Bai Shanwei's return naturally made the household lively.
However, after dinner that day, the First Madam, Lin Shi, had other thoughts.
"Your older sisters are all married, and you're still alone. How can that be?"
Thus, she began contemplating finding a future wife for Bai Shanwei.
When a mother-in-law selects a daughter-in-law, it is naturally a matter of utmost importance. Especially considering Bai Shanwei's current status and future prospects, which were excellent by all accounts, the standards for selecting a daughter-in-law could not be compromised.
While she was busy finding someone to discuss this with, Bai Shanwei took the initiative.
"Mother, you don't need to rush to find a new bride for your son. Your son already has someone in his heart."
"What!"
Lin Shi was almost stunned by Bai Shanwei's words.
"You've been in the southwest for three years. How could you possibly have met any official ladies? Could it be you've met someone unsavory?"
It was not surprising that Lin Shi thought this way. Young men in their prime, if deceived by a few cunning women from Qinhuai, wouldn't it be impossible?
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became, wishing she could question him thoroughly immediately!
Bai Shanwei found her wild speculation amusing, so he stepped forward to comfort her.
"Mother, please rest assured. How could your son associate with just anyone? It's Meng Jie'er, the youngest daughter of Uncle Wen."
"Meng Jie'er?"
The name pulled Lin Shi back to impressions from many years ago.
Three or four years ago, when Madam Wen brought her son and daughter to the Eastern Capital from Shuzhou, she had met them a few times.
In her memory, Meng Jie'er was also a lively girl, and she and Si Ru had hit it off exceptionally well.
They had played together often back then, but at the time, it had seemed like mere child's play. How could it be that after three or four years, she had such a connection with her son!
Bai Shanwei was usually quite eloquent, but on this matter, he was like a gourd with its mouth sealed; he couldn't explain himself clearly even after three sentences.
It took Lin Shi a long time, with her questions and his answers, to finally understand.
It turned out that Bai Shanwei had received considerable care from the Wen family during his years in the southwest.
Initially, Wen Zhonghe and his wife simply felt that they were distant relatives, and it was normal to look after him a little.
Who knew that as they interacted more and more, they would actually fall for each other.
Madam Wen was naturally a hundred percent satisfied with Bai Shanwei, but she was worried that the Bai family's status was too high, and they might look down on her daughter.
After all, to put it bluntly, her eldest daughter's marriage into the Feng family had not brought much prestige. Compared to the renowned Lin Shi, she was far behind.
With such a capable and formidable mother-in-law overseeing things, Madam Wen feared that her daughter would not meet her approval.
As it turned out, her worries were not unfounded.
To Lin Shi, if Bai Shanwei were just an ordinary descendant of the Bai family, then his choice of Meng Jie'er from the Wen family would be acceptable, even a good thing to strengthen family ties.
But Bai Shanwei was destined to bear the burden of the Bai family in the future, and his wife must also be someone who could handle responsibilities. She should be as steady as Xu Mingyue, or as intelligent as Feng Jinyao. Otherwise, how could she withstand the storms and waves of the future?
Madam Wen was a virtuous and gentle wife, but she would not be suitable as the mistress of the Feng family.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been bullied by a concubine in her own home for those years. She had reservations about such a daughter-in-law.
Bai Shanwei, being so intelligent, quickly understood Lin Shi's thoughts.
He then spoke up to explain Meng Jie'er's character.
"Mother, I understand your intentions. But Meng Jie'er is Meng Jie'er. Her temperament has always been different from that of the eldest sister-in-law of the Feng family. She abhors evil, is as pure as ice and wise as jade, and will never be bullied by petty people. Yet, she is also loyal, kind, filial, and lovable. Your son has set his heart on her for this life and will never change."
Lin Shi did not say much upon hearing this.
Looking at Bai Shanwei's resolute eyes, Lin Shi slowly spoke.
"Childhood affections are the most intense, but ultimately, whether it's suitable is not something you alone can decide. How about this, you focus on your studies for now. It's still early anyway. After Mother discusses it with your father, we'll talk about it."
Without giving a definite answer, Lin Shi still had some reservations about the Wen family daughter.
She thought it would be best to meet her before making any further decisions.
Bai Shanwei also knew that it was unlikely for his mother to agree immediately. He had initially intended to bring it up after passing the imperial examinations, but his mother was so eager to find him a bride that he had to mention it.
This matter weighed on Lin Shi's mind, and she tossed and turned all night without sleep.
The next morning, she went directly to the Feng family to first discuss countermeasures with Madam Feng.
Madam Feng was living a comfortable life now.
Although her younger son and daughter were not by her side, one granddaughter was enough to compensate for everyone.
Luo'er's temperament was probably inherited from Feng Er. At such a young age, she was so mischievous and unruly that she didn't seem like a girl at all, but more like a boy.
At first, they said she was like Feng Jinyao, but now it seemed she had inherited none of her aunt's tranquil nature. Instead, she had completely inherited her uncle's ability to go anywhere and do anything.
After Yun Li enrolled in school, he became much more well-behaved.
He followed Yun He's example and studied diligently every day. Therefore, in the entire Feng household, this one pampered little ancestor was bound to cause trouble.
"Luo Jie'er, hurry down. If the old madam sees you, it will be terrible."
The speaker was Xing Mama, who took care of her. She had only turned to get something when the child had already run up the tree.
A child under four years old was as agile as a monkey.
"Mama, don't call out. If this little bird falls to its death, you'll be in trouble."
Xing Mama was most afraid of such things as death. She quickly covered her mouth. Meanwhile, she asked a few young servants to spread out the soft silk they usually used to catch her, just in case she fell again, so there would be something to cushion her fall.
The young servants skillfully spread out the soft silk, their movements so fluid that it was evident they had done this many times before.
One could imagine how many times this little girl had fallen from trees before the servants had accumulated such experience.
After placing the little bird back into its nest in the tree fork, Feng Yunluo flipped down from the tree, dusting off her hands. She showed no fear at all.
"Miss, you mustn't do this again."
"Mama, don't worry, aren't I coming down now?"
After saying this, she turned around, her eyes as round as large grapes, sparkling and filled with slyness.
"Alright, let's go see if Grandmother has finished her breakfast. If she has, we'll go out for a stroll. I haven't seen enough of the Treasure Pavilion we visited last time."
As soon as she finished speaking, she walked towards Yunhai Courtyard.
In Yunhai Courtyard, Madam Feng and the First Madam of the Bai family were speaking in hushed tones.
"We don't know what Meng Jie'er is like now, but Eldest Sister also knows the Bai family's current situation. If this daughter-in-law is not chosen well, it won't just delay Siming, but several generations. That's why I had no choice but to come and ask Eldest Sister for advice."