The delicate little cabbage was pushed by the old emperor

The east wind blows down a few petals of peach blossoms, the orioles stop singing, the warm sun shines, and the sound of flutes and mandrills fills the ears.

Today, Shen Leyan was leisurely watering flowers in the yard. When she looked up, she saw her mother standing under the eaves, looking at her quietly.

He quickly put down the watering can in his hand and walked towards his mother with brisk steps.

Mrs. Shen looked at Shen Leyan's slowly approaching figure, as graceful as a willow in March, her dress dancing with her steps, so beautiful that one could not take their eyes off her. An expression of pride and satisfaction unconsciously appeared on her face, she was worthy of being her precious daughter.

But when he thought about the fact that his daughter Bao'er, whom he had watched grow up, was now at the age of getting engaged and married, he felt a little sad.

Shen Leyan approached and saw her gentle mother's face changing from happy to sad. She gently took her mother's hand and looked puzzled: "Mom, have you encountered any difficulties?"

Mrs. Shen finally came to her senses and took Shen Leyan's hand and sat down in the corridor: "Mother, the most difficult thing right now is your marriage."

"Yan'er just wants to be with mommy and daddy." Shen Leyan leaned against her mother coquettishly.

"Silly child, are you going to stay with me and your father forever and never marry?"

"Yan'er doesn't want to get married, and she doesn't want to leave Daddy and Mommy."

Madam Shen stroked her daughter's hair, thinking it was just a cheeky joke, and consoled her, "Mother is also reluctant to part with Yan'er. Your father and I have discussed it, and we'll arrange a marriage for you first. It won't be too late to get married in two years."

"Choose a family with a clean background. It doesn't have to be too prominent. Aristocratic families have many rules and we're worried you'll be wronged. The most important thing is that Yan'er likes you."

Knowing her father and mother's concerns, Shen Leyan didn't know how to refuse for a moment and could only nod in agreement.

Originally, Shen Leyan had never thought about getting married, and after the last accident, she had no plans to get married. In her previous life, it was normal for modern women not to get married or have children, so she had never been in a relationship and knew nothing about love.

But now in ancient times, it was absolutely forbidden for a woman to have children without getting married. If she was over 23 and not married, her entire family would be implicated and sent to jail, and they would not be released until they got married.

If a woman has no children after marriage, it is considered as childlessness, one of the "Seven Reasons for Divorce", and she can be divorced by her husband.

Thinking of this, Shen Leyan felt very sad, sad about the low status of women in ancient times in the patriarchal society.

The young ladies from wealthy families usually wear silk and satin and wear gold hairpins and jade ornaments on their heads, but in fact they also serve as tools for men to continue their family line. Most men have three wives and four concubines, but they require women to observe the three obediences and four virtues.

Many people even think that the mother can enjoy a life of wealth and luxury with the help of her son. In short, she has to rely on men to survive.

This is also the reason why Shen's mother would rather Shen Leyan marry a lower-class man. At least she doesn't have to live a life of luxury due to her son. With the support of the Shen family, she can still live a life of luxury. She just hopes that her only precious daughter can be safe and happy.

"Mom will let you take a look at them for the next two days, and then I'll give you the ones I find suitable to choose from in two days." Shen's mother has always been very doting on her daughter. She knows that Shen Leyan also has her own opinions, so she won't make a decision right away.

Shen Leyan lowered her head shyly: "Thank you, mother. Thank you and father for your concern."

Mother Shen tapped her daughter's forehead and stood up to leave.

When the major families in the capital heard that Madam Shen was choosing a husband for the daughter of the Prime Minister, they all came to express their greetings. In particular, her requirements for choosing a son-in-law were very tolerant, and it was not necessary for him to come from a famous family or be of equal status.

The ladies of each family came to visit with their sons, and for a time the prime minister's residence was crowded with guests.

Shen Leyan has always had a quiet time in the backyard. Mrs. Shen does not meet everyone who comes. Most of the time, she is received by the housekeeper and is sent back after handing over the invitation. There are really too many people coming.

After looking around, Mrs. Shen only selected three that she was satisfied with according to her selection criteria and showed them to Shen Leyan.

The first one is Kong Taifu's youngest son, Kong Qingyun. Mrs. Kong and Shen's mother are good friends. After Shen Leyan marries, Mrs. Kong will definitely love her like her own daughter. In addition, the Kong family is also a scholarly family, and the two families are well matched. Kong Qingyun himself is also polite.

The second was General Bai Jingxuan, the young general of the General's Mansion. Since the death of General Bai, the Bai family had fallen on hard times, relying solely on Bai Jingxuan to support the family. He not only had a frail mother to care for, but also a younger sister waiting to be married. However, after Shen Leyan married, she became the mistress of the household. Furthermore, when General Bai proposed marriage, he promised only Yan'er and never a concubine. This was what satisfied Madam Shen the most.

The third is Shen's father's favorite student Xie Yu. Although he comes from a poor family, he is indeed this year's third place in the imperial examination and has an immeasurable future. This is mainly because he often goes in and out of the Shen residence. Shen's mother saw that he has a gentle, humble and polite personality. By chance, she saw Yan'er chatting with him and they had similar interests, so she chose him as well.

In fact, Shen Leyan had no feelings towards Xie Yu at all. It was just because they often met in her father's study. Shen Leyan loved poetry, and Xie Yu was well-read and happened to have a talent for poetry and writing, so they could sometimes chat briefly, but out of politeness, they did not have any other excessive contact.

As for Kong Qingyun, the son of Grand Tutor Kong, he is a well-mannered man who complements Shen Leyan. In the eyes of outsiders, they are a match made in heaven, but his mother and Madam Kong are like sisters. As a member of the scholarly family of Kong, he is the least likely choice for Shen Leyan now...

Only General Xiaobai remains... From what my mother had said, Bai Jingxuan was indeed quite good. He single-handedly supported the entire General's Mansion, proving to be a responsible young general. He'd even proposed never taking a concubine, suggesting a genuine desire for marriage. However, Shen Leyan felt she had to tell him the truth before the engagement, lest she disappoint his sincerity. If he was still willing to marry her, then she would marry him. She would also treat his family with the utmost care, assist him, and help revive the General's Mansion...

Seeing her daughter hesitate to speak to General Xiaobai, Mother Shen thought Yan'er was also interested in Bai Jingxuan, so she smiled and said, "General Xiaobai is also very handsome. It's rare that he doesn't want to take a concubine like your father. I feel that this kindness should not be wasted. I hope he treats you as well as your father did. If you agree, I will discuss the engagement with the Bai family."

Shen Leyan nodded: "Mother is right, but Yan'er would like to know more about Mr. Bai's engagement plan, is that okay?"

"Okay, okay." After all, this is her precious daughter's lifelong event, and Shen's mother knows that she can't rush it. Moreover, she plans to discuss with the Bai family to postpone the wedding date and get married in a year or two.

"Then mother should reply to the invitations from other families first. After Mr. Bai has understood everything, we can discuss the engagement."

Shen Leyan hugged Shen's mother and acted coquettishly: "Mom, you have worked hard, and you should pay more attention to rest."

Mrs. Shen patted Shen Leyan on the back, then stood up and left with a smile.