"Fu Niang is fifteen. She has come of age."
Hearing Feng Yan say this, Wei Nisheng hastily replied,
"Teacher, I have naturally prepared all the customary gifts.
But last year, you..."
"What about me last year?" Feng Yan glared.
"I have only one granddaughter. What is wrong with having her spend a little longer with me?
I am over seventy. How many more years can I keep her company?"
Wei Nisheng said nothing, merely watching him with a smile.
His gaze made Feng Yan a little uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and lowered his voice.
"Fu Niang's father will return to the capital this New Year to report on his duties.
Her mother will come back with him. You can bring the betrothal gifts then."
Hearing that confirmation, Wei Nisheng immediately rose,
straightened his robes and cap, and bowed respectfully to Feng Yan.
"As you instruct, Teacher."
Feng Yan snorted at his solemn expression.
Then he waved a hand as though shooing away a fly.
"All right, all right. Go and do whatever you ought to be doing.
Stop being an eyesore here."
With that, Feng Yan expected Wei Nisheng to take his leave.
But Wei Nisheng did not leave. Instead, he walked to the door,
gently closed it, returned, and sat down opposite Feng Yan.
Then he drew a small, cloth-wrapped manuscript copy from inside his robe.
Wei Nisheng set the copy on the table and pushed it toward Feng Yan.
"Teacher, I am afraid I must remain an eyesore today."
Feng Yan's gaze moved from Wei Nisheng's face to the copy, lingered briefly, then returned.
He did not ask, "What is this?"
He knew Wei Nisheng would not disturb his peace without good reason.
The boy knew how to conduct himself. He had since the age of ten.