I dress up as a poor noblewoman, and I bring my whole family home with my literary talent.

Chapter 104 Going to Xiangyuan
Song Lingyi did not tell her father and the others about the bet with Xie Yanshu, but only briefly described the several times they had met. In fact, there was nothing wrong with it. Every time they met, it was a coincidence, which indirectly proved that they were destined to be together, right?
Mr. Song understood and said, "No wonder. I was wondering why the young marquis came to the promotion banquet. If he was an ordinary friend, he wouldn't have to be so attentive."

Song Lingyi didn't like the word and frowned, "What do you mean by 'diligent'? You are so harsh! Xie Yanshu came here with Sister Zhao. They are childhood sweethearts, and Sister Zhao and I have a good relationship. She is just a guest bringing guests."

Madam Song felt upset. "This invitation invites us to go to Xiang Garden the day after tomorrow. I don't know what the scene will be like then."

It would be great if the Song family could really marry into the Wu'an Marquis's Mansion, but she was always uneasy. This matter might not be that simple. Last time, Lele was almost knocked off her horse by someone in the Wu'an Marquis's Mansion. Li was concerned about the Xiao family's reputation and did not seek justice for Lele. I think she is a snob.

After all, she is the wife of Marquis Wu'an, much more difficult to deal with than Madam Zhou.

Song Lingyi lowered her head, thinking to herself that if an enemy comes, she will fight back; if a flood comes, she will block it with earth. No matter in her past life or this life, it is rare for her to meet a good man like Xie Yanshu who treats her sincerely, so of course she must cherish him.

Since she had promised Xie Yanshu, she would not back down easily. Even if Xiangyuan was a dangerous place, she would still go there.

…………

On the day of going to Xiangyuan
The last time Xiangyuan held a polo match, Mr. Song and Mrs. Song did not attend. This was their first time coming to Xiangyuan. They had heard that Xiangyuan was the most prestigious mansion in Chang'an, so they dressed particularly formally today for fear of losing face.

The one-way trip to the Wu'an Marquis Mansion takes nearly half an hour. Once we entered Xiang Garden, there was a nanny leading the way. We saw maids and servants coming and going, bowing their heads respectfully, but we couldn't hear a word they said.

When I arrived at the hall, I thought that this was an invitation for a visit, and that many elders of the Xie family would be present, but in fact, there were only a few people.

The old marquis and his wife sat in the first seat. Mrs. Li was serious and thin, and the old marquis was unsmiling. They only relaxed a little when they saw the Song family come in.

When the elders from both sides greeted each other, Song Lingyi and Xie Yanshu looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

The old marquis knew that Song Lingyi was a palace lady, so he sent someone to inquire about her. This woman was indeed quite talented and was a disciple of the imperial master, but her family background was not so good. He and Li preferred Zhao Yinxian as their daughter-in-law, and the elders of the Zhao family had always had this intention.

Li smiled politely. She had not observed this girl carefully at the polo match last time. This time, she looked at Song Lingyi carefully, and an indescribable emotion appeared in her eyes. "You are really beautiful. No wonder Yanshu likes you."

This condescending tone of scrutiny made Song Lingyi feel a little uncomfortable.

Li invited the Song family to take a seat.

The Marquis of Wu'an and his wife asked a lot about Song Lingyi, from her work in the Imperial History Bureau to whether Imperial Master Ye knew that she wanted to get married. When he mentioned his future plans, he smiled strongly, "Female officials in Daliang rarely get married. Even if the emperor grants marriage, most of them will choose to return to their families after marriage. Miss Song is the Imperial Master's disciple. The Imperial Master should hope that she will be interested in the court. I wonder if she has any plans in this regard?"

Hearing this, Song Lingyi's expression froze for a moment. What did Li mean? Did she want her to return to the inner house completely after marriage?
Seeing her aura gradually weakening, Li curled her lips into a smile and talked about other topics.

Song Lingyi remained silent, but Master Song responded positively. In his heart, being able to become relatives with the Wu'an Marquis's Mansion was an honorable thing. He had always been bothered by not having a son, and now his sons-in-law were better than each other, which comforted him from the bottom of his heart.

At noon, the nanny beside Li called for the meal.
Maids came in one after another carrying dishes. The dishes were so sumptuous that my father and mother were almost dazzled. They thought it was worthy of being a marquis' mansion, it was really grand.

After the meal, Mrs. Song realized something was wrong. They said they were here to meet each other, so why didn't they mention this? Generally speaking, if both families feel that the couple is suitable, they will exchange tokens.

But she couldn't bring herself to ask, as it would seem that the Song family was very eager to marry off their daughter. Mrs. Song was anxious, so Xie Yanshu was naturally anxious too. While Li was chatting with the elders of the Song family, he pulled the old marquis aside and said, "Father, didn't we agree that the elders of both sides would meet today to settle the matter? Why..."

The old marquis raised his hand to signal him not to panic, "Yanshu, this marriage is a serious matter, you have to be cautious. Even if you go through the three books and six ceremonies of engagement, it will take a long time, why are you in such a hurry?"

"..." Xie Yanshu was not a fool, so he naturally understood that his parents were stalling for time. He said firmly, "Father, I only want to marry Miss Song in this life. If you don't agree, I will go and ask His Majesty."

The old marquis was really speechless. Why was this child so stubborn?

Over there, Li and Madam Song also chatted for a long time. Finally, she asked the nanny to fetch a jade bracelet and put it on Song Lingyi with a faint smile. "This is the jade bracelet that His Majesty gave me two years ago. It was a tribute from the Western Regions. Do you like it?"

The quality of this jade bracelet is indeed good, but it seems too old-fashioned to be given to a 28-year-old girl.

"It's a gift from my aunt, so of course it's good. Lingyi likes it very much." Song Lingyi smiled sweetly, her manners gentle and elegant.

The father and mother also agreed and handed over the token prepared by the Song family. This token is a piece of Hetian jade pendant, which is also one of the few inheritances left by grandparents to Mr. Song that has not been sold. Mr. Song specially took this jade pendant to show his support today.

Li took the jade pendant, glanced at it, and indifferently praised it as "good quality", then handed it to the nanny beside her for safekeeping.

Song Lingyi came to Xiangyuan today and understood it clearly. The Marquis of Wu'an and his wife were not necessarily satisfied with her as their future daughter-in-law, but because Xie Yanshu liked her and they were afraid that he would ask His Majesty for a marriage, there would be no room for maneuver, so they followed his wishes and invited the Song family to come and see her.

However, since the tokens have been exchanged, the marriage has entered the process. No matter how much Li dislikes her, she is willing to endure it for the sake of thanking Yanshu.

Xiang Garden was very large. Marquis Wu'an and his wife saw them to the gate. The elders were chatting in front. Xie Yanshu happily came up to Song Lingyi and talked to her.

"Ling Yi"

This was the first time that Xie Yanshu did not call her "Miss Song" or "Miss Song Wu". After he called her that, there was a hint of shyness on his face.

Song Lingyi's cheeks also turned red, and she was at a loss.

"Lingyi, this year during the Lantern Festival, Her Royal Highness the Princess will invite all the families to go and enjoy the plum blossoms. Do you want to go?"

The first month of the lunar year is indeed a good time to enjoy plum blossoms.
However, Song Lingyi has not received the invitation yet, so she cannot say for sure whether she will go or not.

"That's okay. I guess Her Royal Highness the Princess has been busy lately, so she didn't have time to give you the invitation."

Xie Yanshu smiled brightly: "I was afraid that you would be angry..."

"What are you angry about?"