Madam Pei returned from Li Residence, her carriage rolling steadily into the Pei Family estate.
Pei Hongwen was seated before his desk, reviewing the prefecture's civil administration files. His expression was refined and solemn, his bearing as steady as a mountain.
Seeing his wife return, he set down his brush, lifted his eyes, and softly asked, "How did the Li Residence respond to the marriage proposal?"
Madam Pei gracefully took her seat and recounted every detail of her visit that day.
"My husband, I personally went to Li Residence today and raised the matter of a marriage alliance face-to-face. Master Li and Madam Li were delighted and extremely satisfied."
Madam Pei had formed a favorable impression of Father Li and Mother Li. Though they were common folk, they lacked none of the bitterness and sharp-tongued meanness often seen in poor people suddenly elevated by wealth. Even if their daughter married into the family, she would not suffer.
"However, the two elders are clear-minded and reasonable. They understand that a lifelong marriage cannot be decided on behalf of their children. They did not rashly agree, only saying that the parties involved must decide for themselves."
Pei Hongwen nodded slightly at that.
"Rare indeed. When ordinary families suddenly find themselves courted by a prominent household, most become anxious and blindly follow along, eager to climb high."
"Yet the Li couple do not covet empty splendor. They are steady, proper, and respectful of their children. It is clear their family discipline is upright."
His favorable impression of this marriage alliance deepened by several degrees.
He and the clan elders had jointly chosen to place their bets on Li Xuancang, valuing his peerless martial prowess, illustrious military achievements, and prospects in this chaotic age.
But in the end, he had only heard the man's