Chapter 117: Dragon Boat Festival (Part 2)

  In the main room, Xian Chenghao greeted Ye Lao and his sons, Ye Shiwei, and they took their seats according to seniority, exchanging pleasantries.

  Not long after, the village head brought Ye Chunshui with gifts and came over. In the main room, they exchanged greetings again, took their seats in order.

  Zhen Er and Ye Baiji were arranged to send tea and snacks in when they only heard a very pleasant voice saying: "...Now learning from Mr. Sun about crafting."

  Zhen'er immediately heard Ye Chunshui's exclamation, followed by his excited inquiry: "Is that the extremely skilled craftsman, Mr. Sun Yue Leng?"

  Lian Chenghao nodded humbly and said, "It's Mr. Sun Yuehan." He explained, "Mr. Sun is a master of composition, and every article he has guided has become a masterpiece. The teacher doesn't easily give lessons, but this time it was the principal of Shanshu Academy, Mr. Zhao, who personally went to invite him, so he agreed to teach a few classes. I'm not talented, but Mr. Sun thought I was someone worth teaching, so he taught me a few classes."

  These few words made everyone in the house listen with reverence, and even Ye Chunshui, a master of ceramics, knew that his reputation was very great. And for Lin Chenghao to be able to receive his guidance, it was truly a blessing.

  "Qingshan Academy is also a famous academy." Ye Chunshui said.

  The room suddenly erupted in applause, and Xian Chenghao smiled humbly.

  Out of the door, Ye Bai Zhi pulled Zhen Er and rushed into Ye Bai Wei's room, excitedly shouting, "Bai Wei sister, brother-in-law is really extraordinary, handsome and talented, with a high moral character."

  Ye Baiwei was packing gifts, a pair of shoes for Old Master Lin and Madame Lin, a purse and embroidered handkerchief for Lin Chengxiao's sister, and a book bag for Lin Xiuchai's brother. She sorted and packed each item carefully, ignoring Ye Baiqi's aimless praise.

  "You haven't seen how elegant and refined my brother-in-law is, just like the people in paintings. His voice is also pleasant to listen to. In the future, he will definitely get along well with my sister." Ye Baiqi said with a mouthful of food, emphasizing the last sentence.

  Ye Baiwei smiled carelessly after hearing that. Before the New Year's Eve, her mother had taken her to see Lin Xiucai, and at that time, she had only glanced at him from a distance. Even though he was wearing the same short jacket as others, planting rice seedlings in the field with mud on his body, he still stood out. It was love at first sight under the clear moonlight. She never thought that such an outstanding person would appear in a rural area.

  Later, her mother woke her up. The more outstanding a person is, the more arrogant they are. That Lin Xiuzai was not an ordinary person at first glance. Now that he can accept her so intimately while being down on his luck, what about when he makes a name for himself in the future? Her mother had even given her a return gift bag. "Regret calling husband to seek title and wealth," she thought overnight after returning home and put an end to her thoughts. Some people can only be admired from afar and cannot be trifled with.

  No one expected that before her mother had even discussed the matter with them, Mrs. Lin would come to their doorstep. Mrs. Lin had met her at some point and was very fond of her temperament, and her maternal grandfather was a scholar, while her paternal grandfather was a doctor. In the village, they were considered to be people worth talking to. Such a good family, of course, she wanted to secure first.

  After talking for a long time, her mother agreed to the marriage. At that time, she was still puzzled, but later her mother told her that the Lin family had been a prominent family for five generations, and their ancestors had rules: men did not take concubines, and women did not remarry. This was what moved her mother the most, and it also fulfilled her own thoughts.

  Ye Baiji continued to talk about how they would be harmonious and loving after marriage, but only then did she realize that Zhen'er was unresponsive. Even Ye Baimei didn't blush, instead complaining discontentedly, "How can you two do this? Can't you at least give me a word? It's as if I'm the only one talking."

  "Yeah, what Bai Ji (sister) said makes a lot of sense." Ye Baiwei and Zhen'er chimed in unison, and after finishing their sentence, both couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Ye Baiji pretended to be angry and turned her body to sit on the stool, Zhen'er knew she was not really angry, so she said: "Sister Baiwei, you've met Lin Xiucan before, haven't you?"

  This is not a question, but a certainty. Ye Baiji was surprised and looked up at her sister, can she see it before getting married? Then why did her mother accept her every day, previously she couldn't even accept her talking to Luoyan Ge.

  Ye Baiwei nodded, country people are not as particular as city folks, when it comes to matchmaking, most will find an opportunity to secretly take a look, if they like what they see, then they'll exchange betrothal gifts, if not, they can retreat early and avoid any potential conflicts.

  She could see it originally, so why was she so excited to run back and forth, jumping up and down to ask about it? Ye Bai thought to herself, feeling a bit depressed in her heart. No wonder Auntie said that her mother had taught her etiquette and rules all wrong, and told her to learn from Zhen'er more often in the future, she really didn't understand anything.

  Ye Baiji thought to herself, looking at Zhen'er who was discussing gift-giving with Ye Baimei. She knew exactly what to give to whom and when it was suitable. In comparison, she really didn't have any strengths.

  "...I heard that Mr. Lin's foot is longer than the shoe, after it got better, there was still a residual root, and it hurts when touched, so the shoes have to be made with special care. I think using cotton cloth wrapped in cotton batting here should be much better." Zhen'er pointed at the mouth of the shoe and suggested.

  Ye Baiwei looked at Zhen'er in surprise, she didn't know this news, how did Zhen'er find out?

  Zhen'er explained somewhat embarrassedly: "Er Niu and the others went to Lin Xiucun's village to cut medicinal herbs, I asked her about it, but she didn't know how they found out about this either." As she spoke, she carefully glanced at Ye Baiwei and said: "Baiwei jie, we didn't have any malicious intentions, we just wanted to know more things..." Ye Baiwei hadn't waited for Zhen'er to finish speaking before hugging her tightly, sincerely saying: "Thank you, Zhen'er meimei, thank you!" It wasn't that she really treated her as a close sister, or else Zhen'er wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to investigate the Lin family's affairs.

  Back home, Mrs. Lin looked at Lin Cheng's red face with heartache and complained: "Why didn't you take the ox cart back? It wouldn't have cost much."

  Lian Chenghao washed his face, and when the redness on his face slowly faded away, he said: "It's not a long way to go, just walk for a while and we'll be back. I also want to take a good look at the scenery along the way, and after going to the academy, it will be a long time before we can come back."

  When Lin Chenghao said he was going to the academy, Madam Lin's smile became even brighter. Her son was indeed impressive, and in the entire village, there wasn't a second person with his talent.

  "Today you went to Ye's house, what did your uncle and aunt say? If they don't object, mother will let village matchmaker Li come over in a few days." Madam Lin asked anxiously.

  Lian Chenghao's face, which had just faded from its previous flush, slowly reddened again as he thought of that apricot-colored skirt hem and said slowly: "My uncle told me to focus on following Mr. to study, nothing else was said."

  Madam Lin was alarmed upon hearing this. Their family's mourning period would last for three years, and the Ye family wouldn't be angry about that, wanting to call off the engagement? But that didn't make sense either - if they wanted to call it off, they should have done so earlier, why wait until after their mourning period was over?

  Madam Lin couldn't help but cast her gaze at Old Master Lin, who was slowly savoring his tea on the armchair, and complained: "You'd better say something, what's the meaning of this Ye family?"

  Lao Lai put down his teacup, furrowed his brow and thought for a moment before saying, "Isn't this just a trick to deceive us?"

  Madam Lin thought for a moment, and indeed, there was such a possibility. Their family's first choice was three years ago, but they had truly delayed Ye Family's daughter's years in vain. They knew that Ye Family's eldest daughter had a good reputation, both her natal and marital families were powerful, and many people came to ask for her hand in marriage. As a result, they chose their son, who would have thought that after the engagement was settled, they let three years of time slip away, anyone would want to put on a show of attitude.

  "What are we going to do?" asked Mrs. Lin, the daughter-in-law was pinching the family before she even entered the door, this is not a good thing at all.

  Lian Lao looked at the magpie on the branch outside the door for a while before saying, "This matter is actually our fault. In a few days, we'll bring some gifts and go visit that girl with you. I think Old Man Ye and Brother Ye are both understanding people, let's talk it over properly and settle this matter as soon as possible."

  Madam Lin nodded slightly, though she felt somewhat uneasy in her heart.

  Lian Chenghao looked at his parents with some helplessness, but he didn't think that the Ye family was trying to take advantage of him. What Mr. Ye said might have been truly for his own good. He still remembered the shrinking gaze of Old Man Ye when he asked about studying under Master Sun at Qingshan Academy. It's possible that they were already considering backing out of the engagement.

  Others heard that he had such a good future, no matter where they went, they all heard praise. Some people didn't care if he was engaged or not, and they all flocked to him. Only the Ye family showed signs of retreat. They were a couple who truly loved their children. He still remembered what his mother said when she first mentioned this marriage to him: "However, that girl's family is a family of scholars and doctors. Your Uncle Ye and Aunt Ye are a harmonious couple, they know how to teach their daughter well. Such a girl is spoiled but not spoiled, not arrogant. They understand the way of harmony between husband and wife even more. Our family has a rule of not taking concubines, only when the husband and wife are in harmony can they go further."

  "Mother, come and see this." Lin Chenyu held a pair of shoes and lifted her skirt as she rushed in.

  "Look at you, what a state you're in! I've always taught you to be composed, no matter how big the situation is. You should remain calm and dignified, that's what a young lady from a good family like ours should be like. Where's the decorum in shouting and screaming?"

  Lian Chenyu lowered her head, stuck out her tongue and said: "Mother, I know I was wrong, it won't happen again."

  Madam Lin's expression improved slightly as she heard her apology and asked: "What happened that made you rush in here so frantically?"

  Lin Chenyu picked up the shoes, her face excited, just opened her mouth, saw her mother's dark face, and lowered her voice: "I just unpacked the gift that my brother brought back, looking at these shoes like they were for dad, I was about to unpack and redo them, who knew that when I touched inside, I found this." As she spoke, she turned over the shoe mouth, revealing a small bundle wrapped in white cotton cloth inside.

  Madam Lin took it over with a puzzled expression, pinched it, lifted her head, and smiled on her face. She said to Old Master Lin, "Old master, you guessed wrong this time. Our family really got a good daughter-in-law."

  Lian Lao Ye had an injury on his foot, so every time he wears shoes, he has to be extra careful. Therefore, making shoes for him requires even more attention to detail. This is something everyone in the Lian family knows. Yebai Wei made shoes that take this into consideration and handled it with such delicacy, showing she's also a thoughtful person. How can this marriage not be good?

  Lin Chengxiao looked at the cotton ball sewn with a piece of cloth, his eyes narrowed, filled with laughter. He thought of that apricot yellow with a hint of pale red, just like the silk flowers on the heads of the two little girls who brought in tea water, perhaps his mother was right, girls who grew up in such a family valued kinship more.