Li Mu suddenly looked up: "Whose marriage is it?"

Mo Huan replied: "I don’t know yet, just heard they are in contact with the Xue, Pei, Wang, and Xiao families, and it seems there’s also royalty involved."

No matter whose marriage it is, it’s quite interesting.

Li Mu frowned and thought for a while, then said lightly: "Both Tang Ziqian and Miss Tang are of an age to discuss marriage, so it’s not surprising."

As for his second miss, she is still young, so it can’t be about her.

Besides, she promised to marry him when she grows up. Even if the Duke Yan couple wanted to arrange a marriage for her, she wouldn’t be willing.

Li Mu was feeling confident about this when he suddenly heard Mo Huan chuckle, which made him restless again.

He tapped his fingers on the table twice, laid out paper, and picked up a pen—

...

When Tang Xiaobai received the reply, she was at a loss whether to cry or laugh.

How could her little ancestor have such well-informed news?

The discussions have just started! They haven’t even formally begun marriage talks, and he knows all the way in Hedong?

Moreover, the letter was quite intriguing: "Mrs. Wen seeks marriage arrangements for her children. It seems the second miss is still young and unrelated to this; otherwise, I should have been informed to prepare an engagement gift early..."

Is this a warning to prevent her from secretly arranging a marriage behind his back?

Further down, there were subtle reminders, phrases like "past promises" and "never forsake," which made her blush at first glance, but understanding dawned after reading the whole letter.

It roughly said, all the promises you’ve made, I remember them well, so don’t act recklessly while I’m not around.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but ponder deeply.

What if her little ancestor discovered that she was really discussing marriage?

He would certainly be angry, but she wasn’t sure if she could soothe him.

With her little ancestor so devoted and persistent towards her, Tang Xiaobai wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or helpless.

She’s still so young; normally, the little ancestor couldn’t possibly harbor romantic feelings for her; it was probably mostly due to some childhood bond.

Also, he’s been busy with studies and career in recent years, with no chance to meet other girls...

With this thought, Tang Xiaobai felt a stir in her heart. She dashed to the writing desk, grabbed a sheet of paper, picked up a brush, and dipped it in ink, mulling while writing.

If the little ancestor had no chance to meet other girls, she could start paying attention on his behalf!

The fourth cousin from the Gu family is the same age as him, but being the daughter of Princess Puan, she wasn’t very familiar with her, and her temper didn’t seem good either;

Senior Brother Pei has a sister who is quite good-looking;

Xue Shaojian doesn’t have a sister, but a cousin, although she seems closer to Yan Jingjing’s circle;

Speaking of which, Li Xingyuan also has a sister—

"Miss Tang is here!" A voice suddenly called from outside.

Tang Xiaobai hurriedly hid the half-done list as Miss Tang entered.

"What are you doing?" Tang Jiaojiao glanced around with a scrutinizing look.

"Reading." Tang Xiaobai shook the military book she had just grabbed.

Tang Jiaojiao glanced at the title and sneered: "Do you plan to become a female general in the future?"

Tang Xiaobai neither confirmed nor denied, and asked back: "Is there something you need from me, Sister?"

"Can’t I look for you without a reason?" Tang Jiaojiao cast a cold glance.

Tang Xiaobai remained silent.

Approaching the year’s end, though not overwhelmingly busy, Tang Jiaojiao certainly wouldn’t have time to inspect her work.

Indeed, as soon as she fell silent, Tang Jiaojiao’s eyes flashed a trace of awkwardness.

She fiddled with her sleeves, asking casually: "Any news from the east lately?"

Her question was vague, and Tang Xiaobai instinctively replied: "Hmm? What from the east?"

She was instantly glared at by Miss Tang, who blushed with annoyance.

"Oh—" Tang Xiaobai caught on, "I only received news about them suppressing bandits, nothing else."

Miss Tang turned crimson: "Who asked about anything else? I was just asking about the bandits!"

Tang Xiaobai responded with another "oh" and said: "The bandit suppression is going smoothly. Today I received news from Ah Xiao saying they’re nearing the Taihang Mountain, and with the Zhenzhou Army’s support, it won’t be tougher than Longmen Village."

Tang Jiaojiao’s eyes flickered: "In Zhenzhou, the Princess Changshan just passed away, can they afford to send troops?"

"As long as they’re willing to lend, they can afford it. However, since Prince Li is in mourning, he probably won’t personally lead the troops to assist."

Tang Jiaojiao’s face flushed with embarrassment: "Who asked about him!"

"You didn’t ask, I just thought to mention," Tang Xiaobai sighed, "Sister, have you thought this through? This is not a joking matter. After the New Year, you’ll be sixteen, and if a marriage is settled, the wedding won’t be far. There may not even be time to regret."

Tang Jiaojiao’s expression turned cold: "Of course, I’ve thought it through, and I won’t regret it either." She glanced at her, "What about you?"

"I don’t have anyone I like," Tang Xiaobai said nonchalantly.

Discussing marriage is a caring move by her father, and she couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.

After all, she’s still young, and even if she gets engaged, she can try to nurture feelings.

"Do I have someone I like then?" Tang Jiaojiao suddenly challenged, "Tell me, do I?"

Tang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned.

Indeed.

Although Li Xingyuan once stayed at the Duke Yan Mansion and mingled with Miss Tang every day, probing into it, there seemed to be nothing substantial.

"He asked me to wait for him for three years? On what basis? What do I have with him? Why should I wait three years? How do I wait those three years? And what about after three years?" Tang Jiaojiao sneered, no longer avoiding the issue, "Am I really such a patient maiden to keep vigil in an empty home?"

There are no confirmed feelings, no union, no sweet memories, no vows of love, on what basis should she wait?

Yet she wasn’t entirely unmoved.

"I know you can help, send him a message..." Tang Jiaojiao lowered her voice.

She didn’t specify what message.

But Tang Xiaobai understood, her words had reached their limit.

Once Tang Jiaojiao left, she began writing a letter to her little ancestor, asking him to deliver the message about Miss Tang’s marriage discussion to Li Xingyuan.

She couldn’t let Su Shunqing convey this, as it might make her sister seem desperate for a promise from Li Xingyuan.

Her little ancestor was a trusted one, it was okay to say it was her idea...

If Li Xingyuan had Miss Tang in mind, he shouldn’t leave things so unclear.

Especially since it’s a wait of three years—

Wait a minute!

Tang Xiaobai suddenly stopped writing.

No, it’s not just three years!

She gripped the penholder, her expression changing several times.

"Bang!" She threw down the pen and ran outside—

...

"Is Prince Changshan’s health well this year?"

Su Shunqing was caught off guard by this question and hesitated for a moment, then replied: "He’s quite well, why do you ask?"

The young girl, hands behind her back, brow furrowed, circled him like a little old man, and asked gravely: "Are you well-informed about matters at the Changshan Prince Mansion?"

Su Shunqing chuckled and countered: "Why does the Second Miss ask that?"

The young girl sighed: "If you were well-informed, you wouldn’t have taken so long to find out Zhao Jing entered the capital!"

Su Shunqing felt a bit embarrassed and quickly said: "After the Zhao Jing incident, the princely heir had asked me to pay more attention to Zhenzhou’s happenings!"

"Then... how is your princely heir doing now?"