Madam Yang was not one for procrastination; once she learned that Second Master Luo's daughter was a fine match, she was determined to secure the engagement. That very evening, she initiated a discussion with Wang Youfu regarding Wang Qinghua’s marriage prospects.

“Which family’s daughter have you set your sights on?” Wang Youfu inquired.

“The daughter of Second Master Luo in Matian Village,” Madam Yang replied.

Wang Youfu’s brow immediately furrowed upon hearing this. “Isn’t that the one whose mother caused that scene at Qingyun’s engagement banquet?” Clearly, Wang Youfu’s memory of Second Mistress Luo’s behavior that day was quite vivid.

“It is their family, yes. Though her mother is a bit erratic, I had the matchmaker inquire, and the daughter herself is quite decent,” Madam Yang explained.

Wang Youfu was visibly unmoved, his voice carrying a hint of anger. “You must realize our family’s standing is not what it once was. I’ve always told you we need to find Qinghua a girl from a proper family. And you can’t even manage this basic task? Is the Luo family considered proper? If we truly become in-laws with them, that Second Mistress Luo will certainly not settle down, causing endless trouble for Qinghua. Have you considered that?”

Madam Yang felt wronged. “This… I didn’t initially consider them, truly. It’s just that our son is fond of the girl. When a son finally takes a liking to someone, a mother naturally wants to see if she can help, and besides, Second Master Luo’s daughter really is a good sort.”

“Qinghua himself has taken a liking to her? Since when?” Wang Youfu sounded puzzled.

“It was at Qingyun’s engagement banquet last time! Who could have guessed it?” Madam Yang sighed with emotion.

“You don’t think that girl is scheming, do you? Our son is such an honest man; we must ensure he isn't tricked.” Wang Youfu was genuinely concerned.

“Nonsense! I asked Qinghua. She doesn't even know he exists. He just happened to catch sight of her and instantly fell for her. He hasn't exchanged a single word with her,” Madam Yang admitted, finding the situation almost amusing herself.

Hearing this, Wang Youfu also found it rather funny. His honest son was experiencing love at first sight—truly, one cannot judge by appearances. However, since his son was smitten and the girl’s background seemed acceptable, Wang Youfu was willing to concede for his son’s sake.

“Since you’ve inquired and found no issues, make arrangements to settle this for the boy quickly, before some other family snatches her up,” Wang Youfu instructed.

“That’s what I intended, I just wanted to discuss it with you first.” Seeing Wang Youfu agree, Madam Yang finally let out a sigh of relief.

Wang Youfu appreciated Madam Yang’s habit of reporting everything to him; after all, it reinforced his position as the head of the household.

The next morning, Madam Yang promptly summoned the matchmaker, asking her to convey their family’s interest in marriage to Second Master Luo’s household. After all, it would be improper for her to approach the Luo family directly; this was precisely where the matchmaker proved her worth.

When the Luo family heard the matchmaker relay the news that the Wang family was interested in an alliance, they were initially incredulous. After all, the Wang family had recently prospered, and countless families wished to marry their daughters into such a household. The idea that this good fortune had unexpectedly fallen upon them stunned the entire Luo family speechless.

Second Mistress Luo Chen was particularly overwhelmed. She recalled the severe scolding she had received from Second Master Luo after the incident at the eldest son’s engagement banquet. Although her own daughter remained silent, Chen felt the chill of her daughter’s distance. Since she had nearly ruined that banquet, no one in the neighborhood seemed eager to arrange a match for their daughter. And her daughter was past the usual marrying age; if she remained unmarried, what would become of them? Her husband had been blaming her constantly, but she herself was desperate! Now, such an excellent family was actively seeking her daughter’s hand—it was an unparalleled stroke of luck. This was her chance to finally regain her standing and stop suppressing her feelings.

“You aren’t fooling us, are you? The Wangs truly wish to ally with us?” Second Master Luo remained skeptical, considering their family's current reputation.

“Oh, my dear, how could this old woman joke with you about something like this? This is absolutely genuine. This very morning, Second Mistress Wang personally asked me to run this errand, just to inquire about your intentions so she can make the necessary arrangements,” the matchmaker assured them.

“Oh, the Wang family is a match one couldn't find even with a lantern! We only wish for our daughter to have a good life; how could we refuse?” Chen exclaimed.

Second Master Luo, hearing his wife’s words, didn't object to her slightly blunt and eager tone, recognizing that this was indeed a stroke of luck falling from the sky.

“Very well, I shall go and inform the Wangs immediately,” the matchmaker said, her mission accomplished, and turned back toward Wangjia Village with a smile.

Madam Yang was delighted upon receiving the Luo family’s positive reply. To see her son’s marriage about to materialize brought a mother great peace of mind; she even found herself momentarily thinking ahead to grandchildren.

Since both sides agreed to the union, Madam Yang asked the matchmaker to request the birthdates of Second Master Luo’s daughter. In return, the Luo family requested Wang Qinghua’s vital statistics. Once both sets of data were compared and found compatible, discussions commenced regarding the betrothal gifts, the engagement banquet, and all subsequent arrangements.

Regarding the bride price, Second Mistress Luo Chen harbored thoughts of asking for more, given the Wang family’s visible wealth. However, Second Master Luo understood they were gaining a significant advantage; otherwise, his daughter might never have married. Thus, he felt awkward demanding too much, settling only for the standard customary offering for a daughter’s dowry.

When Wang Qinghua learned the news, he was ecstatic that his mother had arranged a match with the very girl he admired. Upon discovering that Wang Qingchen had played a role in this, he lavished sincere gratitude upon him, making the more composed Qingchen slightly uncomfortable—after all, the persistence of an honest man could be overwhelming.

With all matters settled between the families, Madam Yang felt significantly lighter. That day, she took the newly made clothing for the Old Mistress and journeyed to the ancestral home.

After presenting the garments to the Old Mistress and enduring a few veiled remarks, Madam Yang informed the residents of the main house about Wang Qinghua’s engagement, sharing the date of the banquet and extending an invitation for them to attend. Before leaving, she paid a visit to her sister-in-law, Wang Guifang.

Wang Guifang, having reclaimed her dowry, was now diligently focused on her own quiet life, mostly occupying herself with embroidery and rarely venturing out. Tian Shi had repeatedly hinted that Wang Guifang should contribute from her dowry funds, but Guifang merely feigned ignorance. Having recognized Tian Shi’s questionable character, she had no intention of repeating the same mistake. She strongly agreed with Zhang Shi: wealth held in one’s own hands was the most secure.

Wang Guifang was pleased to see Madam Yang visit, as solitude could sometimes become stifling. Madam Yang possessed a good nature, and they conversed easily. After chatting for a while about her son’s engagement, Madam Yang helped her sister-in-law with some embroidery before taking her leave for Wang Youtian’s house.

Madam Yang conveyed the news of Wang Qinghua’s engagement to Wang Youtian’s family as well. Zhang Shi was genuinely happy for her, though she harbored some reservations about the reliability of Second Mistress Luo, wondering why Wang Youfu and Madam Yang would seek kinship with that family.

Madam Yang explained the situation to Zhang Shi, who finally remarked thoughtfully, “Indeed, children will find their own fortunes. As long as he is willing, that is what matters.”

While the immediate Wang family reacted reasonably well, the Luo family’s response was quite different.

First Mistress Luo, upon hearing the news, was consumed by jealousy. She grumbled bitterly, “What extraordinary luck the Second Branch has stumbled into, to receive such a wonderful match.”

“It’s just an engagement with the Wangs; they are Luo family members after all. It’s better than an outsider taking the match,” First Master Luo felt his wife was making too much of it.

“How can I not care? You know the wealth the Second Branch commands now. Their shop in town must be worth a hundred taels at least. Look around; how many families have such assets? And this great fortune fell to the Second Branch without a sound. I hear the Wangs actively sought them out—the Second Branch has been hiding their advantages quite well,” First Mistress Luo vented her frustration.

“They sought them out; since our daughter wasn't engaged to him, there’s nothing we can do. I truly don't understand why you’re so upset,” First Master Luo tried to soothe her.

“How can I not be angry? Tell me, is there any area where my daughter is inferior to the Second Branch’s girl? No. My daughter surpasses her in every way, yet she secures a lesser match. How am I supposed to feel balanced about this?” As she spoke, First Mistress Luo dramatically clutched her chest.

“I say, why can’t you look at the bright side? Having cousins married into the same family means they can support each other in the future—what a wonderful thing,” First Master Luo genuinely could not comprehend his wife’s intense anger, perhaps seeing a generational gap in male and female perspectives.

“You… you just infuriate me to death…” First Mistress Luo shouted at her husband, feeling utterly exasperated by his lack of insight.

As the couple argued, in another room, First Master Luo’s daughter, Luo Yin, was equally unsettled. Just as her mother said, she believed she surpassed her Second Uncle’s daughter, Luo Qing, in every aspect, yet she had lost out in the selection of a future husband. Although she acted unconcerned in front of her parents, she felt a deep-seated resentment.

Luo Yin thought for a moment and returned to her embroidery; her wedding day was approaching, and she still had much work to complete. The calm she had managed to cultivate through her needlework was violently stirred up again by her mother’s agitated entrance.

First Mistress Luo sat down beside Luo Yin. “Sigh, your father, that obtuse man, is driving me mad. My excellent daughter failed to find a worthy match, and it truly pains your mother’s heart. How can the Second Branch’s Qing’er compare to you? Yet she found such a fine in-law, and my heart…”

“Mother, I’m fine. Who can foresee these things? It’s all about fate. Perhaps my destiny was meant to be Wang Qingyun’s wife,” Luo Yin replied as calmly as she could.

“It’s just that I refuse to accept it! Look at your Second Aunt—so frivolous—and these past few days she’s been nothing but showing off. I can’t stand her smug attitude. You haven't seen how those short-sighted villagers have been flocking around her lately,” First Mistress Luo complained bitterly.

Luo Yin sighed. Her mother’s distress was likely driven by anxiety for her own reputation and envy of others, rather than true concern for Luo Yin’s future happiness. Luo Yin decided she couldn't dwell on it any longer; since she was marrying soon, it was more practical to focus on finishing her embroidery.