Chapter 156: Finding Lin Yanbei a Bride

"Dad, you're quite famous now. Although the people in town don't know it, you are one of their own who went out into the world."

"How much longer do you think this war will last?"

"If you ask me, it should be soon—at most, one more year. The forces the Yidian people joined have been worn down over these past few years. In a little while longer, they won't have the strength to resist anymore!"

"Hmm, I think you're right!"

Lin Sangqian's eyes lit up. If the war was truly nearing its end, did that mean her father would be coming home soon? She prepared to head back home immediately to share this good news with Liao Shuxia.

On the way back, it started to snow, and the flurry grew heavier by the moment. Lin Sangqian had to ask the shop assistant to drive the carriage to take her back. It was freezing outside, but the room was warm, heated by charcoal.

"Sangqian, you're back." Zhao Lan'er poured her a cup of hot tea. "Drink this quickly."

Lin Sangqian took a sip, the warmth dispelling the chill in her body, and she sighed with contentment.

"Sister Sangqian, these are the little cupcakes I just baked. Try one, even though they aren't as good as yours." Xiao Yawen walked over, carrying a plate of freshly baked cupcakes.

Lin Sangqian tasted one and praised her, "Not bad, much better than the last batch."

Xiao Yawen smiled happily, but Lin Beitao couldn't help but tease her: "Little Sister means your last batch tasted terrible, and you're still sitting there grinning like a fool."

"You!" Xiao Yawen put down the plate and rushed over to kick him.

However, Lin Beitao had grown much taller and sturdier. As she kicked him, he stood there without budging an inch.

"Are you trying to scratch an itch for me?" Lin Beitao teased her. "Not bad, give me another one."

Xiao Yawen: "..." So infuriating!

"Third Brother, stop picking on her," Lin Sangqian said with a smile. "Aren't you leaving tomorrow? Is your luggage all packed?"

"Don't worry, it's all ready," Lin Beitao replied. "I'm determined to close this big deal this time!"

"Of course you will. When have you ever failed when you set your mind to it?" Lin Sangqian said.

Four years had passed, and Lin Beitao had rapidly grown into a formidable businessman. Beyond Lin Sangqian's shops, he had founded several businesses of his own, and by now, he had monopolized the entire fabric trade in the town. Not only that, but he had also expanded his business further afield. While he still lagged behind Lin Sangqian’s empire, he was already a standout among the younger generation.

"Is the eldest back yet?" Liao Shuxia asked.

"Not yet, it will probably be a while," Lin Sangqian said.

Two years ago, Di Qing had been transferred to Pingci County. Because Lin Wenyian possessed great physical strength, he had been selected as a government official. Now, he was practically the leader of the officers, and everyone respected him. After all, he was the best fighter in town. Standing over 1.8 meters tall, he had an imposing presence. Lin Sangqian had to tilt her head back just to talk to him, which made her neck tired after a while.

"By the way, Mother, today at the shop, I heard someone say that the war might be over in less than a year," Lin Sangqian said.

"Really?" Liao Shuxia's eyes brightened with joy. "I hope it ends soon! It's been over four years since I last saw your father..."

Although Lin Hongda wrote home often, Liao Shuxia still found it hard to bear not seeing him in person.

"The snow outside has stopped," Zhao Lan'er said, standing by the door and lifting the heavy curtain to peek outside. "He should be back soon..."

Lin Sangqian and Xiao Yawen exchanged glances, both of them hiding smiles.

"Mother, when Father comes back, why don't we hold the wedding for Big Brother and Lan'er?" Lin Sangqian whispered.

"Good idea. That is exactly what I was planning."

Lin Wenyian was now eighteen, and Zhao Lan'er was seventeen. While they would still be considered very young in the modern era, in this ancient time, they were long past the age of marriage. Moreover, the two of them were deeply in love.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Zhao Lan'er subconsciously assumed it was Lin Wenyian and ran excitedly to open it. But when the door swung open, it wasn't Lin Wenyian, but a woman dressed as a matchmaker. Seeing her, the woman grinned obsequiously: "You must be Miss Zhao, right?"

"Matchmaker Liu?" Zhao Lan'er was stunned. "Why are you here?"

Matchmaker Liu was quite famous in town; it was said that nearly half the couples in town had been brought together by her.

"Oh, joyous news!" Matchmaker Liu said with a smile. "I'm here to propose a match!"

"Propose a match?" Zhao Lan'er's heart skipped a beat. "For whom?"

Lin Sangqian and the others walked out of the room one after another.

"It's... oh my, it's too cold out here. Let me come in and sit for a moment!" Matchmaker Liu shivered. If it weren't for the generous pay and the urgency of the request, she wouldn't have come out to play matchmaker on such a cold day.

"Matchmaker Liu," Lin Sangqian said, "come in and sit."

Matchmaker Liu was actually a decent person, warm and friendly, and she often bought things at their shop, McChicken. Even though this visit was sudden, they couldn't leave her out in the cold.

Matchmaker Liu entered the room and drank a bowl of hot tea, finally feeling a bit better.

"Where are your eldest and second sons? Are they not home?" Matchmaker Liu asked Liao Shuxia.

"The eldest hasn't returned yet, and the second is staying at the academy with Master Ge to make his studies easier," Liao Shuxia said.

"Oh, oh! My, you are truly blessed! Your children are all more successful than the last!"

Liao Shuxia was pleased by this, and she asked, "Matchmaker Liu, who exactly are you here to propose for today?"

Lin Sangqian sat drinking her tea calmly, but Zhao Lan'er and Xiao Yawen felt their hearts rise to their throats. Could it be for them? Or... could it be for Lin Wenyian or Lin Beitao? Lin Beitao, listening from the side, seemed a bit nervous as well.

"It's for your second son!" Matchmaker Liu said with a smile. "He's truly remarkable now! He's already a scholar, and he's sure to pass the provincial exams next year!"

Hearing this, everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief. So, it was for Lin Yanbei.

"But... my second son is currently entirely devoted to his studies and hasn't thought about marriage at all," Liao Shuxia said with a wry smile. "Besides, his father hasn't returned yet."

"Oh! Men should settle down before they build their careers. If he marries, he'll have someone to take care of him, which will make his studies and exams much easier!" Matchmaker Liu said. "We can just get them engaged for now, and have a grand wedding once Master Lin returns!"

"Whose daughter is it?" Liao Shuxia asked.

"It's Squire Wang's daughter from Pingci County! His youngest daughter!" Matchmaker Liu said. "I know many girls in town fancy your second son, but he’s a scholar now; how could those ordinary town girls ever be a match for him?"

Liao Shuxia: "...I hadn't thought of it that way. It's most important that the child likes her."

"Squire Wang's daughter is someone he would definitely like! She's as radiant as water, dignified, and graceful. Most importantly, when she visited our town before, she happened to run into your second son and fell in love at first sight. She insisted that she wouldn't marry anyone else!"