Meng Shilin bowed his head and replied respectfully, "In reply to Master's wife, I am a descendant of the Meng family's branch."
Li, hearing that he was only from a branch of the Meng family, did not look down on him. She continued in a friendly manner, "I heard the master mention that he had a favorite student named Meng. I'm sure that's you. Don't stand outside. Come in and sit down. I'll send someone to invite the master."
Meng Shilin hurriedly thanked him, and just then, Master Ren San came out with a few books. Several people hurriedly saluted Master Ren San again.
Li Shi couldn't stay here any longer, so she took Ren Yaoqi back first.
In the evening, Ren Yaoqi went to say goodnight to his parents. When he walked to the main room, he heard Master Ren San and Li talking about Meng Shilin and
Master Ren San asked Li, "You just met Meng Shilin. What do you think of him?"
Li was stunned when she heard this, and replied, "He is a well-mannered child."
Ren Shimin nodded with satisfaction: "Not only is he well-mannered and polite, he is also well-educated and has excellent handwriting. I have many students, and he has the best qualifications. It's a pity that he missed the autumn examination this time and has to wait another three years." Ren Shimin sighed with regret when he said this.
"I heard him say that he is a descendant of the Meng family's branch?" Li asked.
Ren Shimin nodded. "His branch is somewhat distant from the Meng family's legitimate branch. His father and legitimate mother are both deceased. He lives with his stepmother, and his family property is not permanent. But fortunately, he is a member of the Meng family and can receive care from the clan. Otherwise, he would not have been able to enter the Yunyang Academy."
Large families usually have clan schools to provide education for their children. In Meng Shilin's case, he still receives monthly financial support from his clan.
Li rarely saw Ren Shimin mention his student's family background in such detail, so she couldn't help but ask tentatively, "From what the master said, it seems that he admires him very much?"
Ren Shimin readily admitted, "Well, although Meng Shilin's family background is a bit poor, I'm not that powerful either. So I want him to be my half-son."
Half-son means son-in-law. Master Ren San wants Meng Shilin to be his son-in-law?
Li was startled again and couldn't help but ask cautiously, "Which daughter does the master want to marry to Meng Shilin?"
Master Ren San said as a matter of course: "Which other daughter? Of course it's Yaoying, they are both a good match in terms of illegitimate status. Yaoyao is still young, there is no rush!"
Li: “…”
Master Ren San seemed to have forgotten that Ren Yaoying was younger than Ren Yaoqi.
However, Li was still relieved. She had heard Third Master Ren admire Meng Shilin so much and thought he wanted to marry Ren Yaoqi to him. Although Li didn't mean to look down on Meng Shilin, it didn't mean she was willing to marry her daughter to a bastard. Fortunately, Third Master Ren hadn't been blinded by his love for talent.
"Yaoying is still in Baihe Town. Her marriage will likely require Mother's approval." Li thought for a moment and subtly reminded Third Master Ren. Third Master Ren favored talent, but the rest of the Ren family wasn't necessarily so. While Meng Shilin wasn't considered a child from a poor family, he wasn't much better. He might not be able to pass Old Madam Ren's hurdle.
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