She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

On the sixth day of the third lunar month, Shen Man did not go to the clinic to help out as usual, because it was the seventieth birthday of the Zhu family patriarch. Zhu Linyuan had sent an invitation to her and her daughter three days earlier, inviting them to the banquet.

"Man'er, come and try on the new clothes your mother made for you. They're based on the popular styles in the capital that Sister-in-law Kong gave you. You'll look beautiful in them!"

As Lanxiang spoke, she unfolded the clothes in her hands and looked expectantly at the door.

"Yes, Mother, I'll be right there!" As she spoke, Shen Man walked in from the courtyard.

Ten years have passed, and her once round and cute face is no longer chubby. Her chin has become slightly pointed, and the lines are smooth and natural, making her look more delicate and charming.

Her features became even more beautiful. Her already large and bright eyes now shone like stars. Her long, slender eyebrows were as delicate as willow leaves, and when they were gently raised, they added a touch of charm.

Although she was only fourteen years old, she was already almost half a head taller than Lanxiang.

Shen Man quickly walked to Lanxiang's side and took the new clothes from her hands.

This dress is light pink, embroidered with exquisite floral patterns in silk thread, and the collar and cuffs are inlaid with a circle of pearls, making it look very delicate.

"Mother, this dress is so beautiful!" Shen Man exclaimed.

"Hurry up and try it on!" Lanxiang urged her daughter.

Shen Man couldn't wait to change into her new clothes and stand in front of the mirror to look at herself.

The girl in the mirror had a slender figure and a beautiful face, and looked even more elegant and refined in her new clothes.

"She looks so beautiful! My Man'er is getting prettier and prettier." Lanxiang praised with a smile.

"Mother, it's all thanks to your excellent craftsmanship; this dress fits perfectly. I'll wear it to the banquet at the Zhu family's house today!"

"Yes. Mother, go and check the gifts for the banquet again, so that nothing is forgotten."

Over the course of ten years, Lanxiang has undergone a complete transformation.

The shy, introverted, and somewhat naive young woman has now grown into a decisive, capable, and efficient housewife.

Her eyes revealed a firmness and confidence, a wisdom and composure honed by the years. In her interactions with others, Lanxiang also became more cheerful and outgoing.

After finishing breakfast, the mother and daughter boarded a horse-drawn carriage from the village cooperative and headed towards the Zhu family's house in town.

"Man'er, when you go to the Zhu family's banquet this time, you must pay attention to etiquette, and listen more and speak less," Lanxiang instructed.

"Okay, Mom." Shen Man nodded obediently.

After a while, they arrived at the Zhu family's house.

Various brightly colored lanterns and ribbons were hung outside the Zhu family's gate, and there were also dragon and lion dance performances at the entrance, making the scene very lively.

Zhu Linyuan, dressed in a gorgeous suit, stood at the door with a beaming smile to greet the guests.

Beside him was a young boy, his son Zhu Jing.

Zhu Jing is sixteen years old this year. She is about the same height as Zhu Linyuan. Her eyebrows and eyes have also matured. Her already delicate features have become more three-dimensional and deep. Especially her eyes, which are bright and clear, like two dazzling gems, making people unable to help but be captivated by them at first glance.

Perhaps because he has been reading all these years, he exudes a strong scholarly air, giving people a gentle and refined feeling.

As soon as Lanxiang and Shenman got off the carriage, Zhu Jing, who was at the door, saw them and smiled with delight. He quickly walked over to them.

He turned his gaze to Shen Man beside him, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes, and said with a smile, "Aunt Lanxiang, Man'er, you've come!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Man looked up, smiled slightly, revealing two shallow dimples at the corners of her mouth, and softly replied, "Young Master Zhu, it's been a long time!"

Her voice was clear and melodious, like a string of silver bells brushing past Zhu Jing's ear. Looking at the graceful Shen Man before him, his heart trembled involuntarily.

After a moment, he said softly, "Yes, in my memory, you were still this tall, wearing a floral dress, with two little pigtails on your head... I never imagined that when I saw you again, you would already be a young woman!"

"I've heard that Young Master Zhu has already become a scholar at such a young age. Congratulations!" Lanxiang stepped aside, blocking Zhu Jing's view of Shen Man, and said with a smile.

Although she was shorter than both of them, and this didn't really have any effect, it still made Zhu Jing's gaze somewhat restrained.

"Aunt Lanxiang, you flatter me..." Zhu Jing's fair and handsome face flushed red instantly after Lanxiang said that.

"Jing'er, please invite Madam Ding and Doctor Ding to sit in the hall!" Zhu Linyuan urged him immediately upon seeing this.

“Yes, Father.” Zhu Jing replied shyly, then stepped aside to open the door and gestured for them to come in. “Madam Ding, Doctor Ding, please come in.”

Upon entering the hall, the servants of the manor warmly greeted Lanxiang and Shenman and invited them to sit down.

The Zhu family is a prominent family in Qiufeng Town, and today is the old master's 70th birthday, so many guests have come to offer their congratulations.

Throughout the banquet, Shen Man felt a gaze following her closely; she knew it was Zhu Jing.

Sure enough, as the banquet was drawing to a close, Shen Man followed a servant to wash her hands. On her way back, she saw Zhu Jing waiting there.

"You can go down now. I have something to say to Dr. Ding."

"Yes, young master!" the maid replied and quickly left.

Zhu Jing stepped forward, looking at Shen Man with some nervousness, "Man'er, I wonder if you are married?"

Shen Man was taken aback when he asked the question so directly, and asked, "Huh?"

Zhu Jing looked at her expectantly and continued to ask, "What do you think of me?"

Shen Man was taken aback by Zhu Jing's question. She thought to herself, "Aren't people in ancient times usually very reserved? They like to express their love through poems and essays. Why is this young master so direct?"

Seeing that she remained silent, Zhu Jing assumed she was unwilling and quickly added, "Man'er, I like you. If you also have feelings for me, I am willing to marry you with the proper formalities and a grand wedding procession after the imperial examinations next year."

Hearing him say this, Shen Man knew she couldn't avoid it today, so she said, "I'm only fourteen years old and haven't thought about marriage yet. Besides, isn't marriage always arranged by parents and matchmakers?"

Zhu Jing hurriedly replied, "Of course I know that. I'll go back and inform my father, and then send a matchmaker to propose marriage."

Zhu Jing's mother died five years ago from a serious illness. It is said that she died on her way to seek medical treatment in the prefectural city. Shen Man only learned about this later from someone at the clinic.

Shen Man never expected that she had never been in a relationship in her previous life, even though she lived to her twenties.

In this life, at only fourteen years old, someone proposed to her, and it was to such a handsome and innocent young man.

Shen Man felt that if she could get engaged to Zhu Jing, since both families knew each other well, it would be a good idea.