquet. Tell the Eldest Miss to dress up nicely for the occasion. She mustn't neglect her family when meeting them."

Nanny Fan felt uneasy upon hearing this. "... Yes."