"Does Miss Cao know?"

"I don't know."

Liu Yun breathed a sigh of relief; at least it wasn't a private transaction.

"Do you really like it?"

"Yes, Mother, I truly wish to marry her."

"That's not a good idea."

Liu Yun sighed. In terms of social status, she was the only daughter of an official and the son of a wealthy merchant.

"Mother, if I marry Cao Ying, and we have children, I would like one of them to have the surname Cao."

Li Qingzhang had been pondering this matter all along, and he figured that this was probably the only way the Cao family would have a better chance of agreeing to the marriage.

Forgive him for using such a scheme to manipulate Cao Ying's marriage; he genuinely wanted to be with her.

However, his parents might not agree. After all, he was the eldest son, and if a child from the Li family took the surname Cao, who knows what outsiders would say?

"Are you serious?"

Liu Yun wasn't angry; this was indeed a method that could entice the Cao family.

To be honest, Cao Ying is a good girl, and she gets along well with Qing Ruo and the others. She has a cheerful and generous personality, and as a daughter of an official, she doesn't need to worry too much about managing the household.

The important thing is that Zhang'er likes it.

Liking something is very important.

She and Li Xuming had gone through thick and thin for decades and had a very good relationship, so naturally she hoped that her son could also have a happy life.

"Mother, I'm serious. Please, Father and Mother, grant your wish."

“I’ll go talk to your father.”

Liu Yun's words were like heavenly music, leaving Li Qingzhang in disbelief.

"Mother, you agree?"

"Hehe, you've always been so composed, it's rare to see you like this. It's clear you're really smitten."

I'm your mother, of course I want you to be well. Don't worry, I'll go talk to your father right now.

Liu Yun immediately went to find Li Xuming.

Since it concerned his son's marriage, Li Xuming took it seriously, especially after hearing that Li Qingzhang was willing to let his child take the surname Cao.

At first, he was reluctant. What kind of thing was this? His son was going to live with his wife's family as a live-in son-in-law?

However, after being persuaded by Liu Yun, she finally agreed.

Overjoyed to have his parents' consent, Li Qingzhang urged Liu Yun to find a matchmaker and propose marriage.

But Liu Yun scolded him, saying that only a greenhorn like him would rashly propose marriage.

We don't even know what kind of family the Cao family is, yet we're already proposing marriage. What if the Cao family doesn't agree? Wouldn't that ruin Miss Cao's reputation?

A few days later, Liu Yun and Li Xuming visited the Cao family with the gifts they had prepared.

The Cao family was puzzled; it wasn't a holiday or festival, so why were Li Xuming and his wife visiting together?

After the two sides exchanged greetings, as soon as Li Xuming spoke, the County Magistrate and his wife understood the purpose of their visit.

"Please forgive me, Magistrate, but I have come here today for my son."

"I am ashamed, for I have come today on behalf of my son, Li Qingzhang, to ask for the hand in marriage with your daughter."

The Li family knows its current social standing is not high, and it would be unrealistic for us to even dream of marrying your daughter. However, my son Qingzhang has fallen in love with Miss Cao at first sight. If you and your wife are willing, my family will immediately send a matchmaker to propose marriage.”

Fearing that Lord Cao might think their family had ulterior motives, Li Xuming quickly added.

“Sir, Miss Cao is kind and generous. Our family values ​​her character and hopes that you will consider our family’s case.”

Li Xuming has put in a lot of effort for his son's marriage.

"this·····"

Cao Qian was somewhat tempted. He had only been interested in Li Qingyao before. Although Li Qingzhang was good, he always wanted to give his daughter something better.

That's when he lost his mind and insisted on asking Yan Min's family what they were thinking again. At that time, he did have the intention of using his power to intimidate them.

However, he was quickly persuaded by his daughter. Well, he felt that the more successful the son was, the better his daughter would be in the future. Li Qingyao didn't seem like the type to get promoted and make a fortune only to have his wife die. But since his wife and daughter weren't very willing, he had no choice but to give up.

At this critical moment, his daughter's marriage became a thorn in his side. Then, the Li family came to his door to propose marriage.

This is exactly what it means to find a new path after a dark period.

Gao glanced at Cao Qian secretly. She had long said that Li Qingzhang was good, but he insisted on choosing Li Qingyao.

Look at us now, after going around in circles, we've ended up back where we started.

With Li Xuming and his wife still nearby, Cao Qian couldn't help but smile.

"Brother Li, what kind of relationship do our two families have? Why say such things?"

I just want to ask one question: can your Li family take good care of my daughter? Are you truly sincere in your proposal?

"Brother Cao!"

Seeing that Cao Qian was softening, Li Xuming immediately seized the opportunity.

“Brother Cao, you don’t know my family. Although my family is large, it is the most harmonious. I swear on behalf of my eldest son that I will never take another woman in this life. Furthermore, if the two of them have children in the future, one of them may take the surname Cao.”

"really?!"

Cao Qian stood up excitedly.

He did not accept two women, and his only son bore the surname Cao.

The first promise was already quite good, but the second one showed the Li family's utmost sincerity.

"I now believe in Dalang's true feelings for Ying'er."

Madam Cao also spoke up quietly from the side, saying that only children born to sons-in-law who marry into the family will take the woman's surname.

"I do!"

Cao Ying burst in from outside.

Two days ago, Bihe came back and said that she had met Li Qingzhang. At that time, Li Qingzhang asked her to pass on a message, but the honest girl refused.

She felt like she was being scratched by a cat's claws, extremely agitated.

Upon hearing that Mr. and Mrs. Li Xuming had come to visit, she ran to the door and squatted down.

It was indeed somewhat unconventional, but she heard that the Li family had come to propose marriage!

Cao Ying's heart pounded like a drum, and her blood rushed to her head, even though she had a slight premonition when she heard that the Li family had come to visit.

But hearing it with your own ears is different.

When Li Xuming heard Li Qingzhang say that Li Qingzhang would not accept two women, and even that he was willing to let one of her future children take her surname.

She acted impulsively.

Her eldest brother died too young; she was her father's only bloodline.

If her future children can share her surname, then the Cao family bloodline will continue.

That's why she rushed out and said she was willing.

"Ying'er!"

Madam Cao was startled by her appearance. After the initial shock, she became angry. How could this child agree to her own marriage? Wouldn't that make the Li family look down on her?

Li Xuming and his wife didn't look down on her; on the contrary, they were quite happy. It seemed that their future daughter-in-law was secure.

Because Cao Ying ran out, Cao Qian could only see the guests off first, saying they would consider it and discuss it in detail later.

Liu and Yun tactfully took their leave, but instead of returning to the village, they went to find the matchmaker.

This matter is definitely settled!

Once the Li family left, Cao Ying realized that her behavior was inappropriate.

He felt ashamed in front of his parents.

"Why are you so impulsive, child?"

Madam Cao couldn't help but say something to Cao Ying: "At this critical juncture, what if the Li family has any ideas about her because of this?"

If it were arranged by parents and matchmakers, and the child had to come out and say he agreed, he would be condemned to death if word got out.

Fortunately, this was a member of the Li family, so it wouldn't come to this, but Madam Cao was worried that the Li family might develop some other opinions about Cao Ying.