Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 472 - 470: The Popular Socialite

After touring the courtyard, appreciating the scenery, and reciting poetry, the noblewomen returned to the high and spacious main hall.

The social gatherings among the noblewomen were naturally elegant and lively.

From the first day they entered the social scene, they had been groomed in such multifaceted social decorum, able to converse freely regardless of familiarity or relationship status.

In these social occasions, there is another matter of great importance to the ladies, and that is the match-viewing of young maidens by the older, married women.

In the high-ranking families of the Tang Dynasty, girls could achieve maturity at fifteen years old, meaning they had reached the marriageable age. If they were fifteen and not yet betrothed, they would continue to mature until twenty.

Many married women attended Lin Wanwan’s birthday banquet today; most of them brought their family young maidens out to socialize, allowing others to view their girls while they themselves kept an eye on eligible young ladies from other families.

It seems that once a woman becomes a mother, an innate matchmaker talent is triggered.

Lin Wanwan is an exception among them; she has a modern mindset, viewing these fifteen-sixteen-year-old girls as if they were middle school students with no intention of matchmaking.

As for herself, with such a large secret, she had long declared her intention to be a widow guarding the door, with no one daring to make advances.

Moreover, given Lin Wanwan’s age, family background, and status, indeed, there was no suitable match for her in Mao County.

Basically, noble men over twenty were already married. Those who were widowed or married late for other reasons were not suitable for Lin Wanwan’s status as the Village Lady of Le’an.

Lin Wanwan’s kind, with little family background yet certain status, were the hardest to marry in the Great Tang’s marriage market. They were neither fitting for high nor low status.

If she were of noble birth, like a daughter of the Five Families and Seven Hopes, no matter her age, marriage status, beauty or plainness, she would be highly sought after in the marriage market, but the reverse would be difficult.

A grand dame without any direct lineage elders is an object of distant respect for high-ranking families.

Men of the Tang Dynasty were fond of pursuing family daughters; a woman’s birth and dowry greatly enhanced her standing in the marriage market, whereas beauty had the least influence.

Many people married with the same uncertainty as opening a blind box, not knowing their partner’s looks until the day of engagement.

Compared to the later Tang period, the early Tang era was considerably more conservative, evident from noblewomen’s necessity to wear veils or face coverings when they went out.

As the main character of today’s feast, Lin Wanwan found herself uninvited to the matchmaking segment of conversation.

At that moment, people from Lin Wanwan’s maternal family arrived.

Here came Sister-in-law Yuan from the main family, Sister-in-law He from the second branch, along with Xiao Xianghua, and Sister-in-law Zhu and Xiao Ronghua from the second branch.

This time, none of the men came; it was only a small birthday, sending wives out to socialize was equally adequate.

Additionally, the engaged twin sisters from the Xiao Family’s main branch did not come; they remained home embroidering their wedding garments, unnecessary for further socializing.

Lin Wanwan promptly welcomed the group inside and introduced them to everyone present.

The Xiao Family’s younger generation always looked up to Sister-in-law Yuan, wife of the main branch’s eldest grandson, as the leader in external socializing. She was seasoned in social affairs and immediately mingled with the noblewomen.

After all, being part of the Xiao Family, albeit a side branch, they were still of the Lanling Xiao Family, none would dare show disrespect.

The courtesy was even higher towards the legitimate daughters of the Xiao Family.

As for the legitimate daughter of the second branch, Xiao Ronghua, she was still immature, not good at talking, and didn’t draw attention. However, the legitimate daughter from the Xiao Family’s main branch, Xiao Xianghua, truly warranted discreet praise.

Her conduct and manner offered no faults, and her demeanor was noble and graceful, an unmistakable indicator she was a material for a family matriarch.

Xiao Xianghua had stayed at Lin Wanwan’s place for quite a while, attending several high-society feasts in Mao County under her guidance, thus well-known to everyone.

Those interested in Xiao Xianghua and the Xiao Family had naturally discreetly inquired beforehand.

Upon seeing her again, many proactively came over to socialize.

Lin Wanwan had not noticed before; taking a closer look today, she realized how sought-after Xiao Xianghua really was, likely high chance of marrying into Mao County.

Even Lin Wanwan, as a modern woman, enjoyed interacting with Xiao Xianghua, feeling refreshed and warm in her presence. Surely, who could reject such a cultured and graceful lady with high intellect and manners!

Thinking of this, Lin Wanwan felt quite pleased.

Xiao Xianghua was her closest sister in the Tang Dynasty; if she could marry into Mao County, it would be fantastic, allowing them to maintain frequent contact.

Today, Xiao Xianghua’s conversation included members from the Wang Family, the Fang Family, and the Shi Family, all of which had eligible young men.

Lin Wanwan carefully thought about the unmarried young men in these families; judging by appearance alone, the scholarly young man from the Wang Family seemed the most fitting for Xiao Xianghua.

Among the Fang Family, Wang Family, and Shi Family, by family status, the Wang Family appeared most noble. They were an old aristocratic branch originating from the Luyang Wang Family, renowned for their scholarly heritage and deep roots.

The "Wang" in "Olden days’ swallows before the Wang’s and Xie’s halls fly into ordinary homes" refers to the Luyang Wang Family.

Before the Tang Dynasty, the family clan of the Luyang Wang Family had influence even surpassing the Imperial Family at times.

But in the Tang Dynasty, just as the poem says "fly into ordinary homes," their status was somewhat lower compared to the Wang Family from Taiyuan.

In the Jiangnan area, they were also not as prestigious as the Lanling Xiao Family.

Of course, even a starving camel is bigger than a horse, the branch of the Luyang Wang Family was markedly superior compared to the native gentry Fang Family and Shi Family in Mao County.

Lin Wanwan observed for a while; from Sister-in-law Yuan’s expressions, it seemed that her elder aunt was inclined towards the Wang Family.

Lin Wanwan was pleased with this outcome; she initially thought Xiao Xianghua might marry into Qiantang, didn’t realize now it looked like a higher chance in Mao County.

This visit from Sister-in-law Yuan and Sister-in-law He to Mao County surely wasn’t solely to congratulate Lin Wanwan’s birthday.

After all, even her moving banquet was attended by cousins rather than them. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

But the male cousins naturally wouldn’t be involved in their sisters’ marriage affairs.

Not long afterward, the busy Xiao Chong arrived with Dugu Di.

Xiao Chong even brought an unexpected birthday gift—three leopards locked in cages; judging by their sizes, it was clearly a mother leopard with two cubs!

"Cousin, where did you catch these leopards?" Lin Wanwan was extremely curious; leopards still existed in ancient Mao County?

Though it was indeed possible; after all, now Mao County was full of steep mountains with undeveloped forests teeming with fierce beasts, everyone was cautious when venturing deep into the mountains and forests for woodcutting.

Xiao Chong replied casually, "Had some leisure autumn hunting not long ago and spotted clouded leopards. Knowing the little one loves such animals, I simply captured them all."

Lin Wanwan smiled upon hearing this, "Thank you, cousin."