The Chi family.
Madam Chi listened to the servants' reports of news from Lanyu City, constantly paying attention to any outstanding single young men who arrived in the city, any exceptional individuals.
The hearts of parents are truly concerned for their children.
Despite being poisoned by the鸠 (jiū) venom and nearing her end, Madam Chi still constantly worried about Chi Qingying's marriage, wanting to find a good husband for her daughter before she died.
"Mistress, there has been an extraordinary talent appearing in the city these past two days, with remarkable literary talent, who composed a fine poem."
The servant praised him sincerely, speaking highly of him.
Because the talent's poems were indeed unparalleled in the world.
"Truly?"
Madam Chi was moved. She was originally from a distinguished family and loved poetry and songs the most.
Upon learning of the talent's appearance, she immediately became interested.
"This is a poem written by that young master."
The servant handed over a piece of paper with the lyrics of "Bright Moon, When Did You Appear?" copied on it.
Madam Chi read it carefully, her eyes growing brighter, then a little sad, filled with melancholy.
"A fine line, 'May we all be blessed with longevity, Though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon!'"
She sighed lightly, a look of reminiscence on her face. "Back then, your father and I met, fell in love, under the moonlight. Alas, heaven is blind; the moon is often full, but the person is gone!"
"This young master is exceptionally talented, his literary style is delicate, and his words are filled with affection and righteousness. He is truly a peerless talent. Looking across the entire Xianling Realm, there is likely no one who can match him in poetry!"
Madam Chi gave a very high evaluation, clearly very pleased.
The servant continued, "Mistress, this young master is gentle and refined, with a face like jade, handsome and distinguished, his appearance is also rarely seen in the world."
"Alas, men are fine as long as they have substance; appearance is secondary."
Madam Chi was even more interested, but couldn't help but ask, "Is he really good-looking?"
Women are often insincere. Although they say appearance is secondary, they are still visual in their hearts.
After receiving the servant's renewed affirmation, Madam Chi could no longer suppress her inner excitement, a smile appearing on her face. "Very good, extremely good! If he's good-looking, the babies born between him and Ying'er will surely be very cute!"
Undoubtedly, this was a very good candidate for a son-in-law, at least the only one who had caught her eye so far.
"Mother, what good news makes you so happy?"
Chi Qingying returned from outside and came to pay her respects to Madam Chi.
She had just given Xi Men Yao Qing a good beating and was in a good mood. Upon returning, she saw her mother smiling brightly and in seemingly good spirits, which made her even happier.
"Ying'er, you've come at the right time. A great talent has appeared in the city, and he is very well-matched with you. Why don't I arrange for you two to meet?"
Madam Chi said with a smile.
If the two hit it off, they could get married immediately and hold a banquet. Perhaps she could even live to see her grandchild.
Upon hearing this, Chi Qingying's pretty face immediately fell. She hadn't expected her mother to plan a blind date for her.
She was very resistant to such behavior. How could true love be found through blind dates?
Moreover, if word got out that she, Chi Qingying, was going on blind dates, wouldn't she be utterly embarrassed?
Of course, the most important reason was that she already had someone in her heart.
And she had heard from Xia Wan'er that Er Lengzi had already sent Ji Mo to the West Coast, and she was filled with anticipation.
"What, you don't want to?"
Madam Chi saw Chi Qingying's resistance and gently persuaded her, "That talent is truly excellent, and there is a line in the poem, 'Dancing with the clear shadows,' which clearly implies something. Perhaps he has feelings for you and is sincere. Why not meet him first? If you don't feel a connection, then forget it."
"Dancing with 'Qingying'?"
Chi Qingying's teeth immediately began to chatter, and she angrily said, "That scoundrel is implying something! He's so brazen and lewd to write such vulgar and obscene poetry."
Her anger flared up, and she wished she could go beat up Xi Men Yao Qing again.
"Vulgar? Obscene?"
Madam Chi and the servant exchanged glances. If this "Bright Moon, When Did You Appear?" was vulgar, then were there any elegant poems in the world?
"Miss, you know this poem too? Where is it vulgar? This is a classic that will be passed down for eternity."
The servant was somewhat indignant and argued logically.
Honestly, how could such a peerless masterpiece be defiled? Even if it was Miss, she had to question it.
"Alas, a doting mother spoils her child. It's all my fault. When you were young, I told you to read more, but you spent all your time practicing swordplay and martial arts. My Chi family is considered a scholarly lineage, but it has come to your generation..."
Madam Chi let out a long sigh, looking at Chi Qingying with eyes full of disappointment, as if she had failed to live up to her expectations.
"Mother, what are you talking about? While I may not be proficient in everything, my poetry and songs are still quite good."
Chi Qingying was completely confused, feeling that something was not quite right.
"Your 'quite good' is useless. Hurry up and copy all the poetry and literary collections in the study. Cultivate your temperament and increase your knowledge."
Madam Chi was so angry that she poked Chi Qingying's smooth forehead with her finger, feeling that she had failed to raise her daughter well and had let down her deceased husband.
"Mother..."
Chi Qingying immediately put on a bitter expression. She was already a grown woman, yet she was being punished like a child by copying characters. Wouldn't she be laughed to death by the people in the manor?
However, acting cute was useless, Madam Chi had made up her mind.
Poor Chi Qingying could only go to the study to copy books, thinking that it was all Xi Men Yao Qing's fault, and she would beat him up every time she saw him from now on.
Madam Chi carefully read "Bright Moon, When Did You Appear?" a few more times, liking it more and more, and felt it was necessary to meet Ji Mo.
If that talent was truly a good man, then she might have to force a marriage, arranging it herself.
Madam Chi, accompanied by the servant, went out to personally interview her son-in-law.
Feng Hua Xue Yue Tower.
In an elegant private room, Ji Mo was wielding a brush and ink, writing Spring Festival couplets.
For the past two days, he hadn't left his room, only eating and sleeping.
Bonny curiously asked him the reason.
Ji Hanhan, with a face full of homesickness, explained, "In my hometown, it's currently the Spring Festival. Eating, drinking, and having fun, that's how it should be celebrated."
"Your hometown sounds wonderful. Can you take me to play next Spring Festival?"
Bonny yearned for it.
She really wanted to see Ji Mo's hometown.
To see what kind of place it was, with its exceptional people and land, that nurtured such an outstanding talent.
"If I can go back, I will definitely take you. But you need to be prepared to withstand the enthusiastic third aunts and gossipy women. Questions like, 'Are you married yet?' 'What's your salary?' 'Are your grades good?' 'How many children do you want...' You need to think in advance about how to deal with such questions."
Ji Mo's face was full of worry, wondering if he would ever have the chance to return to his homeland.
He had been away from home for more than ten years. Although his appearance was still that of a young man, his mindset had changed greatly. He missed home.
Bonny's delicate little fish face, for some reason, suddenly turned red.
"That... however many you want to have... you can have them, whatever you wish."
Her cheeks were burning, and she shyly covered her face with her pink fish fins, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
She was so embarrassed to be a fish! How could he ask a girl about how many children she wanted?
Fortunately, Ji Mo was focused on writing the Spring Festival couplets and didn't hear clearly. Otherwise, with Ji Hanhan's emotional intelligence, Bonny would likely have experienced an incredibly awkward moment of social death.
Ji Mo's strokes were powerful and flowing, like dragons and snakes. He quickly completed a pair of Spring Festival couplets.
"May every year bring good fortune and open the way to prosperity, May every year bring peace and great wealth!"
He pasted the couplets on the door of the private room and murmured to himself, "I wish all the handsome guys and beauties who are drop-dead gorgeous and bubbling with charm, may your wishes come true, and a happy Year of the Tiger!"