Yang Haiyan thought to herself that this wasn’t a significant issue.

Using family ties to build relationships might not have much relevance in modern times, as contemporary society doesn’t emphasize family connections as much.

Families that accumulate wealth for one or two generations aren’t regarded as significant legacies.

Even today’s wealthy families cannot be compared to the aristocratic families of ancient times, which were often established for hundreds of years, at least five generations deep.

Moreover, in ancient times, family ties were crucial.

Perhaps in their eyes, marriage was the most reliable connection.

However, Third Uncle Qin’s family seemed intent on staying close to Qin Fang.

Marrying Qin Qiuya to Qin Fang’s subordinate wouldn’t be out of the question.

In doing so, Qin Qiuya might find life a bit easier.

But she said, “Mother, a subordinate of my husband may not be willing to join our family, and I also do not support the idea of having my husband’s subordinate move in with us.”

Mother Qin responded, “Yanyan, why do you say that?”

Grandma Qin also didn’t understand: “Yanyan, although Sanya is only Ah Fang’s cousin, wouldn’t being her husband be better than being a subordinate? Why wouldn’t he want to join the family?”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Grandma, Mother, first of all, any man with a bit of pride wouldn’t like to join a family by marrying in. Once he does, it implies a lower status. After the couple marries, many things would have to be done according to the woman’s family, wouldn’t you agree?”

Grandma Qin and Mother Qin exchanged glances.

Although they didn’t entirely agree, they understood the reasoning.

In typical households, a son-in-law who married in would indeed be regarded as inferior.

Moreover, San Ya had a cousin who was a general.

Yang Haiyan continued, “Secondly, if there’s someone beside my husband, and I introduce them to San Ya, the suitor’s performance will surely be good, and such a person would naturally earn my husband’s favor. Following him, there may be better opportunities in the future. Why should he agree to join our family?”

She reflected that even in modern times, she personally wouldn’t be keen on someone who married in.

Of course, if she eventually had a daughter, she might support the idea of the husband marrying into their family so that he could protect her daughter.

However, if she had a son, she would definitely not agree to him marrying in.

Human emotions are complex and contradictory like that.

Nonetheless, it couldn’t be denied that capable men would generally refuse to join a family through marriage, unless in special circumstances.

After considering Yang Haiyan’s words, Grandma Qin and Mother Qin found them to be reasonable.

Grandma Qin said, “Then San Ya will have to find a suitor. Your Third Uncle is quite adamant about this.”

Yang Haiyan understood that what really concerned Third Uncle Qin was the continuation of his lineage, rather than just finding a husband for San Ya.

Yang Haiyan said, “Let’s do this: when I introduce someone, I will also clarify San Ya’s situation to the potential suitor. If a truly suitable candidate appears, perhaps Third Uncle can take a step back.

After San Ya marries, her husband may not have to join our family, but their first child, regardless of gender, will take San Ya’s surname. Grandma, what do you think?”

After pondering, Grandma Qin replied, “That’s worth discussing with your Uncle. If he agrees, I have no objections; it’s his matter. At his age, he should decide for himself.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Alright, I will keep this in mind.”

As she left Liuxin Courtyard, Yang Haiyan reflected on the situation concerning San Ya.

Frankly speaking, San Ya’s social status was neither too high nor too low.

It was not high because Qin Fang had two direct sisters, and in the eyes of ordinary people, if he were to nurture a brother-in-law, it would naturally be his direct brother-in-law first.

But it wasn’t low either; San Ya was Qin Fang’s cousin.

Excluding his biological sisters, this was still a close kinship.

Therefore, finding a husband for San Ya was indeed somewhat challenging.

Additionally, there was another issue.

The people around Qin Fang were all from the military, typically in their early twenties.

Since those from the military had to serve for five years, even if someone falsely reported their age to enlist at fourteen, they would still be nineteen after five years.

San Ya, however, was only thirteen this year.

In Yang Haiyan’s view, a six or seven-year age difference was not significant, but thirteen and nineteen represented a considerable difference.

A thirteen-year-old girl was still not considered a young woman, while a nineteen-year-old young man was indeed ready to start a family.

Psychologically and physiologically, there were differences.

It would depend on whether the man was willing to wait.

However, this was just her perspective; perhaps others would think differently.

Speaking of candidates, Yang Haiyan indeed thought of someone: Tao Shan.

Among the five personal guards brought from the border, Meng Ping, Huang Huzai, Kun Shi, and Chen Dashi were all already married, leaving only Tao Shan.

Recently, Tao Shan had been working closely with Qin Fang, always running errands in the capital.

She observed that this young man was diligent and clever; if he and San Ya could get together, that would indeed be a good thing.

She just didn’t know how things were on Tao Shan’s end, whether he had any arrangements for marriage.

Beast Mountain Daoist Temple

Qin Fang led Du Ke and others up the mountain for more than an hour, finally arriving at the Beast Mountain Daoist Temple.

Not only did Du Ke, a middle-aged man, feel tired, but even the young Shen Lixian felt exhausted.

“Why is this Daoist temple built so high up? Are they just full from eating?” Shen Lixian couldn’t help but complain, panting heavily and drinking some water.

Qin Fang replied, “You’d have to ask the former Liang Prince about that.”

Shen Lixian burst out laughing: “I didn’t expect General Qin to joke around.”

Qin Fang was indeed just joking.

The temple was built here because there were minerals nearby.

Wei Ting came out upon hearing the noise, and to his surprise, in addition to Qin Fang and Du Ke, he saw an old acquaintance. “Lord Du, Shen Lixian, you’re here too?”

Wei Ting and Shen Lixian were both well-known young talents in the capital and were familiar with each other, so their relationship was quite good.

Shen Lixian said, “I traveled thousands of miles to see you.”

Wei Ting knew this wasn’t possible; the guy definitely had official business.

Du Ke asked, “How is the progress with the medicine?”

When it came to serious matters, Wei Ting showed a bit of pride: “It’s already halfway done. Thanks to the ample minerals here, our people can research with peace of mind. In about a month, the medicine will be ready.”

Upon hearing this, Du Ke’s eyes lit up: “That’s great news! This is the most confidential and powerful weapon for the Emperor.”

At that time, both internal and external troubles could be resolved at once. “Qin Fang, take me to see the minerals. Lixian, you chat with Wei Ting; don’t worry about me.”

Wei Ting and Shen Lixian replied, “Understood.”

After Qin Fang and Du Ke left, Wei Ting said, “Seriously, what brings you here? Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying yourself in the capital?”

Shen Lixian snorted: “How can I enjoy myself in the capital? There are still people at home managing things!”

Wei Ting said, “Come on, your uncle and aunt don’t manage you, but your sister-in-law is the standard in our capital; everyone wants a daughter-in-law like her.

It’s not like my home, where they micromanage everything. Back when I just got married, she was gentle and pleasant; how did she turn into a tiger in just a few years?”

Wei Ting, usually mature and steady, would tease like this only in front of very close friends.

Shen Lixian shot him a glance and took out a letter: “I came to Yunxiang County on important business; I’m Lord Du’s assistant this time. And here’s a letter from my uncle.”

Wei Ting was taken aback: “A letter from my father?”

Shen Lixian nodded: “I’m here regarding the matter of potato flour and sweet potato flour…”

Shen Lixian explained the situation, “If this partnership succeeds, the Ministry of Revenue won’t have to worry about finances for a while.”

Wei Ting, who was in Yunxiang County, hadn’t heard about the potato flour and sweet potato flour matters.

Upon hearing Shen Lixian say this, he was truly astonished.

He immediately said seriously, “If there’s one franchisee per prefecture, the prefecture is so large, having just one franchisee makes this business too easy, right? With the Emperor proposing a franchise plan, who would dare cause trouble?”

Shen Lixian replied, “This time, the person in charge is Lord Du. Lord Du is notoriously difficult to deal with. Some noble families might try to rely on their status, but they probably won’t fare well in front of Lord Du. However, there’s only one franchisee per prefecture, but there are many counties under the prefecture, so the franchisee can’t manage every county. At that time, if someone tries to use connections with the franchisee…”

What Shen Lixian could think of, Wei Ting could certainly think of as well.

What surprised Wei Ting even more was that Qin Fang had such great capabilities.

Or rather, Qin Fang’s wife had such ideas.

He had become familiar with Qin Fang and knew that such matters wouldn’t be initiated by him; he usually didn’t concern himself with the affairs of the general’s household, so the potato flour and sweet potato flour matters must be related to Yang Haiyan.

Looking at the letter in his hand, Wei Ting knew that his father’s letter must also be related to this matter.

Shen Lixian said, “You read the letter. I’ll take a walk. Please send someone to take me to see the minerals.”

Wei Ting agreed, sending someone to show Shen Lixian the minerals.

Turning back, he found a place to sit down and began to open the letter.

Just as he had expected, his father’s letter was indeed related to the matter he thought, but it wasn’t about potato flour or sweet potato flour; it was about Yang Haiyan.

His father mentioned the joking remark made years ago by Wei Wu while at the border, asking him to recognize Yang Haiyan as a sworn sister.

If the former Yang Haiyan was merely the wife of a thousand-man commander, a woman who used to be a maid and thus unworthy of being called Wei Wu’s sworn sister, today’s Yang Haiyan was a county lady bestowed by the Emperor, carrying these merits.

Her husband, Qin Fang, was Du Ke’s disciple, and the only one at that; her status was enough to qualify her as Wei Ting’s sworn sister, a daughter of the Wei family.

Wei Ting had thought about this from the very beginning, but it was just a thought; he had not acted upon it.

Now that his father had written to him, he knew what to do.

Wei Ting smiled, tucked the letter away, and then burned it in the flame.

It was indeed strange that the Emperor had asked Du Ke to take Qin Fang as a disciple.

Even if Qin Fang was a person with good fortune and the Emperor valued fortune, why did he want Du Ke to take Qin Fang as a disciple?

Was this to give Qin Fang a powerful backer?

Or to establish an adversarial relationship for him?

Wei Ting couldn’t figure it out.

But he knew that the Emperor wouldn’t do such a thing without reason, and the underlying reason would eventually come to light.