Liao Ziwan asked while eating her food.

"Peach blossom embroidery is a famous handicraft in the capital."

Zhao Pin'er said that she grew up in the capital, so she was very familiar with these things.

"For example, tablecloths, bed sheets, and similar silk fabrics with simple patterns and elegant colors are very popular with aunts, uncles, and aunts."

"I see."

"Oh, right, Ziling doesn't know about this yet, does he? We need to find a suitable opportunity to tell him."

Liao Ziwan was somewhat worried about whether her younger brother, Liao Ziling, would approve of the marriage.

"Yes, when we see him, we'll let him know and ask him if he wants to come back with us," Ziwan said thoughtfully.

"He won't object, will he?"

Ziwan suddenly felt a little worried for no reason.

“How could that be? We, especially Brother Chu, are all people he knows well,” Shi Tou comforted him from the side.

"Yes, speaking of Ziling, there are also pens made of Nanshan bamboo, lake sheep wool, and old rabbit hair from the stone."

"We need to prepare some of the finest brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones from Huizhou, Xuancheng, Duanzhou, and other places."

Chu Dunshi continued.

As they ate, they discussed that they would set off together for Shengze the day after tomorrow.

...

Two days later, Chu Dunshi, Liao Ziwan, Yun Yishu, and Shi Tou agreed to meet at the West Gate and leave the capital together for Shengze.

Upon arriving at the West Gate, they found Chu Dunshi and Liao Ziwan already waiting for them.

"Brother Chu, how much stuff are you taking?"

Yun Yishu looked at the five carriages parked in front of the painting studio and asked in surprise, "Aren't you afraid that such a high-profile display will attract the attention of bandits and outlaws?"

This is even bigger than the royal procession leaving the palace!

"Don't worry, boss. I've hired bodyguards, and these things are all packed in coarse cloth bags, so they don't look worth much."

Chu Dunshi said.

"Of these five carriages, two are for you, Shitou, Ziwan, and me. Of the remaining three, two are for carrying things and betrothal gifts, and one is a spare, in case the carriage gets damaged in the rain in the south, we can replace it."

Chu Dunshi chuckled as he pointed at the carriage.

"You still have a backup plan?"

Yun Yishu exclaimed in admiration.

[I didn't expect Old Chu to have so much experience in the ways of the world!]

As they walked, they talked, "So, when we get to Shengze, how should I propose marriage?"

Chu Dunshi asked in confusion.

"Last time, Brother Su, you said that you should first ask a local matchmaker to propose marriage to the Liao family. After the Liao family agrees, according to the customs of Shengze, you should bring betrothal gifts, usually jewelry and silver, to propose marriage."

"Yes, I've got everything ready."

Chu Dunshi said, "I've prepared gifts for all the aunts and uncles, for my sister-in-law, and for the younger generation."

"Okay, that makes things easier."

Yun Yishu nodded.

"Brother Chu, Master, let's get in the carriage!"

Ziwan lifted the carriage curtain and shouted, "The road ahead is going to be difficult."

"good."

Yun Yishu replied, "Chu Dunshi, you and Ziwan will ride in one car, and I will ride in the other."

...

The next morning, the Empress Dowager and Yun Duoduo's entourage arrived at the Shu Kingdom's palace and received a warm welcome.

"You old codger, what took you so long?!"

Empress Dowager Wang Fengru said angrily, and stepped forward to greet her with open arms.

Wang Feng is now almost fifty years old, much older than Nangong Rui.

Her hair was sparse, and her gray hair was tied into a bun at the back of her head, with only an ebony hairpin inserted in the bun.

She was not tall and looked a little petite, but the orange Shu brocade palace dress she was wearing made her look much more energetic.

Her eyes were small, with single eyelids, a straight nose, and thin lips. When she wasn't speaking, she looked very serious. Coupled with her noble status, she gave off a fierce impression from a distance.

However, when she smiles, her eyes narrow into slits, making her look very kind and approachable, like a sunflower facing the rising sun, full of hope.

Although she is quite old, her physique is much stronger than that of other elderly women her age because she has practiced martial arts since childhood.

"My dear sister, I'm so glad to finally meet you!"

Nangong Rui quickly stepped forward, opened his arms, and hugged Empress Dowager Wang Fengru.

The two hugged each other tightly, Nangong Rui hooked his arms around Wang Fengru's neck, and Wang Fengru wrapped her arms around Nangong Rui's waist and patted her back.

The people in the palace were all overjoyed to see the Empress Dowager so happy.

"Quickly bring some soup to welcome us and wash away the dust of our journey!"

Wang Fengru gave instructions to the nanny and palace maid beside her.

After chatting for a while, Wang Fengru pulled Yun Duoduo and Nangong Rui to sit down.

"The sweet soup prepared by the imperial kitchen can be served now."

The Empress Dowager instructed the maids to quickly send people to the Imperial Kitchen and other places to spread the message.

The palace maids brought out pear soup in white jade bowls, mung bean soup in glass goblets, mung bean cakes decorated with flower petals in porcelain dishes, and some fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Come on, sit down here. This bumpy journey must have exhausted your little sister!"

Wang Fengru held Nangong Rui's hand and said.

"Try it quickly." Wang Fengru placed a bowl of mung bean soup in front of Nangong Rui.

"Oh, dear sister, let me tell you something! I've recently had another granddaughter!"

Wang Fengru was very pleased with herself, her eyebrows dancing with delight.

"Now, we're just waiting for Jiucheng to get married so that my dear sister can hold her great-grandchild!"

Look at how smug you are!

Nangong Rui muttered, "Older sister is really showing off."

Then, beaming with joy, he said, "Quickly, bring in the gifts!"

Empress Dowager Nangong Rui of Nanyang ordered people to bring in the congratulatory gifts brought from Nanyang, as well as the birthday gifts she had brought for her old sister.

"Oh, my dear sister, why are you being so polite?"

Wang Fengru said that bringing so many gifts must have been inconvenient along the way, but her hands involuntarily went to check the contents of the box, looking at each item with great delight.

However, after looking at all the congratulatory gifts, Wang Fengru's face showed a look of disappointment.

"Big sister, what's wrong?" Nangong Rui didn't understand why Wang Fengru seemed disappointed.

"Why isn't there any 'Fairy Maiden' pink powder...?"

Wang Fengru put her hand to her mouth, leaned close to Nangong Rui's ear, and spoke mysteriously. She glanced at the palace maids around her. Knowing that their mistress had something to say, the maids wisely lowered their heads and left the main hall, closing the doors and windows behind them.

"Ah, elder sister, you mean the Motherwort face mask?"

Nangong Rui was somewhat puzzled. She frowned and said, "Big sister, didn't you say that was just some charlatan's stuff, a scam?"