Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 105 - 29 Matchmaking

Once Shen Qing entered the main hall, he immediately noticed that today's dinner spread differed from usual, appearing quite lavish.

Seeing Shen Xiu seated on the left, he asked in confusion, "Auntie, don't we usually eat in your side chambers? What's the occasion today?"

"A family meal," Shen Xiu said, patting a chair and motioning for Shen Qing to sit beside her.

At her words, Shen Qing moved to sit down.

Shen Xiu eyed her nephew, satisfaction gleaming at the corners of her eyes.

Say what you will about the Shen Family, but their bone structure was impeccable.

After days of care and with a new fitted outfit, Shen Qing truly embodied a fine young man.

Broad where he needed to be broad, slim where he needed to be slim, and solid where he needed to be solid.

Using the family's dialect, Shen Xiu asked, "Have you settled well in the Outer City? Is anyone bothering you?"

Bothering me?

Most who tried are dead now.

Shen Qing chuckled and said, "The Outer City is always chaotic, and there are some bullies, but it's nothing serious. I've picked up some martial arts, and with my uncle backing me, nobody dares to do much."

"If it's too dangerous outside, it might be wiser to save more money and move to the Inner City," Shen Xiu suggested with a frown.

Shen Qing considered. He had just acquired a hundred gold taels from the Zhou Family. His total assets, converted to silver, amounted to about one thousand five hundred taels, which was enough to buy a house in the Inner City.

But buying wasn't as good as renting; the saved money could be better spent on martial arts training.

Shen Qing replied indifferently, "Yeah, there's no rush, let's discuss it later."

Soon, another person entered from outside.

It was Li Lingchan.

Today, she wore a plain white long dress with a hairpin in her hair, looking entirely different from usual.

Li Lingchan, inheriting Li Linfeng's build, appeared somewhat broad.

This was evident in her martial arts attire, but the long dress made her seem like a girl next door.

With some rouge applied, her fine features already stood out, making her appear radiant.

She brought with her a fragrant breeze, embodying the essence of a noble lady.

Upon entering the main hall and seeing Shen Qing seated, Li Lingchan was a bit surprised.

This was traditionally where the Li Family hosted guests, and even if Shen Qing had become a direct disciple, he had no seat here.

She had a flicker of doubt in her eyes, but didn't ask questions, quietly sitting down on the guest seats to the right.

After a while, Li Linfeng arrived with a woman dressed in opulent attire.

Shen Xiu pulled Shen Qing up quickly, bowing in respect, "Master, Fifth Madam."

"Father, Mother!" Li Lingchan's confusion grew, and she was about to ask when Li Linfeng interrupted.

"We're all family, sit down, sit down," Li Linfeng invited them to sit.

There were five people at the table, including Shen Qing, while the rest were Li Linfeng's family.

"No need to just sit idly, start eating." As Li Linfeng picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to a piece of meat dipped in sauce, the others began eating as well.

The atmosphere at the table was still cold and somewhat tense.

Everyone seated was eating in silence.

Women were often more perceptive in these matters.

Li Lingchan noticed her mother's eyes frequently darting between Shen Qing and herself during dinner.

Her heart skipped a beat, suspecting something unpleasant.

After eating for a bit, Li Linfeng picked up a large bowl of wine, drinking a few gulps with a heavy clink as he set it back down, creating a sharp sound.

Shen Qing and the others, who were busy eating, all looked toward Li Linfeng in unison.

With both hands resting on the table, Li Linfeng glanced between Shen Qing and Li Lingchan.

After a moment, he withdrew his hands and resumed eating leisurely, "Shen Qing, how old are you this year?"

"Replying to Master, fifteen."

"Fifteen, huh. It's about time for you to start a family and establish yourself," Li Linfeng said with a look at Shen Qing, "Do you have anyone in mind?"

Shen Qing glanced at Li Lingchan.

Even as dense as he was, he understood why Li Linfeng had invited him to this meal.

He intended to match him with his fourth daughter.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was customary for men to marry at fifteen, so it wasn't pushing it too much.

Shen Qing replied truthfully, "Not yet."

Li Linfeng continued, "What do you think of my daughter? She's a year older than you, has a straightforward nature, and knows some martial arts. If you two were together, you'd be well-matched."

Li Lingchan overheard these words and, although she had expected it, still felt a rush of embarrassment and anger.

Her naturally rosy complexion turned beet red as if set ablaze.

"Father, I still want to serve you for a few more years," Li Lingchan quickly interjected.

Li Linfeng glanced at his daughter and said, "Getting married doesn't stop you from serving your parents."

Hearing this, Li Lingchan bit her lip and knelt on the ground, "Father, I always aspired to achieve something in martial arts. Now is a critical time for my progress. If I marry and have children, it will undoubtedly hinder my martial path. Besides—"

Li Lingchan lifted her head to look at Shen Qing, "Even if I were to marry, it should be to a man of enterprise, like you, Father, and Junior Brother Shen is not my type."

Sitting by the side, Shen Qing saw Li Lingchan's resolve and assessed the situation.

He noticed Li Lingchan's pride in her nature, and although she didn't show it, she somewhat looked down on him.

Even if he agreed, it would be a forced union that wouldn't benefit him.

More importantly, Li Lingchan was not to his taste.

She was indeed beautiful, but her waist was not slim, her chest was small, and her hips weren't full.

He preferred women with slender waists, large bosoms, and ample hips.

In addition, he wished for a gentle, virtuous nature with stable emotions—something Li Lingchan's impulsive nature didn't match.

As she spoke up so directly, she needed a more patient kind of man.

Unhurried, he stood and followed with, "Thank you, Master, Mistress, and Auntie's goodwill. I'm just dull-witted and have no home to offer, so even if I marry Senior Sister, she'd have no place to rest, and it'd harm her. Furthermore, I don't have any romantic feelings towards Senior Sister, and I hope Master will revoke this decision."

"Is that so?" Li Linfeng, seeing their attitudes, felt disappointed.

He really liked Shen Qing.

He had talent, was aware of social graces, and could adapt to situations, daring to speak and act.

In his view, as long as Shen Qing didn't die, he was bound to make a mark and build a career.

To have him as a son-in-law would be fortuitous.

Li Linfeng shot a glance at Fifth Miss, seemingly reprimanding for not understanding a good match and thwarting his plan.

Fifth Miss shrank back, not daring to speak.

Realizing that neither party was interested, Li Linfeng sighed deeply and reluctantly gave up, "Let's eat."

Li Lingchan stood up and glanced sideways at Shen Qing, holding back her emotions.

"Shen Xiu was a concubine bought from another family, later given to my father as a side chamber wife, her origins quite lowly. Shen Qing, her nephew, shares that same humble background and doesn't even have a martial arts register."

"If I were to marry him, wouldn't I end up as low as he is? I'm not expecting to marry into nobility or officialdom, but at least someone with a martial arts register; what is Father thinking? He's making such a rash decision just because Shen Qing has some aptitude for martial arts."

"In the Great Zhou, many have higher martial talents than he does; he's only exceptional here. Fortunately, he understands this, and hasn't tried to push his luck."

Looking at Shen Qing and Shen Xiu again, she felt a frustrating irritation she couldn't quite pin down.

After this event, the already chilly atmosphere grew colder.

Li Linfeng only ate a few more bites before he stopped, making some courteous remarks and exiting the dining area with Fifth Madam.

Shen Qing stood up to see them off, maintaining a calm demeanor without a trace of discontent or frustration.

Seeing this, the fire of indignation in Li Lingchan burned hotter for reasons she couldn't fathom.

Shen Qing, whom she found agreeable before, now seemed insufferable.

This inexplicable surge of emotion even puzzled her.

"So arrogant after slight success, truly overestimating himself. My father must be a fool. The world is so chaotic, it's uncertain if he'll even survive; he's so casual about my future, just letting me marry someone with no foundation."

Blinded by anger, Li Lingchan even harbored some grievances against Li Linfeng.

Rising, she said coldly, "Miss Qi, please enjoy your meal. I'm leaving."

Li Lingchan departed without looking back, her vigorous stride causing her hairpin to jingle.

After everyone left, Shen Xiu deflated like a wilted eggplant, losing her spirit.

Shen Qing, unbothered, poured himself a bowl of wine, grabbing handfuls from the table as if nothing had happened.

"Qingzi, are you alright?"

Shen Qing laughed, "Why wouldn't I be? I'm fine. There's all this good food here, and since I'm already here, why not enjoy it? Burp..."

Shen Xiu's expression soured.

"Qingzi, don't be discouraged. If Fourth Miss isn't interested, we can look elsewhere. I've talked to your uncle; he'll help you find someone else."

"Um..." Shen Qing suddenly felt like his aunt misunderstood his intentions.