Both Li Xingran and Xu Ningyou keenly noticed the changes in Li Ruizhang.
When Li Xingran and Xu Ningyou were alone together, they discussed when they should go to the Zhang family to finalize things.
As a result, while the Li family was still making plans, the Zhang family sent an invitation, saying that it was Madam Zhang's birthday and they were hosting a banquet for their colleagues in the capital.
Since the Zhang family had just arrived in the capital at the beginning of the year, they also wanted to take this opportunity to interact with other families in the capital.
On the eighth day of the eighth lunar month, Li Ting took Xu Ningyou, and Xu Ningyou took Li Xingran to the Zhang family.
Li Ruizhang was Zhang Changgong's subordinate and had been invited by Zhang Changgong to help him out at his home.
Li Ruizhang readily agreed.
While helping out at the Zhang family's house, I overheard the Zhang family's servants talking about me.
Li Ruizhang didn't take it to heart.
When Zhang Qingshu learned of the servants' insolence, he rushed over to reprimand them.
Then he stayed with Li Ruizhang, busy with all sorts of things.
When Li Xingran and her group arrived, this was the scene they saw.
Xu Ningyou saw that the Zhang family's young lady was organized and methodical, unlike those pampered young ladies who never lifted a finger. Her impression of her was excellent.
Li Ting was quite satisfied with this Miss Zhang.
[Tsk tsk tsk, my brother isn't even married yet, but he already feels like half a member of the Zhang family.]
However, it's already commendable that my elder brother has been able to emerge from the shadows of the past and still maintain enthusiasm for people and things.
Marriage requires mutual consent to last.
Marrying someone of equal social standing is also important.
Now, my brother and Miss Zhang are mutually attracted, and their families are considered a good match.
[Novels always say that daughters marry into high-class families and wives marry into humbler families; these two were truly a match made in heaven.]
Judging from my brother's usual conversations, Miss Zhang will still support his work after marriage and certainly won't have any other complaints.
[Being able to help with household chores shows she's quite capable.]
[Mother, I asked my eldest brother tonight, and we'll come to propose marriage tomorrow!]
The birthday banquet for Madam Zhang was a lively affair, but it was not extravagant.
This is worthy of Zhang Changgong's rank as Minister of Works.
Xiao Sheng also sent someone to deliver congratulatory gifts.
Nowadays, when officials in the civil and military fields celebrate the birthdays of their families and hold birthday banquets, Xiao Sheng will present them with a gift according to their official rank.
It's hard not to like a boss like that.
That evening, Xu Ningyou asked Li Ruizhang what he thought of Miss Zhang.
Li Ruizhang frankly stated that he wished to spend his life with Miss Zhang and hoped she would grant his request.
Xu Ningyou and Li Ting were overjoyed to hear this, and tears streamed down their faces.
They knew that their eldest son was deeply distressed by his fate, which was why he chose to leave the capital and live a secluded and austere life on Tianji Mountain.
Only after Xiao Sheng dealt with Xiao Yuyan was Li Ruizhang able to let go of his resentment and accept a new life.
The next day, Xu Ningyou asked Wang, the most famous matchmaker in the capital, to bring gifts and go to the Zhang family.
Zhang Changgong happened to be off work that day.
Upon learning that Wang the matchmaker had proposed marriage for Li Ruizhang, he couldn't stop smiling.
The matriarch and the wife of the Zhang family have both met Li Ruizhang and are very satisfied with him.
The important thing is that this is the husband personally chosen by her own precious daughter.
The Zhang family didn't hesitate and, after asking Zhang Qingshu's opinion, agreed to the marriage proposal.
The next steps are asking the name, accepting auspicious omens, and presenting gifts.
On the day of the betrothal ceremony, Leng Yu tidied up Li Ruizhang's appearance, revealing his handsome features.
So much so that when Li Ruizhang arrived at the Zhang family with the betrothal gifts, the servant at the Zhang family's gate was stunned for a long time.
Is this the future son-in-law? He looks different from before.
Zhang Qingshu was overjoyed to see Li Ruizhang dressed up.
She knew he was good-looking, but she never imagined he was this good-looking!
She really has a keen eye for talent!
The Zhang family was stunned when they saw the betrothal gifts brought by Li Ruizhang.
With such a valuable betrothal gift, the Zhang family's dowry will need to be prepared anew.
The betrothal gift list read:
Two pairs of jade ruyi scepters and four pairs of gold ruyi scepters.
Two corals, one red and one rainbow-colored.
There are also clothes, jewelry, food, and fine wine.
Finally, there was a box of gold ingots, as well as land deeds, shop deeds, and storefronts.
Zhang Changgong felt a headache coming on as the matchmaker read out the betrothal gift list.
How could Li Taifu, an official with no real power, be so wealthy?
The matchmaker had previously sent word that the Li family said this was for their eldest son's marriage, so the Li family was taking it very seriously and the dowry might be a little higher.
Is this what they mean by "a little more"?
Only after Zhang Qingshu married into the Li family did the Zhang family learn where the Li family's wealth came from.
The chain restaurants in Nanchen Kingdom belong to the Li family.
Several workshops specializing in women's skincare products belong to the Li family.
In the early years, when the Li family fought in wars, the imperial court did not require them to hand over the spoils of war.
The profits from manufacturing various tools for the Qianji Gate all belonged to Li Ruizhang.
Then, Huo Shan, the richest merchant in Nan Chen Kingdom, is Xu Ningyou's younger brother.
The Li family had caravans that followed Huoshan in overseas trade.
Their favorite hand warmer was also from the Li family.
Zhang Changgong sighed, "If my daughter hadn't married into the Li family, I really wouldn't have known that the Li family had businesses in various industries."
It's like my daughter has fallen into a gold mine!
With food and clothing provided for, will the daughter be able to do whatever she likes in the future?
After the betrothal ceremony, the wedding date was set, and Zhang Qingshu and Li Ruizhang each prepared for the wedding at home.
The wedding date was set for the tenth day of the tenth month, after Emperor Hui's term of imprisonment had ended.
Therefore, Xiao Sheng also issued an imperial edict to Li Ruizhang, granting him a marriage.
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