On the twenty-first day of the twelfth month, Ran Sheng and the one-armed Jing Nu braved wind and snow to travel from Liaoxi to Ye City to visit his elder brother and sister-in-law. They stayed to see out the old year and welcome the new with his brother's family and Zongzhi. When he learned that Zongzhi and Run'er were both betrothed, with their weddings set for the tenth month of the following year, Ran Sheng showed no agitation. The simple, honest boy of those days had become a resolute general whose face betrayed neither joy nor anger. He merely asked what sort of character and appearance Wang Xun possessed, and whether he was a good match for Run'er. Learning that Wang Xun had none of the vices of taking mineral powders and drinking to excess common among the sons of Jiangzuo's eminent families, Ran Sheng nodded. "I'll prepare two generous gifts when the time comes. Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, please deliver them for me when you return. Tell Young Mistress Ding that the people of Goguryeo often harbor designs on Liaoxi, and I truly cannot leave my post for long. Please ask her forgiveness."
Chen Caozhi understood what weighed on Ran Sheng's heart. Watching Run'er marry with his own eyes would probably feel like a knife twisting in his heart, so he said little more. The one-armed Jing Nu, however, was growing anxious. Ran Sheng would be twenty-four in the new year, yet he was still alone. Even if there was no suitable wife, taking a couple of concubines first to bear him children would be good. Jing Nu asked Chen Caozhi to persuade him-
Before Chen Caozhi could speak, Ran Sheng smiled. "Don't worry, Elder Brother. I won't spend my whole life alone. Whatever happens, I must carry on the