Lin Yan did not go down to greet the young lady from the Duke's mansion, but went straight home.
Recently, she had arranged for Lin Yi to meet Xu Ling a few times and had also inquired about the wishes of Xu Ling's parents.
Although Elder Xu held a high official post, Xu Ling's father did not. He was quite satisfied with such a young and handsome scholar who had placed third in the imperial examinations.
Moreover, much like the Xu family's rules, the Lin family also did not approve of concubines, which made Madam Xu even more pleased.
Xu Ling had a good impression of Lin Yi, and their subsequent encounters also went well. Although she felt a bit awkward facing Lin Yan, her grand-aunt, it was not insurmountable. After all, a lifelong union was far more important than saving face.
Just as the two families reached a tacit understanding, Cao Ying's wedding was also drawing near.
Xu Ling reluctantly held Cao Ying's hand. "Sister Ying, are you really marrying so far away?"
"It's not that far, I'll write to you," Cao Ying comforted Xu Ling.
"But I truly can't bear to part with you." Xu Ling and Cao Ying had been friends for many years. Once she married and moved away, they would certainly not be able to see each other for a long time.
Furthermore, a daughter-in-law was not as carefree as a maiden. She would certainly not be able to play around as she did now.
Cao Ying was also saddened by Xu Ling's words, but she quickly composed herself. "My parents are here, we'll definitely exchange letters often. Don't forget your old friend for a new one and stop writing to me!"
"How could I? Sister Ying, you've always been my best friend."
Lin Yan stood by, watching the two exchange pleasantries, feeling a sense of envy for such a close friendship, though it was only a slight one.
When they had finished talking, she presented the wedding gift she had prepared.
"Thank you, Yan Yan," Cao Ying said, looking at Lin Yan. "Please take care of Ah Ling for me from now on."
"Who needs to take care of me!" Xu Ling said unhappily.
"Ah Ling is someone I need to look after," Lin Yan said with a smile, glancing at Xu Ling.
Xu Ling understood Lin Yan's implication and blushed.
After instructing her head maid to collect the wedding gifts from Lin Yan and the others, they sat down to chat.
Cao Ying was also aware of the engagement discussions between Xu Ling and Lin Yi and was quite concerned about it.
After all, with Lin Yan, who was privy to the matter, she could learn more about the groom's family. This marriage was facilitated by Lin Yan, and she believed Lin Yan to be reliable and unlikely to conceal anything.
Lin Yan knew that Xu Ling also wanted to know, so she told her about it. Since Lin Yi had studied with his father in the Lin family for several years, Lin Yan knew him quite well.
"Don't just talk about me, Yan Yan, what about your own marriage?" Xu Ling asked casually, knowing that Lin Yan was not bothered by such topics.
After seeing that Lin Yan's expression did not change, Cao Ying was relieved. She had been worried that Xu Ling, with her straightforward nature, might upset Lin Yan.
Lin Yan's former fiancé had recently married, and the bride was a princess. Although many did not voice it, they still had their reservations.
"I'm fine," Lin Yan said softly to Cao Ying. "My own marriage should be soon."
After all, it had already been sanctioned by the Emperor, and it would not be delayed much longer.
It all depended on when he could return from the northwest.
Meanwhile, Tang Leyi had again refused someone her mother had introduced. In her heart, none of these men could compare to Feng Feiyu; they lacked his looks and talent, and yet they still harbored thoughts of taking concubines.
Everyone had maids who served as their mistresses. If she agreed to them, wouldn't it be the same as her previous life?
"Le'er, what kind of man are you looking for?" Madam An Guogong asked helplessly.
Her daughter seemed too picky; this one wouldn't do, that one wouldn't do. Was she expecting her to marry a prince or a descendant of the imperial family?
Tang Leyi wanted to tell her mother that she wanted a man with talent and looks, a good family background, and who was devoted only to her.
But she also knew that such a man was very difficult to find, or rather, she had only known of one such person in her two lives.
"Le'er, tell your mother, are you still pining after that heir of the Marquis of Huaiyin?" An Guogong asked Tang Leyi sharply.
"I... I..." Tang Leyi desperately wanted to say no, but her heart told her that she couldn't let go, not only because she couldn't let go of that man, but also because of the obsession she had carried back from her previous life.
"Le'er, he is already the驸马 to Princess Jiayi. He is not someone you can pursue," Madam An Guogong sighed, gently stroking her daughter's hair.
"But Mother, it was clearly me..." Tang Leyi finally voiced her resentment.
"Who told you that you are just my daughter, while she is the daughter of a Noble Consort? Le'er, give up. There are plenty of good men out there. Why must you hang yourself on this one tree?"
Tang Leyi could not explain her obsession from her past life to her mother, nor could she express what Feng Feiyu meant to her.
She was the eldest daughter, and seniority had its order. Her own marriage had not been settled, so her younger sisters could not be settled either.
Tang Xinyi was not in a hurry. She had recently begun collecting information about young men of similar family backgrounds in the capital and some young scholars who had passed the imperial examinations.
Her stepmother would certainly not arrange a good marriage for her. As for her father, he probably wouldn't even remember her existence.
After all, she was not as useful as in the original story, so how could her father, whom she called "cheap," value her?
She had also heard that her legitimate elder sister was reluctant to marry casually, which had even drawn some criticism from her second aunt. After all, Tang Shiyi was also of marriageable age, and her second aunt had already found a suitable match for her.
It was precisely because Tang Leyi's marriage had not been settled that she could not proceed ahead of her and arrange Tang Shiyi's engagement.
Recently, her second aunt's gaze towards her legitimate elder sister had become somewhat menacing.
However, Tang Leyi did not hold out for long. Duke An directly arranged a marriage for her with the youngest legitimate son of another Duke.
Although this young master was not the eldest legitimate son, he was greatly favored by the Duchess and the old Madam.
Tang Leyi protested for a few days but soon accepted reality. After accepting reality, she began to look for a suitable match for Tang Xinyi.
Tang Xinyi did not know what she had done to incur her legitimate elder sister's displeasure, causing her to take her anger out on her.
However, as a minor concubine without any influence of her own, she could only accept it.
As the young ladies of the Duke An's mansion began to arrange their marriages, Lin Yan had once again retreated to the estate to escape the summer heat.
Upon seeing the intelligence report brought by her maid Chun Fen, she felt that she should do something, otherwise, the unchanging plot was becoming too uninteresting.
"Go and call Xiao Man over, I have something to instruct her to do," Lin Yan said, putting down the report in her hands.
"Yes." Chun Fen immediately withdrew after receiving the order.
After Chun Fen left, Lin Yan tapped her fingers on the table.
Madam Hou seemed to be rather idle recently. It was time to find some business for them!