Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 111 - 35 Matchmaking

A gentle breeze blew by.

The bamboo leaves in the backyard swayed lightly, making a rustling sound.

At this moment, Ouyang Tiezhu crossed through the courtyard gate, and upon seeing Shen Qing, he happily hurried over, saying, "Junior Brother, it's perfect that you're here. I've found out about a few more girls. Would you like to take a look?"

Shen Qing sighed helplessly.

He didn't understand why Ouyang Tiezhu had suddenly become so concerned about his marital prospects, collecting a few girls for him every now and then.

No idea where he got all this information.

Shen Qing didn't oppose the idea of marriage.

For men and women, marriage was an age-old tradition, uncontroversial.

But getting married shouldn't be random. It had to be with someone he could connect with.

Otherwise, marrying an unworthy wife would cause endless trouble, better to remain single.

Ouyang Tiezhu sat beside Shen Qing, skillfully took out a stack of portraits of women, and said, "Come, come, take a look at these."

"This is a daughter from a branch of the Wang Family. Though her status is a bit low, she is at least related to the Boss of the Wang Family, considered a large household. Marrying her would certainly spare you many years of struggle."

Ouyang Tiezhu sincerely praised as he pointed to a slightly plump girl.

Shen Qing frowned, as this girl indeed didn't suit his taste.

Ouyang Tiezhu could see that Shen Qing seemed to care a lot about a woman's appearance, so he simply spread all the portraits out in front of Shen Qing, saying, "Just see if any of these catch your eye, and I'll inquire for you."

Helpless, Shen Qing scrutinized the portraits in front of him one by one, finally pointing casually at a girl who looked rather pretty: "Her, then."

Ouyang Tiezhu took a look and grinned, "Junior Brother, you really have a good eye. This girl is the daughter of the leader of Taiping Escort Agency. She can fight and calculate, and she's quite pretty. I'll go ask for you right away."

Shen Qing said casually, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Taiping Escort Agency had been operating in the county for many years, gradually gaining some fame, no longer just a small household.

The leader of the agency, surnamed Tang with a single name You, was a straightforward person, often interacting with major Martial Arts Halls while escorting goods.

Sometimes when the martial masters from various halls had tight finances, they would seek a living with him.

Because of this, Ouyang Tiezhu had also interacted with Taiping Escort Agency and knew that the agency had a young lady waiting for marriage, so he introduced her to Shen Qing.

The young lady he introduced was named Tang Wanrou.

At thirteen, she had already been escorting goods with Tang You, witnessing many ups and downs along the way.

Though her name suggested weakness, her character was bold and fiery.

The hall of Taiping Escort Agency was located relatively close to the city center, in a rather lively area.

When Tang Wanrou received the message, she was practicing her martial arts in her courtyard.

"Miss, Young Master Ouyang from Linfeng Hall sent word through someone, wishing to propose a marriage for you."

The maid from the escort agency rushed over, cheerfully saying.

Tang Wanrou, who was nearby, punched a wooden stake, producing a dull sound.

She moved her fist away, revealing a dent in the wooden stake.

Tang Wanrou stopped her practice and turned her head, puzzled, "Ouyang from Linfeng Hall? Li Linfeng's direct disciple?"

The maid nodded emphatically, "Yes."

Tang Wanrou frowned as she recalled, clearly having some impression.

She took a towel prepared nearby, dipped it in water, wrung it out, and said, "Tell me, what kind of person is he?"

"He introduced his junior brother, a direct disciple of Li Linfeng. A handsome young man not often seen."

"A handsome young man?" Tang Wanrou asked curiously, "Just how handsome?"

"Young Master Ouyang also sent a portrait. Miss can take a look."

The maid unfolded a scroll conveniently.

Tang Wanrou's eyes lit up, "He really isn't bad-looking."

She walked over to scrutinize more closely, her phoenix eyes showing some satisfaction. Her long black hair billowed up behind her.

"Since he's a direct disciple of Master Li, his Sight must not be poor. Do you know his current cultivation realm?"

Tang Wanrou herself was engaged in martial arts, and since her family ran an escort agency, she was very concerned about Martial Arts.

Appearance was important, but in the current world and city landscape, martial arts cultivation was fundamental for survival, not to be taken lightly.

"The messenger made it clear to us. At fifteen, he's already reached the Bone Refining Realm."

"Just a little weaker than me, but still fine. At his age, he can still advance further, which is enough for our escort agency," Tang Wanrou nodded and then asked, "What about his family background and character?"

"Young Master Ouyang introduces him as Shen Qing, the nephew of Linfeng Hall Master's Seventh Aunt. His character is rather mild-mannered, and he's currently of farmer origin. Besides training at the martial arts hall, he seems to mix with a gang in the Outer City."

Hearing this, Tang Wanrou furrowed her brow slightly.

"I remember Linfeng Hall Master's Seventh Aunt used to be a concubine sent over, right?"

"That's indeed the case."

"It seems he's of humble origin. Mixing with a gang in the Outer City is nothing significant, just small-time stuff that can't make it to the stage. With Linfeng Hall's current instability, getting into the martial arts register with his background might be challenging."

"So should we decline, Miss?"

Tang Wanrou glanced at the scroll in her hand, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Ask if he's willing to marry into our family. If he's willing, then I might consider marrying him. As for me marrying out... I'm not so desperate as to marry just anyone. Even if his status is a bit low, his cultivation should at least be stronger than mine."

Recently, with the turbulent situation, the escort agency's business had plummeted.

Yet, a dead camel is still larger than a horse.

Although Shen Qing had some Sight and his cultivation wasn't bad, it wasn't quite suitable given their different social standings.

The maid nodded, "Alright, Miss. I'll inform Young Master Ouyang."

"Okay."

After the maid left, the sound of practicing punches echoed again in the backyard.

The next day.

Ouyang Tiezhu told Shen Qing about marrying into the family, and Shen Qing refused without a second thought.

In the Great Zhou, the status of a husband marrying into his wife's family was only slightly higher than a slave.

Many forced labor jobs prioritized looking for such husbands.

Having managed on his own for so many years, he wasn't in a rush to lower his status to find a woman for mere comfort.

Ouyang Tiezhu felt this wasn't very fair, so he didn't press and took the message back.

On the other hand, Tang Wanrou, upon learning she was refused, didn't mind either.

To her, three-legged toads were hard to find, but three-legged men were aplenty, and she had no lack of someone like Shen Qing.

After this matter was settled, both sides stopped mentioning it and let it go.

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