Wang family in Kyoto.

“Madam, just now, Madam Yao, who serves Old Madam Pan, personally delivered a reply.”

The old woman had a smile on her face. The person who delivered the invitation was Madam Yao, so things should be settled. Now that things were done well, the master and madam would surely be happy.

Mrs. Wang also accepted the letter with a happy expression.

“The Li family is now extremely popular, and our master has a keen eye for talent. This Madam Pan is quite a character; she offered up such a rare treasure without hesitation.”

Madam Wang sighed, unaware of the inside story, simply believing that the Li family had truly offered up a rare treasure, and admiring their boldness.

In the blink of an eye, Madam Wang's face turned ugly.

"Madam, could it be that the message in the post is not good?"

The old woman noticed something was wrong and quickly asked what was going on.

After reading the new post, Mrs. Wang sighed helplessly.

"Sigh, the Wen family has snatched it away. It seems things won't work out with Fu Ning now."

"The Wen family?! Could it be that Wen family? But why would such a family take a fancy to the Li family?"

It's not that the old woman looks down on the Li family, it's just that the Li family is really no match for the capital now. The Wen family is such a prestigious family, yet they would try to snatch the marriage of an orphan girl. It's truly an eye-opener.

"It must be the Wen family. It seems the Li family's contribution this time is much greater than we imagined. Pearl has really found a good family."

Madam Wang was also very perceptive. From the moment the Wen family got involved, she knew that in the eyes of those in power, the Li family was probably not a small force and should not be treated casually.

The Wang family was a military family, and the children were all raised by Madam Wang, so the bond between them was self-evident. Madam Wang was naturally delighted that Wang Zhenzhu had married into a good family.

"Miss is indeed blessed, but I wonder which girl the Wen family has chosen?"

If we're going to finalize the marriage, our young lady and that Miss Wen will become sisters-in-law. Should we be careful about this?

When this matter was mentioned, Mrs. Wang's expression softened slightly.

"Although the Wen family got involved, the person the Li family agreed to was the daughter of the fourth son of the Wen family."

Although that child is from the Wen family, he's not highly regarded by them, and his status isn't particularly good. Our family doesn't need to avoid him."

"I see. What about Miss Fu Ning? Although this matter hasn't been spread, everyone has seen the commotion between our two families and the Li family. They all know that our two families are discussing marriage. If the marriage falls through, there will inevitably be some rumors."

The old woman was also a little anxious, as her master had always valued the young lady from the Fu family. Originally, the master had also considered the young masters of the family, but none of them were old enough, so it didn't work out.

If this matter is not handled well, and Fu Ning gets involved in the foul talk outside, the master will probably be angry with the mistress.

"That's right. I watched Ning'er grow up, and I'd be upset if she were unfairly stigmatized."

However, Madam Pan was a magnanimous woman, and she had come up with a solution; it just depended on Ning'er's opinion. "Go to the Fu family and bring Ning'er here; I have something to say to her."

"Yes, madam."

The old woman felt relieved after receiving the message and quickly left the main courtyard to carry out her orders.

Fu Ning arrived quickly. All matters of the Fu family are handled by Fu Ning, and he doesn't need to report to anyone when he goes out.

"Madam, Miss Fu has arrived."

"aunt."

"Ning'er, come quickly. I've called you here today because I have something important to tell you."

As soon as Fu Ning entered the room, Madam Wang grabbed his hand and led him to a seat.

"I've already told you about what happened with the Li family before. I was planning to introduce you to the Li family a long time ago, but that incident happened, so it's been delayed until now."

"But this delay led to some unexpected changes, alas."

"Auntie, please don't do this, is it really alright?"

When the old woman came to the Fu family to invite her earlier, she noticed that the old woman's mood was a bit off, and she had already expected it.

"The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Lord Wen, intervened at home, exchanging tokens with the Second Master of the Li family and arranging a verbal marriage. Yesterday, the Fourth Master of the Wen family went to the Li family and finalized the marriage."

"Fourth Master Wen?"

"Yes, the person chosen by the Wen family is also Wen Siye's daughter, Wen Leyang."

"Well, fortunately, I haven't properly met the Li family yet, so there's still room for maneuver."

Fu Ning was able to single-handedly support the Fu family at a young age, so she was naturally not the type to wallow in self-pity. Since there was no fate between them, she decided not to dwell on it and only thought about what would happen next.

"I knew you wouldn't dwell on these things. But I haven't finished yet."

Mrs. Wang was amused by Fu Ning's straightforward personality.

"Although you have no connection with the second branch of the Li family, Madam Pan likes you very much. If you are willing, you can meet the second young master of the first branch of the Li family."

"The second son of the eldest son's family?"

“That’s right, he’s the one managing the Li family’s Rouge Hall in Kyoto.”

"Li Qing? I've heard of him."

Fu Ning looked thoughtful; she hadn't expected that the old lady of the Li family liked her so much.

"It is him. Don't be shy. The fact that the Wen family has taken a liking to the Li family means that the Li family is a good family. You should have heard about what happened in the palace this time. The Li family's contribution must have been significant."

Li Qing's parents aren't here, otherwise they would have been watched too. "Old Madam Pan likes you. If you agree, we'll arrange to meet the Li family tomorrow to offer incense."

Fu Ning naturally had no shame. The Li family seemed to be doing well, and with her background, the Li family was considered to be marrying above their station.

“Auntie is only saying this because she cares about Ning’er, and I understand. I should thank Madam Pan for her kindness in person.”

“That’s right. I’ll reply to Madam Pan right away, and have the nanny deliver it to her.”

Mrs. Wang smiled and patted Fu Ning's hand, worried that the young girl might feel uncomfortable and refuse outright.

"Yes, madam."

The old woman had been listening the whole time and knew there was more to the story, so she smiled.

Pan Jinhua had genuinely inquired about Fu Ning, and she thought highly of him in every aspect. She also wanted to try her luck, which is why she asked Li Qingjing to discuss the matter.

Actually, compared to the twins, Li Qing was also of marriageable age. He just didn't seem interested, and Pan Jinhua was too lazy to urge him. Now that this matter had come up, she couldn't help but ask.

Li Qing didn't have any particular feelings. He just felt that a woman approved by his grandmother must be good, so he was willing to meet her, which led to this letter.

Upon receiving the reply from the Wang family, the entire Pan household began preparing for their trip to the temple to offer incense the next day.

Mo Qiaoniang will stay at home. As for the Wen family, she will formally ask a matchmaker to come and propose marriage. The Li family is the groom's family, so the proper etiquette must not be omitted.

Li Xushi locked himself in his room and dared not go out now. He was so frightened by Pan Jinhua's words that he wished he could leave the capital as soon as possible and go as far away as possible so that his life would not be in danger.

Those who went with them were Yan Min, Li Qingzhi, and Li Qingjing.

Knowing it was a matchmaking meeting, Li Qing initially seemed indifferent, but later became unusually nervous.