Fu Sheng and I arrived at Madam Zhao’s residence not long after leaving the market.

The courtyard was quiet when we stepped in, and it did not take long before someone noticed us.

One of her sons came out to receive us.

He greeted us politely before leading us inside.

"My mother is resting," he said as we walked. "Her health has not been very good these days."

I nodded slightly.

"We understand," I replied.

When we entered the room, Madam Zhao was already seated.

She looked weaker than before, and there was a slight pallor on her face.

Even her breathing seemed a little heavier than usual.

We greeted her properly before taking our seats.

"It has been a while," I said.

Madam Zhao gave a small nod.

"It has," she replied.

Before she could say more, she let out a soft cough and raised her hand slightly.

Her son stepped forward at once, but she waved him off gently.

"I am fine," she said.

Her voice was not as strong as before.

Fu Sheng spoke calmly.

"We heard that your health has not been well," he said. "How are you feeling now?"

Madam Zhao gave a faint smile.

"It is nothing serious," she said. "Just a lingering weakness. It will pass."

I looked at her for a moment.

"You should take care of yourself," I said. "This is not something to ignore."

She nodded.

"I know," she replied.

There was a brief pause.

The room fell quiet for a moment as the conversation settled.

Then I spoke again.

"We came today to discuss something important," I said.

Madam Zhao looked at me.

Her expression grew more attentive.

"What is it?" she asked.

I did not rush my words.

"It concerns both of our families," I said. "And something that can benefit us moving forward."

She did not interrupt.

She waited.

I continued calmly.

"We believe it is time to strengthen ties between our households," I said. "And we would like to discuss the possibility of forming a marriage alliance."

The moment I said it, the room became quiet.

Her son, who had been standing nearby, looked at us briefly before lowering his gaze.

Madam Zhao did not speak at once.

She studied me carefully.

Then she spoke.

"Marriage is not a small matter," she said.

Her voice was steady, though still slightly weak.

"I would need to know more before agreeing to anything."

I nodded.

"That is why we came in person," I said. "We are not here to speak lightly."

Fu Sheng remained silent beside me, but his presence was steady.

Madam Zhao glanced at him briefly before returning her attention to me.

"Then speak," she said.

Her tone was calm.

But serious.

Madam Zhao listened quietly after my words, her expression calm but guarded.

She did not agree immediately.

"Marriage is not something to decide in haste," she said. "I need to be sure that this is the right choice for my daughters."

I met her gaze without hesitation.

"That is why we came in person," I replied. "We are not here to speak lightly. Everything will be done properly, and your daughters will not be treated poorly."

She studied me carefully.

Her eyes did not soften.

"Words are easy to say," she replied.

Before I could continue, Fu Sheng stood up.

"I will be back," he said.

He turned and stepped out without further explanation.

The room fell quiet for a moment.

Madam Zhao glanced toward the door, then back at me.

"You speak with confidence," she said.

"I speak with certainty," I replied. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Her brows drew slightly.

"And what makes you so certain?" she asked.

"Our actions will prove it," I said calmly.

There was a pause.

She did not respond immediately.

Then

Footsteps were heard outside.

Fu Sheng returned.

Behind him was a small carriage, covered neatly with a red cloth.

He brought it to a stop in the courtyard and stepped aside.

"This is part of our sincerity," I said.

Madam Zhao’s gaze shifted toward it.

She still did not move, but one of her sons stood up and walked over.

He lifted the red cloth and checked the contents carefully.

His expression changed slightly as he went through each item.

Then he returned to his mother and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

Madam Zhao listened quietly.

Her expression remained steady, but there was a small shift in her eyes.

She understood what had been prepared.

She looked at me again.

"You have made proper arrangements," she said.

I inclined my head slightly.

"We do not do things carelessly," I replied.

She remained silent for a moment.

Then she spoke again.

"Even so, this is not a decision I can make alone," she said. "My daughters’ opinions matter."

The moment she said that—

A soft sound came from behind.

We turned.

Zhao Yue and Zhao Yin stepped out.

They had been listening.

They walked forward and stood beside their mother.

"We heard everything," Zhao Yue said.

Her voice was calm

Zhao Yin nodded.

They both looked at Madam Zhao.

Then they spoke.

"The Fu family seems warm," Zhao Yin said. "They are not harsh, and they treat people properly."

Zhao Yue added, "This is the kind of family we have always hoped to marry into."

Madam Zhao looked at them carefully.

"You are both certain?" she asked.

They nodded.

"Yes," they replied.

The room grew quiet again.

Madam Zhao remained silent for a moment after hearing her daughters’ words, her expression thoughtful as she studied them carefully.

Then she spoke again.

"And what about the men?" she asked. "Do you like them?"

The question was direct.

Zhao Yue and Zhao Yin exchanged a brief glance.

There was a quiet understanding between them.

Neither of them answered immediately.

Then Zhao Yin spoke.

"Marriage is not always based on love," she said calmly. "It is built on commitment and respect."

Her voice was steady.

"I believe that, with time, we will learn to understand each other and accommodate one another properly."

Zhao Yue nodded slightly in agreement.

Madam Zhao watched them for a moment longer.

Her expression softened just a little.

She did not question them further.

Then Madam Zhao turned back to us.

"Very well," she said.

Her voice was calm, but firm.

"I agree to this marriage."

She paused briefly.

"But my daughters will not enter your home carelessly," she added. "They will be properly received."

Her gaze remained steady.

"They will be carried in by their fiancés’ carriage," she said. "Even if we are not wealthy, we still have our dignity."

I nodded.

"That is understood," I said.

Fu Sheng also gave a small nod.

"We will prepare everything properly," he said.

Madam Zhao looked at us one last time.

Then she nodded.

"Then it is settled," she said.

---

After the matter was settled, we remained for a short while to discuss a few more details.

Madam Zhao asked about the timeline, and we confirmed that preparations would begin immediately.

Fu Sheng assured her that the registration would be handled properly and without delay.

I also clarified the items we would bring on the day of the formal entry, and she listened carefully before giving her approval.

There were no more disagreements.

Everything was decided clearly.

After that, we stood up.

"We will take our leave now," I said.

Madam Zhao gave a small nod.

"Travel safely," she replied.

Her daughters stood beside her and watched us quietly.

We exchanged proper farewells before stepping out.

The courtyard was quiet again as we left.

Once we were outside, Fu Sheng and I began walking back.

At first, neither of us spoke.

The path ahead was calm, and the noise of the market no longer reached us.

We were heading toward the farm to check on the clearing and see what the Zhao brothers had already done.

But I remained quiet.

I did not say anything.

Not even once.

Fu Sheng walked beside me.

He noticed it.

Of course he did.

After some time, he finally spoke.

"Su Long," he said.

I did not respond.

He tried again.

"You have been quiet since we left," he said.

I kept walking.

"I am speaking to you," he added.

I stopped.

Then I turned to look at him.

"What is it?" I asked.

My voice was calm.

Too calm.

He studied my face for a moment.

Then he spoke again.

"Why are you angry?" he asked.

There was a pause.

Then I let out a short breath.

"Why do you think?" I replied.

He frowned slightly.

"I do not know," he said.

That—

Was enough.

I looked at him directly.

"You have been acting strangely," I said.

My tone remained steady, but there was no softness in it.

"Since the market," I continued. "No... even before that."

He did not interrupt.

He only watched me.

"You tried to drag me out of that shop," I said. "You would not explain why.. don’t get me started why you still haven’t told me why you came late last night."

My gaze did not leave his.

"You.."

"You stood there like a stranger," I added. "As if something was wrong, but you refused to say it."

He remained silent.

That only made it worse.

"You think I would not notice?" I asked.

My voice lowered slightly.

"But I did."

There was a brief pause.

Then I spoke again.

"That woman form the fabric shop.. do you know her? Who is she?" I asked.