The wicked sister-in-law is in charge; meals include fish and shrimp.

Chapter 286 Preparing the Betrothal Gift

Following behind her was Wen Zi'an, who looked rather reserved.

They had already boarded the carriage, but when Wen Zi'an thought about how Jiang Shuqian might be punished if she went home and talked about it, he insisted on coming to the Jiang residence.

Wen Luozhi also felt that this was ill-considered, so the brother and sister quickly drove their carriage to catch up.

I arrived in such a hurry that I didn't bring anything with me, and now I'm empty-handed.

Wen Luozhi walked over and helped Jiang Shuqian up from the ground, whispering, "Let my brother handle this."

What kind of logic is it to let a woman charge ahead? Her brother is tough and can take a beating.

Jiang Shuqian blushed slightly and nodded at her.

Jiang Zhaochuan already had a guess in his mind and was just waiting for them to speak.

Wen Zi'an seemed to have made up his mind. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt down before Jiang Zhaochuan, his eyes filled with utmost sincerity. "Master Jiang, I want to marry Shu Qian."

His words were firm and resolute, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, which greatly startled Jiang Zhaochuan.

Looking at where Jiang Shuqian was standing, he winked at Yinzhu. Yinzhu understood and led Jiang Shuqian back to her room.

Wen Luozhi naturally stayed behind; she was just an accomplice and stood silently at this moment.

Jiang Zhaochuan didn't wake Wen Zi'an. His stern voice rang out above Wen Zi'an's head, "Zi'an, do you know what you're saying?"

His gaze was piercing; Wen Luozhi had never seen him like this since she had known him.

Wen Zi'an raised his head and met his gaze without fear, repeating what he had just said.

Jiang Zhaochuan helped him up, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed, "You little rascal! You've got guts!"

He could see the changes in his daughter, and based on what the servants said and his interactions with Wen Zi'an, he was quite satisfied with this young man.

He had spoken to his wife about it privately, but there was still a veil between them that they hadn't yet broken through.

He has met all the family members and they are all good, so he feels at ease entrusting his daughter to them.

Furthermore, they can arrive at the scene immediately if anything happens in such a nearby area.

Jiang Zhaochuan gestured for the brother and sister to sit down, and Wen Zian, grinning foolishly, didn't know what to say at the moment.

Wen Luozhi never expected things to go so smoothly.

Jiang Zhaochuan once served as an official in the imperial court, and Jiang Shuqian's elder brother is now also working in the capital.

If we're talking about matching social status, their family wouldn't even be considered suitable for marriage.

Moreover, the Jiang family only has one daughter, Jiang Shuqian, whom they naturally cherish dearly.

Seeing her frown, Jiang Zhaochuan smiled again. "I'm afraid you'll be angry, but actually I've had people following Shuqian and the other girl every day."

The daughter had little contact with people, but her relationship with Wen Zi'an was different from that with others.

As a father, he naturally had to be more careful, partly to protect his daughter and partly to test Wen Zi'an.

"It's not about being angry or not, you did the right thing."

Wen Zi'an didn't know how to express his feelings at that moment.

He gazed in the direction Jiang Shuqian had just left, his only thought now being to see her as soon as possible.

Yinzhu covered her mouth from the outside, but the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden no matter what she did.

She had to hurry back and tell her mistress the good news!

In her boudoir, Jiang Shuqian craned her neck, wondering why Yinzhu hadn't returned yet after all this time.

Was his father angry and punishing Wen Zi'an?

Realizing that it wasn't impossible, she lifted her skirt and ran towards the main hall.

Before she even reached the courtyard gate, she bumped into Yinzhu, who was returning. "Miss!"

Yinzhu grabbed Jiang Shuqian, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, "I'll tell you when we get back."

After calming down, Jiang Shuqian and her servant returned to their room and Yinzhu spilled out everything she had just heard.

"The master seemed quite pleased, and kept praising Young Master Wen."

Yinzhu chattered on and on, while Jiang Shuqian blinked and listened quietly.

"Shuqian, we'll come again tomorrow," Wen Luozhi's teasing voice came through a knock on the door.

Yinzhu hurriedly opened the door, where Wen Zian stood expectantly.

Jiang Shuqian felt a little embarrassed at this moment, and gave a soft reply, glancing up at Wen Zi'an, "Be careful on your way back."

"I'm waiting for you"

Wen Luozhi almost didn't hear what Wen Zian said next, and Wen Zian, who was standing further away, didn't hear it clearly either.

Wen Luozhi skipped over to him with a grin, "My sister-in-law said to be careful on the way back; she's waiting for Fourth Brother to come tomorrow."

Her voice was quite loud, and Jiang Shuqian blushed deeply.

Wen Zi'an's eyes lit up and he called out, "Shuqian, wait for me! We'll come early tomorrow morning!"

Jiang Shuqian nodded, and even after the brother and sister left, her eyes were still fixed on the courtyard gate.

Yinzhu chuckled and couldn't help but praise Wen Zi'an, "Fourth Young Master Wen truly knows how to behave properly!"

Even when they reached the door, they only glanced at it from afar; someone else would have already come up to them.

Jiang Shuqian loved hearing others praise Wen Zi'an. Now that he was gone, she took Yinzhu and went to the main hall.

Jiang Zhaochuan and his wife were drinking tea and urging the servants to make good preparations for the day when they saw Jiang Shuqian arrive. Madam Jiang quickly pulled her to sit down.

Why are you hiding, child?

Looking at her shy little daughter, Madam Jiang's eyes and brows were full of smiles.

Her daughter has become much more lively and energetic, which makes her very happy.

The servants were all getting ready to leave when Jiang Shuqian leaned on Madam Jiang's shoulder, her voice muffled, "He's going to die, and I can't bear to part with him."

"Mother must have figured it out a long time ago."

Madam Jiang smiled and nodded. How could she not see it when she cared so much about her daughter?

I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

However, if that kid hadn't wanted to leave, who knows when this would have ended.

But the thought of her daughter wanting to leave with Wen Zi'an made her absolutely against it.

"Qianqian, you can't leave with Zi'an."

She sighed and explained the pros and cons.

Jiang Shuqian pursed her lips and looked at Jiang Zhaochuan, only to see him nod at her.

"Zi'an is a reasonable person; he should understand our good intentions."

After Jiang Zhaochuan finished speaking, he got up and went back to his study. He wanted to write a letter to his son about this.

On the way, Wen Luozhi was also talking to Wen Zi'an.

Although reluctant, Wen Zi'an nodded, "Then little sister, please protect Shu Qian for fourth brother."

He clenched his fists, feeling touched as he thought about what Jiang Zhaochuan had said to him.

When Wen Luozhi got home, she gathered her family together and told them everything that had happened that day, which shocked Wen Jinchen, who was in Xie He's arms, so much that he almost dropped his hold on her.

"My dear daughter, you're not joking with your mother, are you?"

She usually saw her fourth daughter getting close to the Jiang family's young lady, but she didn't dare to think too much about it.

Wen Muchuan, standing to the side, was unusually serious. "My dear, this is no laughing matter."

Wen Luozhi crossed her arms and said, "If you still don't believe me and don't go prepare things, I'll be the one who loses face tomorrow! You won't have a daughter-in-law!"

Seeing that his parents couldn't believe it, Wen Zi'an explained in a flurry, which made Xie He both surprised and delighted.

This...this is such a wonderful surprise!

She stood up, shoved her grandson into Wen Muchuan's arms, and slapped Wen Zian hard on the back of the head.

"You brat! How can you and your sister be so reckless!"

"You dare to go to someone's door empty-handed and ask for their hand in marriage? You're dreaming!"

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, startling Wen Zi'an so much that he knelt down with a thud.

"I was wrong, Mom, please don't be angry, please don't be angry."

Xie He wiped her eyes. "I'm just happy! You're such a lucky fool!"

That Miss Jiang seems like a good girl; being able to be with her son is something she never even dared to dream of.

Li Chunxing hugged Wen Jinyu and smiled gently, "Mother, let's hurry up and prepare things. I'll go and call Ziming back quickly."

Xie He slapped his forehead. "Right! Right! Let's hurry up and prepare things! We can't mistreat Miss Jiang!"

She rushed into the storeroom to pick out gifts, and came out carrying some things, but still looked down on them, thinking, "Won't these seem insincere?"

"Fourth brother! Drive the car and take your mother to town!"