Mr. Zhao returned to his quarters in the front courtyard, just changed into casual clothes and was about to go to the back courtyard to greet his elderly mother when a maid hurried in and, after paying her respects, said that Madame Zhao requested his presence and urged him to come quickly.
Mr. Zhao dared not delay and quickly followed the maid to his mother's residence, Pine Crane Courtyard.
As he entered the courtyard of Pine Crane Courtyard and had not yet reached the main hall, Mr. Zhao already heard a burst of lively laughter from inside. Scanning the room after entering, he saw his mother, who was in her sixties, seated in the place of honor, with his wife, daughter, and niece and sister on both sides.
Before Mr. Zhao could step forward to pay his respects to Madame Zhao, she said impatiently, "No need for formalities, quickly tell me, what kind of family is it? Is the man a suitable match for Meijiao?"