Chapter Nineteenth: Betrothed

  Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and everyone in the family is staying at home. Li Jiancheng also got up earlier than usual today because he needs to prepare early, as there are guests coming over later. As a member of his household, they naturally have many visitors coming to pay their respects, so they need to make preparations ahead of time. After practicing "Changsheng Jue" in his room, he walked out the door and coincidentally Li Shimin and Li Yuanji also came out, so the three of them headed to the main hall together.

  "Hehe, kids, the new year has arrived, and you've all grown a year older. From now on, you must listen to your father and mother even more." Dou Xian said with a smile, then took out three jade pendants. According to Dou Xian, these were rewards from the palace, just like the jade ring that Li Jiancheng had pawned off last time. However, he didn't mind, anyway no one would come to investigate this.

  "Today your father's colleagues and subordinates are coming to our home for New Year's greetings, you must behave a bit better, don't embarrass your father, understand?" Duan Yin patiently instructed.

  "We know!" The three of them replied in unison, but Li Shimin and Li Yuanji's responses were somewhat lackluster. Dou Xian's eyebrows shot up, so the two of them shouted again: "We know!" Only then did Dou Xian's expression improve, revealing a smile. Actually, it couldn't be blamed on them - after all, they weren't used to getting up early and only had to come out for New Year's celebrations.

  "Alright, you all go eat now. After eating, just stay at home and don't run around anywhere." Dou Xian's last sentence was directed at Li Jiancheng, it seemed she still worried that this child would run out today, which made him very helpless, did his character have to be so bad?

  After dinner, the visitors came in droves, bringing their families along. Some brought sons, while others brought daughters. Those who brought sons expressed their ardent hope of forming a close relationship with Li Xiu Ning, which made Li Jian Cheng feel helpless again - how old was Xiu Ning now? Meanwhile, Li Yuan and Dou Yan were also sweating profusely, using the excuse that Xiu Ning was too young to reject them. Those who brought daughters first lavished praise on the three brothers, calling them talented and exceptional individuals, without repeating any of the flattering words, which left Li Jian Cheng deeply impressed. Finally, they revealed their true intentions, hoping to marry their daughters off to one of the three brothers. Again, Li Yuan and Dou Yan rejected them, citing Xiu Ning's young age as the reason. In reality, these people knew that their hopes were slim, given the family's high social status - one of the four great families. It wasn't that they looked down on those with lower status, but when you reached this level, would you still shout about equality? Impossible! So, equality was just a slogan, giving the poor a glimmer of hope. However, these were unspoken rules, and no one would dare to say them out loud. But knowing was knowing, and if there was an opportunity, they would still try.

  It wasn't until sunset that they finally left, which was actually quite early, since it was winter and the sun sets earlier. The time was probably around five o'clock. After these visitors left, Li Yuan and Dou Xiansu let out a sigh of relief, as did the three brothers. Li Yuan and Dou Xiansu were relieved because they were tired; although these people weren't as prestigious as the Li family, they still couldn't lose face in front of them, after all, they were also following the Li family's lead. If they didn't give them some respect, who would follow the Li family in the future? Of course, when the time came, those people knew their limits and didn't come to visit again; after all, they needed to give them some rest time. As for the three brothers letting out a sigh of relief, it was because they were scared; these people were just too enthusiastic, and even Li Jiancheng couldn't take it, let alone Li Shimin and Li Yuanji. As for Li Xiu'ning, she was still nursing and didn't know what was going on.

  "They're finally all gone, it's so quiet now!" said Du Xian with a sigh of relief after the visitors had left.

  "I'm afraid I've troubled you, madam," said Li Yuan, "but human relationships and social etiquette cannot be ignored."

  "You and I are husband and wife, why be so polite." Du Xian said with a glance at Li Yuan.

  "Cough... Dad, Mom, when are we going to have dinner?" Li Jiancheng couldn't help but speak up as he saw the two of them indulging in their mushiness.

  Li Yuan and Du Xiao'an's warm atmosphere was broken, both staring at Li Jiancheng, who could only smile dryly. "Cheng'er, have you forgotten? We decided to dine at 'West Travel Inn' this time and invited guests." Du Yan didn't say that Li Jiancheng had really forgotten.

  "Oh! When are we leaving, the child is hungry." Li Jiancheng said, having no choice, they had to put off those people's lunch. "The child is also hungry," both Li Shimin and Li Yuanji shouted in unison.

  "You guys go and get ready, we're leaving soon." Dou Xian said as she went back to her room to dress up. The three brothers also rushed back to their rooms to prepare, only Li Yuan walked slowly back to his room, Li Jiancheng was puzzled, wondering if his father hadn't felt the hunger after a whole day, but he would know the reason soon.

  Half an hour later, my mother finally appeared, and by then, my two brothers and I were so hungry that we almost fell onto the table. Only my father was still smiling at us. I finally understood that no matter in any era, women's dressing time is always so long, and my father probably had experience already, so he wasn't anxious at all.

  "Huh! You're all ready, so fast! Hehe." Dou Xian still didn't know she was slow, and the three brothers were very helpless about it, only Li Yuan shook his head with a smile.

  "Let's go, let's set off." Li Yuan, the eldest of the family, gave the order. When they arrived at the door, there was a horse carriage and a majestic and powerful horse. Li Jiancheng and his two brothers, along with Dou Xian, got into the carriage, while Li Yuan rode the horse. Looking at this scene, Li Jiancheng and his brothers sat gloomily in the carriage, watching Li Yuan show off various poses on horseback - of course, this was just Li Jiancheng's inner thoughts. Who knows when he would be able to ride a horse himself?

  Because of taking a ride, it only took a few minutes to arrive, while normally walking would take about an hour.

  In front of the carriage, it seemed that there were familiar faces at the entrance of the wine house. Now, upon arriving in front of the wine house, Yu Chuhong, Dugu Feng, Dugu Wen, and two middle-aged men with a heroic air, as well as two elegantly dressed noblewomen, came into view. If Li Jiancheng's guess was correct, these two should be the master of the Dugu household, Dugu Feng, and his second brother, Dugu Sheng.

  As expected, "Mrs. You is doing well." Li Yuan first said to You Chuhong, then turned his head and said to the two middle-aged men: "I didn't expect that the master of the Dugu family and the number one and number two masters of the Dugu family, Dugu Sheng, have all arrived."

  "Haha, Master Li is in good health, I presume?" Dugu Feng stepped forward and said. "My mother received an invitation from Mrs. Li and came to attend this grand banquet, so my second brother and I took the liberty of coming uninvited. We hope Master Li will excuse us." However, looking at his expression, there was no sign of forgiveness whatsoever.

  "Heh heh, since everyone's here, let's go in. I've already booked the 'Plum' room, and once we're seated, the dishes can be served." Du Xian stepped forward to mediate, seeing the sparks flying between her father and Dugu Feng. This left Li Jiancheng perplexed - how could two people start exchanging barbs as soon as they met? Didn't his dad always get along with others peacefully? What was wrong with him when he saw Dugu Feng?"

  Everyone came to the room marked "Mei" on the fourth floor, and they could still faintly hear the murmurs of discussion coming from downstairs.

  "Look, that's the Li family, the only ones qualified to enter the fourth floor." Customer A said with envy.

  "And who is that other group of people?" Customer B asked.

  "Hey! That's also the famous Dugu family. I suppose they must have been invited by the Li family, that's why they can enter the fourth floor." Customer A said non-stop.

  While the crowd entering the fourth floor could no longer hear their conversation. "Brother Li, I really envy this jade token, do you think you can help me get one too?" Dugu Feng said with a bad tone.

  "Dugu brother, I also obtained this jade plaque relying on the friendship between my child and the boss. Now it's probably impossible." Father said with a smile, as if he was somewhat pleased with the misfortune of others.

  "Master, let's talk about something before we eat." Dou Xian interrupted Li Sheng's words.

  "What's going on?" Li Yuan asked in confusion.

  "I discussed with Old Lady You last time I went to the Dugu's house, hoping that our two families would become in-laws." said Du Xian with a smile.

  "Oh, who is it?" Li Yuan asked in puzzlement.

  " I want to arrange a marriage between Cheng Er and Feng Er, what do you think?" asked Du Xian.

  "Spit..." Li Jiancheng, who was drinking tea, suddenly spat out water, helping him get engaged?