!"“That’s right, Jiarren is so smart and hardworking. This time he took the exam for Xiucai, it's definitely a sure thing, there's no mistake!”"I heard that Jarin is now quite well-known even in Xindu...Jia Yin took her handkerchief and skipped over to show it off to her older brother.

"Brother, look quickly, my elder sister Wan'er's craftsmanship is so good!"

Jia Ren's face flushed slightly. After taking a closer look, he finally smiled.

They say you can tell a person by their handwriting, but actually, you can tell a lot about a woman by her needlework.

For example, someone with a quick temper wouldn't be able to sew such even and delicate stitches...

Seeing this, Wan'er couldn't help but blush even deeper and lowered her head slightly.

Grandma Li was thinking about striking while the iron was hot and quickly gave her granddaughter a wink.

Upon hearing this, she immediately sprang into action.

"Sister Wan'er, all the flowers in my greenhouse have bloomed, and there are many fruits as well. Will you come and see with me"

She then took Wan'er's hand and stood up.

Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er also jumped up, pulling Xing Ning.

"Come on, brother, when my uncle fought the barbarians in the north, he captured a small horse for my sister. It's especially beautiful!"

"Yes, come on, let's take you to see! Try riding it around a couple of times!"

If a boy, there is no one who doesn't like riding horses.

Before she could even think about her sister, Xing Ning was dragged away in a daze.

Then, Jia Yin pulled her brother with one hand and Xing Wan'er with the other, happily heading to the warm room.

The Li family didn't have many servants, and the back garden was especially quiet.

Passing through the side gate, you entered the Ye family's greenhouse.

Outside, the cold wind howled, but inside the warm room it was like spring. Flowers bloomed everywhere and fruits hung heavy on the branches.

Wan'er was still a little shy, but she was also captivated by these flowers and fruits, couldn't help but marvel and delight.

Jiayin released the little fox from space, pushed her brother, and pretended to chase after it.

The little fox was hopping and eating grapes when suddenly its owner chased it around, leaving it a bit confused.

It blinked its black bean-like eyes, not understanding what was happening...

On the other side, Jiarren endured his nervousness and gently explained to Wan'er the origins of those flowers and fruits.

Among them, some were brought back home from Quanzhou by relatives.

This topic naturally transitioned to the local customs and people of Quanzhou, as well as the vastness and grandeur of the ocean.

Although Wan'er was a woman, she was also well-read in books. In her daily life, she enjoyed reading travelogues about mountains and rivers the most.

For a moment, she was completely engrossed and blurted out, “I wish I could see it with my own eyes.”

"Sure, I'll take you there sometime!"

After that, the two looked at each other and both blushed.

Jia Ren, after clearing his throat twice, straightened his face and bravely began to speak.

"Miss Wan'er, I know our families are interested in marrying each other, and my elders like you very much.

But I studied abroad in Quanzhou before, so I didn't have a chance to know you, and you didn't have a chance to see me either. If we were to get engaged and married like this, it would be too hasty.

"If we find out later that we're not compatible, and yet we still have to be together for a lifetime, becoming a couple of miserable spouses, that would ruin your life, and it would also ruin mine.

"

"So, taking this opportunity, I'd like to ask for your thoughts. Could we spend more time together over the next six months, under the guise of family visits "

If you feel that you have a mutual interest in each other, then our fate has arrived.

"If we're not a good match, six months won't get in the way of us continuing to look for our soulmate, what do you think"

Wan'er was a little surprised. She looked up at him, seeing his eyes were clear and his expression sincere and earnest.

She felt reassured, and within that reassurance was a touch of novelty.

As a woman, at home from father, after marriage from husband, upon husband's death from son.

It's like being forced to follow orders my whole life, with no say in the matter.

But this person before her gave her a respect she had never known, and the right to test him, observe him, and choose him…

"Great!" she readily agreed, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

Jiarren was dazzled by the smile and smiled back.

He pondered for a moment, then took off his right glove and showed Wan'er his injured hand. He briefly explained about the time he was bitten by a wolf on the finger while fleeing during the famine, and then said: "I'm currently practicing writing with my left hand. This injury doesn't hinder my exam preparation, but I still wanted you to know."

"Besides, I'm the eldest grandson of the Li family, and in the future, I will have to carry on the reputation of the Li family. The girl who marries me has to be in charge of the household, to take care of our elders with me, and protect her younger siblings. It will definitely be very tiring…"

Wan'er didn't know if she was stunned by Jiaren's injury or simply too pleased with him, but she blurted out, "I run the household at home, you see..."

Having said that, she suddenly remembered how eager she was to enter the Li family's home. Her face flushed with shame, she quickly pretended to admire the flowers, refusing to look up.

Jia Yin hugged the little fox, eavesdropping with a smile that could split her sides.

At this moment, she quickly rushed out to save the situation.

Otherwise, she would be so afraid that her big brother and future sister-in-law would blush themselves to death!

"Sister Wan'er, do you have a favorite flower I'll give you two pots. Take them home and put them there. They'll make the house lively and festive even during the New Year."

After that, she handed another basket to her elder brother, "Brother, Sister Wan'er likes to eat grapes. You go pick a basket and bring it back to Sister Wan'er later."

Jia Ren rubbed his little sister's hair and turned to pick grapes.

When the grapes were harvested, Xing Wan'er also chose two pots of blooming azaleas. They were lively and festive, yet not expensive or difficult to care for.

At a glance, Jia Ren felt even more favor towards this girl.

Know when to advance and retreat, understand one's limits!

Just these two points are already valuable!

Soon, the three of them returned to the front yard.

Then Wan'er chatted with Madam Li and Zhao Yuru for a few more words, went to the Wen family for a visit, and gave New Year's gifts.

At this time, Xing Ning was excitedly flushed, returning with Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er.

Just now, he not only helped brush the horses and feed them hay, but also rode a little horse around for a few circles. He was absolutely ecstatic.

Only then did Xing Wan'er propose to take her leave and drive home.

As soon as the carriage left the village gate, both Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er grabbed their elder brother's arms on each side, urging him with monkey-like impatience.

"Big brother, how are things What did you say to Sister Wan'er Are you two getting engaged"

"Will she be our sister-in-law from now on"

Jiarren hit his younger brother with two chestnuts, then blushed and went back to the room.

Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er were disappointed, but when they saw their younger sister, their eyes lit up again...

Jia Yin sat in the palanquin carried by her two elder brothers, proudly returned to the main hall, and then vividly described the conversation between her eldest brother and Sister Wan'er.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the two young children blushing.

Li Laotai actually agreed with her eldest grandson's approach, saying, "Jiaren is best this way, honest and straightforward. Although his hand injury doesn't hinder his life or the imperial examinations, he should always let the young ladies know beforehand."

"Besides, he's the eldest brother, with so many younger brothers and sisters below him. Whoever marries him will have to put in extra effort taking care of them all in the future."

"Quickly, little Cat Brother said, 'We won't trouble Big Brother and Sister-in-law. We can help watch over Big Brother and prevent him from being seduced by the fox spirit.'"

"Goodness gracious, this child has been bullied! Going out for a while and learning such words when coming back!" Zhao Yuru raised her hand to scare her little nephew, which caused Mao Ge'er to quickly rush over and hug her coquettishly.

Meow Ge'er was the youngest. When his mother left, he didn't understand what was going on.

For the past few years, it has been Zhao Yuru, his third aunt, who has taken care of him, providing for his food, clothing, and shelter with boundless love.

He treated his aunt like his own mother, being able to act spoiled and mischievous even better than his sister.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh, and after a few words, they all went about their business.nly Zhimin, Xiujie, and Guo Wenhao hadn't taken first place.But Zhi-Min and Xiu-Jie consider themselves to have a short study period, so having achieved third place twice is already very good.Only Guo...