Chapter 242: By then, this old man will also come along for a meal. I hope you don’t mind?

Chapter 242: By then, this old man will also come along for a meal. I hope you don’t mind?

Yu Daniu and Yu Erhu were initially nervous and stiff, thinking it was like a dream for simple farmers like them to ever speak with such a learned scholar.

Luckily, Grandfather Liu was very friendly and had no airs about him. Under his guidance, Yu Daniu and Yu Erhu soon relaxed, chatting away fluently.

By the time Li Chunhua and Wei Pozi began serving the dishes, Yu Daniu and Yu Erhu were chatting so animatedly with Grandfather Liu that their faces were glowing, feeling as if he were truly their confidant.

When all the food was served, Wei Pozi remembered something.

She had heard that rich families had strict rules, like men and women not eating at the same table...

Feeling a bit uneasy, she asked, "Grandfather Liu, in our family, everyone eats together at one table. Is that okay with you?"

Of course, Grandfather Liu didn’t mind such things.

He was principled but not rigid.

Grandfather Liu smiled and said, "Ah Wu and Siyang are already engaged. We’re practically family now. Why should we be formal?"

Wei Pozi was both moved and excited.

What a reasonable and understanding scholar!

The Yujia family gathered around a large table.

Xingxing had gone to learn medicine from Daxisipo and wouldn’t be back for lunch. Only Ju Geer, a curious child, was staring at Grandfather Liu from across the table.

Su Rouer nervously pulled Ju Geer's arm.

Grandfather Liu laughed heartily, not minding at all. He even took out a small silver deer exquisitely crafted.

"Here, this is a gift for you," Grandfather Liu said with a smile, handing it to Ju Geer.

Ju Geer didn’t accept it and even hid his small hands behind his back, saying, "Grandpa, we don't know each other. Why are you giving me such a precious gift?"

Alarmed, Su Rouer quickly pulled her son away.

Grandfather Liu laughed even more heartily.

The Yujia family was really something. Even a four- or five-year-old kid was entertaining.

"It's alright. We don’t know each other now, but we will get familiar in the future," Grandfather Liu said, still without a shred of arrogance—it was hard to imagine that a year ago, he had been scolding the emperor furiously in the Jinluan Hall.

Ju Geer asked honestly, "Why?"

"My granddaughter is going to marry your fourth uncle. Won’t we have plenty of chances to get to know each other better?" Grandfather Liu asked with a smile.

Ju Geer thought about it and found it reasonable, then accepted the silver deer from Grandfather Liu, saying clearly, "Thank you, grandpa."

Before Su Rouer could relax, she heard Ju Geer ask Grandfather Liu, "Grandpa, does Xingxing have one too?"

She almost fainted.

You just refused it, and now not only have you accepted it, but you're also asking Grandfather Liu for one for Xingxing?!

Son, you’re really something!

Thankfully, Grandfather Liu wasn’t the least bit upset and chuckled heartily, "Of course, there is. I was planning to give it to Xingxing when she comes back, but since you asked, you can pass it on for me."

With that, Grandfather Liu took out another small silver deer and handed it to Ju Geer. It was clear he had been prepared for this.

Ju Geer beamed as he took it, "Grandpa, thanks from both Xingxing and me!"

Wei Pozi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

This was meant to be a welcoming gift, but Grandfather Liu and Xingxing were already close. He had given Xingxing so many jewels that they filled a small chest. Was another welcoming gift really necessary?

"Ju Geer’s just a kid; please don’t mind him," Wei Pozi said, truly troubled by her grandson’s natural familiarity.

But Grandfather Liu waved his hand, "Ju Geer is smart and lovely. I like him very much."

Su Rouer was so moved she almost cried.

The wisest scholar in the land was complimenting her son for being clever and adorable!

"Alright, let’s eat. The food smells too good to wait." Seeing that the Yu family was hesitating to start, Grandfather Liu took charge and invited everyone to dig in.

Only then did the Yu family collectively start to move their chopsticks.

Grandfather Liu took a bite and was somewhat shocked.

He picked another chopstick-full of a different dish, chewed carefully, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

The dishes were mostly made by Li Chunhua, with Wei Pozi assisting.

Li Chunhua was nervous, worried her simple cooking might not impress Grand Scholar Liu.

He was from the capital and had surely tasted the finest foods. She wasn’t sure if her cooking skills were up to par.

Although Li Chunhua had her chopsticks on the dishes, her peripheral vision was secretly watching Grand Scholar Liu’s reactions.

As Grand Scholar Liu sampled each dish and then seemed lost in thought, Li Chunhua grew increasingly anxious, her palms sweating!

Wei Pozi asked with concern, "University Scholar, is the food not to your taste?"

Grandfather Liu set down his chopsticks and said to Wei Pozi, "After Ah Wu and Siyang get married, we’ll be one big family. Then, I’ll be coming over for meals too—hope that’s okay with you?"

Wei Pozi smiled widely, "Not at all, not at all."

She nudged Li Chunhua, "These dishes were made by my eldest daughter-in-law. She’s always been an amazing cook. I never imagined she’d impress the Grand Scholar!"

Li Chunhua felt like she was floating on clouds, dazed and unsure of what to say.

Grandfather Liu praised, "I’m not as fortunate as you. My eldest daughter-in-law doesn’t drive me crazy, so I’m lucky. Your eldest daughter-in-law is very skillful."

This compliment pleased both Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua, their faces beaming brighter than flowers.

To be fair, Li Chunhua’s cooking couldn’t compare to those top chefs in the capital or the palace.

But her cooking was special for its natural simplicity, bringing out the true flavors of the ingredients—a completely different style from those fancy dishes.

Grandfather Liu was extremely delighted!

He had originally harbored a subtle concern that Ah Wu might not be accustomed to the food here.

If that were the case, would bringing a chef as part of Ah Wu’s dowry make the Yu family feel uncomfortable?

But now, Grandfather Liu felt that not only was a chef as part of the dowry unnecessary, but he himself wanted to come over for meals!

The meal concluded in a very relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

Ah Wu and Yu Siyang's engagement officially took a significant step forward.

Wei Pozi had prepared many betrothal gifts and invited a wedding band to escort the gifts to the Liu family villa with great fanfare.

The Yujia knew they were only marginally better off than ordinary farmers, so their betrothal gifts couldn't compare to those from the capital, but they had been prepared with the full effort of the entire family, seeking only peace of mind.

Of course, Grandfather Liu understood the Yujia's situation and wasn't very concerned about how much betrothal gift they could offer.

And yet, when he saw more betrothal gifts being brought into the courtyard than he had anticipated, he was still taken aback by the Yujia's sincerity.

Grandfather Liu felt more and more that the match he had arranged for Ah Wu was the best possible one.

Whether it was a matrilocal marriage or a traditional wedding, as long as the children were happy, what did a title matter?