CHAPTER 935: CHAPTER 935: A JOYOUS OCCASION FOR THE LIAN FAMILY

Hu Miaomiao was amazed by what he saw, and thus he had an idea. He walked back and forth with his small eyes, observing Xiao Qing’s bone structure, nodding as he watched. Finally, as if discovering something, he covertly asked Xiao Qing if she was willing to learn a few moves from him.

Coincidentally, Xiao Jizi happened to overhear and remembered Nanny Qi’s words urging them to improve. He then carefully pondered the matter with Xiao Qing and thought it feasible. Xiao Qing was willing too. Having this opportunity to try was good, and even if she didn’t succeed, it wouldn’t cause any harm. So, he took Xiao Qing to Lian Hua to discuss it.

Lian Hua was reluctant to let Xiao Qing go, but she didn’t stop her. She only asked Xiao Qing to think clearly since martial arts training is very tough and exhausting. If she decided, Lian Hua would support her.

After hearing this, Xiao Qing was very determined and insisted on trying. Lian Hua had no choice but to agree. Unexpectedly, Xiao Qing was in such a hurry that the next day she packed a small bundle and left with Hu Miaomiao, before the New Year even arrived.

The Emperor knew she was worried about her maid, so he advised, "It’s not impossible to call her back. I know you worry about your maid, but martial arts requires perseverance. She has only been gone a few days, and hasn’t even steadied her foundation. If she returns now for the holidays, she might have to start training from scratch upon returning. Are you sure?"

Lian Hua took a small sigh, "Better not. I’ve seen my second brother train in martial arts and know that it’s the hardest at the start. Better not let Xiao Qing suffer this more. Xiao Qing eats a lot; she’s growing. Sir, let the chubby eunuch give her a bit more to eat. Don’t be stingy; I have Silver."

The Emperor smiled and kissed her, jokingly saying, "Yes, Nannan is now the great rich person of Canglan Court with a well-off family background, not short on Silver."

She liked this remark, and Lian Hua’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, revealing eight small white teeth, modestly saying, "Oh, just average, average. Under His Majesty’s glorious light, hahaha."

After they laughed for a while, they talked about Lian Musu and Lian Wanzhen’s marriages. The Emperor asked, "Are you sure you don’t need me to grant the marriage?"

Lian Hua shook her head, "No need. Big Brother and Second Brother have no merits or fame right now and can’t withstand such favor from you. The sisters-in-law marrying into our family aren’t looking for those things. It’s better to wait until the two brothers earn the decrees themselves for the sisters-in-law."

The Emperor nodded in agreement. A granted marriage is a great favor for others but not necessarily good for the Lian family. They have shallow roots in the Capital and haven’t grounded themselves, so it’s not wise to be too flamboyant. Moreover, it’s not beneficial for Lian Musu’s future activities.

Lian Musu and Lian Wanzhen’s marriage matters have already been privately agreed upon among a few families. The horoscopes have been secretly matched; they are only waiting for the mourning period to end to have matchmakers propose and choose an auspicious date for the engagement and exchange of marriage documents.

Lian Musu’s wedding is almost set for the following spring when his leg is nearly healed. Lian Wanzhen’s will be a bit later, waiting for an auspicious date to be calculated before it can be fixed.

Lian Hua won’t be able to attend her big brother’s wedding, as she is due to give birth in spring, and no one dares to let her go in her state. Lian Wanzhen might make an effort to attend, and Lian Hua feels both regretful and anticipative about it.

Talking about Lian Musu and Lian Wanzhen’s marriages, Su Ran and Lian Changhe never expected their two sons’ marriage matters to settle so quickly. Plans couldn’t keep up with changes; things they thought could be done slowly suddenly became urgent.

Lian Changhe and Lian Bingcheng’s families are now too busy to even rest their feet. Although it’s still the Imperial Noble Consort’s mourning period, they must prepare what’s necessary in advance. They have just arrived in the Capital, and their previous residence was only temporary with nothing in it, so how could they marry two brides?

Fortunately, after the Guo family case was concluded, the Lian family’s property was returned, making things easier with Silver at hand. However, sometimes even money can’t solve problems, such as finding a suitable long-term residence, which was not easy at all.

In the Capital, good houses are in the hands of the high officials and nobles who rarely let them go. The Lian family has many members; small houses can’t fit them, and they are unwilling to settle for less, as it would appear too shabby, not presenting well to in-laws or themselves.

Because of this, Su Ran was anxious, even getting mouth ulcers in frustration. He sought the best real estate agents in the Capital to look for houses. After viewing over a dozen, they were unsatisfied—either too small or too remote, none being suitable locations.

It was then that the Emperor provided timely assistance. Since the Lian family was displaced by the harm brought by the Guo family, the house vacated after confiscating the Guo family’s assets was given to the Lian family under the guise of the government, with the provision of a sum of Silver to avoid causing gossip.

After securing the house, Su Ran was overjoyed to tears. The Guo family’s house was originally the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s Mansion; being able to return held immense meaning for her.

The house was previously lived in by the Guo family, which made the Lian family uneasy. So, after securing the house, they planned to renovate it, keeping the layout but erasing traces of the Guo family. Lian Bingcheng and Lin Yuejuan were organizing this, striving for the house to be ready for Lian Musu’s wedding first.

Su Ran and Lian Changhe were responsible for preparing the betrothal gifts, which were numerous. Even temporarily prepared items were insufficient. The Lv Family and the major owner of Zhenbao Pavilion, understanding the Lian family’s situation, sent a steward to assist, which made it somewhat better.

Speaking of one of the betrothed—Lian Musu—it’s said that his engagement to Miss Lv was nothing short of miraculous fate.

While recuperating his leg at the Huang residence, Miss Lv visited for medical attention for her unwell mother and happened to overhear Lian Musu’s words of resilience and determination. She was deeply impressed, and it marked their first official meeting.

Afterward, whenever Miss Lv visited the Huang residence, she would pass by Lian Musu’s room, allowing them to converse now and then. Gradually, their exchanges increased.

Lian Musu and Miss Lv found each other’s conversations and insights to be highly compatible, which delighted him. However, considering Miss Lv’s reputation, after several meetings, he candidly suggested avoiding future encounters with her.

Miss Lv was forthright too, immediately asking him: "I have long admired you; would you take me as your wife?"

Lian Musu was initially stunned, then slowly smiled, offering a formal bow in response: "Having such a good wife, it fills my heart with joy."

They made their agreement. Lian Musu sent someone home to inform Su Ran, while Miss Lv returned to probe her father. Upon learning, Lv Xingzhi was overjoyed, fearing his daughter might change her mind, he nearly sought a matchmaker to propose to the Lian family himself.

As for the other soon-to-be-wed—Lian Wanzhen—by rights, with his lack of romantic inclination, he wouldn’t be able to get a wife on his own, but heaven seemed to favor him.

One day, when he went to Zhenbao Square to collect a set of jade headdress, he was stopped by the small owner, Yin Luoyang, who wanted to exchange for it, but he ruthlessly refused.

Later, while escorting Su Ran to view a house, he happened to encounter Yin Luoyang being accosted by villains while collecting Jade Material. Lian Wanzhen immediately came to her rescue, defeated the villains, and retrieved the materials, inadvertently playing the hero saving the beauty.