285: Li Ruotang's contribution

As night deepened, Li Shengyuan and his close companions enjoyed the moon and tea in the courtyard, chatting cheerfully until the moon set and the stars faded.

Only when the sky turned the color of a fish's belly did Li Shengyuan rise, bid his companions a smiling farewell, and go to find his parents.

After only a brief period of rest, Li Shengyuan was full of energy and vigor.

He went straight to the main hall of the manor to greet his grandfather Li Cangsheng and his parents Li Mu and Wenren Qingxuan, inquiring in detail about the specific matters discussed yesterday when the Empress Dowager came to negotiate the engagement.

Inside the hall, his grandfather Li Cangsheng sat in the main seat.

Although advanced in age, he possessed a righteous aura, was robust in spirit, and his gaze was sharp as lightning.

His father Li Mu was steady and composed, while his mother Wenren Qingxuan had a smile in her eyes as she looked at her increasingly tall and outstanding son, filled with gratification.

His second uncle, Governor Li Mo, had taken up a new official post in the capital and, being busy with affairs, had already left for the yamen early that morning.

His younger brother, Li Xinghe, deeply motivated by his elder brother, had also gone to the academy early to focus on cultivation, unwilling to show the slightest slackness.

Only his second aunt, Su Wanyin, sat nearby, accompanied by his nine-year-old younger sister, Li Ruotang.

His second aunt, Su Wanyin, whose nature was gentle and whose appearance was elegant, looked at Li Shengyuan with emotion and sighed softly:

"Time flies so fast. I always felt Shengyuan was still that young man who first entered the Demon Suppression Division, yet in the blink of an eye, he has reached the age of marriage and is about to become engaged to Her Majesty and the Princess.

How relentless the years are."

His younger sister, Li Ruotang, who was nestled beside her, wearing two adorable hair buns, immediately lifted her cute, round face upon hearing this, and refuted in a sweet, soft voice:

"Mother is talking nonsense! Tangtang thinks time is passing slowly!

Tangtang wants to grow up quickly too, to be as powerful as Big Brother and as beautiful as Empress Sister!"

"But even though I eat until I'm full every day, I still don't grow tall..." Li Ruotang slumped her face in disappointment.

But her innocent and eager little appearance instantly made everyone in the hall burst into laughter, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Seeing everyone laugh, Li Ruotang became even more energetic.

She excitedly ran up to Li Shengyuan, tugged on his sleeve, and said sweetly as if asking for credit:

"Big Brother! Big Brother! If you marry Empress Sister, you have to properly thank Tangtang!"

Li Shengyuan couldn't help but laugh.

He bent down cooperatively and asked softly:

"Oh? Why should we thank our little Tangtang?"

Li Ruotang puffed out her chest, put her hands on her hips proudly, and with a 'praise me quickly' look of triumph, announced loudly:

"Because when Big Brother went to the Northern Border and didn't come back for a long time, Tangtang missed Big Brother, so I went to play with Empress Sister.

Tangtang thought, 'It would be great if Empress Sister could always stay and play with Tangtang!'"

"So Tangtang told Empress Sister, 'Empress Sister, why don't you marry my Big Brother? That way you can come to my house every day and play with Tangtang every day!' See? Empress Sister is really going to marry Big Brother now!"

"Didn't Tangtang earn a great merit?"

She clearly recounted this 'achievement,' believing her logic sound, and looked at Li Shengyuan with wide, blinking eyes full of anticipation.

Li Shengyuan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, followed by an inexpressible warmth and amusement welling up in his heart.

So there was a little matchmaker in the family!

He hadn't expected that his marriage to his Senior Sister would have such innocent 'assistance' from his little sister.

He laughed heartily, picked up his little sister, and spun around, causing Li Ruotang to giggle incessantly.

"It turns out our Tangtang earned a great merit!" Li Shengyuan praised her without reservation.

"Alright! On the day of Big Brother's engagement, we'll let our Tangtang be the most important little guest—to host... hmm, how about being in charge of handing out the wedding candies to everyone?"

"And at that time, all the best snacks will belong to Tangtang!"

When Li Ruotang heard this, her eyes instantly shone like stars, and her little head nodded like a chick pecking rice.

As if she could already see mountains of delicious snacks, she was so greedy her mouth was watering, and she clapped her hands repeatedly:

"Yes, yes! Big Brother is the best!"

Just as the hall was filled with joy and warmth, a messenger's voice suddenly came from outside the manor, sounding both respectful and urgent:

"Master, the Empress Dowager has arrived at the manor gates!"

Hearing this, everyone's expression immediately became serious.

Li Cangsheng, Li Mu, and Wenren Qingxuan exchanged glances, all seeing the seriousness in the other's eyes.

The Empress Dowager had only visited yesterday, yet she came personally again this morning, showing her urgency and importance regarding the engagement.

Li Shengyuan gently put his little sister down and straightened his robes.

He knew that the engagement matters concerning him, his Senior Sister Female Emperor Mu Qingning, and Princess Pingyang Princess Mu Shining would likely reach a clear resolution today.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly shifted from the warmth of a family chat.

To the solemn discussion concerning the future of the Imperial Family and the Li family.

Li Cangsheng stood up and said gravely: "Follow me to welcome the Empress Dowager!"