Do you know that my grandfather was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?

Chapter 62 Eagle Catches Chickens

Mr. and Mrs. Yuan Wenchun faced the gate of the Sheng family and bowed, saying, "Mr. and Mrs. Yuan Wenchun, on behalf of the elders of the Yuan family, respectfully propose marriage on behalf of our younger brother, Yuan Wenshao, to the eldest daughter of the Sheng family, so that we may continue our family line. We humbly request the elders of the Sheng family to grant our request!"

The servant at the door returned the greeting and repeated Yuan Wenchun's words all the way to the main hall of the Sheng family.

There are many guests today, but only a few will be able to sit in the main hall.

The rest of the people chatted in small groups in the front and middle yards.

Upon learning of the arrival of the betrothal procession, some ran outside to watch the spectacle, while many others remained in the front yard.

The guests who were watching the spectacle were somewhat surprised when they heard this. Wasn't it said that the Earl of Zhongqin had come to Yangzhou in person to propose marriage?

Could it be that the Sheng family is deliberately publicizing this to glorify themselves?

Soon everyone dismissed the idea; even if the Sheng family were stupid, they wouldn't do such a thing.

Now it seems there are only two possible outcomes.

Either the Earl of Zhongqin was just being polite and said he would personally visit to propose marriage if he had time, and the Sheng family took it seriously.

Either they actually promised but didn't come.

Anyone with a modicum of intelligence would think the latter is more likely.

Moreover, the Yuan family looks down on the Sheng family and is deliberately trying to embarrass them.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such an important event as betrothal, sending two juniors instead.

Thinking of this, many people revealed amused expressions, waiting to see the Sheng family make a fool of themselves.

Sheng Hong was about to be promoted, and his daughter married into a noble family in Bianjing.

I wonder how many people secretly envy him.

Sheng Family Main Hall

Sheng Hong and Madam Wang sat in the main seats, and the servants ran all the way to the main hall, repeating Yuan Wenchun's words.

When the guests in the hall heard that it was the eldest son and his wife of the Yuan family who had come to propose marriage, they began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Sheng Hong and Madam Wang remained expressionless and said in a deep voice, "Granted!"

The servant bowed and left the hall before jogging out to report.

At the entrance of the Sheng family residence, the matchmaker brought by the Yuan family, upon hearing the servant's report of acceptance, smiled and said to Yuan Wenchun and his wife, "Congratulations, Yuan family! Congratulations! A joyous occasion indeed! Yuan Wenshao, the second son of the Yuan family, has proposed to marry the eldest daughter of the Sheng family, and the in-laws have accepted!"

"On behalf of my parents, Yuan Wenchun thanks them!" Yuan Wenchun and his wife bowed and said.

At this moment, Sheng Wei stepped forward and welcomed Yuan Wenchun and his wife inside.

Upon arriving at the main hall of the Sheng family, Yuan Wenchun bowed apologetically to the Sheng Hong couple at the head of the table and said, "My parents should have come to deliver the betrothal gifts themselves, but an elder in the clan has passed away, and I really cannot get away."

After the Yuan family was stripped of its title, the remaining clansmen severed ties with the main branch of the Yuan family. My father did not want to invite them to come and propose marriage, so he sent me instead.

Please forgive any inconvenience caused by the lack of prior notice due to time constraints.

Sheng Hong smiled and said, "From this day forward, the Yuan and Sheng families are one family. There was a reason for this, so how can you blame me? Nephew, please take a seat."

The crowd was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. Although they knew there must be something wrong with it, Yuan Wenchun's words were so eloquent that they couldn't question them at all.

Those present knew something about the Yuan family being stripped of their titles.

However, this alienated the Yuan family branch from the main branch, which was considered a family scandal.

As the saying goes, "family scandals should not be aired in public," and the fact that the Yuan family has even brought up such a matter shows their sincerity.

Whether they believe it or not is not important; most ordinary people will believe it.

If they question it, it will only make me look petty.

"Who is this?"

Sheng Hong looked at Gu Tingye behind Yuan Wenchun with a puzzled expression.

Judging from Gu Tingye's attire, he was not a servant or attendant.

But when Sheng Wei went to see Yuan Wenchun and the others yesterday, he did not mention the boy when he returned.

"This is Gu Tingye, the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan. He's just here to join in the fun," Yuan Wenchun introduced with a smile.

"The second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan?" Sheng Hong was taken aback upon hearing this.

The other guests in the hall were also taken aback when they heard this, and then looked at Gu Tingye with eager eyes.

This is the legitimate son of a marquis, not comparable to a mere earl from the Yuan family.

The important thing is that the Marquis of Ningyuan enjoyed the deep trust of the emperor and was stationed in the northwest for more than ten years.

Gu Tingye, at fifteen or sixteen years old, is a handsome and promising young man. If he could be betrothed to the Gu family…

Wang You looked at Gu Tingye with great interest. At this time, Gu Tingye's appearance was undeniably good, but due to his age, he appeared quite immature.

Gu Tingye smiled and politely dealt with Sheng Hong and the Yangzhou officials who were trying to curry favor with him. He seemed to notice Wang You's gaze, glanced at him, and then went back to dealing with the situation.

Sheng Hong wanted to invite Gu Tingye to sit down, but Gu Tingye said he wanted to go out and wander around.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong did not insist, and asked Sheng Changbai to entertain Gu Tingye and take him out for a walk.

Wang You followed them out.

…………

Linxi Pavilion

After hearing Xue Niang's story, Lin Xiaoniang's face turned very ugly.

When he heard that even the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan's family had come with the Yuan family's betrothal party, his expression turned even more unpleasant.

Ever since she learned that Sheng Hong had arranged a marriage between Hua Lan and the Yuan family, Lin Xiaoniang was extremely jealous.

Besides being jealous of Hualan's good marriage, she was more worried about the impact this marriage would have on her.

The Wang family is offering less and less help to Sheng Hong these days. Although Sheng Hong himself is unaware of it, his attitude towards Madam Wang is indeed not as good as before.

When she first entered the family, Sheng Hong would protect her, but if she had a conflict with Madam Wang, he wouldn't be too biased towards her.

But in recent years, Sheng Hong has gradually become more inclined to favor her.

Aside from her methods and Sheng Hong's affection for her, the fundamental reason was that the Wang family was no longer that important to Sheng Hong.

However, Hualan's good marriage will increase Wang Da Niangzi's importance in Sheng Hong's heart.

Two days ago, when she learned that the Earl of Zhongqin had not come in person, but had sent his eldest son and his wife instead, Lin Xiaoniang was overjoyed.

If conditions allowed, she would have the urge to set off firecrackers to celebrate.

Lin Xiaoniang even considered whether she could find an opportunity to incite conflict between the Yuan and Sheng families during the betrothal ceremony.

When Hualan marries into the Yuan family, her life will only become more difficult.

It was learned that Yuan Wenchun not only revealed the Yuan family's situation in public, but also that the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan had come to propose marriage. Lin Xiaoniang knew that she had no chance.

"Go, have someone inform Feng'er to try to make contact with that second son of the Gu family. Even if he can't befriend him, he shouldn't offend him," Lin Xiaoniang instructed.

"Yes." Xue Niang bowed and withdrew.

…………

The Sheng family home was bustling with activity, with guests filling both the front and middle courtyards.

The Wei Rui Xuan in the backyard was filled with female relatives who had come with their husbands.

From the small courtyard on the west side of the Sheng family's backyard came a burst of silvery laughter.

"Sister Minglan, you can't catch me."

Mu Jie'er hid behind Xiao Die and made faces at Minglan.

"Sister Xiaodie."

Minglan looked at Xiaodie with a pitiful expression.

Although Xiaodie knew she was faking it, she still winked at her.

Minglan understood and smiled, "I'm going to make my move."

"Oh dear, Sister Xiaodie, you must block it!"

Mu Jie'er exclaimed in surprise, grabbed Xiao Die's clothes from behind, and hid them behind her back.

That's right, the game they were playing was Eagle Catches Chicks.

Wang You taught her this game to get her more exercise.

In ancient times, children from wealthy families were often pampered and had very little physical activity.