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  "Father," Xia Erbo said, covering his face with a wine cup, "they are all the same granddaughters. At sixteen, they will be sensible. You are biased towards her in terms of food and drink. As uncles and aunts, we cannot argue about this. The children also can't do anything about it. My elder brother is a scholar, and at sixteen, she is only twelve years old now. Later on, there will be good things to choose from, and they can all be slowly selected. May is fifteen years old during the Chinese New Year, and the Lao Tian family's proposal is a good thing that came knocking on our door..."

  The hardest part is getting started; once you've begun, everything else will follow naturally.

  Old Man Xia frowned halfway through listening. By the time Second Uncle Xia finished speaking, Old Man Xia's face had turned black.

  "Second brother, you're still talking nonsense. I didn't explain things clearly to your wife. You think I'm biased towards Sixteen? No way! Come on, that child is not bad, I know you've set your sights on a rich family. But our door and their gate don't match, others in the village can think what they want, but no one in our family should have this idea."

  Xia Er Shu stared at Old Man Xia, as if trying to determine whether what he said was true or not. "Dad, you..."

  His own son would certainly understand, but Xia Lao Yezi was aware that Xia Er Shu still suspected him, and he couldn't help but get angry. "What's wrong with you? Do you want me to take an oath for you?"

  "No, not at all." Xia Ershu hastily accompanied a smile. He understood his old father, and whatever he said would be counted. Since Old Man Xia didn't plan to favor Xia Zhi by giving him the land, he felt relieved.

  Xia Er Shu accompanied Xia Lao Yezi with a smile and politely poured wine for him.

  "Dad, although we are just a rural family, our child's great aunt is a scholar and will become an official in the future. Moreover, with you around, our family can marry into any kind of household..."

  "Old Two..." Xia Lao Ye Zi didn't even lift his wine cup, and the second son's flattery couldn't fool him. He eyed the second son warily.

  "Dad, it's not that I'm bragging about my own family. Our May is good-looking and has a good mouth, and her needlework is top-notch too. It's just that I, as the father, don't have any status, which is holding the child back. May matches up with Tian Lai Bao pretty well, if you ask me."

  "You're still not giving up!" Old Xia shouted in anger, "May and Tian Lai Bao are completely mismatched." May is even three years older than Tian Lai Bao.

  "There's a saying, isn't there? 'A daughter-in-law who is several years older is like holding onto a gold brick.' Xia Ershu chuckled. 'Old Tian has a big family and business, but only this one son. Marrying an older wife means he can have grandsons sooner, not to mention she can help with household chores and assist with the family business.'"

  "Preposterous!" Old Master Xia spat at his son, "Your words make me feel chilled to the bone."

  "Dad, if May is not suitable, then there's July. July and Lai Bao are of similar age, and July is a good kid... Otherwise, I wouldn't dare have this idea. You see, Lai Bao always comes to our house. There are many families in the village who get along with the Old Tian family, but they let Lai Bao come to our house... It's just that our family background is a bit poorer, so it's better for the kids to be together first, what's it called... Ah yes, 'near water'..."

  He hadn't even spoken the two words "Lou Tai" when Old Man Xia slapped him on the back of the head, almost knocking his brain onto the dinner table. Summer Second Uncle let out a cry of pain.

  "How shameless you are! I knew it, you and your wife have been harboring this despicable thought! Was it your idea? You let your wife take the lead for you! Our old Xia family may be poor, but we can't lose our dignity!"

  Xia Ershu hadn't been beaten for many years, he also had a few years of age, with sons and daughters, but was scolded by Old Man Xia without mercy, his face couldn't hold up.

  "Dad, how shameless can you be? I didn't steal or rob!"

  "You're still talking back!" Old Master Xia's anger intensified, and he raised his palm again. Second Uncle Xia hurriedly covered the back of his head and dodged to the side. Old Master Xia's palm hesitated for a moment, thinking that Second Uncle Xia was also a family man with children, so he didn't slap him again. "I won't tolerate such things here. I'm afraid others will poke fun at me!"

  "Tian Lai Bao, that kid, I'll let him come less often from now on. And you two, just forget about your ideas. As long as I'm around, don't even think about doing something like this. Otherwise, get out of here and stay far away, and I'll pretend you never existed!"

  After Old Man Xia finished speaking, it seemed as if all his energy had been drained away, and he suddenly looked somewhat dispirited.

  Xia Er Shu knew better and didn't dare speak, so he fawned on Xia Lao Yezi by serving him dumplings.

  "Can't eat anymore." Old Xia looked at his second son's flattering appearance, and although he was angry in his heart, he also felt a little soft. "I packed this dumpling today just for you to pack."

  The old man's intention was to have everyone eat dumplings happily, and then he would talk about the Wang family's affairs in front of the whole family, just like his son had settled his granddaughter's marriage.

  "We'll see each other at the next gathering, and we'll settle everything before the Dragon Boat Festival. Either before the New Year or next autumn, we'll get their marriage arranged."

  He was very enthusiastic, but who would have thought that as soon as he opened his mouth, he was taken advantage of by his son and daughter-in-law. Then, the couple even flirted with each other in front of him, clearly eyeing the wealth of the Lao Tian family.

  "Our old Xia family has never been one to despise the poor and love the rich!"

  "Dad, it's not that I'm ashamed of being poor and love being rich. Who doesn't want their kids to live a better life?" Xia Ershu said in a low voice.

  Xia Lao Yezi seemed to be heartbroken: "I've seen through your hearts. You think about Qian Shu's family matter again, it's a beautiful relationship. Let go of that child, Come Bao. I'm giving you face in front of everyone today. The two girls made fools of themselves, and it was the 16th who saved you. If there's another time, I won't tolerate you!"

  Xia Er Shu took another sip of wine and slipped away quietly.

  Old Lady Xia entered the house and saw Old Man Xia sitting there in a daze. She asked him if he was going to eat anymore.

  "I'm full, and I've had enough of this nonsense."

  Old Lady Xia began to pack up. "We've worked hard to make these delicious dumplings, and we haven't even served you men yet! Our fault is too great!"

  Old Xia shouted with tears in his eyes: "I'm not after you!"

  "But isn't your dark face what we see? You're so angry, who will serve you in the end?"

  "I'm still being squeezed by you people, I'll leave, so you won't have to bother looking at me." Old Xia said and got down from the kang, put on his shoes, went out of the gate, and slipped away somewhere.

  Xia Zhi helped Xia Lao Tai to clean up, and Xia Lao Tai complained to Xia Zhi: "Look at your grandfather's temper, when he gets angry, he takes it out on us."

  Xia's uncle and his family were in a bad mood, Xia's wife had a hard time dealing with them all day. Fortunately, she was still relatively understanding and knew how to get along with people, but her heart must not have been at ease either. Stepmothers are never easy to deal with, Xia Zhi understood this point. Also because of Xiao Hei Yu Er, she quite understood Xia's wife, so she advised Xia's wife not to take it to heart.

  "It's really hard to get over these years." Old Lady Xia sighed. She was close to Xia Zhi, and slowly opened up to him about her worries, also willing to talk about past events in the Xia family.

  "Your second uncle and aunt have been quite resentful of you these two years because of your sixth sister's matter, grandpa..."

  In June, the engagement was settled. At first, Uncle Xia and Auntie Xia were generally satisfied. Shen's family village, apart from being a bit far from Daxing Village, actually had a pretty good family background. There were three brothers, with over ten acres of land, a big courtyard, and although they didn't live a rich life among the villagers, it wasn't bad either. Moreover, just like Old Master Xia advocated for, Shen's family was a decent and respectful household. Shen Li was the third son, a very honest person. His two older brothers were already married, with only two younger sisters below him.

  When Shen's family married off their daughter, they didn't demand a dowry from Xia's family, and Xia's family also didn't ask for betrothal gifts.

  In the second year after marrying into the Shen family, the old couple fell ill one after another, and the family business gradually declined. Shen Li's two elder brothers had moved out to live on their own, and Shen Li was very filial, taking on the responsibility of caring for his parents. Liu Yue was diligent and capable, treating her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and two younger sisters-in-law well, and was known in the village as a capable and filial daughter-in-law.

  Xia Lao Ye Zi felt proud and thought it was good. However, Xia Er Shu and Xia Er Shu did not think so, both of them privately thought that Lao Ye Zi had ruined Liu Yue.

  With this matter as a foundation, and adding the fact that Xia Er's aunt's family benefited from marrying off their daughter, these two had their own plans for Wu Yue and Qi Qi's marriage.

  Xia Zhi accompanied Old Lady Xia in conversation until Xiao Hei Yu and Old Man Xia returned one after another. Since then, Old Man Xia and Old Lady Xia didn't have the tendency to quarrel again, Xia Zhi went back to the front yard.

  Old Lady Xia also packed a bowl of dumplings for Xia Zhi, which Xia Zhi all gave to Sun Lan'er. "Lan Zi sister, you have some too. My grandma specially instructed me to let you try some."

  Sun Lan'er was originally unwilling to eat, but after Xia Zhi repeatedly persuaded her, she finally picked up the bowl and ate the dumplings.

  "The dumplings wrapped by the big nanny are really delicious." The Sun family was far less well-off than the Xia family, so they rarely had such white flour and meat-filled dumplings. Madame Sun occasionally cooked small meals, but Sun Lan'er had never had any before. Sun Lan'er felt that these days spent keeping company with Xia Zhi were simply too happy.

  After eating dumplings, Sun Laner quickly washed the bowls and chopsticks by herself, then asked Xia Zhi to look at her little dress. In these two days, Sun Laner had already worked hard to make Xia Zhi's little dress.

  "Sixteen, try it on. If it doesn't fit, I'll alter it for you." If it fits, just wash and iron it, and Xia Zhi can wear it.

  Xia Zhi was delighted to try on the clothes, which were loose and comfortable. "Lan Zi sister, you can be a tailor now." Xia Zhi praised Sun Lan'er with a smile.

  Sun Lan'er saw that the clothes fit well, she was also happy and asked Xia Zhi if he wanted to embroider some flowers or grass on the collar.

  "No." Xia Zhi shook her head. Her close-fitting clothes didn't need any fancy designs. "Lan Zi, you should also hurry up and make your clothes."

  "Uh-huh." Sun Lan'er nodded in response. A girl of her age, if not for the family's circumstances, would also love to wear good clothes, new clothes.

  The next day, Xia Zhi still went to the backyard. As she walked into the yard, she saw Wu Yue and Qi Yue standing at the door. Both of them had changed into casual clothes, and when they saw Xia Zhi, they both looked a bit embarrassed, but didn't turn around and go back inside.

  May calls out to Summer Solstice: "Sixteen, you're here."

  "July also spoke with Summer Solstice: 'Fourth sister, come sit in our house for a bit, okay?'"

  It seems that Old Man Xia's words have taken effect, Xia Zhi thought to herself. They took the initiative to show their kindness, and Xia Zhi naturally wouldn't reject them, so she smiled and replied with a couple of sentences before entering the upper house.

  Mr. and Mrs. Xia were both present, and the noise in the courtyard should have been heard by both of them. Mr. Xia's face was quite relieved. Mrs. Xia was busy putting a table on the kang, and together with Xiao Hei, they moved out the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

  Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu Er each occupied one end, starting their daily learning. Xiao Hei Yu Er studied very seriously, because Xia Zhi learned quickly, this little master gradually had a sense of urgency.

  Mrs. Xia was quietly sewing, occasionally glancing at the two children. Mr. Xia had nothing to do at home, so he took his pipe and went out for a stroll. He had just left when Laiyue brought Little Xia Lin over. Little Xia Lin came over with a smile, sat down next to Little Black Fish, but didn't dare make a sound to disturb them. Laiyue sat on the kang with Mrs. Xia, continuing to sew her pouch.

  The old lady looked at the sandbag sewn by Dongzhi and asked him: "Is this the cloth given to you by Sixteen?"

  "Ah, it was given by Fourth Sister. Grandma, I still want to learn how to make lotus-leaf bags with Fourth Sister and Orchid."

  "That's good." Old Lady Xia smiled. Her third son and his wife had both gone out to work, so she had a responsibility to take care of her younger brother Nian Yue. "Nai also knows how to do it."

  Xia Zhi wrote a few words and was about to take a break when he heard this sentence, turned his head around and smiled at Old Lady Xia: "Nai, if you want to do it, I'll go back home in a bit and bring you a few pieces of cloth."

  "I have it right here, no need for you to get it," said Old Lady Xia.

  "Mom, I have an idea." Xia Zhi discussed with Old Lady Xia, she brought back a lot of fabric scraps this time. Although the fabric scraps were small, the material and color were not bad. She planned to make small items like pouches and sachets from these scraps. "If I embroider something on them, I'll try selling them in town."

  If it can be sold, everyone will make some pocket money.

  "I saw them selling these in the grocery store in town, but their stitching and embroidery can't compare to yours, Grandma. I also asked the shopkeeper, and they said if you have good ones, they'd be willing to buy them from you. Grandma, when you're free, teach us how to make them. If you want to earn some extra pocket money for my uncle to buy snacks, then go ahead and make a few."

  "This is good." Old Lady Xia immediately responded, "Sixteen, you go get me some fabric in a bit."

  Lan Yue listened and then eagerly asked Xia Zhi to teach her, saying she wanted to learn, and when she learned well, she would make it herself and also ask Xia Zhi to sell it. "Later I can also have some pocket money." Lan Yue was very envious of Xia Zhi taking flowers and cherries to the town to sell for money and buying many things back.

  Xia Zhi smiled and said okay. However, before she could go home to get a towel, Old Man Xia had already returned.

  Lao Ye didn't come back alone, Tian Lai Bao was following behind him.

  Tian Fugui and Tian Sanniang personally sent Tian Laibao, and met Xia Lao on the way. Tian Fugui also brought Tian Laibao's small trunk.

  (。)