13.

The elegant Ji family residence sat nestled in the heart of the Yun Dynasty capital, its courtyards surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees. In one of the sitting rooms, Ji Zhiyu and his mother, Madam Ji, were engaged in an important discussion, one that Madam Ji had been waiting for years to have with her eldest son.

"Zhiyu, you're 28 years old now," Madam Ji said, her eyes scanning her son with a mix of concern and expectation. "It's time for you to settle down and marry. You're the heir to the Ji family, and there's been enough talk about your single status."

Ji Zhiyu sat quietly, his face calm but thoughtful. He knew this conversation was inevitable—his mother had been dropping hints for the past few years. However, this time, Ji Zhiyu had something important to share.

"I've been thinking about it too, Mother," Ji Zhiyu said, his voice soft but certain. "There is someone I wish to marry."

Madam Ji's eyes widened in surprise, her face brightening immediately. "Really? You've finally found someone? Who is it, my son? Who has caught your eye?"

Ji Zhiyu hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "He's a ger."

Madam Ji nodded, her smile widening. "A ger? That's wonderful! I've always said a ger would be perfect for you—someone who can care for the household and provide companionship. Tell me more. Who is he?"

Ji Zhiyu leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. "His name is Shen Lingyun. He's from a humble background, but he's intelligent, kind, and responsible. I've met him through business dealings with his family."

Madam Ji's expression softened with approval. "Shen Lingyun… a humble background is no issue, Zhiyu. What matters is that he is someone you care for, someone who will be a good match. If this Shen Lingyun is who you say he is, then I see no problem with his background."

Ji Zhiyu felt a wave of relief wash over him. His mother had always been practical, but she was also deeply concerned with maintaining the family's honor. He had worried she might object to marrying someone from a poorer background, but her acceptance was clear.

"I do care for him, Mother," Ji Zhiyu said. "He's dedicated to his family, and I believe he would make a good partner."

Madam Ji clapped her hands together in excitement. "Then it's settled! We'll find a good time to propose the marriage. I'll make the arrangements, and we'll meet with the Shen family soon."

Ji Zhiyu smiled, grateful for his mother's support. "Thank you, Mother. I'll speak with Shen Lingyun's family when the time is right."

While the Ji family was planning a marriage proposal, across the city in the Gu Manor, things were a little more chaotic.

Madam Gu, the sharp-tongued and fiery matriarch of the Gu family, had just returned from a visit to Madam Ji's house, and she was fuming. Her eldest son, Gu Junli, and his brothers, Gu Junxi and Gu Junyu, were sitting in the family hall when Madam Gu stormed in, her face flushed with irritation.

"Do you know what I had to listen to today?" Madam Gu snapped, glaring at her sons. "Madam Ji bragging about how her wonderful son, Ji Zhiyu, has finally decided to marry! And here I am, with three single sons, none of whom seem interested in finding a proper partner!"

Gu Junli raised an eyebrow, looking mildly amused. "Ah, so this is about Ji Zhiyu getting married? I didn't know it was a competition."

"It's not a competition, Junli!" Madam Gu shot back, crossing her arms. "But how can I not feel embarrassed? Ji Zhiyu is younger than you, Junxi, and he's already planning to settle down. What about you? You're 23 and still running around as if you're a carefree bachelor."

Gu Junxi, the quietest of the three brothers, simply smirked. "I'm only 25, Mother. There's plenty of time for me to find someone."

"Time? Time?" Madam Gu's voice grew louder. "Junxi, at this rate, you'll be a bachelor forever! And as for you, Junli, what about you? Are you planning to stay single forever, too? Or are you too busy stealing soap and pencils from Li Cang's house to think about marriage?"

Gu Junli chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Ah, Mother, you know me too well. But I'm not rushing into marriage just to keep up with Ji Zhiyu. I'll marry when I find someone interesting."

Madam Gu scoffed. "Interesting? Is that all you care about? Honestly, I don't know what to do with you boys."

Just then, Gu Junyu, the youngest of the Gu siblings and the family's resident ger, walked into the hall, only to be greeted by his mother's exasperation.

"Junyu! Look at your brothers. They're older than you, and they don't seem to care about marriage. What about you? Are you planning to be the only sensible one in this family?"

Gu Junyu, who had a mischievous streak, grinned as he looked at his older brothers. "Oh, I don't know, Mother. Maybe I'll just wait and see who gets married first. But if I had to bet, I'd say Junli will be the last."

Gu Junli shot his younger brother a mock glare. "Careful, Junyu, or I'll make sure you're the one married off first."

Madam Gu rolled her eyes dramatically. "Aye, what did I do to deserve such sons? Junli, stop teasing your brother. And Junyu, you're no better! Running around causing mischief all day. I swear, I'll find a partner for all of you if I have to."

Gu Junyu laughed and quickly dodged behind a pillar as his mother made a half-hearted attempt to chase him down. "Careful, Mother, you don't want to tire yourself out before you find us all suitable matches!"

Meanwhile, back in the Shen family's camp, preparations were in full swing. The new house was finally complete, a grand structure with separate yards for the boys, girls, and gers, just as Shen Yuan had planned. The family had worked hard to build something sturdy and permanent, and now they were focusing on setting up the ancestral hall to honor their parents and grandparents.

The entire family gathered in the large main hall, arranging the wooden tablets and setting up offerings for the ancestors. The smell of incense filled the air, mingling with the scent of freshly cooked food that had been prepared for the ceremony.

Shen Mingxiu, the eldest sister, stood near the altar, carefully placing bowls of rice and fruit in front of the ancestral tablets. She smiled softly as she looked around at her family, feeling a deep sense of pride in how far they had come.

"Everything looks perfect," Shen Jiuyuan said, standing beside her. "The house, the ancestral hall—it feels like we've built something truly lasting."

Shen Yuan, standing by the doorway, nodded in agreement. "We've come a long way. This house is more than just walls and a roof. It's a symbol of everything we've achieved together."

The family gathered around the altar, offering their prayers and honoring the memory of their parents and grandparents. It was a quiet, solemn moment, but it was filled with a sense of hope for the future.

After the ceremony, the family quickly returned to their usual tasks—soap and pencil production were in full swing, and demand had never been higher.

"Shen Yuan," Shen Zhi called out as he entered the main hall, wiping his hands on a cloth. "We've got another order for 300 pencils. The scholars at Tianyun Academy are practically begging for them."

Shen Yuan smiled. "That's good to hear. We'll have to increase production, then. Make sure the team knows we'll need more coal and wood for the next batch."

Shen Mingyue entered the hall next, holding a basket of herbs. "We've also had requests for new varieties of soap—ones with different scents and ingredients. I've been experimenting with some of the local herbs, and I think we can create something special."

Shen Yuan's eyes lit up with interest. "That's a great idea, Mingyue. We'll offer scented soap as a premium product. People will pay more for something unique."

As the family busied themselves with their tasks, Shen Yuan took a moment to reflect on everything they had accomplished. The house was complete, their business was thriving, and their family had never been stronger. There were still challenges ahead, but with each passing day, they were building a legacy that would last for generations.