Chapter 86 Resentment
The gifts sent by Xiao Family consisted of a large box of gold and silver jewelry. Although these weren't as valuable as the white jade hairpin hidden by the You Jin, they were all fashionable in the capital. Right now, only Mrs. Su in Su Family can put on a headdress. Under You Jin's persuasion, Mrs. Su chose a few pieces of gold and silver that seemed suitable for her age. The remaining silver necklaces and bracelets were thoughtfully prepared by Xiao Lin Yu eight copies. Everyone in Su Family had a share.
Mrs. Su looked at the hides with excellent fur and couldn't help feeling a little bit guilty: "Young Gentleman Xiao only had a few meals with us. Us accepting such expensive gifts, isn't it taking too much advantage?" Mrs. Su reckoned that these new year gifts would add up to at least a thousand liang silver. Just accepting it like this, didn't they seem a bit too greedy for money?
You Jin patted Mrs. Su's hand and said: "Mother, I can't do anything. I asked Xiao Family's guards to pull it back to the capital, but they said that they only listen to their master. What can I do? I can only owe this debt for now. Once I have a chance in the future, I will pay it back slowly."
You Jin daren't tell Mrs. Su that she still had ten thousand liang silver in her hand and a white jade hairpin that was worth a lot at first glance. If Mrs. Su finds out, she will worry again.
"If we had known this earlier, we should have prepared some gifts to send to Xiao Family." After accepting such expensive gifts, Mrs. Su kept feeling a little uneasy.
"Don't worry, Mother, I have something prepared for the guards of Xiao Family to take back. Although it's not worth much, it's a thought." You Jin asked Xiao guards to take a jar of sweet-scented osmanthus tea back before they left. Recalling that day, it can be regarded as Xiao Lin Yu liking it. And Su Family had nothing worthy to show for now. So it can be like this.
Back to the other side, the capital. Although Xiao Lin Yu and brothers secretly prepared three big carts to send to Luohe Prefecture, they couldn't hide it from the elders of Xiao Family.
"Yu-er, ever since you came back from Luohe Prefecture, you always seem to have something on your mind. Why don't you tell Mother?" Mrs.. Yu heard from her confidant attendant that her son had arranged for the chief guard around him to deliver three carts of expensive gifts to a family surnamed Su in Luohe Prefecture. Since her son came back from Luohe Prefecture, his marriage had been prioritized. However, Mrs. Yu was inexplicably worried.
Xiao Lin Yu shook his head slightly: "Son is fine. Mother had been in poor health since the beginning of winter. It is still not suitable to work hard." He helped Mrs. Yu to sit on the top seat before sitting below Mrs. Yu. The servant beside him quickly served hot tea.
Seeing her son's gloomy brows, Mrs. Yu couldn't help but sighed again: "Mothers know their children the best. Mother can tell you have something on your mind at a glance. You encounter a matter that didn't go smoothly in Luohe Prefecture?" Actually, what Mrs. Yu wanteds to ask was if he met some vixen who took away her son's soul. The attendant beside her had already inquired about Su Family's situation. Mrs. Yu had a preconception that the other party was eyeing on their wealth. Naturally, she won't have a good impression of Su Family.
"It's just a business matter. Son can handle it well. It's better for Mother to take care of your body." In fact, Xiao Lin Yu himself didn't know what was fretful about. Since returning to the capital, his wedding with Bai Family's girl had been put on the agenda. The talented girl from the noble literate family was about to become the next mistress of Xiao Family. Naturally, everyone in Xiao Family was in a merry mood. However, he had some inexplicable resistance to this marriage he can't refuse.
Looking at the eldest son who wasn't close to her at some unknown time and didn't like to say anything to others, Mrs. Yu suddenly had the illusion that she had ignored Eldest Son for too long. In the end, she sighed: "Fine. Since you say so, I won't ask any more questions. Your Second Uncle will host a banquet in two days. Bai Family's girl will also be invited. You have not seen each other for nearly a year, so get ready!"
"Yes, Son respectfully sends Mother off." Xiao Lin Yu escorted Mrs. Yu to the gate of the courtyard, cupped his hands respectfully and bowed in salute.
Mrs. Yu glanced at the polite Eldest Son. For some unknown reason, her eyes turned slightly red. Since when did her son become so unfamiliar with her? Sighing, she no longer looked at him and got into the sedan chair and left.
After sending Mrs. Yu away, Xiao Lin Yu inexplicably let out breath of relief. Since when did he begin to suppress himself like this in this family? As soon as he thought of this, Xiao Lin Yu denied this thought. It should be said when did he realize that he was going to suppress himself like this in this house? He never felt this way before. Since he came back from Luohe Prefecture this time, he always resisted everything in the capital for some unknown reason...
He sent away the servants who served him and locked himself in the study room until it was time to turn on the lamp. Even then, Xiao Lin Yu didn't understand.
This year's winter was extraordinarily cold. All the canals in Luohe Prefecture had been connected. All the canal workers who have lived in Su Family's for two years had disappeared, leaving only the dilapidated thatched hut and the gatekeeper, Uncle Wang.
Because Uncle Wang was too old to do other jobs, You Jin asked him to watch the gate of Su Family's house. It was two silver coins a month and accommodation was provided. When all the canal workers left, Uncle Wang was still a little worried about his livelihood. Although he had saved almost three liang silver in the past two years, it wasn't much use! So before You Jin finished speaking, Uncle Wang clapped his hands and agreed: "There's not much for an old man like me to have so much money. As long as you take care of food and shelter and give this old man some wine during the holidays, then I couldn't be more satisfied!"
Hearing what Uncle Wang said, You Jin cheerfully nodded and promised: "Deal. No one will short you of good wine during the New Years and festivals in the future!"
One old and one young happily conversed. On the spot, Han Li helped Uncle Wang pack up and move to Su Family's house. He lived in the small room next to the gate of Su's house, which was convenient.
The canal worker's dormitory was officially locked and He Hao and his wife stopped their business. The west side of the river, which had been bustling for nearly two years, suddenly returned to calmness.
This year, Wuliqiao villagers were doing well. Nine out of ten families in the village had vacated their vacant places and rented them out to the canal workers. They had gained an extra income. There were also many of them selling food. Then, they earned even more. Like Lizheng, He Hao's family.
In the past two years, He Family had accumulated more than forty liang silver by relying on He Hao and his wife working from dawn to dusk. The whole family can live a good year in harmony. The only small imperfection was that He Xuan Hai didn't get admitted in this year's autumn exam. It casted a lingering haze over what should have been a year of union and joy.
"Family Head, it's not a good idea for Xuan Hai to stay like this!" Witnessing her son's weight lost since the release of the rankings, Mrs. Zhao was really anxious.
Seeing his always high spirits son become like this, He Hao was also worried! After smoking a good few pipes of tobacco, he frowned and uttered, "I know. I'll talk to him later! My son will be seventeen in the new year. You should hurry up and have one more person to serve him. Maybe it'll get better."
If He Family's side was said to be a small imperfection, then two streets away old Third Chen's house was brewing with trouble.
Ever since old Third Chen 'run off with money', it was only old Third Chen's wife raising four children. were taken care of by old Third Chen. Chen Family's land was sold by old Third Chen a few years ago to pay off debts. Normally, they relied on old Third Chen's stealing and tricking for food and drink. Now that old Third Chen was gone, Chen Family couldn't even open the stove. They wanted to rent the property to the canal workers. Who would come to live after what happened to the five canal workers in Chen's house had long been spread? So they could only borrow money from the west and cheat from the east. Old Third Chen's eldest son went to work as a manual worker to earn some money. They barely got by.
The New Year was about to come. Which family in the village hadn't prepared the New Year's goods and waited for a good New Year? However, Chen Family didn't even have a few pieces of firewood left for the kang. How could they survive this year?
Chen Xiao Hong was wearing a torn padded jacket that had been patched many times. She was carrying firewood picked up from the mountain. Her feet were already numb from the cold. When she finally got home, she couldn't even have a mouthful of hot soup. Chen Xiao Hong, who was driven to a desperate state by the days ahead, had no choice but to find Su Family again.
"As long as you give me one hundred liang, no, fifty liang, I will never tell about you killing old Third Chen and the others! Su You Jin, your family is so rich now, so what if you give me fifty liang?" Chen Xiao Hong sat on the armchair closest to the door, feeling the warmth of the spring-like interior. She drank a few cups of hot water before finally recovering.
You Jin cracked up in irk at her attitude of 'I'm poor, so I'm in the right; you're rich, so deserve it': "Our family have money is our business. Why should I give it to you? You always say how difficult it is for you. So my money falls from the sky?"
The mocking gaze examined Chen Xiao Hong, making her feel ashamed: "When our family first came to Wuliqiao, we were so poor that we had to live in a haunted house. Have we ever begged rich people for money? You said old Third Chen is an animal that only has eyes for money. You opening your mouth to blackmail me like this is worse than old Third Chen!"
"I'm just a country girl, what can I do?" Chen Xiao Hong felt a little bit guilty. Still, she stubbornly replied. She truly felt this from the bottom of her heart. What could she do as a female who was born in such a shabby family?
Hearing what she said, You Jin sighed silently. If it was someone strong, maybe it will be different? Shaking her head, she responded: "In conclusion, you are the same as old Third Chen. You just want to reach out your hand and get money and food from others. You can cheat and snatch for a while, not for the rest of your life, right?
It's impossible to give silvers to you. But I can help you have a good new year. But it's only this one time." She summoned Uncle Song, told him to prepare 20 jins of rice and flour, and to ask Auntie Song to find a few sets of Mrs. Su's old coarse fabric clothes.
Chen Xiao Hong looked at the food and clothes on the ground. She felt that Su Family was sending beggars away: "Your words sounds nice. Want me to keep a secret for you with such little things? You are simply bullying!"
"There are only this many things. It's up to you, whether you take it or not. As for you saying that I killed old Third Chen, do you have evidence?" You Jin really didn't want to mess with this maniac any more. She asked Uncle Song to send her out and instructed Uncle Wang that no one from old Third Chen's family will be allowed in from now on.
Although Chen Xiao Hong felt that Su Family was sending beggars away, she didn't forget what she should take. She carried rice, flour, and clothes back to the east of the river. In her heart, greater longing toward Su Family's prosperity emerged. At the same time, greater resentment towards the dilapidated Chen Family arose.
The author had something to say: Chapter 87 (The next chapter is empty. Please don't buy it.) Because of the coding bug in software, I lost the content of this chapter that was pieced together two months ago. Qingshan really can't remember it. I can only modify this chapter and connect it with the following content. Little cuties, please don't buy the next chapter. The next chapter is empty! EMPTY! EMPTY! Important things are said three times.
Because there are a lot of manuscripts saved, it was too troublesome to replace chapter by chapter. After the main text is finished, Qingshan will replace the empty content of chapter 87 with side stories. Cuties, please don't buy it now! ! !
Translator: Nothing to buy here! Wait, actually, you can buy me snacks or be my patron. All up to you
Chapter 87 The Heartbroken Boy
The day after the New Year gift from Xiao Family was delivered, it was a rare sunny day.
The snow in Su Family's courtyard had been cleared away. The clothes for the New Year had long been made. The materials Xiao Lin Yu sent were so superb that Mrs. Su was reluctant to use them. Even the hide was locked up and stored in the storeroom. It was better to wait for the girls to get older before making clothes.
Having nothing to do, You Jin led the girls on cutting a lot of window decorations with red paper and pasted them on the translucent glass windows. It added warmth to the bare yard in the background as well as adding a few more festive air. Quite suitable for the current time.
In the whole year, Su Family's shop only closed for about ten days during the New Year. However, Su Family's servants had four days off every month. They took turns to rest, so it didn't delay their work. But a crowd having holiday was really only once a year. Having free time, the young girls finally had a chance to spend the monthly pay they had saved for a year. So they all took leave of absence from You Jin and asked Han Li to drive them to Luohe Prefecture's market in a mule cart.
You Jin took the three oldest, You Yin, You Zhu and You Bao to Wuliqiao Village on the east side of the river. Today they were going to give some gifts to Lizheng's family and the aunties whom they often had contact with.
Because of what happened to old Third Chen last time, You Jin learned her lesson. You Jin didn't prepare many generous gifts for these families. It was just two or three jins of pork and a pack of snacks. After sending to the other families first, she went to He's house at the end. He Family's gift had always been heavier.
Today she took Song Hua out for carrying things. Not needing You Jin to speak, Song Hua had already knocked on the door of He's house: "Auntie Zhao, it's Song Hua!"
"Oh! Coming!" The people inside heard the knock on the door and hurried out to open the door. As soon as the door opened, it turned out to be He Xiao Ning, the youngest daughter of He Family. Seeing Su Family's sisters, she obediently greeted: "Hello, Elder Sisters!"
Then she hurriedly moved her body to let Su Family's sisters enter.
"Hi Xiao Ning, are your parents at home?" You Jin merrily asked as she followed Xiao.
Xiao Ning, who was walking in front, nodded: "They are!"
When they reached the door of the main room, she shouted: "Mother, Elder Sister You Jin was here!"
As soon as the people inside heard that it was someone from Su Family coming, they rushed out to welcome them. Mrs. Zhao smiled and pulled them to sit on the kang inside: "Really, what are you thinking? Bringing your younger sisters out in this cold weather. Aren't you afraid of freezing!" Looking Su Family's daughters sitting in a row and then at their own daughter standing beside them, she couldn't help feeling the difference!
"Auntie, don't make yourself busy. We aren't here to trouble you to do these things!" You Jin hurriedly grabbed Mrs. Zhao, who had poured out the sugar water and was about to prepare the snacks: "It's very cold, Auntie. Must warm up now."
She signaled Song Hua to put the basket in his hand on the table.
Looking at the things in the basket, Mrs. Zhao was a little at a loss: "You child, just bring yourself. What are you doing bringing all these things?"
In the past two years, it was thanks to Su Family renting a place to them at a low price, they made a lot of money by making some food. Before she could thank them, they brought some things to give her. How could this not make her feel ashamed?
You Jin smiled and pressed Mrs. Zhao's refusing hand and said: "The past two years, Auntie had taken care of our family. This gift isn't worth much. It more or less had our thoughts. Auntie, do accept it. "
Seeing You Jin's insistence, Mrs. Zhao could only thicken her cheek to accept it. The two talked for a while, before You Jin took her few younger sisters to say goodbye to Mrs. Zhao and then head to the west of the river. Su Family just stepped out of the gate of He Family's courtyard, when there was a sound of footsteps chasing after them: "Miss Su!"
Su Family turned their heads after hearing this. Their stare made He Xuan Hai a little embarrassed: "I'm looking for Eldest Miss Su."
"Oh." You Yin and the others indifferently responded. You Jin looked at He Xuan Hai and made an equal generation salute: "What's the matter, Gentleman He? Is Auntie Zhao looking for me?"
He Xuan Hai noticed the male following Miss Su wasl well-dressed and realized that he was a little disheveled. He scratched his head in embarrassment: "It's not my mother looking for you. It's me looking for you. I'll send you back. Let's talk while we walk?"
You Jin smiled gently, but firmly shook her head: "No need. The snowy road is difficult. Don't need to trouble Gentleman He to run around. Whatever the matter, just talk here." Her mind rummaged around. You Jin didn't think there was any kind of intersection she had with him. So what was the matter? The rest of Su Family also all blinkingly looked at He Xuan Hai, waiting to hear what he had to say to Eldest Sister! Eldest Sister didn't tell them to go away, meaning they could listen.
He Xuan Hai originally wanted to ask You Jin if she would wait for another three years. In three years, he would definitely be able to pass and marry her with great fanfare. But now besides the girl he wanted to confess, there were four people who were waiting to spectate with their eyes wide open. How can he, who had always been thin-skinned, speak up?
Seeing him hesitate to speak, You Jin felt a little speechless. Didn't he have something to say to her? Why wasn't he speaking? Then she asked: "Gentleman He, if you have anything to say, just say it?"
"Can, can we step to the side to talk?" He Xuan Hai blushed, pointed to a place about ten steps away from You Yin and the others, and looked at You Jin with pleading eyes: "Just a moment!"
You Jin really didn't understand how the brain circuits of these bookworms were long. Just like him, Xiao Lin Yu was literati and had the rank of a Juren. Xiao Lin Yu was much better than He Xuan Hai, wasn't he? Sighing, she nodded and then followed He Xuan Hai a few steps away: "Speak!"
Facing the girl he liked, He Xuan Hai, who usually talked about poetry and songs with eloquence, turned into a clumsy idiot. Blushing, he finally opened his mouth and uttered the countlessly-revised draft: "Miss Su, you, are you willing, willing to wait for me..."
You Jin waited for a long time for him to speak, but the result was that his voice became softer and softer. She couldn't hear what he was muttering toward the end. You Jin felt that her last trace of patience was about to run out: "Gentleman He, what are you talking about? Is there anything? I'll go back first, if there's not."
In such cold weather, freezing outside was fun?
"Don't!" As soon as He Xuan Hai heard that she was leaving, He Xuan Hai stretched out his hand to grab You Jin's cloak in angst: "Miss Su, I want to ask, are you willing to wait for me?"
"Wait for you? Why wait for you?" You Jin pulled her cloak back from his grasp and asked with a frown. She was confused by his nonsensical words.
Reaching halfway through his words, He Xuan Hai was questioned back like this and the blush on his face that had finally subsided climbed up again: "Wait until I gain the rank and honor in the exam, I will marry you..."
"Marry me? When did I say I want to marry you?" You Jin felt that He Xuan Hai had a problem with his brain: "Gentleman He, we haven't met a few times in total and I never said I want to marry you. How did you come to have the illusion that I want to marry you?" You Jin asked back as she suppressed the impatience in her heart.
He Xuan Hai was a little stunned when he heard her asking himself such a rhetorical question. He had clearly heard Mother tell Father that she would go to Su's house to talk about marriage. Why didn't Miss Su know about this? Or was it that she saw that he hadn't gain a rank and she was unwilling to create this marriage?
Seeing his dumbfounded look, You Jin sighed: "Gentleman He, I don't know how you came up with the idea that I want to marry you. But I can tell you clearly today that I have not thought of marrying you in the past, now, and even in the future. Neither I nor my family will have this thought. For the sake of the friendship between the two families, I ask Gentleman He not to mention this matter again."
"But I obviously heard what my mother said before..." He Xuan Hai only assumed that she rejected him because of not getting admitted and said: "Miss Su, You Jin! Believe me. In three years, I will definitely be able to pass the exam and then I will marry you in a grand manner!"
Seeing that he was already a little crazy, You Jin took a few steps back to be safe: "You Gentleman He, we don't have much affection between us. You should call me Miss Su! As for Auntie Zhao, she did mention it, but my family didn't agree. If you don't believe me, you can go home and ask Auntie Zhao. If there's nothing else, then I'll go back first. A woman's reputation is a big deal, so I ask Gentleman He not to speak casually."
After finishing speaking, she turned and walked towards her youngers sisters and Song Hua who were watching them closely. Then they went to the west of the river. Leaving behind He Xuan Hai, who felt dizzy, spurted out a mouthful of blood, and fell unconscious to the ground.
"It's fine. He's better to vomit this blood out. The depression in his heart had dissipated a lot. He'll wake up after sleeping. I will prescribe medicine for you. Five bowls of water boiled into one bowl. Two doses a day. Around three-five days, he will be alright." The barefoot doctor in Wuliqiao Village took the pulse and reassured the worried He Family: "It's just that Xuan Hai's body is a lot weaker now. More or less, he needs to nourish it back."
He Hao breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor said that his son was fine: "Thank you doctor. Later, I will let the child's mother kill a chicken to nourish the child." The doctor was sent away. The family killed the chicken and boiled the medicine. In the afternoon, He Xuan Hai, who had been asleep for nearly two hours, finally woke up. He Family let out a sigh of relief.
He Xuan Hai, who obediently drank the medicine, looked at slightly red-eyed Mrs. Zhao. A little confused, he uttered: "Father, Mother, what's wrong?"
"It's fine. It's all fine. As long as you're okay, Father and Mother are fine!" Mrs. Zhao handed the empty medicine bowl to nearby He Xiao Ning and then brought over a bowl of old hen soup that was boiled until fragrant and delicious: " This chicken soup is just right. Drink it up!"
After He Xuan Hai vomited blood, the stagnant energy in his heart did dissipate a lot. Although he was still a little weak now, the gloomy energy on his face had disappeared. Although he remembered what happened with Su Family's girl before he was unconscious and still felt a little pain in his heart, he couldn't bear to let parent worry when seeing the family guarding his bed. So I drank a small bowl of chicken soup sip by sip before speaking: "Mom, I want to rest for a while."
"Oh! Okay! Then we're all outside. Just call out if you need anything!" Mrs. Zhao was relieved to see her son willing to eat. Seeing that he said he was tired, she hurriedly rounded up her husband and children together and ushered out to let Eldest Son have a good rest.
Seeing the door tightly closed, He Xuan Hai closed his eyes and his sight was You Jin's pretty face saying heartless words. A tear slipped out from the corner of his eye and soaked the pillow.
Chapter 88 New Year Letter from Third Aunt
Su Family had no relatives in Wuliqiao. So every New Year was a good time for the whole family to spend time together. But this year was a little different from last year.
Since the third day of the new year, there have been no fewer than five or six matchmakers who had come knocking the door to propose marriage. Their target was mainly the eldest daughter of Su Family: "Madam Su, I'm not boasting. This Liu Family have more than a hundred mus of fertile land. Although Gentleman Liu is only fifteen years old, he is a top-notch person! There is nothing bad to say about his character and appearance. Liu Family couple are both capable and kind people. Our eldest niece will definitely not be aggrieved after she gets married!"
Listening to the eloquent matchmaker boasting about Liu Family to the point of flowers appearing, Mrs. Su didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Enduring the pain, she refused: "Thank you Elder Sister-in-law, our family's daughter is young now and we still want to keep for another two years."
If it wasn't for You Jin forbidding her to setting marriage for her after coming back from He's house before the new year, how could Mrs. Su not be moved by the fifth matchmaker who came knocking?
Hearing Mrs. Su's refusal, the matchmaker invited by Liu Family didn't give up. She grasped Mrs. Su's hand with a smile and said with a concerned look: "Younger Sister Su, it's not me who is complimenting, but that Gentleman Liu is really wonderful. Paired with our eldest niece, she isn't aggrieved. You must know that there are hundreds of mus of fertile land in the family. And there are long-term workers to take care of it. When my Eldest Niece marries over, she only needs to serve her in-laws well, take good care of Liu Family's boy, and open branches and spread leaves for Liu Family. This is a blessing!"
Hearing what she said, Mrs. Su, who was initially a little bit excited, rest her thought. Her daughter was now served by maids and servants at home. If she marries into their Liu Family, she will be tortured by her parents-in-law, no? As soon as Mrs. Su thought about her own miserable experience back then, she rejected the matchmaker without hesitation: "Thank you Elder Sister-in-law for your kindness. Our family's daughter is indeed still young. What's more, our family can lack You Jin. Let's talk about it in a few years! "
Seeing that won't budge no matter what, the matchmaker knew that she wouldn't be able to earn this money. But thinking how Su Family had seven daughters besides the eldest daughter and that they would still have contacts in the future, she smilingly bidded goodbye. No longer pestering.
After seeing off the matchmaker, Mrs. Su finally heaved a sigh of relief: "I didn't know that it would be this tiring after the family's daughter grows up!"
Auntie Song came up with tea. When she heard what she said, she jollily responded: "No matter whether it is character or appearance, our family's Eldest Miss is the best. Besides, Madam think about the current situation of our family. Though we can't compare to the major household in the city of Luohe Prefecture, we can be ranked first out of all families outside the city!"
Who wouldn't want a rich and capable daughter-in-law?
"You're right. At this time last year, how could any matchmaker want to come to our door to propose marriage? They just came to propose when seeing our family's prosperity!"
Although Mrs. Su's temperament was weak, her brain wasn't stupid. Since Auntie Song said this, she wrapped her mind around: "However, this marriage is still up to the children themselves as well as choosing a good husband's family!" Mrs. Su herself was forced to marry into Yue Family and encountered such a powerful mother-in-law again. Naturally she had lingering fears.
Auntie Song nimbly took away the used tea set on the table and smiled, "Madam, it's not the time to worry about this! After two years, when the girls are all grown up, it's even more frustrating!" Su Family sisters were similar in age. One by one each will come to age every year. Now that they thought about it, it was really not time to worry.
After listening to Auntie Song's words, Mrs. Su helplessly grinned: "You're right. It's not time to get frustrated yet!"
All the matchmakers who came knocking retreated home in defeat. After a period of time, the matchmakers wisely stopped coming to the door of Su Family. After all, it was a waste of time to make this trip, so why waste expression? Mrs. Su didn't know this, but she was really relieved that the matchmaker no longer came to bombard her one after another.
On the eighth day of the New Year, Sujiaxiang snack shop opened as usual.
Now the front of the store greeting customers and managing the accounts were all handled by You Yin. You Jin was only responsible for the calculation of the accounts at the end of each month. The back kitchen had You Zhu leading five or six people busying away, including , Bai Zhi, etc.. Now You Zhu didn't need to be overwhelmed with tasks. She only needed to hold on to the formula and take stock of the daily inventory of the ingredients. Others did the rest of the work. The division of labor was very clear between the front of house and the back. The two do not overlap.
You Jin's main job was to use the money earned from Sujiaxiang to develop more profitable fields; use money to make money. She headed out early and returned late every day. So busy that her shadow couldn't be seen.
"Miss, two letters for you have been delivered directly to the door today." You Jin just returned home and Auntie Song followed quickly with two letters.
Unbuttoning the cloak, Qiao-er, who was following beside her, cleverly took the cloak. After receiving the letter handed over by Auntie Song, You Jin smilingly replied: "I didn't know that someone would send a letter to me!" After looking at the first letter, it was Xiao Lin Yu's handwriting. Next, she read the second letter, the handwriting on the envelope can only be considered upright. It should be a woman's handwriting. You Jin felt it was a little strange. Sitting in the parlor, she waited for the kitchen to prepare the meal and she opened it: "Who could it be?"
After reading the letter, all the smiles on You Jin's face disappeared. Only silence remained. After a long time, she sighed and spoke to Qiao-er: "Go invite Madam over."
She can intervene in this matter, but she didn't want to get involved. So she had to invite Mrs. Su over to discuss it together.
"What's the matter?" Mrs. Su held hands with little Eighth who was already able to wobbly walk and entered. As soon as little Eighth saw You Jin, she abandoned Mrs. Su and headed toward You Jin with staggering steps: "Eldest Sister hug!"
You Jin quickly caught the chubby little Eighth, picked her up, and sat on her lap. She motioned for Qiao-er to hand over the opened letter on the table to Mrs. Su: "Mother, have a look!"
Then she teased and played with little Eighth.
Mrs. Su lovingly took in the interaction between Eldest Daughter and Youngest Daughter. She took the letter from Qiao-er and read it slowly. The expression on her face gradually became serious. In the past two years, Mrs. Su had also learnt to recognize words with Yu Lan and had made great progress in learning to read and write. Putting the letter back on the table, she turned to You Jin who was making little Eighth laugh. She asked, "What do you think should be done? Since your Third Aunt can find us, she must have reached a dead end."
It turned out to be a letter from Mrs. Han. Don't know how she got the address.
"We can help. After all, when we left Dingyuan, Third Aunt helped us a lot. But we can't go back. We can't sacrifice all of us just to help Third Aunt." To You Jin, Yue Family of weirdos can be said to be an existence she wants to avoid: "Mother, think about it. If Yue Chang Lu knows our current situation, can he ignore the wealth he sees?"
Thinking of her ex-husband, Mrs. Su still had goosebumps all over her body. She agreed with her daughter's words: "No! We can't take this risk!"
But thinking of the things mentioned in Mrs. Han's letter, Mrs. Su couldn't bear the thought: "But we can't just watch You He jump into the fire pit!"
"Since Mother spoke out, I will make arrangements for this matter." You Jin handed little Eighth, who was tired from playing, back to Mrs. Su's arms: "I'll arrange for Uncle Song to take Qiao-er and set off to Dingyuan tomorrow!"
Mrs. Han must have had no other choice and will try anything when in a desperate plight. That was why she pleaded Su Family whom she hadn't been in touch with for a long time. Just treat it as returning the favor from back then.
When Mrs. Su thought about the troubles in Cuifeng Village, she felt very irritable. She couldn't be bothered to intervene in this matter: "Then you can make arrangements."
"Mother, don't worry." You Jin nodded. She immediately found Uncle Song, handed him the letter, and instructed: "Uncle Song, you can take Qiao-er for a trip tomorrow morning. Take this letter with you. I'll write you another letter. Go to Dingyuan to pick up Sister You He and come back immediately. Don't let anyone find out."
Uncle Song nodded: "Don't worry, Miss."
That night, Su Family was busy for a while: You Jin went back to the room to write a letter, took fifty liang silver to pay Uncle Song's father and daughter, and gave Uncle Song some instructions. Only then did You Jin have time to go back to her room and read the rest of the letter from the capital.
After reading Xiao Lin Yu's letter, You Jin helplessly shook her head. Although the two of them were considered acquainted for half a year last year, was it really appropriate for him to find a little girl who was nearly six years younger than him as his life mentor? But thinking of the 10,000 liang silver notes in the box where she put the money. I had no choice but to pick up a pen and write back with helplessness: "Man dies for money, birds dies for food!"
In fact, Xiao Lin Yu didn't know why he wrote such a letter and sent it to Luohe Prefecture. The moment he sent the letter, he regretted it. His heart was entangled as well as vaguely looking forward to what Su Family's lass would reply.
It took nearly half a month to get from Luohe Prefecture to the capital by horse. When Xiao Lin Yu thought that You Jin wouldn't reply to his letter, he finally received a reply from You Jin. After reading her childish but inexplicably unreasonable 'idealism' discussion, Xiao Lin Yu finally revealed a rare smile after being depressed for a long time: "This girl is really a youth who doesn't know the taste of sorrow."
He seemed to regard You Jin as an ignorant child, but forgot that he wasn't much older than the other party.
Feeling the knot within being relieved, Xiao Lin Yu took up a pen and wrote another letter to Su Family's lass and told the servants around him to arrange delivery as soon as possible. Afterward, he began to secretly look forward to Su Family's lass's reply.
Back to heading to Dingyuan County's side. Uncle Song carried fifty liang silver and two letters and caught a ride on a caravan heading out of Luohe Prefecture with his daughter. They arrived in Dingyuan County within five days.
According to Eldest Miss's order, Uncle Song stayed in Dingyuan first. After spending two days inquiring about Yue Family's affairs, he went to Han Family's grocery store to look for Mrs. Han. It happened that Yue Chang Shou wasn't around. Although Mrs. Han's father had passed away and the grocery store was under Yue Chang Shou's management, the clerks in the grocery store still listened to Mrs. Han's orders in private. As soon as Uncle Song said he was looking for Mrs. Han, they hurried in and asked Mrs. Han to come out.
"You are?" Uncle Song was wearing fine cotton clothes, looking like a wealthy family's housekeeper. Mrs. Han thought a big business had arrived. So she forced herself to be spirited and came out to greet.
Uncle Song cupped his hand and asked politely, "Are you Third Madam Yue? I'm from Su Family in the south."
When she heard that he was from Su Family, Mrs. Han's heart, which was already half cold, immediately came to life: "You are from Su Family?"
She naturally remembered that Second Sister-in-law's family name was Su. All the children changed surname to Su.
"Exactly, it's very inconvenient to talk here. I wonder if we can change to another place?" Uncle Song looked at the grocery store with people coming and going. It was really not a good place to talk. So he proposed to invite Mrs. Han to the teahouse on the opposite side.
After leaving a few words to the shopkeeper, Mrs. Han hurriedly followed Uncle Song out of the grocery store.
Chapter 89 You He
Sitting in a secluded area in the tea house's hall, Mrs. Han sighed: "What's your name, Sir?"
If it weren't for the fact that there was no other way, strong Mrs. Han would definitely not disturb Second Elder Sister-in-law's current calm life. But since her father passed away, Yue Chang Shou had become worse. Now he had set his scheming eyes on their own daughter! Although Han Family opened a grocery store with the help of old man Han who just passed away, they had no relatives in Dingyuan. Even if they have relatives, what will happen to Yue Family's daughter? They would also keep intervening. Mrs. Han thought far and wide. She could only find her own way to save her daughter from the fire pit.
"I'm Su Family's steward. My family name is Song. This is a handwritten letter that my family's Miss ordered me to bring over to Third Madam Yue." Uncle Song took out two letters from his pocket. One of which was Mrs. Han's own handwritten letter. Mrs. Han naturally recognized it. The handwriting on the top of the other envelope was very beautiful. At a glance, she knew it was a woman's handwriting. She quickly opened it and read it carefully.
After reading the suggestion in You Jin's letter, Mrs. Han finally sighed: "I didn't want to disturb You Jin at first, but I really have no other way."
Since the death of her father, the originally high-spirited Mrs. Han had aged a lot and gained a sallow complexion. Her originally plump body had lost a lot of weight. Now her last year's clothes were loose on her.
Looking straight at Uncle Song, Mrs. Han can only pin all their hopes on Su Family: "Since You Jin said so and I have no other solution, when is Sir Song going to leave?"
From Yue Chang Shou's intention, it seemed there wasn't time left for her. To avoid long nights and many dreams, the sooner she sends You He away, the better!
Uncle Song pondered for a moment before answering: "Before I came, Eldest Miss had instructed that if Third Madam has the intention, she can go to Luohe Prefecture with us and change the family status to live. It will not be worse than now."
Under the circumstances, if Mrs. Han was willing to go to Luohe Prefecture with him, it was better than staying.
Mrs. Han smiled wryly and shook her head: "If I leave, what about my two sons and my mother?" When she is present, she could protect them a bit. But if she is gone, wouldn't the family be in danger of scattering?
"Please Sir, take You He away. Go far away, don't go back to Dingyuan again!"
Upon seeing her insistence, Uncle Song wouldn't make things difficult for her. He nodded and responded: "So, tomorrow at a quarter past seven in the morning, our carriage will stop at the corner of the street. Third Madam and Cousin Miss, better get ready tonight!"
Quarter past seven in the morning was the time the city gate opened. As long as they got out of Dingyuan, the sky was high and the sea was wide. You He can also be freed! Thinking of this, Mrs. Han gratefully nodded: "Deal. I'll definitely bring You He over tomorrow morning." After speaking, the two parted.
That night, taking advantage of Yue Chang Shou fooling around somewhere and not returning home, Mrs. Han quietly entered her daughter's room.
Yue You He was sitting in front of the bronze mirror and wept silently. Seeing her mother coming in, her eyes turned into waterfall: "Mother!"
She didn't want to marry the rich man who was old enough to be her grandfather. She was delicate from young and raised spoiled. Still, she vaguely knew that her mother had found a good family. If her maternal grandfather hadn't died of a sudden illness, it wouldn't have been delayed. Nor would there be a firepit for her to jump into?
"Mother's He-er!" Sitting in front of You He, Mrs. Han wiped off the tears on her face with a handkerchief and then whispered: "Before your father comes back, you should quickly pack up your clothes."
"Pack up my clothes?" You He was a little confused. Her red and swollen eyes looked at Mrs. Han with some doubts.
Seeing her daughter not moving, Mrs. Han opened her daughter's closet by herself, put all the clothes she usually wore in, and then took out the only twenty liang in her pocket and stuffed them into You He's arms: "Mother wrote to You Jin. The people she sent to pick you up have arrived. You will leave Dingyuan with them tomorrow morning."
"Leaving Dingyuan? Then where am I going?" You He never thought that one day she would run away from home: "How did Mother find You Jin? Where are they now?"
After packing all her daughter's things, Mrs. Han took her daughter to sit by the bed. She explained in a hushed voice: "When You Jin's family left Dingyuan, Mother couldn't bear it and gave them some silver. Last year before the new year, she got someone to give it back. Now their family lives in the south and are much better off than ours. You'll go to You Jin's house. Since you're on your own, you have to take care of yourself."
"But if I leave, what will happen to Mother and Maternal Grandmother?" Thinking of how Father had changed in the past six months and wanted to trade her for wealth and prosperity, You He felt that if she leaves by herself, life will not be easy for Mother and Maternal Grandmother.
"Mother will be fine, Mother can't just watch you jump into the fire pit! How many women have been beaten to death by that rich man Zhang!" Mrs. Han wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and steadily looked at You He: "Mother will sleep with you tonight. I will see you off tomorrow morning."
Now, Yue Chang Shou was going out to have fun every day. It was not uncommon for him to stay away from home for a few days. But for the past two days, he always felt a little uneasy in his heart. Mrs. Han, who had been arguing with him before, didn't make any move. It felt like she was planning something. So tonight after drinking with a few friends, he got home drunk and went to Daughter's room to take a look. Seeing Daughter and Mrs. Han sitting in the room, he staggered back to the main room with peace of mind.
Looking at the bundle hidden at the end of the bed, Mrs. Han breathed a sigh of relief: "You He, listen to Mother, Mother can only accept my fate of marrying your father in this lifetime whether he is good or bad. But you are still young, you can't accept your fate! Understand?"
"But what can I do if I go to the south?" You He was already a person who wanted to accept her fate. Now there was suddenly a new hope in front of her, she was a little confused. That was right! What can she do once she leaves?
Mrs. Han shook her daughter's shoulder vigorously and said, "You He, no matter what, it won't be worse than you jumping into the fire pit, understand?" Although Mrs. Han was also a little worried, she believed. She can only believe that You Jin's character and not treat You He badly.
The mother and daughter talked quietly for a long time. While in the main room, the sound of Yue Chang Shou's snoring rang out. The small courtyard was peaceful, but Mrs. Han didn't feel sleepy at all. She sat on the edge of the bed with her eyes wide open until the next day arrived.
She gently woke her daughter up. Under Mrs. Han's signal, You He quietly put on her clothes and put on a cloak to protect against the cold in early spring. The mother and daughter stealthily walked out from the back door opposite You He's boudoir. What they didn't realize was that a figure of a young boy followed behind.
At the corner of the street where Mrs. Han's grocery store was located, a half-new carriage parked quietly by the side of the road. Uncle Song was sitting on the shaft of the carriage with the driver, while the sleepy Qiao-er was lying on the window as she scanned around.
Due to fear of being seen by others, Mrs. Han specially ordered You He to lower the hood of her cloak. Seeing Uncle Song looking around, the mother and daughter walked faster: "Mr. Song."
Seeing Mrs. Han, Uncle Song jumped out of the carriage and said, "Third Madam."
He took the bundle in Mrs. Han's hands and looked at the girl with only half of her fair face revealed: "This must be Cousin Miss!"
"It is. Please take care of her from now on, Sir!" Mrs. Han pushed You He forward. You He had learned some etiquette. She bowed politely: "Mr. Song."
"Cousin Miss is too polite, let's get into the carriage quickly. In a moment, it will be inconvenient when there are too many people." Uncle Song turned away from her to not accept her bow. He asked Qiao-er to come down and help You He into the carriage.
Mrs. Han looked at her teary-eyed daughter through the window of the carriage. Her own eyes were red. She hurriedly took out a letter she wrote last night from her bosom and handed it to Uncle Song: "Must trouble Sir to bring back to You He. In future, You He will be entrusted to her!"
Uncle Song nodded and put the letter carefully into his pockets. Then he told the driver to set off. The driver raised his whip and patted the horse's back lightly. The carriage nosily went down the street and disappeared after a while.
Seeing the disappearing carriage, Mrs. Han couldn't hold back tears in the end: "Mother's He-er..."
"Mother!" Yue Wen Sheng, who had been silently following behind Mrs. Han mother and daughter, tightly supported slightly wobbling Mrs. Han.
"Wen Sheng! Why are you here!" Mrs. Han looked at the eldest son in horror. Did he see her send Daughter away?
Yue Wen Sheng supported Mrs. Han home. He didn't make any comment. Just said: "Let's go back soon. Father will wake up later!" Hearing what her son said, Mrs. Han knew that Son would protect this secret for her. The mother and son tacitly quickened their pace and returned home while no one was paying attention; pretending that nothing happened.
Back to Yue You He in the carriage. She discovered that there was only a ten year old little girl with two braids in the carriage and was looking at her. She asked, "Where are we going?"
Seeing that You He, who had taken off her cloak and looked pretty, Qiao-er felt closeness. She smiled and held the hot buns that her father bought just now to You He: "Cousin Miss, hurry up and eat some buns. It will take us a good few days to get back to Luohe Prefecture!"
"Luohe Prefecture?" You He asked with some doubts. Since she was born, she was in Dingyuan and never left. Naturally, she didn't know where Luohe Prefecture was.
At the mention of Luohe Prefecture, Qiao-er explained everything she knew like beans in a bamboo tube pouring out. In the end, she concluded: "Our Eldest Miss is amazing!"
After listening to Qiao-er's words, You He's eyes widened in disbelief. Second branch actually lived so well after they left Yue's house? Then what kind of trouble will she, the burden, cause to the other party? Amid You He's uneasiness and vague expectations, the carriage traveled through days and nights. On the morning of the fifth day, the group of four returned to Su's house in Wuliqiao.
This morning, You Jin had a rare idle time to accompany and chat with Mrs. Su at home when she heard the noise coming from the front. Shortly later, Uncle Song came in with Yue You He, who had grown gracefully like a budding white lotus.
You Jin came up to greet her: "Elder Sister You He, you're finally here. Mother had been mentioning for the past two days whether it's time for you to arrive!" While taking You He to the main courtyard, she ordered Auntie Song to take You He's bundle. The rooms that had been tidied up are put in order.
"Are you... You Jin?" You He felt that the pretty girl in front of her who was enthusiastically pulling her looked familiar, but she didn't dare to confirm it. So she asked hesitantly.
You Jin pulled her over Mrs. Su and then smilingly answered: "We haven't seen each other for three years and Elder Sister You He doesn't recognize me?"
You He was shocked by second branch's current wealth and at the same time shocked by how much the people in second branch had changed. She couldn't recover for a long time.
"Since you're here, you can stay here with peace of mind. Back then, we were going through difficult times. Thanks to your mother who sent us charcoal in the midst of snow and supported us both openly and secretly. Now it's time for us to repay you." Mrs. Su wiped the corners of her eyes. Thinking of You He's rough fate, she felt very sorry for her.
Without anyone noticing it, Yue Family's daughter in Dingyuan who was about to marry into Rich Man Zhang's house disappeared and a gentle and elegant cousin miss appeared in Su's house in Luohe Prefecture hundreds of miles away.
Chapter 90: You He's Marriage
When Yue You He first arrived at Su's house, she was always cautious. But after a few days, she found that no matter whether it was Second Aunt, You Jin or the servants of Su Family, they didn't give special treatment, as if she had always been in Su's house. This made You He heaved a sigh of relief. In addition, the people around her were also blood-related relatives. The helplessness and unfamiliarity she felt when she first arrived in Luohe Prefecture gradually dissipated.
"If Elder Sister You He is willing, you can come to the study room with us to study and practice calligraphy." Because of You Jin's words, You He began to go to the study room in the front yard to study and practice calligraphy every day. In the afternoon. she practiced embroidery with Mrs. Su. There wasn't much time in the day for her to be depressed about life.
Mrs. Su looked at You He's handkerchief embroidered with dense stitches of pink butterfly playing with flowers and nodded with satisfaction: "Your mother took pains to teach you. Not mentioning the rest, this handkerchief is countless times better than your younger sisters!"
You He was delighted to be praised by her, but she still smiled: "Second Aunt is overpraising. It's just me fooling around on normal days. How can it be good enough to show off?"
Mrs. Su really liked You He and felt pity for her experience. She patted her soft hands and said: "When you came, your mother specifically asked me to find a marriage that you would like. Second Aunt isn't trying to embarrass you. Marriage is an important matter. You can't marry blindly, alright?" Mrs. Su had already been brainwashed by the abnormal daughters in the family and felt that marriage was a matter of children's willingness.
"Since Mother said to let Second Aunt make the decision, I will obey Second Aunt." You He blushed and answered with her head half down. Although Mrs. Han had a very sharp temper, You He was delicate. Although her temper was good, she was an unwed daughter. Her skin was thinner. However, before she came to Luohe Prefecture, her mother did mention to her that the best way to avoid future troubles was to marry herself as soon as possible.
The more Mrs. Su looked at her, the more she liked her. So she urged You Jin a few times, asking her to help You HE find a good family.
You Jin was rendered a little helpless by Mrs. Su's: "Mother! I'm not a matchmaker, how can I keep an eye out for Elder Sister You He?" The people she can get in touch with every day were usually the customers in the snack shop or the long-term worker at home. How can she find a suitable family? "After so much difficulty, I finally got Elder Sister You He's household registration under our family's name. You must let me rest for two days, right?"
At You Jin's words, Mrs. Su had no choice but to say: "Then you take a break. Don't delay though! Your Elder Sister You He is already sixteen. Can't afford to delay!"
But sometimes fate was something one can't force and fate came inadvertently.
It had been nearly two months since You He arrived at Wuliqiao. From early spring February to late spring March, You He had already integrated into Su Family's world. Occasionally, she followed You Yin and others to the snack shop in Luohe Prefecture city to serve the guests and help out.
The little girls in Su Family were all good-looking. Most of the people who came to buy snack shop were women. Naturally, they had noticed that Sujiaxiang had recently gained an addition of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl with bright eyes and bright teeth. Many of them with unmarried youth at suitable age at home had their hearts slightly moved. Some even started to inquire with the other girls in the store: "Which family is the girl who helped in the store yesterday? Is she married?"
Shan Nai smiled and explained to the curious woman in front of her: "This is my family's Cousin Miss. She just came from another place and hasn't been engaged yet!"
Due to Su Family changing their surname to Su, they addressed her as Cousin Miss to avoid some unnecessary troubles.
Sniffing out that another unmarried girl of the right age came to Su Family in Wuliqiao, the matchmakers nearby were moved by the news. Su Family began to welcome the days of matchmaker knocking the door again.
This time, Mrs. Su put all her heart and soul into choosing a good marriage for You He. After careful selection, there were still three younger generations left. Mrs. Su didn't know how to choose, so she asked You Jin and Yu Lan for help: "I find all of them wonderful. Really don't know what to do! Both of you, help me be a second pair of eyes!"
You Jin teased little Eighth as she grumbled: "You can handle it all by yourself, no? What need is there for us?"
During this period, it was like Mrs. Su had become bewitched. Every day, she would go on and on about it. You Jin was so annoyed by it that her ears almost became calloused.
"You child!" Mrs. Su contained her mirth and rolled her eyes at You Jin: "This is a major event in your Elder Sister You He's life. So nothing can go wrong. What's wrong with me paying attention to detail?"
Seeing that You Jin ignored her, she turned her pleading eyes to Yu Lan.
Yu Lan was embroidering the belly slip in her hand for little Eighth. She replied without raising her head: "Since Madam finds it so difficult to choose, let Cousin Miss choose herself!"
"Teacher, you are right. We can only help Elder Sister You He by being the second pair of eyes. In the end, it is Elder Sister You He who will marry and live with that person for the rest of her life. It is better that she is satisfied!"
As long as this matter got solved, You Jin was fine. Who cares how she do it.
Mrs. Su herself had no experience in checking out potential families. On top of that, You He wasn't her daughter. If she get aggrieved, she will not be able to explain it to Mrs. Han. She agreed with You Jin and Yu Lan's method and actually invited You He over to discuss this matter.
But You He was a thin-skinned little girl after all. Even when she was in Dingyuan before, she vaguely knew that her mother was checking out families for her. Never like this, discussing it so straightforwardly with her? Sitting next to Mrs. Su, she blushed with shyness. She lowered her head and muttered: "It's up to Aunt to decide."
You Jin almost spat out the sip of tea she just had. If it was up to Mother and You He, it would be fruitless even after three to five years of researching. Putting down the teacup and wiping the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, she smilingly suggested: "How about this, I will find someone to inquire about these people's family backgrounds, personalities, and dispositions these two days. After that, let's go and sneak a peek of them. When the time comes, whichever one Elder Sister You He set your eye on is the one we choose?"
"I think this works. After all, those matchmakers are all eloquent. Even if you are a three star person, she can make them sound like ten stars. It's better for us to find someone to inquire in private." Yu Lan herself had gone through this process before. Naturally, she understood these matchmakers' ways. She deeply agreed with You Jin's idea.
At the two's words, Mrs. Su and You He had no objection. Seeing that she wasn't needed, extremely shy You He turned around and went back to her boudoir.
The finding issue was solved. Now the dowry was an issue.
After many inquiries and checking out, they finally settled on You He's marriage. The young man's name was Liu Zhuo Ting. He was nineteen this year. His family opened a noodle restaurant in Luohe Prefecture. Liu Zhuo Ting himself was studying in a private school in the city and had just passed the examination last spring and achieved the rank Tongsheng.
"The family background isn't the best. Although the noodle restaurant has been open for some years, it's just enough to take care of basic needs. In addition, Liu Family has two young daughters who are only seven or eight years old this year. If you marry over, you'll have a bit of a difficult time for a few years." When You He was about to choose Liu Family, You Jin seriously explained. After getting along with each other for these two months, You Jin knew that You He was raised and brought up with care. Completely different from Mrs. Han's good temper and a sharp personality, she had a soft and weak temperament. If she enter a family where the in-laws were in their prime and there were two sister-in-laws below, there would be some slight hardship.
However, You He fell in love with the gentle and elegant Liu Zhuo Ting: "I just think he is very nice..."
Thinking of the bright and cheerful man she saw on the street that day, You He blushed.
Looking at her cousin's young girlish heart, You Jin sighed, "I've said what I should say. If you insist, Elder Sister You He, then we have nothing to say."
When the matchmaker came to deliver the good news, the mistress of Liu Family, Mrs. Qin, opened her mouth slightly in disbelief: "Su Family agreed?"
Life was difficult for her own family. Even though they were doing small business in Luohe Prefecture, Eldest Son's annual expenses alone had already consumed half of the family's income. Plus there were two young daughters. Mrs. Qin thought Su Family would never agree. Unexpectedly, it actually came true!
The matchmaker grinned from ear to ear and jollily said: "Since I brought it up, Su Family have definitely given their nod. Elder Sister-in-law can rest assured and wait for the daughter-in-law's tea!"
Since the two family were willing, the two people's birth dates were soon matched. After going through the standard, the auspicious day was set to be three days before the Dragon Boat Festival, the second day of May.
Now there was only less than a month before the two families' auspicious day. Although Su Family had the intention to make it big, Liu Family really didn't have much money. You He was now embroidering her wedding dress in the room every day. The two families were in a flurry to arrange the two children's wedding.
On April 29th, there were still three days before Su and Liu Family's big day. In the afternoon, You Jin came back with two strangers and got someone to invite You He over.
Upon You He's arrival, You Jin turned to the two with their face down and stated: "From now on, she will be your master. Go and greet Miss You He."
The two bowed and acknowledged her words. Neatly, they kneeled to You He: "Greeting Miss You He."
"This is?" You He just arrived when she saw two females kneeling down towards her and was a little confused.
After pulling You He to sit down, You Jin introduced to her: "The older one's surname is Ge. The younger one's name was Chun Hua. They will go to Liu's house with you."
She chose two servants to accompany her marrying over. The older one was only in her early thirties. The younger one was only fourteen or fifteen years old. It was unknown whether it was intentional or not, both of them were very ordinary-looking.
"How can this do?" Upon hearing that it was her accompanying maids, You He quickly refused: "How can an ordinary family marry off a daughter with servants. I'm afraid it will be a joke!"
Even though she said this, You He was still very grateful to You Jin for thinking for her best.
You Jin motioned to Auntie Song to take the two of them away and settle them down. Then she took You He to the backyard. After entering You He's boudoir, the two sat down respectively: "Elder Sister You He, the life of Liu Family isn't easy now. Without servants, you have to wash and cook every day for such a big family. You also have to serve your parents-in-law and take care of your sister-in-laws. This is too hard!"
You Jin pulled the pair of hands that were completely different from hers and then showed her hands that still had a thin layer of calluses after nurturing for more than two years: "Remember how I used to work every day when I was at Yue's house. Let's not mention other things and just the fact that I have taken care of these hands for two years. They are still very rough. Don't you feel sorry for your hands?"
Seeing her putting it that way, You He was silent for a while. She was pampered since childhood. Although there were no servants in the family, her Maternal Grandmother and Mother were swift workers. She needn't worry about anything. If she was required to take care of these things in the future, it will mostly likely be too much for her, right?
Seeing her hesitation, You Jin took the chance to strike for victory and pushed on: "That's why I chose two people for you. Putting aside the rest, they can at least help you with the trivial matters at home. And if you are wronged in Liu's house, there are still people who can stand by your side and protect you?"
She took out a red deed with You He's name on it from her bosom: "This is the dowry that Mother and I prepared for you to put in the cash box of your dowry. Store it safely."
You He can read. When she unfolded it, it turned out to be ten mu of fertile land few kilometer west of Luohe Prefecture City! Like a hot potato, she immediately stuffed it back into You Jin's hands: "It's too precious. I can't take it!"
Ten mus of fertile land would cost seven or eighty liang silver at least. How could she accept such a valuable thing?
You Jin resolutely put the red deed back into her hand: "Although it's not much, you still need some personal belongings. If you rely on her Liu family for every drink and peck, you will always be inferior."
You He originally had some boundary set up between second branch. After all, they weren't close at the beginning. But now seeing Aunt and Paternal Younger Cousin Sister thinking about everything for her, she couldn't help but reddened her eyes: "You Jin, I!"
If it wasn't for second branch's help, she might have already fallen into the fire pit. How could she find such a good husband like today and relatives preparing such a precious dowry for her?