Mr. Lu approves of Jingzhe as his future grandson-in-law.

Both parties are willing to form a marriage alliance, which makes things easier.

To show respect for the Lu Family, Tong Huaqiong decided to formally visit them with Jingzhe to discuss the marriage.

Conveniently, she could also send Jingzhe to Wanliu Academy in the Capital.

However, Mr. Lu, like other head elders of this era, likely wishes for the younger generation to marry soon after engagement.

Tong Huaqiong must find a way to persuade Mr. Gu to allow Jingzhe and Lu Zhao Zhao to wait a few years before marriage, without making Mr. Lu feel that the Gu Family is intentionally delaying the Lu Family.

Suggesting to Mr. Lu that early childbirth could lead to complications for Lu Zhaozhao is not an option, as this era lacks awareness of the physical harm caused by early childbirth.

If they respond with, "Which woman doesn’t have children?", how could she reply?

This is about proposing a marriage, not debating.

Her attitude cannot be too forceful.

"Lord Liu,"

Tong Huaqiong looked at County Magistrate Liu, contemplating whether to bring up the issue of letting Jingzhe and Lu Zhao Zhao wait until they are "of age" to marry. With his support as the matchmaker, convincing Mr. Lu would be easier.

The County Magistrate Liu said, "Aunt Tong, speak freely if you have something to say."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Lord Liu, I am very happy that the Lu Family is willing to marry into our family. I wish Zhao Zhao could be wed by tomorrow. But, you know Jingzhe’s situation. He is just a Scholar without any titles yet. I want to wait until Jingzhe becomes a successful candidate before they marry. What do you think?"

Of course, discussing childbirth with County Magistrate Liu was not advisable since, as mentioned before, even modern men might not fully understand it.

The County Magistrate Liu stroked his beard and contemplated for a moment.

Aunt Tong’s words made sense.

Back when he became a Scholar, many marriage proposals came, but his mother Mrs. Han refused them, believing that without titles, it would be unfair to the girls.

His mother hit it off with Aunt Tong at first sight, and their thoughts about their sons were identical.

The County Magistrate Liu held even more respect for Tong Huaqiong.

"This matter can be resolved. Let’s settle the engagement first; it won’t be too late to marry in a few years. Zhao Yang didn’t marry until he was about to head to the Capital for his exams. With his precedent, I believe the Lu Family would be willing for the cousin to wait for Jingzhe."

Tong Huaqiong didn’t agree with County Magistrate Liu’s reasoning; Zhao Yang’s situation was different. Zhao Yang hadn’t married before because of illness, and after recovering, Mr. Lu hastily arranged his marriage.

After getting engaged to Jingshan, they married within two months.

County Magistrate Liu, understanding Tong Huaqiong’s thoughts, said, "Aunt Tong, I understand your concern. You worry that Mr. Lu might think your family is dragging their feet in the marriage arrangement. Don’t worry, I will convince Mr. Lu. If necessary, I will speak to Magistrate Yao."

Tong Huaqiong thought, "Please, no, Mr. Lu dislikes Magistrate Yao the most."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Lord Liu, you truly understand my thoughts. Let’s not bother Magistrate Yao as he is very busy. It would be better to write to Zhao Yang, letting him tell Mr. Lu he wants to keep his sister for a few more years."

County Magistrate Liu agreed with a smile, believing Zhao Yang would want to keep Lu Zhaozhao for a few more years.

However, considering Zhao Yang’s forthcoming imperial exam and Jingzhe’s future, County Magistrate Liu suddenly disagreed with Tong Huaqiong’s decision to wait until Jingzhe has a title before marriage.

Before Zhao Yang had his title, no matter how wealthy the Lu Family was, they were merchants.

If Zhao Yang becomes the top scholar, Lu Zhaozhao, as his sister, would rise in status. If Beijing Families or the Royal Family learns he has a sister, who would propose?

What if Jingzhe finds a better marriage prospect after passing the exam three years later?

Just as County Magistrate Liu understood Tong Huaqiong’s thoughts, Tong Huaqiong understood his.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Lord Liu, don’t worry that Zhao Yang becoming popular in the Capital will lead others to seek Lu Zhaozhao’s hand, nor worry that Jingzhe will break off the engagement. Consider this: Zhao Yang and Zhao Zhao are deeply bonded siblings. He would not use her marriage as a stepping stone. Furthermore, in the Capital, where the waters run deep, dealing with the royal relatives and illustrious families is troublesome. If they all come asking Zhao Yang to marry Zhao Zhao, who would he decline and not offend? By having Zhao Zhao engaged to Jingzhe, Zhao Yang is freed from this trouble. Even if Jingzhe excels three years from now, he would not break the engagement, not only because he cherishes Zhao Zhao but also because Zhao Yang, established in Beijing, would present him with an influential brother-in-law. Would he be so foolish to offend him? Don’t you agree, Lord Liu?"

Lord Liu thought about it and agreed it was indeed sensible.

He thus promised Tong Huaqiong to do his best to persuade Mr. Lu to keep Lu Zhaozhao for a few more years.

And so, the matter was settled.

Tong Huaqiong still had another favor to ask of the County Magistrate Liu.

That was to inquire if there were any good cotton spinning machines in Pingchuan County or a skilled craftsman who could build one.

Since deciding to start the cotton textile industry, Tong Huaqiong had gathered spinning wheels from all the villages to examine at home. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

She found that none of the spinning wheels met her requirements.

In this era, most common folk used linen, and since the Ning City area, unlike Jiangnan, doesn’t raise silkworms, all the spinning wheels in Yan Guan Town were designed for linen textile production.

Such spinning wheels were definitely not suitable for producing cotton cloth.

The processes from cotton to cotton cloth and from ramie to linen are entirely different.

Cotton requires a series of complex procedures like carding, ginning, and roving. Although this era had cotton bedding, much of the cotton only had the husk removed without even carding, making the bedding not very warm.

Hence, aristocratic families used silk quilts.

"Spinning wheels are the same in every village and town, nothing special."

County Magistrate Liu, who always prioritized agriculture and commerce and was well-informed, thought for a moment and shook his head at Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong felt a sense of loss, would she have to rely on herself to manually develop one?

She wasn’t skilled in craftsmanship.

She understood the principles of spinning wheels, but just as the saying goes, even if one understands many principles, it doesn’t mean they can live a good life; knowing the advanced production methods doesn’t mean she can create tools to enhance productivity.

Gu Daqiao, Mr. Gu’s cousin’s son, who was delayed in studies due to a lame leg, was quite skillful in making tools. After working at Tong Huaqiong’s home and pondering over the spinning machine for two months, he still hadn’t figured it out.

County Magistrate Liu contemplated for a while and suddenly recalled a Jiangnan Scholar he befriended during the exams in Shengjing, saying, "But I can ask my former classmate, who went to Hua Ting County in Jiangnan last year to assume office. I’ve heard that people in Hua Ting County wear cotton clothes. After he arrived, he sent someone to bring me a piece of cotton cloth, which is both soft and lightweight."

Tong Huaqiong said, "That would be wonderful."

Where is Hua Ting County in Jiangnan?

Tong Huaqiong searched her memory; isn’t it what would later be known as Songjiang?

Back in university, she once went to visit a friend at Songjiang University City, where there was a station called Huating Station.

This was perfect, as the genius of improving cotton weaving looms, Huang Dao Po, was a native of Songjiang.

Could it be that in this parallel universe, those sparkling stars that once made history still shine through the ages, blessing this dynasty not recorded in later historical chronicles?