Chen Xian's youngest son, Chen Tan, would turn sixteen in the new year, and it was time to discuss his marriage. Ding Yi's youngest daughter, Ding Huilan, would be fifteen after the new year; their ages suited each other, as did their family standing. While Chen Xian and Ding Yi discussed the marriage in the North Tower hall, Chen Xian's wife, the Fang Clan, hurried to the West Tower to ask Ding Youwei about Ding Huilan's looks and character. In recent years, the Qiantang Chen Clan's reputation had soared, and the gentry clans of the neighboring counties all hoped to form marriage ties with them. Even the humble families and commoner clans that had married into the Chen Clan in earlier years had seen a subtle rise in standing and took pride in the connection. Thus, although Ding Yi had come in person to propose the match, the Fang Clan still wanted to establish the facts first. If the girl was ugly or insufficiently virtuous and gentle, she would refuse her all the same.
Ding Youwei smiled. "Fourth Aunt, my seventh younger sister bears some resemblance to me in my younger days, and her disposition is gentle and refined."
The Fang Clan studied Ding Youwei, who sat upright with her back straight. She was thirty now, yet her beauty had not faded; she had scarcely changed since she first married Qingzhi thirteen years ago and remained just as lovely. As for her character, that went without saying: refined, chaste, and quiet, she possessed excellent womanly virtues.
Ding Youwei grew a little embarrassed beneath the Fang Clan's gaze. "Fourth Aunt, why are you looking at me like that? I am not merely putting in a good word for my seventh younger sister. She truly is both beautiful and virtuous, and should