A clever plan to tie the red thread

Leaving aside the chaotic "pregnancy affair" within Prince Yi's mansion, elsewhere in the capital, a meticulously planned "chance encounter" is unfolding.

Having already revealed her feelings to her sisters, Liu Mianying no longer hesitated. She knew that Feng Yanshu was old-fashioned, and if she proposed marriage according to the usual rules, she feared it would scare him away, or even provoke resistance from the Feng family, a family of upright scholars. She needed to proceed slowly and win him over emotionally.

First strategy: Cater to their preferences and create a "book-related connection".

That day, Feng Yanshu was on leave and, as usual, went to the largest bookstore in the capital, "Hanmozhai," to browse for ancient books. He was admiring a rare copy of the *Nanshan Jizhu* from a previous dynasty, but hesitated because of its high price, when a clear, melodious female voice sounded from behind him:

"Shopkeeper, I'll take this copy of 'Nanshan Collection of Annotations'."

Feng Yanshu turned around at the sound and saw a woman in a moon-colored dress with an elegant demeanor standing gracefully. It was Liu Mianying, whom he had met a few times before. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Miss Liu."

Liu Mianying feigned surprise: "So it's Young Master Feng. You also fancy this book?" Her gaze swept over Feng Yanshu's tightly gripping hand and the reluctant expression on his face. She understood immediately and smiled gently, "Since Young Master Feng took a liking to it first, how could Mianying take what belongs to someone else? A gentleman does not take what others love. This book should rightfully belong to you."

Feng Yanshu was taken aback. He knew the Liu family was extremely wealthy, and since Liu Mianying had spoken, the book was already out of the question. He hadn't expected her to offer it so readily, and her words were so sincere, without any of the arrogance of a merchant. He immediately felt a sense of goodwill towards her and quickly said, "How could this be? I was hesitant..."

Liu Mianying smiled and said, "Young master, there's no need to be so polite. Although I am not well-versed in classics and history, I still respect scholars. A fine sword is given to a hero, and good books should belong to those who appreciate their value. Shopkeeper, put the cost of these books on my tab, as a way for me to establish a good relationship with Young Master Feng."

She spoke eloquently, saving face for Feng Yanshu while also doing him a favor. Unable to refuse, Feng Yanshu thanked her repeatedly, his impression of this "wise and righteous" merchant's daughter greatly changed.

Second strategy: Offer timely help in times of need, demonstrating "wisdom".

Not long after, Feng Yanshu was ordered to participate in the compilation of a local history, which required him to consult some old archives of the Jiangnan salt administration. These archives were mostly kept by large private merchants. He spent several days searching without success and was extremely frustrated. A colleague casually remarked, "The Liu family is the richest family in Jiangnan, a century-old business; perhaps they possess such documents?"

Feng Yanshu reluctantly sent a letter to Liu Mianying. Liu Mianying warmly received him and, after understanding his purpose, smiled and said, "What a coincidence! My father does have a habit of collecting old files. I'll have someone search the archives right away." In less than half a day, the required copies of the files were neatly delivered to Feng Yanshu, relieving his urgent need.

What surprised him even more was that Liu Mianying did not simply provide information. She was able to make clear and reasonable inferences based on several vague salt certificate data and her own family's old accounting practices. Her meticulous thinking and unique insights made Feng Yanshu, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, secretly admire her.

"Miss Liu is truly a female Tao Zhu, so knowledgeable even of the ancient books!" Feng Yanshu praised sincerely.

Liu Mianying smiled modestly: "Young master, you flatter me. It's just something I learned from my family's business. Compared to your practical knowledge, it's nothing but a trivial skill."

The third strategy: use someone else's strength against them, and "coincidentally" meet an elder.

The time was ripe. Knowing that Madam Feng (Qin Yuti's aunt) had recently caught a cold, Liu Mianying prepared some mild yet thoughtful tonics and delicate soft pastries from Jiangnan. Under the pretext of visiting Princess Yi, she naturally "passed by" the Feng residence.

At the Feng residence, she behaved appropriately, showing concern for Madam Feng's well-being and subtly revealing her admiration for Feng Yanshu's scholarship and character ("I recently had a chance encounter with Young Master Feng, and when we discussed scholarship, his insights were profound, which enlightened me"). She also cleverly avoided topics related to commerce, focusing instead on poetry and literature, which pleased Madam Feng greatly. Madam Feng felt that although Miss Liu came from a merchant family, she had no trace of materialism, but rather was knowledgeable, reasonable, and beautiful.

Feng Yanshu happened to be home that day and saw his mother chatting happily with Liu Mianying. Liu Mianying was poised and elegant, and treated him with courtesy without any overstepping of boundaries. The slight barrier in his heart caused by social class differences gradually melted away with each "chance encounter" and "help," and instead, a faint sense of appreciation and curiosity arose.

Final Chapter: Things fall into place naturally, and they discuss their hearts under the moon.

The opportunity finally arrived. A lotus festival was being held in the capital, where talented men and beautiful women could boat on the lake and compose poems. Knowing that Feng Yanshu would definitely go with his classmates, Liu Mianying also invited Qin Yuti (under Zhao Jingyi's strict "protection"), Xu Nianchu, and others to join them.

As night deepened, the lake became sparsely populated with boats. Liu Mianying, using the excuse of picking lotus flowers, steered her small boat slightly away from the larger vessel. Just then, Feng Yanshu, separated from his classmates, sat alone in a small boat, lost in thought under the moon. The two boats inadvertently drew closer.

This time, Liu Mianying did not deliberately avoid it. She ordered her maid to steady the small boat, while she stood at the bow, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, and softly recited: "Her lotus-leaf skirt is cut from the same cloth, and her hibiscus blooms on both sides of her face. She is lost in the pond and cannot be seen, but only when she hears her song does she realize that someone is there."

Hearing the sound, Feng Yanshu looked up and saw Liu Mianying under the moonlight, her beauty ethereal and otherworldly, completely different from her usual shrewd and capable demeanor. A slight stirring in his heart, he replied, "Wang Changling's 'Lotus Picking Song.' Miss has a refined taste."

Liu Mianying turned around and smiled sweetly: "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Young Master Feng. It's just that seeing this scene has touched my heart. People say that merchants are driven by profit, but they don't know that the beautiful scenery, poetry and songs are also the most delightful things in life." There was a hint of melancholy in her tone.

Feng Yanshu was taken aback and blurted out, "Miss Liu, why do you belittle yourself? There is no distinction between noble and lowly professions. Your talent and wisdom far surpass those of many who seek fame and fortune. I, Feng... am deeply impressed."

After these words, both of them fell silent. The moonlight flowed quietly like water. Some feelings were already understood without being spoken.

Not long after, Feng Yanshu mentioned to his mother that he thought Miss Liu was "sensible, open-minded, and quite insightful." Madam Feng already had a very good impression of Liu Mianying, and seeing that her son seemed interested as well, her prejudice against social class lessened considerably. In addition, Qin Yuti (at Liu Mianying's request) subtly encouraged the marriage to her aunt, and this seemingly impossible marriage quietly took a turn for the better.

With her wisdom, patience, and sincerity, Liu Mianying gradually opened the heart of the bookworm and softened the prejudice of Lady Qingliu.

A remarkable union between a scholar and a merchant is about to be realized.

One of the people behind all this, Princess Qin Yuti, was stroking her slightly protruding belly, looking at the prince nervously peeling grapes for her beside her, and felt that although life was noisy, it was also full of the warmth of everyday life.