Madam Li smiled and said, "It is an honor for you to come to my humble abode. This must be your son and daughter. They are very handsome."

Conditions in the border town are poor, and sandstorms blow every spring, so the children here generally have rough skin. In order to prevent Xu Zhi's face from getting chapped, Zhang Zhaoci asked Zhang Zhaozhi to buy the best face cream from the south.

Zhang Zhaoci smiled smugly and said, "Thank you for your compliment."

Madam Li said, "Please come inside quickly, let's talk properly in the courtyard."

Since the main guests had arrived, Madam Li accompanied them to the backyard where guests were being received.

The Li family's flower show was held in the main hall in the backyard. It was a small living room with an eight-immortal table in the center, a grand master chair on each side of the table, and several tall tables on each side of the table, with two rose chairs on each side of each tall table.

Madam Li led the group into the flower hall, where many people were already seated. They gathered in small groups, chattering away. When they saw Madam Li bring in the magistrate's wife, they all quickly stood up.

That's why they say a man's position in the family determines a woman's position outside. After Zhang Zhaoci led her two children, Granny Lu, and Qingmiao and Qingsui inside, everyone who stood up greeted Zhang Zhaoci. Zhang Zhaoci smiled and responded. Knowing that Madam Li had led her to the armchair next to the Eight Immortals Table, she smiled and asked everyone to sit down.

Next to the main hall was a small hall, presumably a place for the children brought by the ladies. However, the children brought by the wealthy people were standing behind their wives, so that they could introduce themselves to each other after everyone had arrived.

After everyone introduced their children, Madam Li instructed the maids and servants to take the children to the adjacent side hall to play. Food and drinks were prepared there, the room was spacious enough, and they even provided some small toys such as pitch-pot.

For this flower show, Mrs. Li bought several blooming flowers cultivated in a greenhouse at a high price. In fact, everyone knew that although it was called a flower appreciation party, it was really just a way to get together, chat, and connect with each other.

Zhang Zhaoci wasn't very good at communicating with people. After sitting down, he watched the people around him talking back and forth.

Madam Li, along with her eldest daughter-in-law who had been married into the family for over a year, sat with several other ladies. Zhang Zhaoci thought that Madam Li's eldest daughter-in-law was also a very sociable person, with a similar temperament to Madam Li. It really was true that birds of a feather flock together. Zhang Zhaoci then thought of her son, Xu Di, who was already twelve years old. Nowadays, people marry young, and he would soon be looking for a wife. She would find him a daughter-in-law who was good at socializing, so that when social situations arose, she could take the lead.

Zhang Zhaoci was lost in thought, but looked at the ladies with a smile on his face.

After giving a brief greeting to everyone, Madam Qian remained seated. Zhang Zhaoci secretly observed her. She was dressed in the most fashionable clothes made of the most trendy materials, clearly indicating that her family was well-off. She had brought her two legitimate daughters with her, but not her illegitimate daughter. Zhang Zhaoci felt that Madam Qian's gaze towards her carried a slight hint of disdain, probably because she already knew about the prefect's assessment of Xu Rao as someone who sought fame and fortune.

Among the others present, two had husbands who had achieved the rank of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examinations at the county level), and two were from wealthy families in Hexi. The fact that they were invited by Madam Li to come here to appreciate the flowers as merchants suggests that they were very wealthy.

The ladies gathered together, talking about their clothes and their children. Madam Li, who already had a daughter-in-law and two other girls who were eager to find husbands, talked most about her children.

A scholar's wife said, "Madam Li, it's a bit unfair for your daughter, such a beautiful girl, to find a husband in our small border town. My family is from Ganzhou, and my cousin has a son who is about the same age as your daughter. When can we meet him?"

Women in border towns have always been straightforward and honest. They say what they mean and don't mince words. If it's okay, it's okay; if it's not okay, it's not okay. If they spoke in such roundabout ways, many people probably wouldn't understand them.

Madam Li smiled and said, "Oh dear, Ganzhou is quite far away. Our daughter has been pampered since she was little. She told me early on that she doesn't want to marry someone from far away, saying that it's inconvenient to go home when she misses her mother."

Another wealthy man's wife said, "Madam Li, you've met the eldest grandson of our second branch of the family. If you think he's suitable, I can help you make the connection."

Madam Li waved her hand and said, "I've met your second son, the eldest grandson. He's a little younger than our daughter. When our daughter was little, we had someone calculate her future, and it was said that she should marry someone older."

Mrs. Qian, who was listening from the side, was getting a little impatient and said, "Mrs. Li, you keep saying that this won't work and that won't work, so why don't you come up with a plan yourself?"

Mrs. Li felt very embarrassed after hearing this. She wanted to retort, but she felt that since she was the host today, it would be embarrassing for the guests if she didn't say something right. However, she felt really uncomfortable if she didn't say anything.

Madam Li's eldest daughter-in-law wanted to win back the argument, but Madam Li stopped her, making her face turn red with anger.

Zhang Zhaoci picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said, "A family with a daughter is sought after by many. Isn't that how you find a husband? We mothers raise our daughters from a tiny little thing to a big one. Who would feel at ease if we just married them off like that? We have to carefully inquire about the son-in-law's character, as well as the family's traditions and the character of the in-laws. Madam Li, it seems you're looking for a husband for your daughter now that she's grown up. Our daughter is only six years old. Just thinking about her marrying into another family, bearing children, and managing the household makes my heart burn with anxiety."

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